'I don't seem to be able to get the point across', said Mike Young when I visited
his company's new factory in Bletchley. 'The brochure describes our
unique approach, yet many customers still misunderstand our mission.'

So, I hear you ask, what is the company's unique approach? Well, unlike most
of the major motor caravan manufacturers, where there's a 'take it or leave it'
policy, a motorhome from Young Conversions is made exactly to suit a customer's
wishes.

For instance, the conversion can even be completed on a secondhand base
vehicle, if you're looking to save costs. It's even possible to order a
part-finished project, with jobs remaining that you'd prefer to complete
yourself. When I heard that, I really became interested.

There are some pretty determined motor caravanners around these days. Go to
any major rally and you'll find a number of self-constructed van conversions.
It's true that some look pretty grim, but there are others which are just as
well built as the mass-produced models from one of the major converters.

Of course, if you go back far enough, many well-known manufacturers first
started out after dabbling in DIY. When Siddle Cook reached his fifties, he
built a DIY caravan. It was so impressive he was urged to build more - so he
did. And, turning his first name back to front, he invented his subsequent trade
name - Elddis. He later founded compass too.

So, DIY endeavour has much to commend it, but the trouble is that no matter
how keen a self-build enthusiast you might be, very few builders can be good at
everything. For instance, you might be competent at carpentry, but trying to
complete all the upholstery yourself, using little more than a domestic sewing
machine, might make a mess for all to see.

So, the essence of 'doing it yourself' is, don't try and do it all yourself.
Be honest and self-critical. From the outset, establish the precise boundaries
of your specialist knowledge, your practical skills and the tools at your
disposal. And, when you come across tasks that you are neither qualified nor
able to tackle, entrust the work to an expert. This is where people such as Mike
Young can help.

The fact that Young Conversions are prepared to assist customers on a
part-build basis, is what sets them apart from most of the other manufacturers.
As regulations become more stringent, elements like gas installations are not
something an unqualified person should contemplate (you have to be CORGI
registered in this case). So, it is greatly reassuring, therefore, that all is
not lost for the eager amateur when confronted with these important parts of the build process.

Then there's the problem of finding suppliers of crucial components. For
instance, creating folding bed mechanisms or sliding seat systems is fraught
with problems. Mike Young can either source and fit the systems for you; or he
can install some of his own ingenious constructions. Let's take a drop down bed
for example.

I've always been a fan of the drop-down beds in large A-class models like the
Hymers, the Euroyachts, the Swift Bel-Air and others. But, in van conversions,
this is a rare feature. When La Strada models arrived in this country from
Germany last year, we learnt that a drop-down bed could be fitted in a van
conversion, too. But, Mike Young had developed his notable mechanism many moons
before that arrival. In fact, one of his demonstration models in the factory
shows a truly excellent drop-down bed in a Volkswagen LT.

Off-the-peg models

But lets forget DIY for a moment. Some potential owners have neither time,
nor inclination, to engage in a dirty-hands endeavour. They want a motor caravan
fully completed - and who can blame them if they've got the money.

There's only one problem. When you start looking at the models on offer from
large manufacturers, there's seldom a design that is completely right. When
visiting showrooms, you will often over-hear a potential customer's
disappointments. 'I'd prefer a microwave oven here, and a cupboard there! If
only the double bed was wider! I wonder if they would build this with a vinyl
floor covering? Who chose those dreadful florid furnishings - I couldn't live
with that ghastly upholstery!'

Time and again, motor caravan buyers find that adjustments to the basic
package simply cannot be accommodated. However, if you saw the assembly line in
many factories you'd soon realise why a large manufacturer simply cannot make
special alterations for you or I. Throughput figures are the determinants of
these companies profit or loss.

But, Young Conversions are not mass producers and can meet your individual
needs. That's the point they find difficult to get across to many enquirers.

Maybe it's the fact that, if you look at our Buyers' Guide, you'll see that
Young Conversions has seven models in the list, with accompanying data on
features like the number of berths, payload and so on. Now, it's perfectly true
that these models can be ordered as listed. But the point that needs to be
emphasised is that no two vehicles leave the factory the same.

As a rule, each customer normally indicates a particular request for an
adjustment here or a modification there. It might be a small request like
fitting an extra reading light; alternatively it could be something more radical
like an alteration to the wood trim around the furniture or the inclusion of an
additional bunk.

And then there's the matter of the base vehicle itself. For example, another
comment expressed by many buyers' runs like this. 'If only the manufacturer
would build this beautiful interior onto a second-hand base vehicle. I might be
able to afford it then!' Well, at Young Conversions, they can provide this
service as well.

We all recognise that a motor caravan is an expensive commodity. In fact, a
brand new conversion often falls just beyond the reach of many would-be owners.
So, turning to the classified advertisements is an alternative way to achieve
ownership. But, there's also another strategy.

Young Conversions offer a service whereby the company will track down
pre-owned low-mileage base vehicles according to how much you want to spend. It
works like this: you decide what type of vehicle you prefer and discuss it with
Mike Young. If you want a red VW, you ask for a red VW! Once a deposit is paid,
Mike then conducts enquiries around his dealer networks.

As soon as a model with the mileage and other features you've specified
appears, Mike gives you a call. His advice at this point is precise - pay for a
full RAC or AA engineer's report and satisfy yourself that the vehicle described
is what you want. In many cases, the proposed vehicle will be sent through to
the Bletchley factory for your further inspection. Once you're happy, the
balance for the vehicle is then paid to the company, and details of the
conversion itself are clarified next.

So, individuality and customer satisfaction are both at the heart of the
matter. To prove the point, one customer even sent Young Conversions a detailed
model of his required interior layout. After some discussion the about
practicalities, the project was carried out exactly as the customer had built in
balsa wood.

Now, you don't have to go into that degree of detail, but it's well worth
looking at the remarkable case history photographs of previous projects. These
are carefully filed, and Mike's portfolio makes interesting reading. Every
customer is different; and so is the final product.

Not surprisingly, the company is making very pleasing progress and will soon
have reached its 15th birthday. In October 1999, Mike and Linda Young moved from
Ruislip to larger premises in Bletchley, in Milton Keynes and one of the most
senior members of the workforce moved house as well. So, I decided it was high time
I gave them a
call.

When I visited the factory, in January, everything was extremely tidy,
efficiently laid out and planned in a thoughtful manner. 'Moving house' always
offers a chance for a tidy-up and a re-think.

And one of the ideas that has come out of this bold decision to relocate in
Bletchley is the need to organise factory open days. Unfortunately, I missed the
first open weekend, on account of the recent Boat Caravan & Leisure Show at
Birmingham but you can check out the current dates by clicking on events. These would be
the best occasions to see for
yourself the quality of workmanship and the flexibility of construction on offer here.

No one sees Young Conversions taking on the 'big boys', least of all Mike and
Linda Young. But they know a customer's expectations and seek to satisfy a need.
Theirs is a niche market, and personal experiences play an important part.
Unlike many manufacturers, the Young's really do go on motor caravanning
holidays themselves.

And is their product one to trust? To answer that, a framed certificate
confirming that the company has achieved the standards required for membership
of the National Caravan Council is displayed near the entrance.

Or, if you want further proof, the Islay built on a long wheelbase VW was
winner of the motor caravan of the year award 1997/98 for design and quality at
Stratford show a couple of seasons ago. So if you really want something to meet
your particular needs send for a brochure. Better still, make arrangements to
attend an open day. You won't be disappointed!