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Yamero
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 3-27-2009
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Camper van more useful than motorhome?
Wife and I plan to go house-hunting (rent or buy) in Ensenada this year (btw, we don't go offroading). So this week, we'll be looking at a used
Sportsmobile Ford van with a poptop. It has a stove, 12/110V fridge, hotwater, AC, and porta-potti. The maneuverability of the park-anywhere van is a
big plus, while we fully recognize the advantages of having a large motorhome with a clean toilet/shower, particularly in Baja.
Here's a question to those who drive a camper van in Baja. When do you find it more useful than a motorhome? When do you wish you had a motorhome?
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
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I've been window shopping on craigslist just for fun. Here is a 2002 campervan with a slideout that makes for more room for the bathroom/shower. It's
expensive though.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/1108344544.html
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bajabound2005
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To go househunting for rental or buying, I'd suggest you rent a house for starters for the term of your househunting trip. Forget the motor home
and/or camper van. Find out what it's like to live where you think you want to be -maybe even the house you could end up renting long term. You'll
have a much better idea of what you're getting and if that's what you want.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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DENNIS
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Packo is showing a real good option. These vans are fine in a crowd and have all the ammenities except the space of a Class A motorhome. Another
plus is that they retain their value for resale.
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bajabound2005
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yeah, but it's $34,000. Yes, that's 3 zeroes. They can rent a NICE furnished house for three months and lose a couple of those zeroes....and not
have to register or insure it!
And it gives them a much better experience to decide if they really want to do what they think we want to do! They might decide they hate the
"camper" lifestyle over a month and write off their dream because the way they chose to go about it was all wrong.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20037
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Yamero
Wife and I plan to go house-hunting (rent or buy) in Ensenada this year (btw, we don't go offroading). So this week, we'll be looking at a used
Sportsmobile Ford van with a poptop. I |
What is your logic for getting an RV to live in while house hunting? For the price of a used sportsmobile, you can get a really nice furnished rental
for over a year in Ensenada. Get a short term rental while shopping for your home.
if you are not into offroading, you probably don't need a sportsmobile.
Living in a trailer park in Ensenada doesn't sound like a fun way to house hunt.
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bajabound2005
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I second the goat's idea! Been there, done that!
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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wiltonh
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Registered: 2-2-2007
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The original question is about the differences between a van and a motorhome and that is a question I can shed some light on. I just returned from 3
months camping in a van in Southern Baja. My van is a Roadtrek 190P if you care to look it up.
I have traveled the full length of baja in both a camper van and a full sized class A motorhome. Here is my list of pluses and minuses.
Pluses for a motorhome:
If you plan to spend lots of time camping where the weather is not all that good then a motorhome works well as you have space to spread out and live.
I do not go to Baja to spend time inside but others do.
Most motorhomes have a full inside shower and larger tanks and more propane which translates to not having to move as often if you are camped in a
remote area.
If you have more than two people or pets, a motorhome gives you extra beds and space.
A full sized motorhome can have more room for toys. I put 3 sailboards/sails/booms, bicycle and a motorcycle on my van but you probably could have a
lot more stuff in a full size motorhome.
Pluses for a van:
Many places on Highway 1 are quite narrow. Most large motorhomes carry an extra set of driver side mirrors because they match the height of truck
mirrors and get broken. A van on the other hand is usually a little lower and not as wide which makes navigation on narrow roads much easier.
Parking is much easier with a van such as I have. It will fit in a standard parking slot at a store where as a full size motorhome will take up
several spaces or you will have to park some distance from the store.
A van can be used as everyday transportation if needed.
The gas mileage on a full size class A is probably 4 to 6 miles per gallon. The gas mileage on my van, at say 55mph, is closer to 14mpg.
My van has both an inside shower and an outside shower. In Baja where it is quite dry the inside shower works but you still get a lot of moisture
inside the van. We have an outside shower that we use when camped for more than a night or two. There is 5 gallons of hot water and that seems to be
enough for two people.
My van has a third option for the refrigerator. It can also run off propane. I like this a lot as it is fairly easy to get propane in Baja. I run
the refrigerator and the stove off propane and if I get a good fill, it can last 6 weeks. In this mode, I heat my water with solar rather than
propane.
My unit has a king size bed in the back with shower in the hall and a toilet in the closet. It has a 2 burner cook top, microwave, refrigerator,
house air conditioning and floor furnace. The only thing we are missing is an oven. I have added 60 watts of solar so we were able to run a laptop
about 3 hours per day without the use of a generator.
Now for a few comments on prices and manufactures. The price will always seem high on a van as the manufactures say it takes more labor to put all
that stuff in such a small space.
Many Sportsmobile models are 4X4 and this raises the price. If you are not doing off roading then this might be an option you can skip. That will
save you a bunch of money. I would take a look at Roadtrek, Pleasureway, and some of the other van conversion companies before I chose a
Sportsmobile. They often do not come with a 3 way refrigerator and I think that is important.
Having done the trip to Cabo in both a Class A and a van, I prefer the van.
Wilton
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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but the question is not the right one...
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Yamero
Check your u2u
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
but the question is not the right one... |
Darn, so 42 is not a good answer? 
Back on topic, having driven a van and RV (15,000 miles in 3 months once!) I'd much prefer to drive/park the van over the RV any day.
If your just going to drive someplace and sit in one place for an extened period, the RV wins hands down EXCEPT you can often get to
nicer/cheaper/freer places by the van. Your going to need an extra vehicle with any RV as parking/driving in town is a nightmare.
All that being said. I agree whole heatedly with the posters above that you are better off renting a place and then taking a smaller car around to
find your dream home. It's easier to park, less to worry about, and way cheaper. Plus, you won't have a big RV clogging up the nice view once you do
settle down.
My answer, is: Van. However; I think you really should re-examine the whole question and consider a long term rental.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
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Registered: 11-7-2006
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The gild on the lily
Sunset Magazine or some other font of sage advice says to rent and live in an area one year to know if its truly the place for you as one's
perceptions change over time as the newness wears off and the seasons change.
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Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
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Although probably not answering the question and risking going off topic, I am finding this thread very interesting.
We have been driving our 91 Westy to Baja since 2003 and also use it in British Columbia for camping. We have gone thru several engines and now are
needing some body work due to rust. It has served us very well and we have owned VW vans since '77.
We have a home in TS but still enjoy going to new places and hope to do more... agua verde was the trip this year.
I am thinking I would like a little more comfort and room and have been wanting to try a truck and camper, mi esposo is quite reluctant and feels
losing the van would be a huge mistake.
Although we would never consider a motor home... interesting to hear the thoughts about the vans.
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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The pros and cons of Vans vs Motorhomes have been presented well here. The choice depends on your needs. For Baja I think smaller is better.
Considering a Sportsmobile for your situation (not going offroad) is probably going to cost you needless money. They are very nice rigs but are
primarly designed for hardcore offroad use, and the price reflects that.
Recently I was at an RV show and saw many "vans" built on The Sprinter chasis. They are built by Chrysler using a Mercedes drive train (diesel).
The choices are many and they deliver better fuel economy than their gas competitors. I would look at these is you are considering a Van.
Ken
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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It's hard to beat a slide in camper for economy. Typically, (I know, not always) a motorhome or camper van spends most of it's life parked at the
house taking up space, costing money for insurance etc., and depreciating. My truck is my daily driver so it is always utilized. It is a "real truck"
so I can take the camper places that it shouldn't be. It only takes an hour or so to put the camper on or take it off, the camper doesn't take up much
room at the house and isn't insured unless it's on the truck. It also has taken a tremendous baja beating and is still working great.
I know it's not for everyone but it makes sense for my needs.
Extra credit if you can name the location....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dtbushpilot
I know it's not for everyone but it makes sense for my needs.
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It would cover my needs as well. Nice looking rig.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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Here's a southern Hybrid.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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Sweeeeeeettttt!....I want one.....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Udo
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Ey Yamero:
I have traveled the entire peninsula since 1966. Drove a Jeep, pulled a trailer with it, rode a Goldwing, towed a fifth wheel, drove a truck with
camper, three different motorhomes of varying lengths (the longest being 36'), drove a couple of SUV's, three Subarus, and an 89 VW Westfalia. We now
have a 45' motorhome and are looking forward to using it in Baja. However, the best time we have had so far has been in the Westfalia. Sleeps 4. It is
easy to get around with and park anywhere. Used sunshowers, portapotties, and roofracks to house kayaks. Great gas mileage (20+ MPG). Although we now
have the Westy for sale after rebuilding the engine and new clutch. It has been a terrific cult car!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Fred
Senior Nomad
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I would not trade my 79 Westfalia for anything. Goes where I want it to go and besides there are some great campgrounds and beaches in Baja.
Fred
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