Wander in one of his converted vans (photo: Collin Beijk).The interior of a van converted into a camper (photo: Collin Beijk).Wander van den Bosch converts vans into a camper (photo: Collin Beijk)Next
1/3 Wander in one of his converted vans (photo: Collin Beijk).
The number of campers in Brabant has increased enormously since 2020, according to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Wander van den Bosch has also noticed this. He started a company three years ago that converts delivery vans into affordable campers. “The corona pandemic has helped my company a lot.”
Wander has a large garage on the Vosdonk business park in Etten-Leur where he converts delivery vans. There are two Volkswagen Transporters. The green one has been finished for a long time and is now being finished. The black one has just arrived and the interior has just been removed and the roof has been cut out, which will later be replaced by the sleeping tent.
“I can do this too, but cheaper.”
Before starting his own business, Wander worked for a company that builds motorhomes. “But they became more and more expensive. I thought I could do this myself, but cheaper.” It turned out to be a gap in the market, because the corona crisis started when he had just started Wander Workx.
“People have rediscovered camping in those bizarre times. But not everyone has the money for a brand new camper,” Wander explains. Depending on the size and model, a new motorhome costs between 50,000 and 200,000 euros.
“We have converted every model by now.”
“With me you have to think of about 20,000 euros for the conversion. But then you have to deliver the van yourself,” says the camper builder. According to him, you can make that as expensive as you want. Much depends on the mileage, age and equipment. “We have now converted every model Transporter.”
In three years time there are now about twenty. “The first one was very exciting to see if it would sell, but people come to us from all over the country these days.” Wander mainly builds to order, but often also has a camper in stock.
“Everything you need is in there.”
The vans he converts are smaller than a full-fledged camper. “But everything you need, we build in.” According to Wander, people who go for a converted van do so for three reasons: “It is cheaper, you are more flexible because it is smaller and lighter and with us you can put together your camper completely to your own taste.”
A different color of paint, special upholstery, your favorite color of stitching, one or two double beds, swivel seats, a lot or little cupboard space and even solar panels on the folding roof are among the possibilities. “We even built in a thick audio installation recently. Thijs even managed to spoon in a subwoofer.”
“The market is a bit saturated.”
Although the number of campers in Brabant has increased enormously, the huge run seems to be decreasing somewhat. “I think the market is a bit saturated. People who want and can buy a camper have often bought one in recent years.” What also plays a role, according to the builder, is that holidaymakers can fly again without restrictions.
Yet Wander is still extremely busy. “I’m not complaining, because I was able to turn my hobby into my profession. And I can go on holiday at any time with one of my own campers, of course.”
The campers contain everything you need (photo: Collin Beijk).
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2023-07-14 17:30:41
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