[ewena]

Hi there,
I am a rookie van owner, never converted
I have a T5 transporter shuttle and I would really like to convert it to a camper, but don't have thousands of pounds available.... or a workshop.
Some advise would be much appreciated! The first thing I want to get done is install a pop top roof with bed space for two adults.
Can anyone recommend somewhere to have this work done in Scotland, preferably close to Edinburgh?
And any advise on the pros and cons of the many many roof options would be gratefully received! Reimo & SCA seem to be the best ones... are they worth the money?
Also, would it make sense to upgrade the insulation at the same time as getting the roof done? Or could that wait for the next stage?
Thanks for reading

 

[Hoovie]

Hi there,
I am a rookie van owner, never converted
I have a T5 transporter shuttle and I would really like to convert it to a camper, but don't have thousands of pounds available.... or a workshop.
Some advise would be much appreciated! The first thing I want to get done is install a pop top roof with bed space for two adults.
Can anyone recommend somewhere to have this work done in Scotland, preferably close to Edinburgh?
And any advise on the pros and cons of the many many roof options would be gratefully received! Reimo & SCA seem to be the best ones... are they worth the money?
Also, would it make sense to upgrade the insulation at the same time as getting the roof done? Or could that wait for the next stage?
Thanks for reading

Which side of Edinburgh are you on?
Do you know yet if you are wanting to keep the shuttle side panels or stripping out and ply lining?

 

[Murphynho]

I have a converted 2005 shuttle. Bought it from a guy in Scotland and has the paperwork for the conversion (Blue Juice) and pop top (Jerba). Went to CMC in Kent for some new gas struts last year and they said the roof, specifically the bed itself which is suitable for 2 adults, is one of the best they have ever seen. Link below...

http://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/contact-us/

 

[Murphynho]

Should add its a Reimo pop top and the LWB version for the VW T5

 

[Hoovie]

I spoke to Jerba end of last year about a pop-top installation and they were not interested unless it was part of a full-blown camper conversion.
I didn't take it any further with them, but maybe they could be persuaded if they were quiet?

 

[ewena]

Thanks for the info... I'll message jerba and see if they are interested in a part conversion.
I haven't decided if I'm going to keep or change the existing shuttle interior panels; they are a bit plasticky.... but not offensive. Easier to keep what I already have than change it all.
Still sketching out ideas but I think I'll keep the rear bench seat and make a couple of kitchen pods to sit behind the driver and passenger seats, with a folding worktop to join them up. That way access from the back the cockpit can be maintained.
Two sliding doors are handy, but they make it harder to design a conversion.....

 

[Hoovie]

A lot of people say twin sliders means a tricky conversion, but I don't understand that :*
On the negative side, maybe it stops you bolting something to the side (although if you REALLY had to, you could and never slide the slide again.
On the plus side, if for example you had a side cupboard layout, you have access to the rear of the cupboards on that side for easy gas and water bottle changes, and have a massive extra ventilation potential.
I see a lot more good then bad points about being a twin slider A:

 

[ewena]

Aye, you are right.... it has more pros than cons; I suppose I've just been sucked in by all the "traditional" conversions that have the units along the offside wall, right up to the back of the driver seat!

 

[Marcuspd]

I'm converting a LWB twin slider Shuttle. I have removed all the seats, mounts, belts and plastic trim to sell. When the second row of seats is sold tonight, I'll have clawed back over £1,000 on the bits I've sold on. The problem with the plastic trim panels is the amount of space they take up, plus the roof is 4 inches thick, but needs the plastic trim in place to mate up to.

I've soundproofed, insulated and cut my own ply panels on my driveway, carpeted and wired. Just waiting for some longer clips now to fit my self cut roof panel and central lighting panel. I've trimmed the cab roof lining to a straight edge and will join it to the back roof panel with H section plastic soffit board joining trim, which will be carpeted over and ticked inside the front edge.

I've ordered a Smartbeds Evolution 2 RnR bed in a custom 120cm size and will be putting a SWB run of furniture down the offside, leaving a 40cm gap behind the drivers seat to still have some use of the offside slider.

I've retained the HVAC unit too and will use flexible hosing to create a couple of vents.

There are a couple of things, such as standard furniture not fitting without adjustment, but at least with a Shuttle, base spec is good.
The choice of LWB tailgate van with 140ps, DSG and aircon was limited, there were loads of Shuttles though.

If you're removing the seat mounts, sections of M8 studding can be used in place of the fuel tank bolts to lower it enough to get at the mounts without draining or disconnecting. Just undo the filler neck at the top.

Good luck, enjoy the build!

 

[ewena]

Thanks... Marcuspd, your shuttle conversion looks like it is coming along really well. Very impressive!

 

[avril2005]

We have a shuttle and have had a total nightmare finding someone to fit a pop top roof, we contacted Jerba and visited them last week and were told it would be no problem only that we would lose the the headlining, we were advised to email for a quote which we did and were turned down once the head guy knew it was a shuttle he wasn't interested due to rerouting the aircon system, and personally I think they aren't interested unless it's a full conversion, pity as their roof is fantastic, as we live in Scotland we are limited in our area, we have now contacted a company near Halifax who are more than happy to undertake the work involved, it does not phase them as they specialise in shuttles and caravelles,http://www.exploria-online.co.uk I will keep you posted on the progress

I spoke to Jerba end of last year about a pop-top installation and they were not interested unless it was part of a full-blown camper conversion.
I didn't take it any further with them, but maybe they could be persuaded if they were quiet?

 

[avril2005]

Oh and Jerba waiting list is April before they can take on any new work

 

[Abbeytaff]

I'm also just starting a shuttle conversion into a weekend / day van. When looking for a van the choice was knackered builder's van for over the odds prices then I looked at Caravelles but they were silly money. Finally stumbled across a few Shuttles, they were better specced and more reasonable prices. I like the fact already has blinds and an 'extra' heater.
Plans are quite simple, not doing the roof, having Atlantis multi van seats put in, electric hook up. Rather than the roof the kids will sleep in the van and I'll sleep in the driveaway awning.
When money allows I'm looking for a California door panel with integral table and California tailgate trim with the hidden chairs (very expensive second hand). Finally a slidepod kitchen in the back.

Good luck with all the Shuttle conversions out there, I'll post pics when done