Buying a camper van doesn’t have to be a daunting experience where you fear losing all your savings to a gigantic bus that doesn’t serve the intended purpose. In fact, buying a camping van can be as easy as following a guide. It all comes down to knowing your dos and don’ts and your needs and looking for specifically something that fits that description. So instead of a grand horizon of nothingness and not knowing what exactly you want – you know!
However, this is seldom the case, and often just a plain old sign of “camping van for sale” is intriguing enough to get your attention. If getting a camping van has been on your radar, you would be able to relate that this is the case most of the time. So what to do about it? How to understand what would make the best camping van for your family? Well, worry not, as you have finally landed at the right place.
5 Ways to Ensure You Are Getting the Best Camping Van for Your Family
So to make things easier for you in order to get a camping van, especially if it is your first time getting one, we have compiled a checklist sort of a guide that has ways you can ensure that you are indeed getting the best camping van to fit your family needs. So without further ado, let’s get started:
1. Researching
Never underestimate the power of researching. We live in a technology world, so try to use it to your advantage. Hence, no matter what you set out to buy, the best way to ensure it is worth it is to start by researching your available options.
2. Where to Buy a Camper Van
Now that you have researched your options, you will have definitely shortlisted the ones that fit your criteria. So now you need to know where you can buy the van you feel is a good choice. Start by looking for local sellers and showrooms to get something nearby.
3. Asking the Right Questions
Let’s assume you have an option in mind and have come down to find a local showroom selling the exact camping van. So now you will be visiting, and the best way to do that is to ask the right questions. Here are a few:
a. Is This The Van For Me?
Ask yourself if this is indeed a van for you or just seemed so when you checked it out online. It often happens that something seems way more appealing on a computer screen but seems off in person. So take your time and think about the answer.
b. Is It Within My Budget?
Next, you have to be wary of a budget as you can’t go around spending all your life savings in a camping van. So ask yourself if this particular option is within your budget or if you are going overboard. If it is going overboard, analyze if it is worth it.
c. Is The Model Appropriate For Travelling Long Distances?
Just because you are getting a camping can doesn’t mean you won’t be using it to travel. After all, the whole purpose of the said van is to compile two activities – travel and camping. So ask yourself if the model is appropriate for traveling long distances or not.
d. Would This Require An Enhanced Driving License?
Believe it or not, certain vehicles are not operable under the regular driving license, and you need an enhanced version of it to legally be able to drive them. So, if you want to save yourself the hassle and time of getting one, find out if this would do with or without.
e. How Old Is The Vehicle & Does It Have Any Modifications?
It is a vital piece of information whether the van you are going for is an old one or has any modification, as this can increase or decrease the resale value of the van. So this question is for the seller to answer for you if the van has any modifications or if it is older than five years.
4. Inspect the Van
After asking the right questions and getting all the answers completed satisfactorily, you can finally get to inspect the van. However, it is a camping van with a lot of features and elements, so here’s how you can start with the important few:
a. Interior and Exterior
Thoroughly inspect the exterior before moving onto the interior of the van. Check for pain jobs, modifications, tires, engines, lights, and more.
b. Documentation & Paperwork
Ask your seller to hand in the documentation and paperwork so that you can take your time to read and understand it thoroughly. Inspection of these things is also crucial to avoid scams.
c. Necessary Amenities
A camping van should be well-equipped with all necessary amenities, from electricity, water, batteries, solar, and a toilet. So inspect all these features for their adequate compliance.
d. Appliances
Naturally, appliances are also a huge part of a camper van, so you must ensure they function optimally. Check the refrigerator, sink, light sources, windows, and more.
e. Furniture
Your camping van would have more furniture than just regular van seats. So inspect the furniture for durability, quality, pest infestations, etc.
5. Ensuring All-Around Safety & Security
Lastly, your camping van would be a source of your travel as well as living for the time you are using it. So you must ensure the all-around safety and security of the camper van, as it isn’t you should take lightly. Ask the seller to help you with this one for complete reliability.
Our Final Thoughts
As we said earlier, purchasing a camping van shouldn’t be so overwhelming, and neither should it be an act of whimsy done out of the blue. Instead, it can easily be completed if you do thorough research and know exactly what you want and what would fit the bill. Hence, we hope that the ways that we have shared help you find a sweet deal on an appropriate camper van to fulfill all your camping and traveling needs. Good Luck!
