Words of Wisdom: "The best van is the one that is //best for you//." ====== Brief overview of different RVs ====== One of the first decisions a potential 'dweller thinks about is "what kind of van?" Sometimes the answer isn't a van at all, but some other platform that meets one's needs better, or is what one already has at hand. The chart below attempts to give a rough overview of the pro/con of the main types of camper. ===== overviews ===== * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6LhQNSZrHE|Bob Wells' overview]] * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8d3OKl0k4E|Robert Witham's overview]] (and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huO9nelVmTs|conclusion]]) * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZbTvI5fr9o|Carolyn's RV Life groundwork]] ===== types of RV ===== ^ **RV** ^ **Pro** ^ **Con** ^ Youtube discussion ^ | [[rv:cargo_van|cargo van]]\\ The most common vehicle for "vandwelling". | ease of modification, \\ stealth, \\ mounting solar, \\ passthrough | aesthetics, living space, used work vans can be beat up | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wUsjwAxue0|Robert Witham #6]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FG4Sg_IavM|Carolyn's RV Life #3]] | | conversion van\\ A passenger van upfitted with A/V equipment, decor, and a raised roof ([[rv:high_roof|"tv top"]]). | stealth, \\ raised roof, \\ already own?, \\ [[rv:passthrough|passthrough]] | ease of modification, living space, mounting solar, disposing of seats | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wUsjwAxue0|Robert Witham #6]] | | minivan | stealth \\ insurance, \\ already own?, \\ passthrough | living space | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxMi7fFVoAk|Robert Witham #5]] | | [[rv:travel trailer|travel trailer]]\\ The most common kind of RV in the US. Examples include bumper hitch trailers, [[https://duckduckgo.com/?q=5th+wheel+travel+trailers&iax=1&ia=images|5th wheel trailers]], [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=teardrop%20trailer&tbs=imgo:1|teardrops]], [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=canned%20ham%20trailer&tbs=imgo:1|canned hams]], [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=fiberglass%20egg%20trailer&tbs=imgo:1|fiberglass eggs]]. | space, \\ built-in amenities | build quality, \\ passthrough, \\ mounting solar | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvyXQHb-j5o|Robert Witham #7]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9x7LkXs2kc|Carolyn's RV Life #2]] | | cargo trailer\\ boxy trailer that can be converted to a living space. | space, \\ ease of modification, \\ mounting solar | passthrough | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNuek8BIR6E|Robert Witham #8]] \\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UhkIBUhM-k|Bob Wells]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9x7LkXs2kc|Carolyn's RV Life #2]] | | truck w/slide-in camper | 4wd can go anywhere \\ ground clearance | handling, \\ low overhangs, \\ passthrough, \\ mounting solar, \\ expensive | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td7wreFggWU|Robert Witham #4]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9x7LkXs2kc|Carolyn's RV Life #2]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H2lziLON4U|Mortons on the Move w/Gary Conley]] | | truck w/camper shell | inexpensive, \\ mounting solar | living space, \\ passthrough | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td7wreFggWU|Robert Witham #4]] | | [[rv:car|car]] | stealth, \\ MPG, \\ insurance, \\ already own? | living space, \\ mounting solar | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_o0snhETC0|Robert Witham #2]] \\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCJ6ZDcgXY|Living in a car by choice or necessity]] - rwitham | | SUV | stealth, \\ light towing, \\ already own?\\ insurance | living space | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrJrPBnpQto|Robert Witham #3]] | | box truck | living space,\\ square shape easy to modify, \\ mounting solar, \\ passthrough, can hang things underneath | MPG, insurance, \\ parts, serviceability, gwvr may require stopping at weigh stations, very tall for interior height as floor is above rear wheels. | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv0Wi_kLWLI|Robert Witham #9]] | | school bus | living space, easy to find | MPG, \\ parking, \\ parts,\\ insurance, serviceability, disposing of seats | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30nbdPLxZAg|Robert Witham #10]] | | ambulance | coolness, built-in cabinetry | biohazards, excessive idling hours, leaks around specialty lighting\\ insurance || | [[rv:step_van|step van]] | space, standing height, straight walls, easy engine access | often recycled for aluminum bodies, MPG, geared for local deliveries,\\ insurance, road noise || | shuttle bus | standing height, living space | MPG, geared for local driving, excessive idling hours,\\ insurance, disposing of seats || | [[rv:class_a|Class A motorhome]]\\ large, expensive RVs that [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=class%20a%20rv&tbs=imgo:1|look like tour buses]]. | living space, \\ built-in amenities, \\ passthrough | parking, \\ expensive, \\ build quality, \\ low overhangs, \\ very low MPG | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EJy7CkfF2E|Robert Witham #13]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZbTvI5fr9o&t=689s|Carolyn's RV Life #1]] | | [[rv:class_b|Class B motorhome]]\\ mini RVs [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=class%20a%20rv&tbs=imgo:1|built into a passenger van chassis]]. | build quality, \\ built-in amenities, \\ passthrough, , \\ relatively good MPG | parking, \\ expensive | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGFJl6mSCIs|Robert Witham #11]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FG4Sg_IavM|Carolyn's RV Life #3]] | | [[rv:class_c|Class C motorhome]]\\ - [[https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=class%20a%20rv&tbs=imgo:1#tbs=imgo:1&tbm=isch&q=class+c+rv|Cutaway vans with large living spaces and overcab sleeping areas]] | living space, \\ built-in amenities, \\ relatively inexpensive\\ passthrough | parking, \\ low overhangs, \\ build quality, \\ very low MPG | [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWEPdRb68Sc|Robert Witham #12]]\\ [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZbTvI5fr9o&t=689s|Carolyn's RV Life #1]] |