Why a Camper Van May be a Better Choice than a Motorhome
If you like getting out and exploring nature and all this great country has to offer, but you do not want to do it while sleeping in a tent, then a camper van may be the answer.
A camper van will keep you warm and dry during inclement weather and offers much more in terms of comfort. And, unlike their larger brethren; the Class A or Class C, are much more budget friendly.
A Class B Camper van is self-contained and comes with most of the amenities of the larger motorhomes, including comfort. Camper vans today, during the Covid-19 lockdown have become popular with consumers who are buying them up and converting them themselves or having the conversion done by professional van builders. The van build-out business is booming now as more folks want to get out and away by themselves. The shortage of cargo vans has also caused a spike in prices, partially because of supply and demand.
Fuel costs and ease of driving are also reasons folks are choosing vans over larger RV’s. You can easily park a van in your driveway, at your office or apartment, but larger RV’s are limited as to where they can be parked.
Obviously, the camper van (Class B) will have a smaller kitchen area as well as bathroom and sleeping area compared to the larger RV’s, but for one or two people, it’s adequate. Even the home built camper van has all the amenities one needs including a refrigerator and a porta-potti or small bathroom. These vans usually have a house battery which is a deep cycle, sealed battery suitable for keeping indoors without fear of it discharging gasses. These house batteries can be charged by the vans alternator while driving and by portable or permanent solar panels when off grid. The house battery then becomes your source of power when off grid. It powers your refrigerator, lights and charges all your electronic devices. Some folks even carry portable generators in case of no solar panels or if they want to use an air conditioner or microwave, which few house batteries can adequately power.
Some carry a portable shower when off grid. Some have gym memberships to nationwide gyms such as Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness. If these gyms are not nearby, truck stops have showers and laundry facilities.
The ease of driving a van is much like your family car. This is one of the big draws to vans. They are easy to drive and can be parked in a regular parking space.
I personally have a RAM Promaster HighTop Van (see photos above) that I built out myself and I love driving it. I’ve crisscrossed North America several times and never tire of driving my van. The only thing I can’t do with my van, because it’s a high top, is park in parking decks and underground park areas. I average 19.5 miles per gallon on road trips. Around town, I average around 16 MPH. Not bad at all for a full sized high top van with a heavy load. I can get it serviced basically anywhere, which is another plus.
Get a van and get out there and enjoy life.
Source: Author's photos
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