Just thought I'd send a word of encouragement to those of you thinking about or in the middle of a conversion.
I bought a T6 Highline builder's van and did the entire conversion, including windows, insulation and lining, electrics, solar, furniture building etc. Two things I outsourced - Westdubs for the pop-top and A1 campers for the RIB Altair bed.
Along the way I tapped into the wealth of advice available on this forum and was amazed by the knowledge of the forum members and their willingness to share it.
My wife and I just got back from a 3 week trip to Europe, crossing to Dunkirk, travelling through Belgium via Bruges, into Luxembourg and then into Germany via Rudeshein, spending most of our time in the Black Forest. Then back through France.
A great trip. The van was a dream, both to drive (Euro roads were a doddle) and to stay in. And the weather was fantastic, although not so great when we got back to the UK.
Things I love about the van? The Renogy DC-DC charger with built in solar controller and starter battery trickle charging. The awning rail with LED lights from Clearcut Conversions, which lights up the outside of the van or the inside of our awning when we use it. The RIB seat/bed - much better than the cheap rock'n'roll bed we had in our last van.
Things I would have done differently? I bought a budget fridge from Jacksons Leisure, their own badged product I think - didn't perform well in the high temperatures and very spurious temperature readings from one minute to the next.
But all in all, I can definitely say that the van offers a very different kind of travel experience. Just check the weather forecasts and decide where to go next.
Good luck with your builds...
Here's a pic of the van in Germany.
I bought a T6 Highline builder's van and did the entire conversion, including windows, insulation and lining, electrics, solar, furniture building etc. Two things I outsourced - Westdubs for the pop-top and A1 campers for the RIB Altair bed.
Along the way I tapped into the wealth of advice available on this forum and was amazed by the knowledge of the forum members and their willingness to share it.
My wife and I just got back from a 3 week trip to Europe, crossing to Dunkirk, travelling through Belgium via Bruges, into Luxembourg and then into Germany via Rudeshein, spending most of our time in the Black Forest. Then back through France.
A great trip. The van was a dream, both to drive (Euro roads were a doddle) and to stay in. And the weather was fantastic, although not so great when we got back to the UK.
Things I love about the van? The Renogy DC-DC charger with built in solar controller and starter battery trickle charging. The awning rail with LED lights from Clearcut Conversions, which lights up the outside of the van or the inside of our awning when we use it. The RIB seat/bed - much better than the cheap rock'n'roll bed we had in our last van.
Things I would have done differently? I bought a budget fridge from Jacksons Leisure, their own badged product I think - didn't perform well in the high temperatures and very spurious temperature readings from one minute to the next.
But all in all, I can definitely say that the van offers a very different kind of travel experience. Just check the weather forecasts and decide where to go next.
Good luck with your builds...
Here's a pic of the van in Germany.
