Hi folks
Please help if you can
Planning on camping way round Europe next year and have just bought on ebay a 10 seater Toyota Hiace minibus which am picking up Monday from Nottingham to South London. Intend to rip seats out and either just leave as a van (that we can sleep in if we had to as we do have a good tent) or convert to proper camper van. Can't really make decision (advice on pro's and cons of this also welcome) until have seen it etc We will get it reclassified with DVLA once decision made and work done.
Questions
Has anyone done similar? Where did you get insurance as everyone I call even specialist insurers will only insure us once we get it reclassified with DVLA. Obviously this will take time.
Basically need insurer for minibus initially which can be cancelled if necessary once reclassication has taken place and reinsured as either a camper van or just a van depending on decision made - apart from Minibus Plus does anyone know of any other companies that will insure us for the vehicle as it is at the moment?
If we have to we will drive it back uninsured and take the risk and just get it insured once work done but this is not ideal.
Will be contacting DVLA but if anyone has first hand experience of getting vehicle reclassified as a camper van - what evidence do you have to present? How long does it take?
Rough idea of cost to convert to a camper van if anyone knows??
Basically if you have any knowledge about any of the above that may be of use please please post a reply or pm me! Your help will be gratefully received
We don't set off travelling until June and didn't really expect to win the ebay auction! so have been forced into action sooner than we expected.
Many Thanks
Sian
.......talk about doing it the hard way....... 
....at this time of year a proper camper van can be just as cheap...but now you've done it, the best advice I can give you is to get the best magazine on the subject - Motorcaravan and Motorhome Monthly. Apart from anything else, its full of ads for converters, parts, insurers, etc, as well as good info and advice. Its also online at http://www.mmmonline.co.uk
Theres also lots of camper websites, forums, etc that can not only help with the vehicle, but with your planned trip, also.
We like our own camper van very much - VW T4 - and I'm sure that you will too.....eventually......and if you don't get caught driving uninsured......
....at this time of year a proper camper van can be just as cheap...but now you've done it, the best advice I can give you is to get the best magazine on the subject - Motorcaravan and Motorhome Monthly. Apart from anything else, its full of ads for converters, parts, insurers, etc, as well as good info and advice. Its also online at http://www.mmmonline.co.ukTheres also lots of camper websites, forums, etc that can not only help with the vehicle, but with your planned trip, also.
We like our own camper van very much - VW T4 - and I'm sure that you will too.....eventually......and if you don't get caught driving uninsured......
Thanks sunowner will check the magazine and website etc out.
Got the minibus for £531 as no reserve and not many bidding for this sort of thing at this time of year and not seen any campers that cheap!
Got the minibus for £531 as no reserve and not many bidding for this sort of thing at this time of year and not seen any campers that cheap!
......fair enough, not many £500 campers....but by the time you've bought all the bits and pieces to convert it, even to a basic standard, you will have spent enough to have got a proper one in the first place - with the added benefit of being able sell it on in the future; a "proper" camper will meet certain standards for the construction, insulation, gas, electric and water systems, etc.
But good luck to you anyway...there will be a good deal of satisfaction in finally seeing - and using - the finished product.
But good luck to you anyway...there will be a good deal of satisfaction in finally seeing - and using - the finished product.
At the risk of being clobbered by Briar
You may find there are more dedicated groups for Motorhome owners and where you may get advice on conversions
I will add that conversion is NOT an easy thing you can find all sorts of pitfalls
You probably would be better off buying a cheap ready made one of eBay and then flogging it at the end of your trip say in Turkey or Bulgaria where you will get a buyer quite rapidly according to stories coming out of that neck of the woods
You may find there are more dedicated groups for Motorhome owners and where you may get advice on conversions
I will add that conversion is NOT an easy thing you can find all sorts of pitfalls
You probably would be better off buying a cheap ready made one of eBay and then flogging it at the end of your trip say in Turkey or Bulgaria where you will get a buyer quite rapidly according to stories coming out of that neck of the woods
MMM is the fount of all knowledge regarding Motor-vans.
There is a club "The Motor Caravan Club"(!) and they have a booklet all about DIY.
It is not a good idea for the reasons already set out.
Load balance, gas piping, water tanks- choice of toilet safety of seats and seat-belts.
The list is endless, and the re-sale value will be much lower than a 'known' brand. It is a shame that proper motorcaravans seem to be going down the "gold-tap" route. Each one adds pounds and pounds to the list price.
Good luck- but I'd advise re-thinking the project!
Techy
There is a club "The Motor Caravan Club"(!) and they have a booklet all about DIY.
It is not a good idea for the reasons already set out.
Load balance, gas piping, water tanks- choice of toilet safety of seats and seat-belts.
The list is endless, and the re-sale value will be much lower than a 'known' brand. It is a shame that proper motorcaravans seem to be going down the "gold-tap" route. Each one adds pounds and pounds to the list price.
Good luck- but I'd advise re-thinking the project!
Techy
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