Stealth Campervan or Full VW Conversion?

 

Before I plan the interior, I need to consider the finished campervan’s exterior, as that will also dictate the layout to some degree.

And to plan the exterior, I need to consider how I intend to use the van after it’s been converted. Since I may want to ‘sleep for free’ from time to time when I’m travelling through Europe in it – ie possibly in car parks or other quiet off road areas not necessarily designated as campgrounds – I don’t want my campervan to attract any unwanted attention during those times.

I need the campervan to be as inconspicuous (or as inconspicuous as a large white VW van ever could be), which means implementing as few external modifications as I can get away with.

Ultimately, I reckon if I throw a large dollop of creativity at the interior modifications, I won’t have to sacrifice much comfort by leaving the outside of the van well alone.

In addition, not only will free up more cash to put toward improving the interior, it should save me a few quid after the build, too. Possibly enough to pay the fines for camping in prohibited areas…

So, stealth camper it is then.

But what are YOUR thoughts on this?

Do you feel this is the right decision?

 

What would you choose and why?

 

The (ever growing) List of VW Conversion Considerations

In summary, here are my main considerations for the build. As I think of more, I’ll add them here to the list. Split into sections, they are as follows:-

Water/sanitary

Sink

Toilet

Shower

Fresh water arrangements

Waste water arrangements

Electrical

240V, 12V supply, or both.

Extra lighting

Second ‘leisure battery’ – type, charging arrangements, isolating arrangements

Campground hook up

Berthing

Number of beds

Size and style (fixed/drop down/rock n roll)

Storage

Amount of storage and where it’ll be included

Ancillary Equipment

Should ancillary equipment, such as laptop/tv/stereo etc, be integrated during the build phase, or ‘bolted on’ afterwards?

Stealth

Should I consider fitting windows and pop top etc, or should I maintain the look of a normal panel van?

Once each of these issues have been tackled and resolved, I hope to address the layout and consider how best to include a range of the above features.