Camper vans and the van life.
Like anything, it has its ups and downs.
Whether you're a fan of a solid foundation or a firm believer in not being tied down,
one thing that can't be argued against is the freedom of the open road.
I'm Reacher.
Unless you're thumbing it down the pavement trail, you're gonna need a solid ride.
With that in mind, we're bringing you 10 Camper Vans for the drive down the long highway to everywhere.
Number 10
French company Citroën is celebrating 100 years in the business with the release of
The Citroënist Concept, which is a modified version of their SpaceTourer van.
They chose to go off the beaten track with the design by incorporating a digitally supported
multimedia center into the traditional camper van layout.
Although it still looks like any other camper van from the outside, the cost of doing so,
in terms of features at least, was a removal of the kitchen.
There's still a bed that sleeps two located in the pop-top roof.
And there's an outdoor shower located under the liftgate.
Add in the dual bike carrier beside the tandem back seats and you've got transportation for
those places the van just won't go.
Number 9
If you think having a catchy name for your company and product doesn't help sales, then
pay attention to this one.
German-based Clever Vans has been producing its "Celebration" model going on four years,
and it's already one of the most widely sold vans in Europe.
This is due to a low starting price and an optimal layout that has features found in
vans both larger and costlier.
The lounge has room to seat four people utilizing an extendable table and the rotating captain's
chairs.
Behind this is an enclosed wet bath with a rotating cassette toilet.
Directly opposite is a small kitchenette having a dual-burner cooker, sink, and refrigerator.
The back of the van has an east to west configured double bed with a large storage space underneath.
Number 8
Germany's Westfalia does offer off-road options, albeit as a package to their existing vans,
with the one seen here based on the Amundsen 540 D.
Built on the Fiat Ducato chassis, it runs on the short side, measuring just 18 feet
long and 7 feet wide.
It still manages to include all of the much-needed features having a dinette that seats four.
The kitchenette sits adjacent to the sliding door having a dual-burner cooker, sink, and
a 65-liter refrigerator that can be accessed from the outside.
The wet bath sits opposite, having a stainless-steel sink and a rotating toilet for a bit of extra
space.
A full-size transverse bed takes up the rear of the van, having storage space underneath
as well as room for a bicycle or two.
An extra bed can be had by converting the dinette to a sleeper if needed.
Along with the four wheel drive system and rugged decor, the 4x4 package includes a bike
carrier that mounts on the back and a roof-rack cabable of holding any other necessary gear.
Number 7
Another German company doing van conversions is La Strada.
Their newest endeavor is the Avanti H Plus built on a Fiat chassis.
It was released earlier this year as a big brother to the original Avanti H, offering
the same layout, just 15 inches longer.
This added space comes in the form of a rear garage area complete with removable shelving
and plenty of cubby holes.
Inside there's plenty of room to maneuver due to the lack of a standard rear bed.
Instead, a drop-down bed is located in the front, accessed via a stowaway ladder.
The dinette has space to seat four people using the captain's chairs and the extendable
table.
Behind this is a 138-liter refrigerator sitting opposite of a small kitchenette.
Another advantage to the raised bed design is a larger bathroom having the toilet and
sink separate from the shower area.
I'm Allie, and it's Minds Eye Trivia time.
By looking at just these images, do you know what this is and where it's from?
Leave the correct answer or your best guess in the comment section below.
Number 6
Germany's PÖSSL Mobile has announced its new 2020 line-up.
This includes the Summit Prime Series, which are upgraded versions of the original Summit
camper vans.
Having three models to choose from, they range in length from 18 to 21 feet and offer a similar
layout with only minor differences.
Each one has a front lounge/dinette that can comfortably seat four people using the extendable
table.
A large sunroof directly above this provides plenty of light, along with the sky roof,
which can open as well.
The kitchenette sits along the passenger side, having a dual-burner cooker, sink, and an
80-liter fridge/freezer that opens from either side.
The two bigger models also have a slide-out pantry.
Sleeping options include a full-size bed in an east to west configuration or a set of
twin beds that can be connected with an insert.
Number 5
Stylevan is another one that falls into the conversion van category, with the Equinox
IV being one of the many models offered by the French company.
Although the layout is standard, it's also modular, which provides the freedom to move
components as needed.
The rear seats being an example as they can be folded up and stored on their side, creating
plenty of extra space for when there are fewer people.
The lounge can seat four people, utilizing a removable table for dining.
A small kitchenette sits opposite having a dual-burner cooktop and sink, along with a
50-liter refrigerator.
Bathroom facilities are extremely limited on this one having a portable hideaway toilet
and an external hot & cold shower that can be mounted to the rear hatch.
The back of the van has a full-size transverse bed with a large storage compartment underneath.
The pop-up roof provides space for another full-size sleeper in addition to the extra
standing room.
Number 4
German-based Kompanja builds their vans on the French-made Renault Trafic.
This may seem odd, but the company chose it based on added space for the pop-up roof,
which provides an extra 6 inches for the width of the bed.
Down below, rails in the floor provide a modular set-up, which allows the versatility of using
the vehicle for passengers, cargo, or as a camper.
The standard layout has the kitchen in the door offering the ability to use it from the
inside or outside.
Two individual rear seats fold down, creating a space large enough for a queen bed, which
can extend over the tailgate.
Underneath the fold-up bed is plenty of space for gear and cargo, along with a slide-out
having multiple removable storage containers.
Number 3
This special edition by German-based Hymer is called the Blue Evolution.
And that's another one that falls into the catchy name category.
Built on a Fiat chassis almost 20 feet long, it's basically a themed-out, Free 600 model.
But don't let that downplay anything as the black accents against the metallic blue paint
are nothing short of eye-catching.
Four people can dine in the lounge area using the table, which has a swing-out extension.
A small kitchenette sits opposite this along the passenger side wall, having a glass-covered
cooker and sink as well as a 90-liter refrigerator.
Moving back finds a wet bath with a rotating cassette toilet and a faucet that doubles
as the showerhead, allowing it to be used outside if needed.
A fold-up double bed in the back provides sleeping room for two people with space for
two more up in the pop-top roof.
Number 2
The Club Joker, which also has the absolute coolest name, has the distinction of foregoing
the traditional rear bed layout.
The blue on black on grey decor stands out in the dinette, which can seat four.
The table is removable, allowing for this area to be converted to a single bed if necessary.
Behind this is the refrigerator, which sits across from a passenger-side kitchenette having
a dual-burner cooker and sink.
The back, driver's side corner houses a wet bath with a showerhead that can also be mounted
under the rear hatch for those closer to nature days.
The main sleeper is stowed away above the cabin of the vehicle, providing a full-size
bed with plenty of views through the large windows and sunroof.
Built on the Doblo Maxi, the 3C Multi-Camper is offered in two models.
The 3 C's in the name indicate the ability of the van to serve as a camper, car, or cargo
van due to the fully modular design.
This allows owners to customize and install components as needed for camping/van living
or to remove everything down to the bare walls and floor.
Camp when you want or use it as a regular vehicle, and haul some gear in between.
Number 1
Coming out of Canada with over 50 years of experience in the industry is Leisure Vans.
Their 2020 addition is a rear lounge layout created to mark the tenth anniversary of their
Unity line-up.
Measuring 25 feet, it's built on the new 2019 Mercedes Sprinter Cab chassis.
The focal point of the floorplan is the lounge area, which has an L-shaped sectional sofa
that includes two power recliners with built-in footrests, large windows, and a wall-mounted
TV.
Moving forward finds a centrally located, split-style bathroom with a toilet and vanity
sitting opposite of an enclosed shower.
The front of the van has the kitchenette with a sink, glass-covered cooker, a slide-out
pantry, and a refrigerator.
Sharing this space is the dinette, which has bench seats on each side.
An extendable table can be moved as needed, providing room to seat four people.
Sleeping accommodations come in the form of a full-size murphy bed in the back wall along
with the dinette seats, which convert to an extra bed as well.
And for those of you who are big fans of the clapper, the vehicle's systems can be controlled
via an app on your tablet or smartphone.