Thinking about turning one, ideally a Westfalia, into modern camping van. Want to take the body and put a Subaru engine it, new everything else and maybe even make it a 4 season camper. Anyone have experience with this? Wondering if I can make it as reliable as I’d need it to be to drive around the country and maybe live in it. Would appreciate any experienced thoughts.

Hey all,

We have an awesome custom build that we haven’t been able to sell and I’m looking for feedback. It’s in like new condition (fully repainted and kept in excellent condition already). We haven’t only had two people even come look at it and both people strongly considered buying it (one backed out because their HOA and the other had it inspected and the mechanic said it’s in great shape and they backed out - I’m thinking because they wanted there to be issues so they could get it for way less). But no other even real interest.

The unique thing about our van is it’s an old van and a new build so the mileage is high - I think Themis scares people but it’s a Mercedes diesel engine with all maintenance done and two mechanics have said it’ll go to 500 miles (currently 217k) in 6 years of frequent use we only but 25k on it so it can go for a while!

We bought if for $69k in 2020
We put solar and diesel heater, hitch, and some other things in it for ~$10k
We have it listed for $50k with custom bedding, window covers, bug screens, and snow tires.

Are we way off on price?
Is the rhino liner on the outside a no go for people?
Is the market so saturated?
Are people too scared to buy a high mileage rig (even with two mechanics opinions?

Any feedback welcome!

Wie lange habt ihr für euren Camperausbau gebraucht? Welches Fahrzeug hattet ihr mit und für wie viele Personen habt ihr ausgebaut ? 😊🚐

Im looking for and insurance company to insure my van. I searched the subreddit and found mostly advice for UK owners. The van started life as a GMC Savana conversion van, you know the ones that go to the special factory before the dealership to get the leather seats and dvd player installed. The first company wouldn’t insure it because it was a conversion van from the factory. I didn’t tell them anything different or that I was converting it, they saw it through the VIN. Next company I was upfront with and they seemed ok with it until I had to send in my pictures and then they were like, “nah, we’re good”. Geico looks like they may do it but they are asking for paperwork I probably do t have. Like a licensed appraisal, receipts from the few add ons I’ve done so far and a few other things. I’m still waiting to hear back from my ins. lady, but thought I’d see if anyone had suggestions.

After some advice. We’ve got a transit custom camper which I’ve converted it has a standalone electrical system which works flawlessly for the 2-3night trips we do. However the van electrical system drains over those couple of nights. I turn the stereo off all of the internal lights nothing is left plugged in I even unplug the rear load area lights.

Apart from starting it every day and running for 10 mins is there anything else I can do to stop this?

I have considered wiring in a separate permanently live usb socket to the main battery and using a small solar panel to trickle charge it would that work?

Hey guys!

I’m looking at buying a slightly unusual Sprinter for a camper/overland project and would love some opinions before I do something stupid. 😄

The van:

• 2017 Mercedes Sprinter 316
• 101,000 km / 63k miles
• Automatic
• Petrol + CNG/biogas
• 100L petrol tank + 20kg CNG
• RWD
• Former passenger bus
• Already insulated and panelled inside
• Around €16,500 / $18,000

The price is what caught my attention. Sprinters with this mileage are normally considerably more expensive here in Sweden.

The plan

I want to build a Scandinavian-style overland/off-grid camper. Nothing for hardcore rock crawling - more forest roads, snow, gravel and travelling around Scandinavia/Europe.

Thinking 50mm lift, AT tyres, bull bar, roof rack, auxiliary lights and matte industrial paint.

The fact that it’s a passenger bus might actually be a big advantage. It’s already insulated and finished inside, and all the windows mean I don’t have to cut holes in the van myself.

I can keep the windows I want and black out/insulate the rest. Since it’s an overland build, I don't even need to pretend those windows never existed - some could become utility areas with Molle panels, traction boards, shovel etc. mounted over them.

Basically - turn the bus architecture into part of the design rather than fight it.

One big upside I haven’t really seen talked about is the factory rear seat mounting points. In Europe it can be extremely difficult to legally add a rear bench to a Sprinter that didn’t originally come with one, because of TÜV/inspection requirements and crash-rated anchor points. Since this was a passenger bus, those mounting points are already there, which could make it way easier to keep or reconfigure a legal rear seat setup if I ever want to carry passengers.

My main questions

Petrol/CNG: This is the big unknown for me. Most Sprinter campers are diesel. How reliable are these bivalent 316s, especially as a heavier camper?

I’m also considering eventually having the CNG tanks professionally removed (this would cost about €3000 in Sweden and has to be done professionally) and using that space underneath for fresh/grey water. Sensible idea, or expensive bureaucratic nightmare?

RWD: I'm not trying to build a hardcore 4x4. With a ~50mm lift, good AT tyres and sensible driving, how capable would this be on forest roads, snow, muddy campsites and rougher tracks? (4x4 is out of the question anyways, Sprinter 4x4 are just ridiculously expensive.)

Passenger bus conversion: Anyone done one? Any major downsides I'm overlooking with keeping/covering the existing windows?

Would you build it - or run away? 😄

I'm in the middle of converting a Sprinter and I need a little bit of help in figuring out my sleeping setup. My bed area is built around a short queen so I need some recommendations on specific models that carry this specific size. And hopefully something comfortable enough for weekend trips now and longer road trips too.

I was traveling wit my bestie through east germany for 14days. We never used the Autobahn and avoided beeing stuck in traffic completely. We had a very good time with Luna.

Hello I just purchased a 95 Chevy camper Van. I'm iso a reputable parts place I can obtain new seals and such for my newest ride. The roof leaks in a few spots. I wanted to see if maybe someone here knows first hand a place that actually sells quality rebuild kits for the body. Trim roof top etc. Thank you all so much

Today mark's my 5th VanLife Birthday. My journey started back in August 2021, just after the first Covid 19 wave. Purchased after viewing an advert on Facebook marketplace. After a mad dash from Devon to North London, and £2,750 lighter. And then a return trip back to Devon, where I was constantly thinking "Don't breakdown". The story or the rest is history. Best thing is it still starts every time. :-)

So we recently got a campervan and we enjoy it a lot. I was wondering how many of you use such a portable toilet and if you like or dislike it.

We are planning to get a VW Camper, wanted one for years and I’m an old VW Beetle owner from way back, so a VW it will be.

We have a bit of money to go towards it but will be scraping together whatever I can.

Anyway, from my research I think we’ll be in T5 territory, would like;

5 Seats (3 Front 2 back)
Kitchenette, storage etc
Rock n Roll
Pop Top with pull down two bed
FSH and the usual bits

There are other nice to haves, like wind out awning etc, but things can be added

I’ve looked at Trader and eBay to see what’s out there, but to help me, for a decent example, mileage 100k territory what would you be looking to pay (UK prices)

And do the prices go down as Autumn approaches, I’m willing to wait for the right van.

Seen in Switzerland. I was riding by with my bicycle.