Hitting the open road is a romantic notion filled with opportunity and adventure. Many people dream of packing up and letting the trail take them where it may, but fewer people actually do so.
If you’ve decided that this is the year you’re finally going to take the plunge and see what van life is all about, the first thing you’ll need is, of course, a trusty van. But what are the best vans for van life? With so many different models out there, how can you choose?
Read on to find out everything you seed to know before setting off on your next adventure.
Table of Contents
The Best Vans for Van Life
There are a number of different kinds of vans that, with a little bit of creativity, can be altered to suit your needs. Which one you choose will just depend on what those needs are.
Cargo Van Conversion
A cargo van is a van that is designed with carrying cargo in mind, due to this fact, it has lots of space in back that’s ripe for conversion. It’s essentially a blank canvas that you can kit out whatever way you want. It will take a lot of work to have it looking like a living space. But when you do, what a lot of space you’ll have!
VW Campervan
A classic VW van is the platonic ideal of campers. Its adorable retro look makes it absolutely beautiful from the outside, but unlike a cargo van, it’s not as spacious on the inside. This type of van may be better for shorter trips, but for living full-time, it might not be the best option.
Minivan Conversion
A minivan is a similar shape and size to a cargo van but with more windows around the perimeter. This can be a great addition, but it also means less privacy, so you may want to consider tinting. It’s a generally cheap option but will require some conversion to make it more livable.
What To Know Before You Go
Before setting off on your journey, there are a few things you’ll want to think about. The first is whether you want to buy a new or used car. Each has its own set of pros and cons, but your budget and intended use will probably be big deciding factors.
With its transient nature and limited space, living in a van necessitates minimalism. If you’re moving into your van full-time, you’ll need to decide what to do with all of your belongings before you do so. You can put them in storage, keep them at a friend’s, or hold a yard sale to raise money for your new life.
Before you hit the road, you’ll need to insure your van. It might seem like this could be a tricky thing to do, but there are plenty of outfits (such as this company, if you’re in the UK) who will be happy to help.
Begin Your Van Life Today
If you’ve been thinking about a new adventure, this could be the sign you were waiting for. Your first step toward a brand new frontier begins today. Hopefully, this guide to the best vans for van life will help you on your way.
If you’ve enjoyed this guide, please have a look at the rest of our automotive content.
Follow me in social media:
