Wandervans: ‘An Airbnb and a rental car in one’

Matt Wasmund describes a Wandervan as “an Airbnb and a rental car in one.”

He and Anton Jimenez-Kloeckl co-own the Duluth franchise of Wandervans. The vans are like mini campers with beds, a sink, a fridge, and storage.

“It’s a great balance between a tent and an RV,” Wasmund said. “Kind of gives you the freedom to drive around, find a great campsite, but you get to sleep on a memory foam mattress.”

They also have heat, so the vans can be rented year-round. And the auxiliary electric means it won’t drain the vehicle’s battery.

“The heater’s electrical system runs off the battery. All the lights, so you can charge your devices. The fridge runs off the auxiliary electric,” Jimenez-Kloeckl said.

Right now, the Duluth fleet includes four vehicles: two medium and two large. The medium sleeps two people, and the large about four. Wasmund and Jimenez-Kloeckl hope to expand the fleet soon.

“For a vehicle this size, a lot of people would be intimidated that they’re driving a 22-foot-long vehicle. But because it’s a passenger van, you have loads of visibility, big old mirrors, and still pretty good gas mileage for such a honker,” Jimenez-Kloeckl said.

The cost is around $150 dollars per day for the medium and $165 for the large. That includes 125 miles. You can book online.