Trying to judge quality of conversion

[mcmac74]

Hi,

Having decided to go for a T6 camper some weeks ago, I’ve been weighing up whether to buy the van (used) and use a conversion company or buying a completed one. I’ve looked at a couple at dealerships and one private and it was clear that the private seller had done a very high spec job on the interior, but unfortunately there was a price to match and the colour/ style not quite right.

I’ve just found a T6 startline in a lovely style, nice body kit/ alloys but just trying to gauge what I’m getting for my money. The conversion’s been done by a company in business for a few years. The pop top has been done by a company called ‘Dynamic pop tops’. I can’t find a lot of info on them but it comes with a 5 year warranty. The captain seat bench and Rnroll bed are mounted on Vulcan fixings. As for the rest of the fit, the guy I spoke to didn’t specify a particular brand for the kitchen/ appliances. He was honest about the diesel heater being a Chinese import and I got the impression that it was fairly generic camper fit out to keep costs down, although it looked great. That said, a high spec kitchen is not massively important as long as it looks good and doesn’t fall apart. The price is £35k with 50k odd miles on clock.

Any thoughts on the above fixings etc? My main concern is that the pop top doesn’t appear to be done with a known and trusted brand, albeit I’ve no reason to doubt the quality based on the way it looked and felt.

Cheers, Mark

 

[JOG]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You’ve made the right move joining this forum as it is a font of knowledge. I would suggest that you lurk on the forum for a bit and you’ll be surprised how much information you’ll pick up.

Consider hiring a camper to help you better understand what you like or don’t like and start drawing up a list of “must haves”.

A kitchen is a matter of personal choice. Many prefer to cook outside on a Cadac etc rather than cooking in the van. We elected to have a removable kitchen “pod” as it means the van is more versatile.

You will find vans for sale on here too

 

[AJCConversions]

Totally agree with @JOG on the hire side of things… when we offered hire it was a really good tool for all our customers to decide what is and isn’t needed in their build, often resulting in them actually saving money. If my parents were still here working with me we would definitely still offer hire to help people.

Though I am still able to offer advise on the above based on all the people I have dealt with and got their opinions!

A lot of the time ovens and grills aren’t used and take up useful storage space, the space that’s most used normally too.

A good conversion with us now is £20,000 but that is Reimo, Rib, Eberspacher etc so more expensive products than in the van you’re viewing. That leaves £15,000 for the base van you’re looking at

Price wise I would say an awful lot of things aren’t selling very quickly at the moment, we sold on behalf of a customer a 2015 so previous model T5.1 with 80k miles with Reimo roof, rib, eberspacher and all the other good trimmings we normally fit for 30k but that was when things were selling well. I don’t think they’re a million miles off but as things stand £30m or closer might be more reasonable in my opinion. Of course I’ve not seen the van either just based on what you’ve said

 

[mcmac74]

Thanks for the replies…the camper is here. Not sure if you’d be able to determine value of the conversion based on those pictures but it’s very much comparable based on price / age to others I’ve seen. You obviously get better value going private, but I feel far more comfortable having some sort of warranty, as I’m not mechanically minded in the slightest.

See this vehicle I found on Motorhome Depot, copy and paste the following link into your browser. Volkswagen T6 4 Berth Pop Top Campervan For Sale

 

[JOG]

Have you bought it?

 

[Drive Wayne]

Well, I think it looks good! Unusual colour scheme, but very pleasing!
Welcome to the forum of more opinions than you'll know what to do with!
I'm sure you will find things that you really 'need' in addition, especially if you hang around here!

 

[mcmac74]

Well, I think it looks good! Unusual colour scheme, but very pleasing!
Welcome to the forum of more opinions than you'll know what to do with!
I'm sure you will find things that you really 'need' in addition, especially if you hang around here!

Not at this moment...but definitely on the consider list...we love the colour!

 

[JoshB_]

For me the keys things to look at on a freshly converted van are;
1) How has it been it lowered - if it’s just springs, then what else have they scrimped on? If it’s Bilstein Coilovers then you know they care.
2) What electric system have they used? - Again, if it’s 2.5mm sq wiring and unknown name charges/inverters, then walk away.
3) Is the R&R bed branded? Those fancy cushions are hiding something…

Don’t be sucked in by the glitz and glamour of a posh kitchen and a pop top. To me that looks overpriced considering the age and spec of van, but that’s just my opinion.

 

[kipperman]

Hmm.
1) Easy to get carried away by being a new conversion but on older wheels - but it's the mechanical side of the t6 that can turn expensive. Which engine is it ( ie. HP) and full service history?
2) Pop top - 5 year guarantee useless if company vanishes/goes bust and if you can't find out much about them, you might wanna be a bit suspicious. Leaking or failed pop top not conducive to a good nights sleep.
3) Barn doors not great IMHO
4) Bench seats at front not great.
5) Personally I don't like the shiny white interior - reckon that is going to get scuffed etc - but very much my opinion.
6) Chinese diesel heater would worry me

I think you are being charged a premium for the bling and glitz of a new conversion. Whether you are happy to pay for that is of course your choice. I would rather go the other way and have a good used interior and van from a recognised converter.

 

[mcmac74]

For me the keys things to look at on a freshly converted van are;
1) How has it been it lowered - if it’s just springs, then what else have they scrimped on? If it’s Bilstein Coilovers then you know they care.
2) What electric system have they used? - Again, if it’s 2.5mm sq wiring and unknown name charges/inverters, then walk away.
3) Is the R&R bed branded? Those fancy cushions are hiding something…

Don’t be sucked in by the glitz and glamour of a posh kitchen and a pop top. To me that looks overpriced considering the age and spec of van, but that’s just my opinion.

Thanks for this
1. Do you think it has been lowered?…it didn’t occur to me that it had. I’ll ask.
2. Which reliable but non premium brands should I be mindful of when asking this question?
3. I’ve already checked on this….Not M1 crash tested, just MOT compliant. ….and I already asked about the fancy cushions which aren’t genuine.

Thanks
Mark

 

[mcmac74]

Hmm.
1) Easy to get carried away by being a new conversion but on older wheels - but it's the mechanical side of the t6 that can turn expensive. Which engine is it ( ie. HP) and full service history?
2) Pop top - 5 year guarantee useless if company vanishes/goes bust and if you can't find out much about them, you might wanna be a bit suspicious. Leaking or failed pop top not conducive to a good nights sleep.
3) Barn doors not great IMHO
4) Bench seats at front not great.
5) Personally I don't like the shiny white interior - reckon that is going to get scuffed etc - but very much my opinion.
6) Chinese diesel heater would worry me

I think you are being charged a premium for the bling and glitz of a new conversion. Whether you are happy to pay for that is of course your choice. I would rather go the other way and have a good used interior and van from a recognised converter.

Thanks for your feedback…

1. FSH
2. Agreed
3. I’m ok with them as quite tall.
4. I need 5 seats for wife and 3 kids
6. Also mindful of this but the premium ones are so expensive!

I’ve not ruled it out yet but glad of the knowledge on here and trying not to get carried away by said ‘glitz’….I’m very much considering a newer/ lower mileage base van in white where a similar look can be achieved for similar money (hopefully).

Mark

 

[JoshB_]

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Looks decent, although it looks proper poverty spec… not sure it’s even got aircon. But could then tart it up to what you want.

It’s hard with 3 kids (me too) but I’m going down the DIY route so I can get it exactly as I want it. Plus it’s ultimately cheaper.

 

[drinfinity]

Not M1 crash tested

I would walk at that. The converter has used the cheapest possible option that looks like a bed, but not really suitable for travelling seats.

 

[JoshB_]

Thanks for this
1. Do you think it has been lowered?…it didn’t occur to me that it had. I’ll ask.
2. Which reliable but non premium brands should I be mindful of when asking this question?
3. I’ve already checked on this….Not M1 crash tested, just MOT compliant. ….and I already asked about the fancy cushions which aren’t genuine.

Thanks
Mark

Looks like it’s had a small drop to me… but could be the weight of the conversion.

Victron and CTEK are some decent brands, basically if it’s some unpronounceable Chinglish name then ittl burn through batteries. Amazon the kit that’s installed and see what comes up.

Personally I wouldn’t be driving my kids in the back of a non M1 crash tested rock n roll bed. MOT compliant basically means it’s got seatbelts that are secure and not connected to rust.

 

[mcmac74]

Looks like it’s had a small drop to me… but could be the weight of the conversion.

Victron and CTEK are some decent brands, basically if it’s some unpronounceable Chinglish name then ittl burn through batteries. Amazon the kit that’s installed and see what comes up.

Personally I wouldn’t be driving my kids in the back of a non M1 crash tested rock n roll bed. MOT compliant basically means it’s got seatbelts that are secure and not connected to rust.

Yeah, the bed thing concerns me. No amount of saved money is worth the risk of lowered safety, although in these days of Ncap etc and drivers general safety awareness I’m surprised there’s a spec below ‘crash tested’

 

[Captain Quick]

As far as I can see the conversion has been undertaken by an unknown ‘professional’ converter, is based on a used poverty spec panel van with barn doors, and the ad doesn’t list any known brand appliances, habitation equipment and modifications. I notice that other campervans handled by the brokers prominently promote their converters, provenance and features. It sounds to me like a Frankenkamper so my inclination would be to walk away and look elsewhere.

 

[JOG]

Hmm.
1) Easy to get carried away by being a new conversion but on older wheels - but it's the mechanical side of the t6 that can turn expensive. Which engine is it ( ie. HP) and full service history?
2) Pop top - 5 year guarantee useless if company vanishes/goes bust and if you can't find out much about them, you might wanna be a bit suspicious. Leaking or failed pop top not conducive to a good nights sleep.
3) Barn doors not great IMHO
4) Bench seats at front not great.
5) Personally I don't like the shiny white interior - reckon that is going to get scuffed etc - but very much my opinion.
6) Chinese diesel heater would worry me

I think you are being charged a premium for the bling and glitz of a new conversion. Whether you are happy to pay for that is of course your choice. I would rather go the other way and have a good used interior and van from a recognised converter.

Fantastic advice

 

[JOG]

Thanks for your feedback…

1. FSH
2. Agreed
3. I’m ok with them as quite tall.
4. I need 5 seats for wife and 3 kids
6. Also mindful of this but the premium ones are so expensive!

I’ve not ruled it out yet but glad of the knowledge on here and trying not to get carried away by said ‘glitz’….I’m very much considering a newer/ lower mileage base van in white where a similar look can be achieved for similar money (hopefully).

Mark

Assuming you and Mrs McMac are up front, have you chosen which Mini McMacs are taking the non-crash tested seats? Is there a rota for them? Do they draw straws? When they were baby Mini McMacs did you insist on Isofix or approved car seats for them…..what changed?!! Tongue in cheek, but it is a consideration!

I am of an age when our family of nine (yes, I have six siblings) merrily went on holidays in a five seater with the boot rammed and a dodgy overloaded roofrack that used to clamped to the roof gutters! Back then cars weren’t made of KitKat wrappers but we still wouldn’t do it today.

 

[JOG]

As far as I can see the conversion has been undertaken by an unknown ‘professional’ converter, is based on a used poverty spec panel van with barn doors, and the ad doesn’t list any known brand appliances, habitation equipment and modifications. I notice that other campervans handled by the brokers prominently promote their converters, provenance and features. It sounds to me like a Frankenkamper so my inclination would be to walk away and look elsewhere.

Absolutely! Unfortunately the pandemic introduced many such “professional” converters who sought to capitalise on the surge in demand. Some even left the cement and plaster dust in the former builders vans when insulating.

 

[mcmac74]

Assuming you and Mrs McMac are up front, have you chosen which Mini McMacs are taking the non-crash tested seats? Is there a rota for them? Do they draw straws? When they were baby Mini McMacs did you insist on Isofix or approved car seats for them…..what changed?!! Tongue in cheek, but it is a consideration!

I am of an age when our family of nine (yes, I have six siblings) merrily went on holidays in a five seater with the boot rammed and a dodgy overloaded roofrack that used to clamped to the roof gutters! Back then cars weren’t made of KitKat wrappers but we still wouldn’t do it today.

Yep, as I stated earlier ‘no amount of saving is worth the risk of lowered safety’.

It’s all a learning curve…earlier this week I had no idea that a seat with seatbelts could be put in a van without the seat having gone through rigorous safety tests.