Welcome to Vansformation Episode 20! Following up from VF 19, which explored 5 reasons NOT to put a woodburning stove into your vehicle conversion, this episode brings 5 reasons you should consider it. This episode features: Safe installation and use of a solid fuel heater in a van conversion What woodburner size is right to keep you toasty warm in a campervan Considerations for the design of your space around the woodburner Why I unabashedly love it and personally feel it can be a safe...

Merry Crimblewinter, the 2nd series of Vansformation starts today!    All rested up after the break, the show’s theme for the next year is more: more solo episodes, more interviews, more of the time.  Campervan builders self-builders, van converters and anyone who dreams of a land ship of your own making, welcome in. Almost a year after this podcast launched the podcast kicks off with one of two episodes on one of the dark arts of van conversion:  wood burning stoves.   Also known as...

Self-Built Mercedes Sprinter Campervan Conversion for Extended Travel

Jon is a graphic designer with a history of interesting mechanically oriented projects - including building a Triumph kit car from the chassis up.  He’s now on his third van conversion, a Renault Traffic purchased as an unfinished project.  The van, Sylvester, is now finished and was recently featured in an article in Campervan magazine. Jon talks about making a medium size van feel far more spacious, adding upcycled vintage details to the conversion and his recent experiences in renting...

No DIY Mojo, No Problem Pete and Alfie are the dynamic duo behind 'Pete's Pizzas', a mobile catering business that brings wood-fired pizzas to events.  Their wood-fired pizza oven is on a trailer towed behind a lovingly styled vintage aesthetic self-built campervan. All of this despite: Pete nor Alfie being formally trained pizza chefs and Pete himself describing past DIY attempts as 'grim' But, they took action, pulled in resources and knowledge from elsewhere and went after their van...

Vansformation Episode 15, an interview with Greg Virgoe, on the technical and practical facts about insulation for campervans and van conversions. Subscribe to catch every VF show, on air every two weeks.

Professional Food Truck Converter Andrew Coe Today's guest is the affable but very knowledgeable Andrew Cole, from FoCo Food Trucks in Fort Collins, Colorado. We talk base vehicles, regulations, sealing leaks, keeping a food truck cool and a fairly offensive sandwich (that I would definitely eat).  If you are planning or dreaming of converting a vehicle for use in catering, this episode is a must listen. Relevant Links FoCo Food Trucks Twitter,  Facebook and Website  Wikipedia article on...

Anthony Bourdain was an top level flaneur, willing to wander and risk a long trip back for the rewards of discovery.   He showed us the world, and still dictates how I wash-up nonstick cookware.  There is wisdom in his writing, travel programmes and general hijinks for those of us creating self-built vans, for both the building journey and the journey after.   Show notes for Vansformation episode 13

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Vansformation podcast!   In this solo episode I discuss 8 practical ways to save your hard-earned cash on building the van conversion of your dreams.  These apply to your van conversion project no matter the type: motorhome, food truck, mobile studio, live-in campervan or any other.   I know these because have experienced the benefits of following this advice myself, and the consequences of not always applying it.  Consistently following all 8 of these would...

Today’s guest is Kate Powell, one half of the duo behind The Errant Stage, a mobile performance venue with drop down stage build on a bright red Iveco Luton van base.   Kate is a puppeteer and theatre facilitator who has done the van conversion herself, along with several friends and family.    The Errant Stage will be doing the Big Red Poetry tour at Wandsworth Fringe Festival next week, featuring live and pre-recorded performances as well as a creative writing workshop and open mic...

Today’s episode features an interview with bespoke van converter Simon Newbury. He is a designer who has been living in and creating gorgeous small spaces for over a generation.

Bit of a different format this week: one of two podcast ‘cafe chat’ episodes over the next few weeks.   In this 'prequel' episode 8 I talk with Cat Large.  She is the founder of Cat Upholstery custom trimming service in central Bristol.

Graham Kelly bought his self-built LDV postal van for European campervan adventures with his wife before having children, but soon found himself radically rebuilding the van to meet the needs of 3. He is also the membership lead for the SBMCC.

Episode 7 of the Vansformation podcast features an interview with Tim Brassey, who was featured on George Clark’s Amazing Spaces for his American School Bus to motorhome conversion. Van conversions are a long standing British tradition, but Tim’s bus is the first ‘Skoolie’ officially registered as a converted motorhome in the UK. 


Episode 6: Spice it up with a goal setting and task management system created for van converters Staying consistent is the key to a successful motorhome or campervan build.   In this podcast episode we go into detail on the Spice Level Goal method: a quick, straightforward structure for keeping on track with a van conversion project. This method was designed just for van builders and other creative makers.   Many other systems were helpful but didn't have the flexibility, speed and...

Episode 5: Injured or unwell during the van conversion, now what? How can a self-build campervan or other van conversion project progress when you are dealing with an injury or illness? This podcast features three different options to minimise delays, make the most of the time and keep the project momentum going. In this episode I discuss a practical method to adapt your approach through what can be a challenging time. The method is based on principles from rehabilitation, experiments in...

Episode 4: Interview With a Vanlife Filmmaker on Adapting a Westfalia for Full-Time Use This is an unmissable podcast episode for anyone considering converting a van for a long-term journey or indefinite home base.  Armando Costantino, the filmmaker of ‘Vanlife: Portrait of an Alternative Lifestyle’ tells us how he discovered and adapted the van which has become his home for the last several years.   He shares his mobile tiny home with his partner, Mel (who is also the narrator on the film)....

Episode 3: RoadPro Interview Lithium batteries are gaining progressively more attention as an alternative to traditional deep cycle options for van conversions.  In this episode of the Vansformation podcast I interview Andy, the owner of RoadPro who has been working with 12 volt electrical systems in campervans for more than 40 years. Andy owned the motorhome featured in the Haynes Manual Build Your Own Motorcaravan book for a while and talks about that build in detail. He also gives his...

An interview with Quirky Campers, where self-builders can hire out their own van conversions. Excellent advice for anyone doing a van conversion, especially those considering renting it out in future.  Key Highlights: Techniques used in Quirky Campers’ original van, Bella What they want people just starting out with a van conversion to know What you must consider if you are thinking of hiring out your self-build van conversion Please give us a review if you enjoyed the episode, it helps...

Welcome to or first episode, featuring practical steps to analyse realistically how to make time for a self-build van conversion, or if this isn't the right time to start at all. Tune in fortnightly, subscribe to catch all of the forthcoming episodes!