Ford Transit (MK8/2016 long wheel base) Self Build Campervan

Ford Transit (MK8/2016) Campervan
£7,495
145,000 miles
12 Months MOT
Full ford service history

So, how do you price a seconded hand, self-built campervan?

What I have done is take the market value of the van and deduct the cost of all the service work that I know it needs or, could do with. I then listed out all the campervan stuff installed and what each item cost new, taking 25% of that price to reflect the fact its all second hand now. No cost at all included for my time due to it being an amateur build and me learning on the job.

In the sections below I will walk you through the van itself, all the campervan stuff installed and the build history, laying out the costs that comprise the asking price as I go. My goal in doing so is to be 100% transparent so you know what you’re buying, and I make sure the van goes to the right person.

Ford Transit 2.2 TDCi (100ps) 310 L3 H2 FWD Van 2016/16

Market Value (£6,600) – Service and Repair Work (£2,070) = £4,350

145,000 miles
12 Months MOT
Full ford service history
Ford western European sat nav SD card
2 x keys
Parkers web site mileage adjusted value = £6,600

Service work on the radar:

I want to be clear and say that this van has just passed its MOT with one advisory (chipped windscreen) and I am still using it regularly day to day. I am letting you know what I know in respect of servicing and deducting from the asking price accordingly in the spirit of van life and, generally being an honest and fair human. Whether you choose to do the work or wing it for a bit is up to you.

– Steering Rack: £1200
Currently there is steering feedback through the wheel and some vibration when stationary and revving the engine. I have been advised my AM Phillip that both will be rectified via a new steering rack
– New Intercooler and under tray: £350
Recently mis judged a corner leading to undertray and intercooler damage. Cost is quoted by AM Phillip to rectify.
– Radio/Sat Nav Screen: £200
The display screen has stopped working. Price is one I have found online and is for new unit.
– Spare wheel tire: £120
Spare wheel could do with a new tire
– Windscreen: £200
As per MOT advisory

Campervan Equipment & Build Info:

Ventilation, Heating and Insulation:
£1650 – 25% = £1,240

Having originally planned to go the vapour barrier route I changed my mind when I looked at the interior of the van for the first time. It didn’t seem likely that I would be able to create a robust vapour barrier and so in the end, after some more reading, I didn’t bother. So, insultation wise its dial recycled plastic bottle roll behind plywood for ceiling and the walls. The floor is celotex, plywood and then laminate. Having had the boarding down from the roof after a summer and winter of full time living, I can confirm that there have been no issues associated with condensation.

In fact, after living in a van for a year I came to realise that the need to ventilate renders any insulation useless so actually the most important things is your ventilation system (fresh air inlet and air extraction) and then a “dry” heat source powerful enough to keep you warm while ventilating and, this van does this very well in all seasons.

Fresh air comes from the front windows being cracked. The Climair wind deflectors offer security and protection from rain. Air extraction is via the MaxxFan deluxe with clear tint. This is positioned to the rear of the van so fresh air travels the entire length of the van. I went for the clear tint to allow some light in.

Ample dry heat for all season use is provided by the Planar 4kw diesel heater which I had professionally fitted. As you will see from the pictures, I have built an acoustic box around this and then the storage/bench seat enclosing that. This really reduces the heater noise which was a complaint I had with it initially. In terms of where to position the hot air piping, having tried a few configurations, I found that having the pipe such that hot air blows the entire length of the van is ideal.

A note on the fan installation; you will see from the pictures it’s not the neatest job and being honest I struggled with it. However, we are coming up on 1.5 years and its never leaked nor is it showing any sign of.

Climair wind deflectors: £60
Maxx Fan deluxe (400 x 400): £340
Planar 4kw diesel heater professionally fitted: £950
Material allowance (insulation, spray glue, Sikaflex, wood etc): £300

Electrical System:
£1097 – 25% = £823

The electrical system is 12v with all wires sized and fused for the intended devices load. A 200ah AGM is charged by 1 x 160w solar and b2b via a RING RCD30 charge controller. I found the b2b (charges from the main vehicle battery when engine is on) crucial in the winter when sun light is limited. A quick drive each day has always been ample to keep the battery topped up in times of low sunlight.

The system is protected by fuses that are all located in a single 12v fuse board and comprises the Maxxfan and 4kw diesel heater already mentioned but also; 4 x touch sensitive LED lights (no switches needed), a double usb socket, 12v T.V with DVD player inbuilt, pump for shower and pump for sink tap. There is also a wire installed that was sized for a 5.5a 12v fridge (not installed). Upon purchase, I will provide you with a full schematic showing loads, fusing and wire sizing to enable future repairs and/or any future changes you may wish to make.

For low end 240v use I purchased from Halfords a small RING portable inverter and a 240v camping hook up cable with 4 x plug socket (see pics). I also have a large collection of electrical fittings (crimps connections etc), cable, fuses etc that I will throw in for free, should you want them.

Leoch Xtreme XR 3500 AGM 200ah: £390
160w Photonic universe solar panel: £160
Ring RCD30 B2B and Solar MPPT charge controller: £170
Cable and electrical parts (switches, USB ports, fuse board etc) allowance: £300
Ring 300w portable Inverter: £37
240v hook up cable and 3 pin plug unit: £40

General Build Information:

£1420 – 25% = £1,065

I think the pictures speak 1000 words but, to pick out a few key features and starting from front to back; rather than try and install an interior shower I opted for the camplux unit mounted on the back door with a shower curtain hung door to door. The bed is a small double width platform configuration allowing plenty of storage underneath. I am 6ft tall and can comfortably lie stretched out which is achieved by not insulating the top and tail cut out sections. Fine in the summer, wear a woolly hat to bed in winter. The shelving is a bit rough and ready but functional and strong enough. To compliment the shelving there is storage under the hinged bench seat and under the kitchen unit.

The kitchen unit is one area I would have like to have progressed further. I had planned for a fridge, gas locker with proper hob and fresh/grey water storage but time got away from me and I just had to move in. So, what you see in the pictures is a fresh water removable 20l container with a submersible 12v pump and switch operated tap draining into another removable 20l container. I have actually binned one of the 20l containers as it was a bit manky. The hob runs of a4 gas canisters, so no gas locker required safety wise. The other area that I would have like to have finished was finishing the ceiling from its current end point into the area over the drive and passenger seats but again, c’est la vie.

Worthy of note are the side windows which are 1 way tint allowing you to see out but no one to see in and fitted professionally by national windscreens. Also, up on the roof, the rails the solar panel is attached to are Unistrut bolted into the factory m8 roof threads. I have sealed these with sikaflex and fully leak tested…waterproof and bomber with potential to add more solar or perhaps a storage option. The fire extinguisher is water but due to the type of mist it produces can be used on A,B,C and electrical. There is a carbon monoxide alarm above the stove and fire alarms on the ceiling and under the bed by the electrical install. The porta potty is brand new and never used, I had plans to make a door in the bench seat so it can slide out rather than be lifted out. In terms of head clearance, as mentioned I am 6ft and can stand up straight with a little bit of clearance when standing at the sink/stove.

Privacy glass side windows professionally fitted by national windscreens: £400
Fire extinguisher: £45
Porta Potty: £75
Sink/Tap/Pump/20l water container (x1): £100
T.V. : £100
Gas Bottle: *Not included*
Camplux shower and pump system: £200
Materials allowance (Unistrut, laminate boards, sika flex, hardware, wood etc): £500