Hello.  Both the Ducato and Sprinter are a good size for what you are after.  A T5, even long wheel base would be too small and narrow, especially for something like a shower.  If you can get to a campervan / motorhome seller it's really handy to wander round and see how they fit everything in.  Compared to the T5 layout shown here the shower would fit at the side or back where some of the cupboards are shown and the there would be a little more width to give a narrow space between the bed and a better equipped stove / kitchen.  You could try the search box to look for photos of what others have done.  I can't remember if there is a Sprinter or Ducato.  Good luck.

 Hi my name is adam. I have an old abi caravan and have just brought a iveco xlwb van with the intension of converting it.  I am also mad about bikes and have a vfr800 which i wish to take with me when i am away also providing another form of transport when parked up on site etc..

I would be grateful for any information that anyone can provide me about this conversion and hints/tips of do`s and dont`s before i start my first conversion. many thanks.

 Hello Kev,liz  I had been looking around for a van suitable for a conversion I was looking for something big as I work away from home alot and will use it for accomadation.

I looked at the sprinters but to get a good one i.e. not to rusty and without a million miles on it they were to expensive for me. A friend of mine had just converted an iveco and I went to see it and found myself amazed at the amount of space the condition of the van and important to me what he had paid for it 2000 pounds for a 2000 model with 120,000 miles in vgc.

So I made a decision and am now the proud owner of a 2001 model with 140,000 miles on it in good condition and paid 1850 pounds for.

So have a look at a couple you might be surprised. Good luck on your conversion.

Hi Adam,

Sounds like you've done well with the Iveco -  the xlwb gives you a really good space to work with.  it would be great to see some photos of what you do with it.  A lot of the stuff we see is the much smaller conversions.  It would be interesting to see a slightly bigger conversion esp. with things like a shower fitted in.   

Despite the bigger size and more kit, a lot of the do's and dont's are the same.  Do all the work on the shell and anything messy first (putting in windows, heaters - esp. exhaust pipes, welding in seat rails or getting someone to fit new seat belts).   Electrics and plumbing would then be good to do.  I have seen shower rooms in campervan catalogues so you can buy the tray, the shower, the little plastic moulded sink and mirror units and the toilet separately or all in one.  It's definitely the one thing I would like in my next camper.

The number one thing I'd do though is sit down and think about it first.  Then plan an ordered list.  Some things have to happen before others and some it doesn't matter. 

You say you want to take your motorbike.  I know nothing about them but are you thinking it will be transported in the van or on a trailer?  You'ld certainly get it in the iveco but the layout would need some thought.......  good luck.

 Cheers for your comments campergirl, 

                                                                      I wish to take the bike with me in the back O/S of the van with a single  bed above it.  I have looked through many sites and plans and the one I most like is on a web site for a company called Race Passion.  Admitatly I cant see my van being finished half as nice as theres but it will cost less than a quarter a the price and I am looking foward to embarking on this project.  I am going away one last time in my old caravan on monday then when I get back I will start stripping it for all the parts in my opinion if you have the space to park it buying a donor caravan rather than single items is alot better plus you can measure up all furniture etc.. and improve on the caravans original design.

Does anyone have experiences with diesel night heaters is this the way foward for me?

I will use the van year round and in some cases want to free camp

Sprinter, without a shadow of a doubt, 313 cdi high roof. I have had two myself and swear by them. economical, fast and plenty of pay load. watch the bodywork as they are so light (giving the extra payload) you have to accept that the skin is lighter and prone to surface rust if not looked after, This said they vehicle is a real workhorse, fairly simple to maintain and good value too. Injectors are an expensive job, and track rod ends are a bone of contention. on the newer versions they are a little more robust but the vehicle itself is more expensive to maintain. You will get 100s of k's of miles out of a sprinter.

happy camping