First camper - First post

Folks,

First of all, congrats for your great and active forum. You have a lot of info around.

I've been kicking this can down the road for quite some time, have many tents and love camping but the kids get a bit fed up for putting the tent up and down and its not as comfy as a camper. Decided to go ahead and bite the bullet.

Budget is low, its my first camper and I want to understand how things go without spending a lot of cash.

My needs: At least 5 seat belts (ideally 7), one double bed and 1 single bed, simple. (OR NOT)

Current idea: Get a cheap Transit minibus, remove some seats, insulate it and use it as a van (pay the high tax and all) until I can finish the conversion.
Am I nuts?

The other idea would be buying a panel van Crafter/Sprinter/Transit/Master/etc and add the extra seats in the back, not sure how feasible is this one and the cost of it. The minibus idea sounds easier but I'm quite newbie to all of this.

What's your thoughts?
Thanks!

As Ally said you will struggle to get a ready to use one without building your own. Insurance could be a problem, how much is it on a minibus? Can you use it for leisure purposes on that policy? Buy a commercial van and you will have the same issues with insurance plus whatever the problems fitting the seats, seat belts throw up with certification. If you build this vehicle what roadworthiness test Is it subject to? I am sure all these things can be overcome but they cost money every way you turn. Just make sure you do your homework before committing to the project and the best of luck with it.

Called my insurance company, they cannot transfer my insurance to this van which means I will need a new insurance.
The big thing now, I need a SQI in the midlands to fix my seats in the back and take it to test to change it from minibus to a sub 10 passenger van, so I can drive and insure it.
Does anyone recommend a person in the midlands? I don't want to be towing the thing around since its driveable and would not drive something without insurance.

Thanks for your answer, its really appreciated.
Would you be able to share the contact of the person who did your conversion?

I gave up on the idea of the minibus, since I really want high roof and the good minibuses with hr are quite expensive.

My other issue is if I buy a VAN and add the seats to the back before converting to a camper it will cost the VRT of that conversion since it will become a crewcab. Imagine having to pay VRT twice?
Ideally, I would do what you did. Convert the van to camper at the same time as adding the seats in the back.
The current low point: If I will do a DIY conversion and cannot put the seats since I am not qualified for that, I need to find someone that will be able to place the seats once the conversion is finished and then send it to revenue with the new seats plus the camper mods...

This red tape is really mind blowing

Oh there is something about a crew cab. Didnt see

i will send you a pm

Aww go on, tell us all them we have the information for future reference.

Thank you

We are very proud

Thanks for your reply, a lot changed since I started my research... Not everything is clear still but its getting better.

I did not buy a base vehicle yet, was about to get a minibus but its not high roof and since I have 3 kids I will need HR to put bunk beds.
Have a normal car license and cannot get commercial insurance, have a friend running a van on private insurance without hassle (he is converting his slowly).
About the seats, 5 is the minimum since its my family number but would be better to have more. However, we may be quite tight of space for more seats. Will only have 2 in the back and the 3 in the front.
I will not have shower in this van, maybe a portable toilet that can be stored under the bed. Will add cooking facilities (its also a requirement for camper conversion).

I will make some phone calls and visit SQI places to get quotes and talk about the right process here, the manual labor and install is only the tip of the iceberg since a huge amount of redtape is involved to make it happen, insurance is also a major road block because we cannot drive in Ireland without and I will need to take it to places during the conversion process... May have to ended up paying some mechanic with a umbrella insurance to do the trips for me.

Hi Esdras, I said I had a few ideas for you based on what we have which is an ELWB Sprinter which came with two swivel seats in front and the twin set that was in front which had its original belts, fixed sideways opposite the sliding door in the back which I removed because its illegal to carry anyone unless they are facing front or back and fitted two more swivel seats each side facing forward, when rotated facing the front seats to make two single beds . it also came with a Fridge/Hob grill/ toilet/shower and double bed in the back by adding a Kyham XC drive away awning ( which has 2 internal bedrooms and a living area) we had room for traveling with 4 and 4 or more joining us by car.

First Idea.
Minibus front seats (2or3) and another row of 3 and possiable keep the rearmost set as part of a double bed putting your
Fridge/Hob grill/ toilet/shower between over the axle. the children's bed can be folded down shelf type bunks or have a look at this idea Cabbunk. Search this post Subject: Cabbunk? · Posted: 28.02.2019 - 16:53 · #1
Remember what you do to any van the VRT man will make you pay for your trouble at 13.5% ov his valuation.

Second idea
Look for a race van or camper van that is already registered as a camper reconfigure it to suit your needs. any panel shop should be able to mount extra seats, you may have to get the SQI to pass them for the insurance and adding a driveaway awning for the extra living space ( the lack of vat man's charges will buy a good one )

Third idea.
look for a four-berth motorhome with rear belted seats and replace the passenger seat with a twin set after all most vans come with them in the first place and all the fixtures and fittings will probably still be there under the carpets. or go the whole hog and get a 5 or 6 berth but then you would probably have to upgrade your license.
Once your van/motorhome is registered the tax and insurance are going to be the same at the lower rate.

There you were thinking you nearly had it all sorted
Keep us posted how you get on, remember hundreds of people will have been in your position before and got sorted.
Best of Luck.

A Motorhome with six seat belts, sorry but it's on Faecebook...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/256504191899613/