Many people rent a camper van (also known as a class B RV) for their trips since it provides transportation and sleeping space all in one. However, if you’re going on a long trip or planning a long-term lease as you embrace van life, it’s common to wonder if it can be used as a daily driver. 

This guide will break everything down to help you make the right decision on a class B RV rental. You’ll learn everything from how hard it is to drive a camper van to its average lifespan and maintenance needs to determine if it’s the daily driving solution you’re seeking. 

How Difficult Is It to Drive a Camper Van?

When considering using a van as a daily driver, you’ll want to consider how difficult it is to drive for everyday activities. To put things in perspective, class B RVs are oversized vehicles built on van chassis. That’s why they’re usually referred to as camper vans to help differentiate them from larger RVs. Read more about RVs vs Campervans.

Since these are oversized vehicles, they’ll be a bit harder to drive than a standard car. They’re longer (around 17-19 feet), so you won’t have as much visibility around you, and they can be more difficult to back up and park in small spaces. Most people find they get used to driving them pretty quickly. 

That said if you’re looking for an all-in-one unit where you can sleep and store all your essentials, a compact camper van may be right for you! 

They are much easier to use than larger RVs, like class A and C models that have even lower visibility. So, if you’re searching for a daily driver RV, class B camper vans are the top choice. 

Can You Sleep in a Camper Van While Driving? 

While having beds in the back is a primary draw when you see a camper van for sale, you should be aware that it’s unsafe for someone to sleep on the beds while the vehicle is moving. If the van suddenly stops, takes a hard turn, or gets hit, the person sleeping won’t be buckled in or able to brace themself. It’s much more likely someone could get injured.  

Before you start driving, ensure everyone is safely buckled into their seats. Many people find that they can fall asleep and get some rest sitting buckled upright in their seats, so that’s still a good option if you want to catch some sleep while someone else is driving the camper van. 

What Is the Average Life of a Camper Van? 

The average lifespan of a camper van can range from 10-30 years, depending on how often you use it. 

If you’re using it as a conversion van daily driver, it’s more likely to last closer to 10 years. Plus, it’ll require more regular maintenance since you’ll be racking up miles on it quicker. 

However, if you used one just during occasional vacations throughout the year, it could last closer to 30 years as long as you take it in for annual maintenance and get any necessary repairs handled promptly. 

What Is the Difference Between a Day Van and a Camper Van?

The main difference between day vans and camper vans is the amenities in the vehicles and their use cases. 

Day vans typically have fewer amenities. They might come with a couple of beds, cooking equipment, and some foldaway tables and benches, but they won’t have as many features as camper vans. Day vans are usually best suited for day trips or when you want to stay overnight somewhere for a couple of days, whereas camper vans offer more space and amenities to provide a homey space for longer adventures.  

What Is the Best Daily Driver Camper Van? 

At Escape Camper Vans, we offer many suitable options for daily drivers on longer trips. We have Ford Transit, Ford T-350, Ford E-150, and Jeep Sahara models that are affordable, get good gas mileage for camper vans, and don’t have much learning curve for the average person to drive. 

You might see other options on the market, like a Sprinter van daily driver. However, Mercedes Sprinter vans run on diesel fuel, which can pose more difficulties since you have to use a specific pump for diesel, and it’s more expensive per gallon. Therefore, going with options like a Ford Transit or Jeep Sahara that runs on regular gasoline is a better option for a daily driver.

Is Using a Campervan as a Main Vehicle Really a Good Choice? 

Having a campervan as your main vehicle can be a good option for some use cases. 

For longer trips, using a long term camper van rental and driving it as a primary vehicle is often an affordable and convenient solution. You get all your essentials in one place where you can sleep. It’s usually more affordable compared to renting a car and hotel room separately. 

It’s also a good choice if you want to embrace van life, where you live in your van for a longer duration of time and want to create an affordable and homey space for yourself. 

However, if you own a home or rent an apartment and only plan to use a camper van for occasional trips, then buying one as a daily driver for going to work or running errands isn’t the ideal choice since it isn’t as fuel-efficient or easy to drive as a regular car. In that case, you’re better off owning a standard car and renting a camper van when you go on vacation.

Rent from Escape Camper Vans

When you need a reliable vehicle for your next vacation, Escape Camper Vans has you covered. Our camper vans come with many helpful features like:

• Queen size beds
• Bucket seats that you don’t need to collapse to make your bed
• Refrigerator
• Sink with a water tank
• Extra storage
• Propane stove
• Foldaway tables and benches

With 11 locations across the U.S. and over 600 unique hand-painted vans available for rent, we have something for everyone! Reserve yours today, or contact us with any other questions.