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| 4x4 CAMPER CONVERSIONS, PRO’s AND CON’s
We get asked regularly by folks wanting 4x4 Sprinter/Crafter conversions.
On the face of it, there is no problem…except there is.
The extra weight of the 4x4 elevates the kerb weight by 500-600kg
on the basic 2WD version.
Not a problem, you have 3.5T to play with so what’s 2.5-2.6T
vs 2.0-2.1T.
But most customers then want full “bells and whistles”,
big tyres, roof racks, off grid power, solar, huge water tanks, beds,
cookers, showers, toilets etc. All coming to 800-900kg.
Bringing your total unladen weight to somewhere between 3.4T and 3.5T.
Giving you no payload at all, you can’t fill the tanks, put mountain
bikes, canoes, food, clothes or even driver or passenger in the vehicle
without exceeding the GVW (gross vehicle weight).
Ok, so uplift the GVW. Which can be done easily enough, but that presents
a host of new issues.
Over 3.5T:-
1. if your licence is since 1997 you have to take a new test.
2. if you are approaching 70yrs your over 3.5T eligibility is taken
away.
3. speed limited to 56mph-62mph (most of Europe)
4. Toll passes and some vignettes are only applicable up to 3.5 tonnes
(without extra HGV level paperwork)
5. Some European countries, you need to have a box installed which
tracks your mileage.
6. 4x4 fuel consumption is higher
7. Using a camper 4x4 off-road, due to body flex, puts stress on cabinets,
fittings and joints, requiring more frequent internal servicing and
tightening.
The Pro’s
1. You can trust you are not likely to get stuck too often.
2. Damn they look awesome??
We are not saying you shouldn’t do a 4x4, just be aware of what
you want do with your van to ensure you don’t end up building
something not fit for your purpose.
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| DO YOU NEED AN OFF GRID VAN?
Whilst stealth camping seems like a good idea, it is getting increasingly
more difficult. No mater where you park up, there is always going
to be a local, ready to report you.
That said, there are many opportunities to park overnight perfectly
legally. Apps like Park4Nite, Britstops and Pitchup have many great
locations for very little cost, but very often there can be little
or no amenities.
Having a van that can self support, enough water and power to last
at least a few days can be extremely useful.
So before you rush off and buy a VW T5/ T6/ Transit style van, think
about what you actually need from your camper.
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NOW AVAILABLE
Custom elevating bed kit.
We have evolved a new kit, actuators, steel bed frame, controller,
virtually everything you need to put an elevating bed in your camper.
Read
more
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Recently completed.
Medium wheel base (MWB) Sprinter. Shower/WC, full off grid power
and water supplies, electrically elevating bed.
Watch the van
tour
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| We are at the Adventure Overland Show & International
Campervan Show in Stratford
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HOW WE CUT THE WINDOWS, FIR THE SIDE PODS AND PREPARE TO "RAPTOR"
A van build always starts with the outside. There is no getting
away from it, it is a big job, all finished off with UPOL RAPTOR
PAINT.
See Video
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BUILDING A SOLID VAN
Apart from a really good clean, preparing the floor
is key to the longevity of the conversion. Any surface rust treated,
the whole floor painted in anti-corrosion, anti-chip paint, then
sound proofed, battoned and insulated.
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THE START OF EVERY BUILD...is the plan!
This timewe are making a MWB Sprinter, with shower/wc, hot and
cold running water, fully equipped kitchen, with an electrically
rising bed revealing a spacious lower seating area, off grid power,
mains hook up, roof rack, rear mounted rear wheel and All Terrain
chunky tyres.
This van is to be painted in olive green Raptor paint, making it
very robust and durable for anything the new owner might throw at
it.
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| WE TAKE ORDINARY VANS AND CONVERT THEM INTO CAMPERVANS!
Our vans are made from 4-5yr ex fleet vans, this way we can build
a camper and sell it at a realistic, affordable price.
They all have a high quality finish inside and a high specification
of equipment. Internally there’s a fixed bed, hot and cold water,
shower/wc, cooker, sink, fridge, mains hook up, off grid power, heating
and lots of storage.
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Van tour, our long wheel base “race van” style with garage
under the bed, full shower & w/c, heating, and full off-grid
system.
Watch the van
tour
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GAS SAFETY
Why should you adhere to the regulations for gas safety in campers,
after all unlike houses it is only advisory.
Apart from the obvious, the standards are there for your, and your
families personal safety, more insurance companies are beginning
to ask about Gas Safety Certificates. Obviously as more insurance
companies move to this being a requirement, there may come a time
when vans without certification become un-insurable, un-usable and
value less.
We have vans brought into us for work, and are never surprised
with how gas is installed. Did you know, if the tank is internal
to the vehicle it should be
1. In an explosion proof metal box
2. Pipes going from the box to the appliances should be ridged copper
and must not be buried behind walls/floors.
3. The regulator in the gas box should be bulkhead mount not bottle
mount
4. Wherever there is a joint, there needs to the the appropriate
drop vent through the bottom of the van.
5. Every appliance needs to have an isolator, if the bottle is only
accessible by going out of the vehicle.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, the full standards specification
is BS EN1949 and you should ensure you are familiar with the regulations
before starting your build.
We build our gas systems to BS EN1945 (and certify), if you are
struggling and need any help, we'd be more than happy to assist.
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HOW MUCH INSULATION GOES IN A VAN
Well, this much.
We fit 5mm self adhesive sound proofing to the inside of the panelwork
before anything else.
We then use automotive specific, fire resistant, anti-mould, self
adhesive insulation to floor, ceiling walls and structural ribs.
Because the insulation, 25mm- 55mm, bonds to the inside of the
vehicle's steelwork, it prevents warm damp air condensing on the
inside of the panels and rib sections.
This ensures the inside of the van is alway dry without the need
for membrane barriers, which in-themselves can cause condensation
to form.
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| Follow our builds on Facebook
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BASED IN LEAFY STAFFORDSHIRE
15MINS FROM M6 J14
Unit 4 Cold Meece Est
Cold Meece
Staffordshire
ST15 0SP
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| MUDDY CAMPERS © 2020-2021 All
Rights Reserved
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| Owners of Trademarks are Respectfully Acknowledged | |
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