Taking an old camper van into Europe

Before you leave:

Make sure timing/cambelt is not nearing the end of it's life.  If you have no service history look for a sticker in engine compartment that indicates when it was last changed.  If you don't know when it was last changed, a full service with replacement of all belts might cost 300 quid, but well worth it.

Check the exhaust isn't about to break/fall off.  The cost of front section of exhaust for a van in France is over 400 Euros.

It is a legal requirement in France not to mix tyre brands on the same axle.  The French police don't seem to check for this because I have been stopped a few times with 4 different brands of tyre on the van but if you get a puncture then some tyre companies will not sell you a single tyre, they will make you replace both tyres on the axle if they don't have a matching tyre.  For this reason it is good idea to spend a bit extra and get Michelin tyres because you will always be able to find a matching Michelin tyre in France.

The cost of replacement parts in Europe is considerably more expensive than the UK, and availability of second hand parts is limited.  A neConsider taking the following spares alternator or started motor can set you back over 500 euros, and both items can be picked up second hand on ebay for less than 30 quid each.   Even if you don't feel confident to change these items yourself you can always get a local mechanic to fit them for you and make big savings.

Old camper van recommended things to take.

• Alternator
• Starter motor
• Throttle and clutch cables
• Spare bulbs for all lights (it's a legal requirement to carry a spare bulb set in some European countries)
• Jump leads
• Spanners/sockets/extension bar to change starter motor or alternator.
• Warning triangle and high visibility vests for all passengers (a legal requirement in France, you can buy much cheaper in the first supermarket you come to in France than you can on the Ferry)

From panel van to camper van – a van tour of Europe

So where do you start converting a LWB Ford Transit into something you can sleep comfortably in?

Well you need insulation everywhere, there is plenty of room to fit an inch of Kingspan insulation between the ribs of the van in the roof and ceiling. I put hardboard panels covered in cheap cord carpet on the walls and ceiling.

I built 2 chests on each side of the van to store camping stuff and made some pieces of plywood to bridge the gap between them to support a double foam mattress. The problem with this is that it is hard to access the storage space under the bed when the bed is 'up', you can get round this by fitting small locking doors in the side of the van.

Initially I made a kitchen unit for a cooker and sink in the front of the van, but I pulled this out because it was a waste of space. If you're going to be staying on camp sites you will never be far away from a sink. If you need to cook you can always find a surface to set up a stove on and I was able to fit a pair of rear facing seats from a mini bus in the space that I saved.