Hi all, new to this site so hoping to get some experienced advice. I am looking to buy a LWB transit e.g. Ford Custom or similar.
Appreciate any does and donts off people that have done this, it will be a first camper we have hired one and loved it so cant wait to start the project. It will be just for me and the wife so looking for a good standard conversion
Welcome to UKCS. This is an apples & oranges question, because what might suit us (retired couple; we enjoy cooking; one dog; need a loo but not a shower) might not suit you (eg happy to climb up a ladder to an upper mattress, not bothered about an oven, happy to have a portapotti in a cupboard - PS I’m making that up).
There is a limited range of LWB conversion permutations, however: you need to get to dealers & the NEC show & look in windows of parked vehicles & ask people nicely on sites & look online.
Attend as many shows as you can, and step into as many vans as you can, to decide what layout and equipment that suit your needs and wants.
That's how I decided to go down the customer panel van conversion route as I was not able to find a van that ticked all the boxes for me.
I found the van converter that carried out my conversion via researching on the internet, and converted a new van to my design specifications.
Good luck!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Got to agree with DK, get yourself to shows and dealers forecourts, to get a real 'hands on' experience, pretty pictures in brochures really do not tell the whole story!
In my case, in choosing whether I wanted a Camper, MH or Caravan, and then having opted for the Caravan, what kind of layout and features I wanted - I changed my mind significantly from my theoretical ideal thoughts at the start, to what actually worked for me in real life. In my case, a big change was I thought I could tolerate OK a compact 'wet room' type shower and toilet, but having tried to get in a few, discovered I didn't really fit (I'm quite a big bloke!) - A full width rear bathroom became a 'must have'!
It's a big investment, you don't want to be getting it wrong from the start! - There are tales aplenty of people buying (and probably building too) vehicles to their poorly thought through 'theoretical' dream, only to find they can't or don't want to live with it within months of first use, then making expensive exchanges to a different vehicle or layout!
You've got to think a bit 'worse case scenario', can you (or do you want to) climb into a high mounted bed when you're really tired out, or suffered a minor injury - strained back, jarred ankle etc), or for that matter when you're a bit older and nothing works as well as it used to! Also, beds up in the 'roof space' will be much hotter in summer than one nearer the floor! Do you want to restrict yourself to only campsites with facilities, or would you rather have a wider choice by having onboard loo/shower. Is there sufficient 'living space' for those really grim days when the weather is foul and all you want to do is retreat to somewhere warm and comfy? Don't assume you'll always have awning space, they are not terribly tolerant of extreme winds, so you may have to take it down, or not be able to erect it! Even in early and late parts of the year when the sun sets early, and it gets chill outside, a bit of indoor comfort is much appreciated. And only having a bed to lie on can get tedious and uncomfortable, it's nice to sit properly. Where are you going to eat, table and seats are so much more comfortable than holding a plate or eating off your lap!
Life in a Camper/MH/Caravan is often about compromise and clever adaptability so fittings have multi-role functionality, or can be folded up/away to give space for alternative use.
Custom built units to an individuals requirements, are a potential folly, whoever commissioned it may of had a specific lifestyle in mind, or say may have been of small stature, so the bed is not 'full size', didn't want to cook, so minimalist cooking facilities, no fridge etc. Common one is no gas, so you are limited to sites with EHU, or a rather elaborate onboard Solar/Battery/Inverter setup. A custom build needs extra careful scrutiny.
With a MH, you obviously have to consider the base vehicle, reliability (including inherent design issues which many seem to have!), maintenance, driving comfort, fuel economy etc. Plus the odd things that don't come immediately to mind - is it compliant with current and imminent emission zones (both in UK and abroad) and does that bring charges or outright bans! Different max speed limits apply depending on whether it's still registered as a commercial vehicle, or has been registered as a MH.
You just need to be thorough and thoughtful in a methodical way, to identify where the compromises lie. ..... and accept there will be compromises, but then choose what you can and cannot live with.
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 06/7/2026
Never been to a van show in my life. I'd rather deep clean my toilet cassette.
Your choice of course, for both.
But have you got any helpful suggestions for the OP, who’s just joined UKCS?
Not without knowing more about what they want to do. Sites, off-grid, touring, staying put for long periods etc etc. My preference is to avoid overload of shows. Take a visit to a few dealers, look at vans on your travels.
For information - I wanted an end kitchen and shower room that can be separated from the living area with a door. Also a drop-down bed over the living area so as to maximise the livng space and without the need to make up and put away the bedding every night and morning. Also no gas/LPG, only electric and a diesel heater for hot water and heating in the colder months.
At the time in 2019, a sub-6m van with a drop-down bed was far and between, so was end kitchen, and I was not able to find a van without gas/LPG. Hence I went down the custom PVC route.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Transit Camper Conversion
via mobile 05/7/2026 at 7:39pm
