New project, Merc Sprinter Camper

[Steve20]

Busy planning my next project, looking to convert a panel van to a camper ( needs to have creature comforts to guarantee use so will include decent loo and shower etc.. ), hoping to get away with a MWB van either Sprinter or Crafter and Euro 6 compliant.

 

Where I need help is with the floor plan, so does anyone have a MWB as what I need to know please is dimensions from bulkhead to wheel arch, length of arch and then dimension between arch and back doors.

 

Also opening of the side door.

 

Cheers Steve

[jeff oakley]

Hi Steve,

 

I cannot help with the dimensions but I built my own motorhome and two mates have done the same. I would suggest that you go and see as many built van conversions as possible first and don't tie your self to having a Sprinter or Crafter. 

 

It depends upon age but they tend to rot if not looked after especially high mileage. Look what converters use and at the moment they are going for Ducato and Citroen and there is good reason. They are very square as many vans taper at the top which you lose space. If I was building another that is what I would chose, spares and servicing available everywhere in the UK and EU.

 

Mine was built 17 years ago and still looks good but fading paint as commercial vehicles tend to have a quick splash. All the bits we bought from Magnum Motorhomes in Cleethorpes trim wise and we built everything else. If you buy proper caravan motorhome products the weight is very light, it is easy to use normal thickness goods and have a heavy van, leaving little for towing.

 

Upholstery material off Ebay. It has shower and toilet but I did not go for on board water and waste as it is unnecessary weight to drag around.

 

The van was two years old when bought and the first thing I did was go to town on waxoyle everything in every box section as you cannot get to them afterwards. Also make sure that the trim fasteners are siliconed, the sprinters are bad for water ingress from them.

 

Good insulation is a must. Plan you electric runs early on. 

 

Pictures below what you can produce with a good plan. 

 

HTH

[BigSkyBrad]

Yes, you can fit all that in a MWB sprinter, if you're good at tetrus. Our first build was a VW LT35, which is a Sprinter under licence.

 

 

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

We had a LWB Nissan Primastar (Vivaro clone) converted pre lockdown. The Vivaro clones are plentiful, pretty robust and dont suffer with rust. The LWB has better space but not as large as the Ducato and Masters.... its a good compromise between interior space and the ability to park it. Pop tops can be fitted for about £2500 if you need more height.

 

Looked at loads of completed ones and considered doing the conversion myself but time was my enemy...  found a local guy in Nottingham that could source the van I wanted and do the conversion to my spec at a reasonable price.

 

Had the basics done in "day van spec", insulation, cupboards, hob/sink, LED lighting, rock and roll bed etc then upgraded and added to it myself.

 

Things we added were Ford Galaxy captains chairs (gives extra seating when parked up), 240v hook up (although never used it!), 150w solar, 2 x 110ah leisure batteries, additional 12v and USB sockets, reversing camera, towbar, low wattage remote compressor fridge, fiamma awning etc. Didn't go with an inverter as they suck up too much power so everything was either 12v or USB powered.

 

Sold it recently to get the wife a 3.5t horsebox and pretty much got back what I'd put into it after 3 years of use 👍