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If you’re a true adventurer who cannot wait to return to travelling the world again, it’s likely that you’re always on the lookout for ways to travel for less.. After all, reducing your overall spending means that you can set aside money for future travels or even extend the length of your vacation. For decades, road trips or camping holidays have been considered a much cheaper way to travel the world, as they mean you can forgo expenses such as flights and hotels. They also provide you with a great sense of freedom, as you get to be in control of every aspect of your journey.
However, purchasing or hiring a camper van/caravan can be incredibly expensive – unless you’re willing to try out a bit of DIY. In fact, there are plenty of ways in which you can turn any regular van into the perfect holiday home on wheels.
Here’s how to get started!
Find the right van. The first step towards creating your own four-wheeled holiday home is finding the right van. While there are plenty of options to choose from, Vauxhall vans are usually a popular choice as they are easy to drive and spacious, meaning you can make room for all of the holiday-home necessities inside the vehicle. When purchasing your van, ensure you take some time to consider all of your options, checking out both local dealerships and online sellers. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price a little as this could help you get a better deal. Alternatively, you could also cut the cofotorsts down by purchasing the van second-hand.
Think about what you need inside the van. Once you’ve purchased your vehicle, you can begin to get a little more specific with your renovation plans. For example, you should write down a list of everything you would like to have within your van. This could include:
- A bed (Double/single)
- Seating area (A place to relax in the evenings)
- Dining area (A place to eat and prepare food)
- Storage units (For clothes and belongings)
- A workspace (For those working on the go).
While it may seem impossible to fit all of these places into a single van, being a little creative can help ensure you have plenty of space left to spare. For example, your dining area could also serve as an excellent workspace, and you can use collapsible tables and chairs to make more room during the day. Take careful measurements of the space (being as specific as possible) and play around with different floor plans and designs. Here is a great example to get you started!
Source your materials second hand. Once you’ve decided on the layout of your van, it’s time to buy your furniture and materials. You can save a great deal of money during this time by purchasing items second hand from local charity stores or local online groups such as a Facebook marketplace. While they may need a little love and TLC to get them in good shape, it’s worth putting in a little extra effort if you can save some money. Once you’ve bought all of the furniture, it’s time to install it within the van. Take your time during this step, as you need to ensure everything is placed safely and securely.
Plan the perfect trip. Once your van is ready, it’s time to go – whether you will be travelling to the cheapest countries in Europe or travelling a little further afield – it’s time to put together a bucket list, get behind the wheel and see what adventures await you.
