A MAN has revealed how he transformed an old van into a holiday home on wheels.
Matt Hubbert bought an LDV Convoy van in 2019 and spent just over one year transforming the van into the perfect holiday home.
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While at university, Matt researched vans on eBay and eventually bougt one in 2019 for just £800.
He told camping experts Khyam: “Eventually, I found one not too far from me in Walsall, Birmingham, for £800, so I went to see it.
“After a quick run up and down the road, I’d decided to take it home!
“I really love their simple, retro appearance, and I knew that could definitely afford it as long as I was willing to put in the work.”
Throughout the pandemic, Matt worked hard to transform his van.
He added: “[There were] some parts of the build I wasn’t particularly nervous about, but other areas were completely new to me, like the plumbing and gas.
“Slowly but surely it all came together. Safe to say, if I were to convert another van, I’d learned a lot.
“It has a kitchen built of a timber frame and recycled pallet wood. I got quite obsessed with the detail, carefully matching the colours of the wood, old-style handles, and hinges to give it that truly rustic feel.”
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Matt also added a stove from the 1970s, a Vitrifrigo fridge, a wood burner as well as a fixed raised bed that comes with a lot of storage space.
He added: “There’s an upgraded sound system, which works for both the back cab and the living space.
“I’ve also got a load of plants to add a bit of green to the place.”
Other important features of modern living include 4G internet, a fold-out desk, a gas tank, a freshwater tank, and a slide-out chemical toilet.
He also added solar panels onto his roof rack, which can be titled to maximise their potential.
Despite only paying £800 for the van, Matt spent £10,000 on the conversion in the last three years.
He said: “But that figure includes everything I ever bought for the project, like special tools I or a bag of screws.”
After spending one year on the conversion, Matt moved into the van in 2021 when his job moved to fully remote working.
He added: “Just before I ventured off to Scotland, I gave in my notice on my rented place and handed over the keys.”
Since moving into the van full-time, Matt has saved thousands of pounds on rent and bills – with his current outgoings totalling £168 per month, compared to more than £400 beforehand.
While he ate into his savings to convert the van, Matt became debt-free by January 2022 and has been “saving like crazy ever since”.
In the last few years, Matt has toured the UK and Europe in his van and has shared his adventures on his Instagram account.
And Matt isn’t the only person who’s both saved and made money by transforming a van.
Leah Whitfield makes thousands of pounds each year by renting out her van.
Meanwhile, a savvy mum spent 24 hours converting an outdated caravan for just £230, with plans to travel around Australia in it.
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