Are you looking for a new way to travel with your family that’s affordable, convenient, and exciting? Then, an Escape Campervan might just be the perfect solution for you.
We had the chance to take the brand new Del Mar campervan from Escape Campervans on an epic road trip around Las Vegas, where we visited Death Valley National Park, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon and more.
In this article, we’re giving you our honest and detailed Escape Campervan review. After a 10-day road trip with the Escape Campervan’s Del Mar family van, we have a lot to share with you.
Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
Escape Campervan review: The quick key takeaways
Escape Campervans are designed to provide maximum comfort, convenience, and safety for families. Here are some of the quick key takeaways from our Escape campervan trip around Las Vegas.
✅ Easy to drive and easy to park pretty much everywhere
✅ Fits in most tent campsites (unless it’s a walk-in site)
✅ Good mileage (14.2 mpg)
✅ Super quick and easy to set up and use all amenities
✅ Full sufficient with power battery and solar panel
✅ Indoor space to keep the kids entertained on cold/hot or rainy days
❌ Need to set up the bed every night and morning
❌ No toilet or shower
❌ Extra fees to be included for mileage, bedding, kitchen kit, …
Should you book with Escape Campervans?
100% YES!
- Easy to drive and easy to park
- -Almost self-sufficient w/ dual solar/batterie power
- Spacious for families with living area, kitchen space and top bed.
Escape Campervan review: The brand new Del Mar model
We had the chance to take a road trip around Las Vegas, visiting Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead and so much more using the Escape Campervans’ brand new model: the Del Mar.
This new model is PERFECT for families. It’s the same frame as the Big Sur model but has a pop-top tent for extra sleeping space.
❤️ The van was amazing and perfect for our family. We own a small campervan, a GMC Savana, which is similar to the Ford T-350 used by Escape Campervan. After our trip with the Del Mar campervan, I want to reconvert ours 😉
Also, with the dual battery and solar system, we didn’t have to find campgrounds with electricity. We were also self-sufficient (we only needed to find restrooms and showers occasionally). We stayed in national and state parks.
»» Check out Escape Campervans options for families
1. Sleeping arrangements
Escape Campervans have various sleeping arrangements to accommodate different family sizes. The Del Mar campervan is the perfect model for families traveling with children. This campervan has a:
- convertible queen bed (bench seating when not set up as a bed)
- pop-top tent double bed
The convertible queen bed is a bit more comfortable than the pop-top tent double bed, but we did sleep really well in both beds.
If I was alone with the kids, we would probably all have slept on the top bed so we could leave the van inside as a living area. It’s one thing we’re missing on our own van conversion.
And while it’s a bit annoying to have to make the bed each day, it’s really nice to have some space to walk around and relax in the van, either when it’s cold outside or too hot during the day.
2. Kitchen and cooking area
The Del Mar campervan comes equipped with a cooking area. It’s located at the back of the van and is mostly accessible from the outside of the van (using the back doors).
But we used it from inside the van at night to brush our teeth.
You can cook meals, store food, and clean up easily and efficiently. The small cooking area has:
- a sink,
- a 5-gallon water tank,
- a small fridge,
- a Coleman stove, and
- all the necessary cooking utensils and appliances.
3. Living space
The best part of the Del Mar campervan is the living space.
Two long seating benches convert into a queen bed. Under one bench, you’ll find 3 drawers. Under the other bench is a big storage chest. A table can also be installed for evening board game sessions, to work, or to eat inside the van.
But don’t forget to grab your clothes (especially pajamas) from under the bench before you set the bed at night. It happened to us a few times, realizing we left all our pajamas in the drawers after the bed (including the bedding) was all set up…
We ended up sleeping in our clothes that night 😉
4. Size of the van
The Escape Campervans’ Del Mar is compact and easy to drive. You can maneuver it easily on narrow roads and parking spaces. It’s also fuel-efficient, which means you can save money on gas. You’ll get about 14.2 mpg.
5. Safety features for kids
All campervans from Escape Campervans are safe for families to use. RVs are usually unsafe when installing a child car seat, but the Escape Campervans are. The Ford T-350 has passenger seats anchored to the van’s metal frame. The passenger row seat also has back tether anchors.
This is an important consideration when traveling with kids.
Booster Seats & Child Seats available at reasonable price
You can reserve a booster or child seat when renting a campervan from Escape Campervans. The cool thing is that they don’t charge per day but per trip. It’s only $30.00 for a booster or a child seat for the entire trip.
We ended up bringing our own child seats, but at that price, it’s not really worth the hassle of flying and carrying them around.
While most car rental companies have seats available only upon pick up, you can reserve them with Escape Campervans. When booking your campervan, you must add them to your reservation; they’ll save you one.
6. Convenience and comfort of traveling
With an Escape Campervan, you don’t have to worry about booking hotels or arranging transportation. You can travel at your own pace, stop wherever you want, and sleep comfortably in the same bed every night.
The van has a kitchen and a dining area/living space that can be converted into a bedroom. You have everything you need in one place.
»» Check out Escape Campervans options for families
7. Cost-effective way of traveling
An Escape Campervan is an affordable way of traveling, especially when compared to the cost of hotels, rental cars, and restaurants. You can save money on food by cooking your meals in the van.
Plus, with the dual solar/battery system, you don’t have to pay extra for a campsite with electricity. You can be self-sufficient.
Daily Rate VS final price
Escape Campervans is a fairly priced option for an epic campervan road trip. RV and van rentals often start at $300 per night. When renting with Escape Campervans, you can find vans for less than $100 daily.
But there are a few add-ons to consider:
- Mileage: a $36 per day is added to the basic daily rate for 100 miles. If you exceed the 100 miles per day allocation, you’ll be charged $0,36 per extra mile.
- Bedding: you’ll need to add $40.00 per bedding kit, which would be $80.00 for a family trip.
- Kitchen kit: you’ll need to add $40.00 per kitchen kit. You’ll only need one per family.
- One-way fee: there is a $150 one-way extra fee if you drop off the van at a different location.
Insurance
This is not specific to Escape Campervans but to all RVs and campervan rental companies. It’s important to know that most personal car and credit card insurance will not cover RVs or converted vans. They will cover travel trailers but not RVs.
Thus, you’ll most likely have to purchase the insurance with Escape Campervans.
- $29.99 per day for vehicle insurance
- $13.99 per day for liability insurance
You might not need liability insurance (if you have it with your car/home insurance), but most car insurance won’t cover converted vans (or RVs), so you’ll probably need to get vehicle insurance.
Our personal car and credit card insurance would not cover RVs or campervans, so we got vehicle insurance.
Note on bathroom and shower
Escape Campervans don’t have portable toilets or showers, but some have a sink, like the Del Mar campervan we used on our Las Vegas road trip.
You’ll need to find public restrooms and shower facilities along the way, but you can easily brush your teeth and do a quick hand wash using the sink and water tank.
Technical specifications of the Escape Campervan Del Mar model
- Campervan Model Ford T-350
- Fuel Type Regular Unleaded
- Transmission Automatic
- Curtains Yes, blackout curtains on all windows
- Dual Battery System Yes (solar panel and car battery power refrigerator)
- Length 6.04 m (19.83 ft) – fits in most tent sites
- Width 2.06 m (6.75 ft)
- Height 2.3 m (7.6 ft). *not recommended to get in garage with height less than 8.1 ft
- Storage Drawers 3 drawers – 22 in x 20 in x 7 in
- Storage Chest 1 chest – 41 in x 16 in x 9 in
Escape Campervans offer a unique experience
Traveling in an Escape Campervans is a unique and unforgettable experience. You get to:
- explore the open road,
- discover new places, and
- create memories with your family.
It’s a great way to disconnect from your daily routine and connect with nature and each other.
Family bonding and quality time
One of the best benefits of using Escape Campervans for families with young children is the opportunity to bond and spend quality time together. You can play games, explore national parks, tell stories, and share experiences that will bring your family closer together.
Sustainability and eco-friendly
The vans are equipped with solar panels included in a dual-battery system, which means you can generate your own electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.
When doing a road trip in California, Nevada and Arizona, you’ll have plenty of sun to fuel up the battery. We didn’t need electricity to run the fridge during the entire length of our trip.
»» Check out Escape Campervans options for families
F.A.Q Escape Campervans
What are the different Escape Campervans models?
Escape Campervans offers a wide range of customization options to meet your needs, your budget and your preferences. You can choose from different types of vans, bed configurations, and kitchen setups.
They have 5 different campervan models, including:
- Del Mar: Sleeps 5, seats 5. Campervan with pop-top tent
- Big Sur: Sleeps 5, seats 5. Campervan with roof-top tent (add-on)
- Mavericks: Sleeps 5, seats 5. Campervan with roof-top tent (add-on)
- Santa Cruz: Sleeps 2, seats 2
- Jeep Camper: Sleeps 2, seats 5
Pick-up is upon reservation from 1PM to 4PM. Drop-off doesn’t need any reservations, and it’s between 8:30AM and 10AM.
How long are Escape Campervans?
The length of a converted van from Escape Campervans varies depending on the model, but the longest ones (the Del Nar or Big Sur) are 6.04 m (19.83 ft) long.
How much are Escape Campervans?
The cost of renting an Escape Campervan varies depending on:
- the model
- the time of year
- the add-ons
But you can plan around $100-$150 per night.
Where are Escape Campervan locations for rental?
Escape Campervans is 13 depot locations across the USA including:
- Seattle
- Portland
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
- Salt Lake City
- Denver
- Chicago
- New York City
- Orlando
You can pick up and drop off at different locations, with an add-on one-way fee. The one-way fee varies from location to location, but it’s around $150.
What is Escape Campervans cancellation policy
Escape Campervans has a flexible cancellation policy which is:
- More than 15 days before pick up: Full refund of deposit
- Between 3-14 days before pickup: $250 deposit stays on file for a future trip
- Within 2 days of pickup: 100% of the total trip value is charged in full
You can also make changes to your reservation at NO extra fee. You can modify dates, locations, and vehicle models up to 3 days before pickup. It’s subject to availability.
Customer Service and Support
Escape Campervans prides itself on its exceptional customer service and support. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and available to assist you with any questions or concerns. The company also offers roadside assistance.
Do Escape Campervans have heaters?
Yes. Escape Campervans have heaters available as an extra when purchasing the Electric Kit add-on. It’s $20.00 for the length of your booking and it includes:
- 110v power cord
- Campground power adapter
- Multi-plug surge protector
- Electric space heater/fan
»» Check out Escape Campervans options for families
Final thoughts: Escape Campervan review
Escape Campervans is not your average camper van rental company. Here are some of the things that make it stand out from the rest:
Escape Campervans is a fantastic option for families with young children who want to explore the great outdoors in comfort and style. It may not be the most luxurious campervan rental you’ll find, but it was perfect for us.
The van is clean and comfortable and has all the needed amenities. A portable toilet would have been a nice addition, but I will still rent again with them.
Escape Campervans offers an amazing opportunity for families to bond and create memories while experiencing the beauty of nature. It provides a comfortable, convenient, and affordable way to travel without sacrificing the sense of adventure and freedom that comes with camping.
Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the world with your family and Escape Campervans. Book your rental today and embark on a journey you’ll never forget.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.