Van Life | 10 Tips for Getting Started

In May 2018, I moved out of my apartment in the city and into my SUV. Fourteen months later, I bought a van and hired a team to build my dream tiny home on wheels. Full-time road life has been a wild ride of highs and lows, endless adventure and steep learning curves. This kind of lifestyle is not for everyone - but if you’re considering van life, living in a vehicle, traveling full-time or even simply pursuing a more minimalistic lifestyle…here are ten tips to help you get started. Thanks for being here, and happy new year!

Hey :) I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. As a semi-minimalist, I eventually decided to donate/sell most of my belongings and move into my 4x4 Nissan Xterra. After 14 months of SUV living and falling madly in love with the open road - I bought a van and hired a team to build it out. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world on a whole new level, all while having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐

**My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 24K miles**

#vanlife #howto #campervan

[sschaffer]

Yay! It’s been an adventure for you for sure. I remember our disagreements the day I was trying to help you move out of the apt and it took me a while to understand all the crazy emotional stuff you were having to decide that day and I’m sure all the anxiety, fears and memories going through your head. But you did it, took a leap of faith and I’m so proud of all you are doing. You have been an inspiration to your own mother and I’ve learned so much from you! Amazing 💕🙌

[raskolnikov]

It helps out a lot if you are a minimalist, and also an introvert.

[jenniferlarson]

I am a single female looking into getting my own van and so far this process has been quite overwhelming. You bring up so many great points!!! Many people have told me I shouldn’t do this but I know that in my heart this is what I want to do. Thank you!

[stAmbientGrl]

Video ideas:
1. Having a social life while on the road.
2. Mental health for a fulltime nomad.

[giftoftheroad]

Honestly, best road map to #vanlife ever. Most folks start with 'so we bought a van'. You start from 'do I even want a van?' and go through literally everything. Super helpful. THANK YOU!!

[brianmi]

I recommend people think hard about the question, Do you want to Live IN your vehicle, or OUT of your vehicle?

This is a lifestyle question about what you'll spend your time doing when traveling and what level of creature comforts and capabilities the van needs to provide to maximize those abilities within your budget.

Leaning heavily towards OUT of your vehicle means you have hobbies that will fill most of your daylight hours: rock climbing, backpacking, photography, biking, sightseeing, shopping, volunteering, working at a job, etc. It often means you'd be happy just to have a dry, regular place to crash every night on the extreme end and you're willing to cook outside regularly and perhaps shower with a gym membership when in a city or a shower bag with warm water and a pop up shower enclosure as examples. You're fine with water from a rechargeable spigot on a 3 gallon refillable water bottle and taking care of business with a shovel and public facilities and possibly an ice chest and simpler cooking means (Hotlogic Mini or camp stove).

Leaning heavily towards IN your vehicle means that you want to spend long daylight hours in the vehicle and need space and features to make that comfortable. Comfortable seating for long hours with a laptop / tv, crafting / hobby workspace, storage for hobby supplies and tools, ability to cook / bake, perhaps a full size shower, room for a pet, running water. thick comfy mattress, room for exercise/yoga, ability to stand up, higher electric power needs, cassette or composting toilet, refrigeration possibly with a freezer. You may also have special needs or be traveling with a partner also and need to make the solution work equally well for both people to have long term success.

All of these example considerations are to suggest everyone places themselves uniquely on the spectrum for all these considerations. You should build the huge list of them, try to make sure you've considered them all, and determine what type of vehicle that may be suggesting will work best for your needs, given the possible compromises of a limited budget.

[History_Coffee]

This is the first "van life" video I've come across since I started looking into it where I believe the person actually lives in the van and it's not a stupid social media stunt, thank you for the information and perspective.

[cydneymulally]

I’m finally doing it this year! I’ve been wanting to build out a van since I was but when I moved out at 18 I started working and saving AND INSTEAD I met who I thought was my soulmate and we were together for years! And then one day I woke up and realized I wasn’t happy living somebody else dream anymore! SOOOO now we are here and I’m buying a short bus in July🙃

[nomadicphotosophy]

Thank you for the tips!! 2021 will be the year of my van dream!💪🏻

[billvanarsdale]

Very insightful advice. Well done.

I took a 6 week spin from Florida to Colorado this fall and confirmed my love of vanlife in an empty Sprinter with just a blowup mattress, cook stove, cooler and water jug. Now I’m happily spending the winter at my home in Florida building out the van with the guidance of many YouTubers, a perfect pandemic project. After things warm up, regardless of how far along I am in the build, I’m heading out again for a tour of the New England coast and Maritimes before heading out for a west coast tour, California to Vancouver. I discovered my muse leads me to driving onward about every day, even if for just a few miles, taking a hike, and relaxing in beautiful, remote places. One thing I really discovered is I love traveling alone where I can follow my whims wherever they lead. A “Scenic Route” marker may lead me on a spontaneous detour lasting days with no need to confer with a travel mate. The tranquility suits me, with occasional short visits with friends and family. The beautiful scenery is my most cherished companion.

Thank you for leading the way :)

[sugandspice]

I like the idea of van life but I have a very hard time thinking about having no one around me in my immediate vicinity that I can rely on for help if I need it. I love the idea of being out on my own and having adventures in nature, but I am terrified to get hurt or someone hurting me that really deters me from ever fully committing to doing anything other than car camping with my family on the weekends. You give me a lot of inspiration, but I also thank you for giving me reality checks. Van life is a great life style, just not for me personally, at least not right now.

[archiemalcolm]

You inspire me a lot. I am 16 right now and hoping to get into van life when I'm older. Thanks for the great tips and an excellent video

[kailav]

This was the most realistic and concise list of how to get ready for road life. Fantastic job!

[joshfortun]

You literally take 'Home to where you park it' to a completely different level. Anyone wanting to venture down this path would be well served with your astute insights.

[alinasheu]

I love how genuine and transparent your advice is!

[rick]

Wow! That was one of the most informative honest van life realities ever. Thank you so much. God bless

[jorgerivera]

It’s insane how similar you’re situation was to mine lol. 5 year long term long distance relationship ending. Meditation practice. Thinking nonstop and gravitating to a remote life for a fresh start and seeking adventure etc. very pleased to see you have made that step! Extremely inspired thank you!

[jamdwan]

Perfectly explained. Some things you would never even consider without someones personal experiences. Stay safe. Love your work.

[ashminer]

I love your channel so much. I'm going to try and move into my SUV with my 3 dogs when my lease is up, get out of medical debt, save up for a van, and live the dream of being closer to nature. Thank you for all you do!!

[carmendoherty]

This is the best channel. You centre on all the questions i needed answered and given me the confidence to do it!! Thankyou xxxx