What You Need to Check Before Buying a Campervan Conversion

A campervan conversion can look beautifully finished, but how do you know the seats are installed safely, the payload still works in the real world, the conversion meets the right standards, and the company will support you if something goes wrong? Motorhome Matt and Keith Gooden are joined at the Newark show by Tom Heeney from Landseer Campervans, Dan Douglass from Out and About Campers and Peter Vaughan. They examine the checks buyers should make before committing to a campervan conversion, including type approval, crash-tested seating, installation standards, usable payload, water ingress, warranty support and the reputation of the converter. They also tackle some of the mistakes buyers make before a conversion has even started, from choosing the wrong base van to assuming a familiar vehicle badge guarantees the quality of the conversion. The discussion finishes with electric and hybrid campervans, including the Kia PV5, range expectations and the practical challenges converters face as the market changes.    Our new Blokes Breakfast event takes place on Saturday 10 October at That Leisure Shop in Chelston, Wellington. It’s a free ticketed event, with Dan Trudgian joining Matt to talk about health, wellbeing and how buying a caravan changed his life. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Where and how should you fit a safe in a Fiat Ducato campervan? What can you negotiate when buying a second-hand motorhome from a dealer?  If you’re choosing a campervan converter, sourcing a base van or considering a used conversion, this is the conversation to listen to before you commit your money. 🗓️ REGISTER FOR BLOKES BREAKFAST mhmp.info/events 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Are lithium leisure batteries about to become the norm in motorhomes rather than an expensive upgrade added later? With Swift moving its 2027 motorhome range to lithium, there are signs that one of the biggest changes in motorhome electrical systems is moving firmly into the mainstream. Motorhome Matt and Keith are joined by Steve Kennedy from Roamer, the UK lithium battery company supplying Swift. We look at what's driving manufacturers away from lead-acid, including weight, payload and usable battery capacity, and what factory-fit lithium could mean for the way future motorhomes are designed.  For existing motorhome and campervan owners, there are some important questions too. Can you really replace a lead-acid leisure battery with lithium without changing everything else? How much battery and inverter capacity do you need to run an air fryer, kettle or coffee machine off-grid? We also get into battery storage, charging in freezing temperatures, LiFePO4 safety and why Steve believes 48V systems could have a much bigger role in motorhomes of the future. We also hear about the upcoming Blokes, Bacon Baps and Banter morning at That Leisure Shop at Chelston, with breakfast, coffee, motorhome chat and a live Q&A. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Can you safely use hydraulic levelling legs when your motorhome is parked on a steep slope? What could cause leaking rear shock absorbers on a relatively new Peugeot Boxer-based motorhome? How do you choose the right inverter to run a microwave from a 12V motorhome electrical system? If you've been considering lithium, wondering what you'll fit when your lead-acid battery eventually gives up, or simply want to understand where motorhome electrical systems are heading next, this conversation should give you plenty to think about. ✅ ROAMER MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/roamer 💫 WIN A STARFLEX UK BIKE HOLDER mhmp.info/win 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Leaving your motorhome keys in the ignition while you nip in to pay for fuel might seem harmless. But when it comes to insurance, small decisions like that can have much bigger consequences than owners realise. Matt and Keith are joined by Mel Savage, Head of Insurance Product at Ripe, to look at the motorhome and campervan insurance assumptions that can make a claim more difficult. We get into what “comprehensive” cover actually means, why documentation matters when you make a claim, and how theft, keyless entry, trackers and test drives are treated. We also look at some of the changes being made to motorhome and campervan cover, including older vehicles, commuting, lower-value vehicles and classic campers. There’s practical advice on European travel, lithium battery upgrades and off-grid use too, with a useful reminder that insurance is ultimately about assessing risk. Plus, a new event at That Leisure Shop: Blokes Breakfast, a relaxed Saturday morning get-together at Chelston for motorhome and campervan chat over breakfast. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Can you tow a car on an A-frame in France or elsewhere in Europe and still be insured? Could removing the oven from a motorhome affect its insurance or classification? How does breakdown cover work for older vans travelling in Europe? What can you do to reduce your motorhome insurance premium? If you’ve ever wondered what your motorhome insurance really covers, what you need to declare, or what could make a claim more awkward than it needs to be, this is a useful conversation to hear before you need the policy. 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events ⛺️ RIVERSIDE CARAVAN PARK mhmp.info/riverside 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Can travelling in a motorhome or campervan really become a paying content business, or does life as a creator look rather easier from the other side of the screen? Motorhome Matt and Keith explore what it really takes to build a motorhome or van-life audience, in a live panel recorded at Vanlove 2026. Joining Matt are Steve and Lyndsay Radford from The Roaming Radfords, Mark Bonito from Vanlife Eats, TV presenter and campervan converter Max McMurdo, and Guy Robinson from Vanlove. They get candid about the money and the workload. There are 4am editing sessions on motorhome trips, the challenge of turning a hobby into a business, and the peculiar world of YouTube where a carefully produced project costing thousands can struggle for views while something much simpler takes off. Matt also shares what it costs to produce the Motorhome Matt Podcast, while Max explains why moving from television into YouTube feels rather like starting again. The conversation also gets into the less obvious side of putting yourself online: deciding how much of your private life to share, dealing with negative comments, building a recognisable brand and working out why you want to create content in the first place. The panel finishes with practical advice for anyone thinking of picking up a camera and starting their own motorhome or campervan channel. In Motorhome Finance Fact or Fiction, Matt is joined by Steve Blake to look at the assumption that financing a motorhome always requires a large deposit, and how affordability now influences the options available. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Travelling with a full motorhome fresh-water tank, payload and the effect of water moving around in the tank Whether an £850 Diamondbrite ceramic coating is worth considering on a Bailey Adamo 75-4DL A campervan seller being asked by prospective buyers to purchase an EpicVIN vehicle-history report, and whether that should raise concerns If you have ever looked at a motorhome creator travelling the country and thought it looked like a rather agreeable way to earn a living, this conversation gives you the view from behind the camera, including the bits the algorithm tends not to mention. ⛺️ Riverside Caravan Park mhmp.info/riverside 💰 FINANCE YOUR MOTORHOME mhmp.info/motorhomefinance 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

What should you actually carry in a motorhome toolkit, and which bits are genuinely worth the space? Motorhome Matt and Keith work through the tools, spares and emergency kit Matt keeps onboard, from torque wrenches, tyre pressure kit and jump starter packs to fuses, plumbing fittings, cable ties, Wago connectors and a spare water pump. Along the way, Matt explains the real situations that have made some of these items earn a permanent place in the van. There are a few useful surprises too, including why Matt now carries a torque wrench, what he keeps for common water system problems, why a head torch is one of his favourite bits of kit, and why his laminated fuse diagrams have become so useful when other motorhome owners ask for help. We also look at the sensible limit to all this preparation: carrying the tools is one thing, knowing when not to use them is another. We also look ahead to The South West Motorhome & Campervan Show at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet, with camping, live entertainment, motorhomes for sale, trade stands and free talks across the weekend. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Can standard motorhome wing mirrors be replaced with rear-view camera systems? Does a 2023 Fiat Ducato need reprogramming after changing the starter battery? How do you manage children’s car seats in a motorhome without them taking over the living space? If you’ve ever wondered what’s genuinely useful to keep in the van for those small problems that crop up on the road, this is a practical look at the kit Matt actually carries and why. Shop Matt’s Motorhome Toolkit at That Leisure Shop and get 10% off your first order with code MOTORHOMEMATT. 👉 thatleisureshop.com/collections/motorhome-matts-toolkit Matt’s Motorhome Toolkit: Full List Tools & gadgets Screwdrivers: flat-head and cross-head in different sizes, including PH and PZ General-purpose pliers Long-nose pliers Adjustable spanner Miniature socket set Torx bits Allen keys Torque wrench Multimeter Claw hammer Rubber mallet Miniature lump hammer Wheel brace Breaker bar Standard vehicle jack Bottle jack Craft knife Tyre pressure gauge TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) Portable tyre inflator Tyre puncture gel/sealant Jump starter/booster pack Spares & repair bits Spare fuses Spare bulbs Jubilee clips in a few sizes Hose repair connectors John Guest push-fit plumbing fittings 12 mm and 10 mm hard water pipe O-rings and seals Spare submersible water pump Useful extras Head torch Disposable gloves Hand-cleaning wipes Kneeling mat Cable ties in different sizes Metal cable ties Gaffer tape Electrical repair tape Corks or bungs for temporarily stopping leaks Silicone spray Small can of WD-40 Two-part plastic epoxy resin Bungee cords Wago electrical connectors Small reel of electrical wire 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events 📹 WATCH ON YOUTUBE mhmp.info/watch The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Modern motorhomes can stay off-grid for longer, carry more usable battery capacity and rely far less on electric hook-up than they once did. So what does a campsite need to offer now to make motorhome owners want to stop, stay and pay for a pitch? Motorhome Matt and Keith Gooden look at how touring habits are changing, from shorter stays and last-minute bookings to Brit Stops, park-ups and the growing expectation that a campsite should offer more than somewhere to plug in. We also tackle the awkward question of value, including why campsite prices have risen and what owners should reasonably expect for their money. Matt visits Riverside Caravan Park in High Bentham to speak with operations director John Marshall about what those changes look like from the campsite side. At Riverside, tourers stay for an average of 3.7 nights compared with 2.2 nights for motorhomes, while the mix of touring caravans and motorhomes has shifted considerably in recent years. John explains how the business is responding through facilities, online booking, later arrivals, Wi-Fi, EV charging, solar and giving visitors more reasons to explore from the site. There’s also an update on ETIAS and the European Entry/Exit System, including the latest uncertainty around when ETIAS will actually be introduced and what travellers heading into the Schengen area need to keep an eye on. In the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Which type of air conditioning makes sense for a motorhome retrofit Why a Kador bead can pull out of a Multirail and what size difference may be causing it How to find a motorhome layout that is comfortable enough to live in without sacrificing the storage you need If you’ve noticed yourself using campsites differently in the last few years, this conversation explains why the relationship between motorhomes and campsites is changing, and what both sides are having to rethink. ⛺️ Riverside Caravan Park mhmp.info/riverside 🇪🇺 FREE EUROPE GUIDE thatleisureshop.com/europe 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛒 PRODUCT OF THE WEEK www.thatleisureshop.com 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events 📹 WATCH ON YOUTUBE mhmp.info/watch The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Why are used motorhomes still so expensive when some of them are already several years old? Matt Sims and Keith Gooden look at what is keeping prices high, how the rising cost of base vehicles and conversions feeds through to the used market, and the financial pressure sitting behind some motorhome dealer forecourts. The conversation gets into stock finance and curtailment payments, why unsold new motorhomes can become a serious problem for dealers, and what buyers can do to get a better sense of who they are dealing with before handing over a substantial amount of money. Matt also draws on his own experience of running a motorhome dealership and explains why he has chosen not to sell new motorhomes today. We also tackle what happens when the temperature climbs and your motorhome has no air conditioning. From portable air coolers and roof-mounted systems to under-seat and cab-based options, we look at the choices, the costs involved and an important warning about reflective blinds and acrylic windows in very hot weather. Electrical safety comes up too, after a listener asks about using a simple socket tester to check a home or campsite hook-up. Then there’s a question from an e-bike owner trying to choose the right rack for a Citroën Relay, including weight limits, wider tyres and the extra strain caused by bumps and ferry ramps. There are a few less obvious ownership questions as well: do wheel covers really help protect motorhome tyres from UV damage, is it worth carrying a spare number plate when travelling abroad, and how can you insulate acrylic windows and roof vents for winter without sticking Velcro everywhere? And for anyone looking ahead to a heavier motorhome, we discuss C1 entitlement, reaching age 70 and the uncertainty around possible future 4.25-tonne licence changes. Lee Davey also joins us for the Alan Rogers Campsite of the Month, taking us to Camping Las Dunas in Catalonia, a large resort-style campsite with its own beach, pools, water slides and plenty to explore beyond the site. Alan Rogers' Campsite of the Month ➞ https://mhmp.info/alanrogers Great Motorhome Guide ➞ https://wsgwarranties.co.uk/Great-Motorhome-Guide-2026 Chat With Motorhome Matt ➞ https://mhmp.info/chat Motorhome Matt Approved ➞  https://mhmp.info/approved Ask Matt ➞  https://mhmp.info/askmatt 15% Off Insurance ➞  https://mhmp.info/rpyt Motorhome Matt is brought to you by That Leisure Shop. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT ➞ https://thatleisureshop.com

Devon Conversions has been building campervans since the 1950s, but after closing in 2025, the long-established name could easily have disappeared. Instead, it has a new owner, a fresh start and quite a challenge ahead: how do you modernise a traditional campervan brand without losing the loyal owners who made it what it is? Motorhome Matt talks to Steve Fairbairn, the new owner of Devon Conversions, about what happened when the business closed, why he decided the name was worth preserving and what comes next. With customers returning for their fifth and sixth Devon campervans, there’s plenty Steve doesn’t want to change. But attracting a different generation of buyers means the familiar Devon formula can’t simply stand still. Keith and Matt pick up that question afterwards as we look at the wider shift towards van conversions and micro campers. Is the market moving away from traditional caravans, and what does the changing mix of buyers mean for manufacturers and dealers? There’s also some striking industry news. Matt and Keith discuss Brownhills reporting a pre-tax loss of £961,000, compared with a £1.22 million pre-tax profit the previous year, while Grantham’s Caravans is moving in the opposite direction. What might these contrasting figures tell us about the state of the motorhome and caravan trade? And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: What happens to your servicing and warranty if the motorhome dealer you bought from goes bust? Could fitting a porch awning create a carbon monoxide risk? Are motorhomes really designed to cope with full-time or semi-permanent van life? There’s a lot changing in the campervan and motorhome world, and Devon’s return is a fascinating example of the balancing act facing the industry. Join Matt and Keith as they look at what’s worth preserving, what needs to change and what owners need to keep an eye on. Find out more: DEVON CONVERSIONS: devonconversions.co.uk CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT: mhmp.info/chat 15% OFF INSURANCE: mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ASK MATT: mhmp.info/askmatt The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

How do you convert a van into a campervan without spending a fortune, and could you really complete a campervan conversion in just 24 hours? In this episode, Motorhome Matt is joined by designer, TV presenter and former Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Max McMurdo to talk affordable campervan conversions, clever small-space design and his move into the campervan world. Max shares the thinking behind Outlandish Campers, his modular campervan conversion system designed to make converting smaller vans more accessible. We get into micro campers, removable interiors, sustainable materials and why being able to take your conversion out and move it to another van could make a great deal of sense. We also hear how Max’s career took him from car design and upcycling to Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, before campervans brought many of those interests together. And, naturally, there’s the small matter of his Volkswagen ID. Buzz camper, 73,000 miles of electric motoring and the realities of travelling in an EV campervan. At the Warner Shows, Max is taking on a rather ambitious challenge, converting an old van into a finished campervan live at the show in just 24 hours, spread across three eight-hour days. And in the Q&A, Matt and Keith answer your questions on: Is it safe to drink water directly from a motorhome tank? What should you consider when exporting a motorhome from the UK to New Zealand? If you’re considering a DIY campervan conversion, looking at a smaller van or simply wondering how much campervan you can create without an enormous budget, tune in. Max has plenty of ideas, Matt has plenty of questions, and Keith is on hand to keep the rest of us grounded. Outlandish Campers – www.outlandishcampers.com 💤 10% OFF CUSTOM MATTRESS mhmp.info/foampeople 💰 FINANCE YOUR MOTORHOME mhmp.info/motorhomefinance 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events 📹 WATCH ON YOUTUBE mhmp.info/watch 💬 LEAVE A REVIEW mhmp.info/review The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Selling your house to live in a motorhome sounds like the ultimate dream, but what's it really like once the adventure begins? Is full-time motorhome living everything people imagine, or are there challenges nobody talks about?  In this episode, Motorhome Matt is joined by Kat Bird from Wandering Bird, Tash Gooch from Life Beyond Bricks and Jackie Pickles from Early Retirement Wanderlust, who have all taken different paths towards full-time life on the road. Together, we explore the realities of giving up bricks and mortar, managing finances, finding work, travelling at a slower pace and discovering what it really takes to make full-time motorhome living work. We also take a look at the new Pathway 4G Gen 2 router; what's changed, why it matters and how the latest version has been shaped by customer feedback. And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on: Whether motorhome owners' clubs are worth joining Where to get your motorhome chassis serviced Leaving your motorhome permanently connected to electric hook-up at home Whether you're seriously considering selling your house or you're simply curious about the lifestyle, this episode is packed with honest experiences, practical advice and plenty of food for thought. Join Motorhome Matt, Keith and our guests as we help you decide if life on the road could be the right move for you. Early Retirement Wanderlust ➞ www.earlyretirementwanderlust.com Wandering Bird ➞ www.wandering-bird.com Life Beyond Bricks ➞ lifebeyondbricks.co.uk 📶 SHOP PATHWAY 4G GEN 2 thatleisureshop.com/pathway 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events 📹 WATCH ON YOUTUBE mhmp.info/watch 💬 LEAVE A REVIEW mhmp.info/review The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT. 🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved 🛒 PRODUCT OF THE WEEK www.thatleisureshop.com 🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events 📹 WATCH ON YOUTUBE mhmp.info/watch 💬 LEAVE A REVIEW mhmp.info/review The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists. 10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.