Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

Del bee boy 62

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Subject:

Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 15.10.2025 · #1

I am almost positive this must have been discussed before at some stage but I am unsure as to where to start looking for these articles.

If someone could point me in the right direction. Thank You!

I am working on getting my first camper van, asap and seriously concidering buying a descent van and getting it converted myself. Combination of factory work with a littie DIY input.
There are some beautifully finished conversion's out there however, the age of the vans themselves, compared to the price of a newer van of the same model etc has me blindsided. And this is only one of the first issues to conscider...
I am in the middle of getting facts, figures and costings at the moment for a self conversion but it dose seem to be a bit of a mine field. I am not trying to do it on the cheap but trying to get the best value for my buck ... which is limited and has taken a little while to accumilate. Need to try get it right first time...
Any advice or input on the matter would be greatfully appriciated.

Newbee....

Del Bee Boy

ntg

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 15.10.2025 · #2

Derek there is not much that hasn’t been discussed here over the years.
You feel free to ask the questions and the answers will get back to you.
There is always many different ways to do things but they will not all be right so do not be afraid to let us know your thoughts and there will be many answers sent back to you.
Good luck with your project.

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Del bee boy 62

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 15.10.2025 · #3

Think I am going to have to make a list for that one.

Thanks for the input.

Del bee boy 62

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 15.10.2025 · #4

I have been looking at campers on line for a while, spoken with a friend that has converted one (in fairness hi is one of those wizzards that can turn his hands to anything) and gotten some infor from a conversion company. I was origionaly thinking of getting a van and then getting it converted. The more I looked at it I then was thinking of getting one with a camper on log book and bringing it up to to the spec I have in mind. (thats looking like pouring quite a bit of money into a very old van). Im am now back to looking at buying a newer van and converting it over time to the way I want it.
Kind of things I am looking into are.

What is the minimum state a van should be in, so it passes the requirments to be classed as one, re. windows, cooking facilities, toilet facilities sleeping etc.
electrics all that kind of stuff. (where do I find that out). Looking on line there are so many different vans in different states saying they have reg camper on the log book. Its a bit confusing to be honest because some look very basic if I am honest.
When it reaches that requirement is it expensive to process from one to the other. (Regg costs, taxes, inspection fees that sor of thing).
Thats my starting point so when I am a bit clearer with that I can decide the road to go down.

Thanks for listening.
Del Bee Boy.

eirebus

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 16.10.2025 · #5

It's the wrong time of year now for my suggestion as a lot of vans are parking up for the winter, but if you see a converted van, ask the owner how they managed with their conversion, summer festivals would have been the ideal venues for info

relay racer

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 16.10.2025 · #6

Quote by Del bee boy 62

You certainly don’t need a Motorhome forum do draw your attention to the thread that followed yours last night and the tragedy about those poor people in that camper/Motorhome, I know the details area known yet probably, but that’s the problem when you go knocking on doors looking at van’s. Test test and test again

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Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 16.10.2025 · #7

Take a look over this link, it will give you the necessary basic requirements for a converted van and follow the links suggested for seats and belts etc.
https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety…amper-vans.
You need to sit down and list what else you would like, toilet, shower, heating system, hot water, bed arrangement, fixed, singles or rockandroll, grey waste storage, battery / solar. You have to be able to stand up inside, so heigh roof or pop top.
There are company's around the country that will quote you, for the basic conversion kit, you just need to give them the van details, bear in mind that if you convert a 10 year or a 2 year old van, the VRT you will pay is 13.5% of a similar factory built van, which could be twice what it cost you to convert your van.
Also look in Europe for something that might suite you.
Happy hunting.

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Del bee boy 62

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Subject:

Re: Delema between converting and buying one already converted.

· Posted: 16.10.2025 · #8

Yes! That was a really sad an horrible thing that happened to that couple. May they rest in peace.
My delema pales into insignificence becide that.

Thanks all for your comments and input I will get back to it at a mor appropriate time.

Kind Regards,
Del Bee Boy

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