The DIY Trap: Why So Many Start With Low Roof Vans
Budget-friendly, easy to find, and simple to convert — delivery vans turned campers are a popular entry point. But over time, many solo travellers find that not being able to stand up becomes a deal-breaker.
You Won’t Notice It at First — But You Will Later
At first, crouching to cook or scooting into bed might feel like part of the adventure. But give it a week or two and it gets old fast.
Ask yourself: How will I feel doing this daily in winter? Or in the rain?
Why Sitting Up in Bed Isn’t a Luxury
Being able to sit up is about more than comfort. It gives you a place to:
Read or journal
Drink your morning cuppa in peace
Stretch out on a bad weather day
Without this? Your van becomes a sleep pod — not a living space.
Standing Room: A Long-Term Sanity Saver
Here’s what many members have shared about living with vans that don’t have full standing height:
“I loved my first van, but crouching to make coffee wore me down.”
“Rainy days were a nightmare. I couldn’t even stand to boil water.”
“It felt fine for weekends. Then I did two weeks and thought… nope.”
Once you’re on the road for more than a weekend, the little things start to feel big.
Being able to:
- Stand to brush your teeth
- Stretch in the morning
- Get dressed without gymnastics
- Cook without back pain
…it all adds up to your overall sense of freedom, ease, and joy.
What About Pop-Tops? A Middle Ground
Pop-tops give you that handy bit of extra headroom when you’re parked, and a lower profile when you’re on the move — the perfect in-between setup. But like anything, they have their quirks:
- You’ll need to pop the roof up before you can stand properly.
- Some can feel a bit wobbly in strong wind or heavy rain.
- Insulation isn’t always great, so nights can get chilly.
Still, it definitely beats crouching all the time!
Ask These 5 Questions Before You Buy
Before you fall in love with a layout, take a moment to ask yourself these five questions — they could save you a lot of frustration later on.
- Will I actually be comfortable spending hours inside when the weather turns bad?
- Can I sit up in bed and feel properly relaxed, or will it feel cramped?
- Am I planning to live in this van short-term, or is it more of a long-term setup?
- How will my body handle all the crouching, climbing, and crawling each day?
- Am I choosing this layout because it truly suits me — or just because it’s the cheaper option?
Member Wisdom: What Women Say After Upgrading
Here’s what a few members have shared after upgrading their vans — lessons learned the hard way, but well worth passing on.
I thought I was being smart by sticking to a budget. But in the end, it cost me more — both emotionally and financially.”
“My second van had standing room. I didn’t realise how much tension the first one caused until I finally let it go.”
I thought I’d made a smart budget decision. But honestly, it cost me more in the end — emotionally and financially.
Buy for the Journey You Want
You don’t need a palace on wheels. But you do deserve a setup that supports your safety, comfort, and sanity.
If you’re buying a van to go the distance, make sure you can stand tall — literally and figuratively.
