After deciding to buy a campervan, it only takes a little research to realise that they are a substantial investment. Obviously, there are two ends of the scale, and a brand-new model is going to be significantly more expensive than a second hand one with high mileage. There are many factors that will affect the price and, as with anything, it’s usually the more expensive options that are more worthwhile. We take a look at some of the reasons why campervans are so expensive.
Six Reasons Why Campervan are So Expensive
Reasons why campervans are so expensive are generally to do with how they are made and when they are bought. Some things to keep in mind when contemplating the price of a campervan include the following:
1. The labour costs to build are campervan are high
One significant reason why campervans are so expensive is simply because they are expensive to build. Unlike for regular vehicles, which are primarily built by machines, campervans require more of the skills and artisanship of humans to build them.
Much of the interior is fit by hand, from kitchen cabinets and other furniture to the carpeting or laminate flooring. Not to mention the plumbing in of kitchen and toilet appliances. It’s these additional fittings that cause a campervan to take longer to build than an ordinary vehicle.
2. Campervan amenities are expensive to source and fit
While the base of most campervans will be sourced from regular vans, it’s the addition of its amenities that hikes up the price. Everything from the toilet and kitchen fittings to the bed and storage areas cost money to buy and fit. Don’t forget there’s not only the cost of materials to cover, but also the cost of additional labour.
3. Added extras or customisation cost more
As with most vehicles, when you buy a new campervan it’s usually possible to make requests for customisations or additional features. These, of course, will cost more – often significantly so. Examples of this could be:
- Different flooring – you may be given the option to have laminate flooring fit instead of carpet, or vice-versa.
- Additional storage space – it might be possible to request more storage areas that would not be fit as standard, such as overhead shelves or cupboards.
- Appliance choices – some manufacturers may also offer different options when it comes to kitchen fittings, and premium brands will bump up the cost.
- Solar panels – while solar panels can provide a helpful power source and may actually lead to savings overall, to supply and fit them will cost the customer more.
Other features could be similar to those of an ordinary vehicle, such as choosing your seat material, or other dealership add-ons such as tyre cover.
4. Campervans need to be made with heavy-duty parts
Campervans need to safely support heavy materials, such as furniture and kitchen appliances, as well as a number of passengers. This weight means that campervans need to be built with heavy-duty parts such as large engines, heavier suspension, and hard-wearing tyres. All these parts cost more to buy, compared to those used in many other vehicles.
5. The make and model make a difference
As with any vehicle, the make and model of a campervan will also impact its cost. VW campers are notoriously expensive, largely because they are so popular. The Volkswagen brand became synonymous with campervan in the 1960s and 70s, when ‘hippies’ travelled across the world in them. Since then, VW have released many more campervan models, but the original style remains one of the most expensive. This is in no small part due to the romanticised image people have of camping in a VW.
6. Supply and demand have a significant impact on price
Another factor that plays a big part of the cost of a campervan is the supply and demand circumstances at the time of purchase. Before 2020, campervans in the UK would be more expensive at the start of the summer, and less so at the end of the season, simply because more people were in the market.
Now, however, since the spread of COVID-19, campervan prices have risen in price drastically. This is because of the increase in ‘stay-cationers;’ more people want to buy campervans to holiday in the UK, because it’s become more complicated to travel abroad. For the near future it’s thought that the impact of COVID-19 on the campervan and motorhome market will be significant.
Buying a second-hand campervan
A less expensive way to acquire a campervan is to opt for a second-hand one. These can still be pricey, but there are many more factors that will impact this. It’s up to the buyer to decide how much each of the determining factors matters to them:
- Year of manufacture
- Mileage
- Work carried out
- Service history
- Exterior damage (scratches and dents)
- Interior damage (is it mechanically sound?)
Each of these can drive the price of a second-hand campervan up or down, but it depends on personal opinion and understanding as to how much each factor matters.
For example, a high-mileage campervan might seem expensive at first glance, but if it has had a new engine fit recently it could be worth the price.
Other ways to save money on a campervan
As well as opting to buy a second-hand model, there are a few other ways to save money on buying a campervan. These include:
Buy a new campervan at the end of the tax year
Many campervan vendors will offer better deals on campervans at the end of the tax year, before the next year’s models are released, in order to get them off the forecourt. Try shopping for a campervan in March, before the new models and number plates start appearing in April.
Wait until the end of the season
In previous years both new and used campervans are less expensive at the end of the season, when there are fewer people in the market. While the impact of COVID-19 has affected this, in a few years it is likely to, once again, be more cost-effective to buy a campervan in the wet and chilly winter months, rather than spring or summer.
Consider a campervan conversion project
Probably the most popular solution to the problem of campervan expense is to carry out a campervan conversion instead. While such projects are often time-consuming, they are also rewarding and can help an owner save considerable amounts of money. After all, if you have unlimited time to make updates and changes to your converted camper, it can cost as much as you want, when you want.
Popular vans to convert into campers include Renault Trafics, Ford Transits, and Mercedes Sprinters. Whether you choose to buy a new or used van will of course impact its price, however it’s important to realise that choosing a used van may end up being just as – if not more – expensive than a new one if you encounter mechanical problems. Be sure to do a thorough check on any second handle vehicle before committing.
If you like the sound of a campervan conversion, it’s also advisable to consider the work that will need to be done, and who can do it. Some buyers intend to conduct the conversion works themselves only to find they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. As soon as you begin to need the help of professionals, the campervan conversion project will suddenly start climbing in price.
At Just Kampers Insurance, our team are avid camper enthusiasts. We have a wide scope of knowledge in all things campervan and are specialists in VW models in particular. Please do get in touch regarding campervan advice, and to arrange the right kind of insurance you need. We provide insurance for a wide variety of models and needs, including campervan conversion insurance.
