Travel Van Guide

The main charm of motorhomes is their uniqueness. Some are designed for short comfortable traveling, while others are so autonomous that they allow you to break away from civilization for a long time. Travel vans are all incredibly practical but, at the same time, rather costly. How to choose the right travel van in Indianapolis, and which vehicle will be the most beneficial? This quick guide provides all the answers.

All existing travel vans can be divided into two main types: campers and trailers. A camper is a travel-equipped van with its own engine, while a trailer can be disconnected from the car and left at the cottage or camping. The trailer cannot carry people. Unlike the more maneuverable and compact camper van, it is designed for stationary use.

Depending on the model, representatives of each type can be equipped with a kitchen, a single or double bed, a toilet, and a shower, and even divided into separate rooms. If you’re looking to buy or customize your travel van , it’s best to research the pros and cons of motorhomes beforehand.

There are four types of camper vans:

• premium-class integrated motorhomes, the chassis of which is designed exclusively for this type of vehicle;
• semi-integrated with a residential body on standard truck chassis;
• caravans with a module above the cab, which usually contains a double bed;
• easy-to-handle compact cargo vans customized for traveling.

Integrated motorhomes with a fiberglass or all-metal body offer excellent visibility. They are considered luxury items and are usually designed to accommodate two people. These vehicles are distinguished by good aerodynamics, high-quality thermal insulation, and original design, but are expensive. Its cabin is integrated into the living compartment of this mobile home.

Less expensive but quite comfortable semi-integrated vans on serial chassis with excellent driving characteristics and a large choice of layouts are the most popular. Their bodies are most often made of sandwich panels. This type includes residential minibusses with built-in kitchens, beds, and bathrooms. A family of four can travel in such mobile homes.

Caravans or alcove campers can accommodate up to eight passengers thanks to a module with an additional double bed above the driver’s cab. This type of travel van is assembled on different chassis, so you have the opportunity to choose the layout that suits you best. The walls of an alcove motorhome are usually made of sandwich panels.

Cargo or box vans are designed for short journeys. They may not have a shower or toilet, but they are more maneuverable than other mobile homes and use less fuel. The living quarters are located inside a one-piece body, so such a camper, outwardly, practically does not differ from a conventional car and can be used for daily trips around the city. It can accommodate no more than two people. Customizing a cargo van into a camper is usually cheaper than buying a ready-made one. Check used cargo vans for sale in Indianapolis and contact our service team to discuss your upfits.

Most travel vans are referred to as Class B motorhomes, as they are built using panel trucks or automotive vans, like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter . Due to their compact size, they can serve as your everyday vehicle.

RV is an abbreviation for the Recreational Vehicle. It is mobile, whether moving on its own engine or being towed and includes living space used for accommodations.

To answer the question of how to choose a travel van in Indianapolis, you need to understand what a camper means for a traveler who suddenly finds himself outside the usual walls with an established life. Like houses, apartments, and cottages, campers and trailers differ from each other in prestige,comfort, price, size, and design of the living space, equipment, layout, and purpose.

Before you decide which camper you need, you should honestly determine a list of those benefits of a civilized existence you do not want to lose while traveling. Or contact our team to discuss your needs and budget if you are planning to transform your van into a camper.

Whatever types of travel vans you consider, the number of modifications to them is almost endless. The layout of the mobile home is usually selected taking into account the duration of the trip, the season, and the needs of travelers:

• Gas or diesel heating in the cabin can be either air or water. Heating with air is convenient when you need to quickly heat the room, while water heating warms up more evenly.
• Motorhomes, where seats transform into sleeping places, can accommodate more passengers.
• The likelihood that the bed will fit the height of the tallest family member is higher in those campers where the berths are located along the cabin. The beds themselves can be either twin or double.
• In addition to a sink, a refrigerator, and a gas stove, a compact travel van kitchen is often equipped with appliances such as an oven, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee maker. Cooking is more convenient in models where a countertop can be laid on top of a gas stove and sink.
• The presence of sockets that can be powered from the 230 V network in the parking lot makes it possible to use the gas supply more economically.
• The bathroom space is usually limited. Therefore, the more cabinets with drawers, the more convenient it will be for passengers.
• You can equip your van with a retractable tent located at the rear, which allows you to create additional space for sleeping and relaxing, in case, for example, you want to leave a guest at your place.
• The body of the mobile home can be made of fiberglass, sandwich panels, and steel. It all depends on the conditions in which you are going to travel.

Each of the layouts has its advantages and disadvantages. What level of equipment and functionality is right for you depends on the season, the degree of agility you expect, and the personal needs of travelers.

A double floor and warm walls made of sandwich panels are an advantage if you are going to travel in the cold season:

• The tank with used water freezes less.
• There is extra space for storing things and food.
• The heating is cheaper.

The low thermal conductivity of the body for camper passengers in summer can be more important than in winter. Putting on a warm sweater in case the heating power is not enough to maintain a comfortable temperature in the cabin is much easier than withstanding the heat when the air conditioner cannot cope.

In addition to the standard maintenance that any car needs , a camper requires regular cleaning of the dirty water tank and the living area. Two cylinders of gas are usually enough to meet the needs of travelers for about two weeks, while the water supply will run out in a day.