Newbie
- Thread starter races
- Start date
Help Support Van Living Forum:
???? Not totally sure what you are asking, but the big difference to me is that my cargo van is considerably smaller than Jason's Class A! But my van is also larger than Mary's Cube. Otherwise, we all boondock and deal with much the same issues.
What vehicle do you have?
What vehicle do you have?
bullfrog !
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2021
- Messages
- 2,379
- Reaction score
- 2,637
Space, cost, quality of construction and amount as well as ease of maintenance. Parking and maneuvering come into play also. Choosing a rig takes a lot of trying and error testing to satisfy personal likes and situations.
I am pretty sure you already know the difference between a van and an RV just by looking at them.
Van life is for people who like small and simple vehicles that do not require being hooked up to amenities such as water, power and sewer lines in an RV park. Basically cut the cord and be more adventurous in where they stay rather than staying in an RV parked crammed into a small space where there is someone staying just a very few feet away from you.
Obviously there are some crossovers of people in large RVs who find easy access spots to stay at in the wild desert and forest areas and some van owners that prefer to stay in RV parks.
As to the term RV it stands for Recreational Vehicle which is an entire industry that commercially builds out motorhomes, travel trailers, camper units that fit into truck beds and sometimes even camper vans. They are basically manufactured to have a lot of comforts of home living such as running water. Flush toilets, showers, stoves, refridgerstor, heat and cooling, electrical plugins, tv antennas, etc.
Van life is for people who like small and simple vehicles that do not require being hooked up to amenities such as water, power and sewer lines in an RV park. Basically cut the cord and be more adventurous in where they stay rather than staying in an RV parked crammed into a small space where there is someone staying just a very few feet away from you.
Obviously there are some crossovers of people in large RVs who find easy access spots to stay at in the wild desert and forest areas and some van owners that prefer to stay in RV parks.
As to the term RV it stands for Recreational Vehicle which is an entire industry that commercially builds out motorhomes, travel trailers, camper units that fit into truck beds and sometimes even camper vans. They are basically manufactured to have a lot of comforts of home living such as running water. Flush toilets, showers, stoves, refridgerstor, heat and cooling, electrical plugins, tv antennas, etc.
Last edited:
Welcome.
As far as your vehicle choice, on this forum, and the groups associated with the forum, its mostly a 'run what you brung' type of forum.
No one is turned away based on the vehicle they drive. It's more of a like-minded lifestyle.
Having said that, there are some situations where a smaller rig is a bit more agile and easier to maneuver, so a larger RV might not be able to reach some spots that our members might choose for themselves and a small group of similar vehicles.
On the other hand, a larger RV will often be more comfortable in the generally accessible areas that one would choose to make use of with such a vehicle.
Its all about choice.
eDJ_
Well-known member
Welcome 
My family has owned both RV's and converted Vans. For us it went like this. The RV was a complete purpose built vehicle and many of these are "self contained" so that they carry everything including fresh "potable" water (in tanks) to gray water (from shower & sinks stored in the gray water tanks) and that then used to flush the toilet(s) which is then stored in "black water" sewage tanks for proper disposal when at a facility. If using full service RV Parks there will be hookup for electric, water, sewage, internet/WIFI, where there may also be coin op laundry centers. (but these places may not want converted Vans in them)
The Van Life folks (Nomads) may be a more independent sort traveling & living in converted Van's, (or other vehicles such as Short or Full Size School busses, Shuttle Vans, Ambulances, and the like) Most have the essentials for cooking, eating, sleeping, and refrigeration. (of course some have other accessories for extended stays away from conveniences) Often Nomads will have a membership to any of the Nationally Syndicated Gym's (such as Planet Fitness) where they can use the showers, restrooms, WIFI, electric to recharge electronics, watch TV & chill, and use gym equipment etc) They may use fast food places for restrooms & WIFI or any other places such as Public Libraries for free amenities. The State & National Parks may be more welcoming to Nomads especially if they are Seniors. (often Sunday evenings thru Friday mornings are low priced) There are places where RV'ers & Nomads are welcome to use the parking lot after they close until the next morning. These may include Walmart (but not in all States or Places, Lowe's, Sam's Club, Target, Cracker Barrel, Flying J/Pilot, etc) Some like to use Government Lands where Bureau of Land Management grants permissions.
Nomads who have rigs that appear like common vehicles may overnight in places some wouldn't want them in. It's called Stealth Camping used as they travel to get some hours of sleep before moving on.
Van Life seemed to start in the mid 60's with the Hippy VW Van's and young people but it has grown since. It appealed to those with
limited funds and a sense of adventure, but has expanded to the many interest other people. (remote workers, snow birds, traveling workers with Rail Roads, Maritime, or Airlines who live the Van Life when off work, Graduating Students who want to travel some to find a city where they can find employment in their field, and so on)
My family has owned both RV's and converted Vans. For us it went like this. The RV was a complete purpose built vehicle and many of these are "self contained" so that they carry everything including fresh "potable" water (in tanks) to gray water (from shower & sinks stored in the gray water tanks) and that then used to flush the toilet(s) which is then stored in "black water" sewage tanks for proper disposal when at a facility. If using full service RV Parks there will be hookup for electric, water, sewage, internet/WIFI, where there may also be coin op laundry centers. (but these places may not want converted Vans in them)
The Van Life folks (Nomads) may be a more independent sort traveling & living in converted Van's, (or other vehicles such as Short or Full Size School busses, Shuttle Vans, Ambulances, and the like) Most have the essentials for cooking, eating, sleeping, and refrigeration. (of course some have other accessories for extended stays away from conveniences) Often Nomads will have a membership to any of the Nationally Syndicated Gym's (such as Planet Fitness) where they can use the showers, restrooms, WIFI, electric to recharge electronics, watch TV & chill, and use gym equipment etc) They may use fast food places for restrooms & WIFI or any other places such as Public Libraries for free amenities. The State & National Parks may be more welcoming to Nomads especially if they are Seniors. (often Sunday evenings thru Friday mornings are low priced) There are places where RV'ers & Nomads are welcome to use the parking lot after they close until the next morning. These may include Walmart (but not in all States or Places, Lowe's, Sam's Club, Target, Cracker Barrel, Flying J/Pilot, etc) Some like to use Government Lands where Bureau of Land Management grants permissions.
Nomads who have rigs that appear like common vehicles may overnight in places some wouldn't want them in. It's called Stealth Camping used as they travel to get some hours of sleep before moving on.
Van Life seemed to start in the mid 60's with the Hippy VW Van's and young people but it has grown since. It appealed to those with
limited funds and a sense of adventure, but has expanded to the many interest other people. (remote workers, snow birds, traveling workers with Rail Roads, Maritime, or Airlines who live the Van Life when off work, Graduating Students who want to travel some to find a city where they can find employment in their field, and so on)
races
Member
- Joined
- May 31, 2023
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 4
sorry for late reply i have An rv touring i dont know names as my father bought it 3 weeks ago one of my friend van is better then Rv or big differences so dont know more about this.
Whether one is better than the other depends entirely on how you like to travel. There is no such thing as the one best vehicle for everything.
I like my individually and inexpensively adapted van better than a commercial RV because I don't want to pay for fancy "house-like" systems. My van is a camping vehicle, not an apartment replacement, and that's just how I like it.
Many RVs - buses and trailers - can go where I go, so that's not really the issue for me. Simpler is just better, IMNSHO.
Tony's Dream
Well-known member
Welcome!
I had to ask myself this question. I'm a bookkeeper and did the math. Many RV's are costly to purchase and operate. I watched a show on TV where their super RV cost $175,000, got 7 mpg, and cost over a $1,000 to fill the tank. It was both their home and office and thought it was a good deal for them.
I went with a cargo van. It gets great milage and it's nice and cozy. It makes me really think about what you want vs. what you need. I became a minialist and worked out exactly what I needed to carry. I have went on trips of 3000-5000 miles and spent less than $1500 on each trip. I really enjoy the stress free traveling, never having to make a reservation or worrying about finding a place to park a huge RV.
It's really up to you to discover what you need and want.
I had to ask myself this question. I'm a bookkeeper and did the math. Many RV's are costly to purchase and operate. I watched a show on TV where their super RV cost $175,000, got 7 mpg, and cost over a $1,000 to fill the tank. It was both their home and office and thought it was a good deal for them.
I went with a cargo van. It gets great milage and it's nice and cozy. It makes me really think about what you want vs. what you need. I became a minialist and worked out exactly what I needed to carry. I have went on trips of 3000-5000 miles and spent less than $1500 on each trip. I really enjoy the stress free traveling, never having to make a reservation or worrying about finding a place to park a huge RV.
It's really up to you to discover what you need and want.
races
Member
- Joined
- May 31, 2023
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 4
That is great then
user 37446
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2017
- Messages
- 1,242
- Reaction score
- 93
I've debated back and forth ad nauseum on what I'd choose if and when the time came.
The answer is: IDK.
Full disclosure - I have owned a new 8' truck camper, a well used 22' class C and two quite old travel trailers (24' & 28'). The class C and 28' trailer turned out to be, well, disastrous financial decisions made on an emotional basis.
What to purchase depends on your finances, level of comfort repairing multiple systems, area you will reside/travel in, willingness to "stick out" (no stealthing), comfort level driving a large vehicle etc. There are attendees of the RTR's as well as several YT channels that have folks living in/with RV's, mainly class C's.
Myself I cannot currently justify the (often) single digit gas mileage, myriad of systems to maintain, near total lack of stealth, difficulty driving in high winds or city streets and current post Covid RV acquisition/repair costs for used units. The very common water damage problems alone are daunting to me, and I have owned and repaired a cabover water damaged 22' class C in the past. (It wasn't fun.)
While I would enjoy the standing room, additional storage, built-in kitchen/bathroom/electrical system, onboard vented propane heater and possibly (depending on length) a separate bedroom, I can't get past the many negatives that come with them (typically class A and C, not so much class B (especially if living east of the Mississippi where there is little to no BLM long-term camping land...).
If you want "cheap and simple" to operate and maintain, an rv is a questionable choice. It can be comfortable though, especially when compared to my CUV.
The answer is: IDK.
Full disclosure - I have owned a new 8' truck camper, a well used 22' class C and two quite old travel trailers (24' & 28'). The class C and 28' trailer turned out to be, well, disastrous financial decisions made on an emotional basis.
What to purchase depends on your finances, level of comfort repairing multiple systems, area you will reside/travel in, willingness to "stick out" (no stealthing), comfort level driving a large vehicle etc. There are attendees of the RTR's as well as several YT channels that have folks living in/with RV's, mainly class C's.
Myself I cannot currently justify the (often) single digit gas mileage, myriad of systems to maintain, near total lack of stealth, difficulty driving in high winds or city streets and current post Covid RV acquisition/repair costs for used units. The very common water damage problems alone are daunting to me, and I have owned and repaired a cabover water damaged 22' class C in the past. (It wasn't fun.)
While I would enjoy the standing room, additional storage, built-in kitchen/bathroom/electrical system, onboard vented propane heater and possibly (depending on length) a separate bedroom, I can't get past the many negatives that come with them (typically class A and C, not so much class B (especially if living east of the Mississippi where there is little to no BLM long-term camping land...).
If you want "cheap and simple" to operate and maintain, an rv is a questionable choice. It can be comfortable though, especially when compared to my CUV.
