geordie01 Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 i am thinking of buying a new van and converting it myself to my own layout plan does any one know where to obtain things like units and upholstery and fittings etc thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 O'leary motorhomes in Beverley, East Yorkshire and CAK tanks of Kennilworth are two very good places to start. I'd also suggest you join the self build motorhome club, web address http://www.sbmcc.co.uk/ . I'm sure they'll be useful for lists of suppliers, relevant regulations to take into account etc. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin r c Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hi. Remember the gas and mains electric must be checked and certified by proper professional engineers.You can install it youself but it must be tested before use. Cheers martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 You could also go down the route of getting a donor caravan to pinch all the bits out of. A friend of ours did this when his caravan had yet another major water ingress leak and he wasn't prepared to pay yet again for it to be fixed, as it was only about 7 years old he got himself a van and transfered the caravan contents etc to the van, altering the furniture etc as required. Made a very good job of it too and only had to get shot when it secumbed to the dreaded tin-worm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 That's a good idea, Mel! Can you do the reverse and keep the vehicle if, as is quite usual, it has low mileage and a decent chassis? Could you drop a recycled habitation area onto the chassis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 I take it you mean putting a 'caravan' onto the back of a pickup? Well, I know it has been done but it ain't always pretty! Saw this one in Swansea just over a week ago. Sorry for the photo quality, hubby's camera phone is a bit crappy! Believe me it looks better in the photo than in real life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Bet that handles like a dream, a bad dream that is! D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Oh yuk! I know someone on here recently said my m/h looks like a caravan in collision with a van, but it's not as bad as that one! I was thinking more in line of an existing m/h shell, rather than a caravan - perhaps a front-end write-off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest caraprof Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 geordie01 - 2007-09-16 3:33 PM i am thinking of buying a new van and converting it myself to my own layout plan does any one know where to obtain things like units and upholstery and fittings etc thanks When you've finished give me a call. A close friend owns a super nursing home for people who've had a nervous breakdown. I may be able to get you a discount. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp002c784tp002c784tp Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hi geordie01 About 40 years ago I converted my first campervan as they where called then paid 50 quid from a scrap yard for an ex school meals van ( a commer walk through ) and begged borrowed and stole every thing that went inside, and we had three cracking holidays out of it and sold it for £150 then we where on the road to finer things. My reason for this little tale is to inform of other complications that you can encounter, If the donar vehicle is under three years old and you intend fixing widows in you will have to inform Hm customs and have it inspected by them and to comply with there rules. If these rules are still the same from what I can remember you had to have the following 1 At least one bed 6ft long 2 A wardrobe capable of hanging a garment 2ft 6 in long 3 A water container not less than 6 gallons capacity 4 Fixed cooking facilities thats a few of what I can remember But you receive of them a after inspection a certifacte, silly rules and i do not know if they still apply Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwaviation Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 http://www.sbmcc.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 martin r c - 2007-09-16 3:55 PM Hi. Remember the gas and mains electric must be checked and certified by proper professional engineers.You can install it youself but it must be tested before use. Cheers martin I agree this is to be recommended but as yet its not mandatory in the UK. The new rules only apply to fixed residences, not mobile ones as I understand it. However when you come to sell the motorhome you may well be advised to get it certificated just in case it goes BANG when the new owners light the fridge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Just another thought - don't forget to check with insurers before you buy a van - some are very picky about giving insurance whilst vehicles are being converted and a lot won't touch them. We were going to convert an ambulance a few years back - we'd done one previously and wanted to do another - but had real difficulty in getting insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Another possible source is Magnum Motorhomes Caravan Supplies, Grimsby Tel: 01472 353520 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Hi J9, don't let anyone insult your Motorhome. The Holdsworth Valetine was the only British built motorhome that passed the German scrutineers and was given permision to be imported into Germany. Being on a VW helped a lot as well I expect, it looks beautiful. Don't forget the Holdsworth rally at Tredegar House Caravan Club site, Newport, Monmouthshire, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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