You'd like to convert a vehicle with your own hands but you don't know how, you're full of questions, it scares you or you don't know where to start? Don't worry, we've been there too (without being handyman at all) and if we've done it, we know you can do it too!
So here we've tried to pull together everything that's important to know before you get started (or rather, everything we wish we'd known before we got started).
That's right! Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a weekend warrior, anyone can convert a van. All you need is a bit of resourcefulness and the desire to see your project through to the end.
If you've never done much handiwork before, you may need to work harder, but it's not impossible, especially with all the sites, forums, guides, videos, tutorials, groups, etc. that exist out there. Because yes, you're not alone! We'll tell you all about it in the last part of this article 😉.
Although we seriously believe that anyone can fit out a van, there's one big question that remains: funds. Unfortunately, such a project costs money:
You need to be aware of this and have the funds available before you take the plunge.
We're going to be honest, below €10,000, it's going to be very, very, very complicated to see it through. So our advice is to save as much as you can (stop paying for your friends' drinks at parties, limit yourself to restaurants and outings, forget about shopping - well, you can go window-shopping, but the wallet stays in the bag). And if that's not enough, you can always ask your family or friends for help, or even take out a bank loan. Why not, after all? There's no limit to the ways you can finance your project.
Yes, it may seem obvious. It's even basic. But since the vehicle will be the basis of your entire project, it's really important not to make a mistake. And it's not that easy to find the right vehicle. Believe us.
The vehicle has to match your needs and wishes, and for that, there are quite a few questions to raise before diving into the search:
You need to ask yourself and answer these basic questions before you embark on your search. And once you're in the field, you also need to know how to be demanding so you don't get ripped off, especially when you're buying second-hand! We've written an article for you on this very subject (article in progress), to help you find your rare pearl without a hitch.
And yes... Otherwise it would have been too simple.
So once you have found your vehicle, it's time to convert it. And you should know that in France, converting a van is more complex (but far from impossible) than in other countries. In fact, if you want to do things properly and comply with the rules, you'll need to obtain approval (called VASP Camping-Car) from the DREAL (also known as DRIRE, DRIEE, DEAL and formerly the MINES) in your region.
This organization will check that your layout complies with certain mandatory standards (mainly AFNOR standards for motorhome layout) and that everything is therefore in order and safe for users.
We say “in principle”, because many vanlifers don't go through this stage (by choice, lack of time, lack of budget, laziness, etc.). There are many reasons for this, but it's important to remember that failure to get your van approved can have consequences for your insurance if anything should happen to you on the road. In fact, your insurer could turn against you and not compensate you in the event of an accident, breakage, theft, etc.
In short, getting your van approved is a decision that involves taking into account quite a few standards and rules while designing your van. The best thing to do is to find out beforehand whether or not you want to go VASP Caravan, because it's not once the layout is complete that you'll have to ask yourself the question... it may be too late.
Don't worry, despite what you may hear around, approval isn't that complicated to get. We'll be taking a closer look at the subject in a future article.
As we discussed in the section just above, converting a van, especially if you want to go VASP Caravane, involves a number of constraints. But you should know that, even if you choose not to accredit your vehicle, some constraints remain.
First of all, it may seem obvious, but space in a vehicle is limited. So you'll quickly find yourself constrained in your layout by the very structure of your vehicle. As well as not being straight, you'll have to pay attention to wheel arches, reinforcements, the partition between the driver's area and the rear of the cabin, the passage of the vehicle's electrical wiring, etc. All of this makes the interior completely convoluted, and therefore difficult to grasp when laying the foundations (floor, walls, ceiling, seats, water tank space, etc.) of your layout. So you'll need to think twice before validating your layout plans and even choosing materials (to avoid complicating your task).
In addition, a small space means making choices in the equipment you bring with you. No washing machine or dishwasher, you can imagine, but it goes even further: do you want to put in a shower? A toilet? An oven? One or more beds? Etc. So many questions to ask yourself before choosing the size of your vehicle, of course.
Who says equipment says weight. Indeed, every item you put in your van will have a weight. You need to pay attention to the total weight of your equipment, and choose lightweight materials so as not to exceed the maximum weight your vehicle can bear (written on the registration document). But beyond that, you also need to be careful not to put all your loads on the same side (water tanks, batteries, cupboards, gas bottles, etc.). This could unbalance the vehicle and have consequences when you're driving. You need to be careful to distribute the weight evenly between the front and rear of the van (i.e. between the front and rear axles tree of the vehicle). It's not rocket science, it's pure logic, but it's just something to bear in mind when thinking about your layout.
It's also important to know that you absolutely cannot touch the vehicle's existing reinforcements.
When we talk about reinforcements, we're talking here about the structural reinforcements, the foundations (as in a house) of the vehicle (in red on the photo) and not the anti-vibration reinforcements (in blue), which are much thinner and can be easily cut if necessary.
Cutting structural reinforcements is strictly forbidden, as it would weaken the very structure of the vehicle and could cause serious damage.
So you're going to tell us it's obvious and ask us why you'd do such a thing? Quite simply, because when you fit out your vehicle, you'll probably be installing openings (windows and roof lights), which means you'll have to cut the sheet metal. That's when you have to be careful to cut between the reinforcements and not over them!
It's important to know this beforehand, because it can quickly change the location of a window.
In short, even if this information isn't essential from the very start of the project, it's important to be aware of it and to give it serious thought beforehand, to avoid any surprises. So don't hesitate to make plans, take measurements and check that what you've decided is feasible before you start.
Building a van from A to Z takes time, especially if it's your first and you've never really tinkered before. But it can be done! You need to be aware of this, however, so as not to get demoralized at the slightest obstacle; because there will inevitably be missteps, blockages and complications. But that's okay. It's also what will enable you to move forward, learn and improve.
To give you an idea, it took Simon and I 2 months and a half to set up our van while working on it full-time, but we've met people who took over 2 years to set up theirs. Everyone goes at their own pace, depending on their schedule.
You'll see in the end, all that will be forgotten once the van is finished. You'll be able to be really proud of what you've done and how far you've come, because you'll have built your own van. Well done!
We talked about it at the beginning of this article, and it's true: you're not alone in this adventure. Even if you decide to set up your van on your own, there's a huge community of vanlifers out there who've been there before and who'll be happy to help you and give you advice.
So don't hesitate to join Facebook groups, ask your questions without shame (because no question is stupid), read articles, follow accounts on social networks and so on. This will help you develop your sources of inspiration, help you get unstuck, be guided and feel surrounded.
Here are a few links you might find useful before, during and after your conversion:
Facebook group
That's it, we've tried to be as precise as possible to give you as much information as possible before you start converting your van. We hope we've answered your questions and put your mind at rest.
We know it's a lot of work. It's normal to have doubts, to ask questions and to gather data before deciding whether or not to embark on such a big project, but it's an adventure that's well worth living. You just have to go for it. So we're sending you all our courage and knowledge to succeed.
If you've decided to convert your van in France, call your local DREAL as soon as possible and talk to them (especially the inspector who'll give you the approval). This will show your good faith and commitment to the project, and strengthen your chances of obtaining VASP Caravan approval.
How about we chat?