Simple box systems for camper conversions that you can retrofit yourself are already available from around €300. Professional installations cost between €15,000 and €35,000. A distinction is made between permanently installed extensions and modular systems.
For example, a complete modular system from "Good Life Vans" costs 13,000 €. This can be removed without leaving any traces. In addition to interior fittings, modifications can also be made to the vehicle itself. The most important modifications to the vehicle are the installation of a parking heater. This costs between 1400,- € from e.g. Planar and up to 3.000,- € from e.g. Webasto or Eberspächer.
It also makes sense to have swivelling front seats. Rotating consoles can be retrofitted for about 260,- € per seat. A shore power connection costs between €650 and €950. With a shore power connection, you can get electricity from outside at a campsite, for example.
Often the vehicle is also insulated during a camper conversion. Professional fitters such as Good Life Vans work with 3 layers:
1. Alybutyl, which is used for sound insulation.
2. Armaflex, which is used for thermal insulation
3. Felt lining, which makes the interior cosy.
Depending on the scope and design, such a complete insulation can cost between 1900,- € and 4500,- €.
The VW Bus is ideal for camper conversions. The bus is suitable for everyday use and fits into most underground garages. The VW has perfect interior dimensions and is already available from the factory with many features that are helpful for campers: Parking heater, swivel seats, sliding windows, etc
Unlike cheaper alternatives like Opel Vivaro, Renault Trafic, etc., the VW Bus has independent suspension, which makes it very comfortable.
It is also one of the most stable vehicles on the market. Even with many pop-up roofs, the VW remains under 2 metres vehicle height, which makes it 100% suitable for everyday use. The Ford Transit Custom is also perfectly suitable, but is somewhat simpler in design than the VW Bus. With a modular system, for example from Good Life Vans, you have all the features of a large motorhome but all the advantages of everyday suitability.
This conversion fits all the buses mentioned. The Mercedes Vito or V Class is not quite as suitable, as the room height is lower than, for example, the VW Bus or the Ford Transit. In addition, the external dimensions are about 30 cm longer than in comparable buses from other manufacturers, without the passenger compartment being longer.
All vans are suitable as campers.
However, if you take a van with a vehicle height of more than 2 metres, you lose its suitability for everyday use. The same applies to vans longer than 5 metres. Within the Transporter category, the VW Transporter is the most suitable. The VW Transporter is lower than 2 metres and shorter than 5 metres. In contrast to all other vans - except the Mercedes Vito - it has a comfortable independent suspension. For the VW Transporter there is also a swivel console with TÜV approval for the passenger double seat. The camper module from "Good Life Vans", for example, fits all vans. For larger vans, also called box vans, the Fiat Ducato is recommended. It has the best price-performance ratio.
Installation systems usually take several weeks to complete. Longer than the pure installation time, however, is the waiting time for a free installation date or the delivery time of individual components.
The average waiting time for a finished camper is over a year. For manufacturers of modular systems, the delivery time is significantly faster, as these can be produced in series.
For example, the delivery time for Good Life Vans is currently about 8 weeks.
Good Life Vans converts all vans and buses into campers. These include the following vehicles: VW T4,T5,T6,T6.1,T7 Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle or California Beach. Mercedes Sprinter, Vito and V-Class. Ford Transit, Transit Custom and Transit Tourneo, Opel Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Fiat Ducato, Citroen Spacetourer.
It is important that the mattress is not segmented on the surface, as you lose surface tension at the respective transitions, which has a significant effect on comfort.
Good mattresses need a support layer and a comfort layer. Cold foam mattresses are particularly suitable, as they can also be adjusted in shape. High-quality mattresses in the camper area have a top layer of viscoelastic foam in addition to the support layer of cold foam. This foam moulds itself particularly precisely to the contours of the body and significantly increases lying comfort.
Theconstruction of the bed frame is just as important as the mattress. A continuous slatted frame and/or disc springs that can be individually adjusted are ideal. A bed system of this type with a continuous slatted frame, disc springs over the entire surface and a multi-layer mattress is the only manufacturer to offer the Van Austender "Good Life Vans".
Sleeping comfort is the most important thing in a camper.
A narrow bed is often not suitable in width for two people. A folded down back seat often does not offer sleeping comfort, as the hardness of the foam is designed for sitting and not for lying down. Furthermore, it is often not possible to create a level lying surface. The kitchen must be usable indoors in bad weather and should be able to be moved outside in good weather. Storage space must be flexible so that it can also be used in everyday life.
Even compact vehicles should have a toilet. If the vehicle is higher than 2 metres, it is not suitable for everyday use. If you can see from the outside that the vehicle is a motorhome, unnoticed camping is not possible. Companies such as Good Life Vans therefore offer "Stealth Camper" or "Incognito Camper". A good camper extension is designed in such a way that it can be operated completely from the interior in good weather. There must also be room for bulky items such as bicycles, surfboards, SUP boards or extensive luggage without restricting the functions of the kitchen or bed.
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