Choosing or renting a camper van: length, height, weight and what to check

When choosing a camper van, most people first read the number of berths and the equipment list. In daily use, three measurements matter more: length, height and weight. They decide whether the vehicle fits a parking space, a multi-storey car park or an old-town lane, and whether an ordinary car licence is enough. This article sets out the choice for beginners in Europe and the United States and deliberately leaves out brand and model comparisons.

Body type: panel van, high roof, pop-top

A panel van conversion is a delivery van fitted out as a camper. Pincamp calls panel vans the original form of the motorhome and relatively inexpensive, and says modern ones already offer the main equipment such as shower, toilet and beds for two, whereas semi-integrated motorhomes suit up to four people. In the United States the equivalent is the Class B. Outdoorsy gives 18 to 24 ft in length (about 5.5 to 7.3 m), room for two or three people, a small kitchen and usually a compact wet bath in which toilet and shower share the same tight space.

There are two ways to deal with the roof. A high roof needs no set-up and, according to a British advice article, is insulated and weatherproof, needs less maintenance than a pop-top and suits all-year use; the same article notes that factory-built high roofs can feel cramped for people over about 1.75 m (5 ft 9). The price is a taller vehicle that is less aerodynamic and uses more fuel, and car parks with a height barrier stay closed to it. A pop-top keeps the vehicle lower while driving and adds a sleeping space above, for example for children or adults. A companion article from the same site lists the drawbacks as a fragile fabric roof that is weather resistant rather than weatherproof, higher costs for installation and upkeep, and difficulty staying warm in winter. Anyone buying used should check fabric, seals and mechanism closely.

Length and height

Length shapes everyday life. Short vans can usually be parked like a large car and steered through narrow lanes, while long ones need more planning. Pincamp points out that vehicles up to 6 m long and 3.5 t can save on tolls and ferry fares, because tariffs are often graded by length and weight. The split into short, medium and long is not standardised, so the data sheet of the actual vehicle is what counts. Anyone heading mainly for old towns and coastal villages will drive more calmly in the shorter vehicle. That is a rule of thumb, not a fixed limit.

Height is often underestimated. Height barriers at car parks and multi-storey car parks can be as low as two metres. A newspaper report from Sussex in England mentions a two-metre barrier at a park-and-ride site and a two-metre limit at a recycling centre, where a camper 2.3 m tall was turned away. Every car park sets its own limit, so two metres is a guideline and not a rule. According to the advice article mentioned above, a pop-top that stays down while driving is likely to fit under most barriers, depending on the roof rack. Add roof boxes, aerials and solar panels to the figure and write the exact height where you can see it in the cab.

Weight, payload and licence

In Europe, TÜV Nord states that a category B licence is enough for motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes. This refers to the maximum permitted mass in the vehicle papers, not the empty weight. Many camper vans sit at this limit, and payload there is often restricted, according to TÜV. Payload is the difference between the maximum permitted mass and the weight of the vehicle ready to drive; passengers, water, gas, bicycles, luggage and food use it up quickly. When renting or buying, ask for the payload of the actual vehicle and work out whether your group fits within it. A heavier vehicle needs a higher licence category.

Sleeping, kitchen, bathroom

As a guide for beds, Pincamp gives at least 60 cm of height above the bed and a double bed of at least 190 by 135 cm. Also ask whether the bed stays made up or has to be converted from the seating every evening. Check as well whether a kitchen with a fridge is built in and whether there is a toilet or even a shower. Compact wet baths with toilet and shower in one room are typical of US Class B vans according to Outdoorsy; in European vans the bathroom equipment varies, so check what is on board.

For winter, Pincamp lists an insulated or heated waste water tank and heated exterior mirrors as useful features. Add a heater that works and a water system that does not freeze. Many rental vehicles are set up for summer, so ask explicitly about winter suitability.

New, used or rented

When renting, look at the items the daily rate leaves out. TÜV Nord says 250 kilometres per day are often included, and extra kilometres cost up to 40 cents or more. Rental vehicles are fully comprehensively and liability insured, and the excess is usually between 750 and 1,500 euros. A deposit is usual; ask about the amount and when it is returned. A filled gas bottle is part of the basic equipment according to TÜV; ask how replacement or refilling works. At handover, bodywork, interior, equipment, mileage and fuel level are recorded. Photos of the condition help if questions come up at return.

For purchases, Pincamp recommends buying used mainly to experienced buyers. Take a test drive and have the vehicle checked for leaks, because damp in the body is an expensive problem. Ask to see service records and invoices, and check payload and maximum permitted mass in the registration document, since later conversion may have changed the weight.

The trial weekend

Pincamp advises renting a motorhome before buying to find out whether camping in one is the right kind of holiday at all. A weekend is enough for the essentials: making up the bed, cooking in the rain, parking, refuelling, filling water and using the toilet. If possible, rent the type you would buy later, with the same length and the same roof. Afterwards, write down what annoyed you and what worked better than expected.

Sources

• Wohnmobil mieten: Tipps, Kosten und Anleitung (TÜV Nord)
• Sorry, your campervan is too tall for our car parks (Sussex Express)
• Mit diesen Tipps kaufst du dein perfektes Wohnmobil (Pincamp)
• Choosing the right campervan, part two: the pros and cons of high tops (Trust a Garage)
• Choosing the right campervan, part one: the pros and cons of pop tops (Trust a Garage)
• Class A vs Class B vs Class C RV: which should you rent? (Outdoorsy)