Campervan Conversions 101: How To Get Started

John Stuckey, founder of Bear Hug Campers, talks to Van Love about the benefits of converting a van and answers the all important question of “where do I start?”

Just a few years ago, John launched Bear Hug Campers, a van conversion company with the aim of creating beautiful hand-crafted campervans and helping people achieve their vanlife dreams.

Let’s delve right into his advice on where to begin your conversion experience…

→ Focus On What You Want Not What Others Have

“A well-thought-out, simple design often looks better and functions more smoothly than one packed with clever features that will rarely be used.”

Firstly, John says that he’s lost count of how many people he’s encountered that get overwhelmed by trying to incorporate every amazing feature they’ve seen online into one build. On Instagram alone the hashtag #vanlife features 18.3 million posts – so that say’s it all!

Whilst other people’s van pictures can be fantastic for inspiration (and fun for a scrolling session – we all do it) it’s far too easy to only focus on what they have. Instead, grab a pen and paper, John says, and jot down your top priorities. Don’t worry if it’s not everything…

A well-thought-out, simple design often looks better and functions more smoothly than one packed with clever features that will rarely be used. To help get your cogs turning, ask yourself questions like “will the van be used for living, travel or short UK breaks?”, “Do I need a shower room in the van?”, “Do I need a fixed bed or one I can convert from seating?”, “Are you planning on working from your van?”, These are all important questions that ultimately will help form the layout of your van.

Once you’ve decided on your van’s purpose and what features you want it to include, you can start to look into the first baby steps you need to take to achieve it.

→ Considerations Before Converting a Van

“It might feel daunting at first, but once you’ve listed your priorities and started sketching out layouts, whether you’re going DIY or leaving it to the pros, it will all begin to fall into place.”

Next, John recommends looking at what will be required to make sure your campervan actually functions and what you need in order to make it.

Power Requirement is one a big one. Depending on your van and its intended use, you’ll need to look into what sort of appliances you’ll be powering for life on the road, for example, mini fridge, charging ports, LED lighting, heater, water pump etc. With this in mind, look at both 12V and 230V and consider what will need what.

John says most people struggle with the same issues – from tricky jargon to understanding what their vans can actually handle. These ‘need-to-know’ details are covered in Bear Hug’s free electrical guide, and are calculated in-depth when getting an electric system install from Bear Hug Electric (the off-grid electrical installation side of Bear Hug Campers).

Conversion work space is another key consideration. It’s easy to get caught up in where you’ll take your van once it’s done, but first ask yourself: do I have space to even build it? Whether it’s a garage, a car port or even a driveway, you might have to get creative with where you’re cutting wood and making a mess. Remember, you can use the van itself as a mini workshop for the first part of your build (with pro-built conversions by Bear Hug Campers, you won’t have to worry about this as the van will be converted for you at their workshop!).

A self-build is no easy project, as John himself can vouch for having been through it himself – it can also be rather time consuming! Seeking expert advice is always recommended, even if more for guidance than for full build. If you’re pushed for time, getting a specialist to take the pressure off certain aspects, such as your van’s electrical system, might be a happy medium.

Budget is a factor that is likely at the top of everyone’s list. Don’t worry, van conversions are possible with all kinds of budgets. You can still create a beautiful, budget-friendly van with simple functionality and systems, don’t get put off if you can’t afford a high-tech, more expensive powerhouse, John explains.

It might feel daunting at first, but once you’ve listed your priorities and started sketching out layouts, whether you’re going DIY or leaving it to the pros, it will all begin to fall into place.

→ Learn the Lingo

“By grasping some of the key phrases or words that are used for steps of the process, suddenly the imposter syndrome you’re feeling will fade away. Once you know the essentials, the rest becomes easier too.”

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when reading up about campervan conversions - we get it, there’s a lot of information out there. Sometimes the jargon can make you feel like too much of a novice to take on the project. Don’t let this stop you John emphasises – it’s actually really simple to learn the lingo. By grasping some of the key phrases or words that are used for steps of the process, suddenly the imposter syndrome you’re feeling will fade away. Once you know the essentials, the rest becomes easier too.

Electrical jargon can be some of the most complicated to understand, so you’re not alone in feeling like an outsider when reading up about it… we all have to start somewhere! But understanding how to talk about an electric systems helps simplify things.

Firstly, you’ll hear a lot about the ‘The Electrical System’ (or core electrical system). It sounds obvious, but this refers to the core system located in one area of your van that includes components such as solar controllers, inverters and consumer units.

‘Subsystems’ refer to specific areas of the electrical setup that serve distinct functions (think solar, battery-to-battery, 12V distribution).

Next, ‘Components’; this includes individual devices such as solar controllers, inverters, or appliances.

And finally, ‘Wiring Runs’ refers to all the wiring that extends from your system area to various points throughout your van.

On the tools and materials front, words like ‘ply lining’, ‘vapour barrier’ and ‘lagging’ are often thrown around, while vanlife slang has its own flavour, with terms such as ‘stealth camping’, ‘off-grid living’, ‘galley’ (for the kitchen space) and ‘garage’ (the storage area under a fixed bed).

Once you’re familiar with these basics, the world of campervans feels way less intimidating, says John.

→ Motorhome, Self Build or Expert Build

Having first converted a few of his own vans – light and spacious conversions that he based around having space for his lively dog, Billy, to accompany him and his partner on their travels – as well as bringing lots of customers’ ideas to fruition, John is easily able to appreciate his customers’ visions. From understanding their individual needs to figuring out how best to execute them, he has been able to help so many adventurers brave the plunge as he once did.

Having turned his passion into a flourishing business, John has had the pleasure of seeing so many likeminded people head off for life on the road. With this being said, he understands just how hard the decision can be whether to convert yourself or get expert help. It’s why so many opt to simply buy a pre-made motorhome, he adds.

For anyone weighing up the difference between a campervan conversion and a motorhome, there are some clear advantages. For starters, conversions allow you to design a layout entirely around your needs, rather than being restricted to a one-size-fits-all template. This flexibility means every detail, from storage solutions to furniture, can be tailored to your lifestyle.

DIY builds can also save thousands compared with buying a ready-made motorhome, particularly if you’re happy to source your own materials and work at your own pace. Beyond cost, converted vans are usually smaller and more discreet, making them easier to drive through cities or along narrow country roads. And then, as John puts it, there’s the pride factor, nothing compares to stepping into a van you’ve built yourself or commissioned, knowing every corner reflects your creativity and effort.

Of course, despite John’s bias being conversions, he explains that there are lots of pros to buying a motorhome too. For example, they are ready to go and are easy to find, which can speed up the whole process massively.

With that being said, John reveals his plans to try to bridge the gap between full custom builds and ready-to-go vans. His new Signature VW Transporter Build service offers the Bear Hug Campers’ full-build styling and personalisation, but in a simpler, more compact package – perfect for those seeking adventure in the form of shorter escapes. He hopes that this type of build will allow his customers to more easily enter the vanlife world whilst still having control over the look and feel of their van.

From Custom Builds to Signature Layouts and Electrical Installations, Bear Hug Campers is making vanlife more accessible for everyone.

Find out more: 👉 Instagram | Youtube | Website

Photos @the.wild.plan / @bearhugcampers