5 Things to Know Before You Buy Campervan

Do you want to join the other 1 million Americans that live in a campervan?

Since the turn of the century, people have been thinking of new and exciting ways to live life, but no more so than their housing.

What was once the American Dream of owning a large house in the quiet suburbs has now changed. Today, the dream is to spend the night in magical locations in a 5ft wide van.

You can also join the modern dream. But there are things you need to know before you buy a campervan, so keep reading below to learn more.

1. Your Travel Plans

Once you figure out your travel plans, all your van requirements will fall into place.

Start by writing down your travel plans in black and white. This way, you can see exactly what type of van you need and which ones you can rule out. And you won’t be wasting time looking for an unsuitable one.

If you’re planning on doing a lot of off-roading, there is no point in getting a massive campervan. Or one that requires unique and expensive off-road tires.

Once you know your travel plans, you can start searching for campervan dealerships.

2. Your Campervan Budget

As with any investment, you need to know your budget.

The last thing you want is running out of cash when installing a toilet or fixing mechanical issues. If this happens, it will put a huge dent in your dreams. And could even put them aside temporarily or for good.

That does require a lot of research, but it will all be worth it when you wake up every morning with a stunning view.

If you’re buying from a campervan dealer, save some hard-earned cash by negotiating. You can offer around 10-15% lower than the asking price.

3. The Campervan Size

Size isn’t everything. But it does dictate a lot of your life while living in the van.

Many National Parks have vehicle size restrictions. So, if yours is too big, you could be missing out on a magical experience. On the flip side, if you’re van is too small, you lose out on comforts inside.

Since everyone is different, you need to choose a van size that will suit your travel plans. On average, a small van is around 4-7 meters³. And a large van is considered to be 13-18 meters³.

4. Layout and Features

Once again, your layout and features are dictated by your travel plans. If you plan to take a road trip across the country and stop off in restaurants, then you don’t need a campervan kitchen. But, if you plan to live in it full time, you need all the home essentials.

These are some of the most important:

• Stove
• Fridge
• Sink
• Toilet
• Bed
• Storage space
• Water storage
• Dual battery

Storage space is very important, and many people forget about it. A great tip is to place your bed high above the ground, down the back of your van. This creates tons of storage space for clothes, equipment, or anything else you need.

5. Mechanical Condition

You might think you’re saving money by buying a cheap campervan, but in the long run, you could lose a lot.

If you’re a mechanic, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re not, always bring along a friend who is, or has good knowledge of vehicles before you buy one.

Even if the van is in good condition, you need to make sure it’s reliable and not expensive to repair. And if that’s what you want, the Winnebago Travato Campervan is right for you.

Go and Buy a Campervan

The idea of living in a van might sound a bit crazy at first. But it felt the same for millions of people living in them across the globe.

You learned the things you should know before you buy a campervan. Now all you have to do is do your research and start planning your dreams and adventures.

And, take the time to find more helpful tips on how to make your dreams into reality in our blog!