The “best” new van for camping and outdoor gear is usually a medium panel van with a sensible payload and a low load floor — think Ford Transit Custom, VW Transporter, Vauxhall Vivaro/Peugeot Expert/Citroën Dispatch, Mercedes Vito or Renault Trafic. For most people, these give the right mix of load space for bikes, boards and boxes, easy parking, and everyday running costs.
Start with what you’re actually carrying
Volume vs weight matters. Camping kit is bulky; e-bikes, water, toolboxes and roof tents can be heavy. Check:
- Load length (can you fit bikes inside without removing wheels?)
- Payload (your gear + passengers + any racking/lining must stay within limits)
- Towing if you’ll pull a trailer for kayaks or a small boat
Size guide (new-van choices)
Small vans (Caddy/Berlingo/Transit Connect) are great for light kit and city use, but can feel tight for multiple bikes or long boards.
Medium vans are the sweet spot: big enough for weekend adventures, still manageable on UK roads and car parks.
Large vans (Transit/Movano/Sprinter) suit lots of kit or multi-person trips, but cost more to run and can be harder to park.
Spec options that genuinely help
- Twin sliding doors for easy access in tight spots
- Rubber load floor + ply lining for muddy kit
- Factory load lashing points and a bulkhead (safer braking)
- Roof rails/bars if you carry long items — but watch height limits
Diesel or electric?
If you regularly enter Clean Air Zones, a new electric van can make sense. The Plug-in Van and Truck Grant is currently up to £2,500 (under 2,500kg GVW) or up to £5,000 (up to 4,250kg GVW), but OZEV support can change — check Gov.uk when ordering. For longer rural trips with limited charging, a modern diesel may still be simpler.
Next questions to ask yourself: do you need to sleep in it (day van-style), and will you carry wet gear often? Those two answers usually decide whether you prioritise extra length/height or washable, hard-wearing interior trim.
