On The Road!

Campervan conversions have never been so popular but getting them right is a skill. Here we look at the benefits of using aluminium in conversions, whether for kits or bespoke builds.

How many of us have dreamed of taking off on an adventure at the drop of a hat, but without forfeiting comfort or convenience? Well, it seems a lot of us, according to the National Caravan Council, which reported record sales of motorhomes across 2020-2021. So much so, that motorhomes and campervans are hard to come by, with long waiting lists and high price tags.

But where there is a will there is a way, and that way is campervan conversions!

Buying a suitable van and converting it to provide a temporary living accommodation is not only frequently cheaper than buying a ready-made campervan, but also provides the opportunity to make it bespoke to truly fit individual needs and budgets.

There are several options for the conversion work. Top notch DIYers with plenty of time on their hands may be able to convert a van entirely themselves. Those with a little less time and experience can buy campervan conversion kits, which have become more popular over recent years. Or lastly, you can employ the services of a professional, of which there are a growing number of companies.

Internal Features

Whichever route you take, whether you are a DIYer or a campervan conversion expert, you will need to heed the DVLA’s ‘Guidance on the required internal features for motor caravans’. This requires campervan internal features to be fixed, including seats and a table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities and storage facilities.

Whilst many people focus on squeezing the most out of the small space, there is another crucial factor to bear in mind, and that is the weight that all these features and facilities are going to add to the van. This is where the deployment of aluminium in the build is hugely beneficial.

Aluminium: the choice material

Aluminium extrusion and profiles come in a wide range of sizes, with the smaller 20×20 profiles and 30×30 profiles understandably the most popular for campervans. At Matara, we produce aluminium profiles to tight tolerances across long lengths of extrusion that we cut to size. It also comes in specific shapes such as T sections, C sections, L sections and radius types.

Aluminium has many advantages over other materials, such as steel or wood, when it comes to campervan conversions:

• Lightweight AND strong – aluminium is both light in weight yet also strong; certainly, strong enough to hold a bed and its occupants if appropriately supported by fixings and a suitable base. You might consider steel to be a stronger, sturdier material for your conversion, but that will add considerable load to your vehicle, especially when you consider that aluminium is one third the weight of steel.

• Cost effective – aluminium also compares favourably to steel on the cost front.

• Corrosion resistant – no one wants to sleep on a rusty bed frame or eat off a rusty table; it is unsightly, potentially unhealthy and may discolour or stain anything it comes into contact with. Thankfully, aluminium is naturally resistant to corrosion and can be surface treatments for added protection where required.

• Hygienic – non-toxic, odourless, and impermeable, aluminium profiles are hygienic, so are a wonderful choice for the cooking area.

Matara: aluminium to meet your needs

Whether you are looking for lengths of aluminium profile to build conversion kits, or a complete aluminium frame with accessories, our engineers can supply you with competitively priced, quality product. With four precision aluminium saws, a fully equipped CNC machine shop and a team of qualified engineers, Matara can provide a single stop solution for pre-cut machined lengths and complete aluminium frames.

We offer a wide range of options, including:

Aluminium profiles: we hold in stock a wide range of aluminium profiles, each suited to different requirements to ensure that you can construct your designed aluminium frame.

Aluminium profile accessories: we stock a wide range of profile accessories to enable you to build aluminium frames and equipment to your exact requirements with the minimum of fuss.

Aluminium frames: we will cut your selected aluminium profile to the bespoke lengths that you require and can then supply either in flat pack form for you to assemble, or we can supply your aluminium frame fully pre-assembled.

Aluminium extrusion: we will cut our aluminium profile to the lengths that you require with no cutting fee. With a wide range of profiles held in stock you will find the appropriate aluminium profile to suit your requirements. We can also precision drill the aluminium extrusion to your specifications to ensure that you end up with your ideal solution.

These aluminium extruded profiles are available from Matara’s online store and are costed per metre, all you must do is specify the length that you require. However, if you are looking for more support in the design or specification of your aluminium profiles, we offer a full frame development and assembly service. For more information on our aluminium extruded profiles, get in touch today on 01684 850 000 or email sales@matarauk.co.uk.