Common Mistakes to Avoid When Converting Your VW Transporter
Converting your VW Transporter is an exciting journey, no doubt about it. VW Transporters are absolutely one of the best vans to convert, but it’s still very easy to make a few missteps along the way.
Trust me, after years of working on these vans, I’ve seen it all – from overloaded campers to rushed DIY jobs that didn’t quite hit the mark. So, whether you’re just getting started or already knee-deep in van build plans, it’s worth knowing some of the common mistakes to avoid.
Here’s a look at the big ones, along with some advice on how to create a conversion that’s both practical and built to last.
Spending Too Much Money On Your VW Transporter Conversion
Right, let’s talk about something that catches a lot of people out – overcapitalising on the conversion. Now, it’s easy to get excited about all the bells and whistles you can add, but here’s the thing: if you’re starting with a cheap base vehicle, it might not be the best investment, no matter how luxe the conversion ends up.
As an example, if you’ve got a budget of £40k, I’d recommend spending the bulk of it – say, around £30k – on a good quality van, and keeping the remaining £10k for the conversion itself.
It’s better to put more budget towards the actual vehicle & it’s condition
For a VW Transporter conversion, I’d always steer you towards a T5 model or newer. Anything older, like a T4, can seem tempting at first, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly these older models lose their resale value, even with a high-end conversion.
Investing in a solid base vehicle gives you a van you’ll want to hold on to for years. Not only will you have fewer maintenance issues, but you’ll also see a better return on your investment down the line. A T5 and up will give you a van that’s built to last and can handle everything you throw at it, from long road trips to weekend escapes.
Trust me, it’s worth the extra bit upfront on the right vehicle. You’ll thank yourself later!
Avoid Doing The Entire VW Transporter Conversion All at Once
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is don’t rush your conversion. This ties back to why I recommend spending a bit more on a quality base vehicle – because you can always add to the conversion over time as you save more money!
Doing the conversion in stages has so many perks. For starters, you’ll be able to focus your budget on the most essential parts first, without skimping on quality. The old saying, “buy cheap, buy twice,” couldn’t be more true in the campervan world.
When you rush to get everything done at once, you’re more likely to compromise on materials or features, which often means they’ll need replacing sooner than later.
What are the benefits of taking your time on the conversion?
There’s also a huge benefit to taking the van out for smaller trips between each phase of the build. By actually living in it – even if it’s just for a weekend getaway – you’ll start to get a feel for how you use the space and what you really need (or don’t need!).
You might realise, for example, that you’d rather invest in a slidepod for the extra bed space, or that a swivel seat up front would make a world of difference.
Building it bit by bit gives you time to get to know your van and refine it as you go. It’s not only more budget-friendly; it’ll help you create a van that genuinely suits your travel style. So, take it slow, enjoy the process, and make sure each part of your build is exactly what you want.
Trying to DIY Without Any Experience
When it comes to converting your campervan, it can be tempting to tackle the entire project yourself. But here’s the thing – not all aspects of a conversion are DIY-friendly, especially if you don’t have experience. Some parts of the conversion process really do benefit from a professional touch, both for quality and safety reasons.
Let me give you an example. Not long ago, a client brought their van to us after attempting to install a pop-top roof themselves. They’d managed to get the roof in place, but it wasn’t properly sealed, and water was leaking in whenever it rained.
By the time they came to us, the carpet lining was mouldy, and the interior was a complete mess. In the end, they spent double what they would have if they’d just come to us in the first place.
My recommendation if you want to DIY
So, what a lot of customers do is come to us for what we call a “stage 1” conversion, which takes care of the tougher (and riskier) jobs. This usually includes installing a pop-top roof, carpet lining, window fitting, and sometimes pre-wiring the electricals.
For customers who are willing to spend the time and effort on the DIY, they will take it from there knowing that the hardest parts are done right. They take care of the furniture installation, cabinetry and flooring – which you can usually find some decent tutorials for on YouTube.
Certain elements, like pop-tops and electrical wiring, can be complex and require specific tools, materials, and experience. Mistakes in these areas aren’t just costly but can lead to major safety issues down the road.
So, my advice? If you’re new to van conversions, consider investing in professional help for those challenging, foundational jobs. Once those are done to a high standard, you’ll have a solid base to build on and can put your energy (and budget) into the more customisable parts of the conversion – the bits that truly make your van feel like home.
Overloading the Van with Heavy Materials
One common mistake I see is people getting a bit carried away with heavy materials and too many add-ons in their VW Transporter conversions. When you’re looking for van conversion ideas, every extra feature can feel like a must-have.
But, there’s a downside to piling on the weight – it can really impact the van’s handling, fuel efficiency, and even its legality on UK roads.
When it comes to choosing materials, I always recommend going lightweight wherever possible. For example, bamboo and aluminium are great options because they’re sturdy, stylish, and don’t add loads of unnecessary weight. Every little bit counts, especially in a smaller van like the VW Transporter.
Sometimes clients will come to us wanting to install a pop-top roof or some new furniture and we have to tell them their van is already massively overloaded. Often, this means replacing existing parts of the conversion, which is obviously not ideal.
So, my advice is to think practically: a lighter, more agile van is going to give you a smoother and safer ride every time.
Trying to Cram Too Much Into a Small Space
Okay, so this is similar to my last point in that you have to be a bit choosy about the features you want to add. Some clients come to me and say they want a double sink, a shower, a toilet, a large bed and heaps of storage space in their short wheel base Transporter. Sometimes, they think they’ve bought a school bus and not a modest sized van.
One of the best things about the VW transporter is that they’re small enough to use as your everyday commuter van – they can fit in one car spot, have enough clearance for shopping centre car parks and overall, they’re just easy to drive.
But obviously, less space means you have much fewer options for the conversion. I recommend doing research on previous builds for your specific van. Especially for a van as popular as the VW Transporter, there are heaps of people that have tried different layouts and compromised on different features to fit what was most important to them.
By looking at previous conversions on your specific van model, you can be more realistic about the space you have to work with. Another good point of reference is to check out our VW conversions. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we’ve worked out the layout that makes the most sense.
Forgetting Heating
Now, this is something that I see all too often, and it’s honestly enough to ruin a good trip in my opinion. Even in the most amazing campground, if you’re shivering all night then that’s all you’ll be focusing on, trust me!
A lot of clients say to me, “But I’m getting insulation, isn’t that enough to keep me warm?” Well, insulation can only do so much. It’s great for trapping heat, but when there’s no heat to begin with, it doesn’t do much for you! From my experience, even the thickest sleeping bags can’t keep out the chill in UK winters.
That’s why I always recommend a diesel heater.These heaters are not only affordable and efficient to run, but they’re also designed with safety in mind. Unlike log burners, they’re engineered to prevent any risk of carbon monoxide leaks, so you can rest easy and warm without a worry.
Adding one of these heaters to your setup means you can enjoy your trips during the cooler months. And let’s be honest, that’s pretty much from September through to May here in the UK. So, if you want to be able to enjoy your van more than a few months a year, a heating system is a no-brainer in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
Converting your VW Transporter is a rewarding project, especially when it’s done right. By avoiding some of these common mistakes, you’ll end up with a van that’s comfortable, safe, and ready for all the adventures you can dream up.
Remember, a good base vehicle and a phased, high-quality approach will take you much further than trying to tackle everything at once or cutting corners to save a few quid. So, take your time, prioritise what matters, and enjoy the process – after all, the journey is half the fun!
Wanting some help for the tricky parts of your build? Just get in touch with us about a VW transporter conversion. If you are looking for some more guidance on how to choose the best VW Transporter model, just check out our recent blog!
