Step by Step – How I converted a Peugeot Partner Van into a
Mini Campervan

Tentbox addition to my Peugeot Partner Campervan Conversion

I took another gamble and added a tent box to our mini campervan conversion. We opted for XL tentbox lite – which can sleep four, so optimal room for myself and my partner. To trial with our dog in Spring 2025.

Steps to making your dream camper a reality:

1. Making the decision to take the leap!

If you are at the stage of making the leap, congratulations! I am sure you will be in for a great adventure. Make sure to check that you check your finances and make a check list, not only is there the van price to consider – but insurance and road tax, breakdown cover and any modifications you might want to make in the back.

2. Purchasing the Van.

10 things to consider when purchasing a van to convert into a campervan.

When purchasing a van to convert to a Campervan in the UK, there are several important factors to consider:

What will you use the van for? What size will you need?

1. Intended Use: What do you want from your Campervan? Do you want a small van, or a larger van? How will you convert it? Will you use the van as a main vehicle, or for work also? What mod-cons do you want in your van? Will it be off-grid, or will you use it at campsites?
2. Size and Capacity: 2 important things to consider. Size and capacity of the van – what are your needs? Will it be for a solo traveller, a couple, or a family? Think about the interior space and load weight the van can handle.
   

Other things to consider when deciding on a mini-campervan conversion.

1. Fuel Efficiency: Look for a van with good fuel economy , especially if you are using it daily, or going on really long adventures. Some vans can be gas-guzzlers, if you are like me and doing things on a budget- its something to consider.
2. Insurance Costs: Research and compare insurance costs for different van models. always shop around. Always check with your insurer when you make any modifications.
3. Maintenance and Servicing: Explore the availability of servicing facilities locally, as well as the cost and frequency needed for servicing the van. The older the van – the more maintenance will be needed. It will be like a hobby, is this something you can learn? Do you know a reputable mechanic, or have friends who can help you learn?
4. Resale Value: Consider the resale potential of the van, especially if you plan to upgrade in the future. If buying an older van, there may be losses when selling forwards – even if upgrading. It is something to consider.
5. Break-down cover: Really important, the last thing you want is to break-down and have no support!
6. Emissions: Be mindful of the van’s emissions and any potential charges or restrictions in certain areas based on emissions standards. This is true specifically for larger cities in the UK (ULEZ in London for example).
7. Special Features: Depending on your needs, it might be wiselook into special features. Security – electricity, etc . Reverse parking cameras or sensors are a must for me!
   
8. Drive-a-bility – How drivable is the van, for your road ability?

3. Check out reputable dealers and start pricing up vans

I opted for a Peugeot Partner, as they are known to be reliable small vans. I also opted to convert the back into a campervan – but use it for AMALAwellness business needs and for my main form of transport so I could afford it. I did not want to be paying for 2 lots of insurance, road tax and MOT/Services. It balances out at roughly the same as paying for my car, which is a bonus.

However, everyone’s circumstances are different – so what will suit you?

4. Converting the van into the campervan

Stage 1 – Deciding what conversion kit to use.

Initially the back started out as a shell , with a few yoga mats and some equipment stored in! February 2024 update

Camp Out Conversions

I decided, upon some research – to use Camp Out Conversions (Facebook link).

The owner, Cel, was really good communicating and made sure the conversion kit would fit our van.

The kit comes fully assembled, with the seating area pulling out into a bed. There is ample storage, a sink and area for a stove too in the drawers. The kit also came with the cushions, which I was able to select the colours I wanted.

By converting my small Peugeot Partner van into a campervan – I have achieved a dream I thought would never be accessible or affordable to me.

Camp out Conversions offered the flexibility to create a personalized, compact travel space suited to our needs.


The next steps are sourcing essential camping and festival items like a stove, kettle, water storage, and implementing creative storage solutions such as an overhead net.

It is wonderful to enjoy the comfort and convenience of a customized mini campervan.

This is where we are at March 2024… as we dd more mod-con’s, we will update the blog.

Thank you for reading!

Tent Box Addition – more detail.

A popular brand for expanding campervans, or just adding to a car is the tentbox.

www.tentbox.com

I got a local mobile mechanic to fit the tentbox, but fitted the roof rack myself. The roof rack needed modifying by the mechanic, as the nuts need to be a certain torc.

Important things to consider when adding a tentbox to your mini campervan conversion

1. Make sure the tentbox is fitted correctly, on suitable roof rack bars for your vehicle.
2. Let your insurance know you have modified your vehicle.
3. Ensure you can set it up and put it away correctly before travelling, getting used to it will be essential and come in handy – especially in bad weather. The cover can be tight, so good to practise. Especially putting it away, the practise will make each time much simpler.
4. It can be very dark inside, ensure that you have sufficient lighting for your set up.
5. The ladders must be fitted correctly so that you can open it out and get in and out easily and safely. I use step ladders to make sure I can do everything safely.

Have fun camping!

We hope to go on many adventures in our mini campervan in 2025. The conversion has been an affordable journey to finally aspiring to one of my dreams. Owning a campervan!

I hope this post inspires you to go off the usual track for campervans and create an affordable van of your dreams.

We will be updating with other mod-cons as time goes on. Last updated Halloween, 31/10/2024.