Ever thought about leaving your regular life behind for a while and hitting the road for a serious adventure? There are a few things you’ll need in advance if you want to do so safely. In addition to keeping your wits about you while you traverse the roads, say Sacramento car accident attorneys Black & DePaoli, you’ll also need a vehicle that’s fit for long journeys.
In this case, what you’re after is a camper van fit for the rigors of extended highway travel. Thankfully, this is something that you can DIY — converting an old van into the perfect machine, but you’ll need to make sure you start smart. Here are a few tips that will help you find the right starting vehicle to transform into a glorious road-camping machine.
Consider Your Budget
Perhaps the greatest limiting factor in your search for the right van is the amount of money you have to spend. Once you’ve calculated your figure, stick to it in your search, and keep in mind additional monetary factors — like resale value — to help you determine which potential vehicles will be of the greatest worth to you.
Factor In Maintenance
The last thing you need is for a faulty vehicle to land you in trouble on the road, says San Francisco wrongful death attorney Dan Rose. Whatever vehicle you buy for your camper conversion, you’ll want to make sure that it’s in good condition and that you’ll be able to handle any maintenance or repair work that comes up down the line.
In addition to making a difference in the safety and reliability of your vehicle, maintenance and repairs play a big role in how much you’ll be spending on your camper van conversion in the long run. If you can handle repairs for yourself, for instance, you’ll be saving yourself some money. If you can’t however, you’ll be shelling out plenty more money to mechanic.
Don’t Forget Your Destination
Depending on where you’re going and how much you plan to take, you’ll have different size requirements and necessary attributes for your motorhome. Your destination will also play a factor in how well your converted van can handle different types of conditions on the road (and off) so be sure to take all that into consideration as you whittle away at your options.
You might want to ask yourself a few questions to help narrow your search — like the climate of the area you’ll be traveling in or whether or not you’ll be going offroad. Don’t forget to take all these factors into consideration, and be sure to keep reading to find inspiration for your camper conversion and guides on how to do it right.