Free UK van conversion guides & resources

Your Van Won't
Convert Itself

Layouts, build guides, product reviews, and van profiles.
Everything you need. None of the Facebook group nonsense.

Explore Layouts โ†“Start Your Build
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Van Layouts
6
Van Profiles
8
Product Reviews
๐Ÿ”ง You don't need to be a mechanic ย ย ย โ€ขย ย ย  ๐Ÿ’ก Solar panels pay for themselves in 6 months ย ย ย โ€ขย ย ย  ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK gas safe regs are NOT optional ย ย ย โ€ขย ย ย  ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Fixed bed > rock and roll bed (fight me) ย ย ย โ€ขย ย ย  ๐Ÿ’ฐ Budget builds from ยฃ3,000 ย ย ย โ€ขย ย ย  โ„๏ธ Insulate properly or freeze in the Lake District
Layout Gallery

Pick Your Layout

Every build starts with the floor plan. Here are the options.

๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ

L-Shape Lounge

Popular

The classic. Dinette converts to bed, kitchen along one side.

Best for: SWB & LWB

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Fixed Rear Bed

Popular

Always ready. No converting every night. Storage underneath.

Best for: LWB & XLWB

๐Ÿ”„

Rock & Roll Bed

Seat by day, bed by night. The Instagram favourite.

Best for: SWB & LWB

๐Ÿณ

Side Kitchen + Lounge

Kitchen along one side, open lounge area. Feels massive.

Best for: LWB & XLWB

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ

Bunk Beds

Family builds. Kids love it. Parents love the peace.

Best for: XLWB

๐Ÿšฒ

Full Width Rear Garage

Bikes, boards, gear โ€” all underneath the bed. Max storage.

Best for: LWB & XLWB

layout-preview
๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ

L-Shape Lounge

The classic. Dinette converts to bed, kitchen along one side.

SWB & LWBMost Popular
TOP-DOWN VIEW
Cab
L-Shape Lounge
Van Guide

Choose Your Van

21 UK vans across 4 sizes. From Berlingo to Sprinter Jumbo.

Citroรซn Berlingo

Small
Used: ยฃ2k-ยฃ5k
Also: Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo
โœ“ Very cheap, great MPG (50-60), stealth camping, easy to park
โœ— Cannot stand up, sleeping only layout, limited payload
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

VW Caddy

Small
Used: ยฃ5k-ยฃ12k
Also: VW Caddy Maxi
โœ“ VW quality, drives like a car, huge community, Maxi version available
โœ— Cannot stand up, compact for full conversion, VW premium pricing
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

Ford Transit Connect

Small
Used: ยฃ4k-ยฃ10k
Also: Ford Transit Courier
โœ“ Widely available, cheap Ford parts, car-like handling, LWB version
โœ— Cannot stand up, bland interior, rust on older models
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

Fiat Doblรฒ

Small
Used: ยฃ2k-ยฃ6k
Also: Vauxhall Combo (older)
โœ“ Very affordable, good interior height for class, Maxi available
โœ— Fiat reliability rep, faster depreciation, basic interior
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

VW Transporter T6

Medium
Used: ยฃ18k-ยฃ35k
Also: VW T6.1, VW California
โœ“ Iconic, holds value massively, 4Motion option, huge community
โœ— Expensive, cannot stand (standard roof), DSG servicing costs
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

Ford Transit Custom

Medium
Used: ยฃ8k-ยฃ18k
โœ“ Great value, H2 high-roof CAN stand, Ford dealer network everywhere
โœ— Less premium than VW, weaker resale, wet timing belt (older)
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2 high-roof only)

Renault Trafic

Medium
Used: ยฃ5k-ยฃ12k
Also: Vauxhall Vivaro (pre-2019), Nissan NV300
โœ“ Very good value, comfortable ride, similar size to T6 at half cost
โœ— No high-roof option, Renault reliability rep, smaller community
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

Vauxhall Vivaro

Medium
Used: ยฃ8k-ยฃ16k
Also: Peugeot Expert, Citroรซn Dispatch, Toyota ProAce
โœ“ Modern platform, car-like driving, electric version available
โœ— Slightly smaller than Transit Custom, no high-roof option
๐Ÿšซ Cannot stand up

Mercedes Vito

Medium
Used: ยฃ8k-ยฃ18k
โœ“ Mercedes quality, high-roof Longo available, reliable diesel
โœ— Expensive to service, less community support, premium parts cost
๐Ÿง Can stand (Longo high-roof only)

Mercedes Sprinter

Large
Used: ยฃ8k-ยฃ25k
โœ“ The benchmark. Huge interior, 4WD option, holds value, massive community
โœ— Expensive to buy/service, large for cities, AdBlue complexity
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Ford Transit

Large
Used: ยฃ6k-ยฃ18k
โœ“ Widely available, Ford parts cheap, H3 very spacious, great payload
โœ— Not as premium as Sprinter, wet timing belt (older), agricultural
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Fiat Ducato

Large
Used: ยฃ5k-ยฃ16k
โœ“ Widest interior in class, FWD = lower floor, most popular motorhome base
โœ— Fiat reliability rep, rust concerns, notchy gearbox (older)
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

VW Crafter

Large
Used: ยฃ10k-ยฃ25k
โœ“ VW build, tallest interior available (H3: 2120mm!), 4Motion option
โœ— Expensive, heavy (watch payload), complex electronics
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions, tallest in class)

Peugeot Boxer

Large
Used: ยฃ4k-ยฃ14k
โœ“ Same van as Ducato but cheaper, same width, electric version available
โœ— Same Ducato issues, worse resale, smaller dealer network
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Iveco Daily

Large
Used: ยฃ4k-ยฃ14k
โœ“ Cheapest large van, proper truck chassis, huge sizes available
โœ— Harsh ride, smaller dealer network, higher fuel consumption
๐Ÿง Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Sprinter L4H3

XL
Used: ยฃ15k-ยฃ35k
โœ“ Massive 4.7m load length, full bathroom + kitchen + bed, 4WD available
โœ— Very large for cities/parking, expensive, high fuel consumption
๐Ÿง Can stand (2010mm height)

Transit L4H3 Jumbo

XL
Used: ยฃ10k-ยฃ25k
โœ“ Huge interior, more affordable than Sprinter, Ford parts everywhere
โœ— Very large, not as premium, agricultural to drive
๐Ÿง Can stand (2020mm height)

Ducato L4H3

XL
Used: ยฃ8k-ยฃ22k
โœ“ Widest XL van (1870mm!), lower floor from FWD, motorhome builders choice
โœ— Fiat concerns at this size, rust, FWD struggles fully loaded
๐Ÿง Can stand (2030mm height + widest)

Crafter L4H3

XL
Used: ยฃ15k-ยฃ35k
โœ“ Best build quality XL class, 2120mm tallest interior, VW prestige
โœ— Most expensive, very heavy, complex electronics
๐Ÿง Can stand (2120mm โ€” tallest in any class)

MAN TGE

XL
Used: ยฃ12k-ยฃ30k
โœ“ Same van as Crafter but cheaper, excellent build, tallest interior
โœ— Less brand recognition, fewer off-shelf kits, large and unwieldy
๐Ÿง Can stand (2120mm โ€” same as Crafter)
Build Guides

Learn The Craft

Step-by-step guides. No waffle. No โ€œsubscribe to my courseโ€ nonsense.

๐Ÿ“‹

Van Conversion for Beginners

You just bought a van. Now what? Start here.

Beginner15 minRead guide โ†’
โšก

Electrical System Explained

Leisure batteries, solar, inverters, and why your lights keep flickering.

Intermediate20 minRead guide โ†’
๐Ÿงฑ

Insulation: What Works

Spray foam vs Thinsulate vs Celotex. Science, not opinions.

Beginner12 minRead guide โ†’
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Gas System & Safety

Gas safe regs, underslung tanks, and why your mate's DIY gas job is terrifying.

Advanced15 minRead guide โ†’
๐Ÿšฟ

Plumbing Basics

Fresh water, waste water, pumps, and why your shower has no pressure.

Intermediate12 minRead guide โ†’
๐ŸชŸ

Windows & Ventilation

Cutting holes in your van without crying. Fixed, sliding, and fan windows.

Beginner10 minRead guide โ†’
Product Reviews

Gear That Works

Tried, tested, and actually worth your money. No sponsored rubbish.

โšก

Diesel Heater 5kW

Heating
ยฃ80-ยฃ150
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.5

The single most popular van conversion product. Game changer in UK winters.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

200W Solar Panel Kit

Electrics
ยฃ150-ยฃ250
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.7

Free electricity from the sky. Pair with a leisure battery and you're sorted.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

12V Compressor Fridge

Kitchen
ยฃ200-ยฃ400
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.6

Way more efficient than a 3-way. Runs off your battery. No gas needed.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

Thinsulate Insulation

Insulation
ยฃ100-ยฃ200
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.4

Easy to install, doesn't hold moisture. The vanlifer's choice.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

MaxxFan Deluxe

Ventilation
ยฃ250-ยฃ350
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.8

Roof fan with built-in rain cover. Run it 24/7. No more condensation.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

Victron SmartSolar MPPT

Electrics
ยฃ100-ยฃ200
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.9

The brains of your solar system. Bluetooth monitoring from your phone.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

Smev 9722 Hob & Sink

Kitchen
ยฃ200-ยฃ300
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.3

Gas hob + sink combo. The standard. Every van has one.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
โšก

Swivel Seat Base

Furniture
ยฃ150-ยฃ250
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.2

Turn your cab seats to face the living area. Instant extra seating.

๐Ÿ”— Affiliate link

๐Ÿ›’ Buy on Amazon
๐Ÿงฎ

Build Cost Calculator

Van size + spec level = estimated budget. Coming soon.

In development

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