Meet Alice: My New Campervan

Written By Erin Cramer

Meet Alice the campervan. Her first trip was driving from Portland home to Ohio!

The Backstory

For years, I’ve dreamed about having my own campervan. My trusty old minivan-turned-camper got me through plenty of adventures, but after a few too many mechanical hiccups (including one memorable breakdown in Wyoming 🙃), I knew it was time to finally invest in something built for the long haul.

What I Was Looking For

When I started the search, I made a list of non-negotiables:

  • Reliable enough for cross-country travel

  • Sleeps 3 comfortably, travels with 4

  • Bathroom and shower (because road-trip hygiene is real)

  • Small kitchen for coffee and quick meals

  • Tall enough to stand in, but still compact enough to drive anywhere

That list ruled out a lot of options — and sent me deep into the Campervan vs. RV vs. Trailer research rabbit hole.

🚐 Campervan vs. RV vs. Trailer — What I Learned

Campervan
✅ Easier to drive and park
✅ Feels like a regular vehicle — great for solo travelers or small families
✅ Can boondock or camp in more places
❌ Limited space and storage

RV (Class A or C)
✅ Spacious, often with full kitchens and larger beds
✅ Great for long-term travel or families
❌ Harder to maneuver, lower gas mileage, and not always allowed in smaller campgrounds

Trailer
✅ Flexible — detach and drive your car when camped
✅ Can be more affordable
❌ Requires towing setup and isn’t as spontaneous for quick overnight stops

For me, the campervan was the perfect middle ground — just enough comfort and freedom without losing flexibility.

🌸 Why “Alice”?

I named her after my grandma, Alice, who loved road trips long before #vanlife was a thing. She used to pile her friends into the car for spontaneous getaways, always packing extra snacks “just in case.”

Naming this van after her feels like bringing that adventurous spirit along for every trip.

✨ Looking Ahead

So far, Alice and I have logged plenty of miles together — and I can already tell she’s going to be part of some incredible adventures ahead.

If you’ve ever dreamed about hitting the road in your own camper or van, stay tuned — I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned about choosing, outfitting, and planning your first campervan trip soon.

Erin Cramer