People have been ditching the traditional way of living and going on holiday for years, and living in a campervan is one of the options people pick.
In 2021, Motor Connect reported an estimated 225,000 campervans and motorhomes were on the road in the UK. They also estimated that around 4000 of these vehicles are sold every year.
But are campervans still going to be popular in 2024? The answer is yes! Here’s why we know people will still be buying and using campervans in 2024.
1. The ‘Van Life’ movement continues to rise in popularity
The Van Life movement mainly consists of young outdoor enthusiasts who want the freedom to travel while living a more basic, wholesome lifestyle. It’s like being on a permanent holiday!
The Van Life community is inclusive and promotes responsible living, sustainability, and practical, minimal living conditions. And most importantly, Van Lifers create unforgettable memories and experiences that will stay with them forever.
Campervans are cheaper when compared to traditional living methods like owning or renting a house. While a new campervan or motorhome can cost £50-60,000 upwards, a converted van can cost as little as £10,000. Although it’s wise to spend more if living in the vehicle is the end goal.
2. Staycations are here to stay!
The rise in the popularity of staycations during the pandemic made people realise there’s plenty of beauty and adventure to experience in the UK, and driving a van into mainland Europe isn’t out of the question with proper cover.
Staycations allow campervan owners to reduce the cost of their holidays, cut out long journeys, meet up with friends and family, avoid any animal care and have more flexibility over the time of the holiday.
3. Working from home takes on a new form
Factor in that most people can now work remotely with a stable internet connection, and living out of a van doesn’t sound as daunting as it would have done before the pandemic hit the UK.
Most people can use a dongle to get a decent connection as long as they aren’t in the middle of nowhere, and most can perform most tasks that require a connection.
4. It’s a potential income stream
While most people own a campervan to use it themselves, some people rent out their van to other campers. Hiring a van is also a great way to get a taster, whether buying for conversion or a holiday.
A van can get £100+ a night, but that requires a regular stream of customers to make a living. Even renting it out now and again is some extra cash. However, there are costs like insurance, commission fees from rental sites and damage and repairs.
5. Campervans can hold their value
Not every campervan will hold its value, but if a van is well-maintained, there’s a good chance it will resell. Vintage and modified campervans are particularly well-known for holding value as they often have a personal touch that most vehicles don’t. It’s even possible to make a profit on a campervan.
Increasing the value of a campervan requires regular maintenance and updates to all parts of the van. It also pays to focus on amenities like solar panels, coffee machines, roof vents and TVs while avoiding gimmicks. Wasted space is a true crime in the campervan world!
6. They look cool!
While the look of a campervan should never be the only reason for buying, it does play a (huge) part. While VW Camper created the epitome of campervan cool, people are customising all types of vans in 2023, and the results are astounding.
Who wouldn’t feel cool driving around in their own compact mobile home? The level of customisation achievable with a converted camper is endless, and people are coming up with new modifications every day. New models look great, although they come at a premium price.
7. Doubles as an everyday vehicle
While a motorhome isn’t for everyday driving, campervans are different, especially converted vans. Converted vans served a purpose before they became campervans, usually, a mixture of motorway, city, town and country driving.
It makes them ideal for use as an everyday vehicle as they’re suited to all-terrain and they’re a lot easier to manoeuvre than a motorhome. While they’re bigger than most cars and will take more fuel, it’s a cheaper option than having an extra car.
8. There are plenty of ways to buy
There are plenty of ways to buy a campervan, such as buying a new van, buying a secondhand van or converting a van. Each method comes with its pros, cons and price point.
Buying new is the most expensive, but buying options will usually be flexible, and the van will have the most longevity. Buying a second-hand van is the cheapest way to get on the road, and vans sell for as little as £10,000.
The middle-of-the-road option is converting a van. Van conversions are usually done by a specialist. And for a decent conversion, it’ll cost about £20,000 (not including the cost of the van). Van conversions are popular among Van Lifers as they offer customisation options.
Are you ready to join the campervan community in 2024?
If you’re thinking of owning a campervan in 2024, a great decision. However, there’s a long way to go yet. Firstly, you need to decide what type of campervan you need. Read the following blogs to determine what type of campervan is best for your budget and lifestyle.
