Campervan

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Mazda pop-up campervan.

A campervan is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. The term mainly describes vans that have been fitted out for use as accommodation. Campervans are considered Class B recreational vehicle or motorhome because of smaller size and handle more like a van.

Typical campervan is equipped either with a "pop-up" roof which is raised during camping or has a fixed hightop roof.

Toyota Landcruiser 4WD camper.

Campervan also has small kitchen with a gas/electric refrigerator and a two-three burner gas hob and grill. Campervan is equipped with dual-voltage lighting which can work off either a dedicated battery (other then van battery) known as a leisure battery, or off the AC power, supplied at campsite via a hook-up cable.

Class B recreational vehicles are commonly known as Dormobiles or caravanettes in the UK, or as 'Kombis' in Australia and the rest of the world.

This trend started in the 1950's after Volkswagen commissioned the Westfalia company to use the Kombi version of their Type 2 transporter as the basis for a campervan.

In North America there are many manufacturers of campervans. The number # 1 selling campervan is produced by Roadtrek of Kitchener, Ontario^[1]

Since the 1970s, the Japanese full-size vans like the Toyota Hiace and the Datsun Urvan (acquired by Nissan), as well as the Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato and the Bedford vans became popular as "base vehicles" for campervans.

[edit] Volkswagen campervan models

Main article: Volkswagen Westfalia Campers

There are several types of campervan all manufactured by Volkswagen but depending on their age they are coloquialy referred to as either a splitty (split windscreen) a bay (bay framed windscreen) or a bricky ("brick" shaped van). Every year VW vans of all age and type gather at Vanfest held in the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. This event takes place on the second weekend of September each year. It is a two day festival where many attendees choose to camp their in their vans. Of course you don't need to have a van to attend. You may just want to have a fun time and look at all the colourfully painted vans (even Scooby Doo replicas!). There are also fair rides and stalls where everything you would ever need for you van can be bought.