We have all at one point imagined ourselves camping in a van or maybe even living in one. The challenge is where to begin and what to look for. You may have done your own personal research and come up with a long list of campervans, which instead of making it a bit easier it did the opposite as now you have a long list with no clue on what to look for. Luckily enough we have narrowed down the long list and have come up with the best vans you could purchase to give you that amazing campervan feel. But before we get into that, let’s discuss some of the things you need to consider before selecting the perfect van for your adventure.
Things To Consider Before Selecting The Perfect Van
Before you rush to buy that van that has caught your eye, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
What is your budget?
Draw up a budget so that this way you can actually stick to it. Ensure that you are comfortable with the number you come up with and it shouldn’t cause any strain. The best route you could use to make this a success is by buying a second hand van. Keep in mind the cost of converting the van into a home.
Keep in mind maintenance and repair
There are some vans in the market that can easily be taken to any auto shop for repair such as Ford vans while there are others that need to go to specialized mechanics such as Mercedes. The ones that can be taken pretty much anywhere for fixing don’t cost as much. You should therefore keep that in mind. In addition, make sure you get the van examined before making a purchase. This way you’ll be able to identify an issue early before it gets any worse causing you to pay more for its repair.
What is the size and the height of the van?
The size and height of your van is a Key determinant as well. Being able to stand in your van is something most people would like to have. Secondly, you would like to purchase a van that can fit all your camping equipment without it looking cramped and crowded. Also whether you have a family or not will contribute to the kind of van you buy. It’s important that you visualize the layout of your van first to have an idea of whether your facilities and everything you want to bring with you will fit.
What areas/locations will you be visiting?
Different van types are best suited for different adventures. If you will be going off-roading, you will need a 4×4 and avoid cars that are low to avoid damaging your car. If you’ll be visiting areas that are humid, go for models that don’t easily rust plus ensure your van has enough air flow inside if you’ll be heading towards hot areas.
What are the best campervans models?
Now that we have figured out some of the things to keep in mind, here are the different van models you can consider buying before your next trip.
Mercedes Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter has a 4×4 option which is perfect for off-road touring. It can take you to some of the most beautiful and remote places that can only be accessed by 4 wheel drive vehicles. The van has plenty of living space and can fit a bed, kitchen or even a bathroom if you want. Its diesel engine is good for mileage and it’s a well built reliable vehicle. It has a few drawbacks such as is expensive to purchase and maintain plus its parts can be more expensive to get.
Toyota Hiace
Toyota Hiace are known to be one of the most reliable vans on the market in Australia. Its price is much more decent as compared to other vans in the market and if well maintained, they can last you for a long time. When it comes to space, it may be enough to some but for others it may be a bit too small to set up a vanlife and also it has a low roof. So if you are super tall, standing and moving around comfortably will be a bit of a challenge plus storing your large equipment might be hard.
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit offers a high roof option which is perfect for tall campers plus you can store things like your bicycle quite easily plus it’s long enough which means unfortunately, the interior is smaller. Its repair and maintenance is also affordable. The shape of the interior cargo is a drawback as it makes it hard to custom build it.
Nissan NV Cargo
This vehicle is perfect for solo campers who don’t need a lot of interior space. Its 8 cylinder engine option gives out a lot of power plus you can convert to a 4×4 with room for larger tires. Just the Ford Transit, the van has a long nose meaning less interior length.
Mitsubishi Delica
Mitsubishi Delica is another 4 wheel drive option that is much cheaper as compared to others found on the market. It’s also reliable and compact.
Where can you find campervans?
Luckily, there are a number of options available making it easier for you to compare the best prices. The options include gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, local dealership or from your friends, colleagues or family. You also may need to consider finance for a caravan if you are considering something of a newer model.
Read more: Top 5 RV Camping Tips for Travelling Australia | Packing The Ultimate Bush Camping Trailer