When it comes to luxury travel, often it’s five star hotels and private villas in sun soaked destinations that spring to mind – but as a growing number of us seek complete autonomy over our itineraries and try to pack more into the time we have, the campervan holiday is coming into its own.
Once regarded as a low-budget way to see the world, a new breed of lavish, high-end campers have changed the game, making it possible to road-trip around Europe in the lap of luxury without compromising on those creature comforts. And from plush furnishings and fancy marble bathrooms to state-of-the-art entertainment centres, you’ll hardly miss your usual type of accommodation at all.
Whilst you can easily splash out on a ready-to-go camper with all the additional bells and whistles you could want, buying and converting a van yourself is a great way to ensure the design and layout best suit your needs, as well as giving you the freedom to add some extra-luxe features and create a personalised aesthetic, inside and out.
So, if you’re not averse to a bit of DIY, or paying the professionals to do the job for you, then it can be a rewarding project that results in a fully tailor-made luxury camper and the perfect way to explore Europe at your own pace – just don’t forget to take out comprehensive van insurance before you head off on that adventure.
Here’s all you need to know to get started with your conversion project, and to bring that vision to life.
Consider the cost
The upfront cost of buying and converting a van into a luxury camper can be fairly high, but it’s still generally more cost-effective than buying a ready-made vehicle that you might need to make changes to anyway to ensure it meets your personal requirements.
If you’re willing to pull out all the stops to create your dream campervan, no expense spared, then the sky really is the limit, and you can go as big and extravagant with it as you like. Even so, it’s wise to have a general budget in mind before you start, as this will act as a guide – but if you’re happy to blow it for some stand-out features, then you’ll no doubt be able to create something truly special.
Decide on the essentials
Whilst the whole point of splurging on a van conversion of your own is being able to have all the lavish extras you can imagine, deciding on the essentials first will help you to create a realistic layout and make the most out of the space you have.
Once you’ve decided where the basics will go, you’ll be able to see how much room you have left to work with, and work out how any additional high-end appliances and facilities can be incorporated into the plan. Beds, cooking equipment and a bathroom are all likely to be non-negotiables, as there’s nothing luxurious about having to queue up for campsite toilets or use communal showers. And there are some great space-saving options when it comes to things like entertainment systems, where retractable screens and smart storage become indispensable.
Ventilation and insulation matter
Once you have the layout of your campervan conversion nailed down, the next most important consideration is ventilation. If you’re working with a panel van, then you’ll need to have some windows fitted to let some light in and allow the air to circulate when open. A ventilation system should also be built in to remove heat and vapour and prevent it from building up inside your vehicle – something that becomes all the more important if you’re installing a bathroom and will be taking hot showers inside.
On the flipside, you’ll also want to make sure that your van is well insulated, as it can get very cold when sleeping in a camper overnight if this isn’t done efficiently. Rubber matting, insulation and a vapour barrier will help to keep the heat in as well as sound-proofing your van to some degree, ensuring you greater privacy and a better night’s sleep all round.
Energy on board
Gas and electric will both be essential for your campervan conversion, but installing them can be complicated – so whether or not you’ll be handling the rest of the project yourself, you’ll want to bring in the professionals to take care of this part for you. It’s not something you want to get wrong, as doing so can not only cause you problems when trying to use some of your appliances and features, but can also be plain dangerous. So, don’t leave it to chance.
Water storage
Both fresh and waste water storage are important when it comes to planning the design for your campervan conversion. You’ll need to ensure that you have enough water stored to facilitate taking showers and using the dishwasher, which can be achieved through the incorporation of external portable containers or fixed internal tanks. And of course, the waste water from your toilet, shower and sink will need to go somewhere, so an external tank with accessible pipes is a must.
