Van Campers Surpass Class A

[Chance]

The following August data is the first I have ever seen showing that van campers exceeded Class As in any volume report (whether sales, shipments, or whatever measure).

The trend towards more compact campers has been growing for years, but I’m surprised how fast younger and new buyers pushed van campers over Class As. It may not stay like this for long, but that it happened this quickly is somewhat surprising.

The question I have is whether this will remain long term, or if these new and younger buyers will start to “upsize/upgrade” in a few years like generations before?

Also, will manufacturers finally start to offer more compact Class As that challenge van campers for those who like smaller size for maneuverability and or greater fuel economy due to environmental concerns? Interesting times.

https://rvbusiness.com/rv-shipment-r...ost-big-gains/

[Chateau_Nomad]

I'm betting on the upgrade. I slept on the ground in a tent when in my early 20s... pooped in primitive outhouses and washed in the creek.

If I slept on the ground now, you'd have to call the morgue in the morning! Those were fun times, but I bought our coach with all those convenience items for a reason... I can't do without my shower, REAL crapper, kitchen and comfortable bed... heat & air conditioner if needed.

Those kids... spending north of $200k and STILL not having those basic conveniences. I guess I'm spoiled or old fashioned, but they'll eventually figure it out.

[Bob Denman]

Yeah... They'll get bit by the "Bigger, better, longer, heavier, supersized" bug; after about two or three years...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

.....cut....

If I slept on the ground now, you'd have to call the morgue in the morning! Those were fun times, but I bought our coach with all those convenience items for a reason... I can't do without my shower, REAL crapper, kitchen and comfortable bed... heat & air conditioner if needed.

.....cut.....

I’m not following your point entirely, because most Class B van campers today have showers, toilet, kitchen, beds, A/C and heat, etc. Granted, these are much smaller than in larger motorhomes, likely making them less comfortable, but hardly a tent and sleeping on cold ground.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Chance

I’m not following your point entirely, because most Class B van campers today have showers, toilet, kitchen, beds, A/C and heat, etc. Granted, these are much smaller than in larger motorhomes, likely making them less comfortable, but hardly a tent and sleeping on cold ground.

My intent was merely stating how my preference/tolerance have changed over the years from when I was a flexible young pup - who could sleep on a concrete floor . If I would have had a current day class B when I was 24, I would have thought I died and went to "camper Heaven"!

In my CURRENT world, a "wet bath" doesn't meet my qualifications for a shower. But when I was 24?? That would have been wonderful!! Today I could probably get it done, but most likely I'd have back cramps. If we were boondocking, two "navy showers" and we'd be out of water. When I was 24, a washcloth, bar of soap and towel down at the creek was fine.

Just showing how my own personal prefs have changed in 40+ years. Does that make sense?

Some newer class Bs are doing wonders with better designs, but by making things "bigger, better, roomier", you defeat the purpose of a light maneuverable van. And I think that's the draw for the young crowd.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

....cut....

Just showing how my own personal prefs have changed in 40+ years. Does that make sense?

Some newer class Bs are doing wonders with better designs, but by making things "bigger, better, roomier", you defeat the purpose of a light maneuverable van. And I think that's the draw for the young crowd.

Yes, makes sense. I have similar opinion, but view large 21-foot ProMaster vans almost like a tiny Class A, except with advantages of OEM design and build quality.

ProMaster vans have about 50% more volume than my Extended Ford E-350, yet are only 1 foot longer, so it would be a huge upgrade in space for us. I’m just hoping the new 9-speed makes the vans drive better than old 6-speed, and that they are less prone to problems.

I can see the appeal of a go-anywhere camper for couples who are not too large or travel with children. As we get older, I still like the versatility of a van even though we have to sacrifice space compared to smallest As and Cs. A new motorhome would need to shrink to size of a Winnebago EKKO before I would seriously consider not having a van camper.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I think its a combo of many reasons. "Tiny Houses" are cool by the younger generation, uncertainty of future fuel costs, quality of the average Class A front end/dash/components, space availability in national parks and a more general purpose vehicle that can be broke down in minutes ans used as a "day cruiser" with the ability to park in most places cars can. Once we tame the Wild, Wild West in 2022 we will downsize seriously but not to the extent of a no-slide van camper...probably something like Bob has or a tad larger...as long as nothing inside is convertible (having to fold beds for sofas, dinettes for seating, wet baths, etc. I love the monster we have ow but it sure has it's challenges in tight places and small spaces...especially when pulling the car hauler.

[MJC62]

We went from tent to a Coachman class B in the early 90's. It was a huge step up from sleeping on an air mattress. And like so many others in our age group we progressed up the RV ladder over the years, owning a couple different Class C's. Now we are into a small A for the first time. Would I downsize back to a camper van? In my mid 60's now I would have to say no. Though I am impressed at how far B's have come since our Coachman the room in our ACE would make getting that small again a deal breaker for us.

[HMCSW]

20s: slept on sand, mud, and rocks: corpsman with Marines
30s: tent with our little girl then to a tent trailer
40's: Back on the ground with Mountain Search and Rescue
60s: RV with room to not shower sitting on the toilet and space for grandkids, and two dogs.We enjoyed every phase and really enjoying what our Class A provides even though it is only 35ft.

[chunker21]

We largely have a bunch of old farts, and fartettes, trying to figure what and how the much younger generations are thinking. Lost cause. Some of us who now can claim to "elevated old fart" status, now are downsizing, getting away from the 40'++ DP and towable to smaller C/Super C or towable for our travels. Full timers will likely and largely still be in the go large crowd but trippers, week or month long, are going shorter. Short has a limit for us obviously and a B, while cute, ain't happening.

The younger and newer entries, talking people here, into the RV world are totally unpredictable and just as many who upsize will "outsize", get out of camping altogether. VRBO and equivalent lets them go different places without the mess and work of an RV. Move in ready with no work, no preparation.

[Bob Denman]

For us: the 25'7" Class C is the ideal size.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

For us: the 25'7" Class C is the ideal size.

I though so too but that quickly grew to 33'.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by chunker21

....cut.... VRBO and equivalent lets them go different places without the mess and work of an RV. Move in ready with no work, no preparation.

No work and no preparation sounds good to me also. Always has. If I wanted to spend my free time fixing problems and doing maintenance, I wouldn’t have retired early.

That’s also one of the reasons I prefer the smallest and simplest motorhome that can get the job done. While all motorhomes require work, a simple well-built van that can also serve as a second or third car, parked at home and driven regularly, means it can be ready for a trip within a moment’s notice.

In my opinion present van options are nearly perfect in size for our needs, with exception that they could be a little wider.

[Jimbo56]

Had a 1981 Ford customized van by Bivouac 4 captains chairs, jack knife sofa in back. A sink that carried 5 gallons and worked with a hand pump. Emptied on the ground. And a 2 cu ft ice box. I traveled all over the US in that over 2 years. Oh, I forgot…a 5 inch 12 volt B&W TV set. Just like the All in the Family theme…Those we’re the days.

[JamieGeek]

There are sooo many #vanlife youtube channels with mid-20-something, lower-30-something couples in their van campers (some self-built). I'm sure they are inspiring others to go out and do the same.

Many of them full time or semi-full time it (something I don't think I could do in that little bit of space).

[Chance]

Yeah, and for those who like the “kit” approach, why not start with a blank canvas instead of painting over someone else’s mess?
.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Chance

Yeah, and for those who like the “kit” approach, why not start with a blank canvas instead of painting over someone else’s mess?
.

Because most of the younger types who get these are the move in ready type and don't want to modify anything. Same as for housing, no desire to personalize it or remodel it. Those things take time and effort and the electronic game/look it up on google crowd doesn't have the will for that.

[MJC62]

Originally Posted by Chance

Yeah, and for those who like the “kit” approach, why not start with a blank canvas instead of painting over someone else’s mess?
.

40 years ago, 60 lbs ago and before I met Arthur that idea would be appealing. Now I will stick to maintaining and upgrading someone else's design!

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by MJC62

40 years ago, 60 lbs ago and before I met Arthur that idea would be appealing. Now I will stick to maintaining and upgrading someone else's design!

The oldfartasaurus crowd, to which I belong, had and have imagination and desires to make it ours and not just a generic version. I'm past the severe or significant remodel stage, but I do upgrade and change things around to fit us better.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by MJC62

40 years ago, 60 lbs ago and before I met Arthur that idea would be appealing. Now I will stick to maintaining and upgrading someone else's design!

X 2!