Renault Master 2.5L Off Grid Stealth DIY Camper Van
This van was converted during the COVID lockdowns when I was
working from home. The van has taken the wife and I all over mainland Europe in
2022, then the wife, the baby and I all over Europe in 2023. We call it “Big
Vanny Chan”.
The reason I am looking to sell is work circumstances have
changed meaning we have less time and we are looking to increase the size of
our family, the van has 3 belted seats sleeping space for three.
Before I begin to describe the van and its camper features
please bear in mind this is not a professionally crafted, run of the mill (incredibly
expensive) generic luxury camper. Everything about this camper was designed to
be the way it is with a specific reason in mind, all the features are bespoke
to the experience we wanted from the van.
The Van
2.5L Renault Master L3H3 Panel Van. The height was essential
as neither of us wanted to stoop or crawl around when in the living space. The
van has covered 88500 miles. Timing belt done at 80500 Miles. Water pump
replaced 6 months ago. I have the V5 and three keys. I replaced the broken
radio with a new Sony head unit and a DAB aerial, no CD player but it does have
Bluetooth. Three seats in the front all with fully working seat belts.
If you look up the MOT status on .GOV you will see it
expires on May 22nd. I am waiting on a booking to get it in and get
it done and I am happy to ensure that it goes to the winning bidder with a
fresh MOT with no major advisories.
Body & Exterior
The goal was to make this van as discrete as possible from
the outside to allow us to “free camp” as much as possible and to allow us
access to areas (e.g. European town centre car parks) where caravans and
campervans are not welcome. Therefore, I decided not to spruce up the exterior
rust spots and paint issues or to install any side windows or apply any camper
decals. The only clues that it’s a camper are the roof fan and the solar panel,
but due to its height and how these are mounted they aren’t obvious. We have
parked it in areas where caravans, campers and RVs are not welcome and have
never had any issues. Similarly, from a safety point of view it looks like a
standard work van from outside and doesn’t scream expensive camper full of
expensive possessions.
Interior
The interior was stripped back to metal, all rust was ground
out, filled and rust treated. It was then fully insulated; floor to ceiling.
The living space is clad in timber which we had intended to paint but never did
as we liked the finish. Kitchen area with sink and two ring burner. Two bench
seats, both with storage, we used one for our chemical toilet (included in
sale) and our chest fridge (not included in sale). Table that slides out when
necessary and retracts when not in use. Storage cabinets under worktop and
above driver’s cab. Huge storage bay in the boot of the van under the main bed.
Fixed double bed, my wife and I are both approx. 6 foot and couldn’t
compromise on length or comfort of bed. Fixed single bed under the main double
bed.
Camper Mods
The camper is designed for fully off grid use so has 12v
power system charged by solar and a battery-to-battery charger.
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Large Solar Panel
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160AH Leisure battery
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Battery to Battery Charger
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Renogy Solar controller.
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Renogy battery monitor.
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12v sockets in rear alongside numerous USB
sockets
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Six touch activated spotlights
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Maxxfan Deluxe remote controlled ceiling fan.
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Water pump and accumulator for handbasin
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2 ring gas burner
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Thetford Chemical toilet
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Kitchen tap that swivels out of the van and
extends to create an outdoor shower
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Tank capacity for 50L fresh water and 25L grey
water
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Vinyl Flooring throughout
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Partial interior reflective window blinds
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European safety kit, spare fuses and bulbs.
Quirks with the van
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Only two of the keys work the central locking
and ignition, the third only does the doors.
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The rear drivers side sliding door does not
respond to central locking and needs to be locked and unlocked manually. We
just lock it and leave it.
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The drivers door lock can only be locked with
central locking or from inside due to the barrel spinning when the key is put
in.
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Some parts of the interior need finishing e.g.
the splashback in kitchen area and the cupboard doors, however as we have
decided to sell, I won’t be doing this.
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I could never decide how to finish the interior
of the doors with ply or cladding so in the end I just left them.
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When driving there is an occasional knock from somewhere
over the passenger front wheel. It’s done this all the time I’ve had the van, I’ve
had two garages investigate and they can’t find the culprit. It doesn’t affect
the drive and causes no issues other than the noise when it happens.
I am sad to offer Big Vanny Chan up for sale but after all
the hard work and time I’ve put in I can’t stand the thought of it going unused
and being wasted. It would be ideal for a single person, couple, family of
three or could be easily converted to accommodate dogs instead of a child!
If you are bidding don’t forget it was first registered in
2005, its 19 years old, it’s got external signs of wear and tear. However, it
is ready to go, as it is, or someone could develop it further, add a diesel
heater and some external AC hookups, windows even, or just keep it as a stealthy
off grid camping machine.
If you have any questions, please send me a message I’ll
answer to the best of my ability.
Please don’t bid unless you intend to buy if you win.
Whatever the winning bid is that’s the price of sale, I won’t haggle or
negotiate at point of pickup.
Auction winner to pay £100 deposit within 24 hours by BACS.
Remainder of payment on collection.
Buyer arranges collection.
The single bed under the main double bed runs East West so is slightly shorter than a standard adult single. It will easily accommodate a child's single mattress which we have in at the moment approx 160cm.