I had to trawl around the country to visit all the major converters and visited a number of trade shows before I could find a converter that could do a true custom conversion. Not just different layouts and colours. Eg. I wanted low headroom for using multi story carparks and low barriers but also wanted a shower under a pop top. They all said they could make a shower but only for cleaning off sand and muddy boots on the outside. The people I chose were willing to sit down to listen and discuss how it could be done…and they did, beautifully. So I now have a shower run by a Webasto heater that supplies all the hot water and interior heating I ever need and can use when wild camping in the winter without opening any doors. I chose a rear kitchen layout with two single RIB seats for rear passengers that convert to beds. That suits me better when off grid camping on my own. The bonus of this for me is I can get up at night to use the toilet in the rear which often happens if I’ve made an arrangement to stay overnight at a local pub. They rarely refuse as they know Im likely to spend at least thirty quid on beer and food and I promise to put nothing outside, leave no rubbish and be away at a reasonable hour in the morning. If I’m actually meeting people and staying on a proper campsite all the stuff comes out. A Palm Beech side awning a driveway tailgate awning and the pop top becomes a bedroom. When my son borrows the van he finds it a perfect arrangement for the two of them with my granddaughter sleeping downstairs. I’ve done a number of modifications myself but the biggest pandemic project was fitting a Renogy 50a DC-DC charger and MPPT controller with a 200w solar panel on the roof meaning the batteries are kept topped up when parked in the street, even in the winter. The van is still my daily runabout for local shopping etc. and does, sometimes get used as a van but all this means, as I’m now single again and retired I can just switch off the telly, jump in the van and go away anywhere/anytime in the UK on whim.
