Why you should rent a campervan before buying!
Owning a campervan has become an increasingly attractive solution for the housing crisis we are experiencing here in Canada. People are trying to find alternative ways to live and what better way than purchasing a campervan! However, investing in a living solution that you may not enjoy, be able to maintain, or cope with alternative arrangements can be a daunting prospect. I get many inquiries and bookings that solve this exact problem! It is RENTING a campervan prior to buying and let me explain why.
Q Campervans first rental build Henry enjoying the sunset near Kamloops.
Short-term expense, long-term peace of mind
The first point to consider is money. Depending on the type of van you are looking to purchase, the investment capital required can significantly vary. However, if you are looking to comfortably live in a van with similar amenities as an apartment, it will not be cheap. A used high roof van like a sprinter/transit will almost always exceed $50,000-60,000 CAD and that is on the extreme low end. Some can easily exceed $100,000 CAD. A quality, low-roof van will be at least $20,000 and can range as high as $50,000. Vehicle mileage and its year of manufacturing plays a huge part in its value as well. Is it really worth purchasing a van and paying taxes on it when you are not even sure if you will enjoy Vanlife??? In most cases, renting a campervan is a relatively cheap expense to pay in return for peace of mind and confidence that you will enjoy living in a van year round/long-term.
Marvin enjoying the ocean-front view!
What amenities/features do you want?
Obviously, the first thing to consider revolves around the monetary aspect of the investment, but close behind is figuring out what you want in your van! Imagine going from a rental unit or house where there is wifi + utilities, full kitchen, A/C and more… to a van that doesn’t have everything you need to live comfortably. Depending on whether you buy a van or order a custom conversion, renting first allows you to discover what amenities and functions you require and what you don’t. Amenities like a diesel heater, A/C, shower and toilet, electrical system, fridge, wifi, sink, oven, storage, and cooktops are important things to consider when looking for a campervan. All these things add to the cost of the van. By renting first you can discover what are your specific needs/wants, then apply it to your search of a campervan.
Imagine waking up to this view every morning!
Mental/Physical transition
Next, it is important to discover if you can mentally/physically handle the transition! If you are looking to live alone in a campervan and previously had roommates/family around, it may feel isolated. I have heard of people feeling very lonely when in a small space without much social interaction. Furthermore, being alone in a van may cause anxiety about security and safe parking. If you are moving in a van with your partner, pet, or friend… the opposite is true. You may feel overwhelmed from the constant presence of another person. Also, a van is more physically demanding. Depending on the type of van you get, moving around in the smaller quarters may be more difficult than an apartment/house. Getting into the van, on the bed, cooking, and cleaning may require slightly more movement! These reasons make it even more important to rent a van and experience Van-life before making a big decision to buy.
Our 2nd Campervan rental build “Fred” in Banff National Park.
Maintenance and Labour Costs
It is important to consider maintenance costs and labour. Although you might save on rent… other costs of maintaining a van may come into play. Because living in a campervan is "niche”, it’s not as easy to find people to repair/replace campervan conversions. Oil changes, insurance, electrical inspections, utility checks, and part replacement may add to the costs. You may find yourself doing a lot of the labour yourself. It makes it more complicated when you buy a 2nd hand van and don’t know how they assembled it. Some van builds cut corners to save on the costs of their vans, so its important to not just buy the “cheapest” option. Just make sure you thoroughly inspect the van’s quality and try your best to buy from a reputable source. Although this point has less to do with renting before buying, Q Campervans is happy to answer questions about our builds to help assist in your purchase. Also, be on the lookout for some of our vans for sale in the future!
Lenny is always ready for new renters!
Connections and Advice
Lastly, when you rent a van from Q Campervans or a private owner, you are able to have genuine conversation that may help you come to a final decision. Quennel (owner of Q Campervans) is always willing to talk before, during, and after your trip about the rental campervan, your prospective van, or a van you’ve purchased. By messaging on Instagram, call/text, and email we hope to assist you. However, do be mindful if you don’t rent from us, it’s not very much fun from our end to be a constant source information to you, without being a customer first. If you would like to contact us please click here. If you would like to book a campervan for rent click here.
