Image: © Rosan Harmenz (CC0 license/unsplash.com). More and more people share the big dream of exploring the world on their own with a set of wheels. But not everyone is enthusiastic about the large motorhome with the specified interior. The trend is for people to convert their van or van into a camper on their own and give it a very individual look.
Be as flexible and independent as possible when traveling
The holiday trend is slowly moving away from crowded beaches towards more remote places where nature can be experienced even more consciously. But even more important to prospective motorhome owners is their newfound independence. No more hassle because of fixed departure times at the airport, no lengthy bus transfers, no annoying check-in procedures at the hotel - and then the trip can be designed flexibly according to your own wishes. A dream!
The only thing missing now is the mobile base. It doesn't always have to be a large motorhome. A large van is enough and is ideal for an adventure trip. It certainly offers enough space to be able to set up individually. Even if you have to do without a toilet for better or for worse. To shower, you can easily go to one of the numerous parking spaces or campsites in Europe. Even without sanitary facilities, you can still sleep well in the van and withstand unpleasant rainy days .
Simply drive into the countryside in your own camper, experience the beauty of nature up close and escape the stressful everyday life. Image: © adrian (CC0 license/unsplash.com)The typical camper equipment can also be easily stored there. But that's not much of an art, because larger utensils such as camping tables or chairs are usually foldable or foldable for easy transport. To ensure that the tables fit into the van in terms of both style and size, it is advisable to get an overview of the individual models before finally buying a table. This means you are immune from a potentially unpleasant surprise that the table cannot be transported and is therefore useless for your needs.
So if you can't afford the necessary change for a large motorhome and don't want to rent one, you can simply convert your van into a camper. That's how it's done:
From van to camper - what to pay attention to
Whether you choose the VW Bulli, which shaped an entire generation in the 60s and 70s, or you prefer the van, there is one thing you should definitely know beforehand:
Used vans or buses that have already covered more than 250,000 kilometers can quickly become a nightmare sooner or later. In general, care should be taken to ensure that the car is in solid overall condition.
In principle, commercial vehicles, panel vans, minibuses or vans are best suited as basic vehicles. These include the following models:
- Ford Transit
- Mercedes Sprinter
- Nissan Primastar
- Opel Vivaro
- Renault Trafic
- and of course the VW Bullis T3, T4 and T5
There are actually no restrictions in terms of age and performance. The only important thing is that the vehicle is sufficiently motorized for your individual requirements and is actually designed for the additional weight. The expected empty weight with body and the minimum payload play an important role.
The only important thing is that the vehicle has sufficient motorization and is actually designed for the additional weight.
If a liquid gas system is to be installed or additional electronics are to be installed, specialist knowledge is absolutely necessary, as these must be installed in accordance with the relevant standards. If you don't have the confidence to do this work yourself, you can get help.
It is best to discuss the conversion work with a TÜV engineer straight away.
It is generally advisable to discuss the conversion work with a TÜV engineer in advance. After the expansion, this is ultimately responsible for approval as a mobile home , since conversions that lead to a new type of vehicle expire the previous operating license.
Converting it into a camper requires careful craftsmanship
Such an expansion takes a lot of time. Be sure to plan buffers so that you don't end up cobbling together something without thinking through. Good tips for structured progress can be found everywhere on the Internet. There you can see and read how a proper conversion works.
But first think about how you can live in a small space with as much system as possible. The limited options require a lot of functional refinement in order to minimize the almost unavoidable chaos when traveling.
Be sure to use storage space wherever possible, for example under the mattress and under the seating. Also think about how you will get back to the stored things later. This should be possible with as little effort as possible.
Seats can be easily removed and used as comfortable seating around the campfire. Image: © Adam Griffith (CC0 license/unsplash.com)So ask yourself the question: Should elements be able to be pulled out or unfolded? Be inspired by other conversions too.
Loft beds are of course best suited for maximum use of the available space. To ensure that there is enough oxygen when sleeping high up under the roof and that the heat does not build up to an unbearable level, installing roof hatches makes a lot of sense here.
When installing, please do not forget to create enough space to accommodate luggage, groceries and camping equipment. When the camper is finally parked, the technology should under all circumstances be checked again before setting off on the journey. If you also have a high-visibility vest, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher on board, the nature adventure can finally begin!
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