Pros and Cons of Camper Vans

When searching for a reliable vehicle for your next trip, camper vans (also known as class B RV rentals) are a great choice with many benefits. That said, there are pros and cons that will make them better for some people and use cases than others. 

There are of course many perks of traveling in your own van. Van life gives you the freedom to roll around in a self-contained vehicle designed to make the most of a small space. Think family trips, holiday parks, public swimming pools, hiking, camping, fishing, and more. Whether you want to get away for a few days, a long Sunday afternoon, or about a year, a campervan can be the perfect companion.

Of course, not everyone is a perfect fit for a camper van. For example, if you are hoping to bring a lot of family and friends, van life might not be the best option. After all, some of the appeal to camper vans is the fact that there is only room for very few other people, making it a close-knit experience. Plus if you don’t like the idea of spending a few dollars for shower facilities, then maybe you need a bigger RV.

This article will provide a complete breakdown of the pros and cons of camper vans. We’ll cover their impact on travel, who they’re best for, and information about the best class B RV rental options on the market. 

Overview of the Campervan Lifestyle

When you search for campervans, the main thing that stands out is the type of lifestyle it provides. Whether you want a convenient sleeping and storage space for a weekend camping trip or a vehicle you can live out of for a longer duration, these vans have many advantages. 

What Are the Advantages of Camper Vans?

The advantages of camper vans include:

• Affordability: Van life is affordable and helps the average person travel more often. Camper vans provide transportation and sleeping space all in one, so you avoid spending money on expensive hotel rooms. You can also opt for kitchen equipment to cook meals, saving money on food costs. 
• Mobility: Those who embrace the van lifestyle for a longer time do so because it provides freedom. You can travel across the country in your van and turn it into a comfortable, homey space you return to each night. Compact camper vans are much easier to drive than larger RVs like class A or C models. 
• Fuel efficiency: When you compare different types of RVs, a compact camper van typically gets the best gas mileage, helping you save money. While camper vans aren’t as fuel efficient as a car, they still do well for a bigger vehicle and are much better than a large RV. 
• Rental options: Due to the increasing popularity of van life, more rental options are available. Escape Camper Vans has 11 locations and 600 vans available across the U.S. Since purchasing a camper van is a sizeable investment, renting is a more affordable and realistic option for most travelers. 
• Community: The camper van lifestyle has a great community around it. You’ll find many resources online from more experienced people who give great tips and tricks. Plus, van lifers are some of the friendlier and more open-minded people you’ll encounter during your travels.  

While camper vans have many positive aspects, that doesn’t mean they suit everyone’s travel needs. Let’s next examine some of their disadvantages. 

What Are the Disadvantages of Campervan?

The main disadvantages of campervans are:

• Maintenance and repair costs: If you own and use a camper van frequently, you will encounter repair costs over time. Since the parts are larger and more complex in oversized vehicles, repairs can be more expensive than in an ordinary car. 
• Challenges with weather adaptation: Living in a camper van isn’t ideal for every weather scenario. For example, in winter, you’ll have to bundle up to stay warm at night and ensure you have enough antifreeze. 
• Space constraints: While camper vans have extra storage space and room to make a bed, they are different from the living space you get with an RV. Other options like class A or C RVs will have more space and features but cost more than a camper van. 
• Finding parking: Depending on where you plan to travel, different areas will have more legal parking options than others. You’ll need to plan each trip around finding public rest areas, campsites, or stores that allow overnight parking. 
• Insurance and legal considerations: Like any other vehicle, you must insure your camper van. You’ll also need to find legal places to dump waste as it gathers in your van. 

Is it Worth Having a Campervan?

After weighing the pros and cons of camper vans, you may wonder if they’re worth investing in. Having one for your vacations is often a great move since it’ll save money and provide conveniences like more storage space, kitchen equipment, and a dedicated sleeping space. However, the main question is whether you should buy or rent one and why a van is better than an RV.

In many cases, it isn’t worth owning a camper van for the average person. The average person who owns one only uses it to travel about 3-4 weeks out of every year. And when new camper vans cost $100,000+, and the average used one costs $60,000+, it’s a significant amount of money to tie up in a vehicle.

Many people will benefit from renting a camper van for short—and long-term vacations. Escape Camper Vans provides an affordable option for the average person to enjoy the benefits of a camper van without a hefty investment. Since we take care of all the maintenance, you can get in one and go without worrying. 

What Is the Lifespan of a Campervan?

The average life of a camper van ranges from 10 to 30 years. This range is wide because travel vehicle use cases can vary quite a bit. 

A camper van owner who uses it frequently or lives in it will see it take on wear and tear much quicker. In that case, it’ll likely last closer to 10 to 15 years.

However, if maintained well, the average person who uses it 3-4 weeks out of every year could see it lasting closer to 30 years. You’ll want to regularly bring it in for maintenance to ensure all the interior and mechanical components perform correctly. 

What’s the Average Depreciation Rate on Camper Vans?

The nice thing about camper vans is that they don’t depreciate as quickly as other vehicles. After five years, the average depreciation rate is about 36%. So, if you were to buy one for $100,000, it would still be worth about $64,000 if you sold it used five years later. 

That’s better than the standard car, which depreciates about 40-50% after five years. So, having a camper van as your travel vehicle can be better than racking up those miles on your car. Or, with our affordable rental options, you can rent a camper van from us at Escape and avoid spending so much money on a travel vehicle you only use occasionally. 

What Is the Downside of Van Life?

While embracing a lifestyle of travel and minimalism can have many benefits, it isn’t without its downsides. 

One of the main things you’ll want to note is that there isn’t as much downtime when traveling and constantly on the road. Some people can start to feel burnt out from traveling all the time and adjusting to new environments. Social isolation can also be an issue when you’re away from family and friends for an extended time. 

While a camper van gives you a homey place to return to at night, it might not feel like stretching out and relaxing at home or in your apartment since it’s a much more compact space. 

Some daily challenges can pop up when you live in a camper van for an extended time. For instance, many don’t have a bathroom or shower, so you must always locate facilities in the area. You’ll also have to find parking spaces that are big enough and be aware of varying laws and regulations for driving oversized vehicles in different states. 

Lastly, while van life provides a lot of financial freedom, some unpredictability comes with it. Your vehicle might break down, and the repairs could cost a hefty amount, or you might have to rent a room somewhere because of severe weather conditions. 

Many People Find That Short-Term Renting is a Better Choice

While living in a van for a long time isn’t suitable for everyone, most people find it an excellent option for short-term rentals on camping trips and other vacations. 

The rental options we offer at Escape Camper Vans are very affordable compared to renting hotel rooms, eating out rather than cooking your meals with equipment in your van, and getting transportation from ride-share apps or taxis to get around everywhere. 

Plus, we take care of routine maintenance, keep vehicles clean, and store them. That makes your life easier so you can focus on a nice vacation without the hassle of owning and managing another vehicle. 

Conclusion

By now, you should have a better idea of the pros and cons of camper vans and how they may fit into your travel lifestyle. To summarize:

The Pros of Camper Vans

• Affordability
• Provides convenient transportation and sleeping space all in one
• Easier to drive than larger RVs
• More fuel-efficient than larger RVs
• It gives the freedom to embrace a life of travel
• The camper van community is friendly
• Storage space for most of your essentials
• Rental options like Escape Camper Vans make getting a van for your trip or long-term use accessible and affordable.

The Cons of Camper Vans

• Space constraints
• Maintenance and repair costs can add up
• Not the best fit for all weather conditions
• Have to plan your trip around finding legal parking at night
• Don’t possess all the amenities of larger vehicles
• Need to have insurance and plan for legal considerations with larger vehicles

Why Renting from Escape Camper Vans is the Right Choice

At Escape Camper Vans, we aim to maximize the pros and minimize the cons of renting a camper van for your trip. Our rental service is affordable, so you can get into a van for your next trip without putting a ton of money into it upfront to purchase one. Some of the top features that come with our vans are:

• Queen size beds
• Bucket seats that you don’t have to collapse to make your bed
• Propane stove
• Water tank and sink
• Extra storage space
• Solar-powered refrigerator
• Collapsable tables and benches
• Uniquely painted designs

If you’re ready to plan your next trip, you can rent yours today at one of our 11 locations across the U.S. or contact us with any other questions.