Camper vans and van life. These two phrases bring up images of young 20-somethings, remote workers with YouTube channels and hardcore athletes whose vans are filled with climbing gear and mountain bikes.

But, that’s not exactly an accurate image for everyone traveling in a Wayfarer Vans conversion.

While no two Wayfarians are the same, if we combined all 1,000+ of them into a “typical” van owner, they might look more like someone who is:

• Retired, or planning to retire in the next year or two.
• Looking for a reliable and simple way to camp in comfort, but also to see the grandkids, explore national parks, or visit their favorite wildflower festival each summer.
• Active and enjoys hiking, but not a hardcore adrenaline junkie. 
• Fun and spontaneous, but also loves coming home to a familiar spot after a day of adventuring.

We meet these people every day through emails, phone calls and our personal favorite – Vandoff Day, when our new Wayfarians arrive to pick up their converted van. And the numbers back it up too. We surveyed our Wayfarians and more than 70 percent of Wayfarians are over the age of 55, and in fact the most common age bracket is 65+.

How Are Older Travelers Using Their Vans?

A thread on the Wayfarer Vans Fan Page started by Becki Maxson asked folks over 55 how they use the van, and the answers were inspiring and enlightening. A few of our favorite responses included:

• “My van was my retirement plan. Worked all my life with rarely more than a few days trip to a destination. I wanted to see all the [national parks] I could while I could still enjoy them.”

• “I’m 64 and will be retiring in the next few years, so Walt is my retirement gift to me.”

• “I was 72 when I bought my van last year…I’m not athletic, but do love campfires, this beautiful country, and I wanted to travel more.”

• “Rather than senior, I prefer to think of myself as a very old teenager. I bought a Wilma a year ago January and have put over 20k miles on her. I’ve taken two 4-week trips, one 3-week trip, three 7-10 day trips and a couple of long weekends.”

Why Is A Wayfarer The Ideal Senior Travel Vehicle?

It’s Reliable

Wayfarer conversions are designed to be simple, yet comfortable. Why deal with complicated plumbing that can cause headaches when a pump sink or toilet accessory gets the job done? 

As Wayfarian Madison Pruet shared after years of traveling in other rigs, “I realized I needed something simpler. The Travato had too many components that could break. On my last trip, I discovered a water leak under the bed… fixing it required heavy lifting, which led to a slipped disc and severe sciatica. That was the moment I decided I never wanted to deal with that kind of repair again.”

It’s Comfortable

Many of our senior Wayfarians are seasoned campers, but the idea of crawling into a tent isn’t as appealing as it once was. A Wayfarer conversion gives you a comfortable place to sleep with a 5-inch-thick memory foam mattress, and with optional accessories like our Propex heater or Rooftop Air Conditioner you can stay comfortable year-round. And if you’d prefer not to share a bed, or if you want an option closer to the ground, check out our twin bed dinette layout where the mattress is the same height as a standard bed you’d find at home.  

It’s Adaptable

Not every trip is going to look the same, and a Wayfarer Van is just as well suited for a two-month cross-country trip as it is for a weekend getaway. While a large RV might also work for a road trip, it isn’t as great for parking in a standard driveway to have your own place to sleep while visiting family.

And with our modular layout, your van can adapt as your needs and preferences change over time. 

And Grandkids Love Them!

With our single or double rear seat accessories, you can safely pack up the grandkids for a weekend getaway that they’ll remember forever!

What Special Considerations Should Senior Travelers Keep in Mind?

Safety

Traveling in a camper van is very safe for people of all ages. But our senior Wayfarians often take longer trips, travel during off-peak times, or go solo, so a few extra safety precautions can be helpful. Check out our full blogs on safety for solo campers and women for deeper dives on the topic. But ultimately, safety comes down to weighing your risks, educating yourself, preparing your van and trusting your gut.

Medications and Health Needs

One of the best things about a Wayfarer is having a familiar, organized space no matter where you roam. Medications and health items have their own home in the van:

• Store medications securely in a cabinet – no worrying over lost luggage.
• Keep refrigerated medications safe with an electric cooler – no stressing over if your hotel room has a mini fridge.
• Plug in medical devices with the Power Station accessory – much easier than trying to make it work while tent camping.

On top of these perks, we’ve picked up a few travel tips from our senior Wayfarians to help keep your adventures smooth:

• Stick to a routine that works for you  – morning walks, evening stretches, taking any medications or supplements at the same time each day.
• Bring enough medication for your trip, or have a plan to refill along the way, so nothing slows you down.

Mobility

Wayfarer’s modular design makes it easy to adapt the van for any current mobility needs and any needs that may come up in the future. Adding a grab bar near the bed or side door can make getting in and out much easier. Aftermarket running boards or a sturdy step stool at your campsite also help provide safe, stable access. Small adjustments like these go a long way toward safety and comfort during your travels.

Parting Thoughts

We have people reaching out all the time who think they are the outlier because they are in their 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond. But just because your peers who live near you aren’t adventuring in the same way, doesn’t mean that you are alone. The bulk of our Wayfarians are over 65, and we also have an active community of folks sharing info, tips and tricks on our Facebook Fan Page. 

Adventure doesn’t have an age limit, and the best time to make your camper van dreams come true is today.