The story so far...

After a year of driving around in a lwb high top ex N.H.S passenger ambulance camper, as my only vehicle, I have decided to have another go at a conversion. Hopefully, using the lessons and skills learned, and the right base vehicle, this time and the knowledge of what I can and can not live without, I should end up with a camper more suited to my particular needs.

I have decided on -:

• Panel van - Easier to add the windows exactly where I want them, rather than take them out.
• Size - I need to continue to use it as my sole vehicle and drive it almost into the city of London daily, so economy and size are important.
• Height - After a recent trip into my local town centre, I had to spend nearly an hour trying to park as all of the over height parking spaces were taken. Therefore it needs to be able to fit in car parks that have height restrictions. I am aware that I have just stopped going places that I used to routinely go to in my car.
• Speed - My Renault Master T35D was not that fast and always took ages to get places. It always seemed to get in the way of trucks and lorries, as I always had to use the slow lane, especially when going up hill. I am not sure if it is, but it always felt dangerous to me.
• Better engine placement - Sitting on top of the engine in the Renault Master made for a very noisy drive anywhere near 60 mph. For the same noise to speed ratio, I could have been driving and having more fun in a Unimog!
• Style - I have had enough of driving around in a large rusting shed.

Although I have a minimum specification in mind, it will change if I can't find exactly the vehicle I'm looking for. obviously I would not turn down a suitable vehicle if it didn't have single seats. So far I have been looking mainly in Autotrader, Exchange and Mart and Loot for about 6 weeks. Whilst I have been searching for a base vehicle, I have taken the time to re-read Travel Vans, The Motorcaravan Manual and my newly purchased How to Convert VW Bus or Van to Camper.

Please remember this is how I did my conversion, and not necessarily the right way to do it. Read and use this information at your own risk. If in doubt, get someone who knows what they are doing to help you.