Your Favourite Panel Van Conversion

[Pausim]

Do any of these suggested PVCs have a shower where the toilet doesn't get wet, i.e. a swivel partition or something?

On our Malibu Van the toilet swivels out of the shower area into a cubby and we have not had a wet loo problem.

 

[BobJayne]

Some have separate showers

Maybe but which ones and then they must be significantly longer to accommodate it.

 

[quentinsf]

Nice to see a few Murvi recommendations on here. I've never actually owned one, but have a soft spot for them since it was borrowing a friend's ancient Morello that got us into campervanning in the first place. The comfiest sofas I've come across in a van, and the old-style mounting, where you could undo a couple of bolts, turn the sofa 90 degrees and it became belted forward-facing seats was, I thought, brilliant. Or you could remove it completely - we borrowed it again to carry a large sofa-bed when we moved house...

However, we have just done the classic Goldilocks thing, having first a Bilbo's LWB T5, then a 6m Auto-Sleeper Symbol Plus, and have now gone for the middle ground with a 5.4m Westfalia Columbus (by remortgaging the house, selling a couple of nephews into slavery, etc). We've just come back from our first trip and I'm very impressed with it so far. The ability to head for any pub or supermarket car-park without having to worry about parking, while still having a fixed bed and shower on board, is pretty amazing.

I might want a bigger van for living in, but I can't imagine doing better than this for travelling and exploring in.

P.S. Did I mention under-floor heating? How decadent is that?

 

[Terry]

I’ve looked at that many my brain is frazzled
On my last self build I put up a shower curtain that simply hung back beyond the loo and draped over it keeping it dry and well away from sticking to you - if you get what I mean The shower/toilet is Lisa’s pet hate and she hate’s showers that wet the loo

 

[TheAleMan]

Do any of these suggested PVCs have a shower where the toilet doesn't get wet, i.e. a swivel partition or something?

Our van that’s on order is specced to have a separating toilet that can be taken out of the bathroom area to allow full use of the 1m x 750mm shower tray, so won’t be getting that toilet wet.

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[GMLS]

My ideal van would be a MAN or Mercedes chassis with a U shaped rear lounge and a drop down bed above with a small seating area at the front. The new to UK Megalounge 680s by Megamobil seems to fit the bill and I have been in touch with Select one of the few dealers.I'd want something top quality and like the lack of hard plastics and metal.

The interiors of the S&L, Consort, IH and Vantages etc nice as they are all seem a bit "care home" ish if you get my drift.

 

[Neckender]

We had 6 motorhomes coach built and PVCs and our last one a 2017 Globecar Campscout uprated to 4.5 ton with hydraulic levellers was by far our best van but due to mother in laws ill health we decided to stop touring and sold the van in 2019.

Then in 2021 We decided to buy a new VW T6.1 6 seater Kombi which I have fitted a king size bed with sliding tray underneath for all our storage, 200 ah of lithium batteries, Victron charger, shunt, MPPT controller, 50 ah Victron B to B, Chinese diesel heater and Berghaus air awning our setup does everything we need.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I am reading this thread with interest as I can imagine that one day I will want a shorter van. As most of you know, we are new to motor homing and only bought our 7,42M van in June last year. But in this short time of ownership, we (the missus and I) have realised that we could not live with a non permanent bed or a combined toilet and shower. We also would not be happy with less than 100L tanks each of fresh/grey water. So this probably limits us somewhat. Are we the only ones who's must-haves include these items?

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Do any of these suggested PVCs have a shower where the toilet doesn't get wet, i.e. a swivel partition or something?

We have an Adria Twin 640 SGX and it has the wall partition which can be moved across to hide the toilet and so keep it dry. Mark has used the shower but I find it a bit claustrophic so either use the onsite showers if there is one or Fresh Wipes which are my favourite go to for times when a shower isn't possible.

I do love our Adria Twin but having looked at the Consort PVCs if we didn't have dogs then I'd have the 6m with the fixed big bed. The only use for our dinette is the 2 seat belts which we can use for the dogs and Harry's bed is on the seat.

 

[Puddleduck]

A fixed bed is a must and longitudinal not transverse.

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[Barriesimpson]

A fixed bed is a must and longitudinal not transverse.

Yeah, transverse just doesn't seem right for some reason, apart from the having to climb over a body (live, hopefully) to go to bed.

 

[bluesurf989]

We have just moved on from our Hymer C544sl to a Autotrail V-line 610. A bit tight compared to the Hymer but we love it.

 

[TheAleMan]

We have just moved on from our Hymer C544sl to a Autotrail V-line 610. A bit tight compared to the Hymer but we love it.

And you’ll get used to the smaller space just like we will have to. The narrowness of our upcoming PVC will be it’s strength for us, as it will enable us to get into off the beaten track places that our current van just won’t allow us to do. Every size van has its place for someone, just that we will be happy now with a smaller footprint van all round.

 

[PlymBob]

I’m a newbie and only done a little over 8000 miles in my first year. But put a lot of thought into it before getting a Possl/Globecar Summit Prime 540 and wouldn’t change, though never say never.

Lengthwise will fit on a residents parking permit and pretty much any parking space. Garage will accommodate a couple of Bromptons (folded but standing up) plus loads more. People have already mentioned the usable swing door shower, loads of storage cupboards, quality finish. Easy to drive, comfortable, bright and spacious in a tiny footprint with a permanent bed and usable kitchen worktop space.

 

[BobJayne]

Can you keep the toilet roll dry with that swing shower door though?

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[georgio]

We have had a globecar family scout l for the past 11 years but cannot find anything as spacious.

 

[Wicketter]

Just ordered a Knaus Boxlife MQ. Looked at loads of PVC’s and wanted to like Kaktus and Vanworx.Sadly not exactly what we wanted and very pricey also tricky to p/ex.
We also looked at the Globe Traveller and Rapido Dreamer. We currently have a Vantage Neo ( 2019) and previously had an IH 630 RL, which we were very unhappy with.
We love the Vantage, great build quality and far superior build to I H.
The deal breaker for us was we wanted to go down to 6m and we wanted a local dealer. We have gone for the Knaus with a front dinette, fixed rear bed which lifts to provide a better garage space when needed.No oven , because we never use it, diesel heating with 4 belted seats. We love the Vantage Neo but after nearly 6 years looking forward to a change…time will tell! One more trip in our current van to look forward to.

 

[Mad dog]

Do any of these suggested PVCs have a shower where the toilet doesn't get wet, i.e. a swivel partition or something?

Yes, the Dreamer D55 does. The toilet & shower are separate compartments in a 6m van.

 

[PlymBob]

Can you keep the toilet roll dry with that swing shower door though?

Indeed you can

 

[ontheroadagain]

Can you keep the toilet roll dry with that swing shower door though?

On an Adria yes, as the swing wall goes below the level of the top of the toilet. Not all are like this and some stop above which I assume results in a wet toilet.

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[ontheroadagain]

Yes, the Dreamer D55 does. The toilet & shower are separate compartments in a 6m van

Always thought that was a very clever use of space in a D55.

 

[dunnah01]

PVCs aren't real motorhomes - far too many compromises

 

[Skez]

PVCs aren't real motorhomes - far too many compromises

Quite true. They’re campervans that appeal to people with a far more adventurous spirit - more popcorn please

 

[Peter Nicol]

Given that, most of us will see sense one day and buy a PVC. . Which one will you buy? The price needs to be a consideration, so no fantasy stuff, but what will it be?

I've been looking hard, and for a couple of years I thought my next van would definitley be an Adria Twin. But it's looking more likely to be a fixed bed Consort. I was really impressed with them at their factory tour last year.

What's your fave van conversion?

View attachment 1006762

We love our Romahome R30. 4 seats, 2 beds and fits in a car parking space. Well put together.

 

[TheAleMan]

PVCs aren't real motorhomes - far too many compromises

Like…..

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[Barriesimpson]

Like…..

No separate shower room. Water tank too small (if you have one). Waste water tank too small. Black water deposit too small (again, if you have one). No room for an LPG installation. No fixed double bed. You need to open the woosh-bang so you can cook. No room for solar panels. No room for a healthy electric installation. Fridge too small and no separate freezer. That'll do for now, just to get you all going

 

[TheAleMan]

No separate shower room. Water tank too small (if you have one). Waste water tank too small. Black water deposit too small (again, if you have one). No room for an LPG installation. No fixed double bed. You need to open the woosh-bang so you can cook. No room for solar panels. No room for a healthy electric installation. Fridge too small and no separate freezer. That'll do for now, just to get you all going

Only if you buy the wrong PVC van.