5 Misconceptions About Traveling in a Camper Van

While some travelers enjoy the luxury of hotels filled with amenities, others prefer the cozy feel of an Airbnb or vacation rental. Then, there are those adventurous spirits who embrace the freedom of a recreational vehicle (RV).

Though it has always been a way to travel (and live), the pandemic has sparked a remarkable increase in interest and popularity for this style of exploration.

Before fully committing to renting or purchasing a vehicle, there are plenty of chances to try out an RV or van. For example, TPG's Katie Genter, a digital nomad, spent a summer renting an RV for just $1 a day. TPG's Summer Hull also enjoyed several days in an RV at Disney World via a platform called Outdoorsy.

Recently, I experienced the charm of the smallest RV available – the camper van.

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I rented a camper van for the first time through a Seattle-based startup called Cabana. Eager to explore the Pacific Northwest, I spent four days living in what the company refers to as a "mobile hotel."

Here are five common misconceptions about van life for beginners like me.

Living in a small van means you have to give up comfort.

To give you some context about my travel style, while I adore the outdoors and have enjoyed some amazing day hikes globally, at the end of the day, I prefer a cozy bed and a hot shower. My only prior camping experience was spending a night in a Bedouin tent in the Sahara Desert.

Thus, I felt some initial anxiety about the idea of sleeping, showering, cooking, and truly living in a compact van.

However, there are numerous camper van options available -- from luxurious rentals at $500 a night to basic models at just $100 a night -- meaning you can easily find something within your budget.

The van I drove around had all the modern comforts and was priced at around $200-$250 per night.

Smaller camper vans offer the perfect blend of comfort found in homes or hotels within a compact space. Plus, this mobile lifestyle lets you explore freely without restrictions.

This unique travel experience allows you to escape the stresses of a connected world, hitting the road for a few days (or as long as you desire).

While there are many glamping options and other comfortable ways to enjoy the outdoors, the versatility of a compact, well-equipped van enables you to see a lot in a short timeframe.

Modern conveniences are non-existent.

The camper van I stayed in was equipped with all the essentials and more than enough to make it comfortable.

This particular van model was a Ford Transit High Roof, which stands significantly taller than a regular passenger car but is about the same length as a full-sized SUV, like the Chevrolet Suburban.

There's an impressive amount of functionality packed into such a compact space. I like to think of it as a mobile capsule hotel.

My van was fully equipped for living, featuring a cozy queen-sized bed, running hot and cold water, a shower (complete with Beekman 1802 amenities), a decent-sized fridge, ample storage, and even a pull-out kitchen with a stove and outdoor sink.

Equipped with a low flow showerhead, Cabana claims that the water supply can provide up to an impressive 80 minutes of shower time, depending on kitchen sink usage.

The van boasted a variety of clever design features, including a swiveling passenger seat paired with a wooden table and a pull-out bench.

Included amenities that you might not think necessary while exploring the stunning Pacific Northwest also featured WiFi and a smart TV for streaming.

Regrettably (or perhaps luckily, depending on your perspective), the Wi-Fi didn’t function during my trip.

Managing waste can be a deal-breaker.

I’ll be honest -- the thought of disposing of sewage wasn’t exactly at the top of my priorities.

Much like Summer Hull's experience with her RV, I found the instructions for essential camper van tasks, like emptying the grey water tank, to be quite confusing for a complete novice. (Yes, that tank collects your bodily waste and dirty shower water.)

Fortunately, this modified Ford Transit camper van came with a 45-gallon grey water tank that only filled up during the last hours of our trip. Thus, my companion and I managed to avoid the grey water dilemma for three nights and almost four full days.

Fortunately, the included guidebook offers some instructions, and fellow RVers at campgrounds can assist you if you need help.

Accessing and affording a van can be quite challenging.

The options for renting an RV, including camper vans, are expanding. Outdoorsy and RV Share are two popular platforms for peer-to-peer rentals, akin to Airbnb but for RVs.

You can even rent an RV for just $1 a day by securing a relocation rental through services like Imoova.

Currently, Cabana operates solely in Seattle, but they have plans to expand across the West Coast with fully-equipped camper vans suitable for both beginners and experienced travelers.

If you're in Seattle, one of the standout features of Cabana is its convenient accessibility.

For example, you can select your preferred neighborhood for pickup, and all vans come fully stocked, with options for additional features like a pull-out kitchen. If you encounter any issues during your trip, you can text their concierge service for help, provided you have a good cell signal.

Navigating a van can be quite unwieldy.

Once I left the city's streets, maneuvering the camper van became a breeze, even while driving through the roads of Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.

This particular van was quite compact, measuring around 20 feet in length. It was nimble enough to fit into spots where most passenger vehicles could, including scenic viewpoints and tight parking lots. Thus, a smaller camper van offers advantages over bulkier motorhomes or larger RVs.

In summary,

As urban residents seek to break free from city life—and with remote work now a necessity—there are fewer reasons for people to stay tethered to one location.

My fascination with camper vans has grown, especially since travel restrictions prompted a shift towards new ways of exploring. With comfortable features and the freedom to venture into nature, my first experience in a camper van was truly impressive.

More detailed instructions for specific features would certainly have been helpful, particularly for newcomers. Nevertheless, spending a few days in a camper van appears to be the perfect way to unplug, immerse yourself in nature, and return to society feeling rejuvenated.