10 Reasons Why Van Life SUCKS

Sometimes, Van Life sucks. In this video, I break down the top 10 reasons why I sometimes struggle with this lifestyle and things you might consider before moving onto the road full-time

0:05 sometimes van life sucks
0:54 overnight parking
3:00 space
3:55 shower and bathroom
4:37 lack of normalcy
5:30 i got pulled over
7:17 legal stuff
8:20 taxes
9:42 lack of convenience
11:00 lack of privacy
12:44 mail + shipping
13:41 wifi + internet
13:12 breakdowns + maintenance
15:44 the truth about #vanlife

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 37K miles**

FTC Disclaimer: This video is sponsored by @turbotax Some links above are affiliate links from which I get a small commission, which does not affect you as a customer at all, but helps me keep on making videos for you guys! All opinions are my own

#vanlife #offgrid #tinyhomeonwheels

[gphillimo]

Still sounds better than working a 12 hour shift, then coming home to my apartment to sleep, shower, and go back to work for another 12 hour shift

[TheArtofGuitar]

Thanks for your honesty. It's easy to romanticize everything that's outside the norm.

[stevejk]

This girl is spot on with her assessment of van life. I've been doing it over 3 years now. I'm 63, by the way . . . Despite the challenges - the level of freedom it provides is unparalleled.

[armandodemiguel]

You can park and sleep in the van pretty much everywhere in the US. As long as you dont have anything outside of the van, are plugged anywhere, have any open windows and throw outside any type of liquid.

Im a Industrial engineer (specialized in catenaries and HIgh tension networks) worked in NY for 5-6 years. After a year of paying 3700$ for rent and having to walk each day for 40 minutes to work i decided to mae myself a stealth van. For less than a year of rent i bought myself a ford transit and made it a stealthvan during my month vacation.
THE BEST INVERSION OF MY LIFE.
I lived like a king. Parked rougly 10 minutes of my office, near a supermarket. And never had a problem (for 4 years parked in the same place).
I Saved almost 60% of my income. INSANE. 5 years later i sold my stealth van and with the money i had saved i paid almost entirely a house in my hometown. Now im a Physics highschool teacher, earning less than half i did when i worked in NY, but i got a paid house, all afternoons free and summers off.

[spacemanjupiter]

I've been on this kick for the past few months but this video has made me realize it's not for me. I see lots of deal breakers that would be more trouble than it's worth, for me, personally. I think what I'd prefer is having a permanent residence, owning a vehicle like this, and just take lots of vacations through the year. I'm glad someone had the balls to show what it's really like rather than making it look like you're living an instagram story every day.

[Caninedriver]

In case you haven't tried this: Stop by the local "Cop Shop" and ask where you might be allowed to park overnight, hopefully in a low-risk setting? In my career as a LEO, it was more common than you might imagine to get these questions, most from truckers, but RV'rs as well. Not only would I help them to find a place, but when working "dog watch", we'd make it a point to increase our presence in the area the person was parked, especially if in a more remote or secluded location. Whenever I did that "dreaded knock", I always tried to offer alternative locations, or, depending on the area, I'd exercise my "discretionary powers" and allow them to remain with a reminder not to do it again!! (Insert sternly wagged index finger here). Fire Departments, EMS / hospitals may also be resource providers. Safe travels!!!

[StoneWeevil]

I feel sort of trapped in my current lifestyle, and recently I've been putting quite a bit of thought into transitioning to van life -- Videos like this are quite important, since it gets me thinking about potential problems down the road (all pun intended), and I really, _really_ shouldn't be rushing this kind of decision; hell, that's what got me in my current situation in the first place.
Thank you for posting this!

[Strawberryfearsforever]

I love the way you travel together, but separate. Your own space and less anxiety knowing someone is just in another vehicle.

[AdiAdi-dvpx]

this is actually a gold mine for those who are planning to do van life, its either you'll get discourage from van life or learn from this video to minimize the problem

[Cuckoorex]

Reminds me of the dream vs reality of things like running a food truck. There's this really romanticized ideal that I used to have about that but then I started learning about all the costs and permits and ruthless local competition and safety issues and pretty soon it was like, "well, maybe I should just host regular cookouts from my place".

[mjremy]

I think you did a very good job of explaining the downside to full time van life. Brava! It is very true and comprehensive. I lived in my Class C for a year and had the same issues. No solar either so it was very tough with two lead acid batteries.

The biggest advantage to van life is that you become very self sufficient and resourceful and an ace DIYer. You travel, see the world, learn to resolve problems and overcome fear of things going wrong. It builds character, enlarges your perspectives, and lowers the angst of living. It affords a view of your natural world, and if you have a small dog, it is heaven for them.
You need to make sure:
1. Your tires have good stainless steel extension valves (for dually), and are strong enough to take the load.
2. You do not exceed the cargo carrying capacity (GVWR) listed on your van specs. If you do, you will get flat tires and sway.
3. Your power grid has to be reliable and work at all times. This is critical.
4. Take an air compressor along with you for remote location travel. Busted tires = being stuck.
5. Enough potable water and a filtration system like a Berkey portable filter.
6. Backup gas stove. Back up small cooler.
7. Fridge has to be 100% reliable - buy Novakool, Isotherm or Vitrifrigo with a Danfoss compressor. This only runs on AC or DC no propane and is very reliable and not so dependent on level parking. Have enough solar to run it. Get the largest fridge you can fit and your power grid can power up. Large fridge = more freedom.
8. Do not buy induction stoves. Stupid purchase. Stick to propane or butane stoves - big or small tank. They always work.
9. Extra tank of gas, shovel, mud ramps, levelers,
10. Travel with a SMALL dog. Best alarm system in the world! Also will wake you up if you have a gas issue, water issue, animal issue, mice, robbers, etc. Be ready to leave in a flash at nighttime.
11. Temperature control is important. Either have a generator to run for AC on hot days, or enough solar/battery power to run AC on solar only (tough one), or go north when its hot.
12. Finding a quiet place to sleep is critical or your health will suffer. Most urban locations are very noisy, so find a quiet urban place and match the rhythm of residents sleeping - early or late. Sleep early, rise early. Sleep is critical and the most important thing. This is what suffers the most. You need safety and quiet. Sometimes, being in a truck stop is good if you can run your generator all night, turn on the AC and just crash for 8-9 hrs of good, deep sleep. At truck stops they all run their gennys so you don't care about making noise. Or make a deal with a warehouse or business that you will be their nightguard for the property, if they let you sleep there. You will have access to water too. They can lock you in at night for your safety. Its a mutual benefit. You could also do house sitting for pets and be a mobile house sitting service (give them a permanent address and references). You get to stay in their house, pet sit, use shower and kitchen and rest.
13. Laundry is a major pain. I have a Class C 22 ft, so a bit bigger than this Class B. If I traveled a lot I would install that new Daewoo wall mount tiny washing machine. Else get a Panda washer and spinner, or just a spinner. Spinning the laundry is key. You can hang dry after that in your van or outside for fast dry. Pick a place with water, hot sun and cook and do laundry in one go. I found remote park sites where I could discreetly hang my laundry to dry on back of van, making it look like beachwear, and refill my tanks as I used up water for cooking, laundry, cleaning. Once a week.

Living full time in a van is tough because you do give up comforts and also a lot of hobbies. But you can rent a space at someone's backyard to park in and use the bathroom, toilet, kitchen for a while between travel, and that is ideal. You can also rent a small space or buy a piece of land with a shed for storage and amenities.

[boomer]

I'm really grateful that you made this video, because it does remind me of all the times I encountered those uncomfortable situations that increase your blood pressure and tighten your sphincter. When you're young, it's definitely more of an adventure, but when you get older, there's nothing like having a homebase for peace of mind. Best of luck to you young lady and God bless.

[aberdeendeltaforce]

You really nailed this, I’ve been living in my van here in the UK for 2 1/2 years and yes the minute you open those doors someone sticks there head in to ask questions, and the decision fatigue, that really is getting to me, I always knew it was there bugging me but you put a name to what I am feeling, to constantly be aware of your surroundings takes it’s toll as does the constant water rationing and signal issues. Maintenance is a daily thing and a lot of work, my van Is 8 years old and everything is starting to break so things are getting expensive. I can’t afford a mechanic so I’ve had to learn how to fix things myself, everything from upgrading the suspension, changing the clutch to fitting a new timing belt I’ve had to learn myself to do as mechanics cost more than plastic surgeons. Thank you so much for this video, you’ve let me know it’s not just me feeling this way. ❤️

[brads.]

Water anxiety, noise, and the dreaded knock….ultimately, these three factors caused me give up living in my van while trying to work full time in Silicon Valley. Thanks for all of the content you produce and share. Take care.

[KRoseB]

7 year full time nomad here. You are spot on with this info. This is the best comprehensive video Ive seen that outlines the realities of being a nomad. I live in a 1999 30ft motorhome with my husband & our shih tzu(road dawg). Even though we have more room than you do there are 3 of us and Ive found we deal with these same issues. We have a full but tiny bathroom & if you want to stay remote you cannot be taking a shower every day & cook, wash dishes etc. You still practice water conservation and we use planet fitness for the bennie of a long hot shower. We instituted chore day where we pick up mail, shop, do laundry, propane, gas, fill water, empty tanks & shower. Depending on how the city is laid out sometimes it takes more than one day. You really nailed this video. I will be sharing with lots of curious peeps who are endlessly curious about living on the road full time. Thanks for this and new sub!

[ExxonMobilCompany]

Recession is often the result of external factors, and it appears that the United States is losing its grip as a federal reserve currency.
With a decreasing ability to control inflation and a reduction in stock and oil trading, it seems that a new multilateral world order is on the horizon.

[lorrainemadden]

This is absolutely the most honest, comprehensive explanation of van life that I have seen. I am years deep in watching van life vlogs. Thus, I hesitate to enter into this type of lifestyle. But when I finally do, it's vlogs like this that will help me properly prepare for van life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Very, very helpful!

[gcruishank]

My 18 year old son watches all the 'van life' videos and thinks he should buy one and live his life like this. Of course all these videos make it look like so much fun and adventurous, which probably a small part of it is. Thanks for showing the truth!

[TheCuratorsCuriosities]

I'm 23 years old here but full time van life sounds so rough and too hard for me. I crave the adventure and going to see new places, but I think having a "home base" is a good idea. Staying for a few weeks somewhere is a great idea however!

[justathought]

So true. Decision fatigue. As a solo traveler, I'm so tired of making a million decisions every week. Some are easy with little impact: eggs or oatmeal? Some are huge: new tires or repair the refrigerator? and the long reaching impact can be disastrous. So tired.