Life is an open road. It’s a highway. It’s the path less traveled. Cultural references to life on the road abound. And it’s 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!
Van life, the lifestyle of living in your vehicle full-or part-time, is increasingly popular. 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.
“When your home’s on wheels, you have the ability to change the scenery at any time,” says Kristin Fulton. Fulton and her husband converted a 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia into a van home in 2020 and have been using it as a (van) home away from home since.
If the van life inspires you, check out a few recommendations below. Whether you are an experienced van life traveler tor simply on your own journey to learn more, we’ve got some helpful information for making your time on the road work for you.
New or Used? Van House Planning Question #1
Yes, that is the question, and a great place to start when thinking about creating the van house of your dreams. There are, of course, price differences to consider. A new van can cost between $30,000 to $50,000 and most vans, even new ones, are still fitted for commercial use.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a popular choice among van life enthusiasts and retails in the $50,000 range. Increasingly, and in response to the growing van life trend, car manufacturers are offering camper conversions for vans. These upgrades will add anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 (for high-end, custom conversions) to your price tag.
The cheaper option is to buy a used van and do the conversions yourself. While saving money is the upside – used vans can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $40,000 – van life conversions are big projects and time consuming. But if you like a project with huge rewards, read on!
Check out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for used van postings. Search terms like “converted van” or “cargo van.” The latter will make sure you are finding vans with cargo space to be converted, rather than a typical passenger van with seats throughout. As you explore, you’ll quickly become acquainted with additional van lingo that will help narrow down your van life search.
How Handy Are You? Van House Planning Question #2
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.
Where do plan to take your van home? 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 have hook-ups for water and electricity, which means you need a less elaborate power setup and a smaller water tank.
If you are headed to more remote destinations, consider larger power or solar investments to help you keep the lights on, literally. Remote destinations also mean you might need greater lift to follow those less traveled routes.
Urban destinations mean you usually don’t have the ability to set up an external campsite and will have to spend more time actually living 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.
What will you need? In combination with where you’ll 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’ll need a toilet.
Assuming the life of a digital nomad is freeing but you’ll 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’ll 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.
How many YouTube videos can you handle? 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’s in store.
What is Essential? Van House Planning Question #3
You’ve bought your van, completed your conversion, and now you’re ready to think about your first trip. Except, what will you bring with you? That’s a good question and planning ahead can save you frustration and discomfort. Here are some recommended essentials you may not have considered, but are key to your van life success.
- AAA membership: As experienced van-lifer, Fulton puts it, “AAA membership is not technically something you bring with you but for the love of all things holy, make sure you have it. Trust me.” It tops the list of essentials for a reason. Van life puts on a lot of miles and your safety and ability to continue on your journey is paramount.
- A robust toolkit: Some things – be they mechanical, electrical or aesthetic – you can fix yourself. Make sure you are armed and ready to do so with a toolkit featuring the basics like screwdrivers and a hammer and extra items like duct tape, extra fuses, and hoses and hose clamps. Throw in a tire repair kit too for good measure.
- First aid kits for everyone: If you haven’t noticed, “be ready for anything” is the general theme when it comes to living in a van. Pack a first aid kit to address basic needs and any specific health issues. If you are traveling with furry friends, don’t forget to bring a pet first aid kit, too.
- Stuff to keep clean: Bring along a small broom and dustpan to keep the dirt at bay and your van floor clean. You can use Dr. Bronner’s soap to clean just about anything and it doesn’t pollute the environment. And keep yourself clean, too! If you don’t have a shower, shower wipes (think hand wipes for your body) can help you extend the time between proper clean-ups.
- An atlas or map: Don’t go ill-prepared into that good night on the highway. Sometimes you won’t have cell or GPS service and you’ll need a complete and updated atlas to help you find your way.
- Storage: Living and traveling on the road often presents spatial challenges, no matter how well you plan. Maybe you found a thrift shop and you couldn’t pass up the treasures inside, or you’re picking up a new hobby and you can’t quite fit another kayak on the roof. Shopping for flexible self storage with month-to-month lease options can simplify your life as you go.
Find Storage Near You!
Living in a van on the road can make for a good life, full of adventure, beautiful scenery and yes, even comfort. If you’re thinking about taking off to parts unknown and joining the growing number of people who have discovered the magic of van life, congratulations and enjoy the ride.
