Convert Or Not To Convert?

[T6traveller]

I hope I'm not going to be shouted at for asking this question, I'm guessing it's been asked a few times before.

My Wife and I are about to embark on our first camper van purchase. We have between £30k - $40k to spend. Apart from the obvious ability to customise the caper should we decide to build it ourselves, we are wondering if it is more cost effective to build it ourselves rather than purchase one already converted.

Thanks in advance for any help you provide.

Kind regards,

Jamie.

 

[Halfnail]

Hi it all depends on what you chose for your conversion when doing it your self. like a pop top can be anything from £2500 to £5000+ depending on make quality extras.
Windows aftermarket cheaper then OEM. Rock and roll beds can be a lot cheaper then Reimo or Rib beds which can cost £2000+
One advantage of building it your self is you know what you have done and how it fits. anything goes wrong you can replace or fix.
If you use a company research is the key.
And again if you use a converter there is cheap and expensive seen A company offer full conversion from £8600+vat with pop top.
My pop top windows and rib cost more.
Best thing to do is wright down all the things you want find the prices then compare.

 

[Ed Webb]

@Halfnail I saw your post about heading over to croft castle.
This meet will be an ideal time to check out conversions of varing designs at build styles. I will be there and mine is converter built but i had a say in how it was spaced.
Look forward to meeting you.

 

[Sjacko20]

Good question, there are several threads on here by people who have self built. @Pete C and @xpfloyd are 2 that spring to mind. Also plenty of us who went the converter route but specced it and had it built to our requirements and others that have bought ‘off the shelf’ conversions. Research research research is the only advice I can give as there are so many options for every part of the van. Buying off the shelf from the dealers forecourt is obviously the quickest way but it may not have the exact spec you want, good converters have quite long waiting lists (the one we used is booking into Jan) and unless you have the skills and know how, there are many pitfalls to be researched (plenty of good advice available on here though ) but if you do have the skills then the overall satisfaction and personalised feel of the van would be there. Obviously doing it yourself saves all the labour costs so would probably work out the cheapest. Good luck.

 

[Halfnail]

@Halfnail I saw your post about heading over to croft castle.
This meet will be an ideal time to check out conversions of varing designs at build styles. I will be there and mine is converter built but i had a say in how it was spaced.
Look forward to meeting you.

Looking forward to it.
That's the great thing about these vans everybody has different ideas of what they want to do them and going to meets and meeting like minded people is a good source of information as they may have done something that you are planning on.

 

[Salty Spuds]

If you do decide to go down the “Converter” route rather than self build, be careful. There’s some absolute sh1te out there from the many Fred in a shed converters that have sprung up. There’s one on every street corner. The best advice we were given when we were looking was:-
a, Visit as many converters as you can (be prepared to travel out of your area)
b, Don’t rush into anything
c, Visit Busfest

Oh! And be prepared to extend your budget, these things are money pits

 

[xpfloyd]

I built my own and found that I could get a much better spec for the money I.e bought a SCA roof, RIB bed etc. Plus I got the enjoyment of doing the work but that’s mainly because I’m pretty hands on and enjoy diy/making things etc. If you are not into that then paying for a conversion would be my advice otherwise go for it! I’m gutted I’m running out of jobs to do on mine. My wallet is feeling better though. You’ve come to the right place though, so many helpful people on this site

 

[Salty Spuds]

I built my own and found that I could get a much better spec for the money I.e bought a SCA roof, RIB bed etc. Plus I got the enjoyment of doing the work but that’s mainly because I’m pretty hands on and enjoy diy/making things etc. If you are not into that then paying for a conversion would be my advice otherwise go for it! I’m gutted I’m running out of jobs to do on mine. My wallet is feeling better though. You’ve come to the right place though, so many helpful people on this site

I agree, if you have the time/patience/tools & skill set, then I'd go DIY. I had everything but time, so I went down the converter route.

 

[rod_vw]

I've done five now and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, it's been a good learning curve starting with a T4 in 2004 and working up to a T6 last year. I've always built on a 'new' van i.e. an ex-demo or similar except for one that I ordered and specified myself. The latter in itself was a mistake as there are always ex-demo vehicle available at a better price with excellent specifications if you search the VW used van website for a while. The current T6 is built on a LWB Highline 140ps Kombi with LEDs and Discover Media which was 'lurking' at a dealers at the right price and right time.

The one thing that you must not expect is to be able to do the job quickly it will doubtless take many more hours than you expected and to fit out with all the expected 'industry standard' fitments does not come much cheaper that buying per-converted.

There are many good suppliers of parts advice about these can be obtained freely on this forum.

What you do get with a self-build is exactly what you want and endless satisfaction having achieved just that.

My previous conversion which I still have as time at home has not really permitted advertising it properly was built on a factory high roof LWB 180ps Trendline T5.1. That you can see at on my website If you are anywhere near me and wish to come and have a natter about converting, look how I've done things and where to get parts etc. then drop me a PM. I'm out of the UK on holiday until the first week of August enjoying another six weeks of my labours building the T6.

 

[T6traveller]

Thanks for the info everyone, we really appreciate it.

We're 90% sure we would like to go down the conversion route. If possible could anyone recommend any converters?

Once again, thanks for the advice.

Jamie.

 

[rod_vw]

I wouldn't dare, it's very much personal choice as to exactly what you want doing at what price and how quickly. Talk to lots of folks at the shows and visit as many converters as you can. Get your spec. in mind and possibly on paper and see who can do what you want.

That was our reason for self-building in the first place thus getting exactly what we wanted, then my employer made it possible for me to DIY by making me an offer that I couldn't refuse.

Rod

 

[Salty Spuds]

I wouldn't dare, it's very much personal choice as to exactly what you want doing at what price and how quickly. Talk to lots of folks at the shows and visit as many converters as you can. Get your spec. in mind and possibly on paper and see who can do what you want.

That was our reason for self-building in the first place thus getting exactly what we wanted, then my employer made it possible for me to DIY by making me an offer that I couldn't refuse.

Rod

Sound advice It took us 2years from deciding to buy a van, to taking delivery. We did a LOT of research & visited plenty of converters. We also visited Busfest, we eventually went with Dirty Weekender & haven't regretted it.

 

[T6traveller]

All sound advice. I've been "looking" for a while. I don't particular want to wait two years before we buy, but I understand the need to do the research.

If recommendations aren't an option, what about essential questions to ask, such as, the amount of sound proofing, model of bed and roof they use (RIB / SCA). Any help would be appreciated.

Jamie.