Things To Consider Prior To Buying A Van

Many people get caught in the trap of seeing a sweet built out van and decide on a make and model, without considering the actual requirements. This is a huge mistake. It is important to first assess your requirements prior to deciding to choose the van that will convert to the camper.

Budget

What is the maximum amount you can pay for or are you willing to spend? This is the initial and most important one. When you are building a van budget is the most important factor. Without one things could quickly get out of hand. Although you don't necessarily need to have one, it will aid you through deciding what's important and what's not.

You can always find deals however as the saying says, "you get what you pay for." Making a mistake with your system can lead to maintenance and reliability headaches later down the line. It doesn't make sense to invest $30,000 in the vehicle that has 150,000 miles and more than 10,000 miles.

You must be aware of the ramifications when it comes to your van's building platform. There's no formula that can tell you how much of your total budget should go to the actual van cost. You should budget between $10,000 and $20,000 for conversion components.

Length and Height

They are the primary elements that affect the cost of the van.  Read My Post Here  are also the main determining factors for nearly every aspect of your van including bed size and the orientation of your bed to things like seating and showers. Part of this also is based on how large of a vehicle you feel comfortable driving. The taller vehicles others will handle differently in comparison to those with shorter heights.

Length

How long your van impacts turning radius. It may be more difficult to maneuver in small spaces such as campgrounds or parking areas. The length of the vehicle also influences breakover angle. We'll discuss this in the off-road section later.

The length of the bed determines its shape and its orientation. For more information about planning your sleeping space, read our guide on camper van beds. Overall van length will also decide things such as storage space as well as the seating capacity. It will also determine if you're able to add shower or not.

Height

It is important to consider the significance of be in a position to stand tall. Are you comfortable with crouching when moving around? Do you feel comfortable being seated while cooking, and then putting on your pants at the time you wake up in the morning? Take a moment to think about this.

Your height could also affect the places you are able to travel. Some taller vehicles aren't big enough to go through drive-thrus, banks as well as parking garages. This might seem small but it's hard to realize the extent of how difficult this could be until you must leave the places you're used to.

Off-road capability

Are you content to stay on the road or in campgrounds or are you looking to create your own route? Although 4x4 vehicles that look great are expensive but they can also be a bit of an inconvenience. Really think about where you'll be driving prior to hopping into a mountain vehicle you may not need.

Most 2WD vans are more than capable of snowy or dirt roads with a simple improvement in tire. Some vans do have more clearance at the factory than other vans. Further details on that are below.

The angle of breakover is another factor to consider when considering the off-road capability. Learn more about approach as well as departure and breakover angles. The length of the wheelbase and overall length of the vehicle are essentially a factor in the object that you are attempting to cross. Longer vehicles are more at danger of getting stuck on tight hills and dragging the rear end as well.

Gas or diesel

This is a personal decision. Both diesel and gas vans can do the job well. Diesel is better when you intend to tow your campervan frequently however, you won't be wrong either.

You might be able to purchase a diesel van with a lot of miles for cheaper but you must consider the maintenance costs. Diesel engines are known to last "forever" however they need regular maintenance.