VANLIFE ON A BUDGET: HOW I CAMP IN MY CAR
Having spent over two years living in my self-converted campervan, I knew that selling it would not be the end of vanlife for me. I absolutely fell in love with the stripped back and simple way of life that camping gives you, so finding an alternative was top priority when I said goodbye to my beloved MWB Sprinter. Read on to find out how I do vanlife on a budget, but camping in my car!
The Car
The car I have is a 2009 Peugeot Partner Teepee, and I below I will go into why I chose this vehicle for doing budget vanlife:
Affordability: The Peugeot Partner Teepee is generally more affordable compared to larger vans like the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit, and it has good fuel efficiency and lower running costs, making it cheaper to operate over time.
Compact size: The car is super easy to drive and park, especially in the tiny Cornish lanes! Plus you can aaccess places that larger vans can't, allowing for more flexibility in travel and camping locations.
Versatility: The Peugeot Partner Teepee comes with 5x seats, so can serve as both a daily driver and a camper, making it a versatile choice - now I have the option to drive with friends and family.
Reliability: Apparently Peugeot vehicles are known for their reliability and longevity, which is crucial for vanlife where the vehicle is your home on wheels! Also, parts and servicing for Peugeot vehicles are generally affordable and widely available.
Comfort: Despite its compact size, the Partner Teepee offers a surprising amount of interior space and headroom, making it comfortable for living and sleeping. Plus, the car is super comfortbale to drive [the arm rests are a particualr winner for me!]
Environmental Considerations: The Partner Teepee generally has lower emissions compared to larger vans, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Resale Value: Due to its practicality and affordability, the Partner Teepee maintains a good resale value, ensuring you can recoup some of your investment if you decide to sell it later.
Insurance: Insurance costs for the Peugeot Partner Teepee are typically lower compared to larger vans, helping to keep your overall expenses down.
The Peugeot Partner Teepee is a great choice for vanlife, especially if you're looking for an affordable, reliable, and versatile vehicle. Its compact size, good fuel efficiency, and ease of conversion make it an excellent option for those who want to embrace the vanlife lifestyle without breaking the bank. So, how did I actually convert it?
The COnversion
The camping set-up I have in the car is very simple, but it is perfect, especially for those looking for a budget option. I bought a kit from Simple Camper Vans for £459, plus cushions and blinds, so the total price not counting the purchase of the car itself was under £1000.
So, how does the kit work? The kit is made from plywood, and folds up into a neat box shape that can stay in the boot. When you are ready to get the bed or table set-up out, you just need to unfold it. Bring the front seats forward, and fold the back seats down, and just unfold the wood and rest the ‘legs’ in the back seat footwell. This will give you a flat wooden base for your bed, so just pop the cushions on top and there you have it! The bed is actually really roomy - both my partner and I fit in it perfectly, and are able to stretch out fully. And if you are using the table set-up, your head might touch the ceiling slightly [depending on how tall you are], but it is a great option to have, especially if the British weather is not playing ball!
Storage wise, you then have underneath the box [in the boot and under the back seat], and the front seats, or you could invest in a pop up awning to store all your camping essentials in. Invest in some thermal black out blinds to give you privacy, but also to maintain the temperature in the car, and you are set to enjoy vanlife from the comfort of your car!