First off I will say you are the perfect people to get a camper van! Because you have done a lot of tent camping and hiking and just want to be a bit more comfortable. Those who have no experience even camping, and visualize an idyllic independent lifestyle in a van, or a cheap life in an RV, are doomed to disappointment.We are two years away from retirement and are in the early stages of considering purchasing a camper van. We are avid hikers and after decades of frugal living and tent camping, are ready for an upgrade.Some of our best memories have been road trips to national parks, so spending 2-3 months each year traveling around in a comfortable camper van sounds appealing for the early years of our retirement. We are late fifties/mid sixties and in good health, and live in a state with lots of beautiful campgrounds and trails, so we would also use it for shorter trips.
We’ve heard that camper vans are very expensive compared to other RV options, but our two small SUVs don’t have towing capacity and we prefer to drive fuel-efficient cars around our city, so have never had an opportunity to try out other RV options like campers or trailers.
Before jumping into this purchase we would like to do some research and maybe rent some different models to try them out. But renting is ~ $250-$300 per day, so that could add up quickly. It is unlikely that any model we rent would be the exactly the same model/year as the used ones for sale in our area, so I’m not sure how beneficial it would be.
What are the major differences in the camper van models that we should be aware of and try out? For example, at the RV show we noticed that the vans with the bathroom in the back of the van felt less cramped than the ones with the bathroom in the middle, but I know there are pros and cons.
Is it better to buy a van conversion or a Class B? We’re looking for something suitable for a couple with no kids/grandkids, maybe ~20’.
What should we be reading/doing to become more informed?
Are camper vans expensive to insure?
We are not very mechanically-inclined and hope to minimize responsibilities in our retirement. Are we going to regret this purchase?
Some of our best memories have been road trips to national parks, so spending 2-3 months each year traveling around in a comfortable camper van sounds appealing for the early years of our retirement. We are late fifties/mid sixties and in good health, and live in a state with lots of beautiful campgrounds and trails, so we would also use it for shorter trips.We have had 3 camper vans, a trailer, and a Class C, currently a camper van. When we were younger, we did a lot of backpacking and camping in our little car.
To answer your questions:
Yes, camper vans and Class B motorhomes are MORE expensive to buy than a Class C, but a bit less expensive to operate and maintain.
The main difference between a camper van and a Class B, is the Class B usually has a toilet, shower, running water, maybe a water heater. A camper van has whatever you want. In our case, we have a portapottie for emergency/night time use, no shower, no water heater, and our water is in jugs although we do have a pump and a small sink for convenience.
There is constant maintenance, so if expense is an issue need to DIY. I typically do the RV maintenance my self and hire out chassis maintenance, like a car.
As far as models go, the more you like to go on rough roads, the shorter van you want. If you need ground clearance (which we do to get to camp sites), don't get a RAM van or a Class B with a bunch of tanks and plumbing hanging down close to the ground.
Statistics: Posted by dhally — Tue Apr 30, 2024 11:38 pm