Buy camping equipment or build it yourself?

What are the advantages of VanEssa mobilcamping equipment?

The first thoughts about a DIY conversion of your van are certainly positive at first: the feeling of creating something yourself, implementing your own idea and, apparently, it should also be much cheaper than a purchased camping system. In our experience, these arguments are completely justified, but they do conceal a few pitfalls.

The three decisive aspects of camping extensions are

• Time
• Costs
• manual dexterity

Provided that all items are fulfilled, there is of course nothing to be said against a „do it yourself project“.

Are you wavering between the decision „camper conversion yourself or purchase“?

We have compiled the most important decision points for you here:

Over many decades as master carpenters and years of practical experience on countless trips, we have developed the ideal camping system for our customers, tailor-made for over 100 different vehicle models. While actively camping, we repeatedly and intensively tested our systems down to the last detail, adapting and improving them.

Not least thanks to the professional influence of our employees, who are also passionate campers, sportsmen and leisure enthusiasts and have been putting the VanEssa mobilcamping system through its paces regularly for years, especially on vacation.

2. planning

Extremely important for an ideal van conversion: the perfect plan of your own camping system.

And all of this tailored to your van. Because every centimeter in the vehicle should be used sensibly, i.e. a custom-fit camper van conversion is an absolute must.

3. Material and costs

Once the planning has been completed, the next hurdle arises - materials and costs.

The most important criteria for the ideal camping conversion:

• Stability
• Weight
• Quality

Solid wood is usually used for self-builds - presumably due to the supposedly better stability. However, the high transport weight is often underestimated, which not only makes the assembly and disassembly of the furniture in and out of the van immensely more difficult. Both the fuel consumption when traveling and the purchase costs increase considerably with this material.

A somewhat lighter and cheaper alternative would be chipboard. However, these usually break out quickly at corners and screw connections when first loaded.

VanEssa mobilcamping uses very light poplar plywood panels with a CPL coating.

Despite their lightweight construction, these are extremely stable and can withstand the endurance test of at least 200 kg point load in our sleeping systems, for example. However, you will have to dig deep into your wallet to buy them, quite apart from the fact that this material can only be purchased in large quantities and usually only from wholesalers.

Quality standards at affordable prices?
To really enjoy your elaborately manufactured camping kitchen or camping bed for a long time, without annoying rattling during the journey and wobbly furniture, you should not save on the pull-outs and locks, for example.

We only use high-quality Blum Soft Close pull-outs and Push Lock locks for our camping furniture. This means that the drawers can still be opened easily and closed smoothly even after years of use. Our professional Push Lock locks ensure that the drawers do not open or even wobble on their own during the journey.

These materials are extremely durable, but hardly affordable in retail stores. There are also a number of brackets, hinges, screws, etc. So if we only calculate the material costs involved in building it yourself, it's easy to start wondering.

4. Machines and tools

After extensive planning and organization of all the necessary materials, it's finally time for the craftsmanship: measuring, cutting, processing and fitting the panels.

In order to produce camping furniture of the same high quality as professionals, a panel saw with millimeter precision and CNC machines would first be necessary. These are probably missing, as is a professional edge banding machine, which is jointly responsible for the perfect appearance and, above all, the durability of the furniture.

In our workshop, carpenters and master carpenters use professional machines and tools to expertly manufacture the individual panels into sleeping systems, kitchens and wardrobe interior modules. For the kitchen, for example, we also use special presses to ensure that everything is at right angles to each other.

5. time expenditure

The most important and most precious component has not even been mentioned yet: Time.

The time you need to plan the kitchen, select the materials, procure them and then assemble them.

While you are still tinkering, measuring, sawing, screwing or gluing, others are already on vacation and enjoying a relaxing camping vacation. Before you know it, you'll be spending not only the first season but also the next summer in the garage.

A camping box is already ready to go. One from VanEssa mobilcamping just needs to be pushed into the vehicle and fixed in place. In just a few minutes, your everyday car or work vehicle can be converted into a camper van!

6. mobility

A self-build usually has to be firmly secured in the vehicle, whereas a camping box like the one from VanEssa mobilcamping is always mobile.

Our kitchen, sleeping and cupboard systems are already professionally manufactured. The camping modules are simply pushed into the vehicle and assembled and are designed for regular installation and removal.

With our Camperbox you still only need one vehicle!
You transform your everyday car or work vehicle into a campervan:

• at any time
• Flexible
• in minutes
• without effort 
• also possible for one person (if necessary with built-in trolley as support)
• without modification to the vehicle (no drilling, gluing etc.)
• no restrictions for vehicle resale as a result

7. off-road safe

The VanEssa mobilcamping extension has already been tested thousands of times over many years, even in almost negligent applications.

In-house creations may conceal the risk of not being 100 % accident-proof and strong enough.

8 TÜV approval

Modules from VanEssa mobilcamping are not affected by this, whereas self-built modules often have to be approved by the TÜV.

For example, if the camping equipment is permanently fixed in the vehicle. Mobile, i.e. not permanently installed, camping equipment counts as luggage and can simply be removed before the TÜV inspection.

So maybe it's better to buy and opt for the professional VanEssa mobilcamping installation after all? Not only will you save time and nerves, you'll also save money in the end.

VanEssa mobilcamping - the solution for your campervan too!

(*Extension of well over 100 different vans / see notes under item description on the homepage)