DIY Self Build CamperVan Conversion Project.

2022-11-19T13:23:00.025Z

A BUS FOR US ebook

See how by using some creative thinking and recycled materials, I turned a tired old Ford Transit Minibus, into a stylish and comfortable motorhome for under £500
yep, that's right...

The entire conversion cost under £500.

Packed with photos, the 100+ page PDF book covers every stage of the conversion, from...

Building the storage units, pull-out double bed and doors.

Fabricating the sliding door, cab partition.

Fitting the kitchen, cooker and cooker hood.

Plumbing in the water and waste water so they don't spill whilst driving.

Installing the 12v and 24v electrical systems and split charger.

Plus much much more.

If you're considering building a camper van and you're on a tight budget,or just need some ideas, tips or inspiration for your current project.

Click Here to Read Sample Pages

This ebook could save you a lot of time, hassle and money.

2022-11-17T10:22:00.013Z

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

Some A BUS FOR US ebook Feedback.

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"Good purchase top marks"

"Thanks very much. Arrived fast and is great quality"

"Great book thanks"

"Very interesting self build guide, inspirational"

"Very inspiring"
"Thanks for the ebook, I did find some things very helpful"
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A-BUS-FOR-US ebook Contents.

Once upon a time there was an old Transit minibus
Buying the Bus

Moving up a gear
Fixing the automatic gearbox

The conversion begins
Getting started

From virtual reality to actual reality
Planning the layout using 3D software & masking tape!

We need somewhere to sit
Designing and building the seating/bed unit

Making real progress
Building cupboards, walls, a table, 2nd seating unit to finish off the double bed.

Doors doors everywhere!
Making 13 doors for only £2.00 each

Let there be light
Fitting 12v & 24v lighting

Bed time
Cutting down recycled caravan cushions for the bed

Cooker hood
Making a cooker hood from recycled aluminium

Now time for a bit of colour
Painting & varnishing all the doors

Organised chaos
Getting ready to assemble all the pieces like the gas hob etc.

Installing the mains hook up socket
Installing the mains hook up socket

The refit begins
The exciting bit!

The bus has got shades
Tinting the windows

Tiling
Tiling the kitchen area

Table modifications
Designing a better way to fix the table to the wall

Chim chiminee
Fitting the cooker hood chimney

Table storage
Designing easy table storage brackets

All the painting done, what do you think?
Finally finished all the painting

Down the plug hole
Waste water container (no spills) design for on the move

Fresh water
Fresh water container (no spills) design for on the move

Wired
Installing the electrics, split charger & 2nd battery

Drawing to a close
Making the curtains

Jumping through hoops
Getting the bus MOT'd & insured

The end
Finished time to hit the road

Once upon a time there was an old Transit Minibus...

2021-10-30T21:34:00.013+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

For Sale - Ford Transit Minibus:
After many years of talking about building our own camper van, out of the blue the opportunity arrived to actually build one. Su was reading the local paper and spotted an advert " for sale, 1993, diesel, automatic, Ford Minibus, long MOT, gearbox needs attention £395 ono.

Even though the last thing on our minds was buying a minibus or any other van come to that, I found myself spontaneously phoning the telephone number and within the hour we were looking around the bus and had bought it (after a bit of haggling) for £300.

The next day I drove the bus the 6 miles home, which took some time as the gearbox couldn't get out of 2nd gear! but never the less, we were pleased as punch with 'our' bus.

Build cost so far £300.00

Next Stage ->

Moving up a gear!

2021-10-29T21:38:00.015+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO MOTORHOME

After driving the bus home, I set about parking it up in the garden after making a space for it, but it was too long! by about 18". I had to remove the back step which was rotten anyway and give a tree a bit of a trim to get it in , even then I had to remove the gates and re attach them after the bus was in, but at least it was in.

The first job to do was try and fix the gearbox. I know very little about automatic gearboxes so I needed a bit of help. I know from past experience just how valuable forums can be, so my first thought was to search the net for a Transit Van forum. It only took a few minutes to find one, so I posted my problem and waited for a reply. Within an hour someone had answered me and gave some suggestions of things to check and as luck would have it someone on the forum lived near by and offered to pop round and help me out, excellent!

After trying a few things the diagnosis didn't look good and the bus would still only go from 1st to 2nd, no 3rd or overdrive.
The options were to find a replacement automatic gearbox or replace it with a manual one, which seemed the sensible option.The chap I brought the bus from had attempted to fix the gearbox and assured me that he had tried all the simple and cheap options like changing the oil and filter etc and the only real choice left was to replace the gearbox, which was something I was prepared to do.

Anyway, someone on the forum had suggested checking the vacuum pipe to make sure they were not split, so the next day that's what I did. When I was checking the pipes I noticed that there wasn't any vacuum getting to the gearbox and found that one of the non return valves had been fitted the wrong way round. So I turned it around which then restored the vacuum. I took the bus for a spin and to my amazement another gear appeared, yippee! After a bit more tweaking and replacing all the vacuum pipes the gearbox is now working with all gears present, it just needs some fine tuning to get it working 100% but at least now I don't have to replace the gearbox and can spend the time and money on the conversion.

Build cost so far £320.00

Next Stage ->

The conversion begins

2021-10-28T21:41:00.010+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

The conversion from a minibus to a camper van begins. The first job is to take out all the seats and flooring and check the condition of the floor pan. After close inspection there were a few suspect areas which although weren't rusted completely through, given another winter, the chances of a hole appearing seemed very likely. Now was the ideal opportunity to do some repairs. As you can see from the pictures below, the two weak places were around both rear wheel arches, so a generous patch was welded over the dodgy areas.

With the repairs done, the next job was to lay some new floor covering. We decided to use laminate flooring as this would give a practical hard wearing and easy to keep clean surface as well as being cheap! It only cost us £21.00. I used the original heavy duty hardboard and rubber matting flooring which made an excellent base for the laminate boards.

Build cost so far £341.00

From virtual reality to actual reality.

2021-10-27T09:26:00.009+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

Now that the floor has been laid, it's time to work out what will be the best use of space for us two and our three cats. As with a lot of my projects I find it extremely useful to use a 3D modelling software to try out different designs and configurations before building the real thing.

The above picture is the final layout we decided on and should give us maximum space while remaining comfortable and practical. Another great feature of this design is that the gas, water, waste water and toilet can all be accessed by the back doors without disturbing the living area (or letting the cats out!) Also the cab can be isolated, which will be very useful when we need to get in and out of the bus, again without letting the cats out. It also means that the cats can sleep in the cab at night (and not in bed with us!)

All I've got to do now, is turn the 3D model into a reality. The picture below shows a mock up to see how things will work out in real life. We already had the sink, fridge and toilet stored in the shed for quite some time, so it's great to finally have the chance to use them.

After seeing if all the bits are going to fit across the back of the bus it's time to start the construction process. To help pay for some of the materials needed, we managed to sell the old seats that were removed from the bus. We were also given quite a lot of useful timber to help us on our way.

Starting to look like a camper van, you wouldn't think that the water containers and gas bottle are hidden behind the unit.

Build cost so far £371.00

Next Stage ->

We need somewhere to sit!

2021-10-26T12:59:00.002+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

The next step in the build is to make the seating/bed. This needed a lot of thought as there are a lot of variables to take into account, such as the lengths of the cushions, the overall width of the bus/bed, the gap between the two seating areas, storage and the overall strength.

Fortunately we were given 10 pieces of caravan bedding in various sizes, so this was a good starting point as a least I know how deep the seating area will be. Using my 3D program I eventually came up with a design that worked on all counts.

3D detailed drawings are shown here in the A BUS FOR US ebook.

The cushions in the picture are there just for reference, we have a long cushion that will need cutting down to fit perfectly. Also around the front of the unit will be faced with thin MDF which will then be painted and the wooden sliding door runners I made will be stained the same as the floor, as will all the wood trim. I've also got to fit some handles to the sliding doors.

Next job is to make the cupboard (on the right) , which also doubles as one of the toilet walls.

Build cost so far £400.00

Making real progress.

2021-10-25T13:02:00.007+01:00

Finally after many distractions and other commitments, I've now managed to invest a good few hours back into the build. I'll run through what I've achieved so far in the order that they were completed.

The first couple of jobs to be done was to add some shelves, a back and a door frame to the main cupboard in the living area and build a cabinet in the bathroom which also blocks out part of the window.

Next to be constructed was the kitchen wall, which is made of 1/4" ply on a wooden jointed framework, the wall has to be strong enough to take the weight of the tiles, cupboard and cooker hood which is going to be made out of aluminium and shaped like the cardboard mock up in the picture.

I then moved on to make the wall behind the cab and runners for the sliding door (see picture below), the cut outs you can see are for the door handle and sliding door hinge.

Lots of pictures shown here in the A BUS FOR US ebook. Such as, the wall behind the cab, plus the 2nd seating area that houses the electrics and also the folding table. All of which, go to make up the double bed.

This is how the bed base looks with all the corresponding pieces in place, which makes for a good size and very solid bed. We will be sleeping across the width of the bus.

More pictures shown here in the A BUS FOR US ebook.

Because of all the recycling on this part of the build it has only cost me about £25.00, not bad eh!

Build cost so far £425.00

Next Stage ->

From Minibus to Camper van for less than £500.

2020-11-17T19:06:00.000Z

The Conversion in 4 Minutes
SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

Read about the conversion in the A-BUS-FOR-US ebook. ->

Click Here to read sample pages of the ebook.

It could save you £'s and give you some great ideas for your own project.

I've been converted! From Minibus to CamperVan.

2010-06-11T20:57:00.005+01:00

SELF BUILD DIY CONVERSION FROM MINIBUS TO CAMPER VAN

Well, just over 12 months and just under £500 later the bus is finally finished. I say finished but I'm sure there will be additions and improvements as time goes on. But summers here and it's now time to stop building and start using the camper van for the purpose it was created for. My partner Susannah has started a blog Journeys Close to Home so you can follow our explorations in our new motorhome.

Before I go, I'd just like to say thank you to all the readers of this blog and thanks for all your kind words, they have been very much appreciated. I really hope you've enjoyed watching the build as much as I've enjoyed doing it. If I've inspired just one person to start their own project, then this blog has been worthwhile.

See you on the road my friends :)

Here are a few final pictures of the finished bus, or should I now say campervan?

Looks a bit different to a year ago!

Final build cost £750 (give or take a few pounds)

Includes the £300 we paid for the bus.

Paint your CamperVan the DIY way - Roll with it!

2009-11-09T10:31:00.002Z

SELF BUILD DIY CAMPER VAN CONVERSION BLOG

With summer well and truly gone, we've decided to take the camper van off the road and wrap it up to help protect it from the winter weather. Tidying up the bodywork of our newly converted camper van is something I intend to do next year as it has most of the common Ford Transit rust problems around the wheel arches etc. I considered respraying the entire body myself but I haven't really got a suitable area to do so. Then I read about some guy on one of the camper van forums who hand painted his VW camper van using Rustoleum paint and a mini roller. The results are very impressive indeed.

Take a look at this excellent article for instruction on how to hand paint your camper van.

Self build campervan insurance & MOT, Jumping through hoops!

2009-11-06T11:14:00.001Z

Getting the bus MOT'd and insured was not as straight forward as I first thought. Let me explain.

Now the bus is no longer a minibus it needs to be re-registered as a camper van to get benefits like cheaper insurance, road tax and be eligible for a standard class 4 MOT, rather than a class 7.

There was a slight problem however. DVLA required the newly converted campervan to have an inspection to make sure the conversion met their requirement.

Side windows further to the rear than the driving position

Somewhere to sleep - a bed of at least six feet in length

Somewhere to cook

Washing facilities (a sink) with a water supply

Somewhere to eat sat at a table

Somewhere to store clothes etc. (either a wardrobe and/or cupboard and/or drawer space.)

To name but a few.

Now that created a problem. My newly converted camper van had no tax, MOT or insurance, so driving it to the inspector was out of the question. The only other option was a very large trailer or recovery vehicle, something I really did not want to do.

So after speaking to DVLA it was agreed that the camper van would be kept registered as a minibus for now. Which would mean getting a class 7 MOT rather than a class 4 (normal car MOT). So not really a problem then, until I tried getting insurance.

You see, I could no longer insure the camper van as a minibus because it has to have a minimum of 6 seats and all but one insurance company I spoke to would only insure the bus as a camper van for a period of 30 days. In which time it had to be re registered as a motorhome. Better than nothing I suppose but still not ideal.

Anyway to cut a long story short, I did managed to find one insurance company, Insurance Choice who were happy to insure the bus as a camper van even though it was still registered as a minibus, with no time restrictions. I dealt with a very nice chap called Jason, his number is 0844 5577989, tell him Joe from the A BUS FOR US blog recommended him.

And as for the MOT, the guy at the MOT station said that he can only test what's presented to him, which is clearly a camper van not a minibus, so the bus had a standard class 4 MOT. Which unfortunately it failed :( on a headlight bulb :) As for the road tax, well it's taxed as a minibus, which for 6 months was only about £6 more. So it all worked out in the end.

Motor Home Trip - Tips For Dogs

2009-11-06T10:45:00.001Z

Motor Home Trip - Tips For Dogs
By Andrew Stratton

Imagine cruising down the nation's highways with your four-legged friend by your side. Bringing your dog along is no strange thing. Your motor home is like a second home and has space for every member of the family.

Almost half of all RV vacationers choose to take their pets with them. After all, the dog's part of the family, and you don't want to kennel him and leave him behind. RVing with the family dog is wonderful, but there are some things you should consider before you hit the road.

Before You Leave

First off, get your pet used to car rides, if he isn't already. Take him on some short drives around town, and then go for longer and longer drives. Make sure he's comfortable in the moving car, and get him used to the routine of getting into and out of the car. You should always leash him before you open the door, so he won't run out of the car.

Also, get him used to the inside of the motor home. If it's not convenient to take the RV out for a spin, just open it up so he can go inside and get acquainted with it. When you actually hit the road, bring along some of his favorite chew toys and items from the house, like old shirts or other toys he's fond of. This will make him more comfortable and less likely to get nervous when you're far from home. Of course, this also includes bringing along his favorite treats!

Before you set off on your trip, get him checked out by the vet. Make sure he's in good health and there is a low risk of anything happening. Bring along his medical records and the number of your vet in case there is an emergency. It's also a good idea to scout out a vet anywhere you will be staying for an extended time. You can use the Internet to find vets in nearby towns in case there is an emergency.

Another thing to consider is whether you will let your dog roam freely in the RV, or keep him in one specific area. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. He'll get restless on the road, and letting him walk around in the motor home will help keep from having to make too many stops along the way. On the other hand, there is the safety to consider. If there is a crash or sudden stop, he will be in danger. You can always use a carrier or dog seat belt to keep him in his seat.

You also have to think about keeping the RV clean. The more places you allow him to go, the more hair and potential messes you'll have. If you are going to use a gate to confine him to a portion of the RV, it is best to make it an uncarpeted area. That will make clean up much easier. Even pets trained to go outside will have little accidents when spending long periods of time on the road.

On The Road

With your furry friend aboard, you'll have to make more pit stops. He'll need to relieve himself, stretch his legs and drink plenty of water. It is recommended that you make a stop every 3 hours or so. Make sure that you leash him before the door opens, or you may find yourself chasing him all over the rest stop.

You'll have to make sure dogs are okay at the campsite. Most campsites have a limit to the number of animals, and it can be as low as one. If you have three or more, it might be tough to find a place to camp out.

Be sure to follow the campsite's rules. These can be pretty strict, and they are different from one campground to the next. It will usually involve bringing disposal bags, making sure he is leashed, and checking to see whether dogs are allowed in certain areas. Remember that these restrictions are mostly for your pet's safety, to protect him from larger animals that might consider him a tasty snack.

Bring several leashes. A great alternative to leashing your dog at a campsite is a portable outdoor exercise pen. This is a pen that you set up each place you go that allows your dog freedom of movement, without the risk of him wandering off to places he shouldn't go.

Once you've got everything covered, traveling the country with your four-legged friend can be a great experience. It's a shame to leave him at home when you travel. Why not share the experience of the road with your canine companion?

Taking an RV road trip can be fun for people and pets alike. Before you pack your furry friend into the motor home, though, you should prepare the animal and yourself for the lengthy trip. If you're searching for a better RV, give Bankston Motor Homes a look. http://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Motor-Home-Trip-Tips-For-Dogs&id=856551

A Beginner's Guide to Motorhomes

2009-11-06T10:31:00.003Z

A Beginner's Guide to Motorhomes
By Roland Head

Are you just starting out in motorhoming? Attracted to the idea but not sure what type of motorhome will suit you?

A good starting point is to understand the different types of motorhome - there are three main types of design.

1. Hightop Van Conversions

Often referred to as campervans, van conversions are generally the smallest and cheapest type of motorhome - which can be an advantage.

Based on so-called panel vans, such as the Ford Transit and the Fiat Ducato, they are generally only a little larger than a family car and are relatively easy to drive, manoeuvre and park - unlike some of their bigger cousins.

Modern conversions are usually very well specified - with heating, toilet, kitchen, running water and often a shower. The only catch is that all of these things are packed into a relatively small space - great for driving but sometimes a little cramped for living in.

Van conversion motorhomes are ideal for the more adventurous or for short breaks, but not necessarily the best choice for luxury or for families.

2. C-Class or Coachbuilt Motorhomes

Coachbuilt motorhomes (sometimes known as Class-C motorhomes) are effectively caravans built onto the back of a van cab and chassis - it may sound a bit Heath Robinson, but these are extremely well made, cleverly-designed and comfortable. They also offer surprising amounts of space, especially when it comes to sleeping berths.

A coachbuilt is probably the best choice for a family, with the overcab area providing ideal sleeping accommodation for children, and the larger interiors giving enough room for 4-6 people to sit and eat.

These motorhomes also tend to have larger kitchens and bathrooms - their extra width helps create more spacious layouts.

3. A-Class or Integrated Motorhomes

The luxury liners of the motorhome world, A-Class motorhomes are purpose-built from the chassis up - apart from the driving controls, there is no trace of "van" about these vehicles - instead they are luxury motorised homes. They are usually a similar size to C-Class motorhomes, but often have only two or three berths - designed for adults to travel in considerable comfort, rather than for fitting large families.

Of course, there are exceptions and A-class motorhomes offering 4-6 berths can also be found. Historically not so popular in the UK, they are becoming more common and have always been so in Europe.

I Almost Forgot…RVs

In principle, American RVs (Recreational Vehicles) are the same as A-Class motorhomes. The difference is in their scale and in the base vehicles used. RVs are built on lorry or coach chassis' and have extremely luxurious interiors, with every facility built in (normally including an on-board generator).

They are extremely large, expensive and luxurious - don't expect to go exploring on European backroads in one of these, as it won't fit. Road tax, fuel costs and insurance will also be considerably higher, as will road tolls.

Making the Choice

Whatever you choose, don't rush into it and make sure you understand the true cost of ownership - including storage (if it is too big for your driveway), insurance, breakdown cover and servicing.

Consider renting a motorhome for a holiday first to see if you like it - a week or two can teach you a lot about what type of motorhome suits you and enables you to try before you buy.

Motorhoming is a great way to travel around the UK and Europe - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

myLocalMotorhomeHire.co.uk provides independent information on motorhome hire in the UK and Europe.

It is especially aimed at first-time renters and those who are not experienced with motorhomes and is completely free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roland_Head
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes&id=603347

New - DIY Camper Van Builders Forum.

2009-09-02T12:56:00.002+01:00

Hi guys,

This blog gets a quite a lot of visitors, So I thought it would be a good idea to create a forum so we can get together and chat about our projects, share ideas, help with problems and pass on useful information, that sort of thing.

Whether you're thinking of building, are building or have built a camper, please do get involved.

To visit the forum click here DIY Camper Van Builders

Building Your Own Camper Van

2009-09-01T18:55:00.003+01:00

Building Your Own Camper Van

By Darren Lambert
Building your own camper van is a great way of creating your own custom made leisure vehicle without having to pay the high prices of professional conversions. Creating such a vehicle is not as difficult as you might think.
Having your own camper van offers the freedom to go camping and exploring in luxury. It's much more convenient that a car and tent or a caravan, as you can simply put everything away and drive to your next destination, without having to pack away a tent or prepare a caravan for the road.

Professional camper van conversions cost a lot of money because as well as the price of the empty vehicle, the conversion company have to cover the cost of the materials, the labour and make a profit. Because camper vans are sold in reasonable small numbers they are not mass produced and so prices are high. Even used models many years old still command a high price.

Building your own camper van is a great way of owning a camper van without having to spend a lot of money buying one. If you have DIY experience, have some mechanical experience or you are confident at constructing things you should be able to design and build a great camper van that is tailored for your needs. If you little experience at any of the fields don't worry, you can still out together a good vehicle.

One of the most important factors is to establish your budget before your start. Don't keep building until you run out of money, as the unfinished vehicles can sit on the drive for a long time waiting to be completed. Set you budget - an amount for the empty vehicle, an amount for the fittings you will fit, an amount for insurance, and an amount to at least give it a test run once it is finished.

The best home made camper van conversions are better than those one can buy professionally. With every luxury you could imagine, but they always cost a lot to build. However, I have seen excellent budget home conversions completed in a weekend, comprising of a futon in the back of the van, some simple furniture secured to the walls, curtains, a little carpet and a camping stove for cooking.

The first phase is to consider carefully what you will use the vehicle for, and who will use it. If you are going to occasionally go to beaches, lakes and parks and simply sleep in the vehicle you should buy a small van and keep the fittings simple. If you are going to use the vehicle for sports such as surfing or kayaking then you need to factor in storage for your equipment. If you have 5 children when obviously sleeping and seating quarters are you first priority. Choose which length of vehicle and what height suits you best. Short vehicles are easy to drive and park, but longer ones offer more space. Lower vehicles are more fuel efficient and can pass under most height restrictions, but you wont be able to stand in them. High top vans allow almost anyone to stand in them.

The second phase is to buy the base vehicle. A panel van, such as those used for deliveries are the best vehicles for most people. In Europe vehicles such as Mercedes Sprinters, Ford Transits and Fiat Ducatos are some of the best vehicles. Good Japanese vehicles include the Toyota Hiace. Larger vehicles, such as those with box backs are good for those needing more room. Smaller vans are good for solo travelers.
The third phase is to plan the internal fixtures. Things to consider are how much seating you need, how many beds are require, whether you want to be able to cook inside, whether you need to store large items like sporting gear or bicycles. Once you have agreed on the plan you need to start collecting materials and constructing the internal fixtures.

Items such as electrical wiring, wall insulation, wall panels, ceiling materials, flooring, seating and storage all need to be prepared in the correct order, otherwise disaster can raise its head.
Read more about camper van conversions. I built my own camper van, and then spent 9 months traveling in Western Europe. I made a website about my travels, where you can read about camper vans and many related topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Lambert
http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-Your-Own-Camper-Van&id=904827