Wavecamper - perfect campervan

Many of us are probably wondering the following questions: Is it possible to build a good and functional campervan on a budget? Why are vehicles like VW California or Mercedes Marco Polo so expensive? Where do all these prices come from?

We will try to find the answer below, analyzing the individual components that affect the safety, functionality and comfort of use in the camper.

Our questions will be answered by Karol Szymański , creator and co-owner of the Polish brand Wavecamper from Greater Poland.

Wavecamper - worth the price

In times when everything becomes more expensive, we often look for substitutes. Our articles about enthusiasts who build their own campers, but also about construction companies, show that they often use substitutes that have not been developed specifically for use in recreational vehicles. What are your experiences and thoughts on this matter?

This is an extremely broad topic, but let me talk about this phenomenon using the example of a refrigerator. An ordinary, small, compressor one can cost even less than PLN 400 in a supermarket. After appropriate adaptation of its electrical system from 220V to 12V, it can also be powered by a car battery and therefore installed in a camper. So why can refrigerators from well-known brands such as Dometic , Vitrifrigo or Webasto cost up to 10 times more? Well, first of all, these will be refrigerators intended for installation in vehicles, and therefore adapted to be used on the move (more durable components, including the heart, i.e. the compressor), for which the manufacturer has appropriate certificates.

Speaking of certificates, each of the renowned manufacturers of refrigerators for campers also has an electromagnetic compatibility certificate, which confirms that a given refrigerator does not cause any interference to the vehicle's electronics during its operation, which may be of great importance in the era of all-encompassing electronics.

Another key is the appropriate cooling efficiency and insulation of such a refrigerator, which differs significantly from a home refrigerator. When investing in equipment, we count on its efficiency in all conditions. Remember that refrigerators available in supermarkets are devices intended for home use, where, in extreme cases, summer temperatures may exceed 30oC. What about a campervan built on the basis of a small sheet metal car? There are certainly many campers left closed on a hot day where temperatures reach 60oC and more - take our word for it, we have tested compressor refrigerators intended for campers in such conditions more than once and we have never been disappointed. We know from people who use home refrigerators in campers that at high ambient temperatures they have a big problem with cooling the contents. The above example of a refrigerator shows that, of course, you can use cheap half-measures, but they will always have negative effects or will not fully meet our expectations.

Such examples could be multiplied, as a camper consists of many components - of course, you can try to save some money on each of them. The only question is, is it always worth it? Our company uses Dometic or Vitrifrigo compressor refrigerators for its construction, ensuring the highest quality of cooling at all temperatures, as well as being efficient and economical at the same time.

When choosing a camper, we face quite an investment. We have many different systems and arrangements to consider. What should you pay attention to, e.g. in the case of electricity?

Very good question. It concerns an extremely important topic. Some companies with limited experience use household wiring to build electrical installations in campers.

A professional 12V electrical installation in a camping vehicle should be based on vehicle wiring, designed to be powered by electricity with a completely different resistance. It is also crucial to select the appropriate wire thickness depending on the power consumption and the distance of the current receiver from the battery. It is also important to use appropriate protection on electrical systems. It is also worth using good quality electrical devices installed in campers, such as converters , photovoltaic regulators, chargers, controllers, etc. There are, for example, converters available on the market for several hundred zlotys, with seemingly the same parameters as converters from recognized brands costing several times this amount. – here, too, the difference does not come out of nowhere.

Electrical installations in Wavecampers are based on components from recognized manufacturers, such as Dometic, Victron, Votronic, Büttner Elektronik. In addition, the entire 12V/230V installation was performed by professional car electricians, using appropriate protection and cables used in the automotive industry.

Often, in the context of camper structures, we talk about modifying the seating arrangement or approval for a specific number of people. Is it important for the end user who and how these modifications are made?

This is probably a key point when building a camper or campervan. After all, it's about the safety of our family, passengers and our own. You should be sure that the seat you are traveling in, i.e. the driver's or passenger's seat, is safe and that in the event of the worst, it will behave appropriately in accordance with the accepted standards. There is no room for half-measures or compromises here! If a given driver or passenger seat is certified by the manufacturer of the base car or another independent institute, it should be used in a built-up vehicle. And explanations that someone moved the seat from another model or make of vehicle are useless here, because this seat has a swivel. Will a seat adapted from another vehicle and installed by us or a company behave appropriately during an accident? The question seems valid, especially when its mountings have been slightly modified to fit. There is no guarantee here.

A similar situation applies to turntables used under factory seats in campers and campervans. Only a turntable dedicated to a given vehicle model, certified and tested in accordance with standards will ensure our safety. Another topic worth mentioning is that companies often add additional armchairs or sofas (often convertible into a bed). The situation is similar here. Only seats or sofas certified for a given vehicle model can be 100% safe, and only then can we be sure in an emergency situation. Rigorous tests regarding the safety of seats or sofas are always subject to their installation to the vehicle floor and the entire structure of the seat or sofa along with the belts, where, in accordance with the standards, the appropriate forces that may act on the structure of the seat/sofa, seat belts or the attachment to the seat are checked in the event of an accident. vehicle floor.

The swiveling front seats used in Wavecampers are either factory seats installed at the production level of the base vehicle, or used, certified swivel seats for the factory seats of a given vehicle manufacturer. Additional seats or couches added by Wavecamper have been tested along with their attachment to the floor of a given vehicle model according to rigorous EU standards. In addition, the company's employees were properly trained by the manufacturer of seats and sofas in their proper installation on the vehicle, which was documented with an appropriate certificate. Only such a solution will provide users with maximum security.

The topic of gas and heating is also often discussed on forums by people who build or repair campers themselves. People who undertake installation and repairs often, without having the appropriate knowledge, suggest from their own experience, e.g. how to look for savings. What does it look like from the manufacturer's perspective?

There is no room for compromise here. Our company uses cookers from renowned brands such as Dometic and CAN, as well as elements for gas installations from the well-known GOK brand. These products meet rigorous safety standards. The heating systems used by Wavecamper are branded products from companies such as Eberspacher and Webasto, which have many years of experience. It is from them that we obtain assembly instructions for a given vehicle model (VW T6.1 or Renault Trafic), which indicate the most optimal place to install the heating in terms of its safe operation and efficiency.

Moreover, in the case of Webasto heating systems, it was tested by this company's specialists on Wavecamper VW T6.1 and Renault Trafic bodies in terms of parameter optimization and assembly quality control. It is also important to install heating systems under the vehicle using appropriate noise silencers and additional covers, which has a significant impact on acoustic comfort (noise reduction).

What distinguishes Wavecamper structures?

As we know, well-designed and well-made furniture is the key to proper functioning in a camper or campervan, but it is also the key to the efficient functioning of the vehicle itself (no unpleasant noises, appropriate weight, etc.). Therefore, furniture made with appropriate technology and using appropriate materials is extremely important. Over the years and hundreds of campers already produced, the company has developed an appropriate system for mounting the body on the vehicle, ensuring its durable and safe installation.

We have our own carpentry workshop where furniture for our buildings is produced. We make them from specialized, light plywood with a damage-resistant laminate (not from heavy furniture board!). The adhesives used for laminates and edges meet strict temperature requirements to avoid surprises in the heat. Furniture production technology (connections, fittings, etc.) is also adapted to the use of furniture in/on a vehicle. We tested each construction variant during countless expeditions, which resulted in maximum functionality. Every year we also introduce new, small and practical solutions that increase comfort. Insulation is also important - the vehicles we build are completely insulated with appropriate materials used in the caravanning industry.

How do you deal with the topic of weight and its placement?

This aspect is also our safety. Let us remember that there is no appropriate reserve for load capacity while going on holiday may result in overloading, i.e. exceeding the permissible total weight imposed by the vehicle manufacturer, which in turn may result in incorrect behavior of the vehicle on the road (turning, braking, etc.). Improper arrangement of loads on the vehicle may also have negative consequences. Before it hits the market, each new type of Wavecamper body is weighed on the vehicle with a thorough analysis of the loads on individual axles and even wheels in order to select the optimal weight distribution . Each of our campers leaving production is also weighed at the company's headquarters in order to regularly control the weight and provide appropriate parameters in the vehicle's documents.

During the fair in Düsseldorf, we saw many companies building campers based on e.g. VW T 6.1 or Renault. What is your advantage on the market in terms of quality?

Wavecamper is an officially registered manufacturer and is authorized by brands such as Renault and VW. This means that these companies carried out appropriate audits, inspecting both the finished vehicles, the body itself and the entire production process. Each Wavecamper that leaves our plant is carefully checked for proper construction according to a strictly defined checklist. Such procedures ensure long-term, failure-free use of the vehicle and minimize the risk of complaint repairs. Annual audits ensure continuous supervision of production compliance with procedures and standards. Additionally, many years of experience in vehicle bodywork and the use of appropriate quality bodywork components are important factors ensuring maximum safety, failure-free operation and comfort.

Proven and safe solutions

Wavecamper has been producing its campers for almost 10 years. They are sold successfully not only in Poland, but also in increasing numbers in other EU countries. As is commonly known, quality also comes with price. We got to know this brand's campers from the inside out and with full confidence we can only confirm that if you choose a vehicle for PLN 250,000-350,000. It is worth paying extra PLN and in return you will receive a product that is comfortable, safe and refined in every detail.

During the next fair in Poznań on September 24-26, 2021, the following vehicles will be available at the Wavecamper stand:

• Wavecamper Renault Trafic
• Wavecamper Volkswagen T6.1 short
• Wavecamper Volkswagen T6.1 long

The Renault Trafic presented at the stand was specially wrapped by It's Wrap from Poznia.

The company's works already decorate many Wavecampers.

More information about vehicles and equipment: www.wavecamper.pl

We also encourage you to read the article entitled Wavecamper 4x4 - a vehicle for special tasks .