Choosing a company to convert your campervan is very different from simply choosing a vehicle. The finished interior may be what first catches your eye, but there is much more worth investigating before deciding who should carry out the work.
If you are comparing Sussex campervans and conversion companies, look at how the conversion is designed, where the work takes place, how effectively the available space is used and whether you can see examples of completed work. A good conversion should make sense once you start using it, not simply look impressive in photographs.
Summary:
When researching Sussex campervans and conversion specialists, pay close attention to the conversion itself. Consider who completes the work, whether you can visit the production facilities, how storage and living space are planned, what choices you have over the finished interior and whether the company has experience with your particular type of vehicle. At Free Spirit Campervans, our conversions are built on site at our facilities near Chichester, with bespoke options available across the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano.
Start With the Campervan You Actually Need
Before comparing cupboard finishes or deciding which colour you would like your seats, think about what you expect from the finished campervan.
A couple planning regular weekends away may have different priorities from a family travelling together. Someone taking bikes or outdoor equipment may value storage differently from someone whose priority is a comfortable space to relax at the end of the day.
Start with practical questions.
- How many people will regularly travel and sleep in the campervan?
- What will you need to store?
- Will you cook inside regularly?
- How important is standing room?
- Are there particular pieces of equipment you expect to take away?
These answers give you something meaningful to discuss with a conversion company.
A well-planned campervan is not simply about fitting as many features as possible. Every addition takes up valuable space, so the different elements need to work together.
Find Out Who Actually Builds the Conversion
When researching conversion companies, establish where the work takes place and who carries it out.
There is a considerable difference between viewing photographs of a completed vehicle and being able to visit the facilities where campervans are actually being worked on.
Free Spirit‘s campervans are built on site at our production facilities near Chichester in West Sussex. Customers are welcome to visit the production facility and showroom to see the conversions first-hand.
This is worth asking any conversion company about. Can they show you where the conversion takes place? Can they explain which parts they make themselves? Who can you speak to if you have questions about the proposed conversion?
Look at How the Available Space Is Used
Space is one of the most valuable things inside any campervan.
That makes good design about more than creating an attractive kitchen unit. Look at how the whole interior functions.
Open the cupboards and see how much usable storage they provide. Look at areas that might otherwise become wasted space. Consider whether you can move around comfortably and how the interior changes when it is time to sleep.
Free Spirit’s conversions can incorporate features including an integrated kitchen, rock and roll bed, pop top roof and leisure battery system, alongside storage and other optional additions.
The important part is how these features work together within a relatively compact vehicle.
Try to picture a real trip rather than a pristine campervan sitting in a showroom. Where would you put your clothes, food and outdoor gear? Can you access the things you need easily? What happens to your belongings when you make the bed?
Those practical details can have a much bigger effect on everyday enjoyment than a feature that simply looks impressive.
Inspect the Cabinetry and Finish Properly
Photographs are useful when researching Sussex campervans, but a conversion is something worth examining in person.
Take a closer look at the cabinetry, doors, worktops, storage areas, seating and other fitted components. Open things. Sit down. Move around. Ask what different options are available.
Free Spirit offers bespoke customisation alongside pre-designed conversions. Customers can choose from different material and finish options, including wood finishes and seating styles.
That allows you to think about both appearance and practicality.
A campervan intended for muddy walking trips, dogs and frequent weekends outdoors might call for different choices from one primarily intended for relaxed touring. There isn’t one universally correct interior. The important thing is finding a combination that suits how you expect to use it.
Consider Whether Bespoke Choices Actually Benefit You
The word “bespoke” can cover a lot of ground, so find out what it means in practice.
Free Spirit offers vehicles without modifications, vehicles with pre-designed conversions and bespoke customisation to a customer’s specification.
For some buyers, an existing conversion may already offer everything they need. Others will have particular requirements or strong preferences about materials, finishes or additional equipment.
Don’t feel that you need to customise something simply because the option exists.
Instead, start with how you travel and work backwards. A useful bespoke choice solves a genuine requirement or makes the campervan better suited to you.
That could be as straightforward as choosing an interior finish you genuinely enjoy living with, or it could involve discussing practical additions that suit the activities you have planned.
Ask About the Base Vehicles the Company Knows
The conversion cannot be considered completely separately from the vehicle underneath it.
It therefore makes sense to find out whether a converter regularly works with your chosen model.
Free Spirit specialises in three base vehicles: the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano. All three begin as people carriers, rather than commercial vans, and Free Spirit has built its conversion offering around these particular models.
That specialisation also means customers aren’t trying to choose from an endless range of unrelated vehicles and conversion styles.
Instead, you can compare the characteristics of three established Free Spirit models and decide which provides the best starting point for what you want.
Look at Completed Conversions Before Making Decisions
Samples and individual material choices can help you imagine a conversion, but nothing replaces seeing complete campervans.
Look at several if possible.
One conversion may help you realise you want more storage. Another might demonstrate a finish you hadn’t considered. You may discover that something you thought was essential matters much less once you compare different interiors in person.
Free Spirit has a gallery of completed conversions across its campervan range, while its changing stock includes already converted vehicles as well as vehicles available for bespoke conversion.
This is also why visiting a conversion company can be so useful. Instead of designing a campervan entirely in the abstract, you can see how different ideas translate into an actual vehicle.
Choosing Between Sussex Campervans and Conversion Options
Finding the right conversion company ultimately comes down to understanding what you are being offered.
Don’t judge the decision solely on a photograph of the finished interior. Look at the base vehicle, the use of space, the facilities where the work takes place, the available choices and examples of previous conversions.
Most importantly, think about how the finished campervan needs to work for you.
At Free Spirit Campervans, you can visit us near Chichester to see our campervans and production facilities, explore different conversions and discuss what you would like from your own vehicle. Our team can talk you through the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano alongside the conversion options available for each.
Call us
Tel: (01243) 649087
Email us
info@fscltd.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a campervan conversion company?
Look at the company’s completed conversions, where the work is carried out, its experience with your chosen base vehicle, the quality and practicality of the interior, and the choices available to you. If possible, view conversions in person rather than relying solely on photographs.
What should I check inside a converted campervan?
Look beyond the overall appearance. Examine storage, cabinetry, seating, sleeping arrangements, kitchen facilities and how easily you can move around. Think about where your belongings would go and how the interior would function during a real trip.
What does a bespoke campervan conversion mean?
A bespoke conversion allows elements of the campervan to be tailored to your requirements rather than purchasing only a fixed specification. At Free Spirit, customers can choose from material and finish options and discuss additional features for their conversion.
Can I see a campervan conversion before deciding?
Yes. Free Spirit welcomes visitors to its showroom and production facility near Chichester, where you can see the quality of its conversions first hand.
Which campervans does Free Spirit convert?
Free Spirit specialises in the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano.
What can be included in a Free Spirit campervan conversion?
Free Spirit’s conversion options include features such as an integrated kitchen, rock and roll bed, pop top roof and leisure battery, with further options available depending on the conversion.
Can I choose the finish of my campervan interior?
Free Spirit offers a selection of materials and finishes, including choices for cabinetry and seating, allowing customers to personalise the appearance of their conversion.
Where are Free Spirit campervans converted?
Free Spirit builds its campervans on site at its facilities near Chichester in West Sussex.
