Traveling and living in a van is completely different from an RV. If you want to figure out how to choose what the best vans to live in are, there are a few things you’ll have to learn first.
No doubt, vans are small and lower cost than RV’s and Caravans which makes them easier to park and more affordable, but they have some unique limitations.
Most vans will come as a ‘clean slate’ that you will need to either convert yourself or contract a builder to do. Most camper vans do not have a kitchen, bathrooms, or other necessities. Apart from that, you might find it challenging to live in a van due to the smaller space, but with some planning and smart design, you can convert it so that you can best experience van life
“Once you need less you will have More.”
How to Choose the right van
If you are considering van life, and starting to plan travel and life in a van there are many things you have to consider to select the best van. Regardless of your budget here are a few things you need to consider before you start the process.
- Have you ever camped in a van before?
- How long do you plan be in the van at a time?
- Do you need to be capable of being off grid for long times?
- How many individuals will be living in a van?
- What is your budget?
- Will you get a FWD or RWD or 4×4 van?
- Do you need a used or new van?
- Do you need to stand up in the van?
- Do you need a bathroom – toilet or indoor shower?
- Do you need to be able to cook in the van?
- Do I want to be able to stealth camp?
- What climate will I be camping in? Freezing cold snow or hot, humid tropical locations?
Apart from this, some other factors about specific vans will need your attention;
- Size
- Technical stats
- Age, service history and mileage
- Availability of parts
- Complexity of mechanical systems
- Safety rating
- Fuel efficiency
- Ongoing cost of maintenance
- Looks and aesthetics
Stages of buying a van
Here are 5 important stages to complete before buying your van.
Gather information to start
Make a list of all of your requirements, the vans on the market and all the different features. You will be able to use this information narrow down your options later to allow you to select the best type and model of van for your situation.
Its also a great idea at this stage to learn more about van life culture. Jump on YouTube and binge watch some seasons of;
- Eamon and Bec
- Trent and Allie
- Van Wives
As well as look into hiring a van for some weekend getaways – Check out your local RV or car rental store and see what they have got in stock. This might cost a few hundred dollars, but its much better that you learn the valuable lessons that this will teach you now – potentially saving you thousands and thousands of dollars in the long run – you might even find out Van Life is not for you!
You might be able to reach out to friends or family with smaller RVs or Vans, or even reach out to someone in the Van Life community through social media (Facebook, Instagram or even YouTube) to see if you can tag along for a ride, or just expand your #Vanlife network to see whether the subculture is really right for you.
Review your needs and requirements
Pay attention to reviewing your needs and requirements during the selection process. For example, do you really need a 4×4 van? If you are not planning to be off-roading (or dirt roading) on steep inclines and plan to stick to the bitumen, then a FWD could be a much cheaper solution (with more cabin space!).
Do you want a new van, or are you happy for a more affordable second hand vehicle? What about a mechanical warranty?
Analyse the market
Analyse the market and keep a keen lookout for the best options. Online sales platforms like Gumtree or Craigslist often have heaps of listings for second hand vans that are frequently updated, and an increasing number of dealerships are also using online classifieds which makes it really easy to browse potential options. Sometimes really awesome deals will pop up on the market, so its best to check whats on offer every day or so, as bargains will get snapped up.
Don’t forget that dealerships can be a great option too, and often stock a range of new or second hand vans that might be perfect for your needs.
Decide and Inspect
Pick your favorite! Remember that there is no perfect van, everything is a compromise and there is no such thing as a ‘maintenance-free’ van available in the market.
If you are planning to buy a used van, assure that you give it a good inspection yourself and if it looks promising, regardless of your mechanical know how, it is always a great idea to then have a third party mechanic to check it for peace of mind and to know if the van is reliable or not – this might only cost you $100 or so, but potentially save you $1000’s from getting a lemon.
Execute
This is the funnest but sometimes the most scary part! This is where you pull the trigger and invest in the best van you can afford.
It has been a lot of work up until this point, but now your Van Life journey is just beginning – next comes the mammoth task of actually converting your van…. or you can just cheat and contract a builder to do it for you
Best vans to live in 2020
Keeping these facts in mind, Check out our top list of best vans for van life conversions to get some ideas and creative juices flowing
Bottom line
Buying the best vans to live in can be a confusing and tricky process. However, you can always get help from experts. Do not make any decision without conducting proper research and doing your due diligence. Besides that, have fun and enjoy the exciting process to find the van that is best suited for you!
