When is a camper not a camper?

When there's no tap with the sink...!

It was always something we were going to add later. Too many variables that had to be looked at first would've held up the interior build - exterior water tank, interior container, waste tank, water pump, etc, etc.

So we fitted the sink with no tap and just a waste pipe running out under the van (we have a waste tank if we're on a posh campsite). It has worked to date and gets little use - the odd wash and toothbrushing, the occasional rinsing out of a mug - that sort of thing.

This was all fine for the DVLA when it came to reclassifying the van as a camper, no problems whatsoever.

When first discussing the van conversion with the Camping & Caravanning Club's Insurance people, again, this didn't seem to be a problem. Being members of the club we've got a pretty good deal, as discussed in a previous post.

But now they have asked for photographs of the conversion including evidence of a sink, running water and a fixed container...

Thanks. So in the DVLA's eyes it is a motor-caravan, but in the C&C Club's eyes it is a panel van!

Thankfully we've got 120 day's grace to sort the issue - we had already been looking into a tap, internal container and submersible pump -it just means we're going to have to bring-forth the purchase and fitting of these items. It may also mean a trip back to the Campershak to lift out the sink/hob unit as access to the underside is minimal.

The route we're looking to go down is the combination of a small water container that can be strapped into the cupbards, a submersible pump:

And a folding tap to fit in the Smev unit:

Plus associated pipework and wiring.

Stay-tuned for further updates of the van 'finally' becoming a camper!