Hi Mchap,
I don't have any advice, just that we've been considering something similar.
I'm self-employed with a flexible business--I can work anywhere--and my husband just joined me at the business, so we can now take it on the road for 6-8 weeks next summer.
We have two kids, 9 and 12, and were considering a camper van that sleeps 4. There is one for sale at a dealer nearby for 15k. We have the cash, but we're sitting on the decision for a while to research options. We thought about a van/scamp combo as well. The thing I like about the van option is the ability to do weekends in cities, as we live within 4-6 hours of a handful of great northeast cities, and we don't go as much as I'd like.
It occurred to me that a major road trip would be much cheaper in our Prius (our current only car) and do a combination of tents, state park cabins, and Airbnb. For the past 5-6 years, we've done 1-2 weeks in state park cabins in various states, which generally costs around $300/week for a one-room rustic cabin. We love it. But then we lose the easy weekend trip option.
I just wonder though if all the packing/unpacking would get old fast, especially b/c I will have to do *some* work along the way. It may also limit where we could go. But the idea of getting under 20 mpg just makes me ill.
I'd love to do this while the kids are still at home. We never did anything like it when I was a kid, and I've always dreamed of it since a college friend mentioned his family did. But then the practical/frugal part of me says the whole thing is impractical and we should put the $ in the college fund.
I realize travel with a toddler is very different, but I'd love to hear your experience with the car option.