For so many of us, the idea of owning a campervan and travelling the freedom of the open road is a dream. We had the same dream for many-a-year and finally, after years of saving and doing research, almost two years ago, we bought a van! It’s fantastic but can feel like you’re constantly throwing money at it. How much does a campervan cost?
Do The Research
Be sure you know what you want to buy before you buy it. A campervan is more than just a vehicle, it’s a home on wheels. There are so many different options out there, at a variety of prices. Join Facebook groups, read blogs, watch YouTube videos. Look into the type that you think you’d like, for substance as well as style. A vintage VW might look utterly beautiful but just how functional is it for you and your family?
Save Into A Fund
Set up a separate and specific savings account and start putting money into it. If you are serious about your campervan dream, set up an automatic transfer for 5% of your monthly wage. It will soon add up. Whilst doing the research you’ll come up with a ball park figure of how much you’ll need. Even when you hit that figure, keep saving. Continue the ferry money into your campervan fund because you’ll need it. It’s not just buying the van, it’s the insurance, road tax, annual MOTs and upkeep. It’s a lifestyle which you’ll need cash to fund the campervan cost.
Take Your Time
Know this, there is no rush. Don’t jump in feet first. Be sure to go and look at plenty of campervans, even if you’re dead set on the type you want. Makes and models look different in the flesh compared to on a screen or in a magazine. Do not part with money before you know what you’re getting. Always get a second opinion. The AA will inspect a vehicle for you which might be a good idea if you’re not particularly knowledgeable and don’t have any motor fanatical or mechanical friends. There is no rush. Take your time, be sure and if you feel any pressure or get bad vibes from private sales, simply walk away.
There will be times when you need to invest in your campervan and make improvements. If you’re planning on upgrading your vehicle, consider replacing worn suspension bushes to improve ride quality and reduce wear.
Look After It & Use It A Lot
Once you have your van, look after it. Don’t let it sit on the drive. Ideally use it a few times a week, at least once a week. Start it up and take it around the block is an absolute minimum. You’ve spent a small fortune on it so you need to get the mileage and use out of it. Head to the coast, take up photography, use it to get to the bottom of the fells in the Lake District so you can walk up them. Drive it to work and have lunch in it on your break. Enjoy your family tea in it once a week. Visit campsites up and down the country. Download apps which show where you can wild camp in campervans. Plan a road trip abroad. There is so much opportunity when you buy a campervan, it literally opens the roads.
Get To Know Your Van
You must get to know your van. Spend time in it to decide what you need, what you could do without and what else you could do with buying. Our van didn’t come with a kitchen like many do. We debated installing one but thought we’d see how we went on a few trips first. After that we decided we didn’t really need a kitchen on the inside as we can cook outside, freeing up living quarters inside the van. With three young children we have three car seats to figure out what to do with. We take a little pop up tent with us to put alongside the van so we can store the seats out of the van, again, freeing up space. This is until we can afford a drive away awning.
Camper Conslusion
Campervans are ace. They’re brilliant fun and you really can make memories with them but don’t let those memories haze your vision. The realise is that there is an initial outlay to make and then a consistent campervan cost to keep yourselves on the road. It’s worth it though and i’d thoroughly recommend giving it a go!
