Thinking of buying a campervan? Choosing a campervan will undoubtedly be one of the biggest and most exciting buying decisions you’ll ever make. Purchasing a campervan not only gives you the freedom to travel in the comfort of your home, but it’s also a space where you can build and make memories.
Buying a campervan is a massive decision. As such, choosing the right campervan can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know exactly what to look for.
Though stressful, choosing a campervan should be a fun and memorable experience. To give a helping hand, we’ll take away some of the stress by giving you 5 ideal things to consider when it comes to choosing a campervan. These considerations will help you begin to narrow down your preferences to help you identify your ideal campervan.
Table of Contents
1. Type of campervan
The first factor to consider when choosing a campervan is what type of campervan you would like. With so many different campervan models that offer different features and benefits, choosing the type of campervan is an essential step to narrow down what it is that you’re wanting.
To begin, start by really considering what it is that you want and need from your campervan. Are you planning on using it for short weekend getaways and day trips or are you planning on traveling for months at a time? When you narrow down these factors, you’ll be able to identify whether you need a campervan that houses a large and open space, a campervan that has plenty of storage space, something with all the gadgets and gizmos you’re looking for, or something simple that will get you from point A to B.
The most common types of campervans include:
- Low profile campervan – Ideal for leisurely use and weekend trips
- Over-cab camper van – Offers more sleeping space and storage
- A-class campervan – Ideal for using for long distances and touring
- Conversion campervan – Ideal for anyone looking to make a customized space
2. Layout
Another important thing to consider is the type of layout you wish to have. Compare the campervan layout to how you would consider the layout of your home. If you’re planning to travel as a family, you may want to consider how much sleeping space will be available. Different campervans feature unique layout solutions. For instance, if you have kids, you may want to consider folding bunk beds. Whereas, if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you may want to consider a fixed bed or a bed that converts into a rear lounge.
The campervan layout essentially comes down to preferences. If you only need the campervan for sleeping, then you may find that you don’t need a large social space. Whereas, if you’re wanting to spend the majority of your time in the campervan, you may want to prioritize having a communal seating and eating area or beds that fold away to create usable space.
3. Storage
Storage is a huge consideration when it comes to choosing a campervan. Not only do you need to consider where you will put things like clothing and shoes, if you’re planning on using the campervan more frequently for long journeys or as a permanent home, considering storage is essential.
Many campervans such as A-class campervans and Over-cab camper vans provide great storage solutions with rear storage/ garage space. This is a great solution to storing away outdoor gear, as well as shoes and items you don’t necessarily need inside the van. Other campervans such as conversion camper vans can be made to suit your needs. This is a great choice for anyone with lots of little bits that they need storing away. These campervans make the most of the space by creating innovative solutions such as creating storage under seating, under steps, and in walls.
4. Kitchen and Dining
Considerations of the kitchen and dining space go hand in hand with considerations of the campervan layout and storage solutions. Ideally, you’d want a space to be able to cook and eat whether you’re using your campervan for days trips or months away. Again, this consideration comes down to your preferences. If you’re looking for simple facilities which you’ll use on day trips out, you may want to go for simple seating or find a campervan where the front seats swivel round.
Your kitchen space can be as simple as you need it to be, consisting of a tap, a worktop, and maybe a mini-fridge or microwave. However, if you’re planning to live in your campervan, you may need more space and facilities. Larger campervans provide great kitchen and dining space. Some even have a fully functional kitchen including a stove, fridge, and cupboard space. You can also look for a dining space that makes use of innovative seating that either folds away or turn into a bed.
5. Bathroom
There’s nothing worse than traveling on the open road and suddenly realizing you need the toilet. A vital consideration that many tend to skim past, is whether they require a toilet or bathroom. Looking for a campervan with a bathroom or looking to add a toilet to a conversion campervan is a great idea if you’re looking for convenience. You can even look for portable bathroom trailers if you want a dedicated space for your comfort.
Consider a macerator toilet for RVs. These toilets emit less odor and are generally the neater choice. Macerator pumps dispose of waste differently from other flush toilets. They have built-in stainless steel blades similar to garbage disposals for kitchen sinks that grind waste. Every time you flush, an RV macerator toilet automatically reduces the waste into a slurry and pumps that to your holding tank using less water than standard campervan toilets.
Takeaway
These 5 ideal things to consider will help you when it comes to choosing a campervan. Use these considerations as a starting point to get you thinking about what preferences you’re looking for in a campervan.
