To buy or to build?

What this thread is highlighting is why we have such a variance of models and layouts on the market for our needs, and personal preferences. When I started looking for a new van through covid, I took a full year to decide on what model. But I set out some musts before looking. But some of the vans out there lacked what I regarded as basic features. One van a Chausson ticked a lot of boxes until i noticed it only had a 60L freshwater tank, and a 40L grey water tank. There was a lovely Burstner that ticked the lot, till I noticed it could only take two 3.4L cylinders. Trying to get a van with an oven was not easy. I thought I was going for the Malibu, but at £12,000 more expensive than the one I chose I thought it was poor value, and the fridge was to small, and at the time they had no oven option, they do now. Then the Adria 640 SLB which is a fabulous van, but then I discovered the Dreamer D68 and thought this is it. But there are no Scottish dealers. This put me off. Their parent company Rapido did an almost identical van the V68, but again no Scottish Dealers. Then just as I was going to settle on the Adria, Dicksons of Perth became a Rapido dealer.

But what I like differs in someway(s) from everyone else. What is important to me might be something not even wanted by someone else. IE ovens, we could start a thread on ovens, for me they’re a must, for others a waste of space and money.
I wanted a van with, longitudinal beds, a 100L freshwater tank, Large gas capacity with auto change over, decent sized toilet, large fridge, good heating system on Duo energy, decent garage, plenty of natural light, good kitchen, separation between lounge and bedroom, external shower, and air suspension.
Well I got the lot on the van. But some will rightly be saying, why did he want this or that, and that exactly is my point.
 
Polar Bear said:
To buy or to build?



I have taken a deposit on my villa in Spain, so at the end of next month will no longer have a base there.
I sold my Hymer b544 because I could not get it on the drive without much shunting.

I am now looking for a smaller van.

My dilemma is whether should I buy, or should I build a campervan. I am looking to have a compact or van conversion with a lounge that can be two singles, and a shower room/toilet, at 72, and having a wife that visits the loo many times each night the twin singles seem a good idea to me.

I can see the cost saving in self-building one, but does that also mean the conversion won’t hold the value you put into it?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks.
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We found ourselves in exactly the same situation as yourself and I ended up buying a 5yo Tribute PVC which are relatively cheap and modifying it myself.
Pretty extensive changes and additions but we've now got the exact van we want and the internal finish has the professional appearance of a big brand Van which wouldn't be possible with a self build. While I'd got it stripped out I took the opportunity to insulate it properly, the original Trigano was pretty pathetic in this regard.
I'd always fancied doing my own conversion from start to finish but the work took way longer than I'd anticipated, I now realise just how much work would be involved and the time it would take and to be honest why these vehicles cost so much. If/when we need a replacement van I'd definitely do it again.
 
n brown said:
if you can live with the idea of bunk beds ,and have the room ,then you can have a wider bed ,like 3' or even more
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funny in a way that the idea of a bed "3' or even more" is considered a luxury :)

I regard my Motorhome as a 2 berth - each berth being 4' 3" :D (and it has a rear bathroom big enough to include a wardrobe as well :) )
 
I dont have wardrobes but do have two big spaces under the dining/passenger seats where you can put folded clothes in a plastic container.
I also have a 5inch hollow section under the upper beds with lids under the mattress, and a 9 inch high gap under the bottom bed.
Our rags will be dry in there inside the plastic boxes even if I do wee in the bed LOL.
van h.jpg
bed 2.jpg
bed 3.jpg
bed 4.jpg
 
It's worth looking around at a lot of ready converted vans Wilhelm , take a tape measure with you and see what can be done.

You may well come across your ideal van if you're lucky but you will certainly get some good ideas. Best of luck with it.
 
Fisherman said:
What this thread is highlighting is why we have such a variance of models and layouts on the market for our needs, and personal preferences. When I started looking for a new van through covid, I took a full year to decide on what model. But I set out some musts before looking. But some of the vans out there lacked what I regarded as basic features. One van a Chausson ticked a lot of boxes until i noticed it only had a 60L freshwater tank, and a 40L grey water tank. There was a lovely Burstner that ticked the lot, till I noticed it could only take two 3.4L cylinders. Trying to get a van with an oven was not easy. I thought I was going for the Malibu, but at £12,000 more expensive than the one I chose I thought it was poor value, and the fridge was to small, and at the time they had no oven option, they do now. Then the Adria 640 SLB which is a fabulous van, but then I discovered the Dreamer D68 and thought this is it. But there are no Scottish dealers. This put me off. Their parent company Rapido did an almost identical van the V68, but again no Scottish Dealers. Then just as I was going to settle on the Adria, Dicksons of Perth became a Rapido dealer.

But what I like differs in someway(s) from everyone else. What is important to me might be something not even wanted by someone else. IE ovens, we could start a thread on ovens, for me they’re a must, for others a waste of space and money.
I wanted a van with, longitudinal beds, a 100L freshwater tank, Large gas capacity with auto change over, decent sized toilet, large fridge, good heating system on Duo energy, decent garage, plenty of natural light, good kitchen, separation between lounge and bedroom, external shower, and air suspension.
Well I got the lot on the van. But some will rightly be saying, why did he want this or that, and that exactly is my point.
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Thanks for that. Sounds a lot like what I want. Are you happy with it mechanically?
 
trevskoda said:
I dont have wardrobes but do have two big spaces under the dining/passenger seats where you can put folded clothes in a plastic container.
I also have a 5inch hollow section under the upper beds with lids under the mattress, and a 9 inch high gap under the bottom bed.
Our rags will be dry in there inside the plastic boxes even if I do wee in the bed LOL. View attachment 117058View attachment 117059View attachment 117060View attachment 117061
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Thanks, Trev. Wardrobes are not high on my list. I have been told our first trip is to Northern Ireland so maybe viewing yours in the flesh?
 
Single beds are ok untill you sleep on our highways .
The camber some times pushes you or othere out of bed, mainly you as they make beds up at night and put coussans out ! if too beds to narrow. Now your going to need self leveling.
 
1 Cup said:
Single beds are ok untill you sleep on our highways .
The camber some times pushes you or othere out of bed, mainly you as they make beds up at night and put coussans out ! if too beds to narrow. Now your going to need self leveling.
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They are not single beds Jeff it makes in to a large double as we sleep across the van.and it's 6ft 1in across so fine for us at 5ft 7in
 
Thinking of making a new splashback andremoving the socket and switch nearest the tap out as they are never use.I also have a double socket on the end of the unit as well .
 
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trevskoda said:
Good idea, bit of work required, I have one socket down at the passenger footwell which runs a 400w plug in blow heater, keeps the wifes feet warm until the van heater kicks in on cold morning outings.
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Remember to never have that heater running unattended! if the vents on a fan heater get covered (maybe a rug or cushion drops down say?) you can have a serious fire risk. A plug in Oil Radiator would be a safe option if need to run with no one around.
 
Fisherman said:
My personal dislike are bathrooms right behind the driver or passenger. The captains seats are the most comfortable in most vans, and swinging them round to watch tv etc is a must for me personally. Depends what’s meant by a large toilet, but remember the larger the toilet the less space elsewhere. The van we have ordered has a duo space toilet/shower. The toilet for a van is a decent size, if you want when showering you can swing away the handbasin and are left with a smaller shower area. But ultimately if you want a van one foot narrower than a standard Motorhome it comes with compromises, unless Dr Who is involved in the building of it. :)
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I did give that part a lot of thought and we came to the conclusion that we could be reasonable comfortable leaning against cushions against the back doors, but not cast in stone until we tried them in a flimsy at a dealers and we just thought too much of a phaph turning them around and the seat would be too high for me using the van we were in as an example, add in the cost and having to fit them etc and it was a no brainer for us but I do agree, best seats in the house, I could sit there all day and often did :D :D
 
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