Considerations For Creating A Camper From Your Van

If you’re planning on converting your van for life on the road, there are quite a lot of considerations that need to be made before you can head out on the open road. There are various features of your van that can affect its performance, including how nippy, spacious or extravagant it is! Deciding what kind of camper you want is one of the first steps you should take, as that can affect whether you should research how to carry out a race van conversion or whether you should look at existing motorhome conversions.

Whilst certain skills are advantageous when it comes to van conversions, there is fortunately no ‘right way’ to carry out a race van conversion. As long as you’re comfortable, the van moves and it’s legal and safe to drive then you’re golden! However, motorhome conversions should still be carefully planned out to ensure that this safe and effective end result is reached.

Capacity

How many people you’re planning to travel with is one of the deciding factors in what van you can use as your base. Even with extensive conversion, you can’t make a small van much bigger, you can only use the space more effectively. More people means more space is required for sleeping areas, so keep this in mind when planning your race van conversion. Folding sleeping areas, or foldaway storage and tables, are key to using your space efficiently.

Camper Height

It may seem somewhat silly, but if you or your guests are over six feet tall, then you may be forced to have lengthways beds as opposed to sleeping across the van. It also may rule out any smaller van conversions. This factor might not be something you’ve thought about but it will surely come back to bite you once you try and get a restful sleep in the van!

Storage

If you’re planning to camp or travel for a long amount of time, it’s important to make sure you have enough storage available for all of your goods. Perishables, such as food, can be replenished regularly by visiting supermarkets or shops when you pass through a town, but items such as clothes, kettles, a microwave, etc. will need dedicated storage space in your vehicle. Rather than planning and incorporating this into your build, you can also tow a trailer behind your camper or utilise a roof rack for bulky items such as bikes or surfboards.

Natural lighting

Whilst natural lighting isn’t necessary for your camper van, it definitely helps your living space feel bright and open. Windows can eliminate privacy however, and may also prevent you from putting in full height furniture. However, a sky light can counteract both of these problems whilst still providing motorhome conversions with a fair amount of light. It’s highly unlikely that your roof will be overlooked unless you park next to a block of flats, and it will only stop you putting things on parts of your roof which is a lot less inconvenient than losing a whole wall to a window.

Working on the go

More and more van conversions are starting to feature mobile WiFi technology and electrical supplies, allowing users to continue working on their laptops or being entertained with a TV or games console. Think about how you can incorporate this into your vehicle in a congruent way that enhances the vehicle’s appearance and functionality, rather than just sticking a wire out the back!

If you’re really unsure on how to start converting your vehicle, there are plenty of experts and companies that are available to provide advice or even carry out the conversion for you.