Van Dwellers

Is this the time for an overview of the motorhomeless situation here on O’ahu? Sure enough! First of all, “vandwellers” is the official designation of the motorhomeless, at least for ones who are using full-size vans and minivans for motorhomes.

Chevrolet® Express

The most popular model appears to be the Chevrolet® Express cargo van. The “pre-owned” ones are cheap and plentiful. The older Ford® E-series cargo vans would also qualify, although none have been seen in deployment.

Mercedes® Sprinter

So far, only one “preowned” Mercedes® Sprinter (with camper conversion) has been spotted. Both the new and “pre-owned” models are extremely costly, which explains why it is not the homeless motorhome of choice. However, older used Sprinters still fall into the “vandweller” category.

Ram® Promaster

A new Ram® Promaster cargo van being deployed as a homeless motorhome was spotted in the wild a few days ago. The owner was a local guy in his sixties or seventies. There was a large flat rack installed at the rear of the vehicle. A petrol-powered generator appeared to be stationed on the rack. The Promaster runs about $40,000 with the high roof and longest wheelbase. This puts the vehicle in the vanity “vanlife” category.

Ford® Transit

Of course, the vehicle of choice is still the Ford® Transit cargo van. Because the Transit also costs around $40,000 (with medium height roof and shortest wheelbase), it must be classified in “vanlife.” True “vandwellers” spend about $10,000 on a “pre-owned” cargo van and build from there. “Vandwellers” are what they are, not by choice, but by necessity. “Vanlife” consists mostly of affluent people who made the choice to become motorhomeless.

On a side note, an alleged homeless motorhome was spotted in the Ala Moana Beach Park parking lot. Oddly, its picture was retrieved from the “vandweller” on-line forum. The owner insists that it is his beach vehicle. Sure looks like a homeless motorhome. You be the judge.