Table of Contents Show
Have you thought about RVing but don’t have the budget to spend $25,000 on a trailer? Or are you anti-traditional and want to explore the outdoors more uniquely? If you have a tight budget or a flair for the unorthodox, you can still create your own portable space to get you outdoors. Today, we’re diving into RV alternatives that could save money and allow you to build a custom layout that best suits your needs and wants. Let’s learn more!
What Are RV Alternatives?
RV alternatives are any type of vehicle that doesn’t fall under the traditional categories for RVing. Usually, the conventional categories include travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, tent campers, truck campers, and motorhomes.
Popular mainline brands like Forest River, Grand Design, Winnebago, Tiffin, Entegra, Keystone, Airstream, and others are generally what you see at local campgrounds. Many RV parks won’t allow RV alternatives like skoolies or car camping.
Who Are RV Alternatives For?
RV alternatives are for people who don’t want to RV the traditional way. They may want more connection with the outdoors, or they may enjoy more off-road adventures. People who want to build their RV or seek more budget-friendly options may also prefer RV alternatives.
For example, a cargo trailer will be much cheaper than a travel trailer. You’ll save a lot of money if you have the knowledge, skills, and tools to create your own space inside a cargo trailer. If you’re a DIY adventurer, you’ll also enjoy the process and appreciate the finished product more.
7 Popular RV Alternatives To Still Enjoy the Outdoors
We’ve come up with a list of seven popular RV alternatives. These are as varied as the campers who own them. Someone who enjoys truck bed camping isn’t necessarily going to want a van conversion, just like someone who prefers a towable RV might not like owning a motorhome. Let’s look at each RV alternative in more detail.
School Bus Conversions
A school bus conversion, also known as a skoolie, probably takes the most time out of all of these options. It offers the largest interior space once all of the seats are removed. However, owners must replace the floor, build out cabinets, install plumbing lines, add insulation, create a kitchen, and all the other features they want in their conversion. It’s a long process but an ideal RV alternative for families or couples looking to travel on a budget.
Van Conversions
Like a school bus conversion, a van conversion takes a vehicle that isn’t designed to be an RV and transforms it into a livable space. Owners typically find a cheap cargo van that offers an empty shell. They can create a small interior space that suits their travel needs.
Some people will include a kitchen, while others will utilize the space more for storage and sleep. These van conversions are best for solo travelers or couples because of the small interior. This RV alternative is much cheaper than Class B camper vans, which can range from $150,000-250,000. You can find used van conversions at Vanlife Trader or speak to outdoor enthusiasts about your own build at ExploreVan X.
Pro Tip: If you’re thinking about getting a van converted, be sure to read How to Find Reputable Van Conversion Companies before biting the bullet financially.
Cargo Trailer Conversions
Instead of choosing a cargo van, you can also find a cargo trailer. Although, you’ll need a vehicle capable of towing the loaded trailer. This can be an added cost if you don’t already own the right vehicle.
Like a skoolie and van conversion, owners have a blank slate to create exactly what they want for their adventures. Include everything you need and nothing you don’t have at a budget you can afford.
Motorcycle Campers
A motorcycle camper is one of the most lightweight options on our list of RV alternatives. Travelers who enjoy adventuring together will love the ease of motorcycle camping. Each person has their own sleeping space and storage in the small pull-behind trailer.
Plus, when it’s time for a scenic drive, you can drop your trailer at a campsite or dispersed camping location and hit the open road with your friends. These trailers are compact with few amenities, so they’re ideal for minimalists who are more interested in biking and hanging out with friends than being inside their trailer.
Truck Bed Camping
Truck bed camping doesn’t include truck campers. Those are traditional RVs. Instead, truck bed camping includes tents, shells, or platforms in the truck bed. One example is The Wedge prototype for the Tesla Cybertruck.
You could also simply put a mattress in the truck bed and cover the space with a camper shell. Pack a portable camp stove and a cooler, and you’re set to enjoy the outdoors for a weekend.
Overlander
Another RV alternative that’s ideal for adventurers who want to get off the beaten path and enjoy off-road and off-grid travel is overlanding. You’ll need a vehicle with off-road capabilities, but you’ll need very little else. For example, Land Rovers and Jeeps are some of the best options for this type of camping.
The self-reliant nature of overlanding means you have few amenities. You travel to enjoy the journey and not necessarily to visit a particular destination. Some people overland for months at a time in some of the most remote places in the world.
Car Camping
Finally, car camping is similar to overlanding, except you don’t need a particular vehicle. You can take a Toyota Camry to a national forest and sleep in your car. It’s also similar to truck bed camping because you use your primary vehicle as an outdoor bedroom. This is the most affordable RV alternative since you can use your vehicle. You also don’t have to have any special skills to convert the space.
Tesla has embraced this RV alternative with the “Camp Mode,” which provides a climate-controlled interior all night. Tentsla is a Kickstarter project specially created for Model Y. It attaches a tent to extend the outdoor space, creating a sleeping space for about four people.
Are Alternative RV Options Expensive?
Depending on the work you put into your conversion or how much you pay for the school bus, van, cargo trailer, or tow vehicle, RV alternatives can be the cheapest or most expensive way to get into nature. A school bus conversion will likely cost tens of thousands of dollars. But truck bed camping may cost you just a few hundred bucks.
Compared to traditional RVing, these alternatives will be cheaper because you’re not paying for more than what you need. Not everyone needs a fifth wheel outfitted with washer and dryer hookups, solid surface countertops, and two sofas. If you’re a minimalist, these RV alternatives suit your style better. Building your own space is satisfying and more cost-effective if you’re a DIYer.
RV Alternatives Help More Outdoor Enthusiasts Explore Nature
If you love the outdoors but don’t have the budget to buy a travel trailer, you’re not out of luck. There are also options if you don’t want to invest in a new vehicle that can tow a traditional camper. Consider these RV alternatives to help you connect with nature and escape the daily grind. Whether it’s converting a space or rethinking a space you already have, you can start traveling more often, hitting the trailheads, and taking those scenic drives.
Do you know anyone who prefers one of these RV alternatives?
