Van life Australia: is a campervan the perfect Covid travel plan?

It’s emerged as the travel trend of the Covid era: the freedom and versatility of van life has something to offer everyone.

There are many reasons – some positive, some more negative – for the rise of van life. Dramatically rising house prices have pushed some people out of the market and made a tiny house on wheels feel like the only affordable housing option.

Nomadland, anyone?

Conversely, increasingly flexible working arrangements in the shadow of Covid have meant have-laptop-will-travel for digital nomads.

#vanlife

You could even argue that a trend towards minimalism; the desire to create unique aesthetics for social media; and a niche, hippie-style backlash to consumerism have all created the perfect storm of van life.

The cherry on top has been the closing of international borders: suddenly small families have swapped their Bali savings for a retro Millard or Viscount caravan.

WHICH IS THE RIGHT VAN FOR YOU?

While picking the right van isn’t quite as diverse as picking the right car, there is still plenty to take into consideration before parting with any cash. First of all, do you want to tow a caravan, or drive a campervan?

At this point, it’s worth noting that we’re talking about a budget of $15,000 to $20,000 in this instance, whatever your choice.

If you have big bucks for a flash new RV, then this is perhaps not the read for you.

While it’s not quite cut and dried, generally, if you have kids, then get a caravan. If you’re single or part of a couple, then get a Campervan.

Is this the perfect way to travel?

And yes, while towing a van is slightly harder, it does allow you the flexibility of parking, setting up camp, and using the car separately.

This is especially important for emergencies or simply driving the family out to see different landmarks. Also, unless you’re actually living life on the road, it allows you to use that car 50 weeks of the year in your normal life, rather than nipping to the supermarket with two kids and a kitchen in the back.

If you’re spending more than just odd holidays on the road though and thinking of becoming a digital nomad, then you definitely can’t beat a campervan. Something like a Toyota HiAce is very reliable and fairly easy to convert, but do your research and shop around.

A CARAVAN IS JUST A ROOM ON WHEELS

Remember though that a caravan is just a room on wheels with very little technical about it, whereas a campervan has an engine and can have mechanical problems. It’s one thing to take your car to the mechanic, but quite another to take your home.

The other thing to consider with a caravan is how you’re going to use it. If you have a piece of land and need a permanent tiny home, then there are four-wheeler 20-feet monster vans that can be renovated with a shower and toilet.

For sanitised family holidays at a camp site with amenities, then the standard 15-foot retro van is ideal.

If you’re hitting the road though and constantly on the move, then consider a smaller pop top caravan – far more basic, but much lighter and easier to tow.

Take your house wherever you go.

HOW TO RENOVATE YOUR VAN OR CAMPERVAN

If you’re planning to renovate your van or caravan, then the important thing is that its solid, free from rust and has no structural damage.

If you’re buying a motor van to convert into a campervan, then the engine has to be mechanically sound, too. For $300 or so you can get a mobile mechanic to check the engine for you.

If the van runs well and has good bodywork, then fitting it out won’t be a problem.

A caravan is much easier to check over. The only things that are critical are that the electricity works inside, that the steel frame and under-carriage is solid, and that the body work is free from dents or holes.

Surprisingly everything else is pretty fixable; windows can be mended with clear perspex, furniture can be replaced, and paint and silicone can work wonders on the grubbiest of old vans.

On the road.

Take a caravan extension cord with you when looking at caravans, plug into the mains and check the inside lights and a random socket.

Look underneath to check floorboards are solid and the steel undercarriage has nothing other than surface rust.

Also take a light board for transporting the van in case the indicators and tail lights don’t work. Surprisingly these are fairly easy to fix, but it’s not worth fiddling with them in a field or someone’s front yard. You don’t even need to get a van registered to tow it home, a simple ticket for a one-off trip can be purchased at the local RTA for $22.

WHAT A VAN SHOULD COST

As a rule of thumb when it comes to buying a retro caravan, you don’t want to pay more than $5000 for an average size van in reasonable condition.

It’ll then take about $3000 in materials and furnishings to renovate it. You might be able to pick up a van for as little as $2000, but it’s likely to then cost you $5000 to do it up and a lot more in hours and hard work.

A completed van should set you back about $7000 to $8000 all up, but don’t even begin to work out your labour costs.

Give your van a personal touch.

If you don’t enjoy a DIY project, then stay well clear.

When complete, the before and after pictures for a retro caravan are like no other project, mainly because you’re doing a kitchen, bedroom, living room and exterior renovation, all in the space of 10 square metres.

You can colour coordinate the whole van inside and out in a way that is cute and stylish, such as pastels, but would look cheesy and gaudy on a full-size home.

What that means though, is that although you don’t want to become an electrician or welder, you will become a carpenter, plumber, floor-layer, painter and decorator.

And as with any tiny home, creating storage everywhere and anywhere you can fit it is essential.

Check out YouTube for all manner of How To videos, talk to the guys at large hardware chains such as Bunnings on what will become your many trips there, and put off weekend social engagements for the next few months.