Van life is trending and people from all walks of life are embracing the lifestyle. It’s a great way to get out and explore the country or take some much needed time out. While the lifestyle can appear glamorous, and it is, there are still considerations to take into account before you get started . Here’s our top van life tips to help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
1. Keep Safety and Security a Number One Priority
Whether in your van or out for the day, our first of five van life tips is that safety is a top priority. The best advice here is to trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right or look right, don’t stay there. An alarm for your vehicle is a worthwhile investment, as is a steering wheel lock if you’re heading out. Invest in black out curtains and stay in brightly lit areas rather than dark unlit parks overnight. When you’ve found the ideal place to stay for the night, park the van in a way so that you can’t be blocked in and can easily drive off. Keep your keys in the same place every night so that you can find them quickly if you need to. Check out our van life safety tips for more great ideas.
2. Where Will You Park Each Night?
At the end of a long day exploring or driving you’ll want to unwind and relax. There’s nothing worse than driving around trying to find somewhere to park for the night. Check the local regulations about overnight parking to avoid expensive camping fines. It pays to check the local council website for freedom camping regulations. Some districts provide areas that you are allowed to stay in for free for a few nights at a time. Checking van life social media groups and Apps is a great way to discover recommended locations to stay. Traveling with pets can also require extra planning for pet friendly parking.
3. Where Will You Charge Devices and Access WIFI?
One of the most important van life tips is to ensure you’ve got access to charging devices. You’d be surprised how much we rely on power and internet and it’s no different when living in a van. You’ll need to charge laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Unless you have a good battery system and charging capabilities you’ll need to consider where to charge these devices. You might find a local library or community center allows you to plug in devices. Some service stations have phone charging stations. Cafes and library’s are good choices to use WIFI, and if you’re a Spark customer you have access to 1GB of free internet each day at the pink phone boxes. Maybe consider adding an extra battery and solar panels on your van to help with power needs.
4. You Won’t Need to Take as Much as You Thought
Storage space is at a premium in a van so you’ll want to carefully choose what you take with you. It’s a good idea to spend a week living in the van before hitting the road full time to get a sense for what you use. If you didn’t use it in that week, you probably won’t need it on the road. Taking some shorter trips away before going full time is another great way to find out what you need to bring on the journey.
5. Plan for Winter
Although last on our list, one of the most important van life tips is planning for winter. Living in a van in winter can be cold, even with the best insulation. Plenty of warm blankets, clothing, and hot water bottles can help, or invest in a diesel heater. You can get heaters installed, or with a bit of DIY knowledge you can install your own within a day. They’re available on Trade Me for a few hundred dollars, and if installed correctly are safe and efficient. Keep wet weather gear on hand. Reflective clothing is a must for extra safety in emergencies when traveling on the road.
With a little preparation and planning, living on the road and traveling in your van can be the best experience of your life.