In this guide we will look at the complete process of converting a campervan in Ireland. Where to purchase your van, where to buy supplies, how to do the conversion, and how to navigate the tricky politics of getting it on the road! I'm Shane, I've been teaching people to convert campervans for many years, I'm the author of The Van Conversion Newsletter, van conversion instructor at Udemy, and the proud owner of a beautiful self-build campervan called Beans. So let's jump in and have a look at the best vans to convert into campervans! Now, let's dive right in!
The Irish Campervan Boom
The #VanLife movement has exploded in Ireland over the past few years. People are seeking freedom and simplicity, in a time when everything seems hard and complicated. Spurred on by social media and travel bans, 1000's of campervans were bought and sold in Ireland in past couple years, bringing in a new age of domestic wandering. It's the reason I created The Van Conversion Course!
In this article, we will look at the key things to be aware of when converting a campervan in Ireland.
Note: Before we hop in, you can grab yourself a wiring diagram for free by signing up to The Van Conversion Newsletter (I send out the wiring diagram straight away).
Buying your van
There are three primary options on where to purchase your van from:
1. Online
The best sites for purchasing vans online in Ireland are:
Adverts
DoneDeal
CarZone
VanMonster
2. Used Car Dealership
Used car dealerships are scattered throughout the country, many can even be found selling through the online sites mentioned above.
Some dealerships include:
M3VanCentre
3. Van Dealership
If you have the cash lying around, it can be nice knowing that you have a brand new van which will last you a while. No inheriting other people's problems.
Here are some of the biggest van dealers in Ireland:
JoeDuffy
Windsor
VanMonster
SpiritMotor
You could also think about buying your van from Northern Ireland, there have been some pretty good deals going up there since Brexit talks began! Bear in mind, you will have to pay VRT for any vehicle imported access the border; for panel vans this is a flat fee €200. Check out some NI vans on AutoTrader.
Before Buying your Van
If you have chosen to buy your van online or from a used car dealership, make sure to do your due diligence.
Check the VIN number on AutoCheck
Check if there is any finance on the vehicle.
Be sure to get a mechanic / engineer to check it out before you head out.
Ask if the logbook and service history is available
How many previous owners were there?
What was the van used for?
What is the age and mileage like? Rough rule of thumb: go for <100,000km
Purchasing supplies
When building out your van, you will be purchasing supplies from two places: online and from physical stores. As a rough guide, you should spend about half the price of the van on the conversion itself.
Supplies List
You can find the complete list of supplies for a van conversion in Ireland (all the supplies I bought) here: supplies list
Online
I purchased most of my van supplies online. Everything from the fridge, to the solar panels, to the wiring. Here are the sites which I used:
Physical Store
There were some things which simply couldn't and shouldn't be purchased online. From the enormous amount of wood needed, to the insulation, to the mattress for the bed. I used the following physical stores
Chadwicks (For pretty much everything)
Woodies (More expensive than Chadwicks, but needed sometimes)
Ikea (For making the van feel like home)
Cosy Campers (for campervan specific gadgetry)
I bought most of my supplies brand new, but obviously this isn't necessary. Pallet wood has become very popular due to its rustic look. You can also pick up used supplies from Adverts, DoneDeal, or the array of other second hand sites out there.