Pros & Cons of Minimalist Van Life Travel

Pros & Cons of Minimalist Van Life Travel 
Comparing simple camper vans to more equipped options, like the Winnebago Revel.

By: Abby Holcombe

During my five years of van life travel experience, I have had the opportunity to explore both minimalist and luxury options on the road. On one hand, the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon embodies simplicity and flexibility. On the other, the Winnebago Revel is a fully equipped luxury van with a setup that makes it feel like a home away from home. 

Both are fantastic choices, especially since both vehicles are very off-road capable for those who love to get off the beaten path. However, there are pros and cons of each style of travel to consider that I'll be sharing in this article. Plus, find out why I chose the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon!

Pros & Cons of Minimalist Van Life Travel

The major considerations for van life travel are which floorplan and features will be ideal for your travel style. Some RVers prefer having the basic comforts of home ready to use on day one, while others want more of a blank canvas to customize their space as they see fit. The insights I share below may be a pro or con for you depending on what you want from your camper van.

Limited Modern Conveniences of Home

The Winnebago + Adventure Wagon exemplifies minimalist van life travel. It provides essentials, like insulation, wiring, and flooring, while making many of the other components optional. The secondary seat, cabinets, and appliances bolt to the modular L-track system, and can be configured to suit your needs—so you can have as much or as little in your van as you like. 

It also offers key comforts such as a refrigerator, cassette toilet, and adaptable storage systems. However, these features take up minimal space. For example, the portable toilet can be tucked away in a cabinet and the refrigerator is a 12V chest-style option that can be stored wherever is convenient for you. 

There is not a dedicated bathroom or kitchen space, and the interior can be easily adjusted to what works best for your travel style. Many of the components of the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon are modular, portable, and removable. Even the bed can be adjusted—or removed!

After spending considerable time in my van, I have become well-acquainted with the ins and outs of minimalist living. If you enjoy simplicity and plan to spend most of your time outdoors, this kind of van travel could be a great fit for you also!

While nice to have, full bathrooms and kitchens do take up more space, and some van travelers would rather keep more room available for outdoor gear or other go-to items. However, there are also camper van options that offer plenty of storage along with features that make life on the road more comfortable. (Browse all of Winnebago’s camper vans here.)

The Winnebago Revel truly has it all. With a full kitchen, a bathroom complete with a shower, plentiful storage capacity, solar power, and a movable bed, it caters to those who crave adventure without sacrificing comfort. Whether you’re off the beaten path or parked in a scenic campground, the Winnebago Revel ensures that you have all the modern conveniences at your fingertips. 

While it may not offer the same level of customization as the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon, it’s an excellent option for anyone who wants a vehicle that is both off-road capable and ready to hit the road right away with the comforts of home available. Plus, it can be customized in many ways to suit your needs (like changing the bed height).

Learn more about the Winnebago Revel

Flexible Floorplan & Storage

As a professional kayak athlete, I truly value the flexibility and modularity of the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon. Traveling solo and hitting the water almost every day, I find the ample under-bed storage crucial for keeping my three most-used kayaks secure and easily accessible. This thoughtful design allows me to focus on my passion for kayaking rather than worrying about gear storage.

However, the Winnebago Revel also offers a great gear garage under the adjustable bed, with L-track bases and cabinet storage. It isn’t quite as large of a space as I have in the open floorplan of the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon, but my parents fit a lot of gear in theirs! (See a video of how they created their drawer storage system, here.)

No Separation of Space

As a solo traveler, having a large space that I can adapt to my needs has worked great. However, this would not be ideal if I had a van guest since there is not much privacy available. Although I could always add a curtain, a camper van with more separation of space may be ideal for those traveling as a family or couple.

In the Winnebago Revel, a thermal privacy curtain can be used to create two separate spaces as well as help with air conditioner efficiency. Some Winnebago Class B vans, like the Winnebago Solis, also have pop-top sleeping areas!

Simplicity & Ease of Use

The beauty of the Winnebago + Adventure Wagon lies in its simplicity. It provides maximum customization, generous storage capacity, reliable power, and safe driving features without the added responsibility of managing pipes, tanks, and other complex systems. This ease of use is why I ultimately decided that a minimalist van was the right choice for me, especially as a young traveler.

Looking ahead, I plan to enhance my van further with a diesel heater for those chilly nights, solar panels for extended off-grid adventures, and a new sink system for added convenience. For now, though, my van strikes the perfect balance of comfort and practicality tailored to my lifestyle.

Whether you lean toward a more feature-heavy van like the adventure-ready Winnebago Revel or a minimalist van like the customizable Winnebago + Adventure Wagon, each van offers unique benefits. My journey has taught me that the right choice truly depends on your personal travel style and needs. 

No matter what you choose, I suggest you embrace the adventure that comes with van life travel. And remember, the road is waiting for you!

For more van life travel insights, read these articles from the GoLife Blog:

• Managing Van Life Logistics
• Creating a Camper Van Workstation
• Food Storage & Meal Prep in a Camper Van
• Tips for Keeping Your Camper Van Clean
• Van Life Minimalist Workout Gear

Please share any additional tips, insights, or questions in the comments!