Concerning conversions...
These days, there’s a wide variety of motorhomes and campervans to choose from, with all sorts of layouts available. But sometimes, you just can’t find what you want in an off-the-peg vehicle.
The answer, of course, is to either convert one yourself, to your own specification, or to have a bespoke model built for you. There are plenty of small converters about, who will quite happily take on this work for you.
However, while there are many excellent converters out there, there is nothing to stop any Tom, Dick or Harry setting up as a converter with no real knowledge and often, even less skill.
Concerning details revealed
A case in point came into the workshop recently in the shape of a conversion, which at first glance looked fine. However, a closer inspection revealed a few concerning details.
The ’van in question has a compact kitchen just inside the side door, with a two-burner hob, and a sink with a small compressor fridge underneath. Nothing wrong with that, is there?
Well, below the hob is a cupboard, accessed from outside, which houses the 10-litre water container and the gas cylinder. The latter was a small butane type, which you would normally use for a single-burner camping stove, the kind that backpackers would favour.
There were no signs of any gas dropouts and the gas cylinder was not secured in any way, but left floating about on the floor with a length of rubber hose connecting it to the hob. The door didn’t even seal from the inside of the vehicle.
Gas cylinders should be secured in at least two ways, usually a securing strap and base mounting plates. Any gas storage cupboard should only house the cylinders and be sealed from the inside of the ’van when the door is closed.
It must also have a dropout hole through the floor, so that if the cylinder or hose leaks, the gas, being heavier than air, will fall through the dropout and disperse safely, rather than building up to dangerous levels, ready to be ignited by the slightest thing. Even a static spark from synthetic materials in clothing could set it off.
In my personal opinion, it’s doubtful that the small cylinder could evaporate enough vapour to run both hob rings for long without freezing up.
If you’re considering having a van converted to your specification, check out the company thoroughly before you agree anything. Ask for proof of professional qualifications in relevant trades such as gas and electrics, and of professional and public liability insurance. Ask for contact details from a previous customer, so you can see the standard of their work. Caveat emptor!
‘There are a lot of good converters out there, but there’s nothing to stop any Tom, Dick or Harry setting up as one’