When Van Life Actually Sucks
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 9. 06. 2024
- Today I talk to you about what my experience has been with living out of my van after one year. As much as I enjoy living out of my van its just really hard sometimes. There are things that don't always go my way, things break down and it can be really lonely and isolating sometimes especially when living in close proximity to the rest of society. Don't get me wrong its not all bad but sometimes it just sucks. I've always been attracted to this living on the road lifestyle because it gives me greater flexibility to be able to travel as much as possible. Join me in this video and find out why you might want to think about some of the things that aren't so great about living in a van. Its fun but with that also comes some limitations. I love vanlife. # travel #vanlife #vanconversion #digitalnomad
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Great video! Van Life is challenging but the freedom and other rewards of travel make it all worthwhile.
Thank you! It is challenging Iâve had to learn how to figure stuff out that Iâve never thought about before but not every day is a bad day. The freedom that you get is definitely worth it!
I totally hear you about the lack of a routine. A daily routine is actually important for your mental health. If you you know what is coming and what to expect at least on a general level, it keeps you calm. If fundamental things need to figured out every day, it takes up mental capacity. I definitely notice that myself after 4 years. Me traveling so much doesn't help of course.
I think itâs definitely possible to establish a routine, no matter what, but it was definitely a shock coming from having to worry about power more often or finding a place to sleep. With a lot of time, though you start to learn how to best do that efficiently. At first everything seemed pretty scary lol
Hi. I just found your channel. I've been living in my partially converted shuttle bus since mid-December 2023. I totally agree that a routine is key. I still work my full-time 40 hour per week job but I work it remotely from my bus. Each evening, I figure out where I want to go the next day. I'm still in my Hometown and usually park at Cracker Barrel or Walmart or somewhere like that at night. During the day I'll go to one of the 2 city parks. Or maybe spend like 4 hours in the Lowe's parking lot and 4 hours in the Walmart parking lot. It changes from day to day. And that is one of the things that I like, but that I dislike because I have to figure it out everyday.
Yeah, I completely understand that having to move around a lot and finding places to hang out in the downtime. I find it even more, especially isolating when I am within society, but when Iâm out nature, itâs not so bad thatâs awesome that you found a job that you can work remotely 40 hours a week!
You make very valuable points, after being being on the road for 8 years the common denominator I see with people living in their vehicles (who did it by choice and not necessity) is poor planning. What I mean is that they focused on getting a vehicle and hitting the road instead of sitting down and getting to know themselves. Ex; before I began my journey I sat down quietly and figured out my must haves'. In my case, there was no way on earth that I was going to hit the road without a/c, heating and my own bathroom and shower, I was not going to go looking for public bathrooms or digging holes in the middle of the night. My advise to those about to hit the road is to think and plan the things that you are willing to do and not do out on the road, do not take the basic human necessities for granted. Most people I meet who are unhappy and selling their rigs is because of not having a toilet or a way to heat or cool the rig.
Yeah, having a shower and toilet readily available can make a huge difference. Getting used to the idea of finding out what you are comfortable living with and without is a process but I plan on making some improvements to this rig and Iâll probably upgrade to a better one in the future. This was a great starting van to find out what kind of stuff I want for the future!
Of course, one project at a time, we all change rigs quite a bit until we find what best suits us.
As for an electric van. I test drove the Ford Transit electric. Drives great. Loved it. But there were a few negatives that made me decide against it. The range just isn't enough if you need to drive longer distances. It only goes 100 miles. I need to drive long distance all the time. The other thing is that most charging stations are not designed to accommodate large vans. I specifically went to a few charging stations with the van and it was a challenge. Some were really tight. I think the VW iDBuzz with a pop up roof is the ideal vehicle. I was ready to buy one but VW delayed it here in the US.
Last but not least, you can charge your power bank off your alternator using a DCDC converter and battery isolator. It's fully automated. Whenever you have the engine running it charges your Bluetti or Ecoflow or whatever you have
It would be a game changer if it could go beyond 100 miles - I donât think itâs really realistic until it hits like 300 miles minimum. thatâs really cool that you got to drive that maybe in the future it will be a more viable option. I have to look into that converter youâre talking about whatâs it called?
Adam, is there a 110/120 v outlet on your dashboard. I have one in my GMC Savana which I use to charge my two Jackery's as I drive. I run an extension cord from the outlet to the back of my van with a tri-outlet attached. The fridge and both Jackery's are plugged in. I have no solar panels. I've had this setup for over two and a half years and no issues. One trip around San Diego keeps my batteries charged. I use a magnetic board with post-it notes to remind me of bills, shopping list and things to do. I have my hygiene schedule down using a 5gl Home Depot bucket with plastic liners and waste is immediately discarded at the nearest dumpster or public trash receptacle. My pee jug w/lid gets emptied immediately into a plastic reservoir with a tight screw on lid; emptied at the next rest stop. Between showers and workouts at PF, I use Crocodile 10"X15" wipes to bathe with; $17 for a package of 100 wipes found at Home Depot.
I think I have a similar 110/120 V outlet on the dashboard. Iâll definitely have to try charging as I drive sometime. Thatâs a really cool set up. I think Iâll have to try it with a 12 V fridge .
You can use portable folding solar panels in the meantime I use them in my van and they great
Those are definitely a good option! I use them for a while. I ended up selling them because I wanted to have a permanent option installed. Iâm looking at probably getting some installed this summer.
I like the light you mounted on the hood.
I have one of those Chevy vans with the peeling paint defect in my driveway as we speak...I can tell ya unequivocally that the peeling paint has noting to do with your leak. There may be a spot rusted trough but the peeling paint itself is not the issue. If you want a cheap and easy solution, scrape off all the loose paint on the roof, sand down all the rust spots, scape off all your existing vent goop and hit the entire roof and vent flange with a gallon of white paint on Flex Seal applied with a roller and brush in the seams. That will solve both your paint and leak issues. Before you go solar get a DC to DC charger so your van alternator is charging your house battery any time you are driving. That is free power.
it can if working full time in cold @$$ weather and without a rooftop AC or webasto heater and 4 house batteries and 400watts of solar but if you got those things it can be excellent..just pick a winter hobby and summer hobby like skiing and dirtbike riding
Yeah, I definitely plan on getting some solar up there. That would make life way easier.
I'm not sure what you're using, but I work for an enclosed trailer company. You should scrap up the original sealant and use lap sealant by Dicor self leveling. This should fix your issue. Keep in mind that without proper ventilation, you may experience condensation, which has nothing to do with your waterproofing.
Iâm definitely going to look into that! The hard part will be getting up all of the old sealant do you have any tips on that?
@AdamxSoldo oscillating tool. Just be mindful of not damaging your roof. We do it all the time, but again, I do this for a living. Good luck!
My small 1999 van has 5 solar panels on the roof totaling 600W and 4 deep cycle batteries totaling 480amp
(220- 300 amp useable) storage and 70L fridge and separate freezer combined and camping stove and 9Kg gas bottle and pull out awning however with that and all the sundry items also needed to carry the van now weighs 2 ton which increases fuel consumption and slows it down somewhat on hills. Can last 5 days in remote area without any or very very minimal sun but that has only happened once in 3 years, even in prolonged stormy weather I don't run out of power I use 240v 2000w inverter for lap top and other appliances. Living is surprisingly easy and totally stress free. Petrol prices are outrageous so I restrict my relocation to every 10 to 14 days sometimes longer. I could have used a diesel van but I find them too smelly and the difference in economy is negligible
That sounds like a really awesome and efficient set up! What kind of van model is it?
99 Ford Econovan which in Australia is a rebadged Mazda E2000 purchased at 200,000 Klm for Aus $1,500 and spent $15,000 on fit out, bull bar, driving and fog lights, awning etc. fully regulated solar system and complete engine rebuild should be good for another 100,000 to 200,000 more. Engine is pre-computerized era which is what I wanted simpler and cheaper to tune and maintain.
if i was in your van, i would buy some rubber spray and schlack etra thick on the roof and then a little extra on the perimeter and call it job done. who cares what your roof looks like from a helicopter?
also, you really could keep yourself charged pretty well using the big three. 1: use the cig lighter / power port already in the van to charge while you drive (OR even better install a DC to DC charger!!!!) 2: toss a portable 200w (or bigger if you can!!) suitcase style portable solar panel stack like from Bluetti (dont get a shit amazon cheapo) on the roof when you park for the day. use magnets to secure em'. 3: for bad weather days if you really wanna get spicy, buy one of those small harbor freight brand generators and run it only when you need to. i bet your need to manually walk it inside a coffee shop and charge it will be drastically reduced if not eliminated.
There are electric vans. Ford has a very solid one, but solar won't get you enough charge. But that would be a super interesting challenge to do. Can you EV van life with solar and make it work...
I would love to see that be done. I think it would be so cool.
Good stuff
Glad you enjoyed!
You can buy rubber roof paint for 100 bucks
Also save yourself some money and buy a portable generator to charge your charge station
I have a solar system in my bus when it was all done cost me 8k to be 100% off grid
Iâll have to look into that! Thanks for suggesting it!
@@SmartBusN thatâs not bad at all
Just did it myself over my roof deck so I could walk bare foot on the wood you roof is way smaller
switch over to Anytime Fitness, there bathrooms / showers are 100% private.
Iâve heard about anytime fitness, after being at planet fitness for so long. I can definitely appreciate a 100% private shower and bathroom.
Anytime Fitness cost a lot more a month but to have your own private bathroom and shower is worth it to me.
kill the background music.
Yeah, I just realized I didnât dial it back enough
Yhe background music was too much and to loud. Had to bail.
Going to keep it a lot lower next time for sure đđŒ