Why My Camper Conversion

I’m by no means an expert. This is my second conversion.

Maybe you’re like me, a bit of knowledge and skills and don’t mind learning as I go along. That means you can learn from my build journey, good and bad. Learn from the things I got right and what I would’ve or should’ve done differently.

My first camper conversion was a 2005 Renault Master, already part converted when I bought it. I added to it making it more liveable, and it was all done with an eye on keeping costs down. I spent a lot of time in it, tweaking things here and there, finding out what worked and what didn’t, what I liked and what I didn’t.  I used it during holidays and days off, with and without the kids, alone and with friends – mainly in France and Spain. Very, very rarely on campsites or purpose built areas.

This new camper conversion is starting from scratch with a bare 2019 Peugeot Boxer van. A much newer, better equipped (and lower mileage!) vehicle that will last longer and so I’ll be spending more to make it a conversion worthy of a better vehicle.

And because I’m getting on in years now, less job related distractions and older kids means I’ll be able to spend more time in it and travel further afield. And I’m a bit less keen on showering outside at 10 at night in October. Although I will miss the cemeteries for that!! More on that elsewhere.

I’m using a bit of my own knowledge, experience and everday DIY skills, some common sense, some internet research all mixed in with a desire to be inventive in the camper van build. Think outside the box when converting a box, if you like.

I’ve also noticed a lot of websites skip the small details that crop up in a van conversion and can make some of the jobs a bit less straightforward than you’d expect. So I’ll highlight those issues that I experience.

Probably the biggest one being that while we may describe a van as a box van, it is far from a straight sided, clean angled, uniform box on a level platform. Oh I wish!

What Kind Of Camper Van?

I like to be independent, self sufficient, efficient and discreet in my camper van. Paying to park up in a purpose built ugly car park alongside rows of  super expensive giant factory motorhomes with mains electricity and satellite dishes is not for me. No offence if that rocks your chassis.

Finding a quiet, beautiful, private spot and blending in is what I want. And if sometimes I need to park in more popular or populated areas I don’t want to draw attention.

And using free power from the sun makes it even more satisfying.

So I’m building an off grid ‘stealth’ camper van with a few unusual ideas to make the most of a 4 metre by 2 metre living space.

Here’s what I’m hoping to squeeze into that space:

• A fixed king size-ish bed – I can’t bear wrestling with cushions and bedding every night and morning
• A comfy sofa that converts to a full size single bed
• Table and flexible seating
• A bathroom with large shower, hot water and toilet
• A kitchen area with sink, gas hob and fridge (12v powered by the sun of course)
• Heating
• A flat screen TV, charging points
• Even a garage space for a motorbike/scooter and bicycle!
• Possibly even squeeze in an inflatable water toy like a paddleboard.

Surely not possible!? Doubters be gone. There’s always a solution. At least that’s what I think.

Hopefully the result will be a comfortable, fun, flexible, unusual camper van that provides everything I want from van life – and uses very few resources while doing it.

One person’s ultra low running costs is another person’s low impact on our planet.

The biggest thing I’ve learnt from van life is how little we need. How little space and how few resources we actually need to have an equally enjoyable lifestyle to a large space, large consumption and high cost lifestyle.

If this sounds like the sort of camper van you want to create then I hope you find my website useful to achieve your van life dreams.

Let’s do it!