Camping-car, van or fitted van: how to choose?

It’s decided, you’re going on a road trip. But what vehicle to choose? Van, camper, van? We help you choose.

Van, van, camper... The recreational vehicles have the wind in the stern. At the time of the pass, you hesitate. It's normal. Each vehicle has its advantages and disadvantages. Are you putting everything on comfort? Maneuverability? Facilities? The price? Depending on your answers, a vehicle model will be drawn. Here are the characteristics and characteristics of each. To make the right choice.

1. Van, van, camper, what is it?

For regulars, it jumps in the eye. For neophytes, it is less clear. So let's start with a little explanation of text.

The van: it is a compact vehicle, making less than two metres high. There are many models developed by a manufacturer, a craftsman or an individual based on a utility. It is often the type vehicle of the armourer. For example, we find the mythical Combi of Volkswagen. Several models include a liftable roof with an extra bed.

The van: higher (at least 2.50 m), longer (6 meters approximately). It is also fitted out from an already loaded utility (Fiat Ducato or Citroën Jumper, among others). It has a kitchen area, toilet, and at least one bed. He stays discreet and easy.

The campsite-car : a carrier vehicle (Ford, Fiat, Citroën, Renault, Mercedes, etc.) on which a cell was installed. The most common models are capuchin, recognizable to its cap on top of the driving station that houses a double bed. She’s a long-time sales star, but she’s only a tiny part today. Prised by the families, it is especially swept for its gourmet fuel template. The profile, as its name suggests, presents an aerodynamic profile, a compact design. He's very popular. Finally, the integral, more expensive, where the bodywork was completely redesigned to integrate the driving station.

The removable cell: much less known, much less sold in France. We will therefore not lay down on this type of vehicle, even if it can suit some adventurers. You will find it for rent in some countries. It is therefore a cell placed on the back of a pick-up. Useful to explore the countries whose road network is leaning. This is not always the case but, often, the cell can stay on its feet while the traveller leaves for a walk. A little like a caravan. Disadvantage: there is no communication between the vehicle and the cell.

Now let's see the major differences between the first three vehicle models.

2. Living space, comfort, features

No mystery, it is in a motorhome that you will have the most room. The van is essentially made to live outside! The vans are halfway through. Note that many van manufacturers are building roofs.

If you are the kind to take your home on holiday, or simply if you need space (often with children) and a minimum of comfort, opt for a motorhome (or a van). These vehicles are equipped with a real kitchen area with refrigerator, heating plates, storage areas for dishes, linen, toilet, bathroom with shower. And a real cozy bed. You will find some of these developments in a van, but often in smaller formats. Rare are the vans to have toilets and a shower. Avoid the outside shower and the portable toilets. Or sit near these amenities, on the street or in a campsite. Another advantage of the camper, and the van, is to have permanent beds. No need to redo his bed by moving several elements every night.

The van generally has a significant payload. The payload is the difference between the empty weight and the total weight allowed in charge. What to fill your vehicle without risking load overtaking. Note, however, that, compared to the camper, the space available in a van to eat, sleep or cook will be less.

Finally, in winter, the comfort of a motorhome will be appreciable. The heat loss associated with the type of opening of vans and vans (sliding door) is important. Also, insulation is lighter. If you opt for these and plan to enjoy them all year round, make sure you have an efficient heating system.

The vehicle benefits: camper, and far!

3. Discretion

The van is over. It can be assimilated to a utility. Try to know if this Mercedes Viano is equipped! Completed isn’t it? Interest? To spend the night at the edge of a field, in the city center, without attracting the eyes.

It will be more complicated with a van due to its large windows, aeration grids and its rarely-small bodywork. Absolutely impossible mission with a motorhome. In some areas where these vehicles land by hundreds at high-season, you may have to go down on areas dedicated to motorhomes. For the view, we'll come back.

The vehicle benefits: vans and vans

4. Handling, parking

There is no match. The van, with its reduced height (less than two meters) will cross all the porticoes installed on certain parking spaces. All the tunnels. No problem either to cross a tortuous city center, take a winding mountain road. In this sense, their performances bring them closer to cars, but they remain heavier. The length of the vans, and many vans, allows them to park on a single parking spot.

This is not the case for campers. With these, it’s more complicated to negotiate the last minute where to spend the night. The vans remain very handy, but less than a van. As with motorhomes, their height imposes higher rates on tolls. On consumption, vans are kings (7 to 8 L/100 km). Camping-cars fish by their higher consumption (from 11 to 15L/100). The vans are halfway through.

The vehicle benefits: vans

5. Versatility

It’s an important element in choosing your vehicle. Vans have the advantage of being usable daily: to go to work, to look for children at school or to carry large objects. Some manipulations will allow you, if necessary, to remove certain equipment, the benches in particular. And even in the state, fuel consumption is close to that of a car. This will not be the case of a van, even less for a motorhome.

Using his van on a daily basis is a solution to amortize the investment that his purchase represents.

The vehicle benefits: vans

6. Price

Between vans and vans, the price difference is minimal. At least €30,000 for new. Some vans will be even more expensive than vans. And in the second hand, their prices remain sustained. The first models of camping-cars are a (small) cran above (5000 to 10.000€ extra). But between nine and occasion, options available, etc., it remains difficult to make comparisons. A vehicle purchased from an individual will usually cost you less than a dealer. But the risk of mechanical anomaly or development is greater.

Take the time for a meticulous examination, leaving to be helped by a connoisseur.

The vehicle benefits: vans and vans,

7. Outcome

No way to go to any type of recreational vehicle. You may have understood it, your choice depends on your usages and needs (frequency of use, places visited, expected comfort...), the format of your home (the presence of children in particular) and your philosophy of travel. If you are unable to identify a particular type of use, three solutions:

• Opter for the van, intermediate solution, very popular right now,
• Start by rent : test, test and test again to find out which model you best fit
• Visit specialized lounges and shops and get on board!