If you are thinking of taking up the life of a camper van dweller, you are in luck. Not only is it possible to live full-time while traveling around in your van, but it helps save money and reduce carbon emissions.
Some people can make it work by working online, while others get by on odd jobs here and there or rely on friends or family for financial support. It all depends on what works best for you.
According to the RV industry association, there has been a 62% increase in campervan owners in the last 20 years. Currently, 11.2 million households own a camper van, and 9.6 million intend to buy an RV in the next five years.
If you are planning to begin such a life, here are some protocols that must be followed:
Look for a Camper Van that’s Right for You.
The Campervans are classified into three types based on their size and the number of people they can accommodate. Therefore, a good start is to understand the different sizes available in the market:
- Class A: Large camper vans usually have room for six passengers and plenty of storage space. They may require more advanced driving techniques due to their size and weight requirements when traveling on highways or off-road areas.
- Class C: Mid-sized vans can easily hold up to four people but still take up less space than larger vehicles.
- Class B: Smaller vans will be easier to maneuver but might not have as much storage space or a sleeping room. This size vehicle is ideally known as the campervan in the US.
According to Camper Reports, Class A-sized campervans are luxurious and priced between $50,000 to $1 million. However, the price is worth the luxury they offer. Class B-sized campervans are ideal for 3-4 persons who want not too luxurious but comfortable camping. The average price of Class B camper vans is $70,000 to $5,00,000. The average price of class C camper vans is from $90,000 to $160,000.
Get a Camper Van Insurance
It is also worth noting that using your campervan as emergency housing instead of just as transport will affect how much cover you need. Make sure that you look into this before making any decisions. Immediately after purchasing your vehicle or even before, start shopping around for insurance quotes from various providers online.
Campervan insurance is a type of cover used to cover campervans like any other vehicle or car. It takes care of the vehicle, your family, or fellow passengers from accidents, theft, or any damage. Camper van insurance is a legal requirement, just like car insurance.
There are plenty of providers who offer competitive quotes through comparison websites. You should always check that any provider offers cover against theft, fire damage, flood damage, malicious damage such as vandalism, and accident liability.
Consolidate Your Belongings as Much as Possible
When it comes to your camper van, there will be a lot of things you need to store in the front cab of the vehicle. It includes items such as your food and cooking utensils, camera equipment, first aid supplies, etc.
Make sure these items are easily accessible so you can grab them quickly when needed. In addition, there will also be some items that you may want to keep in the back of your camper van or under the bed. These items are not used often but are still important for emergencies or scenarios where they could come in handy.
Be Prepared to Do Some Work.
Camping activities account for around 33% of the total outdoor activities in the US and Canada. The stats suggest that people here are fond of outdoor activities and camping. Many people imagine that once you buy a camper van, all the maintenance and repair issues will be taken care of for you.
However, if you are going to live in a vehicle and use it as your home base for years at a time, you must know how to fix things on your own. If not, this could mean major problems when something breaks down, and no one is there who knows how to fix it.
Reward Yourself Periodically by Staying at Campsites with Amenities.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you realize that your van is starting to smell like sweat and feet or when your clothes are covered in dust. A great way to avoid this funk is by staying at campgrounds with amenities. You may have already been doing this without realizing it. If you have stayed at a campground with laundry facilities and WiFi, congratulations, you were rewarded for living an off-grid lifestyle.
Now that you know about these rewards, here’s what else you can expect:
- Washing machines and dryers
- Showers
- Hot water for washing dishes or doing laundry
Take Some Time to Get To Know Your Van.
The first thing to do is take some time to get to know your van. Then, don’t rush into driving it. Instead, spend a week sitting in the passenger seat, getting used to everything around you. Look at all the dials and knobs, try out the seat adjustments, and look through all the storage compartments. If you know what your van is going to do when something happens, then it will be easier for you when it does happen.
Make Sure You Have an Emergency Car Kit
A car kit is a must-have for every camper van life. Not only will it help you in a disaster, but it can also get you out of sticky situations. Some essentials should be included in any emergency car kit to make sure that all bases are covered:
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Spare tire and tire inflator
Plan Ahead for When You Need to Do Laundry
If you’re planning on doing laundry in your camper van, there are a few things to consider before you hit the road. First of all, ensure that you have enough clothes on hand to last at least a week or two while on the road. Then, if possible, wash them once before leaving home so they can be ready for use when needed.
Also, bring along a laundry bag and drying rack if possible. It will allow you to air out your wet clothing once it’s been washed and keep things smelling fresh until they can be hung up outside in the weather or dried by an electric heater inside your van. That way, they won’t start smelling like mildew!
Conclusion
I hope these tips have given you insight into how to plan life in a camper van. It isn’t for everyone, but if you’re ready to take the plunge and start living this amazing life of freedom, these tips will be very handy. These should be shared more and more amongst everyone. – the more people who know about it, the better.
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