The library

Van conversion guides: everything you need, written plainly.

No mystique, no gatekeeping. Just the way each job is actually done, and the mistakes worth avoiding.

Planning your van conversion

Before you buy a single sheet of ply, decide how you will actually use the van. Layout, weight and long-lead parts all start here.

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Lining5 min read

Insulation that actually works

Cold is not the main enemy. Moisture is. How to insulate a van so it stays warm without rotting the panels behind the walls.

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Shell & services5 min read

Fitting bonded windows without fear

Cutting a hole in a good van is scary. Here is a calm sequence that keeps the cut clean, the edge sealed and the bond watertight.

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Plan & strip4 min read

Payload and weight, explained

GVW, kerb and the simple sum that decides whether your conversion is legal to drive. How to stay honest with the numbers.

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Shell & services5 min read

Cutting a hole in your roof

Roof fans and vents need a clean cut, solid sealing and respect for structure. How to open the roof without inviting leaks.

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Shell & services6 min read

12V electrics: first fix and beyond

Plan the cable runs before the walls close. Fusing, charging and a tidy distribution layout that you can still service later.

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Shell & services5 min read

Fitting a diesel night heater

Mounting, fuel pick-up, exhaust and intake done cleanly. Warm nights without fumes in the cabin or a soggy floor plate.

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Furniture5 min read

Building lightweight furniture

Strong enough for the road, light enough for the payload. Carcass tricks that save kilos without feeling flimsy.

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Systems & kit5 min read

Gas safety in a campervan

Vented lockers, drop-out vents, correct hose and a sign-off you can show an insurer. Warm meals without a hidden risk.

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Plan & strip5 min read

Stripping out and rust prep

Get back to clean metal without wrecking what you will keep. Rust treatment, sound deadening and the order that saves rework.

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Lining5 min read

Cladding and vapour control

How to close the walls without trapping damp. Vapour barriers, batons and cladding that still lets you reach a cable later.

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Lining5 min read

Van flooring that lasts

Insulation, ply and a wearing surface that survives wet boots. How to build a floor that stays quiet and dry.

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Furniture5 min read

Kitchen units in a campervan

A galley that cooks well on a wet Tuesday and still leaves room to walk past. Worktop height, appliances and fixing to the van.

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Furniture5 min read

Beds and sleeping layouts

Fixed, rock-and-roll or something in between. How to choose a bed that fits the taller sleeper and the way you travel.

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Systems & kit5 min read

Water system basics

Fresh, grey and the pumps in between. Tank placement, winterising and keeping weight under control.

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Systems & kit5 min read

Choosing a 12V fridge

Compressor versus three-way, sizing for real shopping habits, and how a fridge quietly eats battery and payload.

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Finish & test4 min read

Hose-testing for leaks

Find water ingress before cladding and furniture hide it. A calm method for windows, roof vents and door seals.

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Finish & test5 min read

Insurance, DVLA and sign-off

Tell the insurer what you built, get the paperwork straight, and know which jobs need a competent person before you sleep aboard.

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Finish & test4 min read

Your first shake-down trip

A short overnight nearby beats a grand tour. What to test, what to pack, and how to come home with a useful snag list.

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Plan & strip7 min read

What a van conversion actually costs

Honest price brackets for a UK self-build, from a basic weekend van to a full off-grid camper. What drives the bill, and where the money goes.

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