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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 11:32:54 GMT
Post by gatekommand on Jan 19, 2013 11:32:54 GMT
Hi everyone I do not as yet have a camper (can't afford it) but I am rather enthusiastic about the subject. I do not want a coach built as I want to drive down narrow lanes without worrying about paintwork, plus they are very expensive!
My "dream" is to self convert something like a Merc Sprinter and have it well insulated so I can wild camp in extreme cold weather. I have thought that an ex police personnel carrier may be a good base vehicle as they usually have AirCon and a Webasto diesel heater already installed. OK the engine would be well used but also well serviced.
Add as much surface area of PV cells on the roof as possible and a couple of 110Ah batteries and Roberts your uncle. Unfortunately at the moment this is only a pipe dream as finances are tight and the wife isn't interested. The wife part isn't an issue as I could leave her at home but I don't fancy robbing a bank! Sorry for the rant - I do tend to go on sometimes (so my friends and family claim) but once again hello everyone. Oh and my other passion is Amateur Radio!
Take care.....Neil AKA GateKommand
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Jan 19, 2013 12:25:22 GMT
Post by donkeytoo on Jan 19, 2013 12:25:22 GMT
Great to have a dream that's how we all started. It is relatively cheap to start out a base vehcle can be had for a couple of thousand and all you need is a bed and cooker. and work from there. First thing is to get rid of any negatives. Like the wife. ;D Then come to one of our meets and have a look round all the vans. There are rich ones poor ones old ones new ones . you would get some great ideas and help.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 12:27:27 GMT
Post by donkeytoo on Jan 19, 2013 12:27:27 GMT
Forgot to say WELCOME to th site. But be warned they are all crazy on here. Except me that is.
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Jan 19, 2013 13:11:54 GMT
Post by lotusanne on Jan 19, 2013 13:11:54 GMT
Hi gateKommand and welcome to the site. The time planing a van is almost as exciting as actually getting it... well not exactly but the planning and research is a lot of fun. Don't know how tight your finances are but my suggestion would be to consider getting anything for now.. cos the best way to learn what you actually want from a van is to use one. You can get some real bargains at this time of year - look at whats finishing shortly on Ebay, and limit max price. My van is 1989 SWB Ford Transit Autohomes Frontier. It cost £2500 2 years ago, has heater, hot water boiler. portaloo, even has shower and is a great conversion and fine fr the winter.... just a thought.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 14:36:40 GMT
Post by Firefox on Jan 19, 2013 14:36:40 GMT
Welcome Neil. Well, we have a great self build section on here which we are always adding to: freemotorhominguk.boards.net/index.cgi?board=selfbuildIt can seem daunting doing a self build, but if you buy the Van first you can take your time and spread the cost of converting it. You can even declare SORN while you are building, if you have space to store it off road. For a real value conversion I would recommend buying a donor caravan. For £300-£500 you can buy a caravan with servicable sink, cooker, heater, fridge, cabinet work etc etc. And you can sell the scrap on for a bit extra eg The chassis someone may want to build a trailer, you might get £50 on ebay.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 15:39:19 GMT
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Jan 19, 2013 15:39:19 GMT
Hello Neil! And welcome to the site.A selfbuild is a very good idea,especially if your skint.You can build it as funds allow and start using it almost straight away.
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Jan 19, 2013 15:57:08 GMT
Post by Firefox on Jan 19, 2013 15:57:08 GMT
Yes that's the other option. Especially if it is small enough to be used as an "only vehicle". Anything less than 6m long will probably work.
You start with a camping bed and a sleeping bag in the back and use it as a tin tent. That's what I did with mine. Part of the fun is how your luxury improves over the months as you add things like insulation, water systems, cookers, and proper beds.
I've stayed at some fabulous places over three years and as I rarely use campsites it is really cheap. All I need is food and diesel and I have a ready made holiday every weekend. I must have saved about £1500 a year on campsites and hotels as I go away quite a bit to play bridge or volleyball as well as just camping get aways. That's £4500 in three years - the van has almost paid for itself already.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 16:03:48 GMT
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Jan 19, 2013 16:03:48 GMT
Yes indeed,my last van ( which was the first ) was a T4 which I added two windows a rear sunroof,insulation and lining + a R/R bed.We kept it for five years and went all over the place.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 16:49:35 GMT
Post by kangooroo on Jan 19, 2013 16:49:35 GMT
I took a similar approach. I had a Renault Kangoo panel van with an airbed, jerrican and washing up bowl and traveled throughout the UK from Lands End to John o'Groats. Over the years I added some ply lockers to form a bed, sink unit and storage lockers then in its final (7th) year of ownership I added a roof vent, rear windows, stainless steel sink, and insulated/carpeted the walls - then sold it a few months later.
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Hello
Jan 19, 2013 16:49:45 GMT
Post by Firefox on Jan 19, 2013 16:49:45 GMT
The first thing I would add to the van would be a well insulated roof and soft lining. Maybe camping carpet or leatherette. Plus a roof light for ventilation. You can always wipe down bare metal walls with a towel, but drips in the night are annoying!
Then add air bed(s) Duvets, sleeping bag, an old carpet on the floor, couple of camping seats, camping table, 25litre water container with sqeezy pump, bucket with sawdust and sealed lid for a loo, couple of cool bags or boxes, plenty of kitchen paper and loo roll, camping stove, borrow a few cups and plates and crocks from kitchen or buy plastic ones for £10. You're set to go anywhere. Miles better than a tent. No need to struggle putting it up in the rain and what tent can you pitch on a tarmac layby ;D
You could fit the whole van out for £200 or less if you have some of the bits already. It needn't be expensive and you're using the van and saving from day 1
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