This is my 2009 MWB Vauxhall Movano 3500 2.5 Litre 100PS CDI diesel panel van which I self-built into a campervan (a.k.a. motor-caravan or motor-home). Movano’s are actually a Renault Master van, re-badged and sold by Vauxhall. I was lucky enough to purchase this as a pre-regged/new van with 6 miles on the clock and converted it with a lot of hard work, a few mistakes, and good help here and there.
This is my second van. My first one was a proper VW Bay Window Campervan. It’s was a lot smaller and had a lot of drawbacks but man it was awesome all the same. Having a campervan opens up so many opportunities for adventure and for getting “off the grid“. So far I’ve lived in this self-build motorhome/campervan for 9 months off the grid; traveled round western Europe; got stranded for two days in a snow storm at -10 degrees C in Yorkshire; and had a lot of fun and great adventures!
Self-Built Campervan Conversion, Twice!
The first build I did was focused on utility as a work’s van primarily for the transportation and in-the-field maintenance of film and photography equipment. The near side half of the van was therefore primarily a storage unit and the van was setup with a bulk head and no side windows for security. The only light in the rear was via a sunroof which I fitted. After about 5 years of enjoying the van and realising just how much potential it had I stripped out everything and rebuilt it, taking into account all the learnings and experience I’d gathered in that time! It was to share these insights and learnings that I created this website. The second build was a full on mini-motorhome which was completed over about 2 years working on it in Italy and then in the UK.
Campervan Build: 2009 “Work Oriented Layout”
The photo montage above show the general layout. An “L” shaped sofa against the bulk head becomes a full double bed with storage beneath so that I slept across the van. The upper cupboards had open holes without doors. The Porta-Pottie sat beneath a pull out seat and the table therefore could have 3-5 adults around it. The kitchen was on the drivers side. It was basic but functioned well and the van retained it’s work credentials and capabilities. I wish I had more photos to show you but I didn’t really think to take them of the van since my work was doing filming and photography using the van. I must tell you about the time I was filming cyclists through France, hanging out the back doors with a climbing harness on, movie camera over my shoulder and walkie talkie in the other hand saying to my business colleague… “speed up! they’re gaining on us!” Yes, she was definitely a work van at that time! By the way, she was also called “Jess” and her full name was Lady Jessica II.
Motorhome Refit: 2015-2017 “Motorhome Layout”
Some of the things from the first conversion such as the gas heater, sink unit, LED lights and table mount could be reused but the entire interior was ripped out and redesigned. The picture below shows the start of the work to refit the campervan interior, where I am taking out the original build. You can see the frame of the kitchen with the blue freshwater tank nad the 12v water pump in front of the wheel arch:
Motorhome refit slide show:
Swipe these images to see some photos of the completed rebuild!
Full Video Tour of Vauxhall Movano Custom Campervan Conversion
This video below was shot in 2017 and I give you a complete tour of the finished van conversion:
See all the blog posts featuring this van including build projects and adventures.