Deciding you want a campervan is the easy bit. Deciding which campervan to buy? Now that can be tricky. That’s because there are just so many to choose from. But you can start to narrow down your choices by working out if you want a ‘factory’ or ‘converted’ campervan.
In this guide, we’re going to look at exactly what we mean by factory and converted, the companies that build each type, and what the vehicles’ relative merits are. Hopefully by the end of it you’ll have a bit more direction in deciding what sort of campervan best suits your needs.
What is a factory campervan?
It’s a slightly misleading term because every campervan is built in a factory of some sort. But, in this context, when we say ‘factory’ we’re talking about campers made by – or in close association with – vehicle manufacturers themselves. You could also these campers as ‘factory-built,’ or ‘factory-supported’; ‘factory’ can be substituted for ‘manufacturer,’ as well.
There are only a few vehicle manufacturers that build and market their own campervans. Volkswagen is the most prolific with its California range, which has been built on VW production lines since 2005. Citroen adopts a different approach with its Holidays camper. It ships unfinished vehicles from its factory to camper conversion specialist Bravia Mobil for the living space to be fitted out. That work is done to standards Citroen approves and puts its warranty on.
What is an aftermarket campervan?
A converted – or ‘third-party’ or ‘aftermarket’ – campervan is one produced by a specialist company that’s not directly associated with a vehicle manufacturer. Such outfits buy in brand-new vehicles and fit them with living space and amenities of their own design.
The biggest companies actually work really closely with vehicle manufacturers to make sure their camper conversion is fully compatible with the vehicle’s electrical system and structure. Nothing they do interferes with the manufacturer warranty, and they provide their own for the campervan bits. The Fiat Ducato is the most popular base for converted campers but the Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Transporter, MAN TGE and Ford Transit are well represented, too.
There are big name brands within the camper conversion world such as Hymer, Bailey, Knaus and Adria, plus many smaller ones, that sell their products off the shelf. There are yet more companies that take commissions for completely bespoke builds, and others that convert used vans and MPVs.
Which vehicle manufacturers produce factory campervans?
There are currently four – arguably five – vehicle manufactures that produce campervans. Volkswagen has three that are built entirely in-house: the California, Grand California and Caddy California. After two generations of California based on the Transporter van, the latest is derived from the excellent Multivan MPV. The Grand California is based on the big Crafter van, while the Caddy California is based on the Caddy Life MPV. A fourth California spun off from the electric ID.Buzz is in the works, but VW has yet to release any details.
VW is the only manufacturer that build campers on its own production lines, the others are built by outside specialists to standards the manufacturer approves. We’ve already mentioned the Citroen Holidays, which is built by Polish specialist Bravia Mobil on the SpaceTourer MPV. Then there’s the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo and Ford Transit Custom Nugget, both of which are built by German outfit Westfalia, a legendary name in the campervan world.
The fifth, arguable manufacturer is Dacia. It’s doesn’t sell campervans as such, however both the Jogger MPV and Duster SUV are available with the optional Sleep Pack. That’s essentially a folding bed frame that goes in the cars’ boot. You can read more about all these campers in our round-up.
Which companies produce converted campervans?
We’ve already mentioned some of the best-known – Hymer, Bailey, Knaus and Adria. But that’s not even the point of the tip of the iceberg. A look at the exhibitor list for the 2025 Motorhome and Caravan Show – held at the NEC in October – shows no less that 47 companies listed under ‘campervan’. And that’s only a small sample of what’s out there. There are dozens and dozens and dozens of campervan conversion brands – big and small – available in the UK.
Why should I buy a factory campervan?
There’s genuine reassurance in knowing you’re getting a camper the vehicle manufacturer fully approves and applies a single warranty to. The buying process is arguably easier as well. You just go to the local dealer rather than trying to seek out the one place a particular camper might be available from.
The Volkswagen California is a classic case in point. It’s available from any Volkswagen Vans dealer, supply isn’t limited, and build-quality is first rate. It also has a cast-iron image and extremely strong residual values. That’s not necessarily true of converted alternatives.
Why should I buy a converted campervan?
The trouble with factory campervans is that there’s a very small number of them, they have broadly the same interior layout and amenities, and there’s little scope for personalisation. Look at converted campers and you’ll discover there’s much more variety of size, layouts, specifications and décor, so it’s more likely you’ll find one that meets your needs.
But you can go even further. If you have a specific need that isn’t met by ‘off the shelf’ campers – such as wheelchair access – or you simply don’t like the look of any of them, there are plenty of companies that do bespoke camper conversions. Some of them work to a basic pattern that can be adapted to suit your requirements, others can design the living space from scratch. The possibilities are pretty much limitless.
What should I be aware of buying a converted campervan?
There are so many aftermarket campervan builders, all producing a large number of different models, it can be really difficult to work out what the differences between them all are, never mind which one is best for you. If you’re struggling to cut through them all, it’s best to seek professional advice.
There are specialist dealers that supply campers from many different brands who’ll be able to help narrow down your options. Before going, draw up a list of basic requirements including how many beds you need and the amenities you want. It’ll also help if you can describe in some detail what you intend to use a camper for.
Not all campervans are created equal. Quality in particular varies hugely between builders, but there are markers to look out for. Well-finished surface edges and corners. Drawers that open smoothly and cupboards that close softly. Cabinets that feel solid. Reupholstered – rather than covered – cab seats. Thoughtful details like a TV remote pocket and flush-fitting power outlets. These sorts of things show real care and attention went into the camper’s design and build.
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