Buying a new campervan can be incredibly exciting. You’ve probably got loads of ideas already but before you make that all-important purchase, there’s a few things you need to ask yourself…
Size matters…
It might seem obvious, but the first thing you need to consider is size and space. How many of you will be in the van at any one time? Do you have any pets that might join you on the road? If you’re tall, you won’t want to be crouched down all the time, so the height of your van is important too.
How often will I be using the van?
If you’ll only be taking the campervan out for short weekend breaks or there’s quite a few of you in there, a pull-out bed is probably worth having so you can save space for storage. But if you can spare some room, or you’ll be staying the van for longer, a fixed bed would be more comfortable.
You also need to think about appliances as these take up quite a bit of space. If you’re planning on doing longer trips, a toilet on board is a must! Whilst it’s nice and practical to have showers and/or ovens, you might find you can go without for the sake of having more space.
Too cold, too dark
The cold is also something to think about, especially in the winter months. Temperatures can drop overnight so you need to think about how you’re going to heat your van. There’s quite a few options but as always, you need to find the one that’s right for you. A portable gas heater is cheap, but these will be no good in snowier weather! Woodburners are a fun and cosy feature but again, these take up space and can be smelly. Gas heating is cheap to run but can be noisy if you don’t have a muffler. Diesel heaters are quick to heat up and easy to find fuel for, but these heaters can be unreliable and are more expensive to run.
You also need to think about lighting. Electric lighting will use a lot of power - unless you’re running small battery-powered lights. Candles are a cheap option but can pose a safety risk if left unattended! Whilst they might be a bit pricey to install, a sky light is a great way to brighten up the van, letting natural light in. After all, who wouldn’t want to wake up with the sunrise?
Style – above all else!
Now you’ve thought about all the practical bits, you’re ready to take the next step and buy the right van for you. Most importantly, you can now start thinking about the design – both interior and exterior. This is your van so it’s important to style it how you want. A good paint job can look amazing, but getting it done professionally will cost you. If you’ve got timed the know how you could get creative and do it yourself.
When it comes to the inside, we’ve got you covered (literally!). Our seat covers are made from durable fabrics, fully customised to your preferences. First, choose your colour scheme and how many seats you want to cover, then you can add logos, lettering, pockets, trims… it’s up to you! All our covers are waterproof, but you can also easily remove them to wash them anytime. They’re practical in preserving your seats, but they also look amazing. Browse the catalogue here or get in touch with the team to discuss your ideas.