One might think they’re getting less when choosing a camper van over a more traditional travel vehicle like an RV, but you can gain a lot by going small.
With #vanlife becoming more popular by the day, why not look into it yourself? Get your feet wet, then jump right into your new camper van after reading through this overview of 2022’s top models.
Let’s check them out.
Benefits of Camper Vans
Big surprises sometimes come in small packages. Camper vans offer a range of benefits you won’t find in their larger counterparts. Try these perks on for size.
Small and Versatile
Driving a camper van is a breeze compared to driving a motorhome or detachable trailer. They’re much more maneuverable than other larger camping vehicles.
You won’t be super limited as to where you can park your camper van when you’re ready to post up for the night.
Better Gas Mileage
You’ll definitely save money on fuel when you choose a camper van for your adventures. The average fuel efficiency of a motorhome is around six to 10 mpg.
The average gas mileage for a camper van is 18 to 25 mpg. You do the math.
Many Have Luxury Features
Camper vans are where it’s at when it comes to jam-packed luxury. There’s a wide range of options you can get when you purchase a new camper van.
Solar panels on the roof, a slew of storage, and plenty of fancy gadgets are just the beginning.
Pro Tip: Need more convincing to start van life? This is Why You Should Choose a Class B RV.
How Much Do Camper Vans Cost?
Prices can range from around $15,000 all the way up to $100,000 or even $200,000. What you pay for your van all depends on the options you choose.
If you want all the bells and whistles, you’ll pay more. For an average camper van experience, you should have a budget of about $30,000-$40,000.
The Best Camper Vans in 2022
If you love convenience while traveling, owning your own camper van could be the secret element you’ve missed. Take a quick peek at some of the year’s top camper vans on the market. Let’s dive in.
Winnebago Travato
Winnebago is a well-known name in the travel world and one that still represents quality. The 2022 Travato is powerful, fuel-efficient, and sits on a safety-enhanced ProMaster chassis.
It’s only 21 ft long, and you’ll get 18-22 mpg on the highway. With leather seats, your choice of wood cabinets, and the coolest safety technology around, the Travato is no cheap date. You’ll pay at least $135,000 for a new 2022 with no additional options.
Winnebago Revel
Winnebago has another keeper in the 2022 Revel. The Winnebago Revel comes with a chassis strong enough to handle the cool stuff you’ll want to do with this 4×4 enabled camper van.
The interior of this Revel van features a kitchen, dining and seating area, a shower room equipped with a toilet, and a cozy double bed.
As a bonus, you also get a hot water system, so you can take a steamy shower no matter where you roam.
Airstream Interstate
The Airstream Interstate 24X is one pricey camper van, but it’s well worth it. The Interstate 24X has a V6 diesel engine that can easily handle towing up to 5,000 lbs.
It has four-wheel-drive capabilities and large tires that let you safely explore off the beaten path. You’ll get AC, heat, and hot water, as well as two outdoor showers, solar panel power, excessive storage, and much more if you choose to invest in this fancy camper van.
Jayco Swift
The 2022 Jayco Swift has a starting price of about $128,000, so prepare yourself for luxury. There’s way more room in this van than you think should exist inside a van, and the finishings are top of the line.
You’ll get a nifty mobile app along with your Jayco Swift that offers a control panel for all the various elements of your luxury van.
Control the thermostat, the water heater, the lights, and even the generator from your cell phone.
Thor Sequence
There’s a lot more floor space to enjoy in the Sequence, but the tradeoff is that this camper van runs on a front-wheel-drive system. Not having 4×4 capabilities may limit where you can go, but you can still have plenty of adventures in this.
You can also get a pop-up sky bunk on your camper van, so you can fit up to four people comfortably when it’s time to hit the hay.
With three different floorplans on the menu, versatility is a standout perk of the Sequence.
Storyteller Overland
The new 2022 Storyteller Overland definitely offers opportunities for adventure. It has all-wheel-drive with 4×4 capabilities, a diesel 3.0L V6 turbo engine, intelligent navigation, heated and swivel cab seats, and much more.
The Storyteller Overland comes in four MODE vans: MODE LT, Classic MODE, Stealth MODE, and Beast MODE. They range from about $150,000 to about $200,000.
They have hot water and heat, solar power, induction stovetops, non-standard beds for extra space, and more.
Pro Tip: Know the pros and cons to van life. We found 5 Reasons to Avoid Class B RVs.
Is a Camper Van Worth It in 2022?
That has everything to do with your lifestyle. Even a lean camper van is a substantial investment, and you don’t want to put that much money into something you’re not going to use.
If you love to travel, and road trips are your thing, investing in a camper van is wise.
Would you like to adventure in one of these vans? Which one caught your attention? Let us know which one in the comments below!
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Insightful Article per usual. However, allow me to present two counterbalancing opinions.
First of all, unless you are made of money, do not consider a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. We have one and for such an expensive option (purchase cost and maintenance) you would think that they would be bullet-proof reliable – they’re not! (And temporarily, we could be looking at a DEF shortage because DEF is primarily made in China and it appears it could also become a victim of the “supply chain.”) As soon as we get our settlement check for a lawsuit we are in against Mercedes-Benz, our Winnebago-made RV is on the sales block!
“The Best Camper Vans in 2022” are used vans made before 2022. Case in point, there is on RVTrader.com, as of this writing, a 2016 Roadtrek Zion for $63,900 in Glendale, AZ with 58,284 miles. A 2022 Roadtrek Zion has a MFRP of over $140,000! Now, I like the new bells and whistles as much as everyone else, but that price difference is too good to pass up, which is typical for one with a discerning eye (don’t forget the NRVIA inspection!) For those of you who like to “poop in a bucket”, the same principle applies, and you can find many other vans for much less if they’re a few years older. Whichever you buy, make sure they are also mechanically sound.
To Recap:
1) My advice is DO NOT buy a Mercedes-Benz chassis, or even any diesel.
2) My advice is to DO buy used and save yourself a lot of money.
Ray B.
Ormond-by-the-Sea
Florida