Van vs. Bus
Trying to decide on a Van Conversion or Bus Conversion?
There are a number of factors to consider (and you've probably been over them). Let's make sure you haven't missed any important ones!
1. Number Of Passengers
This is a big one! Are you going to be flying solo, or are you planning an epic trip with friends? You could imagine that a converted cargo van could get tight with any more than two people. Sprinter Van conversions offer the potential for an extra row of removable seating, so this could accomodate a small family or group of friends. In this scenerio, you have to remember that if you plan on having a good amount of storage, you probably will only have room to sleep two adults. This isn't an issue if you pack a tent or equip your rig with a roof top tent!
If you plan on having a group of 4+ people, then it's time to start considering a bus! A bus offers great headroom, tons of storage, and ability to customize sleeping for the number of people you plan on roadtripping with. These beds can be solid state (stay as beds or bunks) or act as couches during the day, and transform into beds at night!
2. Budget
We will arrange the build options from most affordable to most expensive.
Cargo Vans: These are awesome on the budget, as you can usually find a solid cargo van for a good price. The conversion budget is completely up to your needs and wants. You can go bold, outfit completely in solar, and go for extravagant finishes.... or, you can keep it simple and functional, meant to get you and your gear to the next trail head!
Sprinter Conversion: These can be either cheaper or more expensive than a skoolie conversion. Sprinter's tend to be quite expensive to purchase, but then the space to convert is much smaller than a school bus. These build budgets completely depend on the equipment you need in your build. If you go top of the line sprinter build, you can be completely off grid with the option to cruise through the hot or freezing temps.
School Bus Conversion (skoolie): School buses have the most flexibility when it comes to budgets. They are usually relatively cheap to purchase, and can also be converted on a small budget if you're looking for a weekend travel mobile. Since a full size, 40ft skoolie, can offer a ton of space, you have the option to do a beautiful build that takes you completely off grid and becomes liveable year-round. With our spray foam insulation and heat options, you can make it through Saskatchewan winters (-40 degrees celsius and below!).
One thing to think about regarding budget, besides the purchase and conversion costs, is the amount to insure and fuel up. Buses will obviously be the thirstiest on fuel, but doesn't necessarily matter if you have a large crew travelling.
3. Full Time or Part Time
An obvious point to consider is the amount of time you're going to be spending in your conversion. If you are considering living full time in a van or sprinter, make sure you are comfortable with small spaces and minimal storage. Everybody is different when it comes to space requirements, but vanlife/buslife is all about trying new things and experiencing the world, rather than material items. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy the ammenties in life... cut down where you can, but don't be afraid to enjoy the items that make you happy. Don't listen to anyone else, find out what you need, experiment living without certain things, and keep searching for your perfect mix of minimilism and luxury.
As always, we want to hear your travel stories and how you make vanlife/buslife work! Your experiences will help others relate and possibly make their difficult decisions easy!
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