Finished Van & Test Trip To Cromer

Now that the van is complete (is any self-built camper truly finished?), I thought I would share the additional bits of paperwork required, explain a few key points in attempting to convert your own van into a camper as well as adding details of the van’s first little trip out - 3 nights at Woodhill Campsite in East Runton near Cromer.

What Has Been Going On?

Well in the last few weeks, I have handed in my notice at work and sorting two vital pieces of paperwork. Firstly, the van has been reclassified as a “Motor-Caravan” instead of “Panel Van” by DVLA Swansea. To do this, a van must meet the following criteria:

• A bed of at least 6ft (180cm) long which is either permanent or converted from seats.
• A horizontal sliding side door or outwards opening side/rear door.
• A table and seating. The table can be detachable from the van floor and/or walls but the mounting must be permanent. The seats must be permanently fixed to the van floor and/or walls.
• A permanent installation to house a water container (the container itself can be removed for filling up etc).
• Storage facilities such as wardrobes and cupboards permanently secured to the van floor and/or walls.
• Cooking facilities – At least a fixed 2-ring hob or microwave. Gas, if used, must have a separate storage area and a supply pipe securely fixed in place.
• At least one side window in the living area.

I sent off my vehicle V5 with a detailed cover letter and about 10 pages of photographs. After a month, I got my shiny new reclassified V5 back with the details changed. This process always takes at least 3 weeks and is not always straight forward. Try and give as much detail as possible and make sure to explain why your conversion meets every point. Be aware that the DVLA is currently re-evaluating its regulations and that even very good conversions are being more regularly declined – especially if it could still be mistaken for a standard van from the outside.

Secondly, the van is now insured! After cancelling my van policy I got a quote for under £600 for full European cover, breakdown and unlimited miles from Adrian Flux Insurance. Bearing in mind I am only just 24, I gladly accepted. - I have already had to use the windscreen cover after a large crack appeared.

Some Advice Please?

Thoroughly plan out what you want to achieve from the build and the finished vehicle before you start, this will help you with your van choice, layout, facilities etc. but it can also help you realise what is achievable. Planning your weeks out in advance gives you time to get tools and materials in early and avoid problems and delays. Additionally, what you may think of as and afterthought (such as my awning) might need to be decided at a particular stage in order to make preparations. Ask yourself: Do you need to space of a long wheel base or high-top vehicle? How many will it seat/sleep? Does it need to make a few odd trips to the coast each year or a long journey across uncharted territory? How much time can/will you spend working on it? What sort of budget do you have? What sort of skills do you have? Do you need mod-cons or just a sink and a bed? Will you wild-camp or stay on 5-star campsites?...etc…

Be realistic in what you can do, enjoy the build, and accept help when you need it. My philosophy was to keep it simple and take my time. I have learnt a huge amount and never let it become a chore to do. I started with no real skills or experience at a professional level, just a bit of DIY and some common sense. If you are stuck, there are plenty of websites and blogs out there like this one (see blog links), many of them helped me with my build. The SBMCC website and forum is a great place to start.

No Regrets?

• Toilet: I would have fitted a fixed toilet in the back. Just for convenience, a toilet is probably a must-have if you’ve got the space especially if planning lots of wild camping.
• Sleeping space: I would have done away with the uncomfortable top bed and fitted a single bed in somewhere with more headroom. The original plan was to sleep 4 people but circumstances change (a double and a single I think is about right for the size of the van).
• Roof vents: I managed to complete the whole build without having to drill any visible holes in the van bodywork – something I would have been very cautious about doing. Looking back it would have been smart to fit a roof vent to deal with condensation better.

Cromer Eh?

My mate Mal and I took the van for its first test trip to Cromer for 3 nights staying at a great little campsite called Woodhill. Rather than bore you with the details, here is the entire trip condensed into one paragraph:

The fire bucket, Dead-dog-donkey-thing, Sausage sandwich, One and a half crabs, Budgens, Tiny towel, Impossible Deathstar attack, Perfect boob, Giant fibreglass shrimp-lobster, No sink plug, Duck-on-a-stick, Ultra 33 Vs Megaflite 2000, Old people, Mal’s championship winning putt, 2P Gambling, Cromer pier never getting any closer, Biking to the pub, Football bloopers, The man with no footprints, Gypsy shop rock, The coffin bed.

Next stop, an 8 month trip around Europe starting next month!