Product Reviews
12V Heated Blankets
A 12V heated blanket is the most efficient way to keep warm in a van at night. Running a diesel heater all night uses 0.
6 min read
James Whitfield
Browse articles published under this byline. Our library includes research-based and AI-assisted material; this archive does not establish professional qualifications or first-hand product testing. Read our editorial policy for how to interpret the guides.
Editorial standards → · All bylines
38 published guides
Off-Grid Living
Accumulator Tanks Explained
An accumulator tank (also called a pressure vessel or expansion tank) sits between your water pump and your taps.
2 min read
Solar & Power
Battery Monitors: Victron BMV Guide
A battery monitor shows you exactly how much energy you have left in your leisure battery. Guesswork leads to either running out of power or never using
2 min read
Solar & Power
Best Battery Isolators UK
Battery isolators protect your starter battery from being drained by leisure loads and allow charging both batteries while driving.
3 min read
Solar & Power
Best Cable Management Kits for Vans
A tidy electrical installation is safe and easier to troubleshoot. - Cable glands: Waterproof entry points for cables through the van body.
3 min read
Product Reviews
Best Dashcams (Front/Rear) for Campervans
A dashcam with front and rear coverage is essential for any campervan. Here are the best options for the UK market.
3 min read
Van Builds
Best Window Locks for Campervan Security: Complete UK Guide 2026
Campervan windows are the weakest point in your van's security. A thief can pry open a sliding window in seconds with a screwdriver.
9 min read
Product Reviews
Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Campervans UK
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. In a sealed campervan, a faulty heater can kill you in hours.
3 min read
Practical Tips
Checking for Rust in UK Vans Guide
Rust is the biggest killer of campervans in the UK. Salt on winter roads, coastal damp, and poor underseal cause structural rot that is expensive
3 min read
Van Builds
Chinese Diesel Heater (CDH) Guide — Installation, Safety, and Best Models
A Chinese diesel heater is a viable option for a UK van build if you are comfortable with the installation and understand the risks.
5 min read
Product Reviews
Dashcams with Parking Mode for Campervans
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. Parking mode means your dashcam keeps recording after you park.
3 min read
Practical Tips
Dealing with Zoom Calls from a Van
Taking a professional video call from a campervan is a skill. Here is how to look and sound professional from a small vehicle.
3 min read
Van Builds
Diesel Tank Tapping for Campervan Heaters
Tapping directly into your van's diesel fuel tank to feed a diesel heater is the cleanest, most reliable fuel supply method.
5 min read
Van Builds
DIY Van Alarms UK Guide
A professional security system for your campervan costs £300-500 fitted. A DIY system costs £30-150 and takes an afternoon.
3 min read
Van Builds
DVLA Motor Caravan Reclassification
When you convert a panel van into a campervan, the DVLA still classifies it as a "Panel Van" or "Light Goods Vehicle" on the V5C logbook.
5 min read
Van Builds
Ford Transit Custom Review
The Ford Transit Custom is the most common base vehicle for UK campervan conversions. Walk into any campsite and you'll see more Transit Customs
5 min read
Van Builds
Freeze Protection for Campervan Drains and Pipes
A frozen pipe in a campervan is not just inconvenient — it can burst, causing water damage to your conversion.
5 min read
Budget Builds
Gas vs Electric Heating Costs
Heating is the biggest energy cost in a campervan. Here is the real running cost comparison for UK conditions.
1 min read
Off-Grid Living
Grey Water Filter Systems for Campervans
Grey water — the water from your sink and shower — is one of the least discussed but most important parts of campervan plumbing.
5 min read
Practical Tips
Hidden Kill Switches for Vans
A hidden kill switch is one of the most effective anti-theft devices. It stops the engine from starting even if thieves have the keys.
2 min read
Legal & Tax
Importing a Van from Germany
Importing a campervan from Germany can save you money — German vans are often cheaper and better specified than UK equivalents. 1.
2 min read
Product Reviews
Jump Starter Packs Review for Van Life
A flat starter battery is the most common breakdown for campervans. A portable jump starter pack gets you moving without waiting for roadside assistance.
4 min read
Van Builds
Plywood vs MDF Weight and Moisture
Plywood and MDF are the two most common board materials for campervan furniture. This guide compares them on weight, moisture resistance, strength, cost
5 min read
Van Builds
Recycled Plastic Bottle Insulation
Recycled polyester insulation (also called PET fibre or PES insulation) is made from post-consumer plastic bottles melted down and extruded into fibres.
4 min read
Showing 1–24 of 38 guides