Micro Camper Vans - you can take anywhere

Camper vans come in all different shapes and sizes, from the absolutely enormous house-on-wheels motherships, crammed packed with every conceivable extra, to the tiny little micro camper vans which are no bigger than a family car, with just enough room inside for the bare necessities. However, no matter what size the camper van is, they all do exactly the same job.

Here in the UK, very large motorhomes are not very practical, especially for exploring areas such as Devon and Cornwall with their very narrow roads. This is where a micro camper van really comes into its own. The micro camper van can go anywhere a car can go, and will easily navigate the twists and turns of that narrow Cornish lane which leads down to a breathtaking sandy beach or a little atmospheric fishing village.

Unlike a large camper van a micro camper could also be used as an everyday mode of transport. This makes good economic sense, because you only need to tax, MOT and insure one vehicle. Let’s face it, if a campervan’s sole purpose is for holidaying, then for a big chunk of the year it’s going to be unused and off the road, but generally it will still need to be taxed, MOT and insured.

There are many other advantages to owning a micro camper van, excellent fuel economy being one and easier storage being another. You can even park a micro camper in a garage. So if you like the thought of taking to the open road and exploring what the country has to offer and are happy to compromise on space, then a micro camper van may be just what you’re looking for.

Micro camper vans are usually conversions based around an existing vehicle chassis and running gear, Fiat and Citroen being a popular choice. *Specifications do vary quite a lot depending on the type of conversion.

Secondhand micro camper vans

Below I have comprised a list of popular secondhand micro camper vans to look out for:

*The spec shown for each camper should be used as a guide only.

Fiat Doblo high top micro camper van

Year 2005
1.3 diesel engine
Fuel economy approximately 35 to 60 mpg
2 berth
Single gas burner
Sink
Mains hookup
Twin seats
Can be bought for around £5000 secondhand

Citroen Romahome hylo (Citroen c15)

Year 1998
1.9 diesel
2 berth
Pop top
2 burner hob
Grill
Fridge
Sink
Mains hookup
On board water tank
Twin seats
Can be bought for around £7000 to £8000 secondhand

NU Venture SURF – based on a Citroen Berlingo

Year 2006
1.9 diesel
2 berth
2 burner hob
Grill
Fridge
Twin bench seats – converts into two single or one double bed
Cassette Toilet
Mains hookup
Heater
Rear entrance door
Can be bought for around £15000 secondhand

Romahome R20 Lo – based on a Citroen Berlingo

Year 2013
1.6 turbo diesel
Fuel economy approximately 50 mpg
2 berth
U shape lounge
Twin burner hob
Grill
Fridge
Built in water tanks
Elevated roof
Heating
Hot water
Mains hookup
Can be bought for around £25000 to £28000 secondhand

Romahome Hylo Duo – based on a Citroen Berlingo

Year 2004
2.0 diesel
Fuel economy approximately 50 mpg
2 berth
Sink
Twin burner hob
Grill
Fridge
Twin bench seats
Elevated roof
Rear door
Mains hookup
Can be bought for around £15000 secondhand

Romahome Solo R10

Year 2012
1.3 HDI diesel
Fuel economy approximately 62 mpg
1 berth
Sink
Twin burner hob
Single bench seat
Elevated roof
Room for a portable toilet
Mains hookup
Fresh water tank
Blown air heating
Can be bought for around £15000 – £18000 secondhand

New Micro camper vans

Below are three of the countries leading manufacturers of new micro campers:

Romahome

Romahome are located on the Isle of Wight. They produce 5 different models of micro camper van and have a reputation for building some of the best micro campers on the market.

Wheelhome

Located in Essex, the award-winning Wheelhome, have been building micro camper vans since 1986. They produce 2 models, the VIKENZE II, which is based on the Fiat Qubo and the SKURRY which is a little bigger than the VIKENZE II and is based on the Fiat Doblo.

Wellhouse Leisure

One of the leading manufacturers of compact camper vans in the UK. Based in Huddersfield, Wellhouse leisure offer a range of conversions from the mid sized to the micro size, such as their Ssangyong Turismo

Why not convert your own vehicle into micro camper van?

If you already own a suitable vehicle then you could always convert it into a camper van. By building rather than buying a ready-made camper, you’ll have the luxury of customising the layout to suit your own personal taste and requirements. If you’re good with your hands and enjoy a challenge, then doing the conversion yourself can be very rewarding. This will also be the cheapest option for you. With some creative thinking and design ideas your conversion could cost you less than a set of new tyres! Check out my ‘How to convert a van into a camper van’ guide, for tips and ideas for the self-builder.

If self-building isn’t for you, but you still like the idea of creating a tailor-made micro camper van out of your existing vehicle, then paying a professional company to do the conversion for you is the way to go. There are quite a few conversion companies to choose from, so before committing to one particular company, shop around. Get a few quotes and compare specifications, quality of the materials and appliances used, and ask what sort of guarantee is offered on the work carried out and the appliances/fittings used.

One last detail to consider.You will need to inform DVLA about the changes made to your vehicle so it can be reclassified. Details on how to do this can be found on the Gov.uk website – ‘Converting a vehicle into a motorhome’. You will also need to tell your insurance company about the changes. Depending how often the vehicle is used, you may even find that your insurance premium is reduced.

“The little things in life are as interesting as the big ones.” – Henry David Thoreau

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Micro Camper Vans – you can take anywhere