VW Camper Van event hire pros and cons

The VW camper has long been a symbol of change. It built this reputation through association with the counter cultural movement that swept the western world in the 1960s and 70s.

The vehicle has become so iconic, that it now essentially embodies this movement, so driving one is quite a statement. The vehicles reputation makes it attractive to free thinkers, and bears a legacy that created its own aesthetic.

It’s the perfect partner for disruption, but does that make it the right vehicle for your next event?

In this article, we break down the pros and cons of VW Camper and Pop-Up Camper hire, enabling you to find a best fit vehicle.

Legacy

The VW campervan is still heavily associated with counter culture, free thinking and rebelliousness.

Pros

If your campaign relies on disruption, this is your perfect partner, the camper is still cool 60 years down the road.

Anyone who comes across your display at a venue will immediately know you are looking to stand out and you bring something different to the table.

In this way the vehicle starts working for you even before its wrapped and branded to your specifications, and long before you actually begin engaging with potential leads.

Cons

If you aren’t looking to rock the boat, you don’t like funky, and you don’t want to stand out then this vehicle might not be the right partner for you.

We have Modern Sampling Vans and Trailers if vending is your primary concern and slightly larger Airstreams if you are looking to exhibit.

If you do like funky and vintage, H-vans are also another great alternative.

Size

Camper vans aren’t the largest vehicles on the road, but they do contain more than enough space to vend from, and look fantastic as display pieces.

Pros

With plenty of large flat surfaces this vehicle is perfect for displaying large format branding for a fairly compact size.

Our Pop up campers are large enough for two people to vend from simultaneously, with plenty of room left over for stock storage and refrigeration.

If you want to use them as a mobile meeting space a campervan can sit 3 people comfortably.

Cons

If you want to be able to engage lots of clients inside the vehicle, the camper isn’t for you, and you would be better off looking at an Airstream or even an Exhibition Vehicle.

These vehicles have the space to accommodate larger groups, and the exhibition vehicles even come with meeting rooms.

Customisability

So the vehicle has great looks and legacy, but what can you do with it? Is the vehicle a good fit for your campaign goals?

Pros

Popular with all kind of industries and all kinds of campaigns, there’s not a lot you can’t do.

The great advantage of our campers is that while they are customisable, we also have prebuilt options available.

Currently, we have the classic camper, a bit of an all-rounder when it comes to activations, and our Pop-Up campers, which are designed specifically for vending.

Cons

While our campers are an ideal fit for many campaigns, largescale changes aren’t always feasible as they are quite small, there’s only so much you can fit in there!

We can make external and internal modifications, but keep in mind that vehicles such as the Pop-Up Camper are designed primarily for vending.

Don’t let that stop you from asking us though, if your idea is a possibility we will do everything in our power to make it a reality - even if you want to turn it into a dog!

Logistics

This vehicle is included in our full logistics package. This includes a professional driver, route mapping and of course transporting your vehicle to and from each venue for each activation day.

Pros

These vehicles are nice and compact and easily driveable for short distances, such as around an engagement location.

This makes them perfect for photo ops.

Cons

Campervans are driveable around your location of choice but they are quite slow, so for longer distances they ride in style aboard our dedicated transporter.

This is slightly more expensive but it’s also much quicker and your design is better protected against dirt, stones and debris that might damage it on a long haul trip.

Classic VW Camper Van

The classic symbol of the 60s we all know and love, our VW Campers are a popular choice for businesses looking for retail and meeting spaces.

Pros

The camper is still very much a cool vehicle, and we’ve seen clients such as Louis Vuitton and Ted Baker use it’s looks to devastating effect as part of unique retail displays.

Of course that cool factor doesn’t just extend to retail, companies such as Uber, Ladbrokes and Breitling loved using the classic camper as part of their promotional activities.

Eve Lom used the Camper as part display, part storage area, taking advantage of the campers abundant interior space to stock up on extra samples.

With it’s connection to the hippie movement which values living in harmony with nature, this vehicle is ideal for environmental campaigns.

Client Hippeas is a literal example of this, and used the camper to promote their new sustainable vegan products.

The vehicles compact size has also made it a hit with expos, conferences and conventions, where it functions as a mobile meeting space.

Cons

While this vehicle is great for sampling, it’s not an efficient platform to vend from.

If you want to vend, we would highly recommend going with one of our Pop-Up Campers, which we have redesigned specifically for vending activities.

Pop-Up Camper bars

The VW Pop-Up Camper was originally built as an expandable mobile camping space. More luxurious than slumming it on the ground yet less cumbersome than a caravan, this vehicle was the ideal choice for those looking for flexibility and mobility.

Pros

We’ve doubled down on that concept with our Pop-Up Campers, not only do they open at the top, but they also expand outwards, creating a space large enough for two people to vend from simultaneously.

This makes the vehicle perfect for drinks brand activations, you can fit two double bottle bar fridges in the current setup of the vehicles, and still have space for other campaign items or stock.

With plenty of refrigerated space, you can sample any type of pre-packaged stock, whether it be drinks, yoghurt, smoothies – pretty much anything quick and easy.

You aren’t limited to vending though, this vehicle has also become popular as a mobile DJ booth, a big hit at outdoor events and festivals.

Cons

This vehicle is primarily a vending platform, so if you want a campervan for another purpose, you would be better off with our regular VW Campers.

We should also point out that whilst the Pop-Up Camper is a brilliant vehicle to vend light food, drinks and snacks from, it isn’t a catering van. You can add microwaves and coffee machines for a barista setup, but you won’t be cooking food.

For a catering friendly setup you would be better off with one of our Modern Sampling Vans or Renault Estafettes.

Cost

So, will these popular vintage vehicles upset Mr Piggybank? Let’s talk cost.

Pros

Thankfully these smaller vehicles are priced commensurately. With a base cost between £5,200-£5,700 they aren’t overly expensive and often don’t require extensive modification.

Costing about £2,000 less than an Airstream and less than half as much as a double decker, these vehicles are a cost effective option with oodles of star power.

Cons

The Camper Vans aren’t our only vintage vehicle in the £5,000-£6,000 range, so if you are limited on budget and want a few more options, we’d recommend checking out our Milk floats, Ice Cream Vans, Renault Estafettes, Citroen H-Vans and Utilimasters.

What are my next steps?

If you are interested in one of our VW Campers feel free to navigate to our budget calculator, where you can ballpark the cost of a VW Camper or Pop-Up Camper campaign.

We also recommend using our costs and services guide, for a more specific explanation of all our services and how much that might add to your final bill.