The vans and fitted vans

Van, van: what are the differences?

The answer is far from being set in stone. The terms van and van are often used to designate both, without much distinction from the public. No doubt that when you read the title of this file, you too have confused the two, while understanding the type of vehicles that would be presented. On the other hand, there is no ambiguity with a motor home.

According to the opinions of professionals and enthusiasts, the van is considered to be a vehicle less than 2 meters high and up to 5.90 meters long, which are also used in everyday life, apart from travel. Just to name a few brands: Mercedes Vito, Volkswagen Transporter, Renault Trafic, or the mythical Volkswagen Combi. These are models that most often have a lifting roof and are aimed at people with a "camping spirit". Less equipped and insulated than other leisure vehicles, the van will be used preferably during the summer period.

The van is the size above the utility vehicles such as the Fiat Ducato, the Renault Master or the Citroën Jumper which have been fitted out by the buyer, or in series by specialists or generalist manufacturers. It is usually 6 meters long and up to 2.80 m high. The van is a real competitor to the motor home since it is easier to drive, to park, and already brings the comfort expected to leave for a week. Of course, the most hardy among you will have no problem staying on the road longer, perhaps spending a night in a hotel to recover a little from this cramped daily life... Each traveler in a van or a camper van will find solutions adapted to his needs. In any case, there is no question of suffering if the comfort is not sufficient.

What you can find as equipment

Because of their size, vans and trucks offer less comfort than motorhomes. Nevertheless, thanks to the ingenuity of manufacturers and handymen in thinking about the layout of a very small space (perhaps you are one of them), it is perfectly possible to find a real small living space in the vehicle.

Some fitted models allow for passengers to be seated in the back, while others have installed the furniture with less mobility and leave room only for the driver and co-driver. Again, there are many configurations.

As for sleeping, the transverse bed is the most common in vans. It is located at the rear of the vehicle while making its width. Ideally, storage bins are placed underneath. A cabin bed to be placed on the front seats is practical for small vehicles. The folding bed, like the profiles, is highly appreciated because it frees up space.

On the kitchen side, as free space is scarce, built-in elements make it possible to enlarge the work surface. An articulated extension also saves space. A compression refrigerator is quite common in the van industry. Apart from its cooling performance and insensitivity to tilting, it has the advantage of needing little ventilation. In fact, the structure of the numerous body reinforcements makes it difficult to install these ventilation grids. On the other hand, it is necessary to have a good electrical autonomy.

For small vehicles, a bathroom with a removable partition is ideal to save space: a cover on the shower tray and portable toilets (with wood shavings, better than the chemical version) that can be stored in a closet, so that you do not notice anything. A separate shower in a camper van is difficult to achieve. You can install a shower tray with two drains. Most of the time, you can equip yourself with an outdoor solar shower: a 20-liter bag of water hung on the back door or on a tree that heats up in the sun in about 20 minutes, and then you have a quick shower for two people.

The list is obviously not exhaustive.

Find the ideal van or cargo van

If you don't have the soul of a handyman or the visualization of a space, go directly to the purchase of a van or van already fitted out. There is no lack of models. As for the purchase of a motor home, we advise you to check out specialized magazines and websites, dealerships, word-of-mouth in your circle of friends, etc. A new purchase guarantees that everything is up to standard and reliable. The generalists (Hymer, Campérêve, Globecar, Sunllight, Pilote, Bürstener...) offer special series of over-equipped vans every year in spring. Second hand, look first at the professionals, then at the individuals. The price will obviously vary between the two.

If you buy from a private individual, you will be interested in the quality of the engine (it must start immediately, without jerks), in the waterproofness (you can buy a humidity tester), in the functioning of the equipment (test the gas, water, electricity...).

The global steps to fit out your van yourself

Surround yourself with competent people (relatives, professionals...) to fit out your van yourself if you wish to succeed. Because yes, you can very well install a cot, some bins, a fridge and go on the road. It would be a shame to miss the potential of the vehicle.

First of all, establish what is essential for you: a good bed? A high ceiling? A well-appointed kitchen? A shower? A toilet? The ability to charge your electronic devices? From these elements, you will draw plans of the interior and see what is feasible or not, knowing, for example, that a shower requires space and a good seal, despite undeniable comfort.

Next, you'll need to insulate the floor, walls and doors. Without going into too much detail, you will apply a multi-layer insulation on the floor without forgetting the passage of wheels and glass wool between the doors and walls. Fake parquet and panelling can cover the insulation. They are applied with double-sided tape and glue.

For more privacy, and if it is not already the case, some decide to install a partition between the driving and living areas.

For electricity, solar panels are the best solution, connected to a battery and a converter (pure sine) 12V/230V.

For water, you will need to find a tank of about 100 liters (or less depending on the space) with an integrated pump, connected or not to a water heater. Place under the chassis some containers with a total capacity similar to the water tank, which will be used to evacuate the waste water through a valve.

A gas bottle (5 or 13 kg) will be hidden under the kitchen unit (sink, fridge, gas stove).

Once again, the space available will allow or not to arrange all these elements in the best way. This is only a preamble to the layout of your van.

Specialists in the fitting out of commercial vehicles propose kits for commercial vehicles, or custom-made, which guarantees you the optimization of the space. You will have no trouble finding them on the Internet.

The obligation of homologation

When you buy a commercial vehicle, the registration card will be marked VP (private vehicle) or CTTE (light truck). If you transform it into a vehicle fitted out with fixed elements, you should know that it is compulsory to have it approved as a VASP (Specialized self-propelled vehicle with a GVW of less than 3.5 tons), as is the case for motor homes. This will allow you on the one hand to circulate in all legality and on the other hand, to ensure you that the equipment (gas, electricity...) were installed according to the good standards, do not put you in danger.

To do this, you must contact the DREAL, the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Development and Housing, or, for the Paris region, the DRIEE, the Regional and Interdepartmental Directorate for the Environment and Energy.

If you (or a non-professional) have done the work yourself, a certificate of conformity must be issued by an approved organization (Veritas or Qualigaz). The latter will check in particular the electrical system, the gas installation, the ventilations and airings, the cooking area, the heaters, etc.

An RTI form for motorhome or camper van installation, quite complicated, is to be completed by you. Do not hesitate to ask for help for this. The homologation, between the certification and the fee to the DREAI (86,90 €) will cost you about 500 €. In addition to this, you will have to pay the registration fees, which vary from one department to another. This cost is not negligible, but necessary. In case of a police control, any new element not reported can lead to a fine of up to 750 €. The technical control would also risk not passing for "non conformity of the vehicle with the registration document", which is why some people remove their fittings during the technical control if they are not approved.

If the fitting has been carried out by a professional (between 5,000 and 25,000 €), the VASP homologation and the cost of the vehicle registration are included in the service.

Let's add that the VASP mention is sometimes advantageous for the insurance of the vehicle, and that in case of resale, it is normally forbidden to sell your van or van not VASP approved.

As a rule, you will make the most of the "van life".

To sum up: the advantages and disadvantages

Traveling in a van offers undeniable freedom. The spots are easier to find than a camper van, since it is not compulsory to park in the spaces reserved for camper vans. You can go to the seaside or the forest, which are difficult to access for a large vehicle, and take the well-known photo of your feet, lying down in the back of the van, with the doors open to show the scenery of a lake where you spent the night! The itinerary is thus more flexible, you will nevertheless take pleasure in following the ones we suggest in the guide. Vans have a lower fuel consumption than motorhomes, between 6 and 8 L/100 km, and are more manageable. Driving them is very pleasant when they are new.

On the other hand, the space, although modular, is more limited. You have to organize yourself and put your things away every day. Showers are rarer (if the vehicle is not equipped with one, you will take them in campsites, swimming pools, freeway areas...), as well as the presence of toilets. In fact, the comfort is less. The trip will generally last a few days... To all the neophytes of this way of life, leave yourself some time to adapt. We wish you a good trip and beautiful memories!