You’ve decided to convert a van to a camper, but you’re hesitant about committing to buying anything. With so many options available, finding a campervan size that’s perfect for you can be an absolute headache.
Nobody wants to have devoted oodles of time and money into their conversion, only to later realise that the darn thing isn’t the right size.
We know that you want the confidence to invest your time and money into converting the perfect camper van. So, in this post, we’ll help you understand which sized van will be the best for you.
Below are 15 scenarios that can directly impact which sized van you might need. Each van size category then has a reliable list of each van size’s most prominent pros and cons.
These are based on our experiences and the honest reviews of other vanlifers about their camper van conversions.
Sound good?
Read on to figure out which size van will be best for you, so you can be self-assured that you’re making the right choice when it comes to finally buying your van!
Table of Contents:
Campervan Sizes
How are van sizes categorised? Good question! Stick with us while we try to explain.
We’ve seen a VW Transporter (like Vandercamp) categorised as a small panel van, a short wheelbase panel van, a medium panel van and a small campervan.
When one van potentially falls into five categories, it makes life a bit complicated. Not to mention that Transporters can also have a medium, high or pop top, which can push the Transporter into a “medium campervan” category.
And it’s not just the Transporter that does this. Ford Transit comes in 15 styles with different combinations of short, medium or long wheelbase as well as low, medium or high top roof.
I’m sure you’ll agree with us that it’s all a bit confusing. But here’s how we look at it:
As you can see, short and medium wheelbase vans are fairly similar, while the long wheelbase looks like a total monster truck in comparison!
The medium wheelbase pictured here is a shorter one, while some are actually quite a bit longer.
Because of this, in this post medium wheelbase vans sometimes share their pros and cons with short wheelbase vans, and at other times share them with long wheelbase vans.
Okay, before we get into the post, the final point is that some short wheelbase vans have high roofs, while some long wheelbase vans have medium ones. So this post is a general guide based on the height of vans pictured above.
If you really want us to write a post on every size, we will, but it’ll take you 50,000,000 hours to read.
Small Van
A small panel van and short wheelbase van (SWB) .
Approx outer length/height : 4.9m/1.9m
- VW Transporter
- Renault Traffic
- Vauxhall Vivaro
Medium Van
A medium panel van is also known as a medium wheelbase van (MWB).
Approx outer length/height: 5.2m/2.4m
- Renault Master
- Vauxhall Movano
- Ford Transit
Large Van
A large panel van, also known as a long wheelbase van (LWB). It can also be extra LWB and/or extra high top.
Approx outer length/height: 6.4m+/2.7m+
- Mercedes Sprinter
- Volkswagen Crafter
- Citroën Relay
Larger Vehicle
Any conversion that is bigger than an extra LWB or extra high top panel van.
- Horse box/Cattle truck
- Luton style van
- Minibus/bus
NB: Any van smaller than a short wheelbase van will have similar pros and cons to short wheelbase and medium wheelbase vans.
Check out these Innovative Camper Layout Ideas to Inspire Your Camper Van Size.
How To Choose A Campervan Size
Here’s an overview of what we cover in this post. Each section covers the pros and cons for each vehicle size to help you decide which size will suit you best.
1. Time & Money
The time it takes to convert your camper van will depend entirely on how much time you have to give. Working every day on the conversion will finish the job quicker than only working weekends.
The times below assume that you’d dedicate the same amount of time to your conversion no matter what size campervan you get. Such as every weekend and three nights a week to your van.
Similarly to time, how much money you spend will depend on you. Still, the assumption here is that you’d be buying the same kinds of materials no matter which size van you have.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van and Larger Vehicle:
2. Additional Passengers
Are you a solo traveller? Or a couple? Maybe you’ve got pets to be your road companions? Or perhaps you’ve even got some kids in tow?
Obviously, all passengers (either two-legged or four-legged) are going to need somewhere in your conversion to sleep. Alternatively, you can add extra space to your camper with an attachable tent.
All passengers need secure and legal seating. Installing additional seating in the back of your camper may restrict what you can do with the layout.
Consider permanent or convertible bed and seating arrangements.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
3. Storage Space
Larger vehicles appear to have a clear edge here. This is because there’s more room to store clothes, blankets, woollies, footwear, toiletries, hobby equipment, food and kitchen utensils, as well as bits and bobs discovered along the road.
The disadvantage of all this storage potential is that we tend to fill the space we have. As a result, you may end up packing far more than you need and collecting lots of unnecessary stuff on the road.
Although smaller vans have less storage space, it removes the temptation to hoard. You therefore only keep what’s necessary and keep your possessions minimal.
This mammoth campervan layout guide will help you incorporate your storage requirements into the layout and design of your campervan.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
4. Sleeping Arrangements
In a smaller van, the seats will usually have to be converted each night into a bed. In contrast, there’s space to keep the bed permanently set up in larger vans or large vehicles.
That being said, we have friends with a long wheelbase van who have a convertible bed as they like to have loads of space during the day.
The bed setup depends on various factors. Your height, the way you sleep (starfish, log or foetal!) and different sleep schedules to other people (can one of you stay up while the other is asleep?).
Campervan Bed And Seating: Is Permanent Or Convertible Superior?
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
5. Onboard Facilities
If you don’t have room for an onboard shower, you can shower at campsites, some service stations or find a local gym and buy a day pass. Strip washes, portable showers or lake bathing can also keep you fresh.
Any used water will need storing in greywater tanks and disposed of properly. Consider using natural detergents/soaps/shampoos etc to reduce your impact on the environment.
Similarly, if you don’t have a toilet, you just need to watch public toilets or secluded bushes. And if you’re out in the country and need to poop, a distant bush and a shovel are your best options!
Make your “business” more sustainable by having an Eco Friendly Campervan Toilet.
7 Best Campervan Compost Toilets
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
6. Full Time
Your campervan conversion needs to be enjoyable for long term use. Something that’s a mild irritation in the short term may infuriate you when it’s a constant problem.
If you choose a smaller van, will you be able to cope long term with restricted space? If you choose a larger vehicle, how will you handle constant height or weight restrictions?
When using your campervan for short trips, your stuff can just be chucked in willy-nilly. On the other hand, living full time requires thoughtful planning, as everything needs its own space.
Need inspiration? Check out these creative camper layouts from real vanlifers.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
7. Shorter Trips
Using your camper for shorter trips creates the issue of storing your campervan when you’re not using it. If you’re not lucky enough to have a big drive, then you might need to rent somewhere.
Smaller vans have more freedom to drive, park and stay but need setting up on arrival. On the other hand, larger vans and vehicles are more restricted but can be permanently set up.
Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes requires a HGV license. However, getting this license costs time and money, so probably isn’t worth it for a couple of short trips a year.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
8. Hobby Equipment
Whether your hobby and sports interests include juggling, performing card tricks, kayaking, or surfing, your equipment needs somewhere to live in your camper van conversion.
For any size campervan, roof racks can offer plenty of space to store larger items. Still, the question is whether you’re happy to have your equipment permanently on display.
In larger vehicles, having a raised bed provides lots of under-bed storage. So anything from kayaks to mountain bikes can be kept safely inside your campervan.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van and Larger Vehicle
9. Onboard Office
If you’re planning on working remotely from your van, you’ll need space somewhere to work comfortably.
Having a designated work area doesn’t necessarily mean needing a large van conversion. For example, the table we have designed in Vandercamp has ample room for us to work on our laptops simultaneously.
Unless you have a huge camper, the work area will probably double up as the dining area. In a small van, it’ll need folding away completely once you’ve finished working.
Here’s 15 Fabulous Camper Table Ideas that are sure to fire up your imagination.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van and Larger Vehicle
10. Stealth Camping
The winding road can lead us to many places. Sometimes you’ll be camping in the countryside, while at other times, you’ll need to camp up near (or in!) a city.
At these times, it’s best to not stick out like a sore thumb, so you can get a good night’s sleep without being moved along by the locals or authorities.
If you think that you’ll be doing some urban camping, then stealth is the key. No matter what size your campervan is, if it’s plastered in stickers, then you’ll likely draw more attention.
Ensure you have fresh air and stay cool with these stealthy Campervan Ventilation Ideas.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
11. Wild Camping
If you plan on going into the wild, your camper needs to be fully equipped with all the essentials.
Your camper will need its own power source (such as solar panels), a leisure battery, and plenty of gas for cooking and/or heating. Additionally, you will need to carry plenty of drinking water.
Suppose you plan on living off-grid for the majority of your time on the road. In that case, you will need ample space for these essentials. You don’t want to run out of anything while out in the wilderness!
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
Here are the 7 Best Campervan Composting Toilets For An Eco Friendly Off-Grid Vanlife – no nasty chemicals or worries about finding a disposal point.
12. Different Adventures
Do you know what kind of travelling you’ll be doing? Will you be sticking to main roads, or will you want to venture onto the path less travelled?
Adventuring off main roads is more likely to involve manoeuvring down tight streets. You’ll complete some three (or maybe five!) point turns, and squeeze into little hidden spaces to camp for the night.
In addition, venturing onto different paths may mean encountering some bumpy terrain or possibly some height or weight restrictions.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
13. Super Hot
When travelling anywhere crazy hot, there’s always going to be the issue of keeping cool. This problem is increased ten-fold when you’re travelling in a van!
Getting hot and bothered while travelling can be a nightmare – especially at night if you can’t sleep with the doors open to allow a breeze to travel through.
If you’re travelling with furry friends on board, if it’s scorching outside, then your camper will get hot, even if you have amazing insulation.
Therefore, it’s crucial to have ventilation in your campervan – here’s everything you need to know.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
Polyvision campervan windows are perfect for hot climates.
14. Super Cold
While you need to keep cool in hot climates, you need to keep warm in cold ones! So you’ll either need additional storage space inside your conversion for extra clothes, woollies and blankets, or you’ll need external storage, like a roof box.
After a day of exploring, you’re more likely to spend time in your van in the evenings (unless you’re a fan of freezy dinner parties). So, your camper needs to be a comfortable space to spend time in.
A huge advantage of having a long wheelbase (or larger) campervan conversion is the space to include a fixed heater or a wood-burning stove.
Why a Propex Campervan Heater is the best way of staying warm in any campervan.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
15. Extra Space
An additional tent that attaches to your camper can offer you even more space. For example, you can create an extra seating area, a kitchen or even a sleeping area.
You can either get tents that require your van to stay in place or a drive-away tent you can leave set up as you go off to explore.
However, don’t rely on the additional space if you plan to do any wild camping, as you won’t be able to set it up. They can only be set up if you’re on a proper campsite.
Pop top roofs, drive away awnings and roof tents are great ways of expanding your living space.
Short or Medium Wheelbase Van:
Long Wheelbase Vans and Larger Vehicles:
How to Prevent Costly Mistakes
If you’ve never been away in a campervan, why not hire one to get a feel for what it’s like?
Hire one that’s similar to whatever you have in mind for your own conversion. Something that matches your requirements will give you an idea of how a camper could work for you.
Although there are many campervan hire companies in the UK, we highly recommend Quirky Campers. Their campers are uniquely designed, beautifully crafted and well maintained by their passionate owners.
Additionally, they are all handcrafted and filled with personal touches, which could help fire up your imagination.
See what Quirky Campers have to offer and book your camper van trip today.
But be warned… it will spark a vanlife addiction!
Still Unsure?
The points above should give you plenty to think about before deciding what size camper van will work best for you.
But if you’re still unsure, here is a summary of what we think are the main pros and cons of each size camper van:
Short or Medium Wheelbase Vans:
Long Wheelbase Van:
Larger Vehicle:
Recap
Phew! What a lot of information! Thanks for taking the time to stick with us to the end!
We hope you’re feeling super confident about which campervan size will work best for you. Now, when you’re hunting for the perfect base vehicle, you’ll have a much clearer idea about what you need.
Then, when you convert your camper, you can be happy knowing that you’ll have the most fantastic campervan conversion that’s the perfect size for you.
Okay! So you know which size van will best suit your needs, it’s time to crack open the auto trader and start hunting for your perfect base vehicle. Exciting times!
Once you’ve bought a base vehicle, read our layout post to design the perfect layout for you. And once you’ve completed that, you’ll need to start building it.
Read How To Build Your Dream Campervan Conversion In Just 5 Stages.
Happy hunting!
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