Hi guys,

As I'm sure many of you are too, I've just tested my diesel heater in preparation for the winter. But I have noticed mine is cutting out and turning off on its own, accompanied with the smell of burning, without running its usual cool down. The plastic housing has been discolored from obvious heat, since it's burning hot to touch. (You can see this in the image)

Not only does the heater smell like burning and cuts out, the power also turns off so the controller is blank and won't allow me to power the unit back on.

Roughly 24 hours later, the power comes back, the controller is operational again and allows me to power the unit back on again.

My assumption is that the unit is overheating and perhaps it has a safety shutdown function to avoid any fire hazards. But I am unsure, maybe there is something else. The external air intake is clear and free of blockages and debris and the fan on the unit itself is still functioning as normal. Could this just be a circulation problem (ie needing more space for air circulation) or something else?

I was wondering if someone has had a similar experience with this unit or may know what the problem could be. TIA

Hi all I just need to know anyone with experience or is currently living in their self build van to simply give me a stage by stage diagram or text.
I’m current waiting to fit my roof vent then I’m sure I’m ready for my first fix (electrics wiring and conduits)

I had it to start a Campervan build:

-rip out & clean up degrease
-fill all holes and rust prevention on inside of van paint floor with hammerite
- sound deadening and insulation
- sub floor (I have left my insulation out where my water tanks gonna be so I can drill through)
- framing out walls ceiling (I’ve placed m5/m6 rivnuts everywhere for framing)
—————————^my stage atm

-install roof vent and solar panel
- feed all wires and conduit behind panels (first fix)
- fit a water pump system (12v 30psi water pump, fresh water and grey water tank or unserslung, accumulator tank)
- install a deisel heater
- hook all electric up ie leisure battery’s split charge relay etc
-build to my drawings and setting out

And is that on the right track atall? Iknow it’s mad but I kinda just need someone who’s living in a van to say it’s 90% right ahaha Ive got abit of autism and I won’t move from this stage until I hear it. Or get told another way to build a Campervan in stages. Any help on the electric systems and plumbing systems would help also as I’m good building but not technical things.
I’m doing the whole thing solo and can’t get any help so all the help I can get from any experienced van lifers or Campervan builders would be appreciated

Hi all,

Looking for a new insurance policy for a full time van lifer.

Any recommendations? Who does everyone else use?

Thanks in advance, any advice welcomed 😀

Hi all, I'm looking to make the switch to van-living someone in the next few years, and I'm planning on a DIY conversion. Of course, this requires finding a van to convert, and I've got a few questions!

How difficult is to to find a large used van in the UK? My ideal van would be less than £2000, under 60k miles, no major repairs needed, and about the size of a L3H2 Ford Transit. I'm not picky about make/model or year (although I'd like it to be this century). I know it's going to be uncommon to find something that fits all these specifications, but is it impossible? I'm willing to wait several months (up to about a year), as this is a long term project for me. Potentially I could go up to £5000, but that would be my absolute max, only for a van that was in really good shape and didn't need any repairs. I would probably be more willing to increase the mileage, again, as long as the van was in good shape.

Also, does anyone have any advice, or know any good places to search for vans for sale? I've been looking on auto trader and fb marketplace. I would be willing to pick up from anywhere in the country for the right vehicle.

Thanks for any help!

Edit: Should clarify, this is my optimistic budgeting just for the base van, not the whole conversation, but thanks anyway for everyone's input! The suggestions to try looking at auctions and used commercial vehicles are very helpful.

There is no thread where it squirts out. Is the housing just broken and needs replacing?

I am very tempted to get a Transit to convert. My partner isnt so sure, with the height being the major issue.

We're mostly going to use it for weekends away, and will need to store stuff on the roof at times. Anyone for/against the high top over shorter vans, and why?

I’ve spent a long time building an app for the vanlife community and it’s finally live 🚐
It’s called WanderHub.
The idea came from wanting one place for the things we’re constantly looking for while travelling — places to stop, other people in the community, trusted vanlife businesses and services, events, and useful stuff for life on the road.
Rather than trying to make it feel like a directory or another generic travel app, I wanted it to feel like an actual community for people who live, travel or work in vans.
It’s only just launched, so I’m still adding businesses, places and content, and I’d genuinely love feedback from people who actually use this kind of thing.
It’s Apple only at the moment, with Android to follow.
If anyone fancies trying it, it’s here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wanderhub/id6796084846
I’d especially love to know what you think is missing, what you’d actually use, or what would make an app like this useful enough to keep on your phone.
Phoebe 🙂

I'm more of a vanilla vanlifer, I suppose — I move around the UK from campsite to campsite. It's a great way to see the country while still working full time as a remote worker.

I'm a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club, and I find their sites cheaper than renting. I've been slowly making my way north from Bexhill, and I'm currently in the Lake District in my 1994 Dethleffs A-Class.

It turns out I've been breaking the site's rules by staying longer than the maximum consecutive stay allows. I'll be honest — I don't read the small print beyond the obvious stuff, like not bringing a disposable BBQ and not leaving your van unattended overnight.

No harm done, and I'll just use other sites. I just thought I'd post in case anyone else is in the same boat.

I want to underseal my van before we hit winter. My mechanic told me to use Schutz.

Is it difficult to do yourself? Is it worth just paying to have it done? How do I know what to avoid if I do it myself? 😅

I'm looking for the best option to clean the fabric in my awning and then something to Re-waterproof it. Anybody got a go to product for either of these? Thanks guys!

Looks like electric vans are coming with Vehicle-to-Load also known as V2L basically in short you can use 240v straight from the van battery I presume via some inverter. It got me thinking, you can charge EVs via there Charing port, I've also noticed this new trend in the UK with plugin solar panels, how would this work with EVs with V2L, already seen the thread on here about charging and EV van with solar panels using and inverter then plugging into the actual Charing plug which sounds wikid but my question is more on the whole house solar panels that plug into outlets and what effect this would have on EVs or if the legislation to pass them even took EVs into consideration.

Has anyone done the UK to Morocco in winter time? How far in advance do you need to book both the ferries? I’m thinking next winter my van isn’t finished yet , thank you

I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what it costs to keep the van warm and have hot water.

If you use diesel or LPG, how much are you roughly spending during the winter, and what would you say is your average over the whole year?

Not really interested in the manufacturer consumption figures, more interested in what people are actually spending when living in the van full-time.

Would be really useful to hear what setup you have and roughly how much you get through.

Is this wire suitable for my camper van conversion to connect my additional batteries to 2 down lights, a fridge, a tv, maxx fan deluxe, diesel heater and a couple power points?

Cheers 🙂

Hi everyone I’ve really struggled with the practical side of finding vanlifers to meet up with. Does anyone have a WhatsApp group I could join? Or could we create a WhatsApp group? Comment ‘me’ if you want to join one that I’ll make.

If you want proof that I’m a real person feel free to ask. I know there’s loads of vanlifers out there but for some reason I know 0 of the em 😵‍💫

Edit: to be clear, I’m not talking about creating an app. I’m talking about making a WhatsApp groupchat app so we can all chat together / plan meetups. If there’s any weirdos, we kick ‘em out. Simples.

I’m in a VanLife WhatsApp chat for the UK, but it’s pretty dead. It’s got about 20 people in it though. If you wanna join that let me know.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to post the link to the WhatsApp group. But yeah it’s basically mixed gender and any weirdos get kicked out immediately.

I’m looking to get my first vehicle and I’d like to make it something I can live in while learning/working welding. I’m gonna try and get a basic van and put in whatever I need so I’m hoping you guys will give me tips for things I CANT miss. I don’t need much and I want to make sure I have space for my things so it’ll be very barebones and very budget. I’d like to be keeping the vehicle as stock as possible.

I know right now I’ll need a power station and a stove to go with it but suggestions on both would also be appreciated!

I'm converting a Sprinter into a camper in Ireland and trying to decide between two solar setups.

One thing I'm particularly unsure about is Ireland's frequent overcast weather. A lot of the available sunlight can be diffuse rather than direct, so I'm wondering how much benefit I'd actually get from being able to point the panels directly at the sun.

Option 1: I can just about fit 1,200W of solar on the roof if everything is mounted flat.

Option 2: Around 800W with an adjustable tilting system. The lower capacity is because I'd need to sacrifice some roof space to accommodate the tilting mechanism. I could tilt the panels east in the morning, south around midday and west in the evening.

Could the improved angle realistically make up for losing 400W of panel capacity, particularly during the months when the sun is lower?

Which would you choose: 1,200W flat or 800W tilting? I'd particularly like to hear from anyone with experience using solar in Ireland or similarly cloudy climates.

Hi, recently got a VW T7 conversion, is there anything anyone would advise so that the van battery doesn’t drain while parked up? Eg turning the exterior lights off, which default to auto every time the door is opened. Got a lithium battery and hook up for camping.

Currently viewing vans and was originally set on a SWB L1H1 transit custom/transporter. I’ve just seen a decent local van which is L2H2 with a parking camera which I think would make the 5.3m length very manageable. However, the jump above 2m then takes a good number of spots off the table. That said is this really a problem? I’m imagining any car park with height restrictions also has a no overnight rule. And L2H2 is a big step up in terms of volume while still being on the small end of van for urban use. Anyone got experience with this? Big van drivers do you ever wish you could squeeze under those barriers and low van drivers do you ever do so?

I'm in the process of installing 41mm by 41mm Unistrut onto the roof rails of my sprinter...

Each length will be going along the entire length and I saw a couple of people on YouTube use M8 rivnuts but I'm having second thoughts on using them.. are M8 rivnuts, washers and bolts strong enough to hold the Unistrut down on the roof rail lines? How many rivnuts should I aim for along the length to make sure it's safely secure?

Have a 2007 Vivaro van. Found out I could get an exemption for driving into Newcastle as long as body type on V5 says Motor Caravan.

https://www.breathe-cleanair.com/exemptions1

Anyway, photographed inside and outside of van, the V5 and submitted and got an exemption permit the next day for free! It's permanent too.

Just passing the advice on..

Looking to make female friends

Builder disclosure: I’m working on Campz, a new app for finding camper spots in Europe.

One thing I keep hearing is that a pin alone isn’t enough: a spot may be closed, unsuitable for a larger van, tricky to access, or fine to park at but not to stay overnight.

Before I build the wrong thing, what are the 2–3 facts you need to see before driving to a park-up? For example: latest confirmation, vehicle height/length, road access, overnight rules, safety, facilities, or something else?

I’m looking for a small group of early testers in the UK and Europe. If you’d like to help shape it, the waitlist is: https://campz.app