You can have an excellent family vacation in a minivan or full sized van without spending the extra money and sacrificing fuel economy. We really love our Chevy Express.
The lure of those gorgeous houses on wheels! I hear the siren song often.
I am going to tell you 5 reasons you should not buy a camper or RV for your family vacation.
- Storage
The biggest reason that your family does not own an RV is storage. Those things need to be stored well or they depreciate quickly. We lived full time in a 5th wheel for 2 years and the biggest fear is leaks. Maintaining the roof of an RV is serious business. If we owned a camper we would need to store it undercover, that would mean a steel awning or paying for storage. Unless you have a large lot or access to quality storage you will be putting your investment at risk. If you are searching for a camper online you have seen water damage, storm damage and tree branches in bedrooms. These campers are almost worthless because of the storage.
- Fuel Cost
Vacations are already expensive and there are so many better things to spend money on than gas. By taking a well stocked van you will save money and go further for your money. I have talked about fuel costs for large vans HERE, and while the gas mileage is not impressing any tesla engineers, it is gonna kill it compared to a camper, towing or driving.
There is more great information in this post (https://rvshare.com/blog/rv-gas/) at RVShare
- Frequency of Use
If you have an RV or Camper you need to use it. It would be hard to justify the cost unless you are using it many times every year. If you choose to create a comfortable sleeping space in your van you can save money. Using your van instead of a camper will free you from any guilt you may feel if you are not using your camper frequently. You already own the van, you already drive the van. Camping in the van just makes it easier to vacation when you want as often as you want.
- Sleeping Space
RVs are just not designed for larger families. There are 6 people in my family and we would not fit comfortably in most RVs. There are some gorgeous campers that would be very comfortable, but it is very simple and possible to create multiple sleeping spaces in a van. This means you decide how you want it organized and who can sleep where. Customization.
- Parking Options
If you choose to take your van on vacation you can park anywhere it is legal to park! You can choose to use a camp site designed for tents or a family member’s backyard or driveway. Having a van as your accommodations you are flexible to be most present with family or at your location.
I am not going to pretend that sleeping in a van is more comfortable than an RV, but on vacation, having this option is much more comfortable than being limited to RV parks for parking.
With a van you can park almost anywhere you feel safe. Walmarts have been havens for RVs for many years, but many have stopped allowing overnight parking. In a van, you can park anywhere that you feel safe. My family and I have spent the night in a Walmart parking lot or two. I have always felt safe with locked doors and covered windows.
- Travel
With a camper you are tied to traveling in a truck or the RV. If you choose to use your van instead you will always have the necessary carseats and can easily drive around once you arrive. Imagine driving out to visit Washington DC and the monuments with a camper! It would be very challenging to navigate the crowded city in an RV and you would certainly be limited for parking. With your normal van you will be just as mobile as anyone else on the street.
Of course a 5th wheel would give you the option of driving around in the tow vehicle while the camper waits for you. I would not love the idea of leaving my house in a new place for hours. Many camper keys are the same, you would be very vulnerable in this situation. My family also no longer fits in a truck.
So what is the ideal vehicle for a family vacation?
Embrace the van! Even if you decide to rent, you will save by renting a van instead of a camper, and you will be much more confident driving it!
It will really help you travel more, take a look at this budget sheet and see how many trips you could take a year if you took them in your van.
Since you will have saved so much money, you could grab a few of these things to make it more comfortable:
4 Things to Make the Van a Hotel on Wheels!
Car Air Mattress
Now I have only tried this one, and it was not good. It popped after the first use and it did not fit anywhere except the trunk in my Chevy Express. I am still confident that this is a great piece of equipment for a long van trip. These mattresses fit between the seats and create a much more comfortable sleeping platform in the car and it is easy to keep in the car. I will say that the pump was excellent and filled up the mattress quickly.
Camping Stove
YES! My family uses this one, but be sure to buy the correct fuel, its butane not propane. These little guys are very affordable and can get you cooking anywhere.Do not use it to cook inside a vehicle, think of it as a tailgate. Eggs and Bacon, Tacos or Grilled Cheese coming right up! I keep this table in the back of our van and it’s an instant kitchen.
Fan
Stale air or high temperatures are a bummer when sleeping in the van. This simple fan will dramatically improve your rest. The amazing Amanda Yantos recommends this one.
Window Screens
Again, to keep the air moving. For our van, we just have home made curtains that cover the windows, but there are more sophisticated screens that allow you to get some ventilation without letting in much light.
I hope I have convinced you to give that big trip a go in your van. It will save you money, meet your needs, and get you out on that trip sooner!
If you would like to see how our family is adventuring more often, taking advantage of the time we have together, and prioritizing family, you can follow me on YouTube!
Will your family be taking a road trip vacation this year?
See why I think the Chevy Express is a great van for a family.
