Self-build and DIY campers have the reputation of being a particularly inexpensive way into the world of camping - but this is only possible with a sharp calculation and a healthy substance in the vehicle and components. Using a DIY conversion based on a used Ford Transit Connect, Astrid Wulf, editor of the magazines VANderlust and explorer, shows how this can be achieved.

Many people also embark on the self-build adventure because they want a particularly unusual, particularly unique motorhome. The Volvo "Cnut" is a good example of what this can look like. The former Swedish army radio van, built in 1979, was not only given a new paint job, a folding roof for standing height and a wood-burning stove for cozy warmth even on cold nights, but also a pull-out double bed, seating for two, kitchen, shower tray, hot water heating, a floor made of real cork - and a new engine and gearbox. While the original had a thirsty petrol engine with a four-speed gearbox, the small three-axle vehicle is now powered by an economical turbo diesel with a five-speed gearbox.

Upcycling and long-term use
At 45 years old, the Volvo is older than its owner and thanks to good care and the change to a modern drivetrain, the all-wheel drive classic is ready for decades more of use. At the same time, the C304, as the model is officially known, scores points with its extremely compact dimensions: It is barely 1.8 meters wide, only five meters long and also particularly low thanks to the pop-up roof.