Ways to add value to your campervan

Thinking about modifying your campervan to make it even better? Remember those mods could affect the resale value and the price you pay for insurance. Read our quick guide to find out more.

We bet that, as a campervan owner, you’re getting plenty of brilliant experiences out of your van. But what if the day ever came when you wanted to trade it in?

Perhaps you’ll want to upgrade; maybe a change in your circumstances means that you just won’t be campervanning for a while.

Of course you’ll want to get a good price for your van. And there are quite a few campervan modifications that can help you achieve that price.

And, until you come to sell the van, these mods will all add something to your van life experiences.

So here we go, with a few easily achievable changes and upgrades that may add value to your van in the future - some quick and easy and some a little more challenging.

Remember to inform your insurance company about any changes you make to your vehicle, as these could affect the premium you pay for your agreed value campervan insurance.

What is agreed value campervan insurance?

When you come to arrange insurance for your campervan, it may be worth seeking out an insurance provider that offers agreed value campervan insurance. But what does this mean, and why is it recommended?

Some insurers, Lancaster included, will provide an agreed value policy for a classic, modified or modern campervan. This is, basically, a valuation of the vehicle that both you and the insurer are happy with.

This can be helpful if your campervan has had a recent upgrade. The listed market value for a vehicle of its type may not reflect the added value that this upgrade has brought.

Agreed value campervan insurance means that, if ever your van is stolen or has to be written off, the insurer will compensate you with a sum that accurately reflects the van’s true value at the time.

To obtain an agreed valuation, you may be asked to supply evidence of the van’s condition. This may include several photographs of the interior and exterior, plus receipts documenting any improvements, upgrades or restoration work carried out.

Modifications that could add value to your van

Here are a few ways that you could modify your camper. We can’t guarantee they’ll add value to your van once you come to sell it, but these small steps will definitely make it a more pleasant place to be.

Before you start

There’s always the risk that you dive straight in with a major modification project – and then realise halfway through that this isn’t quite what you wanted. Or, you may find that you’ve done your modifications in the wrong order – doing one thing first has made another change impossible, or more difficult than it should have been otherwise.

For this reason, we would recommend creating a plan of work before grabbing those tools. Use sites like Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration.

Type in search terms such as ‘campervan upgrade’ or ‘campervan conversion’, and see what other people have done. Anything that inspires you, you can simply work into your own vision.

There are several online guides to converting or upgrading your campervan to show you where to start.

And don’t forget to simply ask around among fellow campervanners. What changes have they made to their vans? How easy were these changes, and how much have they added value or improved enjoyment?

Here are 10 easy upgrades to consider.

1. Redo your floor

It’s often forgotten about, but the floor of your campervan is key to the look and feel of the whole vehicle.

It’s an all-too-easy part of your van to skip over when you’re thinking about changes and improvements. However, you’ll find that, out on the road, you’re very aware of the look, feel and condition of your campervan floor.

Design-wise, pale colours – a light wood-effect laminate, for example – will make this confined space feel bigger, lighter and more open.

Elsewhere, think about setting aside a separate area for dirty shoes and other hard-wearing items. These can easily spread across the floor otherwise, giving the place a messy, disorganised feel.

2. Give the walls a new look

Similar to the floor, but even more prominent, a nice set of walls can really lift the interior of your van. Go for vinyl wallpaper, as it will withstand moisture well – something that you’ll be grateful for in the damper months.

By all means go for some bold, cheerful colours. However, if selling the van is on the horizon, avoid any eccentric designs that might put off prospective buyers.

3. Give it a new paint job

A fresh paint job can add instant value to the vehicle, making it look and feel like new.

There are various ways to do this but we’d always recommend using a professional where you can. Remember, if you change the colour of your campervan completely you’ll need to inform your insurance company.

4. Add an awning

You can add some instant value to your campervan very quickly and easily, by installing an awning.

An awning has many functions: it will give you some valuable extra living space, which can double up as a storage room. It will also give protection from the sun or rain when you want to sit outside. It can even be an extra sleeping area.

And, best of all, it should be fairly easy to fit onto your campervan. Awnings come in two basic types: canopy or driveaway.

A canopy awning is permanently attached to the van, either to the roof or the top of the side wall. The awning and its rail remain attached to the vehicle at all times: you just roll it out or wind it up as required.

In contrast, a driveaway awning is an independent setup that can be left in place while the vehicle drives away. This can be handy, as it allows you to go off on your travels, safe in the knowledge that there’s a cosy living area waiting for you on your return.

Check if your agreed campervan insurance covers accessories like awnings.

5. Renew your upholstery

Some classic VW campervan interiors have seen better days. Does your interior upholstery need a refresh? If your van suffers from damp, mould and mildew can easily spread to the soft furnishings.

This can not only smell badly but also look unsightly - not something you want prospective buyers to pick up on!

Seats could also suffer if you travel frequently with pets. Chewing and little accidents can all add up to a shabby interior.

Recovering seats with fresh fabrics will immediately transform the look and feel of your van. Plush leather-style cushions might look the part but will they get sticky to sit on in the height of summer?

Make sure any materials you use are compliant with the latest fire safety standards. There are many professional upholstery companies around the UK.

6. Be smart with storage

It may not seem the most glamorous modification and it may not add bags of value: but creating lots of storage space is a great long-term investment, and something prospective buyers will look out for.

A van where things can be stowed away neatly, without cluttering the floors and worktops, is a nicer place to be. It will also make your van a more valuable proposition come resale time.

Don’t forget that walls aren’t the only place for hooks – doors will do a great job, too. And breakable items such as mugs should sit on hooks, to save them sliding around in cupboards while you’re on the move.

More storage solutions mean you can fit more into your van for your next adventure - beach road trip anyone?

7. Pump up the volume

No VW campervan road trip is complete without a good singalong. And for that you need some decent tunes!

If your camper’s radio is on its last legs, why not upgrade to a newer version?

If you have a newer van, you could start again with all the latest tech - CD players, bluetooth and so on - but we prefer sticking to the original look. Check out this brand new DAB radio designed in a classic style. Perfect for bringing a vintage splitty’s sound system bang up to date.

Don’t forget to inform your agreed value campervan insurance provider about any changes to your vehicle’s electrics. And if you are contemplating any electrical work, we would always recommend getting a professional to do the job for you.

8. Swivel those front seats

On some vans, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to swap the fixed front seats with ones that can swivel (when it’s safe to do so). You can then turn the seat 180 degrees to face the living area of your van.

Hey presto – a bigger space, and more seating options.

In many cases, this will be a simple case of removing the seat, replacing the bases, and fitting them back on. Easy – yet quite possibly a major selling point when the time comes.

9. Install solar panels

Fitting some solar panels to your van will allow you to harness the sun’s rays to create your own electricity.

This will give you many more options when you’re on your travels. It will also add value to your van, as buyers will be inspired to head off on their own off-grid adventures - like wild camping in Scotland.

Solar panels for campervans have been expensive in the past, but prices are coming down. There are various types and sizes of panels out there, so shop around carefully.

Be aware both of your own budget and what size and shape of panel will work for your van.

There’s some detailed guidance on the installation and use of solar panels on the website of solar panel manufacturers SunWorks.

10. Get some extra carrying capacity

We’re coming back to storage again. A lack of sufficient storage facilities is likely to be a deal-breaker with many campervan buyers. In particular, active and sporty campervanners will want somewhere to stow wetsuits, bikes, winter clothing and more, without cluttering up the living area.

Installing a rooftop rack or a rear-mounted rack is a quick way to add lots of extra space. This is where campervanners can store all that extra stuff they want to take along – but don’t necessarily need to access all the time.

You may find that these additions add value to your van. Once again, don’t forget to inform your agreed value campervan insurance provider about any changes.

11. Extend your roof

This is a pretty big change, which might take a good chunk of your budget. But it will definitely enhance the look and feel of your camper and potentially make it more desirable to potential buyers.

If you’ve got an old tin top camper, you could go up, up and away with a new roof! We like the look of some of these conversions by Dormobile in Hampshire.

If you make a major change like this, your campervan insurance provider will need to know about it as it may affect the price of your agreed campervan insurance.

Agreed value campervan insurance from Lancaster

Here at Lancaster Insurance, we love protecting campervans and keeping them on the road.

We have experience providing cover for campervans of all ages and types, especially those vintage VW vehicles.

Why not contact us today for an agreed campervan insurance quote?