In reality, anybody can complete a camper conversion. It is a skill you can learn. Nowadays you can even hire the specialist tools needed to complete the job. The van you decide to convert is a big factor because some vans make it easier than others. The difference between an amateur and an expert is usually how long the conversion takes, and how sophisticated the conversion turns out to be.
What About Specialist Tools?
It is easy to understand why some people think camper conversion can only be done by certain people. If you have ever tried fixing a modern car, you have also come across the onboard computer that you cannot access and the sealed engine components that you would need a blowtorch to reach. Then there are those bolts and screws that have their own head pattern, meaning you need to use a certain shaped tool to unscrew them.
With all that in mind, it is easy to see why some people think a camper conversion is a specialist job. But, if you understand the design of the van, you can plan and perfectly execute a conversion. What’s more, there are now so many online videos and websites about conversions that there are probably videos out there on the subject right now that you could use to convert your specific van, car, motor home or caravan. In many cases, you will find people who show you how to convert your current van or an iteration of your van (perhaps the year before yours that still has pretty much the same makeup and design as yours). Part of the fun is making friends within the community along the way.
What About the Legality of a Conversion?
Your V5C logbook needs to be updated if you have converted your van into a camper van. It is a legality simply because it is a legal requirement. In other words, if somebody runs your plates, and the system says your vehicle is a van and not a camper van, then the police can pull you over under suspicion of having stolen plates.
All you have to do is read the articles that the government has issued on the topic, which you can find here. You need to reclassify your camper van. With your V5C your conversion is complete but do read through the government articles because some conversions do not count as a camper van. For example, if you put a window in the back, it may still be classified as a van.
What About the Insurance?
Changing your vehicle classification from a van into a camper van doesn’t change your insurance classification. Check out your prices on a conversion insurance website like this one, www.campervaninsurance.co.uk/campervan-insurance/conversion and you will see how your insurance amount hasn’t changed.
You may be worried about the legality of what you have added. For example, if you have added a big fibreglass dragon to the back, then you may like to inform your insurance company, but it should be fine. It is the MOT service that decides if your vehicle is road safe. If your camper van passes its MOT, then you are fine to insure your camper van and drive it around on the roads (as long as you have a valid driving license). If you are worried that your vehicle is not road safe or road legal, then take it in for an MOT.
It won’t be easy, it will be a labour of love but in time you’ll reap the rewards as you set off on your travels…
