What is The Best Camping Shelter? Camper Vans Or Camping tents

Camping. Camping tips. A shelter for camping.

We’re back to a very familiar topic again. People go out for camping all the time because it is a widely popular activity, an activity that can be enjoyed both by adults and kids alike. This is especially why camping might be the perfect thing for you to do when you want a family gathering or a romantic getaway with your partner, or even some time alone to self-reflect.

I have already disclosed my love for camping in a previous post. The one about the ultimate tips to get you quite ahead in the world of camping. If you haven’t checked that one out already, I’m telling you it’s a really helpful one. Go check it out fast!

And now we all know about camping, at least the basic procedures involved as well as the whole concept behind it. There is however a modern problem with this old answer to peace. What is it, you ask? Well, it’s nothing other than what do you go camping in? What’s the ultimate camping shelter?

Yup, you’ve finally begun to understand what it is that we’re trying to figure out in this post. (Though, I’m pretty sure that all of you must have known by reading the title.) We’re trying to find out the best mode of shelter while out camping. Would it be a camper van or the good, old fashioned tent? Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s find out.

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Camper Vans

Camper vans are becoming highly popular among campers now. It seems such a cozy shelter for camping purposes. It’s now used by people who are just beginners in camping as well as old people who would prefer a bit of comfort even when they’re trying to rough it out with nature.

Camper vans also reduce the amount of work we have to do in setting up our tents and makes everything easily available to us. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors without any of the risks of being out in the wilderness.

If you own one, you’re already prepared for all future camping trips. And even if you don’t own a camper van, you can rent a good one within the price range of $100 to $200.

We just checked out a few sites for you to be able to rent them:

North America (US and Canada)
Europe
India
Australia

1. Pros

Camper vans are great because most of them fit in the tent spaces on campgrounds. They can even travel more to find those really secluded areas. Also the fact that you can drive and park it anywhere is surely fun.
This also means that you don’t have to worry about not finding a place to set up tent because even if everywhere is full, you can park your van on the side of some road.
Also, you don’t have to worry about setting up a tent or the trouble that goes along with it.
You are protected from any aggressive wildlife or unhygienic conditions. You also have quite a shelter with regard to any natural elements, like too much or too little wind, rain, etc.
It’s also better in terms of comfort as well as storage. You don’t have to sleep on the ground and let’s face it, a mattress is always better. Plus, everything is easily found. You don’t have to carry around any of the equipment you currently have.
There’s even a tiny kitchen inside most camper vans, although I must say that those small spaces are best not used for heavy cooking. This leads to having your own sink, which means you can wash those dishes yourself and not get into too much trouble.
Most camper vans have solar-powered refrigerators which is always a good thing. It keeps your food fresh and cool, and you don’t need to carry that enormous cooler.
Camper vans are also equipped with bathrooms and although we advise you to not use it often, it’s always great in case of emergencies.
A camper van is also better for longer periods of camping.

2. Cons

They are perfect for a small group but not those exceeding 5 people.
Camper vans are top-heavy and so you can’t turn them too quickly.
Not only that, camper vans are best suited for places with more road travel. It isn’t very adaptable to other types of camping grounds.
You need constant access to water as well as dumping grounds. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to fill or empty the tanks and you’ll end up not being able to use the bathroom or kitchen in your vans.
Let’s not forget that you’ll still have to pay for your gas.
And on official campgrounds, they usually rent their places to RVs so you would have to pay more for a spot.
The total expense you have keeps rising as you also have to pay for storage, maintenance, registration, and sometimes insurance.

Tent Camping

Many would say that tent camping is the essence of camping. If you mention camping, the first thing I’d think of is a row of tents all glowing in the night under the stars. Okay, that’s a bit too much but I’m being honest. It does seem like the well tried and tested shelter for camping out.

Tent camping is also the perfect way for you to bond with your family. You can learn about the benefits of some good time out in nature. It’s indeed the perfect way to self-reflect as you sit and hear the flow of a stream nearby or feel the breeze on your cheek.

1. Pros

Tents can be taken anywhere and can be set up anywhere too.
They can also be stored quite easily when you’re back at home. It’s easy to store away your tent because we can dismantle them and fold them.
They are also allowed on any campsite whereas some places do not admit camper vans, RVs, and motorhomes.
There are various sizes of tents and it can be used to contain from families of 12 to single occupants.
If you’re using your own equipment too, it’s very cheap to camp in tents than in camper vans.
As for equipment, even if you do set out to get the best equipment ever, it won’t cost as much as all the expenses with regard to camper vans.
There isn’t a high level of maintenance required. You can just air the tent before you leave the campsite.
A tent also forces you to bring only the minimum essential which means that you won’t have a lot of bother with storage.
Not only that, it’s definitely a reprieve from technology and makes you more attuned to nature.
And this is not something I need to even mention specifically but camping by tent gives the whole trip more of the feel of camping.

2. Cons

Sleeping on the ground at a campsite can be not only uncomfortable and damp but downright painful. It can be a particular problem to your neck and back.
The hardest part of tent camping is the setup. It’s time-consuming. It can also take time to take down your equipment and set it up.
Another difficult part of tent camping is cooking. You would have to resort to bringing food that doesn’t need to be cooked. Or you’d have to know to cook them over a good fire (A solar stove is a good option too).
Washing dishes is a problem too. You don’t have a sink so you’ll have to make do with the specific conditions on the campsite.
The weather is the biggest downside to tent camping. I mean, if you’re lucky, you might have a good day and can go home happy. But the weather is known to give a few surprises every now and then. If it’s too windy or if it rains, you have no immediate refuge.
It also is of no use against bugs, mosquitoes, and any other little disturbances while camping.
Extreme cold or hot weather can also be a problem.
And some sites are good for handicapped people, but tent camping isn’t generally great for specially-abled people.

So Which Camping Shelter Is It?

Now we’re going to let you in onto something. We really don’t prefer any one over the other. Each camping shelter seems perfect in their own ways. Camper vans are perfect for a bit of comfort and convenience even out in the woods. Tents are perfect for the traditional camping experience, the one that makes you feel all fulfilled inside. So, it’s pretty much up to you to decide which it is that you want to use.

Both have their pros and cons like you can see. So, check which of those are acceptable to you and which are not. And then go ahead with your camping plans.

Now if you have loved any of these camping tips that we’ve mentioned and have found them useful or if you know any more that you’d like to recommend to us, feel free to tell us through email or the comment section below. We would love to interact and know more about you.