Quick life update: I bought a second van to convert! Second time around I went with a 136 RAM Promaster, which is a completely different beast than the Mercedes Sprinter. Since this van didn’t come with windows already installed, I got to try out a new project. Window installation can …
Since I started researching converting my own van back in 2018 and after completing my first build in 2019 and now starting a second one in 2020, there is a constant debate about just about every feature of the build: which van is the best choice, which insulation works best, …
Which Battery Should You Use in Your Van Conversion? Read More »
If you’re anything like me, before making a lifestyle change, you spend hours (weeks…months…) doing research. A major source of my van inspiration (both building and living) has come from Instagram. However, Instagram can also be a dangerous hole of false realities and heightened expectations if you let it. There …
One of the first reactions I receive when people find out I’m living and traveling in my van is “…and you’re doing this all by yourself?” Next they ask if I have a dog (no), a gun (nope), or a partner (not one traveling with me). So without the three …
When I first had the notion that I wanted to live out of a van, I was overwhelmed thinking about how to pack an entire life and lifestyle into a van to survive life on the road and all four seasons. What do I need? What items will I have …
While building my van interior was fun, I couldn’t wait for it to be done so that I could decorate it and make it my own space. With only so much space, I had to be careful about not making it overwhelming because if it was up to me, everything …
Decorating Considerations and Options for Your Van Read More »
Window covers: the downfall of all Vanlifers. They are a total necessity for privacy and insulation, but they are a hassle to figure out. My mom, a professional quilter, actually helped me figure out how to make the covers I currently use in my van and they’ve been an ongoing …
When it comes to your van, everything should have a place. Unlike a stationary home where things can be left out on countertops and tables, a moving home needs appropriate storage to keep things from flying around. Also, if you plan on living in your van full-time like me, you’ll …
Show Me The Money! One of the most frequent questions I get when people find out I live in my van is “How are you affording it??” No, I didn’t win the lottery. No, I’m not a trust-fund baby. No, I’m not a digital nomad. What’s a Digital Nomad? Being …
Baby, It’s Cold Outside When I started my van journey, a friend of mine sent me a link on how to follow the seasons and always live where the average temperature is 70 degrees, which sounds like an absolute dream. And yet, here I am, sitting in a coffee shop in …
It is true what they say: National Parks are for lovers! However, as a solo traveler this bond is strictly between me and the National Parks of the US. Since I started Vanlife, I’ve had the opportunity to visit twenty of our nation’s parks! Here’s a list of some of …
One of the ultimate questions I get asked when people find out I live in a van is “So where do you shower?” Or my other favorite: “But where do you poop??” Even though it seems like a weird thing to ask, it’s a great topic of concern for people …
Although it’s possible to leave the natural wood finish on the interior of your van, I opted to paint my walls and cabinets for a more personal touch. Why be basic when you can be one-of-a-kind? In this post, I’ll cover some basic tips and tricks for a solid paint …
If you’re going to be doing anything in your van besides sleeping, you’re going to need some space to hang out! I also planned on working on my van so I needed a space I could comfortably sit, eat, and work. Space is limited so I had to get creative …
How to Set Up Your Van Seating Area: Refrigerator & Table Read More »
Living in a converted van means you are going to have to live as minimalist as possible which can make living luxuriously (and sometimes comfortably) a challenge. However, there are a few items that I have found to be a game-changer for making Vanlife much more enjoyable. Baby Wipes – …
So you’ve got your van all ready to go – now what? Where do you even begin? Everyone’s adVANture is totally different. I started my journey thinking I would be able to find consistent remote work and travel pretty consistently, going from city to city and national park to national …
Road Tripping Across the U.S.? Here’s How to Plan Your Route Read More »
I’ve covered parts of the kitchen build in a few other posts, but there is just so much to do when it comes to the kitchen area that I had to break it up into a few posts! In this post I’ll cover setting up your sink and how to …
How to Set Up The Sink and Running Water in Your Converted Van Read More »
If you plan on doing any kind of cooking inside your vehicle, you’re going to need a kitchen. There are a few different setup options based on size and cooking needs, but I’ll take you through how I built my kitchen area. In another post I specifically go into the …
One of my favorite (and luxurious) elements I have in my van is the lights! While it would be possible to just use lanterns and flashlights and even battery-powered string lights, have recessed overhead lights offers light equally to my entire living space and makes it feel a little more …
A large component of living in a van is actually living small. It’s no secret that you will have to downsize. I’ve also learned that with such small quarters, it’s essential for everything to have a designated place or it will go flying around while you’re driving. In this article, …
So you’ve decided to embrace the challenge of #vanlife! First things first, you’re gonna need a van. When I tell you I spent months researching types of vans and the pros and cons of each one, I am not exaggerating. From the time I decided I wanted to try living in …
Wall paneling…once you’ve got your insulation done it’s time to get some walls up in your van! This part is super exciting because it will really transform the interior of your van. With the metal and insulation all covered up, it becomes rather cozy. So keep reading and I’ll tell …
When I originally started paneling my van, I was under the impression that I would be able to panel my ceiling in about the same method as I paneled my walls. However, after further research and analyzing the ceiling, I realized it would have to approach it a little bit …
About a year ago, I somehow got introduced to this whole idea of “van life”. At the time, I was living and working in Italy and knew at some point I would have to make the move back to the US. Originally, I had the idea to take a month-long …
Let me start off by saying there is no one right way to convert a van. Everyone’s setup will be a little bit different depending on the type of van you have, materials you use, your budget, and of course your design preferences. We’re here to help you decide what …
Ahh, the bed frame. In general, figuring out the layout of the van rested a lot on where the bed was going to go because that takes up the bulk of the space. There are also a variety of different options to choose from: single bed, double bed, folding bed, …
In another post, I talk about how to figure out and set up your electrical system. Obviously the solar panels are part of that electrical system but I wanted a separate post just for actually installing the panels on the roof of the van. Since these are delicate pieces of …
When it came to things I knew I needed for the van, frankly a ventilation fan never crossed my mind. That’s what windows are for, right? WRONG. For one, the windows in the back part of the van don’t even open so unless I open the doors, it’s impossible for …
Electrical…this was by far the aspect of my van build that I was dreading the most. I have absolutely zero background in any kind of electrical work besides changing the occasional light bulb and when I started doing my research I was instantly overwhelmed. What is wire gauge? What is …
Installing the floor was the very first step I took on my van build and it’s a great place to start! There are a few options for your flooring and I decided to go with a two-step process that involved installing a solid plywood base and then adding an additional …
