Things to consider with buying a van to convert into a camper

in #vanlife7 years ago

Go big or go home?! Van living isn't for everyone!
When choosing a van find your budget and figure out what you want to use it for. For example, are you going to be moving out of your home and living full time in it or are you using it as a surf or desert wagon to take out on the weekends? If your using it as a full-time living situation.. have you stayed in a van for more than a weekend? Do you even like camping? (because this is pretty similar to camping). If you decide to live in a van full time its always good to start off with a econoline, dodge, ram or anything other brand you can find a nice used van under 4k. It's good to start off with a cheaper van and pracetice putting in and installing everything and get used to living in a van and figure out how you like it before you get upside on a 50k meredes sprinter van (which are very nice vans!)

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Whats to big or whats to small??
No such thing as too big or too small! just figure out how you like your space. Here are some questions to ask.
-Are you living with two people?
-Do you have a lot of stuff? and toys?
I have seen couples that live in a small passenger van like an Econoline with no rise roofed just fine, but I bet it does get a little cramped sometimes. It's always nice to have an extended rooftop or a van with an RV top for many reasons, but most importantly so you don't have to be on your knees your whole life living in your van. But don't worry being on your knees in your van isn't that bad and you will get used to it pretty quickly. Then again you should really only use your van for driving sleeping and cooking.
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Size length size size size!
Another thing to think about is size, Are you going to be going ion underground parking a lot where you need a small roof? are you going to be in cities with tight parking where you need a short van? Any regular roof van stock will fit in underground parking and will be comfortable driving and parking in the city, even the 18 passenger extended ones. When you get into Mercedes sprinter vans they have 3 different sizes small and medium are fine for cities but the largest one can be tricky for somebody who hasn't traveled in long vehicles or parked them. Mercedes sprinter vans also come in small roofs and extended roofs (extended roofs being the most popular)
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Good blog...we prefer the 40' kind. LOL especially with the three big dogs!

Haha bigger is always better! What kind of traveling do you do?

We have a 40' RV. Two Labs and a Newfie required it! lol I have seen some of the vehicles you mentioned and they are really nicely equipped. There is a woman traveling solo parked across from us and she has a nice small self contained unit and is really happy with it. We are heading east the end of the month. Came across country this past October.

Nice! Are you guys living full time in your rv? How's your experience so far?