If you want to start living the van life, here’s what to consider

If you’re thinking about enjoying the van life by traveling and sleeping in a camper van, there are several things you should keep in mind when making that purchase.

Bill Ansley, president of Ansley RV in Duncansville, offers several sizes of van campers in Class B and C that are designed to fit a variety of needs and purposes.

“The popularity and curiousness about the vans is through the roof,” he said, but the design only works for people who are fine with being in small, close quarters.

His team has three camper vans on display at the Pittsburgh RV Show.

When a customer comes in, he said the salesperson will listen to what they have in mind and work with them to find a model that blends all of their needs and interests.

“I tell people typically to buy a used one first just to see if they like it. You know, because if you go and flop down all the money and you don’t like it, then you’re going to have to sell it at a used price to get out of it. Whereas if you buy it at a used price and you don’t like it, or you say, ‘Hey, I missed by a little bit and I can trade this one in and get exactly what I wanted,’” Ansley said.

It’s good for potential customers to try all the features and set up the beds in a camper van to make sure it has the room they need. “Because they’re small,” he said. It’s key that the RV is comfortable and enjoyable for people who are purchasing a recreational vehicle that in these circumstances exceeds $100,000.

The vans make sense for customers who don’t have a vehicle that’s large enough to pull a camper or want a rig that’s too big for their driving comfort level.

When the COVID pandemic hit five years ago, the industry saw an increase in camper van sales, but since then the prices have increased. “We’re not selling them as briskly because the price has gone up. And that’s just the way it is,” he said about the trends.

Camper vans have unique designs that allow adventure people to fit bicycles and kayaks in the back. The beds fold to the side or lift up toward the ceiling to make extra storage areas.

Ansley said he personally likes the models that have twin beds with one on each side, but everyone has a different need and use. “Some people want vans with four captain’s chairs and some people want them with two captain’s chairs. If you are going to use as a day vehicle to take the kids to the zoo and have a toilet in the back, you need those four captain seats that are comfortable with a shoulder harness. So, there’s a big distinction, how many do you want to ride comfortably all the time,” he said.

Some models have showers, including designs with outside curtains to allow a shower stall on the outside of the van.

When it comes to deciding which van to purchase, he said, “You have to figure out what works best for you.”

The salesperson will work with the customers to meet each camper’s needs and goals. “Your imagination is the limit,” Ansley said.

The Pittsburgh RV Show will continue January 16-18 in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

“We have everything from folding trailers to lightweight travel trailers, fifth wheels, Class A, B, C motorhomes, diesel pushers, and destination trailers. But we also have golf carts, e-bikes and scooters, and there’s all kind of vendors to see,” Randy Giancola, the show’s producer said.

Visit pittrvshow.com for additional details.