Why not a trailer
I explored three options. Vans, trailers, and truck bed campers. I quickly ruled out trailers as most trail heads only have single parking spaces, not enough room for a trailer. I didn't want my dog sitting alone in a trailer at a distant campsite while I rode; some of the campsites, like state parks, could be half an hour to 45 minutes away from the trail I was riding. Leaving him for a few hours in a well-insulated, air-conditioned camper, parked on or near the trail seemed like the safest, smartest solution.
Why I Didn't Choose a Van
As great as vans are, the biggest deal-breaker for me was cost. A new Sprinter van starts at around $72,000 — before you even build anything inside it. Sure, I could have gone with a used one, but I’ve always preferred buying new and keeping my vehicles in top shape.
Then there’s the ongoing expense. Here in Virginia, the personal property tax alone would run close to $300 a month. My insurance company also told me that, even with other vehicles as my primary drivers, adding a van would bump my insurance by about $250 a month. That means even if I bought the van outright, I’d still be on the hook for roughly $550 every month — just to own it.
And honestly, that’s just not how I want to spend my semi-retirement. I’d rather focus my time and energy on traveling, exploring, and building than working extra hours just to cover unnecessary overhead.
A Van would have been nice though!
Vans really do have some great features, and one of the biggest perks is their stealth factor. As long as you don’t load your rig up with flashy overland gear, a van can blend right in almost anywhere. That makes it ideal for stealth camping — especially if you find yourself in a fun town with great restaurants. Instead of driving after a big meal and a couple of drinks, you can simply park on the street or tuck into a quiet lot, slip into the back, and call it a night.
There are also a lot of practical design details that make vans easy to live with. The sliding side door and low step height make getting in and out a breeze — and if you travel with dogs, older pets will especially appreciate how simple it is.
And then there’s the peace-of-mind factor. Because the cab and living space are directly connected, you can hop into the driver’s seat in seconds if you ever need to move quickly. That built-in security is a big reason many people love traveling by van.
