Campervan Conversion

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Well 17 days in the van, and couldn't be happier. Everything worked fine, no issues and certainly better than a tent for that long!

Nice one Paul. It's a tribute to your campervan design and construction skills.

I'm away in the campervan for two nights next Friday and Saturday and can't wait. We are staying in an orchard next to a pub in the country to celebrate my 50th birthday with about 40 friends camping around us. We have permission to use off the ground fires (of which I have three) so I expect the celebrations to go on way until the early hours on both nights. Which has just reminded me that I need to get in touch with my brothers mate who has as much free timber as I need for both nights.

[mandolin]

Ok, so we've had a couple of glasses of wine but we seem to have convinced ourselves that it would be a good idea to buy an old double decker bus (1500 quid) and to convert it so that we can use it for festivals etc next year. We know storage of the bus would be a problem and I would imagine that getting it out of a muddy field might be an issue but other than that, are we being totally crazy? All thoughts would be appreciated.

[Bisque]

Ok, so we've had a couple of glasses of wine but we seem to have convinced ourselves that it would be a good idea to buy an old double decker bus (1500 quid) and to convert it so that we can use it for festivals etc next year. We know storage of the bus would be a problem and I would imagine that getting it out of a muddy field might be an issue but other than that, are we being totally crazy? All thoughts would be appreciated.

My friends bought a double decker to take to the Germany World Cup but had to lower the top decks height (used as sleep accomodation) to get under a few bridges in Europe. I think they replaced the windows with black perspect on the cheap as they only went upstairs to sleep.

 

Used downstairs for playing PS2 & dining area. Good for 7/8 of them.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Couchy

[eFestivals]

Ok, so we've had a couple of glasses of wine but we seem to have convinced ourselves that it would be a good idea to buy an old double decker bus (1500 quid) and to convert it so that we can use it for festivals etc next year. We know storage of the bus would be a problem and I would imagine that getting it out of a muddy field might be an issue but other than that, are we being totally crazy? All thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Fuel costs are crazy, where you can drive is limited by the height, and it's no longer a bus because it's too mechanically unreliable to be a bus.

 

It's a great idea, but just remember that not everything about it is your happy dreams.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

With height limiting where you can go / what routes you can take then maybe an old single decker bus could be an option. Presumably these may be more economical fuel wise as there is less weight being hauled along.

[mandolin]

Thanks for your replies - all really helpful. Requires some more (and more sober) thought, it seems.

[Bisque]

Thanks for your replies - all really helpful. Requires some more (and more sober) thought, it seems.

The Germany team went to quite some effort to make sure the engine & underneath mechanics were pre-prepped before the trip, they didn't want the hassle of breaking down in a foreign country where a mechanic wasn't used to such mechanics, fortunately said person joined them on the trip. I'm trying to find some fb pics of their trip, they said the bus stank after a few days due to lack of decent ventilation & sauerkraut.

[philipsteak]

Paul/anyone else who's done this sort of thing.

What's it like installing a leisure battery/split charger and wiring it all in.

Just bought myself a van, got a very well done but quite simple home conversion. It's all set up for hook up, but no leisure battery. Which is the only thing i want on it. Is it sort of thing a cack handed idiot could do our should I call in a professional

[eFestivals]

Paul/anyone else who's done this sort of thing.

What's it like installing a leisure battery/split charger and wiring it all in.

Just bought myself a van, got a very well done but quite simple home conversion. It's all set up for hook up, but no leisure battery. Which is the only thing i want on it. Is it sort of thing a cack handed idiot could do our should I call in a professional

 

It's pretty easy, as long as the batteries can be located close to each other (otherwise routing the wiring out of sight can be a pain).

 

But do you really need the leisure battery? I bought the stuff to put one on my van but have never bothered to do it, as I also have a solar panel which I hook up if I'm going to be somewhere more than a couple of days, as it's easily enough to keep the main battery topped up (I'm draining the battery down charging mobile phones, running a laptop, charging vaping batteries, and [used to] running the van stereo).

[philipsteak]

I did think of a solar panel but decided to go for the battery. The van has also got lights and I'll probably get a 12v coolbox to and when I'm not using it at festivals i'll probably be fairly remote so like to know that it is going to start when i need it to. Got a mechanic friend of a friend to do it for me

[Paul ™]

I went for 2 x 100W Solar Panels fixed to the roof, which charge up 2 x 110a Leisure Batteries.

 

This works great for me, as I can often be on sites for a long time and it keeps me self sufficient. I can have the lights/TV on all night when on a nightshift and the voltage doesnt go anywhere near too low.

 

I also have 240v hook up which I use occasionally on sites, but this is mainy used to save on using the gas on the fridge.

 

I had a lot of help online on doing the electrics in the van, plenty forums/facebook groups can offer advise on your best set up.

 

 

On another note, I've been in the van for most of the last 4 months, with over 80+ days spent in it since the start of May. 

Everything seems to be working fine, couple small things am going to change over the winter, but overall am happy with everything.

[atomised]

Glad you're enjoying the fruits of your labours so much paul

[Paul ™]

Well due to a change in circumstances, this van conversion I did is now going up for sale shortly.

As some  might have noticed, we got a new campervan last week. 

So for those who have seen/know about my old one, it's going for sale soon.

 
Would love to give one of you first choice before it goes on eBay next week, as an auction. 

Message me for more info/price!

 

Link to Blog where all work was recorded

http://trademarkmobile.blogspot.co.uk

 

Link to all photos of the build

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127583242@N03/sets

[Paul ™]

It's on eBay, £5k or sensible offers, would be happy to take a bit less of someone off here

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331946265810

[Paul ™]

Sold... shes leaving next week... great while I had her but the new one is lovely

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

2 hours ago, Paul ™ said:

Sold... shes leaving next week... great while I had her but the new one is lovely

A nice outcome for seller and purchaser I'd say.

[Paul ™]

Both!

Edited August 24, 2016 by Paul ™