Planning and measuring

Now you have your van and know what you intend to fit into it it’s time to get down to precise measurements. This can be via a scientific approach using computer aided design programmes, scale line drawings on graph paper or freehand sketches on the back of envelopes, whichever method is employed it’s likely that at some stage you’ll end up sitting on the floor of the van with a list of measurements, a tape measure and a pencil or marker pen. Oh, whilst we’re here, Tape measures. Buy several. There is no doubt that the tape measure fairy, a close cousin of the pencil fairy, will visit you many times during your build.
You‘ll measure something, put down the tape measure to make a note and when you look back the tape measure will be gone, just to rub salt in the wound, while you’re looking for the tape measure the  pencil that you just made the note with will also disappear!

Make a note where any steel reinforcing braces are in the van. You may want to plan parts of your interior to enable these to be used as fixing points or areas to be avoided when planning where any holes might need to be cut in the van at a later stage in the build. These would of course include the positioning of windows or skylights but also, as many gas appliances require venting to the outside, consideration given to this at this stage of your planning can save headaches later.

DVLA requirements for a van to be classified as a ‘Motor caravan’