Overland, Van, or RV – which camper is right for you?
Overland, Van, or RV – which camper is right for you?
If you’re looking to hit the open road in BC this summer, there are a variety of different rental cars, accommodations, or all-in-one experiences you can book.
Personally, we think having a state-of the art camping set up opens up the more options for your adventure. From getting off the grid, to sleeping where you park, avoiding pricy hotels – a road trip is the best! Here, we’re breaking down the different types of campers you can rent in Canada, and the pros and cons they come with.
Overland Vehicles
Overland campers come in a few different shapes and sizes. Most builds feature either a pick-up truck, jeep, or otherwise off-road capable SUV. Sleeping options also vary, but most have a roof-top tent attached to them.
Overland vehicles provide the most luxurious experience possible, but it still feels like camping. Roof-top tents are much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and they can be set up and taken down in a minute or two. Most overland vehicles also have an ideal cooking set up. Typically, cabinets are built into overland vehicles, making it easy to pull out your camp stove, plug in a portable fridge, and more.
Off-road driving capabilities are also a huge plus. Overland vehicles typically have very high ground clearance, allowing them to easily skirt through backcountry logging roads, rock crawl, and more. Whenever you’re in an overland vehicle, RV renters will often look at you in envy as you climb up a logging road their vehicle couldn’t ever ascend!
One concession with overland vehicles is running water and toilets. While some of the other options have these built in, the more nimble, off-road overland design doesn’t allow for it. You’ll have to make the most of campground toilets and showers. An dip in an alpine lake is also great way to clean off.
Luxury Vans
Van life. This trend blew up with help from Instagram and the COVID pandemic, and it has become a popular option among renters today. Typically, you’ll see a few different cargo vans available in the market. Ford Transit Vans are typically the most popular. Ram 1500 Promasters are also noteworthy as they offer the most space for a custom van build.
Van builds are noteworthy for being the most luxurious out there. This varies on the provider, but you’ll often find cozy queen beds, wifi, and kitchen set ups that rival studio apartments. Composting toilets and showers are harder to squeeze into vans, but you may find an option that has one.
In a van, you can also go stealth mode. From the outside, these vans typically look like a simple cargo van. Renters will take advantage of this to park in residential areas, mountain towns, or even right in city centers.
Most vans aren’t set up to drive on unpaved roads, making hike access difficult in BC. Ground clearance is typically 6 or 7 inches, so you’re confining yourself mainly to national parks and other popular areas in a van.
It’s also a different experience. While in-van wifi and showers are great, you may find it’s harder to get off the grid traveling in a van. There are better optinos if you’re looking to disconnect on your trip.
RVs
This has been the classic, longest-tenured vehicle rental option for campers and adventurers. RVs typically provide everything you need to feel like you’re living at home while on the road. Kitchens, beds, toilets, showers, it’s all in there.
These are a great option for groups of 5+ people. None of the other vehicles on this list can accommodate that many people, so for a big family, reunion, etc, RVs will be your best bet.
Our team’s a bit challenged to not be biased on RVs. They have some major problems for BC adventuring, and they’re a bit of an outdated set up.
The first issue is gas mileage. You’re looking at 25-30 litres per 100km, or only about 8-9 mpg. Gas can get pricey in BC summers, so you’re looking at several hundred dollars of additional gas spend. Vans and Overland vehicles typically are more around 10-12 litres per 100km, or 20 mpg.
Off-road capabilities are the other issue. Most RVs aren’t built to be taken off of unpaved modes, and many rental companies will prohibit you entirely from going off roads. As with luxury vans, you’re limiting where you can drive and potential adventures.
In spite of those limitations, RVs are also typically the priciest vehicles out there. Many end up being well over $400 per day.
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