For most people it’s a BIG investment to buy a campervan. You need to ask your self a bunch of questions – and you might just have this one chance.
Qestions you need to ask your self:
- Do I know what I’m getting in to?
- How will I use the campervan?
- Which model is the perfect match?
- Should I choose used or new?
- How do I choose the right dealer?
- If new, which equipment should we choose?
Do I know what I’m getting in to?
If you have experienced campervanlife and you love it – skip this question.
Is it on the other hand, a dream you have not yet fulfilled? You might want to borrow or rent a campervan before you invest your savings.
Things you might discover when you drive a campervan, is that it’s quite handy and some models drives like a normal car and fits in a normal parking spot. You will also find out if you need, a kitchen or a toilet. Do you always use a camping site, will you go off grid. Any most import, do you and your family like this lifestyle.
In our case we rented a VW California twice. First time a new Ocean with 150hp and DSG transmission. We had it fore 16 days and drove around Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. Fantastic trip! Second time, we rented a Ocean with 204hp and DSG for just three days. The purpose of that trip was to drive to Caravan Salon Düsseldorf to see the launch of the new VW California T6.1 and to discover the alternatives.
How will I use the campervan?
This is import, because it help you define your needs. You might want the campervan for your everyday commute and sometimes use it in the weekends and holidays. Or you might plan a months long trip in difficult terrain. Start by defining this:
- Distribution between every day commute and trips
- which kind of grounds will you drive (asphalt, dirt, sand, snow…)
- Number of seats
- Number of beads
In our case we will use the campervan as a car on every day basis. In weekends and holidays we will use it for camping. Usually we will drive on asphalt, but it needs to drive well at dirt roads and snow as well. We are a family of four, so we need 4 seats and 4 beds.
Which model is the perfect match?
When you know your needs, you can narrow the field.
- Browse the internet
- Search YouTube
- Search Instagram (e.g. #campervan or a specific model)
- Manufacture websites
- Read campervan magazines
- Talk to other “campervaners”
In our case we need an everyday car that duppels as a campervan. In our eyes, that means that you have Mercedes Marco Polo vs. VW California. The Mercedes is supposed to drive a little better but we don’t like that the camping equipment with table and chairs is in a big box taking up most of the booth. In the California this is integrated in the doors giving us more room for storage. We also like that the California is an icon!
Should I choose used or new?
There are pros and cons for both. Ask your self, what is realistic and what do you feel most comfortable of choosing? Will you have the campervan for a few years or many years? What is your budget?
Pros, choosing a used campervan:
- It’s cheaper
- You might get extra equipment for free
Pros choosing a new campervan
- You choose all the specification
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drive train
- Color
- Equipment
- You can choose to give it extra rust treatment from day one
In our case we choose a new one because we plan to keep this for many years. We want to look after it at the best possible manner from day one. Choosing a new one, make it possible to choose exactly the equipment we dream of.
How do I choose the right dealer?
If this I your first time buying a campervan, you will benefit from choosing a dealer who knows about the specific model. If you buy used the dealer might know about the car but not about the camperunit.
If you buy a new one and you don’t know which dealer to choose – browse the internet (e.g. California forums) to ask for other peoples advice.
In our case we asked for peopels advice at the Danish California forum. They all pointed at the biggest VW California dealer in Denmark (VW Risskov). It’s more than 300 km. from our home. Because we plan to keep this van for many many years it’s very important to get just the right specs. And we believe that we get just that at a dealer who him self, drive a similar campervan.
If new, which equipment should we choose?
This depends on your needs. Are you planning to use it by your self, as a couple or a family. Will you use it every day or just weekends and hollidays? Will you use it for short or long trips – only in summertime or also in cold Winther.
Our suggestions:
- Proper engine
- Automatic transmission
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane assist (keeping you in your lane)
- Emergency break
- Big gasoline tank (more time on the road, less time at the gasstation)
- Park sensor or back camera (it’s a big car)
- Climate control (you will drive it for many hours in many conditions)
- Cabine heater (for the cold nights)
- Extra thick mattress (for more sleeping comfort)
