Have you ever wondered if you could actually build a camper van for the price of a decent dinner out? Most professional conversions cost thousands of pounds, but sometimes, all you really need is a solid van, a bit of ingenuity, and a lucky find on Facebook Marketplace.
In my latest project, I’ve been working on a Vauxhall Vivaro conversion. While the build is far from finished, I recently hit a major milestone: I found a bed! To celebrate (and to see if the van was actually livable), I took it on a 108-mile round trip for a “stealth camping” test run in South Yorkshire.
Here is how the weekend went and why you don’t need a massive budget to start your van life journey. This article goes through how the trip went I also did a video on the trip which you can watch below.
The Budget Build: How I Spent Only £108
When I say this was a budget test, I mean it. At this stage, the van is essentially a shell with the bare essentials. Here is the breakdown of the costs for this specific trip:
- Rock and Roll Bed: £100 (Facebook Marketplace find).
- Insulation: £8 (Silver foil bubble wrap/foam insulation).
- Flooring: Reused floorboards and an old carpet from our tenting days.
- Curtains: DIY setup using old gazebo poles and curtains from car boot £5.
- Mattress: An old memory foam topper repurposed from a previous bed.
For just over £100, we had a functional (if basic) sleeping space. It goes to show that you don’t need a finished “Instagram-worthy” interior to get out there and enjoy the lifestyle.
We went prepared taking the butain stove, tea, coffee, sugar & milk. So at least could have a nice hot drink. We took the quilt of our bed with pillows, yes did look a mess in the back but it worked.
Stop 1: Buying the bed
The first stop was picking up the bed, it was a lovely lady that was selling it as she had been using it in her camper build but found the rock and roll bed really wasn’t suitable for her use. It was a bit heavy and took both me and the missus to get from her camper into our van, we just shoved it the back to sort out later.
After leaving there we went to a local supermarket for some food supplies and then worked out where we would go next.
Stop 1: Wentworth Castle and Gardens
Before settling in for the night, we headed to Wentworth Castle and Gardens. Being a National Trust member, entry was free, but for non-members, it’s a very reasonable £8.
Despite the 50mph winds from a passing storm, the grounds were stunning. Highlights included:
- The Victorian Flower Garden: A peaceful circular garden with plenty of seating.
- Stainborough Castle: A beautiful “sham” castle with turrets that offer incredible views of the valley.
- The Union Jack Garden: A unique garden layout designed in the shape of the national flag.
- The Conservatory: A warm refuge filled with history and statues.
It was the perfect way to spend a few hours before the “stealth” part of our mission began. Before going to a parkour for the night we went to a local chippy for some food, even though we had basic cooking facilities we just wanted something quick and easy.
The Reality of Stealth Camping
“Stealth camping” is the art of parking in a way that doesn’t draw attention. We ended up near an industrial park after finding a few other potential spots with height barriers which meant due to the height of the van we couldn’t get in.
Even though we were just parked by the entrance to the small industrial park it was a very nice spot and quiet through the night.
Lessons Learned from the First Night:
- Padding is Everything: Our repurposed topper was about 3 inches thick. By morning, my hips and back were feeling it. If you have back issues like I do, don’t skimp on the mattress quality!
- The “Push-Fit” Solution: My DIY curtain rods—made from gazebo poles wedged into the door frames—actually worked perfectly to keep the light out and maintain privacy.
- Location, Location: While the industrial estate was quiet, it wasn’t exactly scenic. We even missed out on a good sunrise because of the overcast weather, though we were treated to a beautiful rainbow over the warehouses.
A Personal Pilgrimage: Woolley Colliery
The second half of our trip was a bit more personal. We drove about five miles to Woolley Colliery, the village where my late father grew up between the ages of 5 and 15.
Walking through the village and finding his childhood home (with the help of a very kind local gentleman) was a highlight of the trip. It’s a small mining town that has seen a lot of new development, but the Heritage Boards still tell the story of the old schoolhouse and the community that lived there.
Final Thoughts: Should You Build a Budget Camper?
This trip proved that you can start van life on a shoestring. My Vauxhall Vivaro isn’t a luxury motorhome yet, but for £113, it provided us with two days of exploration, history, and a place to sleep.
My top tips for your first test run:
- Check “Park4Night”: It’s a great app for finding spots, but always have a backup in case of barriers.
- Test your gear: Don’t wait until you’ve spent £5,000 to see if your bed is comfortable.
- Don’t overcomplicate: A few poles and some old carpet can make a van feel like home.
I’ll be posting more videos soon showing the full step-by-step conversion of the Vivaro. If you want to see how this £100 project evolves into a fully-fledged DIY camper, make sure to follow along by subscribing to my YouTube channel.