How trends have changed
Enjoying the freedom of our Self-Build New Zealand panel van
The Panel Van Conversion Trend
When we made the decision to sell our big A-Class Carthago motorhome in favour of a small panel van conversion, the choice of vans on the market in the UK, was few and far between. So much so, that we headed out to Germany on our search for a new panel van.
Well that was in 2015 and the difference between then and now, seems to tell a very different story!
From what we’re seeing out and about, it appears that us consumers, are buying very differently. Past market’s dominated by the giants of the Coachbuilt and A-Class motorhomes are changing.
The NEC Show
This was never more apparent than our visit in the Autumn to the NEC show.
Having been heavily involved in the world of motorhomes for over 15 years, as a hobby and owning one of the early UK Motorhome Hire business’s, we basically, lived and breathed motorhomes! We even started an accessory side, set up a storage facility and a motorhome stopover!
We’ve been to the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show since as far back as we can remember! Buying all our vans and previous caravans at a show! Having finished our business back in 2016, to pursue a life of travel by campervan, our visits to the NEC show, are now purely recreational.
However, The last motorhome show we went to in 2018 was very different to all those past shows put together. I
‘m sure we’re not the only ones to have realised, that it was dominated by panel van conversions! But why this big change?
The change started a few years earlier
We think the change actually started around the end of 2015. Back then it seemed that everyone was buying a motorhome or campervan.
We were no longer in the minority – on trips to Europe, we were starting to see more and more motorhomes. To the extent, that on one trip to Spain, it seemed to be overrun with them.
So, what’s happened in those 5 years since then? Why such a huge shift from traditional motorhome ownership to panel van longing and buying?
Vanlife Influence – Panel van conversion trend
Maybe those first-time buyers from a few years ago now downsizing? Or is it the social media vanlife following that’s brought the change? One thing is certain – the ideology of perfection to a life of travel in a panel van is infectiously reverberating around the globe.
Our own reasons for abandoning the Coachbuilt and A-Class models was based on experience. We were beginning to get a little bored with the way we traveled after so many years touring.
We felt we’d exhausted many routes on our travels though the UK and Europe and wanted to get to more remote places.
It was a desire for a more adventure-type travel but still in a self-contained campervan. We also wanted to be able to park more easily and freely. Certainly, to be able to drive up those tiny mountain lanes or narrow, winding tracks was a deciding factor too.
Then there was the hope that one day, we’d be able to ship our van overseas. Whatever campervan we chose had to be practical in so many way – something that our previous type of motorhome’s just couldn’t be.
Coachbuilt To Panel Van
The other big appeal for us, is that a panel van is just that!
First of all it’s a van that’s made in a factory for one purpose only – yes as a van! Then the panel van doesn’t have the same potential water ingress issues either. That’s because it’s not assembled separately on a chassis – like a coachbuilt or A-Class .
Secondly – Coachbuilt’s and A-Class motorhomes have purpose built body parts. As a result the spare parts such as bumpers, rear lights and side skirt are expensive!
Unfortunately, they also take months to receive too – yes we speak from experience! Consequently, these parts often come with a rather large price tag!
Day parking in selected areas only today 
There’s nothing better than opening those back doors to a view like this!
Spare Parts
At least with a panel van, if we need any spare parts, these are usually off the shelf.
It’s just a matter of picking one up from the nearest dealer – usually at a reasonable cost. After all, vans are built for trades and business, so parts have to be readily available and cost effective.
Another factor in the mass swap to the panel van could be due to pricing.
When we first started looking to buy our first motorhome, we could get a basic Coachbuilt at the NEC show for £21,000! An entry level motorhome now would be double that. Once you start looking at more luxurious motorhomes, these can soon be well over £100,000.
It’s Not All About The Price
We found an entry level panel van at the NEC show for around £40,000. So, pricing may not be too different to a basic Coachbuilt Motorhome.
This must then mean that the surge towards panel van ownership is not based on price alone. So is it more to do with size and practicalities and also maybe – appearance?
Panel Vans Are Sexy!
Dare I say it but the campervan conversion is the one with the most sex appeal! It’s simply the epitome of romantic, idealist van travel. There are so many followers of vanlife instagram profiles around the globe. So many are longing to be a part of the dream.
Those glossy pictures of campervan conversions of all ages, shapes and sizes. Some are fabulously refurbished. Those ageing models are oozing more charm and charisma than any Coachbuilt or A-Class motorhome could ever dream of!
The vanlife following gives a whole new appeal to campervan travels. It’s also the flexibility with both the exterior and interior look of the van that appeals.
They can be so individual and homely, in a cosy cottage sort of way! No more plain old white or silver paintwork, the various colours of the spectrum adorn the metalwork, bringing such a welcoming glance to the eye.
Self-Build and Sassy.
Self-build interiors are often the work of skilled individuals. There’s a whole new era of craftsmanship opened up – in full view of the internet world.
So many intricate wood panels, wood-burning stoves, corrugated sheeting, colourful tiling displays and an array of interior design techniques. It leaves the most experienced designers open mouthed with amazement.
Our own La Strada Sprinter campervan has an exterior shade of Pebble Grey and a mellow tone of warm beige. The chunky 4×4 BFG Goodrich tyres, add to that extra bit of spice to the already unique look.
We chose a rather dramatic interior scheme of red and silver. It’s a bold contemporary look, which La Strada have such a wide choice of. This we felt, would match our new adventure based travel of vanlife!
Our van conversion in New Zealand is very different – our own self-build on a plain white LDV. Yet the interior, has a lake blue theme with earthy tones. All reflecting the outdoor lifestyle that is all around.
It’s a basic but practical and functional campervan conversion and so cosy. In many ways, we prefer it to our La Strada Sprinter!
Panel Van Vogue – Panel van conversion trend
So, here I am talking about panel vans, as if they were a delicious plate of food!
Well, there you go, that just about sums it up. It’s the whole concept – you can be whoever you want to be, express yourself so differently and have that unique element, through personnel self-build designs.
This has brought the panel van conversion to a whole new group of admirers.
Swing open the back doors
From the wild colour schemes of the manufacturers – if you’re buying a factory build or more traditional interiors. These will never have the individual attraction of the self-build instagram conversions.
Add on the other benefits of easier flexibility for parking, the accessibility to more difficult places and less problems on the habitation side. Then not forgetting the more cost effective maintenance and the appeal becomes huge.
One thing is for sure, it’s only with a panel van that you can wake up in the morning and swing open those back doors! If you’re lucky it will be at the best parking spot, offering views and sunsets to melt your heart.
Yes – it’s the epitome of vanlife travel. The famed shots of instagram along with the creation of millions of vanlife followers and the result of millions of vanlife instagramers.
Probably this goes a long way to the biggest surge in panel van wannabe ownership ever!
Finally – it’s the one reason why we just love panel van vanlife so much!!
Vanlife…The Reality behind the Image!
We hope you join us soon on the vanlife panel van circuit of travel wherever you may!
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