Used Camper Vans Archives

4×4 Camper Vans for Sale

If you’re looking to truly explore the open road, there’s no better way than with a 4 x 4 camper van. Instead of sticking to the highway, you can choose to take off across the beach, head up a scenic mountain and have no trouble hauling any kind of vehicle or trailer. While 4 x 4 camper vans are relatively rare, that doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck. In this guide we’ll give you a few models to keep an eye out for and what to do if you can’t find the perfect camper van with 4 x 4 capabilities already on board.

4 x 4 Camper Van Models
If you’re looking for 4 x 4 used camper vans, you’ll have fewer choices than if you don’t need 4 x 4. That said, having the ability to go off-road is definitely an asset if you want to see varied types of terrain. Here is a list of some of the popular camper vans that are available with a 4 x 4 option:

  • VW T4 Kombi Syncro 4 x 4- Not many of these were made, so if you can get your hands on one, take advantage.
  • Ford E350 Conversions – These tend to be extremely popular. The diesel engine is great for fuel economy and there are many companies that specialize in doing conversions with the E350. Note that fully tricked out vehicles are likely to set you back $65,000 – $75,000.

Expand your Options
One possibility is to look at all types of used camper vans for sale, and then add 4 x 4 capability after you’ve made your purchase. There are a number of outfits that specialize in retrofitting wheels, suspensions, breaks – the works. Granted, this method is more expensive than looking at camper vans for sale that are already equipped with 4×4 capabilities. However, 4 x 4 camper vans can be few and far between so sometimes it makes sense to pay a bit more to get exactly the right camper, and then add 4 x 4 later.

A 4 x 4 camper van truly expands your horizons. If you have the chance, spend some time test-driving 4 x 4 campers to see what you think. If you can’t find many, give a thought to renting one for a weekend trip. Also, rental outfits can be a great place to find used 4 x 4 camper vans that are being retired from rental stock. Inquire with local dealers to find out if they have any models that they will be selling. You can often get on the waiting list with rental dealers too, which can be a great way to score a vehicle that has been well maintained.

Backpacker Camper Vans: See Australia in Style

What is Backpacker?
Backpacker is the trade name of one of Australia’s top tourist companies. They operate the largest campervan and car rental company in Australia. With 11 branches in Australia and 6 in New Zealand, they’re well positioned to offer local and foreign travelers rental services. They have a fleet of over 4000 camper vans and vehicles in a wide range of categories. All of their rentals come with 24 hour roadside assistance.

Try a Rental
If you’re in the market for camper van conversions, renting for a trip or two can be a great way of trying one out before making the move to purchase. Rentals allow you to take any one of a number of different models for an extended test drive. If you just can’t decide between sprinter van conversions or a 4×4 camper van for example, renting will allow you to try both types in real-world situations. A quick 15 minute test drive at a dealer won’t tell you the same amount as a full length trip in a camper van.

If you’re not looking to buy but are just interested in visiting and seeing the natural beauty of Australia and New Zealand, there’s no better way than in your own Backpacker rental. You can pick up from one rental outlet and return to a different location for maximum flexibility.

Backpacker offers rentals in several categories:

  • Breezer (2 berth sleepervan)
  • Nomad (2 berth campervan)
  • Wanderer (2 berth with toilet & shower)
  • Warrier (4 berth)
  • 4WD (2 berth)

Great Place to Find Used Camper Vans for Sale
If you’re looking for a good quality, used camper van, Backpacker is a great place to shop. Since Backpacker has a huge fleet, they’re always upgrading their models and so have a fair number for sale at any particular time. Since they were part of a rental fleet you can expect their used camper vans to be fairly well used, but also well maintained.If you decide to purchase from Backpacker, ask to see service records and ask about known defects or deferred maintenance that will need to be performed. Backpacker does tend to keep it’s fleet for several years, so expect their used vehicles to be at least 5 years old, sometimes more. However, camper vans kept in good condition can give you many more years of service.

If you’re considering a campervan purchase or you just want to explore the beauty of Australia, consider Backpacker as a good source for information. They have reasonable rental rates (expect to pay about $600 AUD for a 1 week Nomad rental) and are happy to assist you in planning an itinerary.

5 Benefits of Small Camper Vans

Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better, particularly when it comes to camper vans. Small camper vans have several advantages over larger RV’s and motorhomes. If you’re debating on the type of camper to get, there are several benefits of small camper vans that you may not have considered.

Benefit #1: Easy to maneuver
When you own a camper van, you’ll be visiting all sorts of new places around the country. Driving in a new environment can be a challenge, particularly if you have to maneuver a huge RV or motorhome. Small camper vans have the advantage of being as easy to drive as a compact van. In fact, the VW Transporter is one of the most popular small camper vans because of it’s compact size.

Benefit #2: Lower cost
In general, small camper vans are more affordable than their larger sized counterparts. If you’re looking to find second hand camper vans for sale on a limited budget, you will have more options to choose from than if your heart were set on a larger RV or motorhome.

Benefit #3: Better gas mileage
Smaller means more fuel efficiency. With any RV, camper van or motorhome, your number one ongoing expense will be fuel costs. With a small camper van, expect to get significantly better gas mileage than you would with a larger vehicle. If you decide to buy one of the used camper vans for sale, be sure to have a mechanic give it a thorough inspection. Also ask for maintenance records and inquire about the fuel efficiency. Some older models, particularly if they haven’t been well maintained, may not get the best mileage so it’s better to find out in advance.

Benefit #4: Easier to store
Small camper vans can be stored in the average garage. There’s no need to find special parking or build a giant sized garage for the winter season. You also don’t have to worry about clearance at most drive-through windows or in parking garages built for standard sized cars, trucks and vans.

Benefit #5: Less expensive to insure
Smaller vehicles are generally less to insure since their overall value is a bit less. If you’re concerned about recurring costs like insurance and maintenance, a small camper van can help you keep your monthly expenses low.

Small camper vans are easy to maneuver, less expensive in terms of up front costs, insurance and fuel and are easier to store when not in use. In your search for the perfect camper van, why not take a look at the various small vans on the market?

General Pointers When Buying A Used Van

Used Cargo Van

When buying a used van, you’ll soon realize that there are plenty of feasible options available. On that regard, it is highly advised that you effectively scrutinize these options in order to end up with the best choice. There are generally various types of used vans that are now widely available in many automotive shops. Since there are an overwhelming option to select from, plunging into the selection process can easily become a tedious task. But with the help of this article, you can easily spot a van that will be able to satisfy your particular specifications.

Basically, your personal requirements and actual needs are the most important considerations that you have to carefully assess. It would be a good idea to become specific with your search so you can easily narrow down your choices.

To begin with, you have to determine the type van that you plan to procure. Generally, there are different types of vans circulating in the market. That being said, you have to be aware of the existing options in order to find the one that you are looking for. Some of the most commonly used types of van are as follows:

  • Microvans – They are perfect for those looking for average-size vans that can accommodate a considerable amount of cargo load. They are best used in busy city centers, tight streets, and areas with limited parking spaces. However, since they are quite small, tall drivers will definitely feel uneasy and restrained driving them. Additionally, they are not advised for those who require long trips since they have a very poor fuel economy.
  • Light Vans – Also referred as hi-cubes, they offer the same wheelbase with the car-derived vans but they are more capable of carrying loads with extra weight and volume. They are very fuel-efficient, maneuverable, and easy to drive. They are best suited for carrying small to medium loads.
  • Car-derived Vans or CDVs – These are standard-size passenger vehicles that provide efficient fuel economy and good driving dynamics. Moreover, they are excellent for town or country use. However, they are not capable of accommodating heavy loads.
  • Accessible Vans – These vans are basically designed to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs or portable scooters.
  • Large Panel Vans – These heavy-duty and high-volume workhorses come in an array of shapes and sizes. Moreover, they offer a decent fuel economy.

Of course, the type of van that you will require will greatly depend on a number of factors, including the purpose of use, and the amount of load that you need to carry.

Apart from being knowledgeable about the available options, you also have to take note of other vital factors like the van’s mechanical condition as well as its price. It is advised that you allow a professional mechanic to inspect the van, before purchasing it, to find out if it still in good running condition. Lastly, it is of the essence that your budget is well-accounted for when buying a used van so that you’ll end up with one that falls within your means.

When buying a used van, you’ll soon realize that there are plenty of feasible options available. On that regard, it is highly advised that you effectively scrutinize these options in order to end up with the best choice. There are generally various types of used vans that are now widely available in many automotive shops. Since there are an overwhelming option to select from, plunging into the selection process can easily become a tedious task. But with the help of this article, you can easily spot a van that will be able to satisfy your particular specifications.

Basically, your personal requirements and actual needs are the most important considerations that you have to carefully assess. It would be a good idea to become specific with your search so you can easily narrow down your choices.

To begin with, you have to determine the type van that you plan to procure. Generally, there are different types of vans circulating in the market. That being said, you have to be aware of the existing options in order to find the one that you are looking for. Some of the most commonly used types of van are as follows:

  • Microvans – They are perfect for those looking for average-size vans that can accommodate a considerable amount of cargo load. They are best used in busy city centers, tight streets, and areas with limited parking spaces. However, since they are quite small, tall drivers will definitely feel uneasy and restrained driving them. Additionally, they are not advised for those who require long trips since they have a very poor fuel economy.
  • Light Vans – Also referred as hi-cubes, they offer the same wheelbase with the car-derived vans but they are more capable of carrying loads with extra weight and volume. They are very fuel-efficient, maneuverable, and easy to drive. They are best suited for carrying small to medium loads.
  • Car-derived Vans or CDVs – These are standard-size passenger vehicles that provide efficient fuel economy and good driving dynamics. Moreover, they are excellent for town or country use. However, they are not capable of accommodating heavy loads.
  • Accessible Vans – These vans are basically designed to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs or portable scooters.
  • Large Panel Vans – These heavy-duty and high-volume workhorses come in an array of shapes and sizes. Moreover, they offer a decent fuel economy.

Of course, the type of van that you will require will greatly depend on a number of factors, including the purpose of use, and the amount of load that you need to carry.

Apart from being knowledgeable about the available options, you also have to take note of other vital factors like the van’s mechanical condition as well as its price. It is advised that you allow a professional mechanic to inspect the van, before purchasing it, to find out if it still in good running condition. Lastly, it is of the essence that your budget is well-accounted for when buying a used van so that you’ll end up with one that falls within your means.