Why a Van Is Better Than an RV?

Today, more people are choosing to buy or rent vans for vacations or to support a life of travel. While you may have heard that a camper van is a better option than a larger RV, there are a few reasons you may still want to know the differences and why that’s the case.

In this article, we’ll explain why a van is better than an RV, positioning the camper van as the ultimate adventure vehicle for those seeking travel and adventure. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of camper vans, what you should know about class B RV rental vs other options, and the best travel vehicles on the market.

With their compact size and flexibility, Camper vans contrast sharply with the larger recreational vehicle (RV) options, which are designed for extended travel and can accommodate larger families or groups with their more comprehensive facilities.

Why Do People Choose Van Life?

People choose van life mainly because of affordability, freedom, and a great community. Additionally, camper vans are fuel efficient, which enhances their affordability by offering better gas mileage and the ability to travel further on less fuel, making them an ideal choice for long road trips. Check out the ultimate Van Life Guide: How to Travel the Country in a Campervan.

Affordability

Living out of a vehicle like a class B camper van decreases the cost of living since it provides transportation and sleeping space. You’ll also save money on renting rooms as you travel, which are especially expensive nowadays.The average hotel room cost can range from $150-$300. 

Freedom

Those who choose van life for longer durations achieve more freedom in their schedules with a lower cost of living and the ability to work remotely.

You can embrace a life of travel, going where you want when you want. You can even visit popular destinations at slower times of the day, like mid-afternoon when others are working. 

The Van Life Community

Lastly, there’s a great community that supports the camper van lifestyle. When you see a camper van for sale, it symbolizes freedom for many who want to pursue adventure and travel. You’ll consistently hear that van lifers are some of the friendliest and most open-minded people you can encounter during your travels. 

Plus, when you rent from Escape Camper Vans, you’ll have access to the perfect conversation starter, as all vans are uniquely painted or wrapped.  So, you might just make some great friendships along the way.  

What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in a Van?

There are pros and cons to campers vans and van life compared to RV life. Let’s examine them. 

The Pros of Van Life

As previously mentioned, camper vans offer great mobility and an affordable lifestyle that helps you embrace a life of ongoing travel. Among the popular models, the Ford Transit stands out for its specific dimensions that enhance maneuverability and its towing capabilities, making it an exemplary choice for those looking to balance the comfort of home with the call of the wild.

When you compare camper vans vs. Airstreams or other travel trailers, most will see the camper van as a better option. This is because you won’t have to tow your camper behind another vehicle, which can be a hassle to set up and make it harder to navigate through traffic.

Camper vans built for travel, like ours at Escape, have many great features. You’ll get a comfortable sleeping space that fits queen-size beds, kitchen equipment to cook your meals, a working sink and water tank, a refrigerator, and extra storage space. Additionally, the smaller gas tank in models like the Ford Transit offers significant cost savings on fuel, without sacrificing the mileage that is crucial for long journeys. What more could you need?

The Cons of Van Life

The main disadvantage of camper vans is that they are smaller than larger RVs, such as class A or C models. So, you won’t have as much storage space or a full bathroom with a toilet and shower.

That said, since camper vans are so compact, they’re much easier for the average person to drive. While having a bathroom is nice, it’s common to have maintenance issues with compact plumbing systems, which can be an annoyance on your trip. So, there is some tradeoff when you compare a camper van vs class C or A RVs with more features.

Another downfall of van life is finding a parking space to sleep in, especially when considering the specific challenges related to the RV park and RV parking. In most areas of the U.S., it’s easy to find public rest stops or rent a campsite. However, securing a spot in an RV park with necessary amenities like electricity and sewer connections or finding suitable RV parking that accommodates the unique size and storage needs of RVs can be more challenging. This is particularly true in big cities with a lot of traffic where special RV parking spaces are required. You’ll need to plan your trip ahead of time accordingly.

Buying a new camper van is also a sizeable investment, usually costing around $100,000+. That said, at Escape Camper Vans, we offer an affordable rental service to help more people access travel vans for a lower initial investment.

How to Live in a Van or Recreational Vehicle?

Now that you know the pros and cons, here are some best practices for living in a van or RV.

• Choose the right vehicle for your lifestyle. Consider how many possessions you want to bring, where you’ll be traveling, and fuel efficiency. A bigger vehicle will be better if you carry many possessions. However, a smaller camper van may be the ideal choice if you want better fuel efficiency and ease of use. For those prioritizing safety standards, insurance, and financing benefits, exploring Class B RVs could be advantageous. These vehicles meet specific RVIA standards, ensuring a higher level of safety and quality, and may offer easier access to financing and insurance options.
• Outfit your van or RV for long-term use. You’ll want to ensure your vehicle has spare tires and maintenance tools, antifreeze for the winter, streamlined storage options, and essential amenities like water supply, shower, and toilet facilities to ensure a more home-like experience on the road.
• Embrace sustainable living. You won’t be able to bring everything, so consider how you can reduce and reuse items while on the road.
• Take care of the legalities. Make sure your camper or RV is insured, plan legal places to sleep along the way, and find local RV dump stations where you can dispense waste.

Is it Worth it to Live in a Camper Van?

In many cases, renting a camper van can be much more cost-effective when traveling and living life on the road, especially when compared to the larger and more amenity-filled fifth-wheel RVs, which, while offering more space and luxury, come with a significantly higher cost both in terms of purchase and maintenance. Here’s more on RV vs Campervans.

For example, if you were to rent a hotel room, it would cost an average of $150-300+ per night. Not to mention, renting a car to get around in addition to a room would cost an average of $50-100 per day. The daily cost of a camper van that you can use for sleep and travel is usually much cheaper.

However, if you buy a camper van outright, you’ll need to consider how long and often you’ll use it, as you’ll usually see a camper van or RV for sale for $100,000+. You’d likely need to live in one you buy for 3-5 years before you get your money’s worth. That’s why short or long-term rental is usually better for most people.

Rent a Camper Van from Escape Camper Vans

At Escape, we offer affordable camper van rentals with many great features. Our camper vans come equipped with: 

• Queen size beds
• Foldaway benches and tables
• Pull-out propane stove
• Water tanks and sinks
• Refrigerator
• Extra storage

With over 600 camper vans available for rent at our 11 locations across the U.S., we’ve got something for everyone! Reserve yours today, or contact us with any other questions.