I have just bought a 2008 Alphard.

The plan is to use 5 of the 7 seats and use remaining space for a weekend camper.

My conversion cost me under £500.

* Remove rear 2 seats (third row).

* Add 2 side storage pods (Ebay £224)

* Camping hook up (Halfords £20)

* Rechargeable LED lights

(Amazon £19)

* Air Fryer and portable gas stove (Amazon £66)

* Fold-out bed (Amazon £49)

* Extra materials - melamine panels, cables, double power socket and connectors. 

* Will post a selection of photos to show the finished result. 

 

Edited September 25Sep 25 by Keith collingwood

Cool, how much did your insurance cost change?

36 minutes ago, Keith collingwood said:

I have just bought a 2008 Alphard.

The plan is to use 5 of the 7 seats and use remaining space for a weekend camper.

My conversion cost me under £500.

* Remove rear 2 seats (third row).

* Add 2 side storage pods (Ebay £224)

* Camping hook up (Halfords £20)

* Rechargeable LED lights

(Amazon £19)

* Air Fryer and portable gas stove (Amazon £66)

* Fold-out bed (Amazon £49)

* Extra materials - melamine panels, cables, double power socket and connectors

 

Seats and modules are removable and interchangeable. It's not a permanent conversion.

But by the "letter" of the law its still changing to function of the vehicle when in. so therefore it becomes a camper when driving.  I found they wanted an extra £300 a year for the priviledge of using as a non perm camper on ours.

I agree with Alex.

 

This is a modification; temporary or otherwise.

Your insurance company needs to be advised of ANY modifications.

Non standard OEM fit wheels and tyre 'upgrades', suspension alterations, camper conversions (no matter how small), probably added cruise control etc, etc.

 

Otherwise, you will provide your insurance company with a reason to invalidate your insurance (should they choose); especially if you are the cause of an accident.

 

When I had a conversion my insurance company declined to insure the van (not refused).

Imagine my situation if I had not declared the conversion and been involved in an accident !

Many thanks for your advice on the insurance

When i was doing it with my old minibus I told insurance and they put on the policy that it was a forever evolving campervan project which was not complete, When complete and that i register it with DVLA then I would need to inform them that it is then a proper Campervan, until then it was a project.

This was with Adrian Flux

Thanks for this latest info. At present my Toyota Alphard is still a 7 seater as supplied. I will check with my insurer on any future modifications.