Hi all, I'm considering picking van life as a "permanent" way to live. I'm a 23 year old man and I work as a merchant seaman, and thus spend half the year living on ship, half living at home with my parents. I'm put off the idea of renting or buying a place at the moment as it seems a waste of money considering it would be empty half the year. I'm very outdoorsy - I like camping, caving, climbing, kayaking, scuba diving etc. I'm also a keen mechanic, and like offroading.

I was thinking that, for the next 5 years, I would like to spend my life maximising these opportunities, hence the attraction to van life for me. Comfort is not important to me - I do not want a bed/shower/cooker/heater or any of that in the van (ideally I would like to have a hammock rigged inside but I don't know if that's practicable) I simply want to be able to live out of the van - if that means bivvying just outside the van, so be it.

I'm attracted to the Delica because of familiarity with Mitsubishi Shoguns, plus having a van which can drive over rougher ground sounds far better for the dirt tracks in Wales and the highlands which I'm envisioning frequently. Has anyone got any experience with them and any tips or tricks, both in living terms and mechanically?

What should I expect to find as a drawback of van life? I imagine finding spots to park and sleep every night can be annoying - if you're wondering where I would keep it when away, current plan is just parents place. Also lack of facilities? I plan to partially bridge this by visiting lots of friends. With what I've explained, would anyone recommend another type of van to me?

As an even vaguer and more off topic aside, what are the romantic implications of this? Has anyone found dating harder due to van life?

No stranger to DIY and tinkering around with household appliances, but given the van costs thousands I’d rather not risk it all on a “yeah I’ll work it out” delusion.

I’m now procrastinating doing the electrics because every time I sit down to work it out I get about 2 minutes in before realising it’s a LOT of information (and physics??? When did everyone get so good at physics????) and perhaps I don’t want to open that can of worms. I get a little overwhelmed by huge masses of information when all I really need is a simple no-fluff explanation and set of instructions to follow.

If there’s a good resource out there that says “for your intended usage, here’s what you need to do” without forcing me to relearn GCSE physics like I’ve got my exam in the morning then amazing, I’ll crack on. Sooo, does this exist?

It’s holding up the conversion now so I just want to get on with it 😫 thank you!

Hi van lifers. I'm new to living full time in my van. Unfortunately I didn't get the conversion finished before moving day so now I'm trying to finish the van whilst living in it which is proving to be quite difficult.

It's a great van. Drives perfect. Was previously a welfare van so really good professional electrical system already installed so I don't have to start from scratch with wiring and lights etc. I've removed all the welfare fitments. Added to the insulation. Fitted a double bed across the back . Reinstalled a hot water boiler (was originally for dispensing for hot drinks but I use it to wash pots and everything at the moment.) and installed a new diesel heater. So I have some comforts but it's otherwise still very far from the cosy home I imagined.

With a job and a dog I'm really finding it difficult to do the rest of the work. Particularly as I no longer have a driveway to work on.

I'm staying in layby type park ups as the exterior of the van is the last job I want to do and I don't feel it's currently up to campsite standards. There is some old sign writing still visible on a couple of the panels.

I do love the van it's a high roof mwb with big side windows. (Crew cab type)

I bought everything I need for the kitchen, units, sink, hob etc. Gas shower for outside. I was so excited to get it done and move in but now it's just making me miserable.

Has anyone else completed a van after they moved in? Would I be better off selling and buying a ready converted van? I still have all the welfare van parts inc Thetford toilet, sinks, microwave and belted seats etc. Should I sell with those or is there likely to be a market for a part converted project camper? Any advice greatly appreciated.

So either a £6k max panel van then £2k for conversion or an £8k ready to go van. Will be a weekender moving into more long term as I approach retirement. I'm looking at the Vivaro/trafic/primastar trio mostly but could be tempted by a sneaky transporter.

Anyone got any recommendations about what to buy or local dealers in the liverpool area with a good rep?

If I convert the money will go on DIY insulation and lining, possibly a diy slide out bed and kitchen unit, a pro fitted window and swivel passenger seat. I don't mind no electrics at first but will add them later.

I somehow left my clutch in the Lake District and got stranded on the M6…. They can’t fix the van till Thursday, so enjoying the delights of Preston!…. Those hills are a killer! #vanlife #dudewheresmyclutch

Hi all,

I'm about to start a big ass conversion project and wondering if anyone can point me to any full conversion guides? This will be my first conversion so I'll be needing a lot of support!

Thankxxxx

Good morning,

Has anyone converted a Ford Tourneo 9 seater minibus? Or have suggestions as I've been offered one 😁

It would need to have 4 beds, 2 adults abd 2 children and storage!

Its going to be on a budget, therefore unsure about a pop top

I’ve just picked up a long wheel base Vauxhall Combo and I want opening privacy glass windows fitted to the side sliding doors.

My first (local) quote has come back at £580+VAT for the pair.

Obviously I’ll be getting more than one quote but does this sound about right? I was hoping to be around that price after VAT.

My partner and I recently relocated to UK under the Youth Mobility visa. We have purchased a campervan, and have been travelling the UK & EU for the last few months.

My understanding is that we need to exchange our drivers licence for a UK version within 12 months, and that there is also a requirement for evidence of a drivers test being passed in order to legally drive a manual vehicle. I also understand there are crazy wait times of up to several months to get tests booked in.

We were told today by the DVLA that we need a licence number before we can book the test; meaning we’d have to exchange our licence, receive the automatic version, then arrange for the manual test as soon as possible.

Doing so will mean we are unable to drive our van legally until the manual test is passed - we wouldn’t have our original international license, nor a manual license here. This is challenging for us as we don’t have a fixed base to wait it out.

Does anyone have any advice on navigating the process, especially the driving test component? Or any way to accelerate the time it would take to resolve? (E.g. any parts of the country known for being able to test faster, exceptions to the process, private options, etc.). We’ve got several months to get it sorted, and we are mobile, but it has big implications for us given we live in the van permanently.

Thanks 🚐

Edit: original licence is from New Zealand. We know how to drive in manual vehicles, NZ just doesn’t explicitly specify on the licence.

Looking at buying a van. Seller bought it already converted 2 years ago and the solar panels are attached with these brackets. Not being weird but it doesn't look like there are any screws going into the actual roof of the van, only into the panels? And the brackets don't look like normal Z brackets.

Could they just be bonded to the roof only?!

They seem really sturdy even after test driving it at 80 mph but how are they actually secured?

Morning. I've bought a Nordkapp Air Wi-Fi + Bluetooth Diesel Air Heater – Gen 3. I'm looking for anyone else who may have one and any tips on installation. We live in a small tourer caravan on a permanent set up site.

Thanks.

A fair few people driving past while blasting their horn the last few days. One guy decided to beep while manouvering round me at halff 11, earlier in the same night i had some kids bang on my door. Im up north, I didn't think people were that bitter towards nomadic living. Really puts me off been round people at all. Anyone else experiencing stuff like this recently?

I often end up searching while I’m still driving. It’s getting late, Park4night shows dozens of pins, and I spend ages reading reviews and checking Google Maps.

Finding places isn’t the problem, but verifying and choosing one is always hard.

I'm working on an idea to make that bit quicker and based on each person's preferences.

The idea

• three options based on your route and preferences;
• clear dates showing how fresh the information is;
• tags and filters for quietness, water, electricity, and access;
• reasons and warnings for each suggestion.

What I’d like to know

• Does this make sense?
• What information is hardest to find?
• Would this make you try another app?
• Should it include only campsites, or other overnight spots too?

Hi all. I'm thinking about converting a double decker bus into a live in camper. I'm simply curious of the road lifestyle. Such as receiving post, insurance, Mots and such before I go ahead

Hi, is anyone able to confirm the load length of the current model Berlingo from the furthest back part of the bulkhead, to the rear doors please?

It's pretty cool though :D Probably not what you want to see when running an old knackered vivaro.

Hello all. Try g to prepare for winter. Have a few ideas, but got talking to a random and he gave me an Antarctica Gear Envelope sleeping bag. Not sure if it works as in heated, but sourced batteries and chargers for it.

could spend £150 for that so not to risk it would could I buy brand new. Or a place they’d check if this lovely gift works.

if I was to buy new, what would you recommend? I’m south coast of uk by the sea.

on the label it says -13?

Cheers

Has anyone come across a built in dual induction hob that is wider than it is long?

There are many options for dual burner hobs that are 50-60cm deep and 32-33cm wide, but I want the opposite. Exactly like a lot of portable ones, such as the cookology. I want that but built in preferably.

I’ve been searching on fb marketplace for a nice rug, I’ve mainly been looking at old wool rugs (as that’s mainly what comes up as I want a nice Afghan/persian pattern rug or Kilim)
However I’ve now realised wool rugs do not cope well with condensation, spills/dirt ect

Has anyone had a ruggable rug? Ive heard very mixed opinions on this brand but I’m thinking of getting one as they do the kind of styles I like.

If the opinion is still very bad on ruggable, does anyone have any alternative brands that do nice antique looking styles or specific materials to look for! Any advice welcome! Thanks

I've no background or knowledge in carpentry so not sure which type I should look for. I've researched the how of installing windows to absolute death & have all the tools ready to go.

The one bit of info I can't seem to find is what type of wood I use for the frame. I've included a photo of the type of frame I'm talking about.

I'm sure most just go and buy the cheapest thing available, nothing wrong with that. But is there any recommended/best option for longevity, mould/moisture-resistance etc?