Fifty Tips for Living in a Van

Everything you need to know to travel comfortably in a van on a budget.

Some people have vacation homes. Other people – like me – have old vans in which they can’t wait to spend their time off driving around remote locales. Having recently returned from doing some van camping in Northern California, I’d like to share with you some of my tips for making the most out of living in a tiny space on wheels.

I want to first say how important it is not to underestimate the comforts of home. On the road you will have the same basic needs: food, water, sleep. Ahead of all other decisions, you’ll need to make sure those are met. When you’re traveling by van, life can be a ton of fun, and it can also be really scary. It can be overwhelming some days, uncomfortable other days and downright boring every now and then too. There’s no better way to make sure you’re prepared for anything than with a home on wheels.

These days, with #vanlife having brought the van camping lifestyle to such prominence, it’s easy to feel intimidated by all the fancy van conversions that hashtag digs up on Instagram. I promise you though, you absolutely do not need a shiny new Sprinter with state of the art cabinetry and sophisticated fixtures to get out on the road. Any old van will do, provided it runs well, you maintain the mechanics, and you treat the interior as you would any home. 

For fifty tips to get on the road, read my guide originally published on Little Hippie's blog.