Camper Van vs. Trailer vs. RV: What We’ve Learned (and Loved) From Each One
Trying to decide between a camper van, travel trailer, or Class A RV?
We’ve owned (and gutted) all three — and we’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t) for real-world road trips. Here’s our story, and everything we’ve figured out so far.
In 2020, like everyone else, we needed a way out of the house. We could only sit still for so long. We’d always talked about getting a camper van — and when Billy came into our life, we knew he was meant to be ours. Billy was an old cargo van that a friend of Anne’s had renovated (and named). It was BEAUTIFUL — but not exactly set up for two people. So we gutted it. Like, all the way down to the metal. Then we built it back up from scratch.I loved so much about that project... but fuck, it was a lot of work. Billy brought us on some amazing adventures. And it was on our first trip with him that we made the goal of visiting all of the National Parks.
Fast forward a couple years — and 1 Doug Dog later — we realized we needed more space. So we bought our first bumper pull camper. It was perfect for us at the time: a bed, a little dinette, and a bathroom. We towed it with the van for a while before deciding it was time for an SUV. We had some great trips in that little camper, but we never really traveled far with it.
About a year later (give or take), I did what I always do and sprung it on Anne that I wanted to buy an older Class A RV. And let me tell you... this is when I fell in LOVE with Class A’s. Like… why doesn’t everyone love these things?! They are SO GREAT.
So, if you’re trying to figure out what kind of camper setup is right for you, here’s my honest breakdown of the pros and cons of each.
From top to bottom: When we first got Billy (before, if you will), during the remodel, COMPLETED remodel, Billy in his natural habitat (you know, advanturing!)
🚐 Camper Van: Pros & Cons
✅ All your shit is with you
✅ It’s cozy, and you can reach everything from the center of the van
✅ Small enough to park almost anywhere and drive on narrow roads
✅ Great for stealth camping — people rarely realize you're sleeping inside
✅ Fits in most standard parking spaces, even in cities
❌ All your shit is with you 😅
❌ It’s tiny — you have to pack strategically, and we couldn’t even stand up in ours
❌ Loud AF — it’s a cargo van, so every rattle and hum drove me nuts (Anne didn’t care though)
❌ Less comfortable for long-term travel if you like to sprawl or need separate spaces
🛻 Travel Trailer Pros & Cons (Bumper Pull)
✅ You can unhook and go explore without bringing your whole house
✅ All your space is actually used for living (no cockpit taking up room)
✅ Cheaper to buy/maintain since it doesn’t have an engine
✅ Easier to trade in or upgrade since there are tons of size/layout options
✅ Ideal for weekend camping or shorter RV trips
❌ If you forget something inside, you have to stop and go get it
❌ You have no clue what’s happening in there while you're towing
❌ Backing up is a whole-ass experience. Not a fun one
❌ Can be hard to maneuver in tight spaces like gas stations or campsites
🚌 Class A RV: What We Love & What’s Tough
✅ You can bring ALL your shit. No sacrifice necessary
✅ You can move around while driving (ok, the passenger can — not self-driving... yet)
✅ Surprisingly smooth on the road, and the cockpit chairs SWIVEL into your living room!
✅ Easier to back up than a trailer (which honestly shocked me)
✅ Feels more like a home than a vehicle — tons of storage and usable space
✅ Great for full-time RV living or longer travel
❌ It’s massive, so you're limited on parking and tight roads
❌ You’ll need a second mode of transportation once you're at your destination
❌ Limited visibility when driving (especially backing up or navigating gas stations)
❌ Huge gas hog — fueling up hurts both emotionally and financially
Top photo is our 2019 Forest River Camper, second photo is out 1991 Winnebago. (Finding photos for this post makes me realize I need more pics of our cutie RV)
The bottom line? You’ve gotta figure out what matters most to you. For us (ok, mostly me), space is everything. I want somewhere to sit that isn’t the bed. I want to bring what I want — not just what I need. And honestly? One of the best parts of the RV is something I think most people wouldn’t expect: Backing it up is SO. MUCH. EASIER. than a trailer. Like, wildly easier. I’d take that perk alone over half the features of a trailer. Also, the fact that someone can get up and make a snack while we’re driving down the road? That’s a level of travel joy I didn’t know I needed.
Anyway, adventuring in (or with) any kind of camper is so fucking great. If you ever get the chance to hit the road — even just once — take it. It’s worth it. And when you get to do it with your best friend and the love of your life? Even a tent would feel like home.
Until next time,
❤️ Krissy
🧭 Your Turn
Thinking about hitting the road but not sure what kind of camper is right for you?
Drop your questions in the comments or tell us what you’re leaning toward — we LOVE talking about this stuff.