How To Discover your PERFECT CampervaN!

37 minutes ago

7 min read

@theplyguys

Oct 2026

27th October

Picking the best van to turn into a campervan!

If you've ever dreamed about having a campervan, you've probably dreamt of the freedom of the roads, to travel and explore whenever you want. To have the ability to rest at scenic locations and to set off for a proper active adventure.

However, finding what works best for you can be a challenge, especially when there are so many options. Some might already have a van that could make an excellent camper, others might buy one on a budget or for specific requirements.

Here are some of the most popular vans we convert into campervans.

VW Transporter T5 / T6 / T7 - Great balance of practicality, everyday drivability, reliability, and adventure-ready versatility, can pick between a SWB or LWB. ⤵️

VW Transporter T5 Campervan
VW Transporter T6 Campervan
VW Transporter T7 Campervan

Ford Transit Custom MK1 / MK2 - Similar advantages to the VW Transporters but slighty longer. ⤵️

Ford Transit Custom Mk1 Campervan
Ford Transit Custom Mk2 Campervan

VW Caddy MK5 - Small, practical campervan that doubles as an everyday vehicle, feels more like driving a car than a van. ⤵️

VW Caddy Mk5 Campervan
VW Caddy Mk5 Campervan
VW Caddy Mk5 Campervan

VW Caddy Maxi MK3 / Mk4 - Similar advantages but with much more space as it is longer in length. ⤵️

VW Caddy Mk3 / Mk4 Campervan
VW Caddy Mk3 / Mk4 Campervan
VW Caddy Mk3 / Mk4 Campervan

VW Crafter - For people who want more than a compact weekend camper, suited to longer trips, extended off-grid adventures and conversions that need a dedicated space for bikes, dogs or bulky outdoor equipment. ⤵️

VW Crafter Campervan
VW Crafter Campervan
VW Crafter Campervan

VW ID Buzz Cargo - Fully electric driving, retro-inspired Volkswagen styling and a compact footprint. The furniture can be easily fitted and removed from the D-rings. ⤵️

VW ID BUZZ Campervan
VW ID BUZZ Campervan
VW ID BUZZ Campervan

Stellantis MWB Vans (Stellantis is a group of automotive brands) - (Citroën Dispatch / Peugeot Expert / Vauxhall Vivaro / Fiat Scudo / Toyota Proace) - Affordable base vehicle that can be converted into a practical campervan and more fuel efficient than a VW Transporter or Transit Custom. ⤵️

Citroën Dispatch Campervan Stellantis MWB
Citroën Dispatch Campervan Stellantis MWB
Citroën Dispatch Campervan Stellantis MWB

Kombi Vans

If you have a family, a Kombi option is perfect as the seats can be removed or installed to turn it into a day commute van when it's not in use as a camper. (A lWB Kombi option will allows the back seats to be kept in without the need to remove the campervan furniture.) ⤵️

VW Transporter Kombi van Campervan
VW Transporter Kombi van Campervan
VW Transporter Kombi van Campervan

Chosing the right campervan furniture!

If you've decided on your van or already one and now looking to make it into a campervan, what’s the best way to pick the right furniture and layout for you?

To find the right campervan furniture, it's best to ask some of these questions. ⤵️

What will the campervan be used for, and how do you see yourself using it?
Will it be for long trips or short weekend adventures?
Will you be travelling mostly solo or with a companion?
Do you have kids? Will they be travelling with you? (Sleeping two in the camper and maybe two with a roof tent or pop-top.)
Do you do any sports such as cycling, surfing, hiking, skiing etc.?
Do you have any furry compainons joining your adventures?
Will you be looking to cook a lot in the van or outside the van?

VW Transporter Kombi van Bike Campervan
Renault Trafic Kayak Campervan
VW Transporter van surf campervan

There are so many configuration options; therefore, we have a dedicated team that would be more than happy to chat over everything, so you can either email us or book in for a call or a workshop visit. ⤵️

Install Appointment

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Workshop Visit

45min

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Phone Call Appointment

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BEN ALDER BED & STORAGE UNIT

One campervan furniture to rule them all.

VW Transporter T6 Kombi van Bike Campervan

LOOKING FOR A CAMPERVAN WITH LOTS OF STORAGE AND ROOM FOR ALL YOUR HOBBIES?

We've designed and built a campervan furniture that might be the one for you!

Our ‘one unit to rule them all’ system - Ben Alder was designed around someone who demands massive gear carrying capacity from their van. Lightweight, flexible, spacious - looking to get the most out of your van with a single unit, this has got you covered.

Similar in style to our infamous Torridon and Schiehallion bed systems, this unit allows you to keep one half of the van completely free for bikes, boards, skis, windfoil, motorbike, SUP, dog crate, tool chest, Shetland pony, pram, parachute, cool box… you get the idea.

For a sleeping setup, it offers an uncompromising full-width bed to maximise post-adventure comfort. No need for an additional unit on the other side of the van.

VW Transporter T6 Kombi van Bike Campervan
VW Transporter T6 Kombi van Bike Campervan
VW Transporter T6 Kombi van Bike Campervan

For more information check it out on Youtube. ⤵️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_SOylLhmPI

lAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 & 4

CUILLIN BED & STORAGE

Five-seat family car. Load lugger. Off-roader. Expedition camper.

The best adventure vehicle might already be sitting on your drive.For people who want a campervan weekend — without owning a campervan all week.

The Cuillin Discovery takes everything we love about our Cuillin system and adapts it specifically for the Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4.

Comfortable family car, huge load carrier and properly capable off-road. The Cuillin adds one more job to that list – turning it into a comfortable, practical expedition camper in minutes. Designed around the Discovery rather than permanently converting it, the system combines a full sleeping platform, heavy-duty gear storage and an outdoor cooking setup while keeping the vehicle completely usable as an everyday car.

Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 Camper
Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 Camper
Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 Camper

No permanent camper conversion and no major changes to the vehicle. Just a really useful storage system during the week that transforms into your sleeping, cooking and expedition setup when it's time to head away. Five-seat family car. Load lugger. Off-roader. Expedition camper.

Watch the walk-through here ⤵️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hzv3gjc_kE&t=1s

THE SEASON FINN-ALE

MTB NORTH AMERICA 🇨🇦🇺🇸

After arriving back from World Champs, there were around ten days before we set off to North America for the last two rounds of the World Series, the first being in Whistler and the second in Lake Placid, New York! We decided to go out a few weeks early and spend some time in Whistler; it was a dream come true getting to ride in such an iconic place. It was probably the best two weeks of bike riding I have had. All my friends in one of the best places on the planet, what more could you want? Anyway, racing, that’s what we are here for!

MTB Downhill Canada & USA
MTB Downhill Canada & USA
Mountains Landscape

This was the first World Cup held in Whistler, so it was pretty cool to be able to race in it! After walking the track, I was super excited to ride it, really technical with some massive jumps and drops. Practice was so much fun. The rain was coming down and made the track super muddy, and vision was impossible to keep good. Practice is split up into two sessions, one in the morning from 8:30 till 10:30 and then timed training in the afternoon from 12:30 to 14:30. Usually, morning practice is to learn the track and figure out where it is going, then timed training is for figuring out the fastest lines and some higher-paced full runs. I was 6th in the timed training session, which was a good confidence boost going into qualifying day! Which unfortunately didn’t go quite to plan.

Practise was good in the morning of qualifying. The track started to dry out, which was nice. The vision was clearer, it made the track run super nice. The flatter pedal sections were running a lot faster but still muddy and technical in the trees. My qualifying run was going really well until about 2/3 of the way down, and I got a flat tyre. I gave it my all trying to pedal down the rest of the track, but it wasn’t quite enough. I was 21st, 0.2 seconds off making the top 20, which is the cut-off for qualifying. However, I was 6th fastest through the split where I got a flat tyre. Which was a really good sign I was a pace for a good result. I was pretty gutted to miss out by so little but also so stoked to be back up to speed after being a bit off it and the last few rounds.

But there was a silver lining. Being able to watch the first World Cup in Whistler and experience the atmosphere was insane! As soon as the race finished, we left for Vancouver airport, flying to Montreal for the final race of the year in Lake Placid, New York.

We spent a few days in the area, which was in prime autumn colours. These only last for a few days of the year, so we were lucky to be able to see them.

Autumn Canada & USA
Autumn Canada & USA

The track walk was cool through all the different colours and the track being covered in leaves, but the track itself looked really good, a bit flatter than usual, which makes it harder because you have to maintain the speed gained from steeper sections.

Again, it started pouring with rain on the day of practise, which made it so slippy with the mud being dragged onto the greasy rocks. But timed training was good again. I was 9th, which was another good confidence boost for the rest of the weekend.

Practise on qualifying morning was good after the track dried out, making the flat pedal sections easier, similar to the race in Whistler. Then qualifying came around, and I made a few mistakes in the first section of the track. I was pretty happy with the rest of my run and how I managed to forget the mistakes I made and keep pushing for the rest of the run. But it wasn’t quite enough; I was 22nd in the end, 0.3 seconds of the cut. Man, I was gutted after this one, being so close again to qualifying, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

The whole season was a bit of a rollercoaster with so many highs and lows. But none of it would have been possible without the help of Hamish and Craig! Thank you guys, it means the world being able to chase the dream!!

Finn 🤘

BUZZING ON THAT COFAIDH (COFFEE)!

THE PLY GUYS X TIN DONKEY

We have partnered with Tin Donkey an independent Glasgow based micro-roastery to bring out the most dynamic and unique flavours found within each bean. Charlie who proudly owns Tin Donkey has been roasting the finest specialty grade coffees from around the world since 2013, working with importers who actively engage in paying higher than Fairtrade prices – ensuring sustainability and traceability.