If you want to explore British Columbia with your family in a compact, easy-to-drive, and kid-safe campervan, I have the perfect setup!
We recently rented a Venture Van in Vancouver, BC, for a road trip to Vancouver Island, and it made our family adventure so much easier and more fun. It gave us the freedom to explore without the stress.
With a proper car seat setup, quick camp setup, and no oversized vehicle fees on BC Ferries, Venture Vans is an ideal choice for families. Plus, the van came packed with all the gear we needed, from bedding to cookware and even bear spray, so we could just pack our clothes, hit the road, and start exploring.
Ready to book? Use the code LOVELIFEABROAD15 for $15 off the daily rate.
Why We Chose Venture Vans
We wanted a campervan that was easy to drive, safe for the kids and didn’t come with a long checklist of extra gear to bring. We also tested a Class C campervan last fall, and while the space was AMAZING, I didn’t feel comfortable with the seat setup for the kids… not super safe, in my opinion, for young children.
Venture Vans stood out right away.
- Compact and Easy to Drive: The van is built on a Dodge Grand Caravan, so it drives like a regular minivan. That made navigating narrow roads, pulling into parking spots, and boarding BC Ferries totally stress-free. No oversized vehicle fees, no awkward turns, no problem.
- Safe for Kids: This was a big one for us. The van came with proper setups for car seats, including tether anchors and enough space for rear- or forward-facing seats. It felt good knowing the kids were riding safely the whole way.
- Quick Setup at Camp: When you’ve got tired kids and it’s starting to rain, a quick setup makes a big difference. We could pop the rooftop tent or fold down the interior bed in just a few minutes—no fiddling with poles or hunting for gear.
- Fully Equipped: From pots and pans to bedding and a Bluetooth speaker, everything we needed was already in the van. We didn’t have to pack any extras beyond clothes and food.
- Locally Owned and Well-Supported: Venture Vans is run by Tim, a Vancouver local who really knows his stuff. He answered all our questions, gave us a great demo, and made sure we were fully set before we hit the road.
About Venture Vans – A Local Vancouver Campervan Company
Venture Vans is a small, locally owned business based in Vancouver, BC. It’s run by Timothee, who is not only super friendly but also clearly passionate about helping people explore the West Coast at an affordable price.
Pickup is easy. Most rentals are picked up from Tim’s spot in Kitsilano, but you can also arrange airport delivery for an extra fee. Either way, the process is smooth and personal. No rental counters, no lines, and no fuss.
👉 Learn more or book your Venture Van here. Use code LOVELIFEABROAD15 for $15 off the daily rate.
Why It’s a Great Option for Families
Travelling with kids means considering safety, comfort, and simplicity, and Venture Vans really delivers on all three.
But remember that it’s a minivan and a rooftop tent, so space is limited. It’s perfect for outdoor lovers who want to enjoy spending time outside the campervan. It’s a luxury tent camping experience (closer to car camping). It’s more comfortable than tent camping, but it’s a full RV.
Car Seat Safe
Unlike many campervan rentals, Venture Vans is actually set up for families. The van has proper seatbelt and tether anchor points, so we could safely install both forward- and rear-facing car seats. They use the original mini-van passenger seats, so it’s all up to the manufacturer’s standard. That gave us peace of mind on every leg of the trip.
Compact Size
This van drives like a minivan, making it easy to handle, even on twisty island roads or tight parking spots. There is also no stress at the ferry terminal either (if you’re planning a trip to the island too). It’s charged as a standard BC Ferries vehicle, saving money and hassle.
On the way from Vancouver to Nanaimo, I was a bit nervous about entering the lower deck of the ferry, but we went slow and the staff made sure we had enough clearance. And it turns out we did! We tested it for you. Now you can go with no worries.
Quick Setup
We were surprised at how fast the camp setup was. In just a few minutes, you could pop up the rooftop tent and fold down the bed inside the van. That meant more time exploring and less time figuring out where everyone would sleep, especially helpful when the kids were ready to crash after a long day.
Flexible Sleeping Arrangements
The rooftop tent and interior bed combination worked really well for our family. We rotated a bit depending on the night, and the kids especially loved climbing up into the rooftop tent. It felt like their own treehouse on wheels.
We all slept together inside the mini-van one night, and it was a mistake 😉 So now you know! It was fine with me and the two kids, but not adding my husband. The best configuration was one parent with one kid on each level (we didn’t feel comfortable having the kids sleep alone at their age).
Campervan Features and Equipment
One of the best things about Venture Vans is how well-stocked the campervan is. It’s not just the basics: you get everything you need for cooking, sleeping, and relaxing at camp, all packed into a compact setup.
Kitchen Gear
The van has a double-burner camping stove, a YETI cooler, a water jug, and all the cookware and utensils you’ll need (and more! You can cook and cook!). Pots, pans, cutting boards, dish soap—it’s all there. We cooked some of our meals (but still wanted to experience some of the Pacific Coast food) and didn’t feel like we were missing anything.
Camping Essentials
There are also thoughtful extras included: camp chairs, a Bluetooth speaker, a portable charger, fire starters, headlamps, axe, first aid kit, even bear spray. We used more than we expected and appreciated not having to bring any of it ourselves.
👉 Learn more or book your Venture Van here. Use code LOVELIFEABROAD15 for $15 off the daily rate.
Pros and Cons of Renting from Venture Vans
Every travel setup has its trade-offs, but overall, Venture Vans was a great fit for our family. Here’s what stood out:
✅ Pros
- Safe Car Seat Setup: Proper anchor points and space for both rear- and forward-facing seats—a must for family travel.
- Compact and Easy to Drive: Drives like a regular van. Easy to park, no stress on winding roads or in busy towns.
- BC Ferries-Friendly: No oversized vehicle fees. It’s priced and treated like a standard vehicle.
- Fully Equipped: The van comes stocked with everything—kitchen gear, bedding, camp chairs, even bear spray.
- Quick and Simple Setut: Rooftop tent and fold-down bed make setting up camp fast and easy.
- Unlimited Kilometres: No worrying about tracking distance or hidden fees.
- Amazing Local Service: Tim was responsive, friendly, and helpful from start to finish.
❌ Cons
- No Bathroom or Built-In Kitchen: You’ll need to rely on campgrounds or public facilities.
- Tight Sleeping Space for Four Inside: The interior bed is best for one adult and two kids. All four of us inside was a squeeze.
- Rooftop Tent Not Ideal for Toddlers: Great for older kids, but little ones might need closer supervision or a different sleeping setup.
- Not for Larger Families or Groups: Best suited for couples or small families.
Final Thoughts: Should You Rent a Venture Van?
If you’re dreaming of a West Coast road trip with your family, whether it’s through Vancouver Island, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Okanagan, or even into the Rockies, Venture Vans is a smart, budget and family-friendly way to do it.
The van allowed us to explore without the bulk (or stress) of a larger RV. It was easy to drive, quick to set up, and fully equipped with everything we needed. The safe car seat setup and thoughtful extras made it especially great for families.
We’d highly recommend Venture Vans to any small family or couple looking for a no-fuss, well-supported campervan experience. And by renting from a local business, you’re not only getting great service, you’re also supporting someone who genuinely cares about your trip.
👉 Learn more or book your Venture Van here. Use code LOVELIFEABROAD15 for $15 off the daily rate.
