Camper Conversions

Before you buy a single fitting, plan the layout. Vehicle choice, sleeping arrangement, what you'll actually use it for. Weekend trips need a totally different setup from full-time living.

The bed is the centrepiece. For a car/SUV like the CR-V, a hinged plywood platform that folds up is the sweet spot — sleeps flat, stores underneath, and removes completely. For vans, a fixed rear bed with storage underneath is standard.

Insulation is critical in a camper — not just for warmth but to prevent condensation, which is the #1 enemy of van life. Condensation destroys interiors, causes mould, and makes sleeping miserable.

Electrics are the most intimidating part of a conversion but follow a simple logic: battery stores energy, solar/alternator charges it, fuse box distributes it. For a weekender, a single leisure battery + basic solar is all you need.

From a simple gas stove and jerry can to a plumbed sink with a foot pump — your cooking setup depends on how long you'll be out. For weekenders, keep it minimal and removable.

Small spaces get messy fast. Smart storage — nets, bins, hanging organisers, under-bed drawers — is what separates a comfortable camper from a chaotic one. Think vertically and use every dead space.