Van Life Isn’t a Scene. It’s Freedom (And Real Owners Are Starting to Push Back)

If you spend any time around campervan owners, you’ll notice something. The loudest version of van life isn’t always the most accurate one.

The reality is far less polished, and far more interesting.

For most people, a van isn’t about looking the part. It’s about what it does for you:

• escaping the week
• getting into the outdoors
• having freedom sat on the driveway
• building memories without the hassle
• and sometimes, just feeling a bit more like yourself again

And when you actually listen to real owners, you realise van life is splitting into two clear camps:

• those who want capability and value
• and those who want the scene

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re in the first camp, and I’m with you.

Here are the biggest takeaways from real van owners right now, and what they mean if you’re buying, building, or upgrading a campervan in 2026.

1) Vans Become Personal. It’s Not Just a Vehicle

People don’t talk about campervans the way they talk about cars.

They name them. They bond with them. They measure time by them.

Because a van isn’t just transport. It’s:

• the trips you actually took
• the places you parked up at sunrise
• the weekends you got out of your own head
• the family memories that don’t happen in a hotel corridor
• the last-minute escape route when life gets too loud

That’s why losing a van through a crash, rust, mechanical failure, or just financial reality can feel like losing far more than a machine.

It’s losing your freedom.

That’s also why reliability and build quality matter more than people admit. It’s not about being precious. It’s about not having your plans ruined.

And this is where the “real-world” stuff matters. The things that keep you moving, and keep the van usable.

Even something as boring as good lighting makes a massive difference when you’re packing kit in the dark or trying to sort dinner in a layby. These aren’t just for looks. 

They’re one of those upgrades you don’t realise you need until you’ve tried doing van life with a headtorch and a phone torch.

2) Self-Build Is Often Driven by Necessity (And It’s Smart)

A big trend is people moving towards staged self-builds, and not because they’re desperate to become a “van build influencer”.

It’s usually because:

• camper prices are still high
• insurance payouts rarely cover replacement value
• and a lot of people simply can’t justify £50k to £90k on a van that ends up parked more than it’s used

So they start with the basics:

• insulation and lining
• simple bed platform (or mattress setup)
• portable power
• basic storage
• cooking kit
• heater later
• electrics later (professionally checked)

This approach is brilliant because it keeps you moving forward without needing everything perfect on day one.

If you’re doing a phased build, focus early on the upgrades that make the biggest difference to comfort and usability.

Heating (huge game-changer)

A diesel heater turns winter van life from “surviving” into “enjoying it”.

If you’re running a Transporter, Crafter, Transit Custom etc., the right heater setup (installed properly) gives you:

• dry air
• warm mornings
• less condensation
• more off-season trips
• and genuinely more use out of your van

Power

Portable power stations are a great start, but if you’re planning longer trips you’ll want to think about a proper leisure system eventually. Solar, MPPT, lithium, split charge, the whole lot.

If you’re working towards that, make sure your build has a plan for:

• cabling routes
• where you’ll mount solar and controllers
• battery location
• ventilation

And here’s one small upgrade that often gets missed in early builds. If you’re doing any off-road or muddy parking (even just winter UK laybys), a set of decent traction boards can save your whole weekend. It’s exactly the kind of “never needed it, until you do” kit that fits perfectly into a staged build.

3) “VW Tax” Is Real, And People Are Over It

This one comes up again and again. Same age, similar spec, but a Transporter costs double.

Plenty of owners are now openly saying what people have whispered for years:

You’re not just paying for the van. You’re paying for the badge and the scene around it.

And here’s the important bit. Many buyers don’t want that anymore.

They want:

• Value
• Capability
• easy maintenance
• parts availability
• and a van they can actually use without stressing about every scratch

That’s why you’re seeing more people choose:

• Vivaro and Trafic
• Transit Custom
• Dispatch and Expert
• or full-size vans like Crafter, Sprinter, and TGE

Not because they’re “cheap”, but because they make more sense.

And honestly, I love that shift. Because it means people can spend money where it actually improves the van.

For example, if you’re using a van properly, then investing in underbody and chassis protection makes far more sense than chasing badge points. 

4) Most Van Life Isn’t Full-Time. It’s Weekends, Micro-Adventures and Real Life

Here’s the truth. Most owners are not living in their vans.

They’re:

• escaping on weekends
• taking day trips
• doing quick overnighters
• using it around hobbies (biking, surfing, footy on a cold Sunday morning)
• making a brew and cooking lunch wherever they fancy
• staying local but feeling far away

This is why the best vans aren’t always the fanciest.

They’re the ones that are:

• quick to use
• easy to pack
• simple to maintain
• comfortable in bad weather
• built to be used, not polished

For this type of owner, upgrades that matter are practical ones. They are the things that make the van work better.

Essential “weekend warrior” upgrades

• insulated blinds and thermal screens (huge comfort boost)
• quality storage solutions
• awnings for quick extra space
• wind-out awnings for fast setup
• rugged roof racks and exterior storage options
• lighting that actually works for real use
• durable flooring (that doesn’t cry when it gets muddy)

And roof storage is a big one for this crowd. If you’re only going away for weekends, you don’t want to be unpacking half the van to reach your chairs. 

A solid roof rack system gives you proper usable space and makes the van far more practical for real life. It’s exactly why roof racks are one of the core product categories we’re building at Play Dirty. They make vans more capable, full stop.

5) Old Vans. More Freedom. New Vans. Less Worry

Owners are increasingly divided into two mindsets.

Old van freedom

Older vans get called “more smiles per mile” for a reason.

Because with an older van, you tend to care less about:

• Dents
• Scratches
• Mud
• wet gear
• the outside looking perfect
• You just use it.

And that’s incredibly freeing.

But here’s the thing. If you’re going to use an older van properly, you want to protect it where it counts. Not by making it precious, but by making it tougher.

That might be underbody protection, decent all-terrain tyres, or a rugged light bar for winter driving.

New van peace of mind

The argument for a newer van is equally valid.

• Reliability
• Warranty
• less downtime
• better MPG
• and importantly, staying ahead of clean air zones and emissions rules
  
  

A lot of people buy newer not because they’re showing off, but because they want fewer unknowns.

Neither side is wrong. It comes down to what sort of freedom you want.

• freedom to not care
• or freedom to not worry
  

6) Clean Air Zones and Diesel Uncertainty Are Changing Buying Decisions

Whether you love it or hate it, regulations are shaping the market.

People are worried about:

• future diesel restrictions
• expanding CAZ areas
• “moving goalposts” on emissions standards
• depreciation on anything that’s not Euro 6
• and whether diesel will be punished financially in the next few years

That fear alone pushes people towards newer vans, not because they want to spend more, but because they don’t want to get caught out.

If you’re buying now, it’s worth thinking long-term.

• where do you realistically travel?
• do you drive into cities often?
• is this a weekend escape vehicle or daily driver?
• how long do you plan to keep it?

That’ll guide whether Euro 6 is essential for you.

And if you are the type that does still head off-grid regularly, one product category that becomes relevant fast is airflow and intake protection. Snorkels aren’t just for show if you’re driving through deeper water or dusty tracks. It’s one of those upgrades that adds real capability and peace of mind, especially for anyone who actually uses their van beyond clean tarmac.

7) Van Life Helps People More Than They Admit (Mental Health Matters)

This is one of the most important parts, and it gets missed.

A lot of owners quietly acknowledge that having a van helps with:

• Stress
• mental health
• Routine
• Purpose
• Connection
• and just getting outside

Even a simple park-up, a brew, and a view can do more for your head than you’d expect.

This is why it’s not “just a hobby” for many people. It’s a pressure valve.

And it’s exactly why builds should focus on comfort, warmth, and usability. Not just looks.

Also, little rituals matter. If the van is your reset button, you want it to feel good. Even something as simple as keeping the van clean and looking right is part of that pride. That’s why our vehicle cleaning and detailing products do so well. Not because people are trying to be flashy, but because they’re proud of what they’ve built and what it represents.

8) The Best Community Conversations Are About the Small Stuff (Not the Badge Wars)

Owners don’t really want endless debates about whether VW is “best”.

They’d rather talk about things like:

• the best brew setup
• how to stop sugar going damp
• what storage works best for wet gear
• where to put muddy boots
• what fridge is actually worth it
• how to keep warm without condensation

Because those are the things that actually affect whether you enjoy the van.

And if you’re building a community around van life, that’s where the real engagement is.

Real tips. Real hacks. Real use.

It’s also where the most useful little products live. The boring stuff that makes van life easier. Hooks, storage, lighting, gear organisers, proper roof storage. Those are the things that turn a van from “nice idea” into something you actually use every weekend.

The Takeaway. Van Life Is Whatever Works For You

At the end of the day, the best van is the one that gets used.

Not the one that’s perfect.
Not the one that looks expensive.
Not the one that impresses strangers at a show.

The one that gives you:

✅freedom
✅adventure
✅comfort
✅memories
✅and a reason to get out and go

Whether your van is a micro-camper, a battered old day van, or a brand-new LWB build, it only matters if it works for your life.

And if you’re the kind of owner who values capability-first, real-world builds, welcome. You’re our people.

Quick Next Steps If You Want To Make Your Van More Adventure-Ready

If you’re upgrading, self-building, or making a weekend van more usable, the best place to start is with practical kit that gets used constantly:

• roof racks and MOLLE panels storage (for bikes, boards, chairs and bulky kit)
• LED light bars and LED Campervan lights (for winter, camp setup, and night driving)
• underbody and chassis protection (if you’re doing muddy tracks or rough sites)
• snorkels (for serious off-road or water and dust protection)
• detailing and cleaning products (because a clean van feels like a better van)

All of that is available on Play Dirty, and it’s the exact type of kit we use ourselves.