Phew. It’s been a long 20 months or so, characterised by lockdowns and listlessness, by bottoms parked on the sofa rather than being shaken on the dancefloor, and camper vans parked in the drive rather than rolling down the open road.
But with restrictions lifted and the recent “van life” trend sweeping the nation, one of the most popular DIY projects across the UK throughout lockdown was campervan renovations. Rather than let their campervans gather dust, many spent the past year and a half of downtime getting theirs glammed up and ready for an adventure?
And it seems like these renovation efforts might soon be bearing fruit…will 2022 be the year of the campervan or caravan holiday? We certainly think so.
If you too have a campervan renovation on your bucket list, then rest assured that there are several little tweaks and tricks you can do to ensure that you’ll be living life in the fast lane (if your maximum laden weight doesn’t exceed 7.5 tonnes, that is) when you hit the road. With that in mind, here are 5 top tips to help you get started.
SEEK INSPIRATION FROM THE CAMPERVAN COMMUNITY
The campervan community is an inclusive and welcoming one, full of folk willing to share niche knowledge and ideas, and even lend a helping hand in return for a cuppa and some campervan bantz.
So, seek inspiration from other campervan enthusiasts, and tap into the rich and diverse community at every opportunity. The UK Campsite community is a great place to start, complete with their own forum that’s active every day with caravan and campervan chatter. Alternatively, the small motorhome community has its own discussion board, too. Check it out here.
MotorhomeFun is a little more expansive, with community members from across the globe discussing campervan trips in far flung places. It’s enough to get our engine going, that’s for sure.
Finally, for £54 a year you can become a member of the Campervan and Motorhome Club, which is the UK’s largest network of its kind. By becoming one of their over 30’000 members, you gain access to exclusive campsites, pitches and knowledge, as well as their lively discussion group, that’s always active and engaging.
SAFETY FIRST
It’s one thing for your campervan to look the part, but it’s quite another for it to play the part, too. Before you get going with your campervan renovation project, it’s a good idea to ensure your vehicle is safe and secure, in order to protect your investment from damage or it being stolen.
First things first, then; it’s essential to reinforce or replace the van’s doors. Not only do you need a door that is safe and secure but having one that blends in naturally with the rest of the campervan’s style is ideal. Tambour doors add a modern touch for those with a more contemporary model, while with more traditional vans, it may be best to keep the original door and just update the lock using properly secured with door catches.
MOULD REMOVAL
Now, it’s time to look inwards. You’re not going to impress those new campervanning friends you’ve made if your pride’n’joy rolls into the campsite looking dirty and decrepit.
As with any vehicle previously used for outbound adventures but has since been sitting locked down in a driveway, there’s a fair likelihood that your newly purchased, second-hand campervan has been exposed to moisture or rainfall.
It’s wise, then, that you apply a mould removing agent to your campervan’s walls, crevices, nooks and crannies, even if there is none immediately visible. Campervan walls are notoriously prone to mould and rot.
Should the walls need total replacement, firstly; don’t panic. This is fairly normal for the restoration of a second-hand campervan. Wall panels or plywood are the most budget-friendly options here, but it’s wise to consult your campervanning community for the best advice on the subject.
A NEW PAINT JOB
Once the mould is cleared and the foundation is laid for your self-expression and creativity, it’s time to give your campervan a fresh lick of paint.
If you need to give the whole campervan a fresh coat of paint then the main option is to fully respray it, though there are ways to repaint your van without respraying it. This isn’t only for aesthetic purposes; it protects some elements of your campervan (such as the wheel arches) from corrosion via a preemptive layer of under sealant.
Otherwise, you could just add a bit of character by adding some stylish decals, touching up little bits or painting. You could even go crazy and embrace the iconic “flower power” designs of sixties and seventies campervans.
MODERNISE THE KITCHENETTE
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and this is certainly true for a mobile one. It’s wise to invest a fair amount of time and energy, then, in refurbishing the kitchenette, modernising its appliances and eking out any extra prep space you can with smart, savvy storage solutions. If you make the kitchenette a place you enjoy cooking and spending time, then you’ll save a big chunk of your holiday budget on eating out.
Not to mention that eating out under the stars is a wonderful way to spend an evening on a campervanning holiday, too.
Items such as magnetic spice racks, foldable chopping boards, and durable crockery which won’t break if you suddenly have to, erm, brake, are all wise investments.
You can make your campervan’s kitchen space look more glamorous, too, by adding a tile backsplash to it. It’s fast and easy to achieve for such a small space but really upgrades the look. Choose something timeless like white subway tile or opt for something with a bit more personality that matches the rest of the space.