There are a wide variety of camper van models available, so the most important consideration always comes down to how you plan to use it. Is it for weekend trips? Cross country excursions? How many people are traveling? Answering those questions will help determine how large of a camper van you need and ultimately help you make the most of your experiences with your vehicle.
Space Versus Amenities
For one or two people, most camper vans work admirably in terms of space. Bringing a family or a number of guests with you, however, changes the game considerably. At that point the question invariably comes up of which amenities mean the most. Camper vans can have a variety of floor models, as well as space saving amenities such as bunk beds. Some can hold sleep four guests very comfortably, but some can’t. So once you’ve determined how you plan to use your space, you can move forward to picking the right camper van.
Depending on what type of camper van you’ve settled on, determining whether it has enough storage for your needs is the next consideration. Other considerations are whether it has sufficient sleeping room for all parties, that beds are usable, and– depending on how long of a trip is planned– the height of those traveling. Fixed roof camper vans have the lowest amount of headroom, for example– this will make longer trips uncomfortable for larger passengers without stops.
In this, having a good idea of what you want in a camper layout is quite helpful.
Energy and Water
The larger the camper van, the larger the amenities, and often the larger the energy footprint. Larger vehicles usually have more electric outlets, larger sinks and toilets, and inevitably use more fuel. Depending on the size of the water tanks, whether a cooker is or not (they’re usually gas cookers), choosing a van with better access is a good idea. Camper vans using diesel are usually more fuel efficient, but there are other negatives to consider.
Picking the Van That Suits You
In the end, picking the right camper van comes down to comfort over the type of driving you’ll be doing. Sometimes it seems like there’s less reason for more space than is immediately apparent. But for one or two travelers this is less of a concern. Knowing what you want out of a camper van before you purchase it is the easiest way to ensure that you make an informed purchase, providing fun and exciting travel for years to come.
