QUICK SIDE NOTE:Save yourself hundreds of hours of research and downloadThe RV Master Listof every single RV model in the US, including links to the manufacturers websites.
Of course, any ‘best’ list is subjective, and this list of the best small RV camper vans is no different! Following is a list of the best small RV campers from around the world, that are available in 2023.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love small RVs, and one of my favourite RV types is the camper van.
I dream of being able to go anywhere I want while taking my whole life with me.
Whether it’s pulling up to a beautiful beach for an afternoon swim and then deciding to stay there for dinner and a few wines, before snuggling into my comfy bed for the night.
Or heading across country to spend time with family.
There is something so romantic about the nimble-ness, yet comfort, of a well-designed and well-made camper van.
In this list, I’ve included only new 2023 campervans.
No Class C’s, definitely no Class A’s, no truck campers, travel trailers, fifth wheels or tear drop trailers. No one-off van conversions either. (Click the links if you want to see those types of RVs)
Just the best small RV campers that you could go out and buy today.
Just to be clear, a Class B and a camper van are the same thing. Just a different way of calling it… like every other RV type, it has multiple names.
You’ll no doubt know that most manufacturers have multiple models of RV, and since I’m looking at ‘small’ campervans, I’ve decided to show the smallest camper vans of their available models.
Oh, and only models that include a bathroom.
Table Of Contents
Revel – by Winnebago
Interstate Nineteen – by Airstream
SS Agile – by Roadtrek
Nova – by Coachman
Irok – by Fleetwood
Patriot – by American Coach
Small Camper Vans | Europe
Select – by Swift Motorhomes
V-Line SE by Auto-Trail
Twin Axess – by Adria
Small RVs and Campers | Australia
Wattle – by Horizon Motorhomes
JRV Campervan – by Jayco
Revel – by Winnebago
Let’s start with the big guns of the RV world; the Revel by Winnebago. I’ve seen lots of other bloggers talk about how much they love this little number. Here’s a walkthrough of the Revel by Kara and Nate, as they compared it to their self-converted Sprinter van.
I love the layout of the Winnebago Revel, and it’s obviously positioned as an adventure vehicle for those that like to get out and enjoy outdoor activities.
Here’s a quick walkthrough of the van by Winnebago Motor Homes:
Hailed as a luxury campervan the Interstate Nineteen is the smallest of the Airstream camper vans. Measuring just, you guessed it, 19ft, it packs a luxurious punch in the camper van market. It seems weird to call it a camper van… in my head, camper vans look more like VW Kombi’s with flowers painted on the outside.
While I’m not totally keen on a seating / bed combo (I always feel like the joins in the cushions must be a bit horrible to sleep on) it does make this van quite multifunctional.
Below is a quick walkthrough of the 2023 Airstream Interstate Nineteen
What an appropriate name ‘Agile’ is for this little van. Another diminutive 19ft van with all the normal stuff of these camper vans, including the bed that converts to a seating area.
Below is a walkthrough of the 2022 Roadtrek SS Agile; last years model, but still similar.
The Coachman Nova is another camper van that seems to be trying to appeal to the outdoor adventurer (I make this assumption totally based on their exterior van shots which show rear bike racks). But it’s not 4WD like other ‘adventure camper vans’ such as the Winnebago Revel
It also has a very clean and minimalist interior which would appeal to those who don’t like fussy interiors.
As at writing this update in Dec 2022, Fleetwood don’t have a 2023 Irok model on their website. Here’s last years model and I’ll update this as soon as I see the new one come out.
In my opinion, the Irok fits perfectly in the luxury camper van category, especially with those plush leather seats.
They seem to have done away with the electric loft bed from previous models. The bed would lower down from the roof and it was a feature that I loved!
It looks like I may have ‘jumped the gun’ and updated this post a little too early. Again, I only have a video walkthrough of the 2021 version of the Fleetwood Irok.
This model of Class B appears to be very similar to the Irok (well, they’re all pretty similar, aren’t they), and American Coach have also done away with the loft bed. 🙁
However, the feature that will make this campervan even possible for families, is the ability to add two more passenger seats upfront.
So the Class B / Camper Vans that I’ve listed above are all available in North America. For those of us in the rest of the world there is not a lack of choices either!
I’m going to have a look at the two other big markets for the RV industry, Australia and Europe.
Let’s start with the Europeans, as they’re already great at making smaller RVs and, in my opinion, they have great styling.
Small Camper Vans | Europe
Select – by Swift Motorhomes
At 6m long (which is 19.6ft) the Swift is not too dissimilar to the North American Class B’s we’ve featured above.
Here’s a video walkthrough showing all the features.
Another small campervan by the Europeans, the Twin Axess 540 by Adria is also only 17’9” but, to me, it looks more luxurious than the V-Line above.
The video below is not the same layout as the 540 above, but you get to see the workmanship and what this campervan is like in real life. Oh, and the commentary is not English either.
I love these Class B campervans by Horizon Motorhomes.
I think it may be because I follow the Horizon Instagram page and they show pictures of people out in the Australian landscape, just enjoying all the beauty on offer. It totally makes me want to be out there too. And it makes me want one of their vans. Good marketing I s’pose.
Jayco must be one of the biggest manufacturers of caravans here in Australia, but they’re not nearly so well known for their motorhome and campervan range. However, their popular name and huge dealer network for the caravans probably helps them get these campers out there too.
Do any of these small RV camper vans fit your requirements?
Or do you have any others that you think I should add to this list? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it in.
DON’T FORGET:Save yourself hundreds of hours of research and downloadThe RV Master Listof every single RV model in the US, including links to the manufacturers websites.
The smallest Class B RV is the Winnebago Revel, with a length of 19.5 feet and a width of 7.1 feet. Just a bit bigger than the Revel is the Carado Banff at 19.6 feet long and 6.7 feet wide.
In general, Class B motorhomes hold their value better than Class A or C motorhomes. A Class B motorhome features a good mix of practical and luxury features, and these vehicles are a bit easier to drive as well.
Class B RVs are the easiest to drive because they feel like driving a van. In some cases, RVers have even felt they drive similar to a regular vehicle. Certainly, it won't feel like driving a family sedan, but it won't feel like driving a bus either.
For those who love the outdoors but want some of the amenities of home, a small camper might be the perfect choice. They're more comfortable than sleeping in a tent and easier to setup than a large RV. Because they weigh so little, they're easy to maneuver into remote sites and most vehicles with a hitch can tow one.
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.
Class B motorhomes are the campervan types. Because they're just a bit bigger than a regular van (and sometimes they're the same size), they are cheaper and easier to operate. They should also be good for twenty years or 200,000 miles, but many can go longer if you take good care of them.
While there is no universal standard for the length, height and width of a Class B camper van, the models are usually some of the smallest in the industry. Most Class B vans range from 17-23 feet in length, 9-11 feet in height, and 8 feet in width.
When comparing a diesel vs. gas motorhome, diesel motorhomes are much more fuel efficient. That is partly because diesel fuel has a greater energy value than gasoline does. Its higher energy density means that diesel fuel can offer up to 10 percent better fuel economy by volume.
In reality, the best fuel economy can be found in Cummins, Powerstroke, and Duramax engines. Which engines have the best fuel economy depends on the year of the engine, the model of vehicle, as well as any modifications that have been made. In general, older diesel engines have the best fuel economy.
The short answer: Class-B motorhomes are so expensive because they cost more to make per square foot than larger models, and they are very labor-intensive to build. Also, Supply does not meet the extremely high demand, which means people are forced to pay more for them than they may actually be worth.
A Class B is usually smaller and more fuel-efficient than a Class C. Because of its size and car-like characteristics, some consider a Class B easier to drive. A Class C offers more interior living space and more exterior storage.
There is no Kelley Blue Book for RVs, but many use another website and database to help determine a used RV value. You have many factors and multiple data points to consider when pricing a used RV, but you can start with the vehicle NADA (National Automobile Dealers' Association) Guides by JD Power.
It's better to put your travel trailer up for sale at the beginning of RV season rather than at the end of summer. Always avoid selling around the holidays and if you have an RV show in the area, it may be a good time to put your RV on the market as your travel trailer will be priced more affordable than newer RVs.
There are two key differences between conversion vans and their counterparts in the RV world, specifically the relatively small RVs in a category known as Class B. First, a Class B RV will almost always come with a full bathroom, large kitchen area, doors, large cabinets, etc.
Teardrop trailers, which have a curved profile usually tapering toward the rear, are popular for their lightness and the aerodynamic shape makes them efficient to tow.
That's because Class C motorhomes are more popular in the RV world. They can hold more people, and they can be found at a more affordable price point. Class C Motorhomes are built on a truck or van chassis with an attached cab section, while Class Bs are built within the dimensions of a customized van.
An Aliner camper is one of the easiest campers to set up. It has an A-frame design combined with pop-up camper convenience. While some pop-up campers have canvas tents, Aliner campers have fully rigid sides, meaning better protection against weather. Because they're smaller, they're also easy to tow.
It's actually pretty easy to drive a travel trailer. As you drive forward, the trailer will follow you in a very natural way. Provided your vehicle is rated to tow your trailer, you will not find it hard to go up hills, brake, or do most of the other things you would normally do while driving.
Tiny houses have larger square footage than your traditional RV. This makes the former a more comfortable living space than a trailer camper. It is true that RVs have become more complex and spacious. However, luxury RVs are really expensive, almost the same cost as a regular home.
High-end brand new camper vans can cost between $200,000 and $300,000, including the van build and the van itself. Older, used vans may cost $25,000 or less but include far fewer amenities and comforts.
Primarily, camper vans tend to be cheaper to insure because of how they're used. People usually drive their campers very safely because they're a big investment. They also usually drive their campers from their driveway to a campsite, stay static for a few weeks, then drive home.
In general, RVs are going to continue to decrease in price in 2023, due to an incleased supply of RVs and a decreasing demand for them. Class Bs might be the exception to this, as demand for them from Gen Z, Millenials, and Boomers continues to rise.
It is financially smart to live in an RV. Living in an RV means living a lot smaller with a lot less stuff. You have less room for everything – clothes, toys, tools and more saving you a lot of money. Along with less space, you save on utilities and home-improvement projects if you own your home.
For the first time, we're excited to offer Jayco quality, comfort and fun in a Class B motorhome. Easy to drive and store, the ideal size for couples or small families, the popularity of Class B motorhomes is exploding for good reason.
Unlike Class B RVs, Class B+ motorhomes have an attached cab, or what they call a “cut-away” or cab chassis, which includes the same cockpit set-up as a B Van, but the RV manufacturer adds a body to increase living space.
Some Class B RVs have extended ceilings so as to facilitate being able to stand up fully while inside the rig. (as a normal van may not afford this ability to tall, or even average-sized, travelers). You may also be familiar with the little “pop-up” ceilings in converted Westfalia vans.
If the garage door is tall enough, even a 1-car garage can fit a Class B RV. However, a garage must be extra tall, at least 9 feet, to fit most Class B RVs. Due to this, in most cases, you'll need a larger-than-average garage to fit most camper vans.
The smallest campervan with a toilet is the Airstream Interstate. Its dimensions are 19'-5” x 6'-7” x 9'-7” and the camper sleeps two comfortably. This makes the Airstream Interstate one of the smallest campervans on the market. If you compare it to other campervans with toilets, it is the smallest.
Increased cost. Diesel is more expensive to buy at the pump than petrol, and the higher purchase price of a diesel car can bump up insurance costs. ...
Driving experience. Diesel engines tend to be noisier than petrol due to their high running pressure.
On average, motorhomes and travel trailers are at their cheapest at the end of the year. You can also benefit from good deals in the neighboring months of November and February — after the high season ends and before the next spring season starts up.
Digital Trends reports that diesel engines tend to be more durable and last longer than gas engines, with reliable operation and minimal required maintenance.
Ford 1999 – 2003 Super Duty with 7.3-liter Powerstroke
The 7.3L Powerstroke is still considered one of the most reliable diesel engines ever made. It also has plenty of power for most applications, with 500 pound-feet of torque and 235 horsepower.
Despite having a smaller wheelbase and floor plan than others, the Airstream Interstate 19 features the largest bed among Class B RVs. It accomplishes this with comfortable bench seats that fold down to create a bed spanning the entire rear of the vehicle.
Our Roadtrek 190 is 19 feet long in its base configuration. With the brush guard up front and spare tire off the back, we're closer to 21 feet. Even at 21 feet, our Class B RV still fits into a standard parking space.
In a perfect world, you would have to do little work to keep your camper up and running. ... Whether you have a single passenger or five, there's something for every RV lover on this list.
Ideal for narrow roads and congested streets. Simple to maneuver, park and turn around. Often fits in your garage for secure storage. Ability for adult passengers to access conveniences like bathroom and refrigerator while the motorhome is moving.
At $2.50-$4.00 per gallon and 25-150 gallons per fuel tank, gas can cost you anywhere from $60 to $600 to fill up. How big are RV gas tanks? Class As average about 8-10 mpg and hold 100-150 gallons.
Even though Class B RVs are more expensive than their often larger counterparts, they're still one of the best options for solo travelers or couples. But they're also great for winter.
Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics
Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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