If you’re a mom whose children no longer want to be seen in the family van, don’t fret! There are plenty of fun and affordable vehicles perfect for families on the road that can go just about anywhere but won’t make you feel like you’re sacrificing too much to make sure everyone gets where they need to go in style. These vintage RV camper vans are perfect for moms and their teenagers who still want to enjoy the benefits of being on the road without having to sacrifice comfort or freedom or get into an argument over who gets the front seat!
How we fell in love with vintage vans
Since the 1970s, in many places, it was actually illegal to sell new cars in anything but white. With America’s love affair with cars, there weren’t enough white cars for sale. So manufacturers covered most of their cars in white paint. This is what gave us the uniquely American color scheme of a white car with a dark green dashboard and brown or tan interior—not out of style, just an aesthetic created by regulations on color availability.
Converting the van into an RV camper
After they had purchased the van, Courtney’s father began the conversion process by cutting out the floorboards and building two beds, one in the back of the van (which sleeps four) and one on top of an elevated platform in front of a retractable countertop (which she can cook at with ease). They then put up insulation sheets all around it to keep it warm during cold nights.
Once the walls were finished, her dad installed windows for her to be able to open. She also added shelves, hooks, and bins to store things. It wasn’t long before the camper was fully complete! The finishing touches came when Courtney added colorful rugs over carpet remnants on the ground and draped a long curtain made from fabric remnants across both sides of the bed for privacy. She also mounted a desk that folds down over the bed in case she needs more space to work or study.
! We can never forget about what the other person needs or wants – it’s always on our minds. And since we’re sharing every inch of space with each other, there are no secrets either! There are plenty of times when I know she’s mad at me but doesn’t want to say anything.
But then I’ll see her texting away on her phone and know she really needs me. Or when she doesn’t come out of her room one day after school, I’ll hear her sobbing through the door but won’t ask why. The closeness that comes from living in such a small space is amazing – we get to experience life from each other’s point of view.
Sharing our space, clothes, and feelings
You may be thinking, isn’t that just the craziest thing? Well, for us it works. We share almost everything. From clothes to bathrooms to beds. One of the reasons we enjoy living in such tight quarters is that we spend so much time together! We can never forget about what the other person needs or wants – it’s always on our minds.
And since we’re sharing every inch of space with each other, there are no secrets either! There are plenty of times when I know she’s mad at me but doesn’t want to say anything. But then I’ll see her texting away on her phone and know she really needs me. Or when she doesn’t come out of her room one day after school, I’ll hear her sobbing through the door but won’t ask why. The closeness that comes from living in such a small space is amazing – we get to experience life from each other’s point of view.
All about our van life adventures
Natalie and her mom have been on the road for over 2 years, ever since Natalie graduated from high school. They’ve traveled through Canada, the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
There are plenty of fun and affordable vehicles perfect for families on the road that can go just about anywhere but won’t make you feel like you’re sacrificing too much to make sure everyone gets where they need to go in style. These vintage RV camper vans are perfect for moms and their teenagers who still want to enjoy the benefits of being on the road without having to sacrifice comfort or freedom or get into an argument over who gets the front seat!
