Hello World

[Stanky]

Hi everyone,

I’ve just picked up a 2019 VW Transporter Kombi Highline with 66k miles and thought I’d finally join the forum. My plan is to convert it into a budget weekend camper, mainly for short trips and little adventures with my son (he’s 2.5). I’ll be keeping all five seats, as it still needs to work as a family vehicle, although I suspect my wife and youngest (1.5) may not be quite as keen just yet!

So far I’ve picked up a few bits and pieces to get started:
• Aplicool K25 fridge
• Cadac 2 Pro Deluxe stove
• Some strip LED lighting

My next planned purchase is a battery bank, likely something like the Anker Solix C1000 or similar. Does anyone have recommendations on good options for power banks that work well in a camper build?

I’m aiming for something practical and simple rather than a full-on show build — a bed setup, storage, and the basics to make weekends away comfortable without spending a fortune. I’m looking forward to learning from others’ builds and picking up tips along the way.

Glad to be here and excited to get started.

Cheers,
Adam

 

[Sackmycook]

Welcome mate, lovely looking van there. Enjoy the forum; we are mostly a friendly and helpful bunch and it's a great place to buy and sell parts and accessories

 

[Sasquatch]

Greetings and welcome. Smart looking van.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Hi everyone,

I’ve just picked up a 2019 VW Transporter Kombi Highline with 66k miles and thought I’d finally join the forum. My plan is to convert it into a budget weekend camper, mainly for short trips and little adventures with my son (he’s 2.5). I’ll be keeping all five seats, as it still needs to work as a family vehicle, although I suspect my wife and youngest (1.5) may not be quite as keen just yet!

So far I’ve picked up a few bits and pieces to get started:
• Aplicool K25 fridge
• Cadac 2 Pro Deluxe stove
• Some strip LED lighting

My next planned purchase is a battery bank, likely something like the Anker Solix C1000 or similar. Does anyone have recommendations on good options for power banks that work well in a camper build?

I’m aiming for something practical and simple rather than a full-on show build — a bed setup, storage, and the basics to make weekends away comfortable without spending a fortune. I’m looking forward to learning from others’ builds and picking up tips along the way.

Glad to be here and excited to get started.

Cheers,
Adam

View attachment 312876

View attachment 312877

Welcome to us all @Stanky !
Lovely looking van, great if you could get all the family to join in the fun!
The Solix looks useful, I use a Bluetti AC180 with solar panels to keep it topped up, it runs my coffee machine and airfryer, flagpole lights, whatever we throw at it really!
The newer Bluetti 'Elite' is lighter, all around the £400 mark.
A good start before you get into the on-board lithium systems that some folk on here are guilty of!
Good to have you!

 

[ORION]

Congratulations, looks a lovely bus. I'm sure you will have some great adventures in it and the Kombi really is a versatile model.

A few suggestions:

If it doesn't have one fit a pre drilled awning rail into the existing gutter ( don't forget to seal the bolts ). 15 min DIY install. Then you can add anything from a tarp / sun canopy to full driveaway awning.

A SWB Transporter with a tin top and the bed made up leaves little room for changing etc.

An external living space with tables/ chairs / cooking is very useful. Especially with kids.

This is an excellent one IMHO ( having used it on 2 campers now )

VW T5 T6 Bolt On Awning Rail – Camper Essentials

Camper Essentials offers the best Volkswagen VW T5 T6 Bolt On Awning Rail. Simply bolt on in minutes. The easiest and most secure awning attachment. UK made

camperessentials.co.uk

Also an Electric Hook Up unit for if and when you use a campsite and don't want to use the off grid option of power bank. Just feed it through a crack in the windows ( you already have wind deflectors so no rain worries )

https://www.blacks.co.uk/15908481/hi-gear-3-way-mobile-mains-kit-15m-cable-15908481

Also get a solar panel package with whatever power bank you buy. Preferably 200w. Again the cables can be fed through a window. We did this for ages before fitting a panel on the roof.

Think about maybe getting a tow bar fitted. You might want to take a bike ( and before you know it 2 bikes! )

Simple bed set ups can be anything from a cheap DIY timber frame in the back to a full Kombi set up like this ( all depends on budget...):

Infinity Kombi Bed System T5/T6 — Van Furniture

Fixed Kombi Bed System made for the T5/T6 This has been designed to be fitted directly into the van bolting points , these can be easily installed and removed within a few minutes with two people lifting. This bed system works as standard for a SWB however we do offer the extension frame for the

www.vanfurniture.co.uk

Quite often some good used systems like Ovano on here or eBay.

Lastly I might consider a diesel heater. It's surprising how chilly a camper can get especially out of season in the UK.

Be careful if running off a power pack as it can pull a large starting current. At the minimum a small fan heater or radiator to run off hook up on site.

Have fun!

 

[T32Rich]

Hi, as already said, nice van, enjoy it. I have a short wheelbase T6.1 and went for the Campal Elevate pod. It's a bit of money, but gives me the comfort of a small double bed. I also have a rear and side driveaway awning and keep adding stuff! We spent 2 weeks in Europe last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Campal Elevate: The Ultimate Family Campervan Pod

Keep your rear seats! Our 'Elevate' camper pod is designed for larger vans like the VW Transporter or Ford Custom. It offers a full kitchen, seating, and double bed, creating the perfect family adventure vehicle.

campal.co.uk

 

[aliwhitevanman]

Hi and welcome

sounds great taking your little guy away with you, cant get any better IMHO.

I'm starting on this journey too, so my advice is quite new as I've not tried everything in anger yet.

But you may consider these observations:
1) the electric hook up is a great idea from Orion, and @ £31 its spot on and real easy.

2) I bought the gen 1 Anker C1000, after lots of research, as stated there are others but I liked the quality of the Anker stuff. Easy to put solar to it.
The Gen 1 has a cooling fan and you can double up with an extra battery, which you cant do either of these with Gen2.

I also bought an Anker C300X DC power station + 100w foldable solar panel, as this combo is up for sale for £230 ish, the panel its self is £179 so you get the C300x for £60, which I think is a good buy.
3) I've designed the rear of mine, a SWB, hard top and I'm keeping the rear seats in (well the double, the single will be taken out for camping trips)
I've turned double seat round so it becomes part of the bed system.
I've designed a very very simple bed, basically one sheet of 8 x 4 (18mm), two wooden wheel arch covers, and the left over wood even made a table. So its cheap and easily changeable, should you want to put bikes in etc. Happy to share, I'm just waiting for bedding cushions to be made. Next week.

4) I did consider just putting a camp bed in for me in the back, which I will do, but when SWMBO comes with me then it will be the kingsize bed affair as above.
You could do that and also consider the front seat bed affairs that sit on the front seats, that might suit junior. I think one is for sale on here. And can give you more room in the rear.

I hope some of this is useful, you will find the community on here is full is superb people so willing to help.

Go and make experiences with your young, that will be awesome

Cheers Ali

 

[aliwhitevanman]

S

For Sale Post in thread 'VW Transporter T6/T6.1 2015-2024 Van Cabin Air Bed'

26 Dec 2025

What’s absolute lowest you could take?

• Smudgers_81