New Camper van family with a T6 T30 LWB Highline

[czmate1999]

Hi

I've been stalking around here getting information and you all seem a friendly bunch so hello. I am now a member.

After being left some money me and my family are going to join the camper van world. The money comes from my parents with whom I toured Europe in variety of batter British cars including a Mini clubman van, a Morris marina and ford transit 6 wheeler ,where all 3 of us slept on a piece of 3/4 ply on top of tools and wheel for the race car we towed.

We've "proper" canvas camped for years but now with kids and work, getting the energy to pack the car drive put up tent repack drive unpack dry out tent put away in garage for a weekend we sort of lost the mojo.
I hoping to come home change clothes changes car keys through some clothes in a go.

It will also extend the season and locations we can dash away to as well since I am getting a heater fitted.....

Being a petrol head I have always admired nice vehicles and mostly had German cars, so now opportunity has presented itself it had to be VW. Even though and don't shout at me but the new transit drives really well.

I've opted for the 150 bhp not the 204 because I want a bit more grunt but also some economy. I may get remap when out of warranty.
I've gone for the auto 'box as I have got used to these in my cars and cant go back. Also the highline spec has all the toys I need
I do want to add nicer wheels and maybe the odd spoiler or chrome side bars. But most of that will wait. I need to get it converted first. Having looked at few different companies conversions, we are getting towards a final spec then going out for quotes.

Anything obvious I have missed at this stage? Any recommendations for conversion companies? So far I am drawn towards Hillside and Wessex. I want a well made solid product. Good value but not cheaply made. Happy to pay for quality of a good the design, functionality and a robust finish.

Camper conversion
drivers side conversion
option for minimum of 5 travel seats
front swivel passenger seat single or double TBC with small table for dining
rear double bed 110 to 120 wide - Reimo variotech sliding
VW privacy glass with x 2 opening
Front elevating roof with double bed Reimo or SCA
roof rack (removable)
fridge
freezer small ?
2 ring hob
Grill?
oven?
sink with c water
water tanks mounted under body
option for hot water?
interior heater gas or diesel
activity shower fed from H+C?
space for portable / removable cassette toilet
wind out canopy ?
LED lighting inc lights to rear tailgate and side door
speakers to living area
4 place bike rack?
fabrics not leather and furniture colours will depend on final colour of base vehicle but generally to be lighter furniture and darker fabrics
Dynamat insulation ?



Marcus

Hey @Flashollie, I’m in the same boat as you and am specking out a new van and conversion. Just wondered if you had any advice and what your decision was re the converter company? Thanks in advance.

Cz.

 

[Flashollie]

Sorry for the late reply I've been away in my van
Advice.
Go to a big show where there are lots of van converters. Its much easier to compare the product and the people running the companies when you do it back to back. It could take up a weekend but you could take several days travelling up and down the country looking at them individually.
Quality and longevity of the product was key for me. I bought my van for 20 years to see me well in to retirement hopefully. So remember quality costs. But I do believe you get what you pay for. Wherever you choose you are spending a lot of money so take time to get it right. If they can offer you a build slot next week then Id not go there if they are quiet then they aren't doing much work for others.
When viewing at exhibitions its easy to see those companies who build a van at half the cost of another. You cant see this in the websites. The finish quality and attention to detail is easy to see. I could have saved 15k going with the cheaper but I wanted a good solid well built product.
Once I had list of about about 3 who could build to the standard and quality I wanted I then spent time talking to the owners and get to know them so they knew what I was after. I didn't deal with companies who had salesmen. I wanted someone invested in their own business. e.g. owner and shop floor worker.
Then once I had someone who could build what I wanted to the standard I wanted and that knew me and I trusted him and he trusted me I signed on the dotted line.
I am very happy I definitely got the right firm. I am happy to say I am friends with the two partners now and I will be going to Bus fest with them again in Sept this year.

 

[czmate1999]

Thanks, sound advice. If you do not mind me asking, who did you use?

 

[Flashollie]

Ecowagon

 

[czmate1999]

Ecowagon

Thanks Flash! will check them out.