How to turn a van into a camper

Transform the van into a camper It is a solution that more and more people are turning to to give new life to their vans or commercial cars.

The desire to set off to discover new destinations with your own home on your back, without having to plan where to stay, makes people vans to transform they are an increasingly popular option these days.

The high sales value of campers and the constraints associated with the legal requirements for driving them mean that car conversion projects are increasingly in vogue.

So, if you have a family van or a commercial car from your old business that you want to give a new life to, this article is for you! Join us in this practical guide to transform the van into a camperand take advantage of multiple weekends in the mountains or at the seaside.

Read all: “The 7 most beautiful streets in Portugal”

The first step will obviously be to evaluate the feasibility of the reconversion project. Remember that you will always need space for a small kitchen, dining table, bathroom, water tank, bed, etc.

Unless we are talking about a small city car, it is always possible to find a tailor-made solution.

Read all: “Car roof tent: everything you need to know”

It is important, before proceeding with the process transform the van into a camperhave a mechanical inspection done at a trusted workshop. Before investing in the conversion process, check whether the mechanical part of the car is in good condition.

You can also take advantage of the moment to do the basic maintenance that you have been putting off for a long time and don’t forget a good general cleaning. Eliminate all dust and grease so as not to compromise the adhesion of the materials you will place on the car structure.

Read more: “Car maintenance: how to prolong the life of your car?”

This is the part that will appeal to your more creative side. It is necessary to design the space strategically and with a certain rigor, so that every square centimeter is well used.

Get inspired by examples of campers or vans to transform which are already ready. If you have any questions you can also contact the Caetano Retail team!

Also keep in mind that the vehicle legalization and homologation process will require a scale design which is normally carried out by an automotive engineer or mechanic. Therefore, unless you have the skills to handle the matter yourself, we recommend that you engage a qualified professional.

The basic structure and insulation will be key aspects in the process of transforming your car or commercial van.

The structure must be adapted to the car and materials that do not retain humidity must be preferred (for example phenolic plywood). On the floor you can opt for the popular floating floor which, in addition to being light and easy to clean, helps in thermal insulation.

But the floating floor will most likely not be sufficient in terms of insulation. Then cover the «walls» of the van with a vapor barrier (due to the vapors and humidity that are generated inside) and use expanding foam or mineral wool as a complement.

Al transform the van into a camperIt is important to prepare your interiors to withstand low temperatures, but also the heat waves that are common in summer.

You will also need to install a small water tank and pump to ensure you have water to use in the showers and sink.

The electrical system must also be carefully thought out so that the appliances are strategically connected in functional and convenient places.

When you are transform the van into a camperremember that it will be important to have a minimally functional kitchen.

To achieve this goal, the most important elements to incorporate into the project are: a heating point (electric or gas), a sink and a small refrigerator. If you have more space, a prep bench always comes in handy.

Significant transformation of a vehicle’s bodywork (in other words, any transformation affecting structural elements or regulatory characteristics) always requires prior approval from the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT).

Transform the van into a camper falls into this category, so don’t forget to go through the approval process before you hit the road.

To avoid problems during the periodic inspection, you must not change the configuration of the van (for example, remove the bulkhead that separates the cargo compartment from that of the passengers) and you must also ensure that the overall weight of the vehicle does not exceed 3,500 kilos so that it is not considered heavy.