Frequently asked questions

Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our removable conversion kits for vans and panel vans. A question without an answer?

Can't find your answer? Get in touch with us, that's what we're here for.

Table of contents

Understanding Combeing

Combeing is a French company based in Cleppé (42) that designs removable conversion kits to turn a commercial vehicle, a van or a passenger car into a camper van… for a weekend or a road trip, and back to your original vehicle in just a few minutes.

It is also a way of travelling: the essentials to enjoy the van life, without the fuss, but with genuine comfort and plenty of modularity. Discover the conversions of our customers in the photo gallery, filterable by activity (cycling, surfing, skiing, motorbiking…).

Our range is organised around several kits depending on the size of your vehicle and your intended use:

  • Kit Smart and Smart+ — for compact vans and small commercial vehicles (Kangoo, Berlingo, Partner, Caddy…) with 1 or 2 sleeping berths; the rear bench seats need to be removed.
  • Kit compact van — for compact vans, estate cars, SUVs and 4x4s. With this kit, designed specifically for these vehicles, you can keep the rear bench seats and fold them down at night to deploy the bed in seconds.
  • Kit with storage compartment — for commercial vehicles and panel vans, with a storage compartment under the bed to transport bulky equipment (skis, surfboards, bikes…).
  • Kit with storage boxes — for commercial vehicles and panel vans, optimised for storage (more boxes, no compartment).
  • Kit Fitnight — for commercial vehicles and panel vans, optimised for storage (more boxes, no compartment).

The easiest way is to use our online configurator: it suggests the kits suited to your vehicle and gives you a price in 5 minutes.

Three major advantages:

  • Budget: reckon on £2,500 to £3,500 (roughly €3,000 to €4,000) for a Combeing kit, compared with £40,000 to £85,000 (€50,000 to €100,000) for a fully converted van.
  • Bed dimensions: in a €100,000 converted van, the kitchen stays fixed on one side, so the bed isn't very wide. With Combeing, you move a cube in 20 seconds and can therefore sleep across the full width and length of the vehicle.
  • Dual purpose: your vehicle stays a work van during the week and becomes a camper at the weekend. One single registration document, one single insurance policy.
  • No VASP homologation required, as the kit is fully removable. More info on the removable kit and the regulations.

And when you change vehicles, you can reuse the same kit on the new one.

Yes, by appointment, at our workshop in Cleppé (42110), near Saint-Étienne, France. Come with your vehicle: we install the kit with you and, if you're happy with it, you drive away with the kit in less than an hour.

You can also try the kit at one of our partner retailers throughout France.

Vehicle compatibility

The easiest way is to use our online configurator: you select your make, model and year, and it immediately tells you whether a kit is compatible.

To find out the exact recommended setup for your vehicle (dimensions, layouts, available kits), you can also consult the detailed datasheet for your vehicle directly using the search bar.

The concept fits almost all commercial vehicles, panel vans, vans and even some passenger cars: see the next question for details by make and model.

Can't find your vehicle? Get in touch — it's most likely an oversight on our part, and in any case we can put together bespoke 3D layouts for you.

Our kits fit 14 makes and nearly 40 models. Click on the make or model that interests you to access its dedicated page (photos, layout plans, dimensions and recommended kits):

By make:

By model (compact vans and small commercial vehicles):

By model (medium commercial vehicles and vans):

By model (large panel vans):

Your model isn't in the list? Get in touch, we'll look into it together.

Not necessarily. It just means we haven't documented it yet. Get in touch with the exact reference (make, model, length, year) and we'll quickly let you know whether one of our kits will fit.

These are the length categories of the vehicle. The information isn't shown on the registration document: you can find it by Googling something like "dimensions [model] [year]", or you can give us the total length of your vehicle and we'll identify it for you.

As an example for a Peugeot Expert or Citroën Jumpy: M = L1H1 (4.95 m), XL = L2H1 (5.30 m).

If you select "exposed wheel arches" (bare bodywork), we add our wheel arch modules to the kit. If your wheel arches are boxed in (wood or plastic), we add side extensions to widen the bed, on top of your wheel arch covers.

In practice, in the configurator, indicate:

  • "exposed" if nothing covers them,
  • "boxed in" if there's a wood or plastic covering in place,
  • "partly covered" or "only one exposed" if the configuration is asymmetric.

Our technical floor isn't compatible with bare metal. You'll need to fit a wooden floor (15 mm) or a plastic floor first. You can have it fitted by a specialist company, or entrust us with the vehicle for a full wood-cladding and insulation service at our workshop.

Yes, provided you can fold down or remove the rear bench seat. In some cases, watch out for seat rails or anchorages that can create an unwanted step: get in touch with your exact model so we can confirm.

Homologation and regulations

No. Because our kits are fully removable, they are considered as transportable cargo, just like any other equipment. They therefore don't fall under the regulations covering fixed conversions, which require classification as VASP (a French regulatory term for a vehicle converted into a motorhome/camper).

For the vehicle inspection, you simply present your vehicle "empty", without the kit installed.

Since May 2018 in France, a commercial vehicle converted into a camper or van that doesn't say "motorhome" on its registration document is refused at the technical inspection. That's why our kits are designed to be removed in 5 minutes: you present your vehicle empty, and everything proceeds normally.

As regulations are open to interpretation, here are the answers we received from an inspection body, provided the work is carried out to professional standards:

  • Removing the bulkhead: no problem for a registration before 2012. For more recent vehicles, the inspector may mention it on the report, but it's not something that requires a re-inspection — just a note.
  • Skydome / roof window, ventilation grilles: OK.
  • Insulation glued to the walls, wall or ceiling cladding: OK (a PTS "6.1.1.g.1" may be noted but doesn't trigger a re-inspection).
  • Auxiliary battery, Webasto heater: not inspected.
  • Replacing a 2-seat bench with a 1-seat chair: OK (the reverse is not allowed).
  • Seats on swivel bases: OK, watch the anchorages and seatbelts.
  • Pop-top roof: requires a COC certificate for the vehicle (to be requested from the manufacturer) to be provided to the pop-top installer.

For more details, see our page removable camper van kit and homologation.

Nothing in particular happens:

  • The equipment is considered as cargo that you are entitled to transport.
  • The rear of your vehicle is a private space which the police cannot oblige you to have inspected without specific authority (a search warrant or a roadblock).

Configuring your kit

Our online configurator guides you step by step:

  1. Vehicle characteristics (model, year, length).
  2. Wheel arch type (exposed, boxed in, mixed).
  3. Kit choice (Smart, compact van, with storage compartment, with storage boxes…).
  4. Floor finish (raw or laminated).
  5. Colour and finish of the fronts (raw or varnished).
  6. Finish and colour of the mattresses (FF24 or HR35 — grey, black, mottled orange).
  7. Table finish (bakelised or compacmel).
  8. Storage options (shelves, drawers, mixed).
  9. Accessories (Maxi-bed, kitchen unit, dry toilet, battery, cool box…).

At the end you get a detailed, personalised quote. You can save it and finalise it later.

  • Raw: moisture-resistant MDF, an affordable finish. You can then varnish, oil, paint or lay linoleum on it to your taste.
  • Laminated: same MDF base with a wood-effect coating. More high-end, hard-wearing, easy to clean with a damp cloth. Used for kitchen worktops, it's perfectly suited to scratches from small stones under shoes.

Our floor covers 80 to 90% of the vehicle's usable space, where modularity is useful.

The fronts are made of Valchromat MDF, dyed throughout: the colour doesn't fade over time, even in case of scratches. Two finishes:

  • Raw: matt, natural look.
  • Varnished: two coats of varnish applied in a joinery booth for long-lasting protection.

  • FF24: medium-firm foam, used in particular for children's mattresses. A budget-friendly option.
  • HR35: high-resilience foam, fire-rated. Superior comfort and durability, recommended for regular use. Available in mottled grey, mottled black or mottled orange.

For a comfortable night's sleep over the long term, we clearly recommend the HR35.

The Maxi-bed option extends the bed to 210 cm, ideal if you're taller than 1.85 m. Available on most kits, to be selected directly in the configurator.

Materials and manufacturing

  • Poplar (15 mm): chosen for the manufacture of the boxes. Very light, ideal for vehicle conversions, durable and environmentally responsible.
  • Birch: rigid and robust, used for the structural parts.
  • Film-coated plywood (bakelised): covered with a phenolic film, waterproof — table finish.
  • Compacmel: compact fibre panel covered with decorative paper impregnated with melamine resin (white or dark grey) — table finish.
  • Valchromat: through-dyed MDF, stronger than standard MDF — used for the fronts.

The wood is sourced in France. All the design work (R&D) is done in-house, and manufacturing follows an environmentally responsible approach: our suppliers (joineries, foam fabricators, seamstresses, cardboard manufacturers) are located less than 30 km from our workshop. Box assembly is carried out in partnership with ESAT facilities (French sheltered workshops providing employment for people with disabilities) in Feurs, Balbigny and Montbrison.

Installation and use

No. Installation requires no tools or outside help. A fitting guide is supplied with every kit and the vast majority of our customers install it themselves, right from the first time. The modules are secured to the floor and to each other by hand-tightening wing screws.

Allow 5 to 10 minutes once you've got the hang of it. The first installation may take a little longer, while you familiarise yourself with the system.

No. Each box with its front weighs 8 kg empty. One adult can move any component on their own — unlike many competing products that claim to be single-person-friendly but in reality involve a single large 50 kg box that's awkward to handle.

Not at all. The components are rigid and secured to each other and to the floor: there's no play, and therefore no noise.

Yes, provided you follow the usual rules for securing cargo: fastening the components to the floor and to each other, and placing the heaviest boxes on the floor. For bulky equipment (bikes, boards, sports gear), our lashing rings are ideal.

Not at all. In use, you quickly identify two or three combinations that let you switch between modes by moving only a few components. A few weeks in and it becomes second nature. See examples in our customer conversion gallery.

Yes. You can either stack the boxes in a corner to free up the loading space, or sleep with your equipment on board. The kit's modularity allows both. For bikes, our interior bike rack can be combined with lashing rings to secure all your gear.

No. The kit fits onto its storage pallet in 5 minutes: 80 × 120 cm footprint, maximum 2 m high depending on the kit. You can even leave the duvets, pillows and crockery inside the boxes to be ready for your next weekend away.

Yes! Spare bed for guests, office furniture, garage storage… The Combeing kit is designed for temporary furniture. Many customers use it in their van from March to October, and then in the house or garage during winter.

Yes: the boxes are universal and reusable across all vehicles. The floors are also reusable across vehicles of the same category. Please get in touch to find out more.

Bed and mattresses

The mattresses are supplied with the kit.

A simple off-the-shelf fitted sheet in the right size is enough to hold them together:

  • Bed 158 × 210 → fitted sheet 160 × 200
  • Bed 158 × 184 → fitted sheet 140 × 190
  • Bed 131 × 210 → fitted sheet 140 × 190
  • Bed 131 × 184 → fitted sheet 120 × 200
  • Bed 79 × 210 → fitted sheet 80 × 200

In bed mode, we also recommend placing the smaller mattress sections in the middle to prevent any movement.

No: the gaps between the boxes and the ventilation holes let enough air through to ventilate the underside of the mattresses. It's something we specifically worked on.

A hand wash in cold water is recommended.

Yes. On some vehicles you can sleep 3 or more; we offer configurations with 2 berths + a 1-person or 2-person bunk. For other vehicles, you'll find "cab beds" on the market that turn the front seats into a sleeping area.

Modules and storage

Combeing is the champion of available storage volume. Each large box offers around 80 L, and depending on your kit configuration you quickly reach a combined volume of 500 to 800 L. Plenty for long, self-sufficient trips.

All our boxes are made of 15 mm poplar plywood. Here are the main ones:

  • Large box B22: 50 × 50 × 40 cm external — volume 82 L.
  • Half-box B12P / B12G: 50 × 24 × 40 cm external — volume 36 L.
  • Low half-box B22DH: 50 × 50 × 20 cm external — volume 37.5 L.
  • Dinette box B22D: 50 × 50 × 40 cm external (incorporates a sink, tap and 2 gas burners).

The modules are delivered empty inside. Four interior fit-out configurations are available:

  • Shelf
  • Drawer
  • Drawer + shelf (can be combined in the B22 and B12P)
  • Top opening

Accessories and comfort

We offer a full range of removable accessories, selected after extensive technical comparison on the market. None of them require any permanent work on the vehicle. The main ones:

Two options depending on your needs and budget:

  • EcoFlow River 3 Max Plus: LiFePO4 technology (no fire risk, no pollutants), high capacity, 4 charging sources (230V mains, 12V cigarette lighter, USB-C, solar), controllable from your smartphone. Our recommendation for longer trips.
  • EcoFlow River 3 Plus: the compact, affordable version, perfect for compact vans and weekends. Same technologies and warranties, more modest capacity.

Both batteries recharge from the alternator while you drive: for typical weekend or touring road-trip use, the solar panel isn't essential.

No. If you drive regularly, the alternator recharges your portable battery during your trips: that's plenty for most use cases (weekends, road-trips).

A solar panel becomes interesting if you stay in one place for several days. We've chosen a 160W foldable solar panel rather than a roof-fixed model, for two reasons:

  • You can park your vehicle in the shade while placing the panel in the sun.
  • You can orient it to follow the sun's path for maximum output.

And of course, it stows away in the kit like everything else, without drilling anything into the bodywork.

Our removable kitchen unit features 2 large built-in gas burners.

Because it's removable, you can cook either inside the vehicle or outside, for instance on a picnic table or by pulling out a second box to raise the dinette and cook standing up. Handy in midsummer to avoid heating up the van!

The gas bottle is not supplied, but the regulator and the hose with clamps are. We recommend the small Campingaz R901 bottle (take two so you have a spare) or an R904. Slots are designed in the base of the kitchen unit for these two references.

For a simpler setup or a smaller budget, opt instead for our small Kemper stove and a foldable sink to pair with your shower head.

Our self-contained portable shower is our preferred solution: built-in battery (rechargeable from mains or cigarette lighter) and its 15-litre jerrycan. No connection needed, no installation, you take it wherever you want (behind the van, by the sea, after a tough hike…).

Our portable dry toilet consists of a front section for urine with a collection container, and a rear bucket with a plastic bag for the rest. Preparation: line the bag with a 5 cm layer of sawdust at the bottom, then add one or two handfuls of sawdust after each use. Use in a seated position is recommended to avoid splashing.

Contrary to what people often think, a properly used dry toilet doesn't give off any smell.

Yes for wood cladding and insulation: we offer a full insulation and cladding service at our workshop in Cleppé. We keep your vehicle for about a week and take care of everything: sprayed cork, floor, side walls, ceiling.

For other services (Webasto heating, sliding window, fixed auxiliary battery…), you'll find specialist companies in commercial fleet fit-outs near you. As an indication for a Trafic, Custom, Jumpy, Vito or Transporter:

  • Webasto ST2000 heater: ~€1,900
  • Auxiliary battery with coupler/separator + 12V/220V 2000W inverter: ~€1,000
  • Sliding window: ~€400
  • Pop-top roof: €10,000 – €12,000

These prices are indicative and may vary depending on the provider.

Insulation and cladding

Not necessarily: you can perfectly well install the kit in a non-insulated vehicle, then insulate later. The kit comes out in 5 minutes for any work.

That said, if you're planning a more substantial cladding job yourself, since you'll be reducing the van's internal volume, it's a good idea to buy the Combeing kit first to see where it will sit in your vehicle and adapt your cladding accordingly.

If you plan to travel in cold weather or for long periods, insulation becomes useful. Two options:

Sprayed cork is, in our view, the best insulator for a converted van:

  • Low thickness → barely reduces the habitable volume.
  • Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation coefficient.
  • Covers the tiniest nooks → eliminates thermal bridges and pushes the dew point outside (anti-condensation).
  • Warm aesthetic finish, ideal on new bodywork or to breathe new life into an older one.

We offer a sprayed cork insulation kit for DIY application, with a complete tutorial.

Yes. If you'd rather not get into DIY, we take care of your vehicle at our Cleppé (42) workshop for a full service that includes:

  • Application of sprayed cork to all walls.
  • Wooden floor fitted.
  • Side wall cladding.
  • Ceiling fitting (optional).

Allow about a week off the road for the vehicle. Get in touch to schedule the work and get a quote.

Ordering, payment and quote

The fastest way: use our free online configurator. In 5 minutes you get the exact price of your kit with all your options.

You can also get in touch directly for personalised support — we'll do a screen-share with you for bespoke guidance, which is our favourite way to help you with every choice and design the camper conversion of your dreams.

  • Secure card payment (3D Secure) in 1 instalment.
  • Card payment in 3 instalments (34% on order, then 33% after 30 and 60 days).
  • PayPal (with your account or by card).
  • Bank transfer (1 instalment) — IBAN provided at the end of the order.
  • Cheque (1 instalment) — only for customers based in France.
  • Cash — within the legal limit of €1,000 maximum for French residents and €15,000 for residents outside France.

Most often, your card has a limited payment ceiling (often around €1,500). Contact your bank adviser to raise it temporarily, or choose another payment method (bank transfer, 3-instalment card payment, PayPal…).

As a general rule, orders are dispatched within 2 to 3 working days depending on the payment method. In peak season, lead times can extend: in case of urgency (booked holiday), get in touch before ordering to confirm the current lead time.

Delivery and collection

Delivery is free of charge to mainland France for all our kits. To Corsica, additional charges are shown when you confirm your order. The kit is delivered on a pallet (80 × 120 cm) by our carrier (Heppner or La Poste depending on volume).

You receive a dispatch notification email as soon as the kit ships. The carrier then contacts you to arrange a delivery slot, typically 2 to 5 days after dispatch.

Yes, to: Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Spain and other European countries; don't hesitate to get in touch if you can't find your country in the delivery addresses. Shipping costs are calculated automatically in your basket.

For countries outside the EU (Switzerland, the United Kingdom…), any customs duties and import taxes are payable to the carrier or local authorities when the parcel arrives — check with the customs authority in your country.

Yes! Once your order is placed, just call to make an appointment to collect your kit in Cleppé (42110). On-site installation is free: we show you the fitting with your vehicle, and you drive away ready to travel.

Orders placed on the website can only be collected from Cleppé. If you ordered from one of our partner retailers, the kit is delivered directly to them.

Be sure to check the parcel before signing the delivery note. The law gives you 15 minutes to do so, even if the driver doesn't mention it.

Acceptable reservations to note on the delivery note: a precise list of any missing or damaged products.

Unacceptable reservations: vague wording such as "parcel opened" or "subject to reservation" with no detail — those wordings won't let us compensate you.

Once you've signed without reservation, the risk of loss or damage is transferred to you. Also let us know about the problem by email so we can act with the carrier.

Send us an email as soon as possible with your order number and the changes required. As long as the kit hasn't been dispatched, we can make adjustments. Once the parcel has been handed over to the carrier, it gets more complicated — so the earlier the better.

Customer service, warranty and returns

Our in-house manufactured products come with a 3-year warranty. Some accessories (battery, cool box, shower head…) carry the warranty of their respective manufacturer, which can be checked on their websites.

For any after-sales query:

Please include your order number, photos of the issue and a precise description for faster processing.

In accordance with French law, you have a 14-day right of withdrawal from the date of receipt. The product must be returned to us in its original packaging, in new condition and complete, at your expense. For any return request, please contact customer service.

See our terms and conditions for full details.

Professionals, resellers and events

Yes. Whether you're a converter, a garage, a dealership or a rental company, we offer terms tailored to professionals. Get in touch for a direct conversation.

We attend several van life and motorhome shows every year. Follow us on social media for up-to-date dates of our annual tour.

A printed manual is supplied in French or English with each kit. To get it in your language, you'll find it here, and all our installation and usage videos at the bottom of every product page here.

What our customers say...

Alain Martin

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

Welcoming, very professional and competent team, very practical, functional and quality equipment, well done, great company, well-deserved stars.

salmandra x.

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

I had put my kit in the basket. Sent an email with a question, Mathieu called me straight away, and even advised me on a better configuration. Appointment made 2 days after installation, with removal of my partition. And I was so well received that I added the kitchen module. A lovely, warm team. Go there with your eyes closed. I'll go back and do my insulation later... Thanks again... Sandra

Morane Barguillet

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

We ordered our kit in September 2023 for our Opel Vivaro H1L2, we have used it well and made it profitable since. Received on a pallet with a very fast turnaround. A smooth and simple installation with several layout choices. We do not regret our investment. The materials after a year and a half are like new, you just have to take care of them. I recommend ??

Joel Joel

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

5 stars well deserved. Great team A simple email resulted in a purchase. I felt considered, taken seriously and at the center of attention Once there, Matthieu was more than incredible. Really at the top. Knew how to satisfy, fulfill all my wishes. The family thanks you.

Hervé LOZES

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

Ingenious and really well thought out concept, quality material and precision manufacturing, with a responsive team, I highly recommend!

Laetitia Coudrai

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

We bought a Combeing kit a few months ago for our VW T5 transporter and we are very satisfied with it! Delivery was free and fast. Customer service is top notch, whether for information or responsiveness. The kits are adaptable to your type of vehicle but also to your use whether it is road mode, night mode or day mode (with table). Very good value for money. We highly recommend. And a big thank you to Mathieu for sending goodies!!

Laurent Gréco

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

A great team, a high-quality product, a very competitive price. We sold our converted van because our annual usage time did not justify such an expensive investment. We bought a utility vehicle that we converted to our taste with the possibility of modifying its configuration according to our needs following the many very professional tips received from COMBEING. The team took the time to welcome us into the company and to assemble our modules in order to have a tailor-made layout with everything necessary to live independently: gas, water point, electricity, toilet, solar panel, shower... In short, everything necessary to live pleasant moments according to our desires without having to have our vehicle approved in VASP. Thanks again to the whole team for their welcome, their availability and their professionalism which really deserve to be highlighted

Domie Palet

1 year(s) ago

star star star star star

Very satisfied with the modules, fast delivery, a super friendly team, thank you Mathieu for his advice and his professionalism, the best!!!! We recommend without moderation...

Johann Manassian

2 year(s) ago

star star star star star

Really great, the team is really cool, the products sold (sports kit for VW T6 for me) are really great (but I didn't doubt that, I had already planned everything thanks to their website, but with their advice I made some changes that suit me better). I also did the sprayed cork insulation before going to get my kit, super simple and beautiful rendering. I really recommend more than ever. Thank you and good luck in your new premises.

caroline faure

3 year(s) ago

star star star star star

5 stars without hesitation for this professional company for the modular fitting out of Vans and Campers. Special dedication to Mathieu, who was able to listen and find all the solutions to my constraints while respecting my budget! The team is great, the atmosphere friendly! I recommend!!

Laurent FOUCHARD

3 year(s) ago

star star star star star

I was looking for a van that could be used as a daily, utility or leisure vehicle and with the Combeing Full kit, I found exactly what I wanted for my L1H1 van. I spoke several times with Mathieu and Raphaël, their listening, their responsiveness and their availability as well as their advice and services were very valuable in guiding me in my choices... In short, very well-made kits, easy and quick to set up, as well as a great team mean that I highly recommend this friendly company...

Stephane Picard

3 year(s) ago

star star star star star

We made an appointment, Mathieu welcomed us warmly and showed us around the workshop, then we went to the selection area to recap and make the quote. We had all the necessary technical explanations as well as his advice and feedback. The guy is sincere and super professional. Our choice validated, he helped us throughout the time needed to set up the modules. Again, lots of advice and tips, thanks to him. I thought the idea was absolutely brilliant on paper but it's even better in the van, the possibilities are endless, the quality is great, everything is thought out down to the smallest detail. In the end, it confirms that with my 1m70 we can sleep across without any problem and therefore keep the table in place during the night. Conclusion: we are satisfied beyond our expectations. Thank you COMBEING, thank you to the brilliant inventor and thank you Mathieu for your advice