Just a quick one to ask which of the big shows attracts the most exhibitors for custom van conversion please.
I have started my plan to replace my car and my van with a single vehicle in the form of a custom-converted VW Transporter when I finally retire for good in a few years' time.
I believe I have a rough idea what I would like in the van, however, I need to see some design examples for inspiration and also to check out the workmanship of the conversions.
Thanks for your help in advance.
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!
While there will be a big show with the 'most' I think the majority don't attend due to the cost. Some of the van life festivals may be better venues to see custom conversions. Certainly from what I've seen from the 'socials'. Never been to either - I'd rather deep clean my toilet cassette but if you need to go...
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 25/8/2026
While there will be a big show with the 'most' I think the majority don't attend due to the cost. Some of the van life festivals may be better venues to see custom conversions. Certainly from what I've seen from the 'socials'. Never been to either - I'd rather deep clean my toilet cassette but if you need to go...
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Having driven a VW T6.1 for three years now, I’m starting to think about going electric. Performance, particularly charge range, seems to have got to a point that is acceptable: and purchase price is, if anything, slightly less. The T7 Transporter is essentially a rebadged Transit, while the California is now built on the VW Multivan. There’s a couple of interesting conversations built on the Kia PV5 body, and on the ID Buzz. Car tax is zero, and I’m guessing servicing should be cheaper. Main VW dealer seems extortionate to me.
There seems to be reasonable information in the form of online video, though I might have to go and take a look, if I decide to move away from my present van. Just for info, it’s a pop top 2l DSG, which is comfortable for cruising, and ok for a daily drive, though a bit wide for some car parks; the poptop takes it up to 2.08m high, so there are a few height barriers it won’t go under. Also, being van, there are a few rattles, but you’ll have had that in the Crafter, I guess
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 26/8/2026
Having driven a VW T6.1 for three years now, I’m starting to think about going electric. Performance, particularly charge range, seems to have got to a point that is acceptable: and purchase price is, if anything, slightly less. The T7 Transporter is essentially a rebadged Transit, while the California is now built on the VW Multivan. There’s a couple of interesting conversations built on the Kia PV5 body, and on the ID Buzz. Car tax is zero, and I’m guessing servicing should be cheaper. Main VW dealer seems extortionate to me.
There seems to be reasonable information in the form of online video, though I might have to go and take a look, if I decide to move away from my present van. Just for info, it’s a pop top 2l DSG, which is comfortable for cruising, and ok for a daily drive, though a bit wide for some car parks; the poptop takes it up to 2.08m high, so there are a few height barriers it won’t go under. Also, being van, there are a few rattles, but you’ll have had that in the Crafter, I guess
Thanks for that, which is very helpful.
Yes to rattles in the Crafters, so I am used to that.
I thought about a smaller vehicle, however, I could be spending more than 3 weeks on the road once I have retired, so more comfort will be required in the form of a bigger van than a Caddy.
With a smaller van, I could have a drive-away awning to add some living space, and it would be easier to take the van out and about on excursions.
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!
Re EV vans… last time I looked, which was a while ago, the battery on the IDBuzz was under the floor & meant no fresh or waste water tanks. But using a hog & waste canister like a caravan would not be a problem; they’d just take up space in transit.
But designs move on, so inventive design might have solved that.
Not yet seen an EV PVC on site, but maybe distance issues stop them touring in the remote sites we tend to go to.
Been to the big shows at NEC a couple of times, but a few years back now, and that was when I was open minded about caravan, camper or MH, so looked at all without prejudice as still to decide which route to go, and no great recollection of any custom builders there, just the big name companies and off the shelf vehicles. Not surprising really, those shows are so expensive to buy stand space I doubt a small custom builder could afford to do so!
If you look at VW current full EV commercial offerings then the range would seem to be totally contrary to the notion of touring in a camper based on one! Even the optimistic WLTP ranges look pathetic, reality is going to be 100m or so! Perhaps fine as a local delivery wagon, but not a motorway mauler it would seem! You've got to consider many people want to venture into rural and out of the way places where charging is a real challenge, so no wonder they are yet to take off in any significant way in the camper world.
As to quality, you need to consider the base vehicle first, and if you pay attention to motoring matters, VW ID Buzz seems to be absolutely beset with problems, the complaints just keep flooding in, and worse still, VW don't seem good at fixing them either!
I know you like to plan well ahead DK, but not sure future motoring options are at all clear at the moment. The industry is fighting back hard against killing off ICE vehicles, Hydrogen may be on the brink of becoming a reality, EV's are only edging very slowly towards better range with current battery tech, and really looks like a new battery technology is required to make any major leaps forward. 5 years ahead is very difficult to read IMHO, and I spent my working life crystal ball gazing as head of design in tech companies, so well used to trying to predict future trends and developments!
Even with a higher max weight of 4,250kg for car licence only holders, the range of EV vans with a large battery will be 200 miles max when kitted out and loaded for camper van use. In reality expect 100-150 miles.
Based on the current VW commercial vehicle brochure, I am looking at a T7 Trasporter plug in hybrid (PHEV) and it has a 63L tank for petrol, not diesel. Probably need to get one before they stop making hybrids and offer them for sale in 2035!
Goodness knows what will be available in 6 years' time! If a self-charging hybrid or a completely self-charging electric van are available, then I shall take one of them.
ID Buzz is not on the card as the cab divider cannot be removed as far as I can make out.
The range on a full charge and charging infrastructure is still a concern, hence I am looking at a PHEV and not a full electric van.
Looking at getting a SWB Transporter at just over 5m in overall length, to be kitted out with just a bed for me only.
Still plenty of time to decide on the specifications on the van as well as the conversion.
Needness to say, I shall go down the custom route for the conversion. As for the base van, have to wait and see, and I know going directly to VW is likely to be very expensive; so some trade off might be required, such as getting a van as close to my ideal specification as possible with as low milage as possible.
I have seen vans with less than 10 miles and just one owner, which I took as the delivery mileage to commercial van companies as the first registered owners.
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$$ on it and walk away!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is for six years down the line?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 03/9/2026
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is for six years down the line?
Yup, when I finally retire and start to draw my state pension and have a bus pass!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Just witnessed another morning bed-making chore with my current camp neighbours and I know I definitely do not want to do that myself.
Hence I have kind of worked out how to kit out my future van with a Murphy drop down bed for one hinged length-wise, wide enough for a Therm-a-rest Luxury Map XL as the mattress, covered with a custom cover that can be removed and washed, with the bedding secured by straps when the bed is folded up, with storage cupboards underneath.
Still in 2 minds if bench seating is needed as I shall have swivel seats in the cab and there is onlyt one of me needing a seat (the dog can sit/sleep wherever he wants).
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!
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 03/9/2026
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is for six years down the line?
Yup, when I finally retire and start to draw my state pension and have a bus pass!
DK
Okay, I like to do my research like the next person but this seems too be in the extreme
I mean most, if not all, of what you’re looking at now probably won’t exist in six years time.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
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: Which show to visit for custom conversion
via mobile 25/8/2026 at 8:40pm
