Whilst not a full time van resident, I do spend a lot of my time in the van and need to be able to work from it.

I have a mobile phone on O2 and a Huawei MiFi on Smarty but seem to struggle with internet access whenever we get anywhere even vaguely remote. South coast ( Cornwall, Devon and Dorset ) seems to be a huge blank spot for coverage as does North Yorkshire coast.

What are my options? I am trying to resist Starlink but is that my only truly reliable option?

I am trying an Honest Mobile eSIM at the moment but that only works for the phone not the laptop as they restrict which apps you can use.

Thanks and apologies if this has been asked many times before but I could not find what I thought would answer my issues.

I'm at the early stages of looking into a van conversion, and I think I'd like a short length but tall van (I'm 6'2 and would like to be able to stand). On AutoTrader I always see quite a few listings of L2H3 Transits that are old BT work vans, generally around ~£9-13k without a huge amount of miles. Given their high supply has anyone here got one, or knows anything about them in general? Are second hand vans from large companies generally a good idea or not?

Failing that, are there any better alternatives? I know the Renault Master/Vauxhall Movano have an L2H3 variant, but they seem harder to come by

Thanks!

Hi all - first timer, getting started on a Ford Custom L2H2. She‘s in decent shape but has all the usual scuffs and things that need attention.

I’m getting quite lost researching all the various products and recommendations out there.

Please critique my methodology and product choices when it comes to (1) rust treatment and prevention, (2) filling holes and (3) drilling holes into the van. I don’t mind overkill, but don’t want to buy unnecessary or the wrong products.

* * *

For treating surface interior rust (eg on floor and walls)

1. Metal wire brush attached to drill until I reach bare metal. Wipe clean with alcohol.
2. Apply rust converter (as extra insurance). Let cure and wipe clean with alcohol. Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80.
3. Apply primer, let cure and wipe clean with alcohol. Bilt Hamber epoxy mastic.

Question - could I be using Lechler 29107 instead of Bilt Hamber epoxy mastic for interior work? If so, do I need another step after Lechler?

= = = = =

For filling rusty holes under 10mm exposed to the elements (in this case in the wheel arch)

1. Metal wire brush until I reach bare metal. Wipe clean with alcohol.
2. Apply rust converter, let cure and wipe clean with alcohol. Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80.
3. (From outside) clean surface, apply metal mesh and small amount of fiberglass filler around hole. UPOL Isopol 40.
4. (From inside) apply small amount of epoxy mastic around hole. Let cure and wipe with alcohol. Bilt Hamber epoxy mastic.
5. (From inside) scuff lightly with sandpaper. 120 grit. Wipe clean.
6. (From inside) pack in fiberglass filler and let cure. UPOL Isopol 40.
7. (From inside) sand until flush. 120 grit. Wipe clean.
8. (From inside) apply epoxy mastic over scuffed and cleaned surface. Bilt Hamber epoxy mastic.
9. (From outside) spray on stone chip wax into wheel arch. Bilt Hamber Dynax UB.

= = = = =

For drilling new, exposed holes into body (eg to install roof brackets)

1. Drill hole, deburr hole and vacuum any flakes, wipe clean with alcohol.
2. Apply zinc primer to bare metal. Let cure and wipe clean with alcohol. Halfords zinc anti rust primer.
3. Apply sealant to rivnut. Sikaflex 522.

Question: should I be using an etching primer and paint instead of zinc primer + sealant? If so, what products would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone have any good experiences/recommendations for a camp site/spot in Norfolk as I have work coming up there for long term. Not that familiar with the area myself, but the work will be all over the county . Thanks in advance

Hi all.

just a couple of questions.

im gonna attempt to make a weatherproof kit with a diesel heater. I’m wondering a few things. I’m doing my research but if people have advice off the top of their head….Fantastic

VEVOR & ALTERNATIVES

Looking at the Vevor. Wondering if the cheap alternates are just as good?

AIR INTAKE

The heater will be outside. Concerned if it’s raining about the air intake pipe. Will the rain effect it and can it just be inside the weatherproof box that has small holes in it.

JACKERY

I understand a 10a is required minimimum to power the unit it up. Any recommendations on a Jackery or similar. The one I’ve seen is £200 not looked in more detail at these.

Will it function in southern UK winter temps outside?

EXHAUST

Am I right in assuming as long as the t pipe and muffler are outside the weatherproof box, that’s fine, doesn’t matter if it hangs out by 100m (exagerating) or 3 inches.

Thank You.

Upgraded our campervan electrics: 105Ah → 473Ah lithium and 1000W → 3000W inverter after a year of use previously.

One of the best upgrades we've made to the van has been massively increasing the battery and inverter capacity.

We went from a Fogstar 105Ah lithium battery to a Fogstar Drift 460Ah, which actually tested at 473.3Ah, and swapped our 1000W inverter for a 3000W Renogy.

It's completely changed how we use the van. We've pretty much stopped thinking about conserving electricity. It is so much less stressful!

We cook for three people using a dual induction hob, boil the kettle multiple times a day for tea and coffee, charge phones and tablets, and run the MaxxAir fan, lights, fridge and all the usual 12V stuff.

Even doing all of that, we've never managed to drop the battery below 60% in a day this summer.

We've also got 350W of solar, which on a decent summer day puts a lot of what we've used straight back in. Most days we're back up to, or very close to, 100% without needing EHU. We also have 50A B2B so our alternator runs whilst we drive and tops up. Although it really isn't needed that much.

Obviously winter will be a different test, but for summer touring it's basically made our electrical system feel unlimited.

The 105Ah battery was perfectly usable, but having nearly 6kWh of battery capacity and a 3kW inverter means we can now use the van much more like we would at home without constantly watching the battery percentage.

Anyone else gone massively oversized on their battery bank and found there's no going back?

As the title suggest, I'm full time in my van but also run my own tiling business which is handy as the space for tools isn't huge.

I used to have a work van and a live in van (with a partner) but am now going solo and have just bought a sprinter.

Anyone else out there doing something similar could share their design ideas for how they've done this?

Got my own ideas currently but open to hearing different solutions.

At the moment I'm thinking to take 800mm off the back and just put a wall up and access all my tools from the back door and the remainder be the live in section.

Im looking into converting a van to use for work and partial living probably around 10k ish for the van alone and then ill carry out the work myself to convert it

Im a bricklayer by trade so im seeking for advice from anyone in the trade who uses the van for work and trips away or living in i want to know what vans you have and how you have layed it out

As a bricklayer the main big things i need to carry is a mixer and profiles

Id really like for the van to be fully functional for living and work

​Hey everyone,

I'm new here, and looking for some practical advice or shared experiences from fellow van lifers and DIY builders who’ve hit a major mechanical wall.

​The Situation:

I'm based in Ireland and have a 2001 Renault Master II camper conversion with the 2.8L Sofim (S9W) turbo-diesel. Bought it recently with around 120,000 miles on the clock, expecting plenty of life left in it. Unfortunately, it suffered a catastrophic bottom-end engine failure (crankshaft/bearing failure).

​It’s completely non-runnable now. The rest of the van (camper conversion, bodywork, interior setup) is solid, but the engine is toast.

​Where I’m At:

​Garages: Standard commercial garages won't touch it to rebuild due to age, so a full engine replacement is the only repair route.

​Quotes: I’ve located a replacement S9W 700 engine via European dismantlers (RRR.LT / Ovoko) for around €1,300, and a local mechanic willing to do the swap for ~€1,800. So roughly €3,100 all-in to get it back on the road.

​Alternative: Selling it as a "non-runner / mechanic's project" on the local market to cut my losses and recoup what cash I can to pay down the existing loan on it.

​My Questions for the Community:

​Has anyone been through a full engine swap on an older commercial van/camper? Was it worth it in the end, or did it open up a whole new can of worms with ancillary issues?

​Has anyone purchased major parts from RRR.LT / Ovoko before? Any gotchas regarding 14-day warranties, delivery, or condition when the pallet lands?

​For those who had a catastrophic failure on an older van—did you fix it or cut your losses? If you sold as a non-runner project, did you find a decent buyer pool of DIYers/mechanics?

​Any specific quirks on the 2.8L Sofim (S9W) engines I should make sure my mechanic handles while the replacement engine is out on the floor? (Plan on doing the timing belt & water pump as standard).

​I'm getting plenty of advice from the mechanical side of things, but I’d really love to hear how other van owners handled this emotionally and financially when faced with a dead engine on a finished/semi-finished rig.

​Thanks in advance for any insights!

I’ve been trying to get insured on a 2010 Ford transit. I have a license since 2023 but no NCB because I’ve been a named driver. Employment is self employed writer.

Adrian Flux and said no;
They forwarded me to Sterling who said £9,300 which I can’t afford;
And JustKampers said they work with Sterling and can’t give me anything else.

Anyone have ideas? I don’t know what to do!

‼️Edit: sorted!!! £2.9k/y from Admiral. Thanks all

I'm desperately hoping Reddit has the answers here!

Long story short, my partner lives in a motorhome full time. He was working in a pub for the past year or so but has recently left that job as his acting career is taking off and wants to spend his time focused on that.

He changed his circumstances/details with his insurers a few days ago. He then received an email out of the blue cancelling his policy in 7 days time.

He is now finding it impossible to find cover and obviously this is very distressing as will impact his entire way of life!

Has anyone had any similar experiences or have any advice?

For context his insurance was AXA, using Adrian Flux as the broker.

Any help extremely appreciated!

Does it cost much to charge at overnight campsites/pitches compared to an ICE and its' fuel, and do vandwellers drive more than 200 miles in a day? If not will it become more practical in the future?

In a few weeks I'll be visiting Devon from New Zealand, and hopefully that includes a visit to my city of birth, Plymouth. I've rented a campervan from Quirky and now I'm little confused as there doesn't appear to be anywhere specific a tourist can park a van near the city. More than happy to pay for the privilege but even on the Plymouth City Council website they don't mention parking for vans at all.

There's a couple of spaces for larger vehicles in Elphinstone but I'd really prefer to park at the Milehouse Park and Ride as that will mean I can walk through Central Park and relive some childhood memories.

So my question is - are there any Plymouth/Devon locals here who know or use the Milehouse park and ride who can tell me if they have seen campervans parked there? And not getting ticketed?

We have a nice family tent setup and go camping multiple times a year. I'd like to buy a van that can seat 2 adults and 2 children (I can fit an extra seat if needed), has space for all our camping gear, and space at the back where I can build a kitchen/storage area. Ideally, I'd like to be able to open the rear doors and have a ready to go cooking area, built-in fridge, and storage drawers/cupboards, as I hate cooking on flimsy camping tables and doing all the setup every time.

I've been looking at the Transit Custom L1 H1, do you think this would have enough space? Are there any other vans that would be better suited? Ideally I don't want to go longer than an L1 as it will be my daily driver and I don't want anything too big.

Any alternative suggestions welcome, TIA!