Words of Wisdom: “The best van is the one that is best for you.”
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.
| RV | Pro | Con | Youtube discussion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Robert Witham #6 Carolyn's RV Life #3 |
| conversion van A passenger van upfitted with A/V equipment, decor, and a raised roof ("tv top"). | stealth, raised roof, already own?, passthrough | ease of modification, living space, mounting solar, disposing of seats | Robert Witham #6 |
| minivan | stealth insurance, already own?, passthrough | living space | Robert Witham #5 |
| travel trailer The most common kind of RV in the US. Examples include bumper hitch trailers, 5th wheel trailers, teardrops, canned hams, fiberglass eggs. | space, built-in amenities | build quality, passthrough, mounting solar | Robert Witham #7 Carolyn's RV Life #2 |
| cargo trailer boxy trailer that can be converted to a living space. | space, ease of modification, mounting solar | passthrough | Robert Witham #8 Bob Wells Carolyn's RV Life #2 |
| truck w/slide-in camper | 4wd can go anywhere ground clearance | handling, low overhangs, passthrough, mounting solar, expensive | Robert Witham #4 Carolyn's RV Life #2 Mortons on the Move w/Gary Conley |
| truck w/camper shell | inexpensive, mounting solar | living space, passthrough | Robert Witham #4 |
| car | stealth, MPG, insurance, already own? | living space, mounting solar | Robert Witham #2 Living in a car by choice or necessity - rwitham |
| SUV | stealth, light towing, already own? insurance | living space | 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. | Robert Witham #9 |
| school bus | living space, easy to find | MPG, parking, parts, insurance, serviceability, disposing of seats | Robert Witham #10 |
| ambulance | coolness, built-in cabinetry | biohazards, excessive idling hours, leaks around specialty lighting insurance |
|
| 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 |
|
| Class A motorhome large, expensive RVs that look like tour buses. | living space, built-in amenities, passthrough | parking, expensive, build quality, low overhangs, very low MPG | Robert Witham #13 Carolyn's RV Life #1 |
| Class B motorhome mini RVs built into a passenger van chassis. | build quality, built-in amenities, passthrough, , relatively good MPG | parking, expensive | Robert Witham #11 Carolyn's RV Life #3 |
| Class C motorhome - 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 | Robert Witham #12 Carolyn's RV Life #1 |