Building a Campervan for Photography, Adventure and New Perspectives.
Over the years we've travelled in a variety of ways, from camping in our T5 to hiring a larger camper for a trip around western Scotland and the islands (more about our Scotland adventure here). Those experiences taught us something simple: we enjoy being out exploring, but we're increasingly fond of a comfortable bed and the ability to stand up at the end of a long day.
As a photographer, I spend a lot of time looking for different perspectives. Sometimes that means climbing a hill before sunrise, trekking along a coast for a sunset, or just waiting patiently for the light to arrive. Occasionally, it means rethinking how to travel.
This campervan project grew from exactly that idea.
Why a Campervan?
Photography often takes me to places that are a little off the beaten track. The freedom to arrive late, stay overnight, wake up at sunrise and be ready to head out with a camera is hugely appealing.
What I wanted was something practical rather than luxurious. A van that would be comfortable enough for longer trips while remaining easy to drive and park. Somewhere to sleep well, make a coffee, cook a simple meal and use as a base for exploring.
After plenty of searching, I eventually found a Renault Master long wheelbase semi high-top. It was clean, solid and offered the space we needed to create something tailored to the way we travel.
Then the real work began.
May 2024 the Renault Master arrives and the project starts to become real.
First job, strip out and tidy up all the wear and tear.
Sound insulation.
Thermal insulation.
Power in! Cutting this small round hole for the 16amp fitting was an anxious moment!!
Three layers of protection, sound deadening, sound insulation and finally lambswool adding an organic thermal layer.
Panels back in and some temporary lights until I resolve the roof work.
Frames for windows
Marking out was measure, measure, measure before final marking and tape to protect paint.
Then out with the jigsaw with fresh hss cutting blades
The corners were marked out using CAD (Cardboard Aided Design)
Holes Cut and ready for the windows.
Caravan style for two basic reasons, double glazed for improved thermals and top hinged means that they can be opened in the rain for ventilation!
Basic electrical build at this stage.
Embryonic kitchen unit, Fridge, and a bed from IKEA gives us the basic needs for its first weekend away to prove the basics!
Worked well on the first couple of weekends away!
So a couple of seat boxes added for storage.
Awning rail and a simple tarp awning provide valuable 'outdoor' space
Over the Summer we've enjoyed a few weekends away and couple of festivals!
Happy with Phase 1 !!
The Build
Like most projects, it started with a blank canvas.
The interior was stripped back before adding sound deadening, insulation and thermal layers. Windows and a skylight followed, opening up the space and bringing in plenty of natural light.
There were a few nervous moments along the way. Cutting the first holes into perfectly good bodywork certainly focuses the mind. Measure, measure, measure quickly became the build motto.
Gradually the shell of a van began to feel more like a place we'd actually want to spend time in.
The first phase concentrated on the essentials: insulation, lighting, a simple kitchen area, a fridge and a bed. Nothing particularly glamorous, but enough to get out and start using it.
And that's exactly what we did.
Learning by Travelling
One of the advantages of building your own campervan is that you don't need everything finished before you can start enjoying it.
Over the first year the van joined us on trips to Exmoor, festivals, camping weekends and a track day. Each journey taught us something about how we use the space and, perhaps more importantly, what we don't need.
The best designs often come from experience rather than plans.
Every trip generated another small list of improvements, new ideas and lessons for the next phase of the build.
Exmoor 2024 was its first proper outing, base camp set up. The awning has been bought with the van in mind, and thus doesn't work so well on the Eriba, but we can see that it will provide useful extra 'living space' for longer stays when the van is up and running!
The GS was also on board. The duct tape lines on the floor are my early thinking about basic layout!
Taking the GS away provided for some great days out!
With the Eriba in tow makes for a 13m road train. Bit of a bugger when you arrive at the end of the car park to a dead end and have to reverse 300 meters back! Earned some credits from a couple of passers by who commented how well I reversed this lot out!
It has carried the Duke to Brands. Yes I know this isn't far, but useful should the day not end well !
The Awning's first test at the ABR Festival
Designing Around How We Travel
We've deliberately kept the design relatively simple.
A comfortable fixed bed remains the priority. So does decent refrigeration, somewhere to prepare food and enough storage to support a few days away. Comfort matters, but simplicity matters too.
Rather than trying to include every possible feature, we've focused on creating a campervan that suits our style of travel.
The aim isn't permanent off-grid living. It's about having a reliable base for adventures, photography trips, weekends away and the occasional festival.
And, just as importantly, somewhere to make a decent cup of coffee while watching the sun rise.
Current bed and storage solution until I can design and fabricate a Murphy Bed Frame!
2kw electric rad is a good compromise when on site with EHU, also a good test to check output required from a diesel heater!
Looking Ahead
Like most personal projects, it's still evolving.
Future plans include solar power, further electrical upgrades, improved storage solutions and a few refinements to make life on the road even easier. Whether those plans survive contact with reality remains to be seen.
What matters most is that the van is already doing what it was built to do: helping us spend more time exploring new places.
There are plenty of destinations still on the list. Scotland's west coast and islands call loudly, Wales never disappoints, and there are countless corners of Britain still waiting to be discovered. Add a few photography trips, festivals and family adventures into the mix and the calendar is already looking promising.
The build may never truly be finished.
But perhaps that's part of the appeal.