building my own camper from scratch

Yomper

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Hi and thanks for reading. got to warn you i talk a lot and type just as much :p

I am new to here and i have been scouring the local adds for a decent van to convert to a camper. The camper will be lived in for 3 or 4 months a year minimum and also used for holidays and weekends away and i intend to keep it for a good few years.
I am still unsure as to what i want but would like your advice. i know i want more of a ford trasnit style than vw25 etc but a vw t4 wouldnt be to bad either as i like them.
I been looking at a low mileage renault master mwb 2.2dci 02 reg immaculate condition i can get for under 2k but i also been looking at ford traniies of a similar spec and price..most of the time it will be just me but on an odd occasion it will be me my partner and daughter.
also what do i start on first do i ply line it or how do i heatprrof it etc are there any books i can buy or good diy build camper sites.
i know i will be using solar panels in due time but my funds are ltd but until then battery power will have to do
 
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Welcome

Hi,

Welcome to the site.

There are self builders here who will no doubt be able to help you - good luck with the project.

Wee-z
 
wow speedy responses. thanks for the link i am looking now :)
 
LDV's are very popular with the self-builders as are Iveco's
 
You can also look at conversion photos in the gallery section, a few members here are also members:p
 
Hi and welcome,

John Wickersham has written useful books on self builds.

Do a search on Amazon using his name and you should get them. It is the cheapest place to buy them that I know of.

Good luck.
 
Crew Cab versions

There are some excellant crew cab versions around with nice extras like sinks, cookers, microwaves and hot water facilities. Some even have excellant diesel heaters, inverters and battery banks prefitted with table and chairs with side insulation and windows. All you need to do is remove the tools sections in the rear and fit beds, you can then holiday all year round in luxury and cheaply!

The Transit railways version has £15,000 of extras and they sell on ebay for around £6,500 around 3 or 4 years old, there is auctions in Wales that do cheaper BT and British Gas versions at around £3,000.
 
i chose an hitop lwb ldv with a 2.5 tranny engine! so simple to work on,parts plentiful,spacious and a gud old slogger! i first took van to my mates mot station and said go over with fine tooth comb! he did and i ended up with list as long as my arm :( but i basically have a new van lol. then i went all over and did welding,insulated with loft insulation,covered with plyboard ,then hardboard and i've used upholstery fabric to do my van out! very very warm,only 12volt power i use in van is for my tv! my lights etc are leds with rehargeable batts. my suggetion from exp. would also be chuck mattress in and cooker go away for wknd and see what yo require for comfort! i built mine and keep changing inside as i come up with new ideas and things of convienice, i picked my van up 2002 for £1350 you canget same now for bout £1k-£1.5k compare that to other vans. also join sbmcc and get a decent discount on insurance, i found from there and this site loadsa help for self-builders good luck:)
 
have a look on youtube search how to build a motor home. first you need to know what you want in the van/truck i say this cause i built my first with a renualt master then i went and built one in a iveco 7.5 ton truck and the cost of both builds were about the same as is the running costs but the difference in room is awesome. even if you go to solar panels you will still need battries to hold the power. sbmcc is the place to find out about any build problems you come across and there will be many.good luck.
make a plan before you start .
 
Hi Yomper,

The approach I took with my (ongoing) selfbuild is: Make everything as a box frame and face the boxes with the kitchen doors of your choice from B&Q. Gives a really good finish. Mains hook up points are available from any caravan dealer and the distribution board and mains lighting from any electrical wholesaler.
I've just my 12 volt lighting and kitchen to sort now.
 
Hi Yomper,
Probably the cheapest way to kit your van out would be to get hold of a damaged or scrap caravan...then take it from there. Just about all the kit you need will be in a caravan! Water tanks, heater, Zig unit, upholstery, lighting, Hob etc.
Theres really only one club, the sbmcc. All your questions will be answered there.
Good luck with your project,
Dogseal.
 
Check out my videos on You Tube. Link as in my signature below. I'm converting a Vauxhall Movano which is exactly the same van as the Renault Master. For insulation I've used 75-100mm Rockwool space blanket (Wickes DIY or similar) in the roof/walls and 25mm Celotext rigid insulation in the floor. You just put all that behind whatever ply or hardboard you are using to line the walls/floor/ceiling. I used 6mm ply on the floor/walls and 3mm hardboard on the ceiling.

I have got John Wickersham's Haynes books, and surf on the internet for ideas. I haven't bothered with SBMCC so far, as you have to pay to use their forum properly. I find there are plenty of knowledgeable people here on Wild Camping forum who will help you with questions. Since the wild campers are the types to go beyond the norm of using campsites and buying everything off the shelf, you'll find quite a few self builders here, as well as people who are used to modifying things or working to tight budgets.
 
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Hi yomperl

Live in the milton keynes area also.Have a motorhome but also helping son to convert a vw t4, as being a vehicle builder my self.
 
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