You want to venture into the great outdoors and enjoy some of what mother nature has to offer, right?
But how to do it? Tent or Campervan?
The tent vs. camper debate is one that rages hotly, and the truth is, there is no clear right or wrong answer.
As with everything, a lot of it comes down to personal preference, your values and personality type. And that’s before we even get started on the practical pros and cons. For example, my boyfriend, anti-consumer and shunner of all things materialistic, is a bushman at heart and will not be seen dead in a campervan. I’m not quite that extreme, but we share the same basic tenets. We go camping for the simplicity, getting closer to nature and getting away from the conveniences of civilization. We love our Marmot Crane Creek Backpacking tent!
In fact, part of the reason I love camping is because coming home again to the conveniences of modern life makes me appreciate them so much more. After a week in a tent in all kinds of weather, I get really, really excited about putting everything in the washing machine and having a hot shower, then curling up in a bed with clean sheets to watch a movie with a hot chocolate.
This became so obvious to my boyfriend that he even went as far as saying “do you just go camping so that you can enjoy coming home again?” But no, I definitely love getting back to basics and sleeping in the wilderness with just a thin piece of fabric between me and the huge sky. It feels natural and it’s revitalizing.
But let’s get to the real debate at hand.
You’ll know already whether you’re like my boyfriend and I and have an obvious preference, or whether you’re more on the fence. So, for those of you still trying to decide, let’s take an honest look at the pros and cons of tents and campers. I’ve taken a look at the main factors involved and given some serious thought to how things stack up.
These factors are: weather, convenience, your style of travel, and of course, money.
All of these factors, except for money which is undeniably in favor of tent camping, come down to what you prioritize. One person’s idea of convenience might be quite different from another person’s. But I’m going to try and lay it out there pretty evenly and then you can decide!
Weather
Weather is a biggie, and I put it first because it’s not just a preference, it’s a safety thing. Depending on where you plan to camp, the weather might be a deal breaker.
Tent camping in good weather is an absolute dream. You get a natural breeze and views of the stars through the mesh windows. It’s simply unbeatable.
But when the weather is dubious, the worse the weather, the better the gear you’re going to need. This costs money and takes a bit of research in order to choose the right gear and understand how to use it correctly to keep you safe, warm and dry.
If you’re willing to invest a little, it is possible to be very comfortable in a tent in the most extreme conditions. My boyfriend and I survived a month in Iceland in our tent and we weathered all sorts of storms with no serious discomfort. I’d even go as far as saying that I enjoy listening to sound of the rain on our tent. It feels cozy!
On the other hand, weather doesn’t really make any difference to a campervan. You can be just as warm and dry inside as you would be at home. Things might be a little stuffy and hot in the summer, but in the winter, depending on what level of comfort you require, the camper may win this round.
Convenience
This really is a matter of opinion.
Campervan devotees claim that being able to climb straight into your camper without having to set up a tent in the wind or rain at midnight is all the convenience they need to win this debate. I’ll admit, they have a point. But it’s not a deal breaker.
Tents arguably take longer to set up, but only a little longer. My boyfriend and I can set up our tent in under 2 minutes no matter what the weather is doing. It just takes a little practice.
With a camper you have the facilities to cook the same way you would at home, drink a fridge-chilled beer and have a hot shower before going to bed. If you like things really fancy, the bed may have electric blankets and a satellite TV on the opposite wall.
But, depending on the size of your campervan, you may have to pack the bed away in order to make space for the table when it comes time to cook and dine. Things can get cluttered and chaotic very quickly, especially if there are more than 2 people in the van.
In a tent, you will most likely choose to cook more simple food, ie. with fewer pots. But it will be just as hot, easy to prepare, and taste just as good. DIY beer coolers include a nearby stream or rock pool if you’re by the sea. And who needs a TV when you’ve got mother nature in all her glory to enjoy?
Size-wise, tent camping isn’t necessary any different from vanning it. There are some pretty mighty tents out there, some with space to stand up and walk around that may even be bigger than a camper van. Some canvas tents are stove compatible and insulate very well against the weather so you can be warm and dry for a lot less money. And, you won’t need to pack your bed away to cook by your tent.
Finally, a campervan is going to take up space in your driveway when not is use while most tents are small, light and easy to pack into the boot of a car or your backpack. And then, when not in use, they can tuck neatly into a cupboard at home.
Style of Travel
This is actually probably the main thing to consider, as this is where logic as opposed to personal preference comes into play.
Campervans are made for a life on the road. They are designed to not need campsite facilities, and to be able to park up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere for a different sunset every night. If you’re going to be staying in a campsite all week and going off for day trips, a camper is not going to be your friend as you’ll have to pack everything up each time you leave and drive the whole thing with you.
[I also think it looks a little silly to have a fully self-contained camper van hooked up to a power supply, paying for a spot in a campsite for bathroom and kitchen facilities that it isn’t going to need. But that’s just me.]A tent on the other had can be pitched and left quite happily to sit for a week in a campsite while you go off on day trips and explore the surrounds. There are usually many more tent sites available at campsites than campervan sites so you’ll be more guaranteed a spot, and tent sites are often cheaper than campervan sites too.
Finally, tents give you the flexibility of being able to hike into more remote places that vehicles wouldn’t be able to access, giving you privacy and more natural experience.
Money
This is one area where the tent wins, no matter which points are raised.
Tents don’t need safety or emissions tests, fuel, insurance, or maintenance. With all those costs considered along with the initial investment, some people estimate that their campervan may cost more than staying in a hotel for the amount they use it.
A campervan is a huge investment which might make you feel pressured to use it to make it a worthwhile investment. This may mean you end up being restricted to trips that are suitable for a campervans because you want to make use of it.
I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t want that kind of pressure.
With a reasonably affordable tent, I won’t feel pressured to use it a certain number of times to get my money’s worth. If it’s sitting in the cupboard for a half a year, I probably won’t mind as much as the expensive campervan that is taking up space in the driveway and depreciating in value every day.
Summary
In conclusion, it really comes down to two things: comfort and money. Campervans are obviously going to be more comfortable in bad weather, and come with some more conveniences and luxuries. But they are also a whole lot more expensive in the long run. If you can afford it, and comfort is your priority, then the campervan wins. If you’d rather save your $$$ and appreciate the simplicity of camping, then a tent wins hands down.
From The Website Operator
Thanks Anna (The Author) for a great article and thank you guys for reading. If you are interested in tents go ahead and look around the website! However, if you are more interested in a CamperVan for its luxuries go to Simplevanguide.com. This newer website is going to be about the journeys I take and more importantly the information on campervans. I first teach about the expenses, and other aspects when just starting out camping in a van. P.S. That’s my van in the picture!