Got a burning question about our campervans?

Campervan FAQ

Here at Jack’s Shack we get asked a lot of questions about our campervans, campervans in general, our trucks, trucks in general, the weather, great places to camp and lots besides. We love answering questions, so keep them coming! But, for those questions we get asked more frequently, we thought we’d best compile a quick FAQ.

Jack's Shack Campervans

Do you design and build your own campervans?

Yes, we’re not a reseller! If it has a Jack’s Shack logo on it then we built it.

Do you offer campervan finance?

Yes! To find out more, get in touch today.

Do you convert older vans into campervans?

Yes. We tend to suggest that getting the newest base model you can afford is best, however, we have put entire conversions into VW Transporters with mileage over 200k. We also work on older models, including the T4 and the T5, and have undertaken significant works on T25, bay windows and classic splits.

How long does it take to build a campervan?

In a real pinch, we can usually turn around a campervan within two weeks, if we have a stock of all the materials needed for the model in question. More often, from the day we ‘break ground’ to the day of collection is around the three to four-week mark.

The entire process: finding the right van, purchasing the van, taking a deposit, choosing colours, fixtures, fitting and finish, tends to take around two months in total. We try to make sure that you’re well informed during this time, with updates and even progress pictures, if you so wish.

Do I get a warranty on my campervan?

All Jack’s Shack work and parts fitted are covered by our 12-month guarantee.

Are campervans safe for kids?

In short, yes.

Our rear seats are M1 crash tested, meaning they are as safe as a car. On top of this, you’re driving a Volkswagen, a brand known the world over for its safety standards.

Optionally, a number of our rear seat options can come with ISOFIX seating, for quick and easy install and removal of child seats.

As for campervan features, our electrics are fitted with circuit breakers and all the normal precautions, and our gas fittings are safety-certified.

What's the lead-time on a Jack's Shack campervan?

During our peak period it can take us anything up to a couple of months to find a slot for a full campervan build, however, this is not always the case and there have been times when we have been able to squeeze a build-in within only a week or two.

If you are planning a build we suggest starting the conversations sooner rather than later.

Can you alter a campervan you have in stock?

Yes, although sometimes there will be a cost. For instance, we frequently fit solar panels, change the wheels, or add a night heater, etc, before handing over one of our stock models.

Can I just walk into the Shack?

Yeah, sure, we’re here all week from 7am ’til 4pm and at the weekends can generally be found working on a whacky project of some sort – unless we’re at a show.

If you’re serious about finding out all you can about our vans, it’s best to call ahead and make sure one of the senior team are available to talk you through the activity on the shop floor, all of our options and potential next steps.

Will my campervan be registered as a campervan?

No. That’s the short answer and for very good reason:

The DVLA no longer allows for the simple registering of vehicles as campervans – if they began life as a panel van. They have also increased the initial road fund licence for a motorhome from just £240 to £2135. Finally, adding a tax of £320 on top of road tax for the first 5 years, for vehicles priced over £40,000.

All of the above could sound like bad news for your new campervan but it really is not. All major campervan insurers have updated their policies to match this change from the DLVA, allowing owners to properly cover converted campervans to their actual value. The significant stipulation here is that the work must be carried out by a professional conversion company … that’s us 🙂

Building Your Campervan

Can you convert a van I already own?

Yes.

This is often the way we work. Our customers source their own van or already have one, bring it to us and we give it back to them a few weeks later as a fully-fledged campervan.

I have a limited budget to build my campervan, can you still help?

If you are having a van built to order, we’re able to take you through exactly how much each item will cost, suggest the best ways to save on your conversion and which parts can be upgraded later.

We can source new and used vans to suit your overall budget.

How much is a campervan conversion?

The ultimate cost of a campervan conversion can be impacted by many things: big blingy wheels can cost upwards of £1k, a diesel heater can be another £1k, front seat options, cloth options, lowering kits, ovens, bespoke toilet layouts, pop-top roofs, it all adds up in both man-hours and product cost, meaning it’s hard to say.

Which campervan should I buy?

The easy answer for us is ‘a Jack’s Shack one’ but that aside, buy a campervan from a company you trust, one where you can see your van being built or one with good reviews. We rely quite heavily on word of mouth and are proud to do so.

As for the type of vehicle, we do recommend a VW base, as the reality is that they are slightly cheaper to build than say a Vauxhall or a Mercedes and that they hold their value slightly better too. We do build other models to order and are always happy to work through the quirks of any design.

I want a really unique campervan - can you help?

Yup!

We have created unique builds for an antique dealer, who needed to be able to completely remove his bed, a bicycle fitting specialist, who wanted to be able to camp in his van and use it as a place to fit racers for their bikes, as well as lots of mountain bikers, walkers, road cyclists, kayak enthusiasts and more.

Give us a call or email us to talk through your crazy ideas and we’ll make them work.

Can you source a base van for me?

Yeah, sure. We have a number of contacts and can generally find a base vehicle to suit your requirements and budget. We also have a lot of mechanical skills in the team, so are well versed in kicking a tyre or two to make sure that any purchase is sound.

Can you fit an oven in a campervan?

Yes, we can. As standard, we supply our campervans with a dual-hob, a sink and a fridge but we are happy to add a small gas oven.

Living With Your Campervan

How long does a campervan leisure battery last?

Campervan leisure batteries generally last around 2 days without being charged up by running the engine. It is not advisable to allow the battery to go flat but even if you do, this will not impact upon your ability to start your van, as the leisure battery is separate from the engine’s power source.

We always recommend a solar panel, to give a little extra longevity.

What do12v and 240v mean in a campervan?

When we refer to 12v power in a campervan we are referencing a campervan’s internal power source, usually, a leisure battery, which sits separate from the battery used to start and power the vehicle itself – sometimes supplemented by a solar panel. This secondary battery is charged when the engine is running and is then used to power the living area in your campervan: lighting, fridge/freezer, USB power slots.

When referring to 240v power in a campervan or a campervan ‘hookup’ we are talking about household voltage power, which can be accessed at the majority of campsites across Europe. Switching from 12v to 240v is as simple as connecting a plug socket and flipping a switch. This power source allows you to use household items in your campervan, through normal 3-pin plugs.

Can I fit a solar panel to my campervan later?

The power control unit that we use in all of our campervans allows for the input of additional power sources, meaning adding a solar panel or even a wind turbine at a later date is a quick and easy job.

Can a campervan tow a caravan?

Yes, a campervan can tow a caravan. The normal towing regulations and weight stipulations apply but all new campervans will be capable of towing a caravan – with the addition of a tow bar. That said, if towing is your thing, we’d suggest making sure to acquire a higher power base unit, so as not to stress the engine too much.

I already have a campervan, do you do upgrades?

Yes. We undertake all kinds of improvement, upgrade and maintenance work on a range of campervans. Whether you need a gas certificate, a new bed, lowering springs, or just some sidebars, we can help.

Can I drive a campervan on a normal licence?

Yes, you can drive a campervan with a standard UK/EU driving licence. That’s part of the beauty of a campervan, as compared to some of its larger cousins.

Living With Your Campervan

I have a campervan designed by another company, can you fix a problem with it?

Unfortunately, this is something we have come across on a number of occasions, so we’re always ready to help.

The difference between Jack’s Shack and some of our competitors is not that we do not make mistakes (we are human and things can go wrong), it is that because we do not work on a simple production line model, we can be flexible and help with any issues that may arise quickly and easily. For this reason, we do tend to find that we spend an amount of time fixing the mistakes of other companies that operate in a less flexible manner.

I am converting my own campervan but have come up against an issue I am not able to fix, can you help?

Generally, yes, however, we do tend to need to find the route of any issue and to know that we’re working within safe parameters. This can mean that we end up undoing some of your past work, in order to judge the foundation of the campervan conversion to be safe enough to put our name to.

I have started building my own campervan but do not have the time to finish it, can you?

Yes and no.

We always like to help camper owners in need and will be happy to continue a well-started project, however, if we find adaptations and alterations that we think are unsafe, we will have to re-complete that work, potentially adding to your total cost significantly. This is both for your safety and for our conscience, as we could not in good faith send you off on a big trip in a van that we think is unsafe.

Custom Trucks And Hot Rods

Do you take on hot rod projects?

Yes!

We can work with you in a few ways, to help you make your hot rod exactly as you want it.

We can take on your entire project, even sourcing your donor vehicle from the US, we can build your vehicle to a certain stage, or we can undertake individual tasks for you.

Do you import vehicles to turn into hot rods?

Yes, we do. We also have a few shells in and around the Shack, ready to rebegin their lives. Jack has been importing trucks from the US since he was a young kid, so knows who to talk to and where to get a good deal.

Do you sell your completed custom trucks and hot rods?

That depends.

Some of our trucks are built for sale, some are built by Jack and his dad for fun – it’s their passion – and to keep. That said, we’ve seen Jack have his arm twisted into a sale, even when he thought he’d keep a truck forever, so if a truck takes your fancy, it’s worth asking the question.

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