New Build Tips

Simundo

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Hi All,
I'm completely new here and haven't even started life as a camper owner yet. My van is due in for conversion in 6 weeks or so and my head hurts! The myriad of options around pretty much everything is mind bending. It will be a typical pop top 4 berth conversion in a Transit Custom and I'm just ironing out the spec details and what I can and can't have (and afford).

I'm looking for any tips/ideas on must haves worth digging deep for and what really isn't worth the expense and effort. Things like blind pods, hot water systems, fancy control panels etc. Would love to hear from a few kind van owners with experience under the belt.

Cheers!
 
Go to dealers and look at lots of vans even though you won't be buying them.
Other peoples ideas are often worth adopting.
Write things down and take photos

You need to think about what you plan to do with the van.
e.g. Wild camping will require solar and bigger batteries than site use.

Make a list of the options and ball park costs and prioritise it.

Also think about which options can be added later easily (e.g. external BBQ point) and which would be better at original built (e.g. pop top).

Alas your requirements will be different to other peoples so there is no definitive list.
But on the other hand do ask yourself what will add value when you eventually get rid of the van.
Most folk will not be interested in a top of the range hifi system with syncronised disco lighting,
and very few will be interested in buying a van without a water system.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide.
 
Welcome aboard. In a small van like yours I wouldn’t bother with a hot water system as boiling a kettle will do that. Fitted waste and water tanks aren’t worth the space in a small van. A couple of 10litre containers under the sink for fresh and waste is easier and cheaper. Think about how you want to use the van and if planning not using sites I would recommend as much battery power and means of charging ie solar as poss. Remember to leave a space for your porta potty😳. As you use you’re van you will adapt it to suit your needs.
 
When planning our conversion, the guy doing it insisted on taping out all the fixtures before doing anything. Really useful to see what space you actually have, we would have made a bad error with a cupboard door opening and restricting access to cooker. Simple to fix prior but a nightmare afterwards. We had a diesel heater installed as travel a lot in winter, also ensured as much insulation as possible for same reason. Agree with above about getting more solar and battery than you  think you need. We didn't bother with fresh water tanks, 25litre containers x2 under sink work great. But we do have a waste water tank. No hot water either and loo but no shower! It's so personal. Good luck!
 
On a small van a water heater is not required, big kettle will do just fine, small fridge 2 gas rings and grill 2 good lead carbon batteries and solar if wilding, onboard smart charger and led lights, plus dont forget a diesel night heater.
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Looks like a good move to already have solar on the list. It will have LPG so this weekends research is LPG/electric Vs diesel heating.

I'm sure I'll be back soon begging for more info!

All the best
 
Simundo said:
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Looks like a good move to already have solar on the list. It will have LPG so this weekends research is LPG/electric Vs diesel heating.

I'm sure I'll be back soon begging for more info!

All the best
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Hi, unless your on site with EHU (electric hook up) you won't be using electric heating because it takes too much power. You'll most probably end up going diesel because you won't have to store as much gas hence saving space. Loads of info on the net about diesel heater fitment, if you underslung it won't take up valuable internal space.
Fit lots of power outlets, both 12v and 240, just like at home you don't seem to be able to have too many!
Seek out space from wherever you can, I've sacked off my jack/ wheelbrace kit ( kept the towing eye) from under the passenger seat and fitted my inverter and B2B there instead.
If you design has storage space under seating, consider fitting drawers rather than having to lift the seat to gain access, I find it a real PITA!
Another much ignored but hot topic for us was the waste bin. After years of hanging bin bags on hooks/door knobs etc in expensive factory fitted vans we now have a proper drawer space for both bin and recycling, it's heaven!
Like Trev I'm an advocate of carbon batteries but if you plan to spend more than a day off grid and you can afford the outlay you should seriously consider lithium. A lot of posts on here concern moving to lithium are swayed buy the faff and cost of having to change their existing lead acid charging system hence are swayed toward carbon. As you're starting from scratch this wouldn't be an issue and would make using a compressor fridge/mains fridge+inverter more feasible cutting your gas storage needs even further..
Pop top and solar is going to be interesting but again any more than a day or so off grid is something you're going to need, I'm sure someone's done it?
One final suggestion, insulate the s**tt out of it while you have the opportunity.
Good luck and welcome 😁👍
 
merl said:
<snip>
Like Trev I'm an advocate of carbon batteries but if you plan to spend more than a day off grid and you can afford the outlay you should seriously consider lithium. A lot of posts on here concern moving to lithium are swayed buy the faff and cost of having to change their existing lead acid charging system hence are swayed toward carbon. As you're starting from scratch this wouldn't be an issue and would make using a compressor fridge/mains fridge+inverter more feasible cutting your gas storage needs even further..
<snip>
Click to expand...
Another option might be a mix of lithium and lead carbon. @wildebus is the expert on this and can explain the potential advantages of this hybrid solution.
 
The carbons are cheaper and have a greater capacity for delivering current for high power inverter devices, they also cost less but if you're going to deep cycle them off grid regularly then their life will be shortened considerably. 2 or more lithium in parallel would provide adequate current for even large inverter items so ultimately it'll be down to usage, cost and weight. A hybrid system would also need 2 chargers.
If you can't afford the cost then lithium won't work, if you can't afford the payload then carbon won't work. If both are 'on the cusp of viability then a hybrid system could be the solution.
 
Simundo said:
Hi All,
I'm completely new here and haven't even started life as a camper owner yet. My van is due in for conversion in 6 weeks or so and my head hurts! The myriad of options around pretty much everything is mind bending. It will be a typical pop top 4 berth conversion in a Transit Custom and I'm just ironing out the spec details and what I can and can't have (and afford).

I'm looking for any tips/ideas on must haves worth digging deep for and what really isn't worth the expense and effort. Things like blind pods, hot water systems, fancy control panels etc. Would love to hear from a few kind van owners with experience under the belt.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
Campervan. In your chosen layout, consider can you wake up in the morning, warm your living space without engine on, toilet, wash, cook up a breakfast without leaving the van, surprising how many layouts you have to exit to get something you need, and some mornings / some evenings, it rains and is windy. :)
 
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