Your first van
Choose a van for the trips you actually want
It is easy to start with a favourite make and then try to squeeze your whole holiday into it. A more useful first step is to picture an ordinary day away: where you will sleep, where you will sit if it rains, and what you want to carry. That gives the van search a purpose.
1. Picture a normal weekend
Write a short wish list in everyday language: two people sleeping comfortably, somewhere for wet coats, space for a dog, or room for bikes. Separate the things you need from the things that would simply be nice.
Think about the facilities you expect to use. A campsite weekend and several nights away from services can lead to different water, toilet, storage and power requirements. CamperSteps keeps those trip plans separate so you can explore the one closest to your intentions.
2. Choose the space before the badge
A small van may suit a simple sleeping setup and a vehicle that still has another job during the week. A larger van gives you more room to investigate fixed furniture, but the extra floor space still has to work around doors, wheel arches and the shape of the body.
Low roofs deserve a separate thought. Being able to sit comfortably is different from being able to stand. Do not assume a drawing of a bed and a cupboard also promises comfortable headroom above them.
3. Use model dimensions to narrow the shortlist
You do not need to measure every candidate to begin. Choose the correct make, model, brochure year, length and roof in the size comparison. Approximate dimensions are useful for deciding which vans deserve a closer look.
Read the dimension labels as well as the numbers. Maximum width is not necessarily the width beside the wheel arches or at mattress height. Floor length may also differ from the space available higher up. Allow room for the floor, insulation and lining as the plan becomes more detailed.
An older van is a valid starting point. CamperSteps includes dated older-van size references, but a comparison entry does not mean a complete matching planner is available for that exact van. Keep its year and body details with your notes.
4. Try the ordinary movements
Before committing to a layout, imagine getting dressed, reaching a bag and getting out with the bed in use. If you can inspect a suitable van, use temporary markers or cardboard to explore furniture footprints. Check at the intended furniture heights rather than relying only on the floor rectangle.
A used van's condition also needs its own assessment. Space planning cannot tell you whether a particular vehicle is a sound purchase. Leave room in your buying decision for an independent inspection, repair questions and the actual vehicle's carrying limits.
5. Keep the first plan changeable
The aim of your first plan is a sensible shortlist, not a final cutting list. Save the options you prefer, compare the trade-offs, and refine the details before spending on fitted items. It is much easier to move a shape on a plan than a finished cabinet.
Take this with you
Choose the space that supports your usual trip. Start with approximate model dimensions, then check the actual van before buying fitted materials.
Start my van plan →