In the spring of 2024, we decided to buy a van and convert it into a motorhome. We had only two requirements: It had to have air conditioning and be long and tall, meaning L3H2.
So we bought a 2007 Peugeot Boxer. The price was €4,000.
You can find a video of our conversion and other minor modifications on our YouTube channel.
Here you’ll find a description of our conversion, along with an explanation of the methods and materials used. My goal was to go my own way and turn the van into a fully-fledged motorhome with all the comforts – and at the lowest possible purchase price.
One of the first things we did was install the side windows. Like everything else, I made the windows myself.
Of course, minor scratches on the body also had to be repaired.
Next, we swapped out the seats. Instead of the original 1+2 seats, we installed two separate swivel seats that originally came from a Ford Transit.
We were able to start converting the cargo area. First, we had to clean everything and prepare the electrical wiring. We built two of them, one for 12V and one for 230V.
We were then able to start with the insulation. We decided not to use K-Flex like almost everyone else, but instead to insulate with 50mm mineral wool combined with polystyrene.
In addition, a platform had to be created for the third seat, the floor of which was level with the front of the car.
Of course, the installation of a vapor barrier was also necessary.
Before you begin the interior work, you need to have everything ready on the roof. This includes both the solar panel and the skylights.
Laying the floor was quite easy.
We were then able to continue with the technical equipment in the garage. The power unit was located in the right wheel arch. It contained the solar controller, 230V inverter, charger, fuses, circuit breaker, and batteries. In the left wheel arch, there was a 65-liter tank on top, a 6-liter boiler, and a pressure pump.
Once all the wiring was complete, the interior work could begin. The kitchen features a 150 cm long countertop with a gas stove and sink. Beneath the countertop are cupboards for dishes, two drawers in the middle, and a 40-liter compressor refrigerator underneath.
And here it is. For the first season. For next year (2025), we made some changes and adjustments. In this form, the car, with full diesel and water tanks, weighed 2730 kg. Considering the materials used and the lead battery, this was an absolutely outstanding result. Although I constantly calculated the weights during the conversion, I wasn’t sure until the last moment. Until now. We had a nice accuracy of 770 kg. This essentially completed the conversion, as we decided to keep the car registered as a panel van, i.e., N1, and not bother with converting it to a campervan. In fact, there was one more important thing. And that was the car’s christening. Since the car was red, my wife came up with the idea of naming it „Ladybug.“