Commercial Van Solutions

The market for sprinter commercial van is in a constant state of growth, as made evident by the rising number of new van registrations that went up 5.4% in May 2019 – making it a consecutive fifth month of growth.

Furthermore, the rapid growth in e-commerce businesses has given rise to 24,040 courier related businesses and a massive revenue of £23 billion a year – leading to rising demand in reliable commercial vehicles, including vans.

Vehicles are the prime concern for many businesses today as they transport equipment, workers, and business-related cargo to-and-fro all day long. They are in dire need of reliable and heavy-duty vans, to carry out their business activities without any issues.

We’ve compiled a list of five best vans that’ll hit the market in 2020 – analyse them side by side and make an informed purchase that fulfils your company’s needs.

Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 Facelift

An upgraded version of T6, this model has an improved 2.0 litre TDI turbocharged diesel engine that can be outfitted with different motors, all conforming to the anticipated emission regulations, making this one of the most environmentally friendly vans on our list.

The power output ranges from 90hp to 199hp, of which the 199hp variable comes with two turbochargers unlike the rest of the range which has a single turbocharger.

Looks-wise, what captures our attention first is the front end grille s for air intake necessary for its cooling requirements. On the inside, you’ll find car-like comfort with the integrated 9.2inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The van also has a built-in communication system powered by an e-SIM card to perform multiple online services on the go.

You can utilise the space under passenger bench to fit longer parcels which increases the max cargo length to 2,800 mm in short-wheelbase and 3,300 mm in long-wheelbase transporters providing a payload of almost of 1.2 tonnes.

The electric versions of this van are more cost-effective and ideal for commercial purposes.

It’s expected to hit the dealerships till March 2020.

Toyota Proace City

Revealed in 2019, Toyota Proace City won’t be released in the U.K. market till 2020.

It’s based on the Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Peugeot Partner – which makes for a successful launch as the trio are known to be the best amongst small vans.

Toyota lets the buyer choose from a 1.5-litre diesel engine or a 1.2-litre petrol engine, both providing 75hp to 130hp horsepower.

These vans are extremely fuel-efficient, giving up to 65.7 miles per gallon.

Additionally, the two wheelbases maximise the length of the load up to 1,817 mm and 2,167 mm and load volume up to 3.3 cubic m and 3.9 cubic m, respectively. However, the smart cargo version lets items up to the length of 3,090mm (for short wheelbase) and 3,440mm (for long wheelbase) slide in easily. This provides a load volume of up to 3.8 cubic m and 4.3 cubic m, accordingly.

Relating to the payload, it comes in 2 types – standard 2.0t which has a payload of 660kg up to 680kg and heavy-duty 2.4t which can take a payload of up to 1.0 ton.

Moreover, it possesses a towing capacity of 1,500 kg making for a power-packed small commercial van.

Nissan NV250

Nissan has been dedicated to providing the U.K. market with the best small vans since the 90s – the new NV250 is a great van that promises a lot.

The K9K 1.5-litre unit powers the Renault-design model -it’ll be sold in three separate horsepower options – 80hp with 210Nm, 95hp with 230Nm, and 110hp with 260Nm.

It is also possible to choose amongst long wheelbase and short wheelbase options that provide a max length of 2,115mm and 1,731mm, respectively, with a load-through facility that increases it further, up to 2.87m (long wheelbase) and 2.5m (short wheelbase).

The payload capacity falls a bit short as compared to its competitors, from 650 kilos to 850 kilos in short wheelbase and 800 kilos to 850 kilos in long-wheelbase – but then again that makes it an ideal choice in the small van segment.

LDV V90 2020

With a stylish interior design furnished with the latest technologies, this model also comes with remote-controlled locks and ignition, cruise control adaptable to your current terrain, and a 9-inch touch display integrated with Android Auto, DAB Radio and Apple Carplay.

It has a newly designed 2.0-litre engine unit which holds power to produce 400NM and 177hp with a torque that delivers 1,500 rpm.

The V90 is available in both rear and front-wheel drive with an electric version, which will deliver 200 miles to a gallon – most likely to be launched by the end of 2020.

LDV EV30 UK

Increasing the payload without compromising on the driveability is a top priority for engineers. The LDV EV30 accomplishes both these aims thanks to an aluminium body which not only reduces the weight of the vehicle but also increases its payload.

The 85kW motor will be offered with two sets of batteries – 35kW/h, which gives you about 127 miles and 55kW/h which offers about 200 miles on the NEDC cycle.

Moreover, its power steering is electrically assisted, which gives it an effortless and smooth drive.

While traditional handbrakes are common in vans, this model comes with an electronic parking brake which provides extra room in the cabin, allowing for a third seat.

Orders for LDV EV30 will be opening in January 2020, whereas, manufacturing will commence in March 2020 with the initial deliveries for the U.K. starting from April 2020.

In Conclusion

The vehicles you use say a lot about your company; its professionalism and its standards – add to that fact that drivers appreciate a smooth and reliable drive that makes them feel safe on the roads.

Buying a commercial van is no easy task with so many options to select from, but our selection aims to make it as stress-free as possible.

So when it’s time to upgrade or add to your existing fleet, make sure you choose wisely and consider from the options laid out for you above!

As someone who has a deep-rooted love for wanderlust and is addicted to travelling, the prospect of living a carefree life out on the road is very exciting.

And I’m not alone: according to the latest statistics, the number of caravans and motorhomes in Britain is expected to increase by more than 50,000 by 2022. That’s a staggering number and is sure to transform the mobile living industry.

The definition and experience of a mobile lifestyle are different for everyone – and you need to plan according to your budget, preferences and the van that you intend to convert into a camper van.   

When I started travelling, I took the time to figure out whether the camper life would suit me or not and the preventive steps that I need to take to make the most of my mobile lifestyle. 

With experience, I have also realized that what might work for one, might not necessarily be very good advice for someone else with a completely different end goal in mind.

So, whether you are a newly married couple looking forward to beginning your new life with an adventure, a solo traveller looking for some affordable travel options or a freelancer in search of some inspiration – let’s explore the possibilities of converting a van into a fully functional camper van.

Planning And Designing The Van’s Layout

As each person has a unique set of requirements, the transition from a sprinter commercial van to a camper van can be extremely different – but the key to a successful van conversion, however, is space maximisation.

Personally speaking, I try to adopt the multi-tasking approach and use my bed as my couch, and a place to store essentials as well. My kitchen top can easily be converted to a dining table of sorts and even used as a desk when not eating.

Combing the different aspects of a small space into something functional depends on your priorities. The cost of foregoing something to achieve another aspect of comfort is entirely up to you.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself:

• How many people will be travelling with you in the van?  – More people mean more bed space.
• Are you tall or short? – Tall people need more headspace and are also more comfortable with longitudinal sleeping spaces rather than crosswise beds.
• Do you want natural lighting to fill your space?  – You might need to install some on your own and prevent the use of furniture that might block natural light.
• Are you aware of basic carpentry hacks? You need not be an expert carpenter to get through the van conversion process, but you certainly need to know how to work with basic tools.
• What will be your dining options? – If you plan to take up cooking, you’ll need to have a proper functional setup for a kitchen with a fridge, stove, counter, sink and water tank.

The van’s look and feel also goes hand in hand with the layout that you have in mind. Once you have the essentials sorted, moulding the space to complement your aesthetic sense will be fairly simple.

Depending on the items you use and how you use them, you will see your van transform into an ideal camper van.

You should also check in with government requirements and guidelines to ensure whether your vehicle is fit to be converted into a camper van or not.

Preparing Your Van

Before you actually get down to making substantial changes in your van, you need to set the stage. Here is what you need to do:

Do Away With Pre-Existing Fixtures

Depending on the van you choose to revamp, you need to get rid of pre-installed items that are of no use to you.

De-clutter the space and even remove floor-mats, runners, shelves or seats that will hinder your plans to transform your van into a comfortable, liveable space.

Carry Out A Cleaning Spree

Vans are most likely to have a build-up of grime, dirt and dust especially if they are second hand. Before you set down to installing new things for your camper van, you should:

• Use a shop vac, hand broom and small scraper to get rid of dirt
• Look for any surface rust and grind it off using an angle grinder and wire brush attachment 
• Deep clean, sweep, scrub and vacuum the space
• Cover any exposed metal with anti-rust paint. The second coat of glossy white paint will provide a finished look to your space
• Re-install the front seats and floor mats

Insulation

For your camper van to withstand all kinds of weather, it is important that you properly insulate it. It may be a time-consuming and labour-intensive task, but it is definitely worth the effort and time.

Remember that you are insulating your van against two major forms of heat transfer – radiation and conduction.

Some common qualities to look for when choosing the right insulation material for your camper van include:

• High R-value per inch keeping space considerations in mind
• Vibration resistant for all kinds of adventure
• Ability to resist mould, mildew and moisture
• Non-toxic properties

Here’s how you can insulate your van:

Make Use Of Reflectix To Fit Walls

The first step is to get a hold of Reflectix – this is an insulation material that is basically in the form of a sheet of bubble wrap covered in reflective foil.

I use this to cover the walls of my camper van in a way that it is precisely cut to the section that needs to be covered.

Then, hold it in place with duct tape while you figure out where to cut off the excess along the curves and edges. I suggest using a heavy-duty spray adhesive to permanently glue the reflectix to the wall.

Insulating The Ceiling

Insulating the ceiling is extremely important, especially for colder climates.

 A thicker layer of insulation is usually preferred if you can compromise on your headspace.

The process to insulate the ceiling with reflectix is the same as for the walls – you can, however, make use of Tyvek tape to hold the insulation material in place.

Insulating The Floor

Insulating the floor is totally up to you, as most people prefer to skip this step.

If you decide to opt for floor insulation, just get plywood to strike the balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Rigid Foam Panelling

On top of the reflectix covering, attach a foam panel as is often recommended. Since the foam board is light in weight, it can easily be attached and be precisely cut to size using a box cutter.

The purpose of rigid foam panelling is to cover the ceiling and upper panels, and any pop-out windows that your camper van has.

Other forms of insulation for your camper van include:

• Yellow Spray Foam
• Fiberglass Insulation
• Thinsulate Insulation

Fill In The Gaps, Cracks, And Crevices

Make sure that you do not leave any loopholes – and by that, I mean literal ones! Spray foam into any cracks or crevices and avoid using the “Big Gap Filler” that later expands and oozes out of the gaps – this just creates an unnecessary mess.

A clean way to filling the gaps with foam is to fill in a half or one-third of the way, and let it dry. You can fill in the remaining space after to avoid creating a mess.

Ceiling

Like a roof over your head – the ceiling and fan installation is a crucial part of getting the conversion process right.

Here are a few steps that you can follow for a reliable and sustainable ceiling setup:

• Prepare/collect the panelling material which you will use to cover the ceiling
• Plywood is a common choice; you can also add a personalized flair to your space with the help of recycled materials.
• Measure the length of your van’s roof and estimate the number of plywood sheets required
• Align the seams of the plywood pieces with the roof’s support braces
• Cut, mark and stain the plywood before securing it in place

Note: while riveting the plywood to the ceiling, make sure you do not drill the pilot holes through the ceiling of the van

Fan Installation

Ventilation is an important aspect of maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your van.

For this, the hardest part is where you have cut a hole through the roof of your camper van. You don’t want to mess up the measurements and end up wondering what to do next.

Be very careful when determining the centre of your van’s roof and marking where you want the fan to be installed.

Drill a hole on either sides of the circle and use it as a guide to cut the perfect hole through the roof. Ensure that the blade length is able to penetrate the metal roof of the van, the insulating material and the plywood ceiling that you have installed.

With the major part of the work done, you can finally screw your fan in place.

Walls

At this stage, we have only insulated the walls and other carpentry work still needs to be done. Here’s what you should do with your van’s walls:

• Cut the plywood walls keeping in mind the special cuts for the curve at the back of your van and the curves around the wheel wellsSecure the plywood in place using braces
• Use cardboard spacers to construct a perfectly aligned perpendicular wall
• Fill in the gaps with sand or any preferred filling material of your choice
• Cut and fasten the metal sheets to cover any pop-out windows in your van

Flooring

Since flooring is the base on which your entire setup will rest, it is important that you give it the due attention that it needs.

 Let me walk you through a few quick steps to help you prepare your camper van’s floor:

1. Use a floor template to cut the plywood for your subfloor
2. Secure the subfloor in place with the help of screws
3. Fill in any holes with a fine sandpaper grit or caulk to ensure uniform levelling

Remember, the sub-floor is above the main floor, which is then covered by insulation and finally layered with a sound deadener (which is optional).

Electrical And Solar Setup

Here’s what you can do to install a sustainable setup for your camper van’s electrical and solar needs.

• Research sturdy roof racks and select one that offers quality at an economical price
• Install the solar panel using the mounting hardware and instructions that come with it
• Run the solar panel wiring through the inside of the roof by drilling a hole just below the roof’s rain gutter

Remember, you need to create a watertight seal by securing the wire in place with caulk around it.

• Create a wiring network for the lights and dimmer as well
• You can hook up one or more wires together to create a single cable by heat shrinking them

The Living Space – Bed And Kitchen

After the framework has been laid down and the technical aspects are taken care of, depending on your preferences and the size of the space – you can optimize your living space.

• Lay down the base of the bed; Remember the plywood walls that you set up with spaces for wheel wells? This will help you determine the height of your bed
• Secure the base with the help of braces to the wheels well boxes
• Install pneumatic locks and bed hinges to set up a foldable bed
• Any vacant walls can be utilized for installing kitchen shelves and wall cabinets
• Customize the size of the cabinet doors and secure them in place with magnets and hinges

There’s a lot you can do with your living space to turn it into a cosy and functional space so you can spend long periods of time on the road.

Finishing Touches

Adding these finishing touches to your camper van will make all your hard work feel worth it.

• Painting the inner and outer parts of the camper van requires a lot of patience and creativity. Use the taping technique to secure parts of the van that you don’t want to be painted.
• To ensure uniformity, you can use the same panelling for kitchen doors and cabinets as you did for the ceiling.
• To keep your space well-lit, try experimenting with lighting shelves – these basically run along the length of the ceiling. Install LED lights to brighten up your interior.
• Magnetic blackout curtains are a great option to adjust the lighting as and when needed. Sew them as per the window size for a better fit.
• Divide the driving area from the rest of the camper van by installing a curtain rod. You could add in a splash of colours by choosing a vibrant curtain.

I hope this step-by-step guide will help you to revamp and convert your van into a camper van and embark on the journey of a lifetime.

And don’t forget to prioritize your comfort over everything and plan the layout of your van in a way that makes the best use of space.