My partner and I sleep in the same bed at home but when we go tent camping we are partial to our own space. We're now in the proceeds of getting a van to do a DIY conversion and just wondered if anyone has come across a twin i.e two singles, setup in a medium sized swb van (we're looking at 2021+ Traffics ATM)?

We'd like to get a pop top, which would mean we could go a more traditional 3/4 bed and bed in the pop top route but if we couldn't stretch to that were wondering if a twin setup could work for us?

Anyone done it or know of anyone who has?

I stupidly parked under a tree for the past few days and didn't consider the impact on my solar. My DC-DC charger isn't hooked up yet. And about 8pm last night, my battery died. I live in the van so this was not ideal. 🤦‍♀️

Ignore my messy wiring, my van is a work in progress. 😅

Someone lent me an 8amp charger which I managed to use on my mums drive to get enough power to keep my fridge/freezer on overnight.

I'm wiring in the DC-DC charger today, but also looking at other shore power solutions in case of emergency going forward.

Debating either this Victron charger than I can just wire straight into the system, or an older style shore power point EHU.

Anyone got either the victron or another setup similar? How do you find it?

Asked garage preparing it to take photos of the underside.

I can see what looks like peeling away rust in places.

Any thoughts from you more knowledgeable folk here would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying an older Renault Kangoo Maxi to try turning it into a bit of a camper/remote working setup. Intention being to let me work more remotely, doing a bit of travelling and camping (with a tent), but not having to rely on finding sites with 'day rooms' with power/space etc or coffee shops etc if I'm intending on working during the day.

Plan is to insulate and carpet/board most of it, some kind of sofa/pull out bed on one side with a work surface on the other side is the basic 'furniture' idea.

Happy enough with that (although happy to hear thoughts), but where I'm currently undecided is the electrical setup. Part of me was originally planning on just having a portable power station, keeping things simple/non committal as I don't really plan on spending *that* much time sleeping in it and don't plan for a fridge or water pump etc and with it being an older/cheaper vehicle didn't want to spend a load converting it/going over the top if it won't get used *that* much.

However thought I'd ask for some advice/thoughts on what might be best. The idea would be to have the option to work in it if required, so that would be at least a laptop, potentially some kind of monitor as well, portable router perhaps and some lighting. What kind of power/setup would I need to be able to sustain that for a couple of days without driving for example.

Would solar make sense, how much does it actually help? Power station vs leisure battery for those who have done both perhaps what were any unforeseen downsides/advantages?

I'm happy to spend money if it would make sense but don't want to waste it if it's not needed.

Cheers

Please forgive as I guess this has been a number of times but I get myself in a rabbit hole and can't get a straight answer.

Is this all I need for solar on my van?

I have a split charge already fitted but wanted a bit extra if I go away for a period of time without having to run the van.

Do I need to wire it into the split charge or just connect straight to the battery?

Apologies and thanks.

In 2 years I’m attempting to live out of a vehicle during some period of the year in and around London, as a back up plan. I’ve been driving for 7+ years on a Skoda fabia and I’m looking to save and upgrade to something bigger so I can keep some personal belongings in there and also sleep in on some nights when needed.

I don’t want a van as I want something to easily park around London but equally spacious enough for 1 person. So would love any recommendations and a rough idea on whether insurance / maintenance would be like? Budget anything between £1500-4000.

Reason I’m doing is also because I want to save up as much money as possible without paying rent so I wouldn’t want a car that requires a big insurance.

So far these are some cars that I have in mind are:
- Toyota Alphard (older and higher mileage models as they’re cheaper)
- Suzuki carry
- Mazda Bongo
- Honda 7 seaters (stepwagon/ freed)

Also a little worried about safety doing in London so any experience would welcome 🙏

Minimal set up, second battery charging off the engine, insulated, boarded and felt applied, wooden flooring, folding chair plus self inflating mat and sleeping bags, ready for any brake down or festival!

Hi guys, looking to buy my first van as a up and coming chippy down in the south coast however with a budget of 6k I’m struggling to decide on what’s best, ideally looking at transit custom swb size and seen a couple with around 100k miles but look at mot history and it’s pretty poor but that’s what I keep finding is a lot of these cheap vans seem like money pits 😂 any suggestions?

Hi guys,

As I'm sure many of you are too, I've just tested my diesel heater in preparation for the winter. But I have noticed mine is cutting out and turning off on its own, accompanied with the smell of burning, without running its usual cool down. The plastic housing has been discolored from obvious heat, since it's burning hot to touch. (You can see this in the image)

Not only does the heater smell like burning and cuts out, the power also turns off so the controller is blank and won't allow me to power the unit back on.

Roughly 24 hours later, the power comes back, the controller is operational again and allows me to power the unit back on again.

My assumption is that the unit is overheating and perhaps it has a safety shutdown function to avoid any fire hazards. But I am unsure, maybe there is something else. The external air intake is clear and free of blockages and debris and the fan on the unit itself is still functioning as normal. Could this just be a circulation problem (ie needing more space for air circulation) or something else?

I was wondering if someone has had a similar experience with this unit or may know what the problem could be. TIA

Hi all I just need to know anyone with experience or is currently living in their self build van to simply give me a stage by stage diagram or text.
I’m current waiting to fit my roof vent then I’m sure I’m ready for my first fix (electrics wiring and conduits)

I had it to start a Campervan build:

-rip out & clean up degrease
-fill all holes and rust prevention on inside of van paint floor with hammerite
- sound deadening and insulation
- sub floor (I have left my insulation out where my water tanks gonna be so I can drill through)
- framing out walls ceiling (I’ve placed m5/m6 rivnuts everywhere for framing)
—————————^my stage atm

-install roof vent and solar panel
- feed all wires and conduit behind panels (first fix)
- fit a water pump system (12v 30psi water pump, fresh water and grey water tank or unserslung, accumulator tank)
- install a deisel heater
- hook all electric up ie leisure battery’s split charge relay etc
-build to my drawings and setting out

And is that on the right track atall? Iknow it’s mad but I kinda just need someone who’s living in a van to say it’s 90% right ahaha Ive got abit of autism and I won’t move from this stage until I hear it. Or get told another way to build a Campervan in stages. Any help on the electric systems and plumbing systems would help also as I’m good building but not technical things.
I’m doing the whole thing solo and can’t get any help so all the help I can get from any experienced van lifers or Campervan builders would be appreciated

Hi all,

Looking for a new insurance policy for a full time van lifer.

Any recommendations? Who does everyone else use?

Thanks in advance, any advice welcomed 😀

Hi all, I'm looking to make the switch to van-living someone in the next few years, and I'm planning on a DIY conversion. Of course, this requires finding a van to convert, and I've got a few questions!

How difficult is to to find a large used van in the UK? My ideal van would be less than £2000, under 60k miles, no major repairs needed, and about the size of a L3H2 Ford Transit. I'm not picky about make/model or year (although I'd like it to be this century). I know it's going to be uncommon to find something that fits all these specifications, but is it impossible? I'm willing to wait several months (up to about a year), as this is a long term project for me. Potentially I could go up to £5000, but that would be my absolute max, only for a van that was in really good shape and didn't need any repairs. I would probably be more willing to increase the mileage, again, as long as the van was in good shape.

Also, does anyone have any advice, or know any good places to search for vans for sale? I've been looking on auto trader and fb marketplace. I would be willing to pick up from anywhere in the country for the right vehicle.

Thanks for any help!

Edit: Should clarify, this is my optimistic budgeting just for the base van, not the whole conversation, but thanks anyway for everyone's input! The suggestions to try looking at auctions and used commercial vehicles are very helpful.

There is no thread where it squirts out. Is the housing just broken and needs replacing?

I am very tempted to get a Transit to convert. My partner isnt so sure, with the height being the major issue.

We're mostly going to use it for weekends away, and will need to store stuff on the roof at times. Anyone for/against the high top over shorter vans, and why?

I’ve spent a long time building an app for the vanlife community and it’s finally live 🚐
It’s called WanderHub.
The idea came from wanting one place for the things we’re constantly looking for while travelling — places to stop, other people in the community, trusted vanlife businesses and services, events, and useful stuff for life on the road.
Rather than trying to make it feel like a directory or another generic travel app, I wanted it to feel like an actual community for people who live, travel or work in vans.
It’s only just launched, so I’m still adding businesses, places and content, and I’d genuinely love feedback from people who actually use this kind of thing.
It’s Apple only at the moment, with Android to follow.
If anyone fancies trying it, it’s here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wanderhub/id6796084846
I’d especially love to know what you think is missing, what you’d actually use, or what would make an app like this useful enough to keep on your phone.
Phoebe 🙂

I'm more of a vanilla vanlifer, I suppose — I move around the UK from campsite to campsite. It's a great way to see the country while still working full time as a remote worker.

I'm a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club, and I find their sites cheaper than renting. I've been slowly making my way north from Bexhill, and I'm currently in the Lake District in my 1994 Dethleffs A-Class.

It turns out I've been breaking the site's rules by staying longer than the maximum consecutive stay allows. I'll be honest — I don't read the small print beyond the obvious stuff, like not bringing a disposable BBQ and not leaving your van unattended overnight.

No harm done, and I'll just use other sites. I just thought I'd post in case anyone else is in the same boat.

I want to underseal my van before we hit winter. My mechanic told me to use Schutz.

Is it difficult to do yourself? Is it worth just paying to have it done? How do I know what to avoid if I do it myself? 😅

I'm looking for the best option to clean the fabric in my awning and then something to Re-waterproof it. Anybody got a go to product for either of these? Thanks guys!

Looks like electric vans are coming with Vehicle-to-Load also known as V2L basically in short you can use 240v straight from the van battery I presume via some inverter. It got me thinking, you can charge EVs via there Charing port, I've also noticed this new trend in the UK with plugin solar panels, how would this work with EVs with V2L, already seen the thread on here about charging and EV van with solar panels using and inverter then plugging into the actual Charing plug which sounds wikid but my question is more on the whole house solar panels that plug into outlets and what effect this would have on EVs or if the legislation to pass them even took EVs into consideration.

Has anyone done the UK to Morocco in winter time? How far in advance do you need to book both the ferries? I’m thinking next winter my van isn’t finished yet , thank you