{"id":22946,"date":"2022-03-04T10:46:12","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T15:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=18853"},"modified":"2024-07-01T10:17:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:17:37","slug":"starting-your-van-life-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/your-life\/starting-your-van-life-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Road: Starting Your Van Life Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you ready for an out of the box lifestyle?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Life is an open road. It\u2019s a highway. It\u2019s the path less traveled. Cultural references to life on the road abound. And it\u2019s no wonder. The freedom to live and work from anywhere, the ability to see diverse landscapes and meet new people is quite the siren call, particularly as working from home means working . . . anywhere! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van life, the lifestyle of living in your vehicle full-or part-time, is increasingly popular<\/a>. Spurred by a desire to socially distance and circumnavigate the challenges of airline travel, individuals, couples and families have adapted their vans to create temporary homes and adopted the van lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen your home\u2019s on wheels, you\nhave the ability to change the scenery at any time,\u201d says Kristin Fulton.\nFulton and her husband converted a 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia into a van home in 2020 and have\nbeen using it as a (van)\nhome away from home since. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the van life inspires you, check out a few\nrecommendations below. Whether you are an experienced van life traveler tor simply on your own\njourney to learn more, we\u2019ve got some helpful information for making your time\non the road work for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New or Used? Van House Planning Question #1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Choose a van for your lifestyle and budget.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yes, that is the question, and a great place\nto start when thinking about creating the van house of your dreams. There are, of course,\nprice differences to consider. A new van can cost between $30,000 to $50,000\nand most vans, even new ones, are still fitted for commercial use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter<\/a> has\nbeen a popular choice among van life enthusiasts and retails in the $50,000\nrange. Increasingly, and in response to the growing van life trend, car manufacturers are\noffering camper conversions for vans. These upgrades will add anywhere from\n$10,000 to $100,000 (for high-end, custom conversions) to your price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cheaper option is to buy a used van and do\nthe conversions yourself. While saving money is the upside \u2013 used vans can cost\nanywhere between $5,000 and $40,000 \u2013 van life conversions are big projects and time\nconsuming. But if you like a project with huge rewards, read on! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist\nfor used van postings. Search terms like \u201cconverted van\u201d or \u201ccargo van.\u201d The\nlatter will make sure you are finding vans with cargo space to be converted,\nrather than a typical passenger van with seats throughout. As you explore,\nyou\u2019ll quickly become acquainted with additional van lingo<\/a> that will help narrow\ndown your van life\nsearch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Handy Are You? Van\nHouse Planning Question #2 <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Converting a van? Be prepared to put in some elbow grease or hire a helping hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Van conversions can be big projects, so take a moment to consider your levels of ability, budget, and patience to tackle one before your living in a van adventure begins. If you are determined and ready to go, good on you! The following additional questions will help kickstart your efforts.
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Where do plan to take your van home?<\/strong> Will you be staying primarily at camp sites or more urban locations? The answers to these questions have implications for your design and conversion. Most established campgrounds<\/a> have hook-ups for water and electricity, which means you need a less elaborate power setup and a smaller water tank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are headed to more remote\ndestinations, consider larger power or solar investments to help you keep the\nlights on, literally. Remote destinations also mean you might need greater lift\nto follow those less traveled routes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urban destinations mean you usually don\u2019t have the ability to set up an external campsite and will have to spend more time actually living<\/em> in a van. Figuring out where you want to go will play a large part in determining how you design your van, address your needs and, eventually, get there.
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What will you need?<\/strong> In combination with where you\u2019ll go, figuring out what you need is essential. Will your van home also double as a workspace? How many sleeping areas do you need? And, yes, you need to figure out if you\u2019ll need a toilet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assuming the life of a digital nomad<\/a> is freeing but you\u2019ll need to create some square footage for doing so. Safe and comfortable sleeping spaces are also a big consideration and the number you need will have implications for how you set up your van house, so plan accordingly. If you\u2019ll mostly be staying at campgrounds, you may not need a toilet and can use the campground facilities. Putting in your own commode at this stage, however, will be easier than doing so, er . . . down the road.
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How many YouTube videos can you handle?<\/strong> When it comes to DIY van conversions, YouTube reigns supreme. There are hundreds of videos online addressing just about any question and issue. And watching a few of the videos before you start your conversion journey can give you inspiration and a sense of what\u2019s in store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Essential? Van\nHouse Planning Question #3<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Planning is key before you hit the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve bought your van, completed your\nconversion, and now you\u2019re ready to think about your first trip. Except, what\nwill you bring with you? That\u2019s a good question and planning ahead can save you\nfrustration and discomfort. Here are some recommended essentials you may not\nhave considered, but are key to your van life success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n