Why a Landrover Defender as a Camper?

When most people think of a campervan VW Transporters or larger panel van conversions like Sprinters and Fiat Ducatos spring to mind…..The likelihood is they will have never considered a classic rugged overland machine like a Land Rover Defender as a viable option as you tend to see them either doing farm work or going around off road courses getting covered in mud.

Why did we Choose a Landrover Defender Camper? 

To get away from it all…

A big part of the joy for us going away in a camper is to get away from everything and everyone! We’re not antisocial I promise but we love to get away into nature and have peace and quiet and I think that’s quite true of many campers. Our bigger panel van camper vans are lovely and pure luxury but there are a few places we can’t get to in those vans and end up being limited to whatever campsites happen to have space when we want to go away (which is usually last minute depending on the weather and in the Lakes means most campsites are fully booked!) 

The brilliant thing about the Defender is you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in a wet field and can travel along the narrowest and gnarliest of country roads to get to remote spots. There are several websites now which specialise in 4x4 only campsites where your vehicle needs the capability of going up grassy banks or up through woods onto the fells. At these campsites you truly get away from everyone with whole fields to yourself. 

Far Flung Travels in a Capable Vehicle 

2 years ago we hired a AWD VW Crafter to explore the interior (F-roads which are 4x4 only) of Iceland. It was out of this world BUT there were quite a few places that the Crafter wasn’t suitable for or even banned from going on due to the ground clearance and length. We plan to return to Iceland later this year to go to the places we couldn’t get with the Crafter and and really escape everything! 

We also have big plans do some big overland tours of America and potentially Morocco and Africa one day which require a 4x4.

Main Reasons to Own a Land Rover Defender Camper 

Buying and owning a Land Rover Defender camper can be an appealing choice for lots of reasons:

1. Off-Road Ability: The Defender is known for its rugged off-road prowess, making it ideal for exploring remote or challenging terrains. If you’re like us and want to go to remote places to take your camping experience to places that regular vehicles can’t reach, the Defender is a great choice. We also love taking the road less travelled and have loved taking our Defender on green lanes and tackling tricky terrain to get to the best brews with a view! 

2. Durability and Ease of Mechanics: Land Rovers have a reputation for being durable and capable of withstanding harsh conditions, which is especially important for a camper vehicle that will be exposed to various weather conditions and tough environments. The mechanics on it are genuinely easy to work on too - most things can get temporarily fixed by yourself on the roadside until you can get to a garage e.g. we fixed a broken shock absorber with a bit of baler twine to get us home!! Wherever you go in the world Land Rover parts are usually available too and any local mechanic should be able to help you out. Defenders do get a bad rep for breaking down a lot but with careful maintenance and replacing components before end of life you can help minimise this. The beauty of a Defender campervan if you do break down you can pop a brew on while you fix it!

3. Versatility: The Defender, especially with custom camper conversions, can offer a mix of both utility and comfort. We have options on the full blown pop top conversion with all the bells and whistles on the outside or a roof tent only or no pop top or roof tent and you sleep on a pull out bed. This then appeals to different levels of budget. The Defender is also like a Meccano set to add and take things off so you can do upgrades as and when you can afford it. 

4. Iconic Design: The Land Rover Defender has a distinctive, timeless design that appeals to many outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Owning one can make a statement, and its classic aesthetic pairs well with the camper conversion lifestyle. Genuinely we get smiled at wherever we go and lots of people take selfies and photos of themselves in front of our Defender! 

5. Community and Lifestyle: Owning a Defender can introduce you to a passionate community of off-road and camping enthusiasts who share tips, tricks, and knowledge on overlanding, camping, and modifying these vehicles. You will get the Defender wave when passing other Defender owners on the road and the Land Rover and overlanding shows are a good fun community to be a part of. 

6. All-Season Camping: With proper insulation a Defender Campervan can be used in all seasons, making it versatile for both summer camping trips and winter trips. All our Defender conversions come with diesel heating as standard and can be winterised so you will never get cold even in the harshest of environments like northern Scandinavia in winter. 

7. You can fit in a standard car parking space! For those who have owned larger campers/motorhomes you will know how tricky it can be to park in supermarkets or retail parks when it’s busy. The Defender will park anywhere and also be able to fit down those narrow lanes you get in Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District. 

8. It will be your Pride and Joy: You will fall in love - we warn you! Once you have one you will get the Land Rover Defender disease and you can’t turn back! Skafta is our absolute pride and joy and we love her to bits. Its a very proud feeling driving her around and she gets lots of looks wherever she goes! 

In summary - if you want a go anywhere camper that’s amazing fun to drive and experience nature in then the Land Rover Defender Camper is an excellent choice! 

If you would like to learn more about our Defender Camper Conversions, then please check out our page here. If you have any specific questions then please contact us here.