Volkswagen T5

Our most popular customer owned base van for converting and the van that we also specialise in for brand new conversions - to have a look at our brand new T5 conversions just click here. Link to the home page for New Conversions. Short wheel base, long wheel base, elevating roof (rear hinged or front hinged) or high top, the only option that’s not possible for us to retro fit is a high top roof on a long wheel base T5, apart from that everything’s possible.

Alongside is a series of photos of different T5’s that we have converted for customers; hopefully it will give you a good idea of both the quality and variations that are possible.

Specialising in a high quality finish, the vast majority of the works we undertake are full conversions - as an indication of cost, our Tiree layout below is our most popular short wheel base T5 conversion and depending on the base van and final finish, costs between £14,000 to £15,000 including VAT.

Front elevating German SCA or Reimo roof colour coded to match vehicle paintwork.
SMEV two burner 8022 gas hob and separate 8005 sink unit both with smoke glass tops.
Extensive cupboards and lockers, two removable and adjustable tables - all constructed from top quality German Vohringer lightweight 15mm plywood with double sided laminate and edge banded with hot glued PVC trim.
TUV approved French RIB seat/bed system giving a 120cm wide seat moulded for comfortable travelling position and incorporating two 3 point integral seatbelts and two integral headrests. The seat folds simply into a flat bed of 186cm by 120cm (6ft 1 inch by 4ft).
Full internal gas system with steel gas bottle locker with fully sealed door and either one 907 Butane or 3.9kg Propane LPG cylinder. All gas work carried out by registered motorhome LPG fitter and certificated.
38 litre fresh water tank located on the underside of the vehicle and Fiamma 7 litre/minute pump - all fittings drinking water quality approved.

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Vitrifrigo 51 litre 12 volt DC Compressor fridge with 3.6 litre freezer compartment.
Complete Sargent PSU 2007 12 volt power system with 90 amp Varta leisure battery, digital control panel, charge system, consumer unit and 230 volt plug in option. All 230v work tested and certificated.
All rear internal sides fully insulated with 100% British sheep’s wool and carpet lined with soft trim.
Swivel plate on driver and front passenger seat.
Floor ply lined and insulated with Thinsulate and covered with tough, non slip and stylish commercial grade Polysafe vinyl.
Tailor made curtains to cover all windows.

European Materials

We predominantly use high quality materials and products that we import directly from continental Europe. We believe that we should build conversions to a high standard and make sure that they will stand the test of time and not look tired and tatty after only a couple of years.

All our conversion work is covered by a 24 month warranty and all appliances are also covered by separate product warranties. The brand names of products we use include SCA and Reimo for elevating roofs, SMEV for hobs and sinks, Vohringer for lightweight laminated furniture board, Fiamma for the water pump and accessories, Varta for leisure batteries and Sargent for the electrical system.

As standard we also fit a French built RIB folding seat/bed which incorporates a crash tested frame that meets European (TUV) standards and regulations.

Elevating Roof or High Top?

Experience has proven to us that the German manufactured elevating roofs by either SCA or Reimo are the best on the UK market - available for both short and long wheel base vans in either front or rear elevating.

We can also fit a UK manufactured fibreglass high top roof to short wheel base T5’s, but if you’re after a high top on a long wheel base then I'm afraid that the VW factory made composite roof is the only choice we are able to offer as these are only manufactured on the Continent and importing long wheel base high top roof shells from Germany simply isn't economic.

If you don’t want to change your roof then converting the inside of your van whilst keeping the fixed flat steel roof is a no problem.

Designing the Living Space

The internal layout of your campervan can alter according to your own design, but if you want a double seat/bed, fridge, hob and sink then the traditional layout with units along the driver’s side of the vehicle is by far the best option.

There’s a wide choice in the size and style of fridges, sinks and hobs and a grill can always be made to fit but its position depends on the width of your rear seat.

The option of placing your kitchen and storage units in the rear section of the van is perfectly possible, but does mean you’d have to opt for two single seats that fold either into two single beds or can be fitted with a sliding option that becomes a double bed - to see this layout in full take a look at our Taransay conversion. Click here for more info and pictures.

Safe Travel and Flat Bed Sleeping!

The width of the RIB seats can vary to meet your own design. A 120cm wide seat is a standard size that gives a decent double bed and sitting positions for two both with a three point integrated seat belt and integrated headrest. Increase the width to 129cm and you’ll then have full seating for three and all with full seat belts and headrests. Click here for more info and pictures.

You can also choose the fabric - from a standard VW finish, through a range of RIB’s own materials to a full leather option. Folding simply into a bed, the RIB seats will give you both a comfy night’s sleep as well as a comfy journey there!

If you are looking for fully removable rear seats that can fold into a bed and also slide back and forth up and down the length of the rear of your van, then we can supply and fit the Reimo 333 seat. Available in a range of widths, these European crash test approved seats come complete with integrated 3 point inertia seat belts and headrest - they're also finished as standard in genuine VW fabrics! Opting for them does have an impact on the width and style of the furniture that you are then able to fit along the driver's side - it's a complicated one, so if you'd like to call us to discuss the implications then we'd be happy to talk you through.

If it’s a complete bespoke design that you’re looking for then we happy to work with you to come up with the right result.

Roof beds are an easy option and immediately double the sleeping space of your campervan. With an elevating roof design the bed measures 110cm wide and 190cm long, it is designed to hold the weight of two adults up to 140kg and with a high density foam mattress, is comfy as well as strong. Click here for more info and pictures.

Sealed Gas Locker

We highly recommend that all conversions are fitted with our Jerba Campervans’ fully welded and sealed steel locker designed specifically to fit either two Camping Gaz 907 butane or two Calor 3.9kg propane cylinders - keeping a full cylinder safely stored at the rear of the locker will mean you should never run out. The locker also houses the compulsory gas regulator, has a completely sealed door and is vented through the floor of the vehicle - ensuring no gas leak will ever make its way into the living area of the vehicle.

As an added safety feature, we also recommend placing the gas locker in the boot of your vehicle so it’s impossible to close the boot without having first shut and secured the gas locker door - whenever you’re in your campervan you’ll know the locker is safely sealed tight.