van vs car camping 1 - Should I get a car or a van for car camping? What other campers say...

Should I get a car or a van for car camping? What other campers say…

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You are not the only one if you are not sure whether you should get a van or a standard car for your car camping plans. Many people are weighing their pros and cons as well. This is a typical question that you see asked in various forums:

Hi everyone, I’m just at the beginning of my Berlingo camper journey so would love some advice please …
Would I be better looking at a multispace for conversion or a berlingo van (this will be my day to day vehicle as well as a camper)

– Paula in a car camping FB group

This post is a summary of the best answers, pros and cons, that such questions receive and will help you choose the right car for your camping plans – an MPV / car or a van for car camping?

Get a van version if

  • you only need seats for max of 2 passengers (or you have a second car for standard use)
  • you want to make a proper DIY makeover – including taking some parts out, drilling holes, screwing things on etc. (vans are not as good for a ready-made camping box that usually goes over the rear seats that the van doesn’t have)
  • if you’re in the UK and you don’t mind having to adhere to lower speed limits for vans (if your vehicle will be category N1 in the logbook – 50mph on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways, 70mph on motorways). More info here.
  • if you’re in the UK and you don’t mind paying higher vehicle tax and insurance
  • you don’t mind higher noise levels (the insulation and upholstery is lower grade)
  • you want a bit more room as the walls are thinner (less upholstery and covers)
  • you are looking for a cheaper car (used work vans go for less)
  • you don’t mind lower interior and drive comfort
  • you want built-in privacy & higher security in the back (i.e. the van version doesn’t have windows at the back, no need to buy or make your own curtains / window shades)
  • you want to be more stealthy (no windows = more privacy out of the box + looks like a workers van)

Get an MPV (car) version if

  • you need a family car (5+ seats) and a camper in one
  • you don’t plan a big DIY makeover, but want to put in (over the seats) a boot jump (camper box) or a similar reversible DIY solution, as per fellow camper’s experience: “I’d go multispace just for the flexibility. Boot jumps are designed, as far as I can tell, to sit on the top of folded down seats. Do you plan on putting a permanent bed in the back? So it may depend if you need the seats for anything, but I always think it’s handy to be able to pop them up for passengers. And as someone else said …higher spec, and hopefully it’s not been screwed into the ground by some jobbing builder.
  • you want to avoid the UK van speed limit restrictions and higher tax
  • you want a bit higher interior and drive comfort (better trim level – although the MPV versions are still based on the van, so don’t expect a level of comfort as you would from a Sharan)
  • you can’t afford a second car for camping but will use this one for both
  • you want to have windows and more light at the back (but you need to buy or make your own curtains / window shades)
  • MPV versions tend to have some bonus features like a roof window (Berlingo) or more storage options overhead

If it’s a van rather than a car, you may encounter difficulties booking into some campsites. This is anecdotal rather than my personal experience, mind. Also, a secondhand car is likely to have led an easier life than a van, and will probably be better specced.”

FB forum camper

Depending on your circumstances, the insurance cost may not be much different between a van and a car but some companies are awkward or just won’t let you transfer your No Claims Discount from a car to a van/commercial vehicle and vice versa. As for the tax. Passenger vehicles from around 2001 are banded based on emissions. Vans pay a flat commercial rate of tax. Currently it’s £275 per year

FB orum camper

Whichever version you decide to buy – you can find plenty of inspiration in our DIY car camping conversions section. Happy camping!


Aufblasbares Zelt für 6 Personen
Aufblasbarer Luxus für 6 Personen (3 Schlafzimmer)
+ 170 cm Öffnung für jede Heckklappe

Passend für MPVs, SUVs, Schlafzimmer: 140 x 210 cm | Stehwohnzimmer: 7,1 m² mit Bodenplane mit Reißverschluss
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cshow - Should I get a car or a van for car camping? What other campers say...

Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/172214226799025/permalink/820385938648514/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633744000176603/posts/2862566367294354/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633744000176603/posts/2732861256931533/

🏆Best cars for camping 🏆

1.
4.0/5⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
2.
Honda Odyssey 🇺🇸
4.0/5⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
3.
3.9/5⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
4.
3.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
  1. Fiat Doblò camper XL, High Roof 🇪🇺 4.0/5
  2. Honda Odyssey 🇺🇸 4.0/5
  3. Volkswagen Sharan 🇪🇺 3.9/5
  4. Caddy Maxi Camper (Life) 🇪🇺 3.8/5

See all cars in our database, their boot dimensions and more ➡️

decathlon - Should I get a car or a van for car camping? What other campers say...

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🏕️ Camping tents (some that fit cars well) • Camping kitchen & BBQ equipment
•🏃‍♀️Fitness equipment and clothing •
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Arpenaz Basis M auf einem Berlingo

Arpenaz Base M – das günstigste Autozelt, das Sie finden können!
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Obwohl es nicht als Autozelt gedacht ist, passt es gut in alle gängigen Autos und Vans – mit Heckklappe oder Scheunentüren (bestätigt und getestet). In der Camping-Community ist es als Einstiegsvariante bekannt und bietet viel Platz und Moskitonetze in einem kleinen Paket zu einem günstigen Preis.

  • Zelthöhe: 215cm, Breite 250cm
  • Öffnungshöhe: 140cm, Öffnungsbreite unten: 140cm, Öffnungsweite oben: 90cm (und es wird breiter, 20cm tiefer ist es etwa 110cm)
  • Gewicht: 8kg (das leichteste Autozelt bisher…)
  • Passt auf Heckklappen, Scheunentore oder kann von der Seite des Autos aus aufgestellt werden
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Post author:

Lukas

Founder of NimbleCamper.com, avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast. Car camping and microcamping allows me to keep traveling and exploring with a much greater level of freedom & privacy – to go anywhere and sleep anywhere. I didn’t have 30K to buy a VW Multivan, so found my way to the world of everyday car camping conversions. Here I share my experiences and what I learn.

Check out my thoughts on a balanced life: sensimism.com

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