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How Long Are Camper Vans?

Light brown camper van in parking area

Are you thinking about traveling around the country? If length is a concern for you and your family when it comes to your method of travel, a camper van could be the perfect fit. Camper vans are available in a few different lengths to accommodate families that use them.

How long are camper vans? A typical camper van will be between 18-24 feet. They can vary slightly depending on the design of the layout. 

Before you decide if a camper van is a right choice for you, continue reading to find out all the essential information you need to know before choosing one. Picking the right camper van is all about research to see what will and won’t work for your specific lifestyle.

How Long Are Camper Vans?

If you are considering hitting the open road for a journey of a lifetime, you should know the various methods of travel, as explained in “RVing 101: Types of RVs.” A camper van is a fantastic way to travel across the country.

A standard camper van measures between 18-24 feet long. If you are looking for something compact and easy to maneuver, a camper van could be the perfect vehicle for your needs. It’s almost unbelievable how much gear you can pack into something that size, everything you need to make your trip very comfortable.

Class B Camper vans

Camper vans are typically referred to as Class B motorhomes in the RV community. They are the perfect size for one or two people that want to live and travel around the country. A camper van is the size of a van, and they are a cozy option for traveling and camping. 

Camper vans measure around 18-24 feet and are the perfect size for someone that needs a small RV with the necessities. They are easy to maneuver and park and they fit in all of the RV parks and campgrounds. They cost around $50,000, but they won’t be able to sleep very many people inside because of the smaller length.

In addition to the length, you might want to know if you can stand up in a van, we have a post “What Vans Can You Stand Up In?” that will provide you the information that you will need to know.

Why Would A Camper Van Be A Good Choice?

The length of your vehicle is significant when you are traveling. Depending on where you are going, you may or may not fit if your RV is too long. If any of the following information applies to you and your family, you might want to choose a camper van over a longer RV.

Campgrounds and RV Parks 

If you are looking to stay in an RV park or campground of any kind, you will want to make sure that they have spots your vehicle will fit in. Some of the parks only offer spaces that will fit up to 27 feet. State parks tend to have smaller sites, which is a more comfortable place that you can fit into with a smaller camper van.

Parking

If you aren’t comfortable driving and parking something reasonably large, the camper van could be the perfect fit for you. They can feel just like driving a standard van.

Boondocking 

If you are someone who wants to be able to boondock (park somewhere for free without hookups of any kind), the camper van could be a good fit. They don’t take up much area and you would be able to sleep overnight anywhere that allows RV boondocking comfortably. Always check your surroundings when going this route to avoid any unnecessary tickets and make sure you are parking in a well-lit public area to ensure you are safe. If you’re not familiar with boondocking learn more about it in our boondocking post here.

Enjoyable Experience

With their compact size, they make for a pleasant experience on the road. They are an excellent option for a long road trip. If you are thinking about doing plenty of traveling, the camper van is the way to go. In the long run, campgrounds and RV parks are typically cheaper options than staying in a hotel, and you don’t have to lug your suitcase around. All your belongings are right where you left them when you packed up your van.

Other Posts of Interest

Do Camper Vans Have Bathrooms?

Every camper van model will have a different setup, including the bathroom. Some camper vans don’t have a bathroom at all, while others offer a small bathroom with the essentials. You might find that your camper van has either a wet bath or a dry bath.

When it comes to the smaller size of a camper van, you are most likely going to find a wet bath versus a dry bath as part of the interior design. A wet bath is a bathroom where the shower, sink, and toilet are all in the same area and share the space. This means that if you are taking a shower in your bathroom, everything in that bathroom will get wet to some degree.

If the sound of a wet bath sounds like it would be a pain, you might want to search for a model that includes a dry bath. A dry bath is just like your bathroom at home. The shower is in its own space and would have a curtain to keep the water contained within the shower and not spill out onto the toilet or sink area.

How Much Does A Camper Van Cost?

Camper vans are available at different price points depending on the features that they offer and the brand. If you are seeking a budget-friendly model, you can find a camper van for as low as $50,000. It won’t be as flashy or fancy with the highest tech accessories as some as the higher costing camper vans, but it will serve its purpose and do what you need it to do.

If money is not an object when determining which camper van to buy, the sky is the limit! You can get the convenience of the smaller RV while having all the bells and whistles. There is a camper van out there for every budget and style.

Different Types Of Camper vans

There are several different types or styles of camper vans on the market today. Finding the perfect camper van for you could be as easy as how you want it to look and what functions you are looking for.

Here are a few of the different camper van styles:

  • Fixed Roof – These are going to be your standard camper vans. They may or may not have a full bathroom (depending on space). They will typically include a tiny kitchen area and sleeping area.
  • Rising Roof – This style of camper van is perfect for the couple that likes to be one with nature. There are rising roof models that offer a tent or sleeping area in the section above the body of the van, allowing people to sleep “outside” under cover of the top.
  • High Top – If you are looking for more headroom in your camper van, the high top would be the best option for you. It will offer more headspace for taller people. 
  • Over Cab – This style offers a sleeping area above the cab and is referred to as a Class C. They aren’t built on a van frame; they have a coach-built frame attached to the cab of a van. 

Popular Camper Vans Over Time

If you have ever watched a movie set in the ’50s, ’60s, or ’70s, you may have noticed the Volkswagen camper van. Volkswagen manufactured a trendy van used as a camper van. They came in three different styles, depending on when they were manufactured.

Here are the three types of classic Volkswagen camper vans:

  • Splittie – This style was manufactured from 1950-1967. It got its name from its split windscreen.
  • Bay – The bay style was manufactured from 1970-1994 and was named for the bay framed windscreen that you will see on the front of the van.
  • Bricky – This style was manufactured from 1979-1991 and was named for the brick appearance and shape of the van. 

In Conclusion

Perhaps you are looking for a smaller compact RV, then consider a camper van. They offer everything you need to travel around and see the country while giving you a place to rest your head, cook and clean up.

Camper vans can range anywhere from 18-24 feet, making them the perfect way to get out in nature and spend time with your family without the worry of trying to park and maneuver a large motorhome.

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Cindy

Ever since I was little I have been a traveler at heart. It all started when I was six years old and my family took a road trip to Alaska. I enjoy visiting new places and revisiting some of the great locations that I have been to already.