Why A Camper Van Rental Is The Ultimate Way To Travel: Top Benefits, Essential Tips, And Best Rental Companies

The advantages of a camper van rental for your next road trip, what amenities to look for, tips for the road, and three companies to rent from! Make sure you read until the end for a free bonus!

If you are contemplating testing the waters of van life, Team Lavigne will lead the way. Remember my golden rule of travel? Be adventurous.

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Get ready to embark on the ultimate adventure with a camper van rental. Offering the perfect blend of freedom and flexibility, hitting the open road in a camper van is an unforgettable journey waiting to happen. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or we have a first-timer here, a camper van rental provides you with new adventurous opportunities. Explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in nature. With a camper van, you choose your own path. From remote camping spots to picturesque National Parks, the possibilities are endless. Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves on a secluded beach or gazing at a sky full of stars in the middle of an open desert. With a camper van rental, these experiences become a reality.

If you’re anything like Scott when I first presented this idea to him, you might be asking:

• How does this adventure work?
• Why would I road trip in a camper van?
• Where do I even rent a camper van?

After much convincing, we have now rented camper vans for 3 Southwest road trips, one Pacific Northwest road trip, and one trip through the South Atlantic. We have camped in 6 National Parks with a camper van rental and visited countless landmarks. So if I can convince Scott, I can convince anyone!

Camper van rental vs. other forms of accommodation

Planning a vacation can become stressful, especially a road trip. Planning an entire week of travel, checking in and out of a hotel, setting schedules, renting a car, packing, and unpacking. Unlike traditional forms of accommodation, a camper van rental allows you to change your plans on a whim and visit lesser-known destinations. You can wake up in the morning and drive to a hidden waterfall or hike through a dense forest, all without the constraints of pre-booked hotels or fixed itineraries.

Additionally, camper vans offer privacy that other forms of accommodation don’t provide. You have your own space and can enjoy the tranquility of nature without the noise and crowds often found in hotels and campgrounds. This privacy is my idea of a good time. Calling all introverts!

Similar to hotel accommodation, staying in a traditional campground or tent can be limiting. While camping provides a closer connection to nature, it often requires more preparation and equipment. So, packing light isn’t an option. And if you’re way past the ripe age of 25 like us, sleeping on the ground and waking up with a sore back is a huge buzz kill. Especially when you have an adventure-packed day planned. With a camper van rental, you have the best of both worlds – the convenience of a comfortable bed and a kitchen combined with the ability to camp in remote and beautiful locations. You’ll wake up with enough pep in your step to check off a bucket list hike.

Additionally, for my budget-conscious adventurers, a camper van rental offers a cost-effective way to travel. With your accommodation and transportation combined, save money on hotel rooms and rental cars. Additionally, having a kitchen in your camper van allows you to cook your meals. If you want to save money during vacation, this is kind of a big deal.

Must-have amenities and features in a camper van rental

Not only do you have the freedom to go wherever your heart desires, but camper van rentals also provide all the amenities you need for a comfortable and convenient trip. From cozy beds to fully equipped kitchens, you’ll have everything you need to make your adventure enjoyable and hassle-free. From our experience, here are some must-have amenities to look for:

1. Power supply: Ensure the camper van has a reliable power supply for charging your devices and running appliances. Check for solar panels, lithium batteries, or a connection to external power sources. Most rentals will have more than one power source. The most popular ones are solar panels and lithium batteries, so the more you drive, the more charge you get. We have never run out of power or even come close.
2. Bathroom: The number one question we get. People are so concerned with how we do our business. Some camper van rentals have built-in bathrooms, which include a shower and a portable toilet (yes, you will need to empty the toilet), and some do not. Choose the option that suits your preferences and needs. If you opt for a rental without one, our solutions are public restrooms, campground bathrooms, body wipes, dry shampoo, and go for a swim! These have all worked just fine for us. After a few days of hiking and camping, nothing is more refreshing than plunging into a glacier-fed lake. If that’s not on your bucket list, 10/10 recommend it.
3. Kitchen: A fully equipped kitchen is essential for preparing meals on the road. Look for a camper van rental with a stove, refrigerator, and sink. An induction cooktop, propane camping stove, or microwave will keep you well-fed and help save money. Check your camper van rental company for add-ons, like cooking utensils. Kinda need those too.
   

Other amenities you might want in a camper van rental are comfortable beds and storage space, but these are our top three most crucial to a seamless adventure.

Rental camper vans usually have a foldaway table inside and a seating area, or a Lagun table with a pilot seat and swivel seats for living space. In addition, all our rentals have included a:

• stove
• refrigerator
• water tank
• sink
• kitchenette
• bed
• privacy curtains
• dual battery systems
• storage

Essential tips and safety considerations for a successful camper van road trip

To ensure you have the best travel experience, our advice is:

1. Plan your route. Although a daily rental rate will include miles, you should still consider the extra mileage.  Consider the driving distance between destinations and pit stops along the way. If you are budget-conscious, research fuel prices along your route to estimate expenses.
2. Pack efficiently. One of my favorite parts about a camper van road trip is packing light. You will need to sacrifice some outfits for practicality. Only pack the essentials.
3. Connect with fellow travelers. Campgrounds and RV parks are great places to meet fellow travelers. Take the opportunity to meet your neighbors. You can exchange travel tips and make long-lasting connections!
4. Emergency Supplies. Always pack emergency supplies such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, headlamp, and extra batteries. We’ve used them all!
5. Personal safety. This feels like common sense, but I have to say it. Always lock the van when you are away from it and when you are in for the night. Keep valuables out of sight. Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut.

Additional tips if you opt for no bathroom facilities in your camper van rental:

(You would be surprised how many people worry more about this than safety!)

Hygiene: For the ladies, channel your inner college girl because you will squat for that morning pee. It feels liberating to start your day being one with nature! Also, you will have flashbacks to dormitory-style showers. Pack or buy cheap rubber flip-flops for showering at campgrounds or RV parks. But seriously, try the body wipes. A good wipe-down plus some perfume. That’ll do. Ultimately, you might feel dirty and tired, but you will feel serene and fulfilled

Toilets: You will have to get comfortable with pooping in public. Every time you gas up the van, use the public restroom. Take advantage of rest stops, restaurants, and stores. If you’re no stranger to camping, then pack a multi-use tool to dig a hole in dispersed campsites. Just brush up on Leave No Trace Principles before using Mother Nature as your restroom!

Choosing the right camper van rental company

We’ve had seamless travel experiences with all three campervan rental companies we’ve used. We’ll go over all three companies in more detail. Here’s where you should book your first camper van rental:

1. Escape Campervans
2. Indie Campers
3. Outdoorsy

Escape Campervans

I have shared my love for good deals on here before. During my mindless Groupon scrolling, I found Escape Campervans. Their van options range in size, but each van is custom hand-painted by local California artists. This makes them super fun and unique! Each rental offers add-ons such as a kitchen kit, a bedding kit, camping chairs, etc. Bonus: Escape always has deals going on! I don’t think we have ever paid full price. They usually have select dates for deals, so remember my other travel rule: Be flexible. Now, the amenities they do NOT have are toilets or showers. This has been people’s number one concern when they ask about our road trip adventures by van. But hey, we’ve made it work countless times! (Ok, four times) Escape has 11 rental locations in the U.S. and 2 in Canada. We have rented from Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and Seattle, WA. These are all perfect hubs for endless adventures!

Indie Campers

Four camper van road trips later, we needed more amenities in a vehicle for a bucket list hike. This is where Indie Campers came into our lives! These camper vans are built on a Winnebago Solis. A luxury travel accommodation compared to our previous rental. SO MUCH ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES! No, seriously. You can stand up straight, and walk around (well, like, back and forth), and the storage situation is more than we needed for a week. Indie Camper van rentals have a control panel to control heat and air conditioning, and monitor your water tank, grey water tank, and battery life. Oh, did I not mention that there is a shower and a toilet? Boo-yah! Confession: We never used the shower.

Outdoorsy

Last but not least, Outdoorsy! Think Airbnb but for camper vans and RVs. Use a filter tool to find an array of vans to rent. If you rent a camper van in Pennsylvania or New York City, I highly recommend renting from Vanture Customs. This company is based out of Philly and rents out their custom-built vans. This will be your aesthetic camper van with all the bells and whistles. Confession: We STILL never used the shower!

Here’s a short list of pros and cons from Team LaVigne for each camper van rental:

Escape

• Pros: most budget-friendly, conversation starter, easy to drive
• Cons: no toilet, no shower, bed set-up/breakdown

Indie

• Pros: shower, toilet, ease of waste removal
• Cons: only available in select cities

Outdoorsy

• Pros: comfort, Instagram-worthy photos, more amenities, personalized touch
• Cons: can be expensive, third-party, insurance not optional

Conclusion

If connecting with nature is your jam, rent a van. There’s nothing like cooking dinner in the open desert or waking up next to a tranquil lake. Or the contentment of having your morning coffee while strolling in the woods. We have discovered so many new places because of our camper van adventures.

The ease of having all of your belongings and food with you is luxury travel at its finest. Every must-have travel accessory is at arm’s length when you need it. And if you have a fur baby like we do, it is a dog-friendly travel option. Bringing your dog will help you base your vacation on more outdoor activities and pet-friendly restaurants. If you like camping but are weary of weather conditions, a camper van rental extends your camping season. Depending on where you go, many campgrounds close for the season. A camper van will keep you cozy and warm, and you can camp in dispersed areas!

If you still need some convincing, camper vans are easy to maneuver, you have constant, easy access to your belongings, you save money, and travel to more places!

What are you waiting for? Freedom awaits!

Bonus Content

Save time planning your road trip with our curated list of Van Life songs on Spotify!

Pin this post as a reminder while planning your next road trip adventure!

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Save this post for your next road trip, and let us know in the comments what you love about a campervan rental!