A camper van is exactly what it sounds like: a van that you can camp in. They typically have everything you need for a great camping trip, including a bed, a kitchen area, storage space, and occasionally toilets or full bathrooms.
Benefits of camper vans include fitting into regular parking spots and occasionally stealth camping. They can also be more affordable upfront than larger rigs. But despite all the benefits, these tiny homes-on-wheels aren’t for everyone.
Camper vans are small–like, really small. While it might benefit some, it’s also one of the biggest downfalls. These campers are not great for more than one or two people, and living and traveling in one of these vans can put any couple’s relationship to the test!
Finding storage for everyday things like hand soap or bedding can be tricky! Sometimes, you have to shuffle things around to get to places like the toilet or the stove. Unlike in a bigger RV, it’s always a game of Tetris when you want to switch tasks in a camper van. Not to mention a lot of prep work that goes into getting ready to travel!
Camper vans DO have storage, but it’s usually very minimal. Most storage places are difficult to access, so you don’t want to use them for everyday items.
Not all RVs of this size have bathrooms. Need we say more? Some have a toilet, and others have a full wet bath. Many have none of that, which means you need to get comfortable going outside or always parking near a restroom. That doesn’t sound like fun at all!
When traveling in a camper van, you typically can’t tow another vehicle behind you. So, if you want to drive into town to explore after setting up camp, you have to take it all with you. This means you risk losing a primo camping spot. It also means that you have to put everything away and secure it for travel, and when you’re ready to go back to camp and relax, you’ll have to set it back up.