CHOOSING A VAN
STEP 1
CONSIDER CAMPERVAN PROS & CONS
Choosing the right van for your living needs is an integral part of the process. It may seem overwhelming at first as there are many options out there. Factors to consider before diving into the research process are:
PRICE POINT: Be sure to know what your budget is before shopping. Having a price point in mind will help narrow down your focus. You’re going to possibly need money for renovations as well as travel so not going over budget is key to long term happiness and sustainability while living on the road.
SIZE: Think about how big you need your van to be in terms of length and height. If you can rent a van to try a model out for size, do it! Or use tape on the ground to mock it up. Is it a ‘must have’ for you to be able to stand upright in your van? Do you want a short enough van to be able to park in regular sized parking spot? Etc.
TURN KEY OR DIY: Would you like a move in ready van (most costly) or would you like to design or renovate yourself (timely)?
MAINTENANCE: When picking your van it’s important to consider what kind of maintenance it will require so that you can set your expectations of where to get it fixed when problems happen on the road. Can you take it to any auto shop or will you need to take it into a specialist and how much will those visits generally run you?
LIFESTYLE: Have a good idea of the overall lifestyle you’d like to live in your future tiny home on wheels. Are you planning on using it for travel or will you be living in a city? Will you be doing a lot of stealth parking or need four wheel drive to live in snowy mountains? At the end of the day you will be spending so much time in this space so have a good idea of what your lifestyle will be before starting the process.
We’ve curated a list of pros and cons below of the most common camper van options to help you get started in choosing your van. But first, be sure to go through each factor listed above and write down the answers that relate to your specific needs BEFORE diving into van shopping.
DODGE RAM PROMASTER
Let’s start with this one as it’s the one we chose for many reasons.
PROS:
Most Economical - This is by far the most economical of the panel style vans if you’re shopping on a budget. We bought a slightly used one with low milage which was a steal in the long run and allowed for more room in our budget to spend on the renovation.
Front Wheel Drive - These babies are easy to drive and have a great turn radius.
Fuel Efficient - If you purchase the eco-diesel model you should get 20+ miles to the gallon which will save you a lot down the road. We get 14.5 MPG now that we have all our gear/equipment in the van (with the normal non diesel model).
DIY Friendly - Because of it’s boxy appearance it makes for an easier conversion as the lines are slightly straighter inside.
Biggest Width - This played a major factor when choosing the van so that we could put our bed sideways to create more living space within the van. After putting the walls in we got 6 feet from head to toe for our bed.
CONS:
Front Wheel Drive - This could also be seen as a con (vs 4WD) if you plan on being in snowy places. However FWD is better than RWD, so something to consider when compared to other options.
Ground Clearance - This isn’t the biggest if you plan to do a lot of off roading.
SPRINTER VAN
This is one of the most popular van life options. They have different options to choose from. If you go with this option be sure to try to get an extended warranty.
PROS:
Option for 4x4 - The all-wheel drive may be a ‘must have’ for those who plan to spend a lot of time in the snow and on rough dirt roads.
Higher Payload - The sprinter can carry more weight than the Transit & Promaster
Available in Diesel - This version is going to bring you the biggest return on your money.
High Clearance - The 4x4 version has higher clearance
Long Term Value - If you’re planning on selling your van in the future, these vehicles generally hold their value.
CONS:
Costly - These are by far the most expensive vans for van life. The purchase price is not only costly but the upkeep is as well, to maintain.
Rust - We’ve read that these vans are prone to rust.
Maintenance - You aren’t able to go to any auto shop to get repairs done mainly because of the complex computer system that makes up this van.
VOLKSWAGEN BUS
The Volkswagen Bus truly embodies the symbol of freedom. You really can’t beat this van’s aesthetic. Although it may look like the cons outweigh the pros, this type of van is one we will most likely be purchasing down the road as there is something just so special about it.
PROS:
Iconic exterior
Unique interior details and large windows
Getaway Car - These vans are perfect weekend getaway cars.
Functionality - It’s clear these vans are designed for adventure. Although you can’t stand inside a VW Bug it is very common to find ones with pop up tents already installed.
Generally a more budget friendly option if you can find a good deal on one with the conversion in good condition.
CONS:
Most used wagons are manual drive only.
Slow n’ Steady - The vans are notorious for being the slowpoke on the road. This could either be looked at as a good thing or bad, depending on how you’d use it.
High Maintenance - Get used to minor hick ups along the way as you’ll need to give it constant TLC but with regular upkeep, their engines are simple and easy to work on.
Storage - These babies may not be ideal for those looking to pack on tons of outdoor gear as they aren’t the most sturdy vehicles to add on roof storage.
Weather Control - Be prepared to be cold in the winters and hot in the summers in these vans. One of their biggest downfalls is the inability to keep it nice and toasty if you’re a snow dweller.
FORD TRANSIT
The Ford Transit can be another great option. It’s not as square as the promoter which you may prefer in aesthetic taste however this could cause the van build to be slightly more complex.
PROS:
4x4 - There is an all wheel drive recently released for those who feel this is a priority, keeping in mind they are only available in gas, not diesel.
Maintenance - These babies are a great economical options when wanting a lower cost of maintenance as you can get it services anywhere.
Height - This vehicle has the tallest interior height at 6’8 for those who are especially tall and want a stand in the van.
Width - Wider than the sprinter but not wider than the promaster.
CONS:
Clearance - Less than some options out there
Lack of Used Models - Only newer models are made in the US so you may not have many options if shopping on a budget and looking for a used model.
FORD ECONOLINE
If you’re on a tighter budget, this may be the vehicle for you.
PROS:
Budget Friendly - Can be purchased at really low price with low milage.
Maintenance - These can be taken anywhere to get services and are cost efficient to repair.
Stealthy - If you plan on needing to stealth park often this is the most stealthy looking van with it’s low height and “work van” appearance.
CONS:
Height - If you want a van that you can stand up in, these vans aren’t for you. However they are easy to work on and can install a pop up tent which is totally do-able.
Gas Inefficient - These types of vans are notorious gas guzzlers so expect to be filling up more often than most.