Wannabee T6 / T5 owner

[Robert Morison]

Just wanted to say a quick hi as the newbie..

I have been procrastinating for years about buying a VW campervan and now seriously looking. Have seena few campers around but nothing thats taken my fancy.

Now wondering if its better to get the van I want and then pay to have it converted? Need it to be a 4 berth..

On average, how much does a full camper conversion cost? (or is that a silly question). Looked at a couple of vans in Bournemouth at Funkydubz which look okay..

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Fish]

@DaveyB is the best person for this.

 

[DaveyB]

@DaveyB is the best person for this.

Sorry @Robert Morison, really can't give you too much on this one. As to costing it is entirely governed by what you want and the quality of the finish. If you're looking in Bournemouth, could be worth looking at Vanworx on Osprey Quay, Weymouth/ Portland. There are so many converters around best advice of most folk on here would be to shop around, compare, figure out what your balance of expenditure v's quality is and go from there.
Good Luck.

 

[Colinlp]

I think the average price of a conversion would be about £15K. I converted my own and by the time it's finished (just need a poptop fitting now) it will have cost me about £8.5-£9K, that will be with a Hilo roof, you could easily knock a big chunk off that with a cheaper roof

 

[Robert Morison]

Sorry @Robert Morison, really can't give you too much on this one. As to costing it is entirely governed by what you want and the quality of the finish. If you're looking in Bournemouth, could be worth looking at Vanworx on Osprey Quay, Weymouth/ Portland. There are so many converters around best advice of most folk on here would be to shop around, compare, figure out what your balance of expenditure v's quality is and go from there.
Good Luck.

Thanks Davey, I'll check those out. Think I stumbled across Vanworx and they look good.

 

[Robert Morison]

I think the average price of a conversion would be about £15K. I converted my own and by the time it's finished (just need a poptop fitting now) it will have cost me about £8.5-£9K, that will be with a Hilo roof, you could easily knock a big chunk off that with a cheaper roof

Thanks Colin, gives me a ball park figure to look at... just getting all the ducks in a row to take the plunge.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Phantom]

Thanks Colin, gives me a ball park figure to look at... just getting all the ducks in a row to take the plunge.

Thanks everyone.

Hi Robert

Speak to Ian at Eclipse Custom Campers in Yeovil which is not far! I looked seriously at all converters in the Dorset area and went with Ian. I'm quite fussy and lots of friends have had Vans converted in the area so I could compare. Ian is worth a call

Kind Regards

Nick

 

[GoatBoater]

If you are looking in the Bournemouth area checkout Uberbus too. They have transparent pricing on their website, which I found really useful. We're in the queue for one of their packages, but they seem happy to go off-plan too.

 

[Chopman]

Some converters publish price lists to give you an idea, including the couple listed below - I think Colins numbers give you a good starting point.
We looked at Uberbus in Poole and Vanworx in Portland and both seemed to offer good conversions and both had a good reputation

 

[Dubsintheblood]

@DaveyB speaking of roofs, I'm 12months off getting mine sorted and live Stratford upon Avon area, although not too fussed on distance, I'm not that clued up on the whole pop up roof thing but is there a slimmer version I can go for so it doesn't look like I have a huge gymnasium Matt fixed to my roof? Cheers

 

[Colinlp]

@DaveyB speaking of roofs, I'm 12months off getting mine sorted and live Stratford upon Avon area, although not too fussed on distance, I'm not that clued up on the whole pop up roof thing but is there a slimmer version I can go for so it doesn't look like I have a huge gymnasium Matt fixed to my roof? Cheers

The Hilo is what you're looking for

Welcome to Hilo T5 Roof Systems UK Website

 

[Dubsintheblood]

@Colinlp this is what I've been looking for, looks amazing! Anyone you know have one? Thanks

 

[DaveyB]

@DaveyB speaking of roofs, I'm 12months off getting mine sorted and live Stratford upon Avon area, although not too fussed on distance, I'm not that clued up on the whole pop up roof thing but is there a slimmer version I can go for so it doesn't look like I have a huge gymnasium Matt fixed to my roof? Cheers

Ooh, a man after my own heart. The Hilo is the one for you if you want to retain the "standard" looking roof height. One of these is on my wish list as, having looked at various ones, it's the only one I have seen thus far that doesn't look like a toupee. As with everything there is a compromise to be had, because the internal height of the van is affected, simply because the roof and its mechanism is in the van rather than on the van.
@andythom188 is the only person I am in contact with who has one. I was abit concerned about the roof height being 6'5" but have sat in Andy's van and it doesn't cause me to scrape the ole swede on the ceiling; so all good.
I like the solid way in which the Hilo bolts down when not in use, although a lot of people don't like this as it puts 4 handwheels inside the van. Being in the Fire & Reacue Service the one thing that worries me about these is that in the event of a roll over or any significant RTC there are hand wheels on the roof infront of the front seats awaiting my head to plough into them. Simple point is that if you roll over, the seat belt will restrain you but the distortion of the roof into the passenger cell will put that hand wheel where it shouldn't be.
Be well worth you talking to Hilo who are members on here @HiLo Roofs, the other option (which I'm hearing really good things about from @Fish and @andythom188) is @Dean@VanDoc. VanDoc is not that far from you in Stratford, a short journey up the M40/42.

 

[Dubsintheblood]

@DaveyB a lot of useful information there, and to be honest I'm massively impressed by the roof after @Colinlp reccomendation, I've already got in contact with @HiLo Roofs but didn't realise they were on here, anymore info will be more than welcome on any style of roof, aslong as its slimmer than slim great work guys thanks.

 

[Colinlp]

@DaveyB a lot of useful information there, and to be honest I'm massively impressed by the roof after @Colinlp reccomendation, I've already got in contact with @HiLo Roofs but didn't realise they were on here, anymore info will be more than welcome on any style of roof, aslong as its slimmer than slim great work guys thanks.

Go and see a converter and see one for real I'm sure you'll be impressed, be aware though there is a slight loss of headroom and there are the 4 lock down bolts that some dislike but the advantages are massive

 

[DaveyB]

@DaveyB a lot of useful information there, and to be honest I'm massively impressed by the roof after @Colinlp reccomendation, I've already got in contact with @HiLo Roofs but didn't realise they were on here, anymore info will be more than welcome on any style of roof, aslong as its slimmer than slim great work guys thanks.

I think that VanDoc is probably the nearest Hilo agent to you.

 

[Dubsintheblood]

Nice one cheers lads, off to Ibiza tomorrow for a week but it'll be first thing on the to do list when I'm back, thanks again for the info

 

[Pauly]

If you want to see roofs defo recommend you hit a VW show over the summer preferably one that Hilo are trading at but if not there will be loads of vans with pop roofs you can check out and one thing you can guarantee is that VW owners love to talk about their vans so most would be willing to let you have a look and give their opinions

 

[Dave54]

I think the average price of a conversion would be about £15K. I converted my own and by the time it's finished (just need a poptop fitting now) it will have cost me about £8.5-£9K, that will be with a Hilo roof, you could easily knock a big chunk off that with a cheaper roof

Mate did you go HILO ? if so is it ok ? Dave

 

[Dave54]

@DaveyB a lot of useful information there, and to be honest I'm massively impressed by the roof after @Colinlp reccomendation, I've already got in contact with @HiLo Roofs but didn't realise they were on here, anymore info will be more than welcome on any style of roof, aslong as its slimmer than slim great work guys thanks.

Morning mate, did you get a hilo and if so is all well Im looking atgetting one now ?