Why We Rented the Vanlife
As an avid traveler and adventure-seeker, there are few things that excite me more than hitting the open road with a thirst for adventure and a very loose itinerary. Jordan and I spent 4 months car camping in my Subaru and absolutely loved it! But when you’re adventuring and road-tripping in a car…things can get pretty cramped.
The natural choice for more space and amenities was vanlife, but not everyone has the desire to live on the road indefinitely nor can afford to buy a home on wheels. So instead I got to thinking about what would be a more realistic option for us (and for most people) and landed on the idea of a campervan rental.
We were new at #vanlife so we wanted to go with a company that is tried and true. On our last road trip across the American West we kept seeing vans from Travellers-Autobarn, so we had to try them out for ourselves. And let me tell you, it was an experience for the record books!
Planning the Trip:
Since we wanted to spend time at National Parks in both the Southwest and the West Coast, we booked with Campervan Rental Las Vegas and booked our dropoff for the Los Angeles location! Although planning things to a tee isn’t my style, we did some light planning of the main stops we’d likely explore. This is what our original plan looked like:
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Sequoia National Park
STOP: I know this seems like an ambitious list, but I’M TELLING YOU WITH A VAN YOU CAN DO SO MUCH! You don’t have to unpack and repack at different hotels. You don’t have to spend forever deciding which restaurants sound good or have the best reviews and then drive to and from them. You can go to the grocery store and stock up on your favorite home meals and literally cook them in the van. Forget running back to the hotel because you forgot something; everything is with you anywhere you drive! Plus you can stay at campsites and BLM land so that you don’t need to wait in those long traffic queues outside the National Parks and destinations.
But perhaps the best thing about renting a campervan from Travellers Autobarn is the freedom to be flexible. We could explore at our own pace and on our own terms. No need to worry about making it to the next hotel or catching the next train – everything we needed was with us! And, oh yea, when we ran into a blizzard in Utah, this really came in handy because we could just head to California for warmer weather.
Travellers Autobarn's campervans are not only affordable, but they also come equipped with a range of features that make adventuring even more enjoyable. The campervans are designed to be comfortable and convenient while you're on the road. You can enjoy the convenience of a microwave and fridge, so you can cook up your favorite meals and keep your drinks cold without having to rely on expensive restaurants or fast food joints. And with a solar panel, you can rest easy knowing that you'll always have enough power to keep your fridge running and your devices charged, even if you're off the grid for a few days.
Features of the Van
There are several options to choose from when reserving your van, but we went with the Kuga model because we wanted to experience that “Stand up in your home on wheels” lifestyle. The Kuga Campervan we rented had a full assortment of amenities that felt like luxuries when out in the wilderness. I'll break down each of them by category.
Kitchen Setup
If you have ever tent or car camped, you've probably fumbled with a pocket stove or a clamshell propane burner. You know what it's like kneeling down and washing your dishes in a tub or carrying them all over to community camp sink. With the campervan we were relieved to have a built in propane tank, two burner stove, a sink with an electric pump, and we will certainly not forget the mini fridge or the counter space. Needless to say, the kitchen setup was a game changer.
Sleep Setup
Perhaps one of the most convenient features of the campervans is the convertible bed. With just a few simple steps, you can transform the seating area into a comfortable bed for two, so you can rest up and recharge for the next day's adventures. And when you're ready to hit the road again, the bed easily converts back into a seating area, complete with a table space for eating or working on your laptop. The bed feels surprisingly big for sleeping in a vehicle and was certainly an upgrade from my Subaru setup!
Storage Space
Adventuring and travel in general means taking the right gear with you. But usually it also requires compromising because space is at a premium. Having the van meant we could pack so much more gear, cameras, laptops, clothes, and even the fun things that you usually have to do without when you pack for vacation! There's so much storage in the Kuga including
- The overhead compartment (we used this as a "closet")
- Bench storage on both sides
- The "attic" space above the bed
- Trunk space and an optional "garage" when in bed mode
Utilities
This probably doesn't come to mind as naturally, but humans use a lot of resources. When you're at home, you forget that water in the sink has to come from somewhere, it has to go somewhere, and you need electricity for, well...everything. Out on the road, those comforts really come in handy. The Kuga takes care of that with:
- Roof mounted solar panel
- Shore Power outlet to hook up to get unlimited electricity at available sites
- Integrated propane tank
- Fresh Water Tank
- Undermounted Grey Water Tank (to store waste water)
- LED Lights (A huge upgrade from fumbling in the dark with headlamps or struggling to read a book after sunset)
- Electrical outlet to charge your laptop, phone, or other gadgets
The Bottom Line
But what makes Travellers Autobarn stand out from the competition? For starters, their customer service is top-notch. Whether you're a seasoned road tripper or a first-time camper, you’ll not only get the answers you need from them, but you’ll feel like friends by the end of the conversation–that’s my type of company!
But perhaps the biggest selling point of renting a campervan from Travellers Autobarn is the cost. They’re the best value I’ve found in campervan rentals and it’s even more of a bargain when you consider the money saved by being able to cook your own meals, not needing to pay for hotels, and not needing to rent a car since everything is wrapped up in one.
If you want more adventure in your life, renting a campervan is one of the best ways to find that spark of fun you're craving! I can't say everyone should live the #vanlife but you should definitely live the #vanliferental if your goal is to go from Wanderlust to checking off bucket list adventures! After all, life is short!
Where to Get Started?
If you’re looking for a Campervan Rental USA Travellers-Autobarn has locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco!
They’re also available for campervan hire in Australia as well as campervan hire in New Zealand, so if you’re booking a trip to either place know that I’m jealous and be sure to book with Travellers-Autobarn because it will be the time of your life!
