Free UK van conversion guides & resources

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Layouts, build guides, product reviews, and van profiles.
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Van Layouts
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Product Reviews
🔧 You don't need to be a mechanic    •    💡 Solar panels pay for themselves in 6 months    •    🇬🇧 UK gas safe regs are NOT optional    •    🛏️ Fixed bed > rock and roll bed (fight me)    •    💰 Budget builds from £3,000    •    ❄️ Insulate properly or freeze in the Lake District
Layout Gallery

Pick Your Layout

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

🛋️

L-Shape Lounge

Popular

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

Best for: SWB & LWB

🛏️

Fixed Rear Bed

Popular

Always ready. No converting every night. Storage underneath.

Best for: LWB & XLWB

🔄

Rock & Roll Bed

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

Best for: SWB & LWB

🍳

Side Kitchen + Lounge

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

Best for: LWB & XLWB

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Bunk Beds

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

Best for: XLWB

🚲

Full Width Rear Garage

Bikes, boards, gear — all underneath the bed. Max storage.

Best for: LWB & XLWB

layout-preview
🛋️

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.

Citroën Berlingo

Small
Used: £2k-£5k
Also: Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo
✓ Very cheap, great MPG (50-60), stealth camping, easy to park
✗ Cannot stand up, sleeping only layout, limited payload
🚫 Cannot stand up

VW Caddy

Small
Used: £5k-£12k
Also: VW Caddy Maxi
✓ VW quality, drives like a car, huge community, Maxi version available
✗ Cannot stand up, compact for full conversion, VW premium pricing
🚫 Cannot stand up

Ford Transit Connect

Small
Used: £4k-£10k
Also: Ford Transit Courier
✓ Widely available, cheap Ford parts, car-like handling, LWB version
✗ Cannot stand up, bland interior, rust on older models
🚫 Cannot stand up

Fiat Doblò

Small
Used: £2k-£6k
Also: Vauxhall Combo (older)
✓ Very affordable, good interior height for class, Maxi available
✗ Fiat reliability rep, faster depreciation, basic interior
🚫 Cannot stand up

VW Transporter T6

Medium
Used: £18k-£35k
Also: VW T6.1, VW California
✓ Iconic, holds value massively, 4Motion option, huge community
✗ Expensive, cannot stand (standard roof), DSG servicing costs
🚫 Cannot stand up

Ford Transit Custom

Medium
Used: £8k-£18k
✓ Great value, H2 high-roof CAN stand, Ford dealer network everywhere
✗ Less premium than VW, weaker resale, wet timing belt (older)
🧍 Can stand (H2 high-roof only)

Renault Trafic

Medium
Used: £5k-£12k
Also: Vauxhall Vivaro (pre-2019), Nissan NV300
✓ Very good value, comfortable ride, similar size to T6 at half cost
✗ No high-roof option, Renault reliability rep, smaller community
🚫 Cannot stand up

Vauxhall Vivaro

Medium
Used: £8k-£16k
Also: Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch, Toyota ProAce
✓ Modern platform, car-like driving, electric version available
✗ Slightly smaller than Transit Custom, no high-roof option
🚫 Cannot stand up

Mercedes Vito

Medium
Used: £8k-£18k
✓ Mercedes quality, high-roof Longo available, reliable diesel
✗ Expensive to service, less community support, premium parts cost
🧍 Can stand (Longo high-roof only)

Mercedes Sprinter

Large
Used: £8k-£25k
✓ The benchmark. Huge interior, 4WD option, holds value, massive community
✗ Expensive to buy/service, large for cities, AdBlue complexity
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Ford Transit

Large
Used: £6k-£18k
✓ Widely available, Ford parts cheap, H3 very spacious, great payload
✗ Not as premium as Sprinter, wet timing belt (older), agricultural
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Fiat Ducato

Large
Used: £5k-£16k
✓ Widest interior in class, FWD = lower floor, most popular motorhome base
✗ Fiat reliability rep, rust concerns, notchy gearbox (older)
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

VW Crafter

Large
Used: £10k-£25k
✓ VW build, tallest interior available (H3: 2120mm!), 4Motion option
✗ Expensive, heavy (watch payload), complex electronics
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions, tallest in class)

Peugeot Boxer

Large
Used: £4k-£14k
✓ Same van as Ducato but cheaper, same width, electric version available
✗ Same Ducato issues, worse resale, smaller dealer network
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Iveco Daily

Large
Used: £4k-£14k
✓ Cheapest large van, proper truck chassis, huge sizes available
✗ Harsh ride, smaller dealer network, higher fuel consumption
🧍 Can stand (H2/H3 versions)

Sprinter L4H3

XL
Used: £15k-£35k
✓ Massive 4.7m load length, full bathroom + kitchen + bed, 4WD available
✗ Very large for cities/parking, expensive, high fuel consumption
🧍 Can stand (2010mm height)

Transit L4H3 Jumbo

XL
Used: £10k-£25k
✓ Huge interior, more affordable than Sprinter, Ford parts everywhere
✗ Very large, not as premium, agricultural to drive
🧍 Can stand (2020mm height)

Ducato L4H3

XL
Used: £8k-£22k
✓ Widest XL van (1870mm!), lower floor from FWD, motorhome builders choice
✗ Fiat concerns at this size, rust, FWD struggles fully loaded
🧍 Can stand (2030mm height + widest)

Crafter L4H3

XL
Used: £15k-£35k
✓ Best build quality XL class, 2120mm tallest interior, VW prestige
✗ Most expensive, very heavy, complex electronics
🧍 Can stand (2120mm — tallest in any class)

MAN TGE

XL
Used: £12k-£30k
✓ Same van as Crafter but cheaper, excellent build, tallest interior
✗ Less brand recognition, fewer off-shelf kits, large and unwieldy
🧍 Can stand (2120mm — same as Crafter)
Build Guides

Learn The Craft

Step-by-step guides. No waffle. No “subscribe to my course” nonsense.

📋

Van Conversion for Beginners

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

Beginner15 minRead guide →
⚡

Electrical System Explained

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

Intermediate20 minRead guide →
🧱

Insulation: What Works

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

Beginner12 minRead guide →
🔥

Gas System & Safety

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

Advanced15 minRead guide →
🚿

Plumbing Basics

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

Intermediate12 minRead guide →
🪟

Windows & Ventilation

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

Beginner10 minRead guide →
Product Reviews

Gear That Works

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

⚡

Diesel Heater 5kW

Heating
£80-£150
★★★★ 4.5

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

200W Solar Panel Kit

Electrics
£150-£250
★★★★ 4.7

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

12V Compressor Fridge

Kitchen
£200-£400
★★★★ 4.6

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

Thinsulate Insulation

Insulation
£100-£200
★★★★ 4.4

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

MaxxFan Deluxe

Ventilation
£250-£350
★★★★ 4.8

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

Victron SmartSolar MPPT

Electrics
£100-£200
★★★★ 4.9

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

Smev 9722 Hob & Sink

Kitchen
£200-£300
★★★★ 4.3

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
⚡

Swivel Seat Base

Furniture
£150-£250
★★★★ 4.2

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

🔗 Affiliate link

🛒 Buy on Amazon
🧮

Build Cost Calculator

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

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