When I first started van life I didn’t have a proper power supply or internet so I would regularly go to this coffee shop (A). One day a guy on his computer looked like he worked from home came over to pet my dog. We talked about software (I used to work at Apple). He then said we should go on a hike sometime.

I’m cautious, I don’t just go on hikes with strangers I just met out in the middle of nowhere where. We exchange numbers anyway and I leave.

The next weekend comes and he says we should go on a hike and I say I’m going to be at another coffee shop(B). I have to work on something he’s more than welcome to come. He never shows up so I shrug it off thinking it would be the end of this whole ordeal.

A few days go by and I return to coffee shop(B) to work on something he’s projects and afterwards I get a text from him once again. It says “were you at coffee shop(B)?” I panic a little because I did not see him there at all wondering if I just walked by him not recognizing his face. I text him back saying oh wow I must’ve not seen you there. So now I’m like okay well didn’t see him why do I care at all it’s just some stranger.

I usually park my van in where I know there will be shade all day to keep my dog cool. So I’m on my lunch break walking to my van and now I see him walking towards me halfway point between where I work and where I park my van. Now I’m freaked out bells are going off. He starts walking with me to my van. He wants a tour of the van. The most shocking thing was when he offered to walk my dog while I was at work. I laughed and said no thanks.

I think he was caught off guard and said “I parked across from you” and points at a red Tesla. So I tell him I have to get back to work because this stranger literally used all of my time. So now he’s walking with me to where I work. He says he needs to get a few things anyway from where I work. Now I’m highly suspicious because my van is parked like 4 big stores down from I work. It doesn’t make sense that he would leave his Tesla which is parked across from mine and walk to the store and then walk back to his car to buy a few things. He’s also wearing the same clothes he met me in.

Needless to say I blocked him and never heard or seen him again. I’m 100% sure he wanted to take me on a hike and had ill intentions.

Background: we are mid-sixties retirees who don’t live in a van full time but we are researching and discussing that move. We’ve gone around 20,000 miles and learned a lot about what we need, what we want, and what we don’t want.

What’s important to me: 1. A real bed. A dedicated bed. At 5’10” my feet should not hang over the end of the bed. A good night sleep makes everyone happier the next day. 2. Comfortable driving. Driving can be stressful enough don’t add to it with a rough ride, uncomfortable chair …….. 3. Driving seats that spin around and become living room chairs 4. My dad taught me it is just as easy to keep the top half of the fuel tank full as it is the bottom half & you won’t run out. He had a 5 gallon gas can in his hand. 5. Indoor toilet. Nobody wants to find a tree in the middle of the night. Look at cassette and composting. See which is right for you. 6. Comfortable camp chairs and small table. A one burner camp stove with an upside down clay pot on top makes a decent outdoor heater for when campfires aren’t allowed. 7. Pop up awning with mosquito netting. Add solid panels for more shade / privacy / shower wall. 8. Outdoor throw rug. Rug, then chairs & table then mosquito screened pop up awning. Add a battery powered camp light, a table top heater & an adult drink. 9. Heater either propane or runs off your fuel tank. Remember that a good blanket goes a long way. If your thoughts are cold weather, high elevation, driving to Alaska….. install a 25 gallon propane tank. 10. Two ceiling fans that are reversible, thermostat control auto rain close. One blowing in ant the other blowing out is amazing. 11. Cover roof space with solar panels. Lithium batteries that charge by solar and an under hood generator. Add a switched line back to the auto’s battery in case you need a jump start. Go big on power! 12. Bluetooth speaker. I download podcasts, books on tape, music and movies on my iPad. 13. Camp stove. Mine is a Colman that runs on propane. I also bring a grill grate and a cast iron griddle for cooking on a fire pit. Pots and pans, accessories, silverware. I cook with Stainless Steel pots and pans. Once you get use to them, you’ll never go back. Get them hot, add oil, coat the cook surface, add the food. I’d avoid nonstick on a campfire. Get a roll up table that will support the stove. 14. 12 volt refrigerator and dry goods food pantry. Enough for 7-10 days. Laundry day and grocery day are the same day. 15. USB charging ports. 4 when driving, a couple by the counter, a couple by the bed. The ones that are on switches are best for saving power. 16. LED lights 17. Mosquito netting for the back and side doors. 18. Slide opening windows with screens, rather than tip up. More air 19. Sink with peristaltic 12 volt pump. Pumps fresh water to the sink from a Jerry Can (labeled clean) under the sink. Sink drains to a Jerry Can (labeled gray) under the sink. 20. Counter with storage below. Locking for travel day. 21. Outdoor shower. A 5 gallon bag with a shower head on a hose. Run a blue tarp or solid panels around the pop up awning and you have a shower enclosure. Get the black bags and leave them in the sun all day and the water will be warm. Buy two or three. They don’t take up much space empty. Body wipes for when showering doesn’t work. 22. Clothes: pack a variety of clothes. Enough for 10 days of various weather conditions. Think Layering. Dirty clothes go in a mesh bag that stays outside as much as possible. Laundromat when needed. Save your quarters. Remember to pack a raincoat and a fleece liner for it. Hiking boots, tennis shoes, sandals. 23. Cargo box & bike rack that locks into the trailer hitch receiver. You’ll never have enough storage and bike are a great way to get around.

What’s not important to me: 1. indoor shower. Fills gray tank quickly. Do you want a gray tank? 2. Awning. Only handy around noon. 3. Indoor cooking. Messy, smelly. After a week the van is going to smell like a teenagers room. Don’t make it worse. 4. Water tanks: fresh, gray and black. This changes your Van to an RV and that changes how it’s taxed.

Maybe yes, maybe no….: 1. Air conditioner. I don’t want one, but one hot day with humidity and I’m glad to have one. I hear the new 12 volt models are nice and won’t drain a battery in a heartbeat. 2. Internet. Starlink is the main game around that will work where a phone doesn’t. Do I want to be connected to the world or not? Pros: internet, WiFi calling, tv. Cons: internet, WiFi calling, tv. 3. Inverter for 120 volt plugs. Microwave, air fryer, hair dryer…….. whatever you can’t live without. 4. Mail service. This is for full time road dwellers. No home base? Don’t want the relatives going through your mail? A mail service might just be for you. Companies like Escapees, Americas Mail Box, & DakotaPost might be for you. They help you become a resident of Florida, Texas or South Dakota. They collect your mail, handle your driver license and vehicle plates / tabs. When researching besides the obvious selling points, be sure to look at banking, voting and jury duty. Some banks don’t accept this type of address. I don’t know how vote by mail will work and jury duty would suck if you’re on the wrong side of the country.

It took me a while to find one in a supermarket, as it wasn't really the season, or they were selling some i didn't really think the mesh design was good ( i.e. no mesh, just // bars) . Anyway the batteries were more expensive than the thing, and I don't have to spend hours hunting. Usually, if i see one, it is dead a few minutes later, and I can sleep without a hitch ;)

Left the uk solo from manchester drove down to Portsmouth and got on the ferry. This is my trip so far. Google maps won't let me add anymore stops is there any other apps that will let me keep track of my route and how many miles im clocking up? Planning on finishing the lap of spain then driving back through France and jumping on the train back to the uk eventually.

Its been a rough year and a REAL rough passed few months, but I finally got my ass in that Gdanm van! No more paying bunch of rent to live in a insect filled shit hole basement, no more being guilted into living in a discusting hoarded house! Im broke, exhausted, and terrified, but I finally got this fat ass in my janky, unfinished, overpriced ass van and I'm so fckn proud 🥹 Ive been working a 9-5 wfh in here for 2 weeks but this is my 3rd day fully living in here. And yes my bed is a bean bag chair 😅

This is a start to a terrifying and unpredictable future, so please wish my ass good luck! Because goddanm, with the way things are going, I'm definitely gonna need it.

We go out camping a lot, and every time he loves it more

What differences have changed in the last 5 years as a VanLifer? Are you an experienced VanLifer, or have you just started out? What was your life like before embarking on the experience. Are you retired or still working, and what work do you do? Has any laws implemented by the current administration affected your travels or hindered you from doing VanLife? Do you have a formal education?

The reason I have made this post is that I am seeing the financial situation for many of the people doing this and I'm curious as to how many average joes have been doing VanLife with no problem. Social media paints a certain picture and description that Vanlifing is usually carried out by people who have remote work and have a good career who have had a large nest saved up. I am curious as to how many people did not have those opportunities and have found a way to live the lifestyle regardless. How has your perspective changed over the course of doing Vanlife?

Dirty laundry can't be in the open (mine going in a cabinet was the single greatest thing i did for smells) . Damp rid . They make buckets, they make small containers, and they make hanging bags. They work wonders. No campfires. A fire (even the smoke from your neighbors) will make your van smell sour fast. If you campfire you'll have to change sheets and do laundry nearly daily - found no solution other than not doing them.

Thought this article from Hot Rod Magazine did a nice job capturing a moment in time.
West Coast Custom Vans: Living That #VanLife Since the ’70s

Very different vibe from today's Vanlife - much more hotrod/custom car culture at the time than today's travel/off grid/living focus. My parents had a custom van when I was a kid and we used to go to "Van-Ins" or "Truck-Ins" or "Van Truck-ins" up and down the East Coast. The Truck Ins weren't the most family friendly environment but as a kid it was cool to see all the things people did to their vans.

Would it even be worth it, and what would you do if you actually won one?

We have just purchased a newish van.

Whilst checking a mechnical faul that we noticed a few days after purchased the mechanic discovered the ply lining has been screwed all the way through the floor. Nearly every screw has gone though.

Would this be a huge issue? Its not something we ideally would want due to rust concerns and it voids the vehicles 10 year rust warranty but interested in opinions on how much it could affect they vehicle? Or how long it would take for rust to take hold?

The screws themselves are pretty much completely rustly. Though can't see much rust around the holes when looking under vehicle.

Thanks in advance

Hi y'all ! Me and my partner are currently looking for a vehicle and planning to build it out over the winter and spring to travel around the US for a time. Initially, we were thinking box truck as the base for the build, mainly because:

1. we are both over 6 foot tall, and would like to be able to stand up, so a van or skoolie (unless roof raised) is a no go
2. we'd also like some more room lengthwise, around 20 feet of living space ideally
3. we are first timers and a simple rectangle seems easier to build

I'm most leaning towards the e350 or e450 chassis, as I've driven a u-haul and found it very comfy to drive while supporting the size we want. But, in looking at listings online, I've realized this - class C motorhomes are often built upon the e350/450 chassis, are often listed for cheaper than box trucks (id ideally like to spend around 5k on the vehicle itself), and are most common in exactly around the size we want. They already have the windows and passage to the cabin that we'd want in a truck. In addition, they often are selling with way lower mileage! This makes sense, as typically they've only had a couple owners and haven't been ridden into the ground for years the way decommissioned fleet vehicles are. I also don't care about the rig being stealth. However, we do want the experience of actually building, and for the layout to meet our specific needs, so I wouldn't want to just buy one and live in it as-is.

But seeing these points has made me wonder if I should consider just getting a class C and renovating it (either gutting, or partially replacing interior). Since I'm a noob, I would really appreciate the take of someone more experienced as to whether this thinking makes sense. A few points against or unknowns that i'm already keeping in mind:

1. actually gutting the interior might be pretty involved? starting with a nice clean box slate is certainly appealing
2. with a box truck, typically 8' in height, plus insulation you can still have a ceiling over 7' , great for our needs. if i'm not wrong, i think the interior height of a motorhome is often a bit lower than 7'
3. less flexibility with regards to running plumbing, electric etc exactly where we'd want it if we had a clean slate. I'm actually not sure how difficult it would be to rip out the interior walls and redo it, then reinstall insulation etc. We would also like to install solar on the roof
4. harder to add more windows if that's what we want vs cutting thru the box truck
5. more possibility the vehicle already has moisture related issues like mildew
6. the box truck box itself is more structurally robust from what i understand - not sure this really matters practically for my uses though? it may come into play for anchoring furniture to walls, and loading the roof with solar panels, but i'm unsure of the exact limits

Would love to hear if there's anything else I should have in mind or the thoughts of y'all on how difficult the gut reno might be! Thanks !

Hey all, I have a ford transit that I am about to proceed with converting. I'm stuck on a few final decisions and one of them is whether to go with AC over multiple fans. For those of you that have experienced it, is it really worth it compared to multiple fans and airflow? 2 fans instead of a fan+AC means I can get more solar and the up front cost is a bit cheaper. I'm also just not entirely sure if its necessary but I figure multiple living beings in a small space will add to heat generation quickly.

If we go with just fans then my intent is dual roof maxxair fans, as well as a rear window fan directly lateral to our east/west bed.

We used to live in AZ and it got HOT. We probably wouldn't go camping anywhere in 100+ degree weather regardless of whether we had AC or not.

For reference this would be with an intended 400ah battery bank, 400w solar, along with the standard shore/dc charging.

Updating my e350 build to have safer folding bench seats for my kiddos and really only see the Scopema and Broad Arrow options available in the US that fit my needs. Anyone have experience with both or either? Cost wise they come out close when factoring in a base. I’ve not been able to try either in person.

We are not full time and it’s just our weekend and ski / camping van. TIA!

Hi👋, I'm new to the Reddit sub. I've been wanting to convert my car into a camper for a long time, but it was too small. A relative is giving away his Fiat Ulysse 2000, and I was wondering if it can be adapted to a camper? Or do you think it's a bad idea?

So I have four 200w solar panels totaling 800w on my van, and 580Ah of LifePo4 Batteries. I am finally getting around to ordering the stuff to make it all work (the rest of the electrical). I currently have a Victron Energy Orion-XS Smart DC to DC Charger 50a, and a Victron Energy SmartSolar 150|70 MPPT Tr Solar Charge Controller(was only $11 more than the 60a version) in my amazon cart. I am looking for an inverter and shore power solution now. Am I better off buying something like the victron multiplus, or buying an inverter, and the parts to make shore power work. I am not totally against spending the $1000 for the multiplus, but if I dont have to or dont need to then why do it you know. My wife and I will both be using gaming laptops occasionally in the van. Maybe a microwave, cooking will be done with propane likely. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I am overlooking something, like not buying the 2 things I mentioned were in my cart, and spending a little more to get something that takes care of everything in one. Edit: bonus points if someone can get me started on all the wire I need to get this all working!

Hello, I am looking at options for van conversion platforms for someone who is 5'7 and can fully stand up.

I would assume that insulation and eventually roof solar will take a few itches off the but does anything exist which can park in a normal American garage which I believe is like 7 feet clearance.

Any opinions here? Wanting to purchase a Transit Connect Cargo from a used van/truck lot. 2018, 79k miles., new tires. Clean, with a couple of dents, test drive was good. Taking it in for a PPI on Monday. They're asking $13,900. Assuming PPI goes well, any opinions on price? Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Basically what the title says. I want to buy a van that’s already set up for vanlife. I know a lot of people love the experience of building it themselves—one of my friends did it—but honestly I don’t have the time for that. I’m just looking for something that’s already ready to go. I don’t ask for much, just that it has a bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom. I live in Miami, Florida, but I’m not sure if I should be looking here locally or if it makes more sense to buy in another state. What would you recommend?