Ah the amount of cute animals in this week's video!! All adorable, had no idea such a campground even existed. Hopefully the transition back to the Prius isn't too bad after experiencing the "good life" of Vanlife! Also wanted to say I really appreciate the interactions with your community. From actually reading the comments to meeting with members it's so down to earth and great to see. Excited for The Big Easy!
What's also really good with a van like that is that you could get bikes and bike around for shorter trips like grocery shopping or visiting sites or city centres and only drive the van from one camp site to another.
First comment, finally 😍 I hope the answer is YES, but I'll watch the video and see. Edit: I think what you need is a vehicle where you can stand up, fit a big bed, and have a toilet. Good to know the van was comfortable to drive! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷❤️
I missed you guys! I’ve been away but I’m glad caught this toe-dip into van life! My hubby and I bought a bus to fix up, but lumber prices doubled and now we have to wait to afford more fixin’! Big hugs from the Abby lady!
You guys seemed so disappointed and looked extra cramped after the van tryout. That cat that followed you everywhere was so adorable! Didn't realize llamas were so social. Some places should have petting zoos you should visit one and get your fix on a variety of animals, I think Leah would be in heaven :-) Some even have animals you can ride like a camel or an elephant
Amazing video! Love the camping in the field! It’s always great when you have the opportunity to try things out first before making a big van decision. Happy Travels!
Now I want to go camping with llama’s -how fun !! We used to have motorhome but sold it as it won’t fit into our garage when we downsize to our apartment in a few months. But we missed it so ended up buying a minivan that we are in the process of setting up for weekends away. We have toilet facilities but I will miss our shower.
Another great video. Love love the farm camping with the Llamas. I bet it was hard to go back to car camping after the van. Hope you recovered from your cold Leah. Happy adventuring .
Love your videos and all the journeys I get to go on along with you guys. Thanks for sharing! Next time I’m in Dallas/Austin, I can’t wait to explore these things.
Bob wells channel, check it out. You can definitly do all of this in your prius. Especially with your back hitch. Upgrade to a 4x6 or smaller cargo and add HUGE SOLAR, and any and everything the van offers. Besides indoor showers😢 Lol. But you already mentioned the issues with that long term anyway. Add the trailer, and your world will change.
Loved the episode. Will you do a cost comparison overall? I'd think that your Prius would still be waaayyy more cost efficient per km? And then insurance etc? And were you less tempted to eat out in the van or that set-up didn't influence your eating habit? OMG so many questions.. lol sorry :(
Hahaha I think in general the van would be more expensive even excluding the startup costs but it’s quite a bit more comfortable. It would just depend on if you can afford to buy one from the start you know?
@@LeahandLevi also, sorry to butt in. lol. You would boondock more or do the Host camping, cuz you have to have a toilet. so you wouldn't be paying for as many campgrounds. That can add up even though camping is "cheap" compared to hotels.
Glad you enjoyed the shower, even if it was a bit cool at times. I’ve been watching a few van life series and have seen a van washroom that the wall moves and blocks off the toilet so that it doesn’t get wet when you shower. You should try to get one of those to try out next time. Might be more what you’re looking for. It saves space but has everything you need. Have fun guys. I’m in Alberta and love watching your adventures.
If you haven’t checked out We’re the Russos channel, check them out, they started with a big rig and went down to a van and one of the reasons was the parking is much like a car. Tons of info. Love your channel and Future Proof.
If that was the Stars playing the Coyotes earlier this month my husband and I were there rooting for the coyotes! XD Ufortunately, I can't tell from my tiny screen who the other team is though! It's a cool stadium though. Glad to hear about your experiences with "Van life" and prius life!
The thing about vanlife is, it doesn’t have to be $100k to outfit. The best is budget (be sure about what you want) and build and understand your own van. Don’t let someone else do it for you, because the reality it any home built setup will have its in’s and out’s.
That’s true, but sadly even a used sprinter van or something similar is going to cost at least 4x the price of an old RV or a truck camper. But it’s probably more reliable? 🤷🏻♂️
I feel like you would LOVE Harvest Hosts (discovering/meeting/supporting local businesses while also getting a place to park for the night - you do need to be self contained like a van, though). Also you can get a toilet that you can take out of the shower when you use it as a shower so it doesn't get all gross and wet (that's what I did).
Not sure what’s available, but for the shower/toilet, maybe have either more than one floor drain, or a small trench drain along one wall might help, and probably some kind of air vent with a moisture sensor like you’d find in a regular bathroom that isn’t on wheels.
Would you ever consider “tiny homes” that can be moved via trailers and such? There’s a company that makes them on Vancouver Island. Might make a neat video 🤷🏼♀️
If you do ever go to Denver, and want to learn about green roofs, I'm a graduate student and our lab is studying green roofs and can show you around there!
I tested out a van for a week with my partner as well and loved the shower too (I expected to though). My experience with emptying the cassette toilet though made me decide I will splurge for a composting toilet. How did you find the black tank to be (if you even used it)? I agree with you on the price! I'd already have one if it were more affordable.
How do you find all of these cool places to camp, like the llama farm? I'm planning a road trip for this summer and would like some tips on finding cool places to camp.
Just from an outsider's perspective, you guys seemed so disappointed being back in the Prius after the van. I think the van would be perfect for both of you!
I also live in Vancouver island and 13 gallons is 49.2 litres, so with the price of gas $1.82/litre, that half fill up would have been $90.00 (CAD) here
Hmm. Even without a shower the van sounds like a perfectly livable set up. You can survive with wet wipes in between the outdoor shower, swimming and gym/airbnb/campground showers. Should bring down the cost of the build, too. I wonder if one even needs running water then if there's a composting toilet. Dang it. This makes me want to go travel myself.
TMI but I think important . As a person with a uterus every month brings a week of chaos and hygiene emergencies. How has that been and if you have mentioned it I missed that video . I just have such a logistical problem every month my body is drama so I never thought I could live on the road or in a limited bathroom life. VERY curious
Would you pay $1500 a month to live in a luxury $100k van? That would be your monthly payment on a 6yr 6% loan. Or, buy a new empty van for $50k, 0 down payment, 6 yr 6%apr, and your monthly payment would be $762. Then use your cash to build out the van over time. I would say buy used, but good luck finding one that wasn’t driven like a horse by a tradesman. Even those aren’t that much cheaper. Maybe you can get a good deal on a prefab camper that was lightly used for a few years by an aging couple. Then you can qualify for a loan on the whole purchase.
I don't know if you guys are considering buying a finished van or DIYing your space, but one of my close friends has just started living in her van and it's amazing. She got an old white van and has furnished it almost exclusively with reclaimed materials and its so beautiful. And it saved her a lot of money as well. Definitely recommend it 😀
Not sure that was the van for you guys - the layout doesn't work for your needs and the shower isn't the best I've seen, so maybe hit up Eamon & Bec for few more ideas before giving up on the Van x
Parallel parking:. You locked you neighboring cars in without space to leave their spots. Consider not doing that next time, good way to get you vehicle vandalized.
Vans that are being lived in are absolutely obvious in the city. I know you don't want them to be, but work vans and living in vans are distinctive against each other and people walking past know the differenc, even without your windows open.
A good, simple van, either self converted or professionally built is probably the ideal for the kind of travel you've been doing. I'm in the same conundrum. I would love the space and especially the headroom/ ability to stand up inside -- but as soon as you do that you're looking at a larger, heavier vehicle that's more expensive to operate and all the upfront costs have gotten crazy expensive too. In terms of affordable and nimble you might either look at a VW Westfalia with a pop-top, or a Ram Pro-Master to outfit yourselves. Another option just between a car and a van would be a compact pick-up with a wedge-style canopy ( tent top canopy). These come in many different forms, some of which are as easy to set up/ take down as a VW Westfalia, and others that are alot like having a tent trailer that opens at the top of the canopy and uses either the ground or the vehicle itself for support poles to attach and are much roomier as a result. None of these is especially cheap, but much less costly than a van build. Personally, I like the idea of being self-contained -- just can't figure out if the often outrageous costs are worth it. I'll be interested to see what you come up with eventually. I'll probably just stick with my Sorento and a roof-tent. BTW - if looking at van builds, an excellent resource is Jarrod Tocci on YT, both for self-build and professional builds. Also look to Element Life ( formerly Element Van Life). Just a note -- some professional builders can provide financing for a complete van build if they are registered as RV builders by the industry association. Cheers!....from North Vancouver
Yeah the conundrum is real. The popularity of the movement has sadly made it way more expensive to achieve something that ticks all the boxes. We’re open to a variety of options I think we’re just going to see what presents itself when we’re ready to buy and go from there you know?
@@LeahandLevi Hear ya! You can literally drown in research - trust me I have, lol. Best of luck! I'll be taking notes if I'm not already on the road...
Ah the amount of cute animals in this week's video!! All adorable, had no idea such a campground even existed.
Hopefully the transition back to the Prius isn't too bad after experiencing the "good life" of Vanlife!
Also wanted to say I really appreciate the interactions with your community. From actually reading the comments to meeting with members it's so down to earth and great to see.
Excited for The Big Easy!
Awe thanks so much for this! We’ve got a pretty great group here 🥰🙋🏻♂️🙏🏼
Omg the Lama Hord slowly enclosing on you seems like some weird nightmare. Glad yall had fun though :)
They were surprisingly nice when they weren’t eating your food haha
What's also really good with a van like that is that you could get bikes and bike around for shorter trips like grocery shopping or visiting sites or city centres and only drive the van from one camp site to another.
Yeah we’ve decided that a bike rack is a must next time!
I bet you’ll save a lot of money if you build the van with Levi’s fathers help! Plus I’d love to see that ! Great video btw!
Get the master carpenter on board to help? Haha yeah that would be the dream!
First comment, finally 😍 I hope the answer is YES, but I'll watch the video and see.
Edit: I think what you need is a vehicle where you can stand up, fit a big bed, and have a toilet. Good to know the van was comfortable to drive! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷❤️
Hahaha I read this as “fit a big head” and I was like dang that’s a solid burn 😅
I missed you guys! I’ve been away but I’m glad caught this toe-dip into van life! My hubby and I bought a bus to fix up, but lumber prices doubled and now we have to wait to afford more fixin’! Big hugs from the Abby lady!
That’s an adventure for SURE! Haha thanks for stopping by 🥰
You guys seemed so disappointed and looked extra cramped after the van tryout. That cat that followed you everywhere was so adorable! Didn't realize llamas were so social. Some places should have petting zoos you should visit one and get your fix on a variety of animals, I think Leah would be in heaven :-) Some even have animals you can ride like a camel or an elephant
Being sick didn’t help lol 😅
In a wet bath, if you sit on the pot and have a hand held shower head, it works nicely.
So excited you got to see the Stars!! Love your channel. I learn a lot and it’s always fun
Amazing video! Love the camping in the field! It’s always great when you have the opportunity to try things out first before making a big van decision. Happy Travels!
Great stuff guys!!! Glad you got to try that rig!! Keep on enjoying traveling!! ✌️✌️
Now I want to go camping with llama’s -how fun !! We used to have motorhome but sold it as it won’t fit into our garage when we downsize to our apartment in a few months. But we missed it so ended up buying a minivan that we are in the process of setting up for weekends away. We have toilet facilities but I will miss our shower.
That’s awesome! Whatever gets you out there 🥰👍🏼
Your videos are so interesting. Never a dull moment
Thank you! 🥰👍🏼
At 2:38. That is so not cool - boxing in other vehicles won’t get you points with the locals. Other than that, safe travels y’all! 😊🙌
Another great video. Love love the farm camping with the Llamas. I bet it was hard to go back to car camping after the van. Hope you recovered from your cold Leah. Happy adventuring .
Yeah back to reality… still having fun but with a lot less head room. Haha
If you go to New Mexico, white sands national park is beautiful at sunset! -ideally go when it’s not super windy
Love your videos and all the journeys I get to go on along with you guys. Thanks for sharing! Next time I’m in Dallas/Austin, I can’t wait to explore these things.
You’ll enjoy yourself for sure! Austin was our fav through probably 🥰
Shower by wetting down, then turn off water. Suds up, then rinse off. Saves hot water.
Bob wells channel, check it out. You can definitly do all of this in your prius. Especially with your back hitch. Upgrade to a 4x6 or smaller cargo and add HUGE SOLAR, and any and everything the van offers. Besides indoor showers😢 Lol. But you already mentioned the issues with that long term anyway.
Add the trailer, and your world will change.
Loved the episode. Will you do a cost comparison overall? I'd think that your Prius would still be waaayyy more cost efficient per km? And then insurance etc? And were you less tempted to eat out in the van or that set-up didn't influence your eating habit? OMG so many questions.. lol sorry :(
Hahaha I think in general the van would be more expensive even excluding the startup costs but it’s quite a bit more comfortable. It would just depend on if you can afford to buy one from the start you know?
@@LeahandLevi also, sorry to butt in. lol. You would boondock more or do the Host camping, cuz you have to have a toilet. so you wouldn't be paying for as many campgrounds. That can add up even though camping is "cheap" compared to hotels.
3:25 the llama: can i join you guys? 👁👄👁
La-Ma (Llama)
I was laughing Lam-ma😂😂
Glad you enjoyed the shower, even if it was a bit cool at times. I’ve been watching a few van life series and have seen a van washroom that the wall moves and blocks off the toilet so that it doesn’t get wet when you shower. You should try to get one of those to try out next time. Might be more what you’re looking for. It saves space but has everything you need. Have fun guys. I’m in Alberta and love watching your adventures.
This was a delightful video! The llamas were delightful! Ashley was delightful! Delightful, delightful, delightful!
This comment… DELIGHTFUL!
Omg the llamas are SO cute, love it!! 🦙
If you haven’t checked out We’re the Russos channel, check them out, they started with a big rig and went down to a van and one of the reasons was the parking is much like a car. Tons of info. Love your channel and Future Proof.
Thanks for this suggestion (and the comment) 🙋🏻♂️👍🏼
If that was the Stars playing the Coyotes earlier this month my husband and I were there rooting for the coyotes! XD Ufortunately, I can't tell from my tiny screen who the other team is though! It's a cool stadium though. Glad to hear about your experiences with "Van life" and prius life!
The thing about vanlife is, it doesn’t have to be $100k to outfit. The best is budget (be sure about what you want) and build and understand your own van. Don’t let someone else do it for you, because the reality it any home built setup will have its in’s and out’s.
That’s true, but sadly even a used sprinter van or something similar is going to cost at least 4x the price of an old RV or a truck camper. But it’s probably more reliable? 🤷🏻♂️
I feel like you would LOVE Harvest Hosts (discovering/meeting/supporting local businesses while also getting a place to park for the night - you do need to be self contained like a van, though). Also you can get a toilet that you can take out of the shower when you use it as a shower so it doesn't get all gross and wet (that's what I did).
We would have done harvest host on this trip but the Prius isn’t eligible! 🥲 but with our next rig for sure!
Not sure what’s available, but for the shower/toilet, maybe have either more than one floor drain, or a small trench drain along one wall might help, and probably some kind of air vent with a moisture sensor like you’d find in a regular bathroom that isn’t on wheels.
Yeah this build is clearly for rentals not someone who actually lives there full time. You’d want that thing drained properly 👍🏼
Downtown Dallas parking is a NIGHTMARE lol. I almost never drive down there unless I know for sure where i'm parking
Yeah as you could kind of see it was a little tight haha
At my age (late 30s) what determines if I go somewhere is yes the time and also is there parking? Lol
That's why I always use the train!
If you're in Louisiana, check out Avery Island
That looks like so much fun. I love llamas.
Would you ever consider “tiny homes” that can be moved via trailers and such? There’s a company that makes them on Vancouver Island. Might make a neat video 🤷🏼♀️
That’s a good consideration! I think tiny homes tend to be quite heavy though so moving them would usually be a rare occasion. Thanks for this though!
Lloved the llama farm!!! 🦙
So did we!!!
Hey there is an RV exhibition in florida, you can try your type B RV experience.
The van looked great and all, but being from MN, all I could think about was how many bugs were getting in every time you had the door or back open. 😆
Agreed. Not the design we would go with for sure. 🤷🏻♂️
llamas are so funny and for WHAT 😭
If you do ever go to Denver, and want to learn about green roofs, I'm a graduate student and our lab is studying green roofs and can show you around there!
Love green roofs! Haha thanks for the offer 🥰
I like watching your episodes
I tested out a van for a week with my partner as well and loved the shower too (I expected to though). My experience with emptying the cassette toilet though made me decide I will splurge for a composting toilet. How did you find the black tank to be (if you even used it)? I agree with you on the price! I'd already have one if it were more affordable.
Hahaha we actually didn’t have to but we did come veeeeeery close 👀😬 might be something to consider for us in the future then.
Come to Michigan!❤
How do you find all of these cool places to camp, like the llama farm? I'm planning a road trip for this summer and would like some tips on finding cool places to camp.
We found that one on Hipcamp! It’s an app like Airbnb for campsites
Whoa-oah black Betty, llama ranch.
Just from an outsider's perspective, you guys seemed so disappointed being back in the Prius after the van. I think the van would be perfect for both of you!
Haha yeah being sick didn’t help the situation. We’re still making the most of it though!
In NY right now, gas is like 3.50! Coming from Ontario that feels cheap for me, and I can't even imagine from BC
Yeah it’s definitely cheaper down here 👀
I also live in Vancouver island and 13 gallons is 49.2 litres, so with the price of gas $1.82/litre, that half fill up would have been $90.00 (CAD) here
I love how the cat chose Leah. "Ah, yes - the pussy lady." 🤣
😂😂😂
I was ready for some llama drama (pronounce llama like it rhymes with drama, it makes more sense)
Hmm. Even without a shower the van sounds like a perfectly livable set up. You can survive with wet wipes in between the outdoor shower, swimming and gym/airbnb/campground showers. Should bring down the cost of the build, too. I wonder if one even needs running water then if there's a composting toilet. Dang it. This makes me want to go travel myself.
I think you’re right! A shower is great but not nearly as necessary as a toilet. 👍🏼👀
Are there hybrid electric travel vans now with more efficient user friendly layout?….probably significantly more than $100,000?
I haven’t seen them yet but it feels like a no brainer right? Ford already has a hybrid in their truck!
I'm going for a hybrid minivan!
A great choice! 🙏🏼👍🏼
Great watch as always 👊🏿. The llamas 😂
Thanks for being here!
Would be willing to bet Leah’s sickness might be cedar fever! Cedar is a monster and attacks many !! Hope you feel better soon!!
We’re better now but we both went down pretty hard. 🫠
Good to hear!!
If you do build a van, check out Scarlett and Seth's youtube channel. They have so many great ideas.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Lol, definitely don't go to California. I've seen $8/gallon in some places. 😅
We paid $6 consistently when we were there!
Why can't I have a mug? Cause we in the car... 😂
"escorted to our camping spot by John here..." not John Deer? LOL
Well done. You get a gold star for this awesome comment. ⭐️
I was so excited thinking the farm was near Dallas. 😭 Austin wins again.
We didn’t have enough time in Dallas tbh but Austin was so good to us!
@@LeahandLevi Austin is amazing! I'm so glad y'all were able to experience so many cool things here in Texas.
My life goals now include acquiring lama friends to live with me.
That shower is so tiny! I don't think someone my size could fit in there! 😆
TMI but I think important . As a person with a uterus every month brings a week of chaos and hygiene emergencies. How has that been and if you have mentioned it I missed that video . I just have such a logistical problem every month my body is drama so I never thought I could live on the road or in a limited bathroom life. VERY curious
Please stop if you have a uterus you are a women
Would you pay $1500 a month to live in a luxury $100k van?
That would be your monthly payment on a 6yr 6% loan.
Or, buy a new empty van for $50k, 0 down payment, 6 yr 6%apr, and your monthly payment would be $762. Then use your cash to build out the van over time.
I would say buy used, but good luck finding one that wasn’t driven like a horse by a tradesman. Even those aren’t that much cheaper.
Maybe you can get a good deal on a prefab camper that was lightly used for a few years by an aging couple. Then you can qualify for a loan on the whole purchase.
Yeah the vanlife scene has made those vans absurd which is our hesitation with even considering it.
Shower the Japanese method , you get wet , soap up, then rinse , saves water . Also after showering , wipe down the toilet …
Also known as a Navy shower.
What kind of sweater does Leah have? I love the high collar and the little bill on the hood!
It’s from our favourite local clothing store Ecologyst!
I hope we see you in Saskatchewan this fall
We’ll be crossing the prairies! 🙋🏻♂️🤓
LLAMA FACE!!!!!!!
Had do it.
I don't know if you guys are considering buying a finished van or DIYing your space, but one of my close friends has just started living in her van and it's amazing. She got an old white van and has furnished it almost exclusively with reclaimed materials and its so beautiful. And it saved her a lot of money as well. Definitely recommend it 😀
Yeah we would definitely not be buying one brand new fully furnished. Part of the fun/adventure would be building it out to our preferences 🥰👍🏼
@@LeahandLevi that sounds really exciting. Can't wait for the both of you to bring us along on that journey 😀
What about the Lance 650 truck camper?
I’ll have to look into it!
Not sure that was the van for you guys - the layout doesn't work for your needs and the shower isn't the best I've seen, so maybe hit up Eamon & Bec for few more ideas before giving up on the Van x
also the VanWives. :) travel through on your way home for a visit. I think they hinted at selling their van.
Why did I think I was clicking on Kara and nate thumbnail 😂
question...does the van company you rented from bring your actual car to your drop-off? how does that work?
You pick up and drop off at their offices 👍🏼
Who did you rent your van from Aaron from? What city? I would like to try one week.
Its from Austin TX and the company is called Cabana
Leah: Llama
Levi: Lhhhhhamaarxytx1010011100
Do you think Levi sounds more Canadian than me? People have said that before and maybe that’s why 😅
Interesting week…*tip. The older you get the bigger the bed/shower/Biffy needs to be. Lol.
Could you buy a plastic cover for the toilet so it stays dry. Then you can sit on it while showering
Parallel parking:. You locked you neighboring cars in without space to leave their spots. Consider not doing that next time, good way to get you vehicle vandalized.
❤
Vans that are being lived in are absolutely obvious in the city. I know you don't want them to be, but work vans and living in vans are distinctive against each other and people walking past know the differenc, even without your windows open.
Did y’all sell your condo in BC?
Nope! Rented it out to a nice couple there!
nice
gas in TX is DEF ridic cheap. NOT like that everywhere!!!
damn my dad had to pay up to 120,- euro's to fill up his car that isn't even a station
You guy’s are adorable
Are there no homeless in Texas? 🧐🧐🧐
👍
Is this a v6 or v8 engine
Pretty sure this was the v6 🧐
Unfortunately, vans like that are over-height. So they still cost more than cars on the ferry. But the shorter the better...!
Ohhhhhhh ok we didn’t know that! Daaaaaaang those blasted ferries!
A good, simple van, either self converted or professionally built is probably the ideal for the kind of travel you've been doing.
I'm in the same conundrum. I would love the space and especially the headroom/ ability to stand up inside -- but as soon as you do that you're looking at a larger, heavier vehicle that's more expensive to operate and all the upfront costs have gotten crazy expensive too.
In terms of affordable and nimble you might either look at a VW Westfalia with a pop-top, or a Ram Pro-Master to outfit yourselves.
Another option just between a car and a van would be a compact pick-up with a wedge-style canopy ( tent top canopy). These come in many different forms, some of which are as easy to set up/ take down as a VW Westfalia, and others that are alot like having a tent trailer that opens at the top of the canopy and uses either the ground or the vehicle itself for support poles to attach and are much roomier as a result. None of these is especially cheap, but much less costly than a van build.
Personally, I like the idea of being self-contained -- just can't figure out if the often outrageous costs are worth it. I'll be interested to see what you come up with eventually. I'll probably just stick with my Sorento and a roof-tent.
BTW - if looking at van builds, an excellent resource is Jarrod Tocci on YT, both for self-build and professional builds. Also look to Element Life ( formerly Element Van Life). Just a note -- some professional builders can provide financing for a complete van build if they are registered as RV builders by the industry association.
Cheers!....from North Vancouver
Yeah the conundrum is real. The popularity of the movement has sadly made it way more expensive to achieve something that ticks all the boxes. We’re open to a variety of options I think we’re just going to see what presents itself when we’re ready to buy and go from there you know?
@@LeahandLevi Hear ya! You can literally drown in research - trust me I have, lol. Best of luck! I'll be taking notes if I'm not already on the road...
I'm confused. Didn't you live in a van waaaay back like in 2021? Why is this any different?
Yeah we did! But that was before we actually had plans to live in one!
Hockey? Hockey.
Move toilet paper out and keep a squeezy to push the water maybe?
Lama? You’re saying it wrong. Long a’s as in ah, lahmah is correct
Sorry we’re Canadian 🤷🏻♂️🤓