Nation’s ‘coolest campers’ convert vehicles set for scrapheap into dream mobile homes

Nation’s ‘coolest campers’ convert vehicles set for scrapheap into dream mobile homes

08/02/2021

Camper vans: UK’s ‘Coolest Campers’ discuss van conversion

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The van took a whopping 588 hours – the equivalent of more than 24 solid days – and cost about £26,000 to convert. But Custard now has all the luxuries of home on the road and comes complete with a fully fitted water system and movie projector.

Meanwhile, freelance marketing consultant Amy Nicholson, aged 34, from Kent, bought a Mercedes van for £11,000 – and gutted it.

She then spent a further £8,000 on renovations through the winter, giving “Terry” a complete revamp to include secret shelf compartments, solar panels, and USB points.

The mobile facelifts come after a study of 2,000 adults revealed a trend in campervan restoration, with one-third of adults on the lookout to buy a motorhome.

And one in six already have one they are considering converting.

A further 53 percent of adults would love to own a vehicle which allowed them to hit the open road whenever they wanted for a little holiday.

It’s so much fun to be able to go anywhere you want and have everything you need

Aimee Bannister and Craig Holmes, Kicking It travel blog

Andy Goodson, a spokesman for Lexham Insurance, which commissioned the research, said: “Creating your dream campervan doesn’t have to be a pipe dream, as these Brits have shown.

“With just the right budget and dedication, you can have the campervan or motorhome of your dreams to live and travel anywhere you want.”

It emerged those adults considering a conversion currently are willing to spend a minimum of £1,500 and put in more than nine hours of work a day, to make their ideal home on wheels.

But adults who don’t own a campervan or motorhome are willing to put aside as much as £6,600 to buy or rent one, with essential features including a bed (56 percent), fridge (56 percent), and cooking facilities (52 percent).

Brits would also like to install the latest tech, including a built-in TV (44 percent), sat-nav (34 percent) and solar panels (30 percent).

But when asked why they may consider buying or renting a campervan, 40 percent of adults said they want to travel more freely and take spontaneous trips during the year.

And a third (33 percent) would even like to leave their existing lifestyle entirely to enjoy life on the road.

Nearly four in 10 (39 percent) are keen to explore multiple destinations at once, while 35 percent said owning a campervan or motorhome to travel around is a much more affordable holiday.

Aimee Bannister, 32, and Craig Holmes, 33, founders of travel blog “Kicking It”, from Barrie, Wales, said: “We always had the idea to build our van, make it our own and drive it around wherever we want. We’ve had many great trips in it.

“It’s so much fun to be able to go anywhere you want and have everything you need. It’s the perfect time to get a campervan and have an adventure.”

And Amy Nicholson added: “I get to wake up with a different view every day and I can decide where I want to go every morning. Everything I own is all in one place and it feels so free.

“Staycations are on the rise and people are now exploring their home and enjoying it more.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found the average adult goes on two holidays or camping trips a year.

But by owning a campervan or motorhome, 65 percent of adults would enjoy a weekend getaway without any issues.

More than half (52 percent) of those polled said owning one would be a good excuse to spend more time with family and loved ones outdoors.

And once they secure one, 49 percent of adults would use it for themselves before letting their partner (47 percent) and children (34 percent) travel in it.

TOP 30 THINGS TO HAVE IN A CAMPERVAN OR MOTORHOME: 

  1. A bed
  2. A fridge
  3. Cooking facilities
  4. Running water
  5. Gas and electric
  6. Heating
  7. A table
  8. A built-in TV
  9. Portable chemical toilet
  10. Portable shower
  11. First aid kit
  12. Fold-out furniture
  13. Portable chairs
  14. A sat nav
  15. Storage containers
  16. Solar panels
  17. Linen 
  18. Tool kit
  19. Portable dinner table
  20. Pocket WiFi
  21. Hidden storage e.g. a bookshelf which is a door
  22. Portable barbeque
  23. Books
  24. Picnic set
  25. A leisure battery
  26. Levelling ramps
  27. Wine fridge
  28. A hammock
  29. Candles
  30. A built-in games console

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