Why I Quit Vanlife
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- Vanlife or #vanlife was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone with even the slightest of interest in the lifestyle to give it a try it. I learned a lot about myself and also had a great time doing it. However, it was time for a change and I'm diving in to this next chapter with nothing but commitment.
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Thank you for watching this video and taking the time to comment. I do really appreciate it. I have tried to answer as many comments as possible, but there is a lot. Most of the questions and comments have been addressed in my other videos, in this video, and in the comments section here. This was not my first time living in a vehicle, and it was overall a great experience where the positives are plentiful. I wanted to make this video about the realities that no one wants to talk about in a world where Vanlife is often over glorified to be only perfect and magical. Thanks again for watching and commenting. If you are wondering if Vanlife is safe? This video might interest you: th-cam.com/video/xGTxAoQ20yQ/w-d-xo.html
Gnarkill?? Nice!! Bam, Bran and crew 💕
Do you think your experience would have been better in a bigger van like a postmaster,Transit, or sprinter?
I'd have bought a yellow tee.
I think towing that jeep around is your biggest mistake. If you want to go off road use a motorbike where you dont have to tow around and have it on a rack in the back.
Great experience when your young, not so good when ya get old. Get sick, hurt yourself, end up in the hospital, those are things that do happen. When i did it the country was a lot safer, people had no problem giving ya hand. Have fun and enjoy-
You didn't quit, you moved on. Everyone moves on with everything. We change and evolve always. You'll still sleep in the van. This time you'll call it a camping trip.
We keep movin on until we die.
Excellent point!
Love this
I hope 🤞 it doesn't happen, but if /when they break up he may need to sleep in the van again.
Even if you aren't married, upon breakup GF gets most everything, (maybe not lifetime alimony) via the "Micro- Divorce."
If they bought a house together then it might be considered a "common law marriage" depending on state law / family judge at separation.
If they have a contract, one of them is owner of the house, who rents a room to the other, it might be easier when / if they part ways.
@@copcuffs9973 damn
My husband and I built our first house ourselves. We've extensively remodeled 3 other homes. We are seniors now. In our middle age, we made the biggest mistake in our lives. We bought a used 35', 3 slide out, RV with the dreams of relaxing vacations with our extensive pets (we have 5 pets). We paid $12k for it. We had it 2 years and the whole time we spent maintaining and repairing it. It was one thing after another. My husband spent his vacation days fixing the air conditioner, or the slide that didn't slide, or the leak in the roof, or the window that wouldn't shut, or the locks that didn't lock. We put in an additional $4k in remodeling and updating it BEFORE we took it on it's first trip. And every time we went somewhere something went wrong and he had to find a place that had parts and fix it. There was the trip to Lake Jocassee that we paid for. We drove all the way there (about 3 hrs) only to find both air conditioners didn't work. He had to take me all the way back home, get stuff and go back and try and fix it. That was a week lost. Then there was the time the black water tank got stuck and he ended up having to DIP IT OUT through the toilet! Or the time when the slide wouldn't slide out and we spend the whole week at the beach without the kitchen slide working. Or the time we were bringing it home from Myrtle Beach and the tire blew and we had to try and find a tire place open on a holiday weekend and get it there. It was so hot I don't know how my husband stood it. Oh I could go on. While it was in storage, rats would get in it and it meant a big deep clean before we got to take it anywhere. We were so sick of that thing after a couple of years we sold it and took a deep bath on it. No sirree, no camping for me! My sister and her husband just bought a used motor home and sure enough, it's been one repair after another and they are in the middle of having to tear up the entire floor front to back because of water leaks and the rotting it's caused and replacing it. They paid $28,000 for it when they bought it and it's now become their money pit. The depreciation on the things is drastic. You buy one brand new and take it off the lot and you've lost half of what you paid for it. Every year you lose a dramatic amount over and over again until it's worthless in 8 yrs. That $300k motor coach is worth $36,000 in 5 yrs. That $150k is worth $20k in 5 yrs. Not counting the repairs and maintenance, taxes and insurance you pay on them and that's if you never hit the road! Once you hit the road you are paying for gas/diesel, campground fees, golf carts or golf cart rentals, repairs - you could stay in a nice hotel room with all the amenities for what you pay for all that. And the minute you start driving down the road with your camper, RV or motor home, the swaying and pitching puts stress and pressure on places you never dreamed of and suddenly you have leaks and there goes your maintenance budget. I know there are people who have to live this way and for a few it may be their real choice. But if the truth were told, you would find most people would rather have a home, than live in these temporary, portable shelters. Some may enjoy them for vacations, but living in them would be even worse. Knowing you had everything you own and all your money tied up in this decaying tin can would be devastating. I'd rather stay in my home and go nowhere on vacation than go through what we did with that RV. I'm safe, comfortable, relaxed, have everything I need, space, cleanliness and I can entertain myself. We have our computers, our TVs even a TV on our deck, our deck and yard, our pets, plenty of books. And we take day trips to see some sights. Once or so a year, we go for a vacation and we stay in pet friendly hotels and enjoy a hotel room with maid service.
Wow! I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. And I have heard some similar stories from others. That leaves me wondering about the ones who talk it up, and if they're fabricating it.
Oh, and I just want to thank you guys for helping me to see/ realize what a gem my old home base is and can be, if I don't give up on her.
I have been living in rv now for 2 years and they are literally built like shit... the only thing I haven't had break is AC unit. Dc converter/heater/hot water/water pump/vents/door/microwave/large/shower/slideout and more all have broken in one way or another. Luckily I'm very handy and have fixed it all myself because otherwise it's a huge amount of money! Just FYI if you didn't know that your slide-outs have a manual adjustment that you can open and close with a tool that comes with the RV, so if your slide-out motor breaks you can open and close it! Also I don't have everything I own in my RV. We decided to live in our RV at our business after ourast lease was up and save thousands a month in rent. We have 10acres of land that we are going to build on but can start until we have a well(country requires a water source before they will give you permits to build) and guess what? The well companies are 1-2 years booked out because of the housing boom! So many California's have moved to my area and bought up all the houses and land! My property value has almost tripled since I bought it a few years ago! We paid $10k for this RV and we have saved over triple that in rent... so it was the right choice imo
Amen. I used to chase jobs in refineries all over the country when they have planned outages and could never understand how guys would tell me how great it was in their travel trailers. Said they saved money, how? Camp ground fees, insurance, trailer payment,, wear and tear on trucks and trailer. And each and everyone of them had some kind of issue.No thanks. I used my per diem and stayed in a nice hotel, clean sheets, breakfast, pool, gym... of course; to each his own, but I think these videos all try to paint a pretty picture til they have to take a dump in a 5 gallon bucket for weeks on end. Be honest.
@@randybobandy9828 sounds like you did good in your situation. My husband is a Maintenance Manager and Plant Engineer so he is handy also. He can do about anything but when you spend all your vacation time fixing, it's not a vacay! LOL! I'm glad you got your 10 acres, that's an investment in your future and you are smart to go slow and save your money. Have you thought about moving to another state? I ask only because I live in SC and we are busting at the seams with people trying to move to our state because of lower taxes and real estate. The real estate market is currently in a boom. We purchased a house 2 1/2 yrs ago and sold it a month ago and made $100k profit in that 2 yrs. But, then again, we had to buy a house in a seller's market and it was like the Wild West trying to jump on a house. We finally got one and we are so happy with it. But that was a tough couple of month at our age. With people leaving cities and states with such high crime, high taxes and high cost of living, SC has become a hot spot. Also with all the illegal aliens being bused throughout, it's meant a steep rise in population and now our cost of living is going up and I foresee property taxes going up too for the increase in needed infrastructure. With the inflation, the cost of building materials are out of sight and, like you said, getting contractors is tough. I don't know if that will settle down or if this is the way it's going to be from now on. We definitely didn't want to build in this market, nor did we want a new-build house because they are cutting corners to get houses completed, sold and still make a profit with expenses for supplies going so high. Contractors are having to pay more wages and benefits too to try and get workers and keep workers. Construction is usually high turnover. But contractors are desperate for workers, especially if you already have some experience and skill so they have to pay higher wages to get and keep them. We were looking for houses from 1960's-1990's. We wanted a well built house with good insulation which is why we didn't look at older than 1960's. We found a 1991 brick ranch (I have to have one level living due to disability) in a nice established neighborhood within 4 miles of everything I do. It was move-in ready except for removing carpet and putting down new flooring in the bedrooms. My husband and his brother did that and we painted the Master Bedroom. With high price of materials, we didn't want another one that needed extensive remodeling. It was expensive but exactly what we wanted and we were able to get it. We made bids on houses that were getting 4-8 bids and some for cash so we'd get outbid or the house would sell before we could get an appt to see it. It was C.R.A.Z.Y! But we got our dream home and have gotten settled in. Whew!
It’s good to hear someone actually being honest about some of the realities of living in a van.
I slept in my car before I don't need a van or an RV to tell me it's rough. You're better off getting a piece of land and park in your RV or your van on the land. They try so hard to make us rent these funky apartments and buy these overpriced houses to keep us in debt this is the only reason why they're giving people a lot of s*** about parking their Vans I'm living on the road where should I stay on the run.
I wouldn't necessarily say others are being dishonest. They just have a different experience.
@@lisa196409 that's exactly what my cousin did. She bought some land (can't tell you the location likes to keep it private) bought a old run down school bus and made it into her home. She's happy been living there for almost 12 years
@@lisa196409 It is a FREEdom that they want to take away from people. They want people in debt till they die. It's called Usery & Exploitation
Also a LandLORD is just that...
I lived in a van for a year and a half, mainly because I didn't know what to do with my life (I was in my 20s) and I wanted to live very frugally and free, like Thoreau at Walden Pond. There are moments when it feels like that, and it was very nice not having to pay rent. But as time passed I began to feel trapped in the lifestyle. At first it feels great not to pay rent, but after a year I began to doubt myself that I could even afford an apartment anymore. A regular life with a real address, utilities, and the social respectability that comes with that kind of normal life began to feel unattainable, and moving around night to night trying to find a place to park lost its charm. When you live in a van, you don't really belong anywhere. There's no little chunk of the earth, even an efficiency apartment, that you have a right to be in, where you belong. I don't really regret doing it, but when I look back at it now (I am retirement age now) I see that it was mostly a waste of time and a way of avoiding life realities (like having to pick a career and apply myself to it) that felt stifling at the time. It turned out to be a lot more stifling to basically be homeless. The bottom line is that it's not a real solution to anything unless you really are poor enough that you can't afford an apartment or house and have no choice. But there's nothing romantic about that.
Too many young people don't want to work. Prefer to set up the camera, take some pics, and expect their viewers to fund their travels or hope for Corporate sponsors. With so many doing this, it becomes so mundane. What a waste of time. This is not how America became great. Hard work built this country. We are in danger of losing it all to idealists. Calling out for all realists
to restore law and order to the country
Interesting perspective.
@Kasandra Antoine Yes, because the uber trendy hipsters think it's cool for now. Check in on them in a year or two, they will have come to their senses. It loses its appeal real quick...
@Kasandra Antoine Pudge is at retirement age now. Obviously their possibilities and life circumstances where vastly different from people nowadays. Where nowadays you can somewhat easily work remotely in a regular job or as a blogger, this type of lifestyle was certainly harder back in the day.
@@alja4991 Very true. Even the buildup options that have come about since are massive improvements. Propane has been around for over a century but think about it you're talking about little-no power unless you're running a genny or shorepower and that makes a lot of things much more difficult than we have it now. Water all needs to be manual pumped or gravity fed, and all of that's probably coming out of the tap at the same temps unless you install a gas heater as well. Same for temperature regulation and entertainment beyond nature and book reading and hobbies.
I'd probably feel the same way if all I could do with van living was glorified camping. Now you can plug into the interwebs basically anywhere wirelessly and get your power all from parking in the sun for a few hours. Compound that with the savings from the skyrocketing cost of living as wages stagnate and if anything vanlife becomes a very real way for people to get ahead.
Tbh this van life is a survival skill to have a roof over your head when times are rough
Thanks for your honesty. Too many people are dreamy eyed dreamers and romanticize this lifestyle and dont realize it can be tough and sketchy
The flip side of that is he obviously was not caravan'in around with a tribe of like-minded van dwellers and other people he was camping out with all this time; he chose to live a solitary life while he was on the road, and that was HIS choice; not all van dwellers are hermits. Living alone in a tent in the woods if you are homeless is a completely different life than living in a tent city in a community of other homeless people, or else living alone in an abandoned building off the grid, vs living in the same building with a bunch of artists and musicians and hippies off the grid.
@@stevemike2973 the one thing all of those situations have in common?
You can smell them.
I actually telling my son that I want van life..he told,me straight, no you don't
🤣
@@stevemike2973 I agree. There are a lot of people who live permanently in their vans, RVs, etc. that maintain actual community. Also, 2 showers a month? There is no excuse for that. Take a good look at Homes On Wheels Alliance - HOWA channel.
This is what I'm looking for brutal truth not sugar coating
I did van life for about 2 years, made a good deal of money during that time. I was about 22-23, and around 24-25 i stopped. Now im approaching my 30s and van life is becoming more appealing again. It isnt always for everyone but id always rather live free then pay a billion dollars just to be alive. With van life, it can be pretty easy to be anywhere at any time. And the last thing, i never had my doors open, you could never know i lived in a van just by looking at me or the van. It really depends who you are, if you keep to yourself no one will absolutely know what you're up too. I personally loved the seclusion and diversity i got with vanlife. Living in a house and doing all that gets so boring so fast
Van life is not a con . It is totally what you make it . If you want a comfortable toilet , buy a Porta Potti , if you want a shower every day carry the water and buy a proper shower ! Life is what YOU make it .
Amen!
I’m about to buy a van . My son is 21 has his own apartment and a job so he’s good . I’ve never traveled so this is how I’m going to see the world before I die .
@bubba travels I’ve got some money saved up but I want to make money I’ve worked on cars since I was 15 and remodeling since I was 21 . I think that might be my biggest challenge getting work in places I don’t know but that u for the advice
Well at least you lasted 6 months longer then I did.
That's the exact same reason I'm getting ready to build myself a van I have two children or both grown and I want to travel
I'd say it's your time to give it a try. I'm wishing you all the joy and success. Stay safe sir!
@@NoBs48 when you get to a city post a craigslist ad for your services
I lived in my 1991 Toyota Previa for 2 years. My "build" were floorboards that I found at a swap meet, a Coleman cot, rocket box, and a cooler. I would wake up every morning and go to the gym, get a work out in, take a shower, then go to work. It was the healthiest I have ever been. I lived and played in Aspen Colorado, Moab Utah, and San Diego CA. People at the SD climbing gym loved talking about vanlife and would want to see my "build". They were underwhelmed with the Previa. Some of them went out and bought $80,000 rigs to collect dust in their driveways. I have a driveway too now, and the Toyota is long gone. I still have the Coleman cot and cooler in the garage somewhere. Some day I'll pull them out and head west, once again.
sounds like it can be relaxing
cool ass comment man forreal. loved the part abt these mfs dishing out 100k for some trend they saw hahaha omg
beautiful story :)
Not going to lie. Probably going to dish out 80 grand for a new build. Going to buy a Ford Transit and do a self build. I already don’t own a house. So no driveway for a vehicle to collect dust. I did see a pretty good video about vanlife security. They added bolt locks to their doors. Had shatter proof windows, security cameras, and alarms that even connected to the window. That would detect an attempt to break the window. All things I plan to Implement. I think they also changed out the handle mechanism used. To make it harder for someone to break in that way too.
@@RamenKing2023 paranoid
It's nice that someone is finally honest
He's a quitter.
@@howgreenwasmyvalley9686 so what?
@@howgreenwasmyvalley9686 BAHABABHA what the hell a quitter thats so funny
After lying for years
Yeah honest if your living out of a s**t box, dood keep it real..
Agree completely. Lack of regular showers, break-downs in the middle of nowhere, getting medical care in the middle of nowhere, heat/cold and predatory men who want me for cooking/sex - I’m done with it all. That said, if you can’t afford rent, it’s better than sleeping in a tent
lol this is about van life, not feminism
@@XaxAlaine Lol that comment simply stated a few personal grievances about vanlife. But it had one statement about creepy men so it must be feminism. Ok.
Greetings from Bridger-Teton NF. I have lived 100% in my standard low-top van for 3 years, and travelled on holidays for decades in a Westy before. Everything said in this video is true. Freedom isn’t free. The price of this freedom is inconvenience. But I no longer worry about replacing the roof on my house, fixing the sagging fence, or dealing with a shitty neighbor. Your possessions own you. Now I go where the weather suits my clothes. I live in National Forests and BLM land for free. I own every second of my time.
I suspect the big difference is our age. I worked for 40 years, raised two families, owned 3 old houses, a couple marriages. My time was never mine. Now it is and i am heading to Maine because I am craving a lobster roll from a specific shop in Bar Harbor. That is vanlife.
I love this - happy for you!
@Broadpath!
Good for you. Sounds like you deserve it. I've been trying to get to Maine for MY lobster roll for many years. Maybe next year will be the one that gets me there. At 70 YO, I'd better hurry up! I know that you're really going to enjoy that lobster roll. Happy and safe travels to you and best regards from southeast Texas
We just got to Maine this May. I've been stuffing myself with fried clams and lobster. Located just outside Bar Harbor. We are camping between the Ocean and a nice clean little lake. It's pretty damn good living. If you need a spot to land your camper, we may be able to help.
@@robertbizzarro8586 Robert that sounds incredible. I live in Vermont and have been wanting to camp in my suv in Maine. Would you be willing to share some camping locations with me in a private message?
@@paulboccuzzi9160 Be glad to help.
Coming up to 7 years with the disabled wife in our van and trailer. We are poor and this is the best we can do. Despite the stares and weirdest, we just go day by day.
Best luck to you!
Appreciate your courage mate! 🙏🙏🙏
I would love to go out on a van too! Just can't survive the rent for too long... Any tips or channels you'd recommend for minimal setups? All are custom made and fancy stuf...i just need my stuff to work...
@@nameless3841 self build is the only way I could do it and afford it
You could do Alabama, or even Iowa....
Great and true commentary on the realities of this life. I make about $57,000/year and left my apartment by choice in a fairly affluent neighborhood , Bought a 1968 Dodge Ute Liner RV and renovated/fixed it up using my experience in the automotive industry and never looked back. Albeit I have now docked it at a portion of designated property of a friend where where I still live in it full time and work nearby, many of the logistics are the same (Showers at the local gym, full utilization of public restrooms, a change in diet for more dry goods, fruits and smoked meats since I do not run a fridge, bottled water, wash pots etc) as you mentioned in your segment that is part of the realities of this life that they never cover in posts & stories. Probably the harshest reality of this life is the ridicule you may face from your family and friends, but don’t let that discourage you if you are a grown adult and choose to live this way. And while the ultimate aspiration is to eventually buy a home, I strongly suggest that anyone who longs to try this life, at least try it once in your lifetime because at the very least it’s great survival experience and a story to tell. Blessings to all from Motorhome Music Matt ☮️
I’ve lived my van for two years and you are spot on with making it real, I’m in a Winnebago Revel so it isn’t quite the experience you had but definitely similar. I’ve had many people approach me about doing it and I’ve explained it’s not always great. I’m still enjoying the experience and when I’m not I will move on.
I did van life for about 3 years. I'm about your age and I understand all the negatives completely. I got into it cause there was a time when I got injured and rent was killing me. I stuck with vanlife cause I enjoyed saving money be and I had a gf who loved vanlife. About 6 months ago I decided to buy a shuttle bus and I enjoy it a lot more cause I can stand up. These are all great points people need to hear, the reality is it isn't for everyone. The lessons you learned doing vanlife will stick with you forever and I'd still tell everybody to try it and learn how to live simply. However, I'm very content with my bus and unless I hit the lottery. I'll never buy a house.
Living in a bus is like living in a house, it must be perfect for you because you can really appreciate your new space
@Russell's Brand because the jeep is badass and you can have a lot more fun in it along your adventures than the van even if it is 4x4. But I'd think about a towbar and putting the transfer case in neutral so you can tow it flat with no problems just like the motor homes do. The mud tires aren't gonna like pavement for extended periods and although the transmission won't be turning the wheel bearings, rear, and driveshafts will be so there's wear and tear on them. Idk maybe for a mudder the trailer was his best bet. But I can't blame him for wanting to keep it.
Damo the hobo
And you probably had an upgrade to the bottle and bucket! Never heard of anyone but weekenders doing that..
@@moxiegirlstein5276 Moxie girl? I called once who I thought was my best friend Moxie and she turned out to be girly girl. Hopefully you are not mocking Moxie
If you're over 50, you need a legit toilet. You can't even trust a good fart. Go cassette or composting
yes!!
LOL ! Good comment, that made me laugh, thanks, i needed that today (im 58 years old) 👍.
Absolute truth!!
Diapers work.
On that’s the shit!!😎
Done it for 6 years over here in Europe. I’ve had it the hardest. Always been so broke and scraping by, as well as many other problems, BUT I have the spirit, and that is the key! Because with the spirit you don’t lose anything. You gain pure inner growth but you have to work hard for it. I feel like I’ve time travelled. Everyone not living a challenging life just goes around in circles remaining the same. I’m totally transformed, but at the end of it all it shows you who you are and therefore what you need out of life. I’m at that point now, I see what I need, and I feel I deserve it. Had to laugh when you said that sometimes you don’t see anyone for a few days and that can be challenging. I do understand you, but I’ve gone way longer without people. Getting away from people is super challenging, but when I get that I feel so much peace and rejuvenation. People are the biggest threat in this lifestyle. They complained and fucking whine all the time and even though im minding my own business, there is something about being in a vehicle and wanting to mind your own business that people just somehow can’t stand, they dont want you to have that peace and fnd that they must somehow make problems for you by complaining or giving you shit somehow. Sad that in general, people subconsciously want you to also be unhappy. My next step is land where I don’t see any motherfucker strolling by or driving by. I love people, all of you, but you’re all walking hypocrisy’s and that makes me feel very unsafe in a van. Vanlife will show you the truth about people, society and the system in ways no body prepared you for. Oh and if you read this, just want to say I respect you a lot. Anyone that has really lived in their van needs an honouring somehow. One of the toughest things to do. All the best
What country are you in ?
@@Mr_Smith_369 Currently in Portugal! Parked up near a town called Aljezur!
@@6969SpAcE6969 a Bit far... house near me for sale...
It’s so good to hear someone talk about fresh water, showers and pooping. I like to shower every day and that means carrying a lot of water. No one seems to mention this.
Some vanlifers rely on a quick rubdown with a wet wipe sort of thing most days. Of course, 110 degree heat will take a lot of wet wipe work.
Sponge bath, easy fix..The man spent too much on tattoos and a gnarly bong collection so he bought a kidnappers van...Towing a jeep? He could build a far better van out and have shower every day, with a decent porta Potti...
I agree 100%. As a single female with the goal of 'free' living I finally found a nice little travel trailer circa 1988. Bought it for 4500. It's in an RV park in southern AZ, 24/7 pool, showers, hot tub. Park rent 300 month includes all amenities, water, sewer, trash, wood shop/craft room, exercise room, mail room, laundry room etc. Now I domicile here and have a regular car for my travel adventures. I consider this the best compromise. I'm safe, comfortable, living as close to rent free as possible. I thought about van life long and hard and after a while I realized all that you say and the fact that no one talks about the challenges. They just want views and work hard to 'make a movie' that has no reality to it. I resent that falsehood. I encourage others to look for something similar.
I think the van life, car life, rv life, etc. Those channels on TH-cam are gear for say over 50, or if you are on a pension, ssi, ss disability, and you cannot afford a apartment, or just barely. Otherwise, of course you should have an income, if you don’t meet the description mentioned above.
Tiny Homes
You are being smart
If they sell the land you are done
But this is not van life, this is having something like a tiny house, but you aren't a nomad, you are a resident. It's a way to save money not having to pay a huge rant, still having your own place to sleep and cook. Who lives in a van should constantly move, otherwise is pointless.
After doing van life off and on since the early 90s And watching a lot of the newer videos since it became a hashtag I can say this is the most honest video I’ve ever seen about the topic. Thanks for putting this out there
Thank you for leaving a kind comment. I appreciate that.
I still love van life, But I could never do it full-time without a homebase to go to. Honestly I would’ve never survived my first trip if I couldn’t call my mom to bail me out when I needed it.
I agree for the most part and I'm a pro. Six years fulltime. Dodge Minivan. Consider that most of the problems he's having are a result of bouncing around like a BB in an empty paint can. There's no rule against actually making the best of both worlds. Nellybelle, my 93 Dodge Grand Caravan LE (luxury) is an Urban Expeditionary Vehicle, not an SUV, a UEV, the first of her kind. We can bivouac in the nearby mountains anytime we want and never be more than thirty miles from town. I get more mini-vacajays than you can imagine. In the meantime I enjoy my retirement by taking advantage of the many useful city services while simultaneously building long term relationships with friends and vendors. Nice to know the mechanic to trust when you're driving around in a classic. Water? Unless I'm going on a 'trip' I carry a couple gallons. Enough for soup, lattes, etc. I'm between dogs right now, another major consumer of water. I'm never more than a mile away from a dozen places to buy water or refill for free. Shitting in a bag isn't so bad when you can shove it in the McDonalds trash bin along with all the other shit filled diapers. I'm not interested in carrying shit around in liquid or bag form. YMMV. Given the lack of TH-cam videos I've seen on the installation and operation of a dishwasher in a minivan (next up!) I'm of the mind I'm likely running around in the most opulent, well equipped 93 Dodge miivan on the planet. The dishwasher is whimsy which is being added as a conversation piece though one does need a nice way of keeping the latte cups sparkling. #hoboMessiah
I could never store my epic turds.
@@GuitarLen75 There are other ways of finding happiness. Don't despair.
Your honesty is so refreshing, and could potentially save a lot of people from making expensive mistakes. And I like how you are presenting this from your personal viewpoint. And you are not trying to speak for a group of people. We all need your type of honesty and directness. Thank you!!!
I lived in my pickup truck for a couple of years back in the late '80's- great memories, but it truly is not all rainbows and unicorns. Great video, brutally honest.
"Didn't see any person for multiple days" that's the goal lol
Hahaha yup! Definitely one of the reasons I decided to live in a van 🤣
I like being alone too, but Captain is right, sometimes it gets lonely.
@@ladytrader688 It does get lonely sometimes, but I've been lonely in a crowd as well!
@@googlify406 INDEED, ergo the reason I'm soft planning to go out on the road again...final goal, Europe, cuz...why not.
As long as you enjoy your own company, you don't get lonely which is just a state of mind anyways.
Dude I’m a trucker and I don’t quite understand how you’re getting so few showers. I mean I get grimy, it drives me nuts when some weeks I only get a shower 2-3 times. Those truck stops usually have clean and well maintained showers.
i think most of his problems are just self inflicted and can be somewhat resolved.
shower: use wet wipes and or wet towels.
drinker water: get a pincher with a water filter
low MPG: ditch the jeep, vanlife is about minimalism.
loneliness: read a book(s), netflix, hike or try a new hobby.
sketchy place: then drive an extra hour to find a nice secluded place where you will feel safe.
money problems: look for a seasonal job or try to get a job online. or try working for a period of months and then once you get enough money, do a trip for a couple months.
i get that people have to sacrifice a lot to enjoy this freedom. there’s no shame on backing out of vanlife.
That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. At least two a week or more. They average 5$.
@@howl13 solo hobbies don't solve loneliness, company does lol
There are plenty of rigs that have showers and fully functional toilets. Mine does. I don't live in mine but if I did I'd be showering multiple times a week. State parks have good showers, dump stations and water. Living grimey is either a choice or not investing in a good setup.
@@saladsshooter5744 yeah this guy should just go buy a big rig with a shower. Simple choice. What was he thinking lol?
This is a good video. Everything you said are legitimate realities of van life. But I think, looking back, that was half the fun. I solved the shower dilemma buy simply joining a large gym. I would work out and then shower there. For times out in the sticks, I used a hand pump garden sprayer. The fine mist can cover the whole body using very little water. I even modified the bottle by adding a car tire valve so I could use an air pump. Worked perfectly. I used a porta potty with a cartridge for easy removal. I never used the chemicals. Too expensive. I used pine cleaner. Worked out great. One of the main reasons I lived in my van for 2 years was because I was finishing up college. I didn't want to stay at mom's house and I didn't want to pay apartment rent or a mortgage either. I was determined to get my degree which I did. That 2 years was the best time of my life. It was pure freedom. I paid no bills other than gas, propane and vehicle maintenance. You're a young man and I get the feeling of stagnation or loneliness. But I would always ask myself, "what is the true price of freedom?" Homes are nice, but society is set up to milk every last dollar from you. By nature most women want to nest. They need a home and living in a van is never going to be an option for them. However I found that there are a lot of them out there doing the same thing I was. It is the desire of most couples to raise children. I would say that van life is not the way to go, though I have seen RVers and bus lifers out there with dogs, cats and kids and they seem to be happy and somewhat stable. Brother, half the fun of van life for me was just sitting there and planning my next steps. After I graduated National University, I sold my van to take an English teaching job in Vietnam. I now live on the 30th (Top) floor high-rise building overlooking Ha Long Bay Vietnam. I'm living a life that I could only dream about in the past, but honestly, I've been here 5 years now and I'm saving my money to go back home to the US and start a new van project. I'm 57 years old and I can honestly say that I have no obligations except the one's I agree too. I'm going back to Freedom. I'm here looking at your video and hundreds of others for new ideas. I'm going to build another van soon from scratch. I also found a great woman and will get married. I've been divorced in the past and $63,000 dollars in child support later I've learned that you must always have a plan B. Hahaha. I paid every last cent of that too and I am truly free as my kids are all grown now and doing fine. I might not go back to 100% van life, but when SHF. I will always be ready. So good luck brother. I hope everything works out for you. I think my next project will be a little bigger. Like a shuttle bus or U-haul type truck. I'm 6'03". I need something I can stand up in. Like me I think you will find, that the freedom van life gives you is not up for negotiation. I have everything I ever wanted now and none of it is more valuable to me than the freedom I once had in the van. So I will ask you the same question. How much is your freedom worth? What is your idea of comfort and security? Will your home be an off grid tiny house? None of this is any of my business and I require no response but it's just my way of sharing my thoughts with you. In Vietnam, everything is cheaper and reasonable. I'm living a good life and still have enough money left over to save. You would think that this is paradise and in many ways it is. But I just can't get the van life out of my mind. I loved traveling around and picking the location of my back yard every morning. I loved the freedom to just get up on a holiday and go. There were no limits, nothing holding me back. Nothing inspired my mind more than thinking thorough each and every problem that comes with van life. I did well at University because van life never allowed me time to be lazy. My mind was already active and this helped me to be ready for research. I won't lie to you. It's all about attitude. I lived better in the van than I do now. For me, nothing is better than FREEDOM. I had had the reigns of control over my life. Once you hand those over to banks mortgages, rent managers, bill companies, and government agencies, you are no longer FREE. I've lived the van life. I know the struggles and I'm not judging you or anyone else who gives up the van life. Each persons story is his or her own, but for me, I'm moving back to FREEDOM! Cheers!
Cool story
What you said about your fear of being robbed, is so true. I know from first hand experience what that's like because once upon a time I lived in my car. It was terrible because I felt like I could not leave my car for fear of getting robbed, so I rarely left my car. After a while, I began to feel claustrophobic. It was like being buried alive almost.
Just came across your channel. Thanks for the honesty. I sold all and lived out of my Toyota Rav 4 for 1 year. Best thing I ever did for myself.
I was 68 year old woman. I had many reasons for making that choice. The number one reason is after being bedridden off and on for 3 1/2.years, once my health would allow it,I wanted no more caregivers, no more hospital bed,and I want adventure and to overcome many fears. Unfortunately my legs and my eye sight began to get worse and I know longer could drive safely.
Long story short I really enjoyed my time that year. Before that,I had never pitched a tent. Never went camping,but always wanted to.Personal circumstances did not allow. I learned a lot. I was only.living off my social security which was not even $900 a month. But I managed.
I miss it.
But you hit on some very real cons.thanks
I'm really glad I decided to read the comments. I'm 54, very unhappy and feeling stuck in the situation I'm living in. There's no way I can afford a mortgage (don't want to be in debt anyway) or rent, but I really need to get free of the life I'm in now. I've been seriously considering living in a "house on wheels" for many reasons, but I always seem to land on, "I'm too old to do that". The more I learn, the more it seems possible, even with the "cons". Hearing that you did it at 68 makes me want to say, "you go girl" and also, "maybe I can do it, too"....
@@greenbird777 You GO girl!!
dear EFFMO. look at shivambu therapy. its the way to regain your health. eyesight and everything. you'll loose weight too. you like fasting ? good. do a 10 day urine/juice/water fast. urine is liquid prana. it has stem cells. its a super food. its trew. its trew. : ) return to happy honey.
@@greenbird777you can get vans with showers and toilets so it does not have to be as mucky as you would think. My wife and I did Europe for ten years in a comfortable van with very few problems.
@@alanhammersley791 ten years! wow that is impressive
I can't stand looking at the same 4 walls that I have to pay the majority of my income to stay in, and not enjoying the future because of it. I'm able to save money and see our beautiful country while making a lot of new friends. I'm in my 4th year now and have been to all 4 corners of the country, it's definitely the life for me !!
I agree with all you said, it's not the life for everyone. I have dreamt of the lifestyle since I was 7 years old and I'm happy with my choice.
Yo I wish I would’ve thought of Van life when I was little it’s for me too and definitely won’t have financial obligations destroying a proper balance of life. 9-5 check to check and all that retiring crap with only a decade left to feel like I can do what I want no way
Amen brother
ayy awesome man
yeah!!👍
i have just got to the point where rent has gotten out of control and i just got my first skoolie...can't wait until the rent is gone next month... i wish i would have done this 5 years ago... i used to drive OTR semi so im kinda of used to it already...wish me luck... and thanks for sharing
Canadian here, I have been driving flatbed for over thirteen years now. Last three I have done oversize. Been to forty six of the lower forty eight and coast to coast of Canada. I also do travel photography as a hobby, about to cross off country number twenty five. Okay with that said. It has been over ten years since I have been in the same place longer than two weeks. I still can’t believe I am saying that. There was a short period of time I did local work other than that I have been on the road for those thirteen years. Waking up in different countries different states and different provinces. Yep, it does wear on you. It gets olds but in my case well it’s the life I have chosen. I really do get why people walk away from it. Nothing wrong with that. Everything is a season.
the algorithm keeps sending me vanlife videos and I keep watching them, even though I could never rough it like you guys do. I'm glad more people are discussing the realities of van life and I think it's so sweet that you're focused on building a future with your gf. that's so sweet. congrats on the home and good luck, plus, you can always shit in the backyard or a bucket if you're feeling vanlife homesick lol
😂LOL
first laugh of the day- God Bless You !!
Yes, when you're living out of your vehicle, especially in urban areas, you struggle to find a safe place to sleep every night. There are people out all hours of the night and if you're spotted, some people will mess with and target you or call the police. Also, when you're traveling, you're not familiar with the areas you're trying to find a stop in. I agree, not talking to a single human being for days can wear on you and the inside of the van gets smaller by the day. Thanks for being honest about the realities of #vanlife.
My first year fulltime in a van was pretty stressful at times. By my second year I really started to hit my stride. I'm now 2.5 years in and it is still getting better. I oftentimes look at people who drive these rent-a - RVs and wonder how that works out, since in my experience it is a lifestyle that one need to grow into. Hey, each to his own. Do what you think will work for you and if it doesn't ,well change course.
Rv = recreational vehicle lol majority of them are used for few days or weekends 😅
@@jestercastillo4168 yeah, but people can still live in them. I mean, c'mon, people live in vans, living in an RV would probably be easier in some ways.
Hey folks - I've been stealth camping in my 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback for the past 4 years. I just go on 2 to 4 week trips around every 3 months then I drive home to my big house back to a regular life. It works out really nice and I never feel too stressed on the trips because of the go home breaks. IMO, this is the way to do life with adventure, just my 2 cents.
Never figured the van life was permanent, just a season, necessary for a time. You made the best of it and did a great job sharing the experience with real perspective.
Showering twice a month is a personal choice. Not necessary at all.
I never understand this. When I go hunting I live in the woods in a tent or in my vehicle for an entire week. Each night I boil a kettle of water and use a collapsible wash bin and some castile soap to wipe myself down. Then using some fresh water I wipe off again. It's refreshing and gets the job done.
Exactly!!!
Yeah 100% personal choice.
NOT NECESSARY??? I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU,I NEED MY SHOWER 3 TIMES A WEEK😜
@@majesticbutterfly I think they meant that only showering twice a month is a choice. There are public places, sometimes gyms will let you get a days pass, you can stop at a place with a faucet hook up or boil your own water for clean bathing water.
About to become a reluctant van life member. House burned down in a CA "wild"fire. Thanks for giving me the real dl on this life. Sounds tough with as a family with a toddler.
It's been 11 months. What happened?
You are NOT a quitter! You evolved into a different adventurer! Good on you, buddy!
Appreciate the kind words. Thank you
The 'girlfriend experience', for many, will have you missing the road in no time, cheers!
Quitter.
As someone who has been dirtbaggin it for 6 months.. you should've invested in a cheap shitter and truck stop showers. Game changers for me
I definitely did, check out some of my videos.
I started out in a pickup truck with a construction style topper and I lived in a small town for about a month before I moved on and bought a van I had a planet fitness membership
There are lakes and rivers. Also gym and truck stop showers. Also shower bags. I take showers every day.
@@CaptainGnarkill Why you were showering twice a month then?
@@lisabailon1010 except putting soap in lakes and rivers is bad-
even if a soap is biodegradable, it is not safe to put that soap directly into the water. All soap, whether biodegradable or not, affects lake chemistry in a detrimental fashion. It can also have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic organisms. If your just going in and rinsing - that's all good.
I just want to say a BIG Thank You for giving the realistic picture of living full time in a van. It has always appealed to me but I really appreciate you giving a realistic view of it.
@stp A rather unkind comment. Rentals are not always cheap and jobs are not always available.
His reality isn't the majority from my experience.
Lived out of a Honda Pilot for 2 years. Showered every single day. 3 gal solar shower heated by sun or propane. Tarp draped over rear hatch. Each shower was absolutely magical. I made it a priority.
Absolutely stellar video! Love this kind of thing - laying out the stark realities with pros and cons are fantastic to help people prepare adequately and make informed choices. Thank you so much!
This is just great! The right amount of honesty is what everyone needs these days. Keep it real folks
Only one big problem,, your not him,, Don't you have your own life? And own thinking?? Own opinions?,,life for me living in my van is paradise,, he can talk All negative crap,, good for him,, but guess what? He ain't me,,, or I ain't him
I've lived in 3 vans but never on purpose. No credit and 2 felonies made it hard to rent a room or find anything else. And I'M ALWAYS worried about someone breaking in or if I made the wrong friend who noticed I have some nice things.
I’ve been watching a lot of solo female van lifers and was thinking about selling my home or renting out my home to live the van life but after watching your video I changed my mind. Think I will continue to just do my vacation camping trips in different areas in my van and or my weekend trips to the different beaches or local mountains here in southern Cali. Thanks for being real much appreciation and respect and congrats on your home enjoy✌️
Quite a bit of his complaints can be overcome with the right build out. So, take what he brought up with a grain of salt. This was his first build and didn't do another one to try and overcome the problems he had. Security is pretty much the only thing that can't be overcome with a normal van that's used in vanlife. But it can be overcome with a former FedEx van and built like an actual home.
@@electricheartpony "can be overcome with a former FedEx van and built like an actual home"
you have a vid that explains this?
@@jdsartre9520 inside of the hull, build up a frame. Make it very solid. And add a regular house door with the dead bolt and normal lock. It'll immediately make most wannabe car thiefs go as they're smash and grab types. And I do not have the link, but it's on TH-cam. The guy who does the conversion tours
@@electricheartpony thanks broseph
Every issue he just mentioned can be solved by already existing modern technology. Yea sure when you don't want to invest time and effort into making it secure and efficient than yea it will be a strugle. But in reality you can make your Van just as comfortable like a house, you just need to learn how to engineer things to get the same functionality. You can even build a shower with a couple of water filters so that your shower water gets cleaned and can be used for how long as you want. Well, until the filters need to be replaced. Wich takes 5/10 minutes every 1/2 months.
Yeah, I was pleased to see you call weekend vanlifers out. And like many others the honest take is refreshing.
I was homeless before this was even a popular thing. I lived in a junky 98 dodge Dakota single cab, with a camper shell. I didn’t have shit to my name, no debt, no boss, no girlfriend. Really no life but me and my skateboard. I did it for 3 years in 2008-2010. I eventually turned to cocaine and being a pot smoker it was very out of the ordinary for me. I just stopped caring. And I was young and dumb. I was harassed by the cops on Costa Mesa California constantly, and it really got old. I was almost robbed but I beat the shit out of the dude. Had sex with multiple women in my truck. It was like no one cared that I lived in it! But looking back it was dumb and fun at the same time. My biggest regret was definitely getting addicted to coke. But I’ve been off the streets since 2010. I’ve also been off coke since than too. Thought I’d share my experience a little. Good for you choosing a home and your girl though. Some people can only do it for so long, and some people live for it!
Just been squatting / homeless for 2 1/2 years. If you have too much stuff or stuff that's too expensive or shiny.. or nice, the road will replace it with just the right wardrobe bike, rat car, drug habit, mode of behaviour that you need to survive the experience.
Wasn't looking it tbh I'm 62 now but it was fun.... I'm living in a house with normal people now. Which is pretty weird.
Life’s about making memories worth telling. I enjoyed your story. You doing great
@@bobjary9382 can you explain what you mean about the road will replace it
Thank you for sharing your story with us and God Bless You
@@heyo5493 it's what' I see with people who through choice or happenstance are no longer in secure housing .
If you live in a vehicle or on the street or perhaps some sort of vulrerable accommodation like a squat or camp you really don't want to have a lot of atuff youve become attached to . Being evicted or moved on can be brutal even with correct procedures by the authorities you can be shoved smartly on the pavement still putting your shoes on.
Having the essentials at hand becomes 2nd nature....and you could end up carrying those things with you for a while so no passengers useful stuff only .
Sitting in the road in the winter without your shoes and no idea where your phone was the last time you saw it makes you think hard about having those few items that can get you sorted if you still continue in the life . Alcohol or your chemical of choice can make things a lot smoother ..or not of course .
Travellers I knew in the 80s would love the free life living in a bus or truck in the li g days of summer ....the ones who were still in their vehicles in the spring may not have had money or a chamge of clothes but always had a bow saw a spitting maul and a milk churn for water . ....much prized items
Omg, I'm so grateful for people like you that do these videos. So many people show false representations of what van life is like. We live in a converted bus and it definitely comes with a lot of challenges so I can't imagine how much more difficult it is in a van. We live off grid and in order to have electricity to operate everything we want we invested $7000 on our solar system. Of course it wasn't all at once. We had to build over time so for a long time we didn't have electricity 24/7. People really need to evaluate all the challenges with van or bus life and not get unrealistic expectations because of Instagram.
Solar doesn't have to be crazy expensive. Our 180 watt panel was a gift from my brother (a display he was scrapping to get it out of his office) and our next 250 watt panel was $40 from SanTan Solar in Phoenix. We have since bought two more 250 watt panels from them for $50 each. Shop around and do your own work and you can be your own power company wherever you go at *very* low cost. We currently have 1,100 watts of panel and are pre-wired for the 250 stored on my side of the bed. We have six 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batts -- which give us 540 amp hours of 12 volt usable -- the batts cost $133 each. :)
there is the one and only reason hey suger coat some of it to make yt money thats the point i think .
it's normal as you get into your 30s to want to settle down, have a family etc.
thanks for your great honesty. so incredibly important
I can tell you are good at finding silver linings to every situation. Even replacing your radiator in the dessert was “an experience and something I’ll never forget”
I've spent a lifetime traveling and camping the USA. Keeping a home base has been absolutely the best of both worlds. I highly encourage people to do that when possible. Safe travels to all!!
I lived in a van when I was young out of necessity, it was a good lesson to NEVER have to do that again. Got me motivated to go to school, buy a house and make investments. I'm 69 now, mortgage paid off for 25 years and I still have had a van all those years , but for play, not for living. The older I get the more I appreciate my HVAC, 40 gallon hot water heater, full bathroom, washer dryer, kitchen, deep freezer, high speed internet, NONE of the RV/Van channels show what happens when you get too old, disabled and getting in and out of a rig, hauling in water and hauling out poop become a barrier to daily living.
Yeah me too! I’ve been doing extremely long road trips for 20 years now all while having a homebase the whole time. sometimes even up to four months on the road, but it’s nice to know that off-season clothing, heirlooms and other special things that don’t make sense in a van are safely tucked away in a home or storage unit. I don’t see why people have to be such gatekeepers and say it’s only true Vanlife if you get rid of your home 🙄, I couldn’t agree with you more.. the best of both worlds!👏👏
That's what I would be thinking too. Have a home base, a steady income and go off on 1-2 month trips. Come home, get caught up on the real world, make some more money, and plan the next trip. And in a van, I'd want to go as a single. It's too damn small for two people. And dogs, while great company, are too much work and worry. Better to go with a small group of friends, each with their own rig. That way you have companionship, more skills, and help if needed.
I have 3 that are mine and one that I call the parents house. I’ll be doing van live to save for one year while also working full time. Planet fitness will be my shower locations. With the properties and a full time job I save like I’ve never saved before. After a year I’m gonna go buy another house. I figure by then it’s losing its charm and I will have saved enough to buy another rental property. I’ll quit the job and still do the van life but at my own new/used place until it good enough for me to move into. I’ll repeat the process once that house is done but only for 6 months then go get another. I can do van life.
Right on man. I truly appreciate the honesty and the true forthcomingness of this video. I'm an older disabled veteran who was seriously considering this even though I have a home wife and everything else going for me. This truly help me to see what I would be getting into that I did not see before. Again man, thank you so much for the truth and realism.
Not to mention current fuel prices. This guy quit at the right time.
Keep your home. Get a van or RV if you want to. Go camping and take road trips with your wife. It will always feel good to return home where everything is more secure and relaxed in comparison. And you'll have some adventures too.
Thank you for the truth. Everyone else makes it seem like it’s such a beautiful life and everything is just so fantastic.
Mad respect to you and the people who have done/ are doing this.
I honestly think van life was the bomb for you and moved you forward to where you are in your sobriety. Seriously, it served it purpose and now look at you! Proud of you man. Honesty is hard to come by these days...
Why I'll be getting a class B RV a gym membership and a gun. Half of the problems solved right there
You do not need a class B if you stay under 26,000 pounds and register it as a motorhome
True.
@@distinctivemf1918 ooo i totally forgot about this
im going to be building a tiny house, hopefully in the near future once im out of cali, and ill have to try and keep this in mind again
If the gun makes you feel that much better. IMO, there's no real life situation where that's been a plausible way to handle a scenario, at all.
For anyone considering the idea, we def have, and would only if needs must.
Otherwise, most anything is better handled with skillful observation & discernment.
Other prep...it's not how ppl think.
Me too! Lost my husband, loosing my house, sister whome I'm close to and had plans with, on life support. I'm taking my 95 GMC van and my 2 cats on the road!
Throughout my 20's, I lived in a series of industrial spaces that usually lacked full facilities, -i.e.,- kitchens & bathrooms.
Despite that, I generally never lacked for friends or acquaintances that would let me shower, often in exchange for cooking dinner, or doing some handy work.Sometimes you have to barter services, but then, I take hygiene seriously.
I think the reality is that it's a more dangerous world for women, - particularly younger, attractive, ones.I wouldn't be comfortable having women I care about pulling exposure to every psycho and pred out there; even as a 6'3", 200 lb dude, you have to be smart.Weapons don't redress the balance of being outnumbered, or taken off gaurd.
Somehow, the world in general has become an even less safe place.
Traveling makes sense when you are looking for a direction, or after you've retired, and are winding down.For some of us that aren't looking to settle down or settle in EVER, - well, - it's a different story.
Thanks for being real bro. Good luck in your next chapter.
You are one of the few TH-camrs I have ever watched that presented an honest assessment of their life's passion (the reason they post). When the highlight reel passes for reality then you know there is more to the story, and I am impressed that you told it. You earned a new subscriber today!
I am a 60 year old woman and I find you to be a breath of fresh air!
Thanks for the kind words
You are the only one out there that is honest about fulltiming. Others use platform on TH-cam to glamorize it and make $ on followers. Learned my lesson 1 1/2 years on the road and off now.
Appreciate your honesty. I see van life as a temporary adventure, a chance to learn about yourself, build some experience and self-reliance, and experience things you never will in a stationary job. As a permanent lifestyle, it just doesn't make a lot of sense. I'm sure you'll treasure the memories going forward. Good luck to you.
Your uploads keep it real and on point. I drove truck from 1999 - 2006.
Two assaults. One break in. C I countless weird going on over the road.
I left trucking after my second assault...DONE!
Van lifers need to be careful.
I trucked for 12+ years before I got injured last year. Even got shot at in Phoenix while I was sleeping. I had the bullet hole in the driver side bat wing to prove it. Missed me by 18". Taking SS now and Workman's Comp. Got everything paid off and will be headed overseas when I get a clean bill of health.. Stay safe out there! People and society have devolved to a cesspool.
You make some excellent points! No one shows the downside. Thanks for keeping it real.
I often ponder on the idea of selling everything and living in our camper until I take a week long camping trip, LOL! I look forward to going home after around day 4 and have even cut our camping trips short on more than one occasion. There's something to be said about the comforts of home vs the comforts of camping... enough said.😳 Great video.😁
Thanks for being honest and talking about things that no one wants to address…hope you enjoy many new adventures!
I am moving into my Jeep to get out of debt, yes, I am a holder of a wicked student loan. So, no, I'm NOT viewing this as something that will be easy and simple, My end goal is to finally kick my student loan out of my life.
@@haleighlove9583 so does that mean people who paid for their schooling up front get free money?
You can walk away from that debt any DAY that you decide to -- no need to file for bankruptcy either. Just quit making the payments. Wut they gonna' do? Take away your birthday? I lived for 2+ years with no physical address -- no mailing address either! It was one of the most liberating highlights of my life! :) No bills; no junk mail; no mail at all! :) I put together a file called Freedom From Financial Bondage if you're interested in the details. :)
@@haleighlove9583 Spoken like a true socialist. I have a car. Maybe you would like to pay it off for me, since you think that the taxes I pay to the govt should pay off your student loan
I am serious thinking the same lifestyle to get out of debt myself.
I see your channel doesn't have content. So many questions: What field did you study? Having a career and living in your jeep sounds intriguing.
For those people thinking about so called mobile home or van life, don't even think about it's gonna last forever. Even a normal home doesn't last long. One day you will change your mind and you will wanna try something else. Yes for some years, living in a van might be fun and an awesome experience travelling around. But for the rest of your life? I don't think so. Everything changes constantly, even your thoughts and feelings.
I’ve been living in my van for 6 years. My shower water recycles itself so I’m about to shower every day. My latest van cost $190,000
But what about financial obligations keeping most from a proper balance your freedom being owned by possessions depends on how you see it I guess I’d be more than happy living Van life knowing that I don’t to constantly worry about bills and if I don’t pay I lose it both trade offs are double edge sword
@@kyouskeuzumaki9673 i think you should calculate the expenses again...its not much cheaper tbh....
@@honorbluelovelyful hmmm are you saying the kind of van and how many conversion installments and the type ? maintenance? Parking tickets ? Pull overs ? I certainly don’t think I would be spending as much and working to pay off possessions than I would living in a van what I’m saying is that I’m not looking forward to finally having everything mine officially at the end of my life span I’d prefer to have those possessions already accounted and paid off so with that I rather not want it at all with an alternative lifestyle in mind
@@honorbluelovelyful you might think it’s not much cheaper because you see all of these expensive van conversions on TH-cam that are completely unnecessary. Like installing a toilet, shower, sink and stove is COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. People do not realize that those you don’t need running water and built in stove. Those things will cost a lot to buy and repair if broken.
I've been watching van life video for months now, considering this as a way of life but I had a lot of questions and you answered all in under 15 minutes, thanks for that! I'm glad I came across your video because every vanlifer I've seen looking views to grow their channel only show all the good stuff but nobody shows the struggles and how hard it really is.
Brilliant honest video ! How refreshing
My son, who is 23, has talked about wanting to live the “van life.” I’m sharing this video with him. Thank you for your insight!
@Matt Campbell Ha! I’ll tell him.
I hope you won’t try to stop him but just provide more perspectives and let him make his own conclusion.
@@dragon_ninja_2186 absolutely! He’s 23 and can make his own decisions. I just want to make sure he’s well informed and thinks his decision through. These videos are great information.
Sometimes, you have to let them experience it the hardway. It will teach them life lessons. Support him instead
I did it in an 18 wheeler and called it Over-The-Road-Trucker-Life and made 60k.
How did you make 60k?
@@edison_a637 .50 cents per mile, 2500 mile per week average. (plus accessorials, detention, paid holidays, etc)
I love it
Getting ripped off at 60k.
@@sibco96 what does it pay to wander around aimlessly in a van?
Great info! I believe it is good to continue to progress in one’s life you closed that chapter and are now in a new one. Good on you.
I’m from SoCal and I feel this dude is more real than my best of friends. When I bought my house it was empty for a long time where I started with “stick furniture”. Who cares, it’s a house that you plan to live in for hopefully ever, in many cases. Trust, over the years the house will get full of memory items and stuff. I appreciate this dude and video not that I ever considered van life or car living but I find the videos fascinating.
I'm going on 2 years now in my 17 foot uhaul truck, I'm still building it out, so it keeps me going I should be done with it by next year, and so far I'm loving it I'm from Pennsylvania and so far I'm just doing the east coast Main to Florida thing I want to go west but how far is still undecided
Chill out 🤙dude
i’m from PA trying to figure out the best set up to tour after college, what’s the uhaul set up like?
Do you follow Positive Nomad?
I’m retired. I own my modest home, cars paid for, I’m happy. I guess I’m doing okay. I thought of selling my home. Buying a class C motor home. Being that carefree traveling TH-cam spirit. Just me and my dog. Then suddenly I had an epiphany. I saw Cher, I felt a painful slap on my left cheek as she said; “Snap Out Of It” Great video.
Hahahaha lol lol (cher)!
Before you get into it you may want to check out Steve Lehto's channel for a better understanding of the realities of today's RVs and what to expect. Lemon law attorney...down to earth guy.
Glad you came to your sense cause soon 🔜 as I read thinking 🤔 about selling your house 🏠 I instantly said Dumb ass 😭‼️😅
Ha moonstruck reference.
Keeping a home base is key. Now get a rig and hit the road as often as you like. It's really that simple. Mines a 20 yr old RV- the 3rd one over 30+ years. Lmao! Good times- but I like going home to my desert home on an acre to plan the next adventure. Best of luck
Weird that this and a few other van life things have popped up on my feed, I haven´t looked anything up. But I can relate to what you´re saying here; the whole toilet/shower/space thing becomes a problem over a period of time. I lived in a purpose built camper van for 6 months in the mid 90s with my now ex wife, travelling around the UK (mostly Scotland) while working as a photographer ("glamour/makeover", but it really wasn´t that glamorous) We had a built-in toilet and shower cubicle, which was fine; for a couple of days (3 max) But one time we´d been on the road for about a week and were sent to do a shoot in South Wales, a full days drive from where we were. We had to park the van on a side street in this small shithole town, the road had a huge camber on it so the van was standing about about 15 degrees tilted. After a full days work we came out late at night to find the toilet cassette had leaked back into the back of the van, and soaked into the carpet. The stink was nauseating. We were also towing a trailer which weighed around a tonne and had all the studio equipment in it. The towball was on the back step, which got torn off going over a huge speed bump. Then going for sometimes for weeks without doing laundry and the laundry bags piling up in the aisle between the back seats which doubled up as beds. I left a pair of hiking boots in a parking area beside Loch Ness in Scotland because they smelled so bad. But there were highlights; 3 weeks in the Shetland Isles, working 10 hours a day and being based on an actual campsite with a laundry. We made the company quite a lot of money in a short space of time though, but we only got a percentage, and had to fund our own travel and expenses from what we made, as well as pay the loan for the van etc. Living and working together put us definitely put us under pressure, so we gave it up in the autumn as the work fell off, so we had no income. Stayed with friends for a few months, got jobs, rented a place for a few years, paid of the debts that adventure left us with. Bought a house, moved in. But then a few more adventures like that over the next 7 years and we were done. Some of us are better built for travel, she wasn´t. We got divorced, I gave her the house, and left on a bicycle, rode across Europe and lived in a 1 man tent for 2 out of 6 months, backpacking around Europe. 19 years on from that trip, I now live in Norway; have done for 15 years. But that´s a whole other story.
These are the things though, we should all do at least once in our lives; if only to say we tried it, and have some memories that are outside the "normal" life to look back on.
Wonderful video my friend. I wish you all the best in this new chapter.
Finally the truth. Thank you for being so honest. 99.99% of the “Van life” videos are just a fairytale. With this kind of videos we can have a perspective of reality. Good luck!
It's "his" truth. Not "the" truth. And it's a perspective of his reality.
So agree. Lots of young men and women not planning for their futures when they can no longer work. Very scary.
@@Yourhighnessnona Yes, you are absolutely right. This is his truth and not the whole truth. He basically lives in a normal van, that's the problem. There's no insulation, no ventilation, no AC unit, there's no heating system, and there is no plumbing. Other Vanlifers that have those mention upgrades live rather comfortably.
Said luck. No such thing as luck only Divine Providence Also God's existence is proven. They've taken the proofs for the existence of God out of modern DEeducation but the proofs for the existence of God are a staple in any undergraduate philosophy tract. They're call St Thomas's 5 proofs. You can't get to Catholicism via logic alone but the sheer existence of God and that He must for example be One, IS proven. Here's one. You see that things have a cause. If you don't assent to this you're simply a liar. IF you don't have a First Cause of all Himself Uncaused you have an infinite regress of causes of effects and never getting to the First Cause you never get in reverse logic to what you see today by neccessary result of this infinite regress. The infinity (i.e. NEVER ending of causes creates an insurmountable gap because if its inherent infinity insurmountable gap because if its inherent infinity insurmountable to suffice for the existence of anything you see that exists and has a
@@MaxadBarre what I hate is when people who like to live a stable city/suburban life try to impose their will on others who don't like the normal lifestyle and choose to live in survival mode or in rural mode. I know people including myself who would find happiness in living away from the city. Just because its not comfortable to the majority or to you doesn't mean it's not comfortable for others. I'm not addressing this specifically to you or to the guy in the video, just to some people who are angry and irritated at everything.
How about when you stop in a small town park and everytime a local drives by they stare at you as if the van says FREE CANDY on the side. The stigma is real.
yep
Well if your van looks like a free candy van lol. I stop all the time most looks I get are in awe.
@@TrackDayChamps928 thats because you're awesome.
@@RippSnortin not at all…. The van just looks like something you’d travel in… not something you’d find hiding out stashed in a Walmart parking lot.
If you drive $3K van, then yes. If you drive proper RV, then no.
I always appreciate these kind of videos, because its essentially confirming my suspicions about a lot of van life videos. You can tell the real ones, and the real ones I love. The others are annoying, and moreso when the chat is eating it up. It's hilarious when you see a van life channel with what appears to be a model who looks like she just walked out of a wax salon and is beaching it in every video. Sure.
Very informative, excellent video, I appreciate the honesty and great job on bringing this to light because like you said alot of people tend to sugar coat it.
Yeah having the right kind of set up makes a huge difference. And a gym membership takes care of the shower part.
A chick, now my wife is what made me end up no longer van lifeing. I miss it a lot, but love my little family. It was definitely a time and place that I'm forever grateful for experiencing.
You are living my dream man. I'm saving up for a van to save money in the long run. I calculated it and after 3 years ill have 10k more and a nice van. I hope along the way of that money saving journey I meet someone. Bit if not ill stay to my goals and save up to get a house, wife then raise a family after.
@@rgbglass7163 C'mon man! 3 years to earn $10,000? You need to step up your game. Even $12/hr at 35 hours/week earns $21,000/year. And there are in infinite number of side hustles you can do for extra cash.
Thanks for your insite... been thinking about getting rid of all and living on the road.... you answered s lot of the questions i have... Good luck to you and yours... Safe travels... God Bless
Just a quick Thanks for this vid, I enjoyed reading the comments too.
These points needed to be posted, a very helpful insight. This vid is gold, imo.
This is really honest and up front about everything. Nice to see. Everyone makes it look easy. I do it during my work weeks and it can really suck at times. The constant fear of people screwing with you is a big one for me.
I'm just about to transition to #vanlife and fully expect to be 2x good-looking, hot chicks stalking me and adventures every day. All my bad habits will go away and my TH-cam channel will give me a great income. If anyone of those expectations fails, I'm back to Mom's basement in a heartbeat. Now, who does your laundry?
@@stewdude1857 I kind of thought that went without saying.
You have taken me into fantastic places with great chill music on the side
great advice, great video. best wishes, thanks for sharing 👍🏼
Really appreciate you sharing the raw truth of living in a van .
Thanks for bringing the reality to those who will consider doing this...
I’ve recently lived in my 982 Econoline for almost a year through the pandemic. My family talk me to move back into a house. And I hate it. I play golf talk to people travel safe to say I’ve never carried poop around more than maybe a day.
The part about showers is why I want a bus😁
@@ronaldjohnson3717 You can put a shower in a van..do a little more research. Look up DuelEx he's done it fairly recently and isn't the first by any means. You can literally build one out and have it produce hot water, using gas, for less than $200.
I've been in a van for 8 years now. This is a great video for people considering #Vanlife. Very honest and to the point.
Loved it!
Thanks for the reality info......its definitively a challenging lifestyle.....good luck and blessings on the change......
Hey, I'm retired female on fixed income. I'm living in a nice little house in Rocky Point mex. Rent is between $350 to 450 month. 6 weeks prior I lived in my new Kia Soul with my chihuahua in Sun City AZ. I moved to AZ 5 years ago from Eastern coast of Virginia. After watching snippets of Bob Wells I said Ok I'm in!! I'm adventurous. Those 6 weeks I lived in my Kia I became miserable. I couldn't make a comfortable bed. So finally I just sat in the driver's seat. But then my feet and legs started to swell and hurt. I've been on a Rx diuretic for years but my feet still swelled. Pretty soon it became painful to walk. Im a caregiver and supplemented my SS with that. My work was easy, mostly companionship. But that played a toll. I was driving to YMCA for my showers 3 times a week, thanks to Humana it was free. But even that took its toll. I drove around a lot, $$ for gas. And having to reorganize my suitcase was the pits. I wore myself down so bad after work one day I had to quit my job. I had an emotional breakdown, sort of. I was crying and screaming to my little dog. She was trying to get away from me. That vision will haunt me forever. So long story short I rented a nice 2 BR remodeled house in Puerto Penasco Mx. This is my 4th month. I'm very content. But this afternoon I happened upon this Bob Wells character. He was visiting.older women who did a walk through their camper vans and a car. So I said, that's what I need to do. Yes, get a van, travel, walk through the woods, father firewood etc. I use to camp a lot. THEN I found your video on why you quit van life. Seeing your realistic rendition really bright me back from LA LA land. So I'm thinking ok if this guy can get spooked then I know I will. I'm glad you made that video. Very concise, realistic . You mentioned things I wouldn't have thought about as I signed to buy my Van. It was great timing for me. Do you read your comments? You saved me from wasting alot if planning time. Good job! DEBBIE
I feel ya deciding to leave your home or sell it even lose it- is THE WORST! Sleeping in cramped spaces especially older & or health problems is awful. I’m sorry you had to do that. Everyone should have a home no matter what. God Bless you & everyone that don’t have a home🙏🏻💜 I’ve accidentally contemplated living in the WOODS- but I wouldn’t last long🥲
@@natureloversadventures7335 I would get a high roof Van over any RV. Rvs implies more work like towing and RV park rent.
@@natureloversadventures7335 You're so right...we have moved on/evolved from living in the wild. I love to watch Ed Stafford's survival show "Marooned". But as Ed was reflecting on his time in the wild and as much as he loved it, in what he sometimes calls "thriving"- not just surviving, he says that human beings are no longer cave-dwellers. We have grown and adapted to our new, modern home "caves".
Yep, thankfully I stay in cities so some of these problems, like not seeing people, showering, and where to poop, I don't have to worry about and others, like attracting weirdos and getting robbed, are amplified. Overall though, I love this life and I'm not interested in being with a guy who doesn't want to travel so I won't have to ever choose between growing roots or the open road. While I tell everyone to try this lifestyle out BEFORE they sell their house, sell their stuff, give up their apartment, spend tens of $1000s on a build, because it's NOT for everybody, I get the feeling that his main reason for giving up vanlife is the girlfriend. He loves her more than he loves the road so he chose her. I think it would be a completely different story if he was in love with a woman who loved vanlife too.
Yup it is definitely the love for his woman. Any life is all about choice.
100% agree... he could have started and ended with getting serious with the GF.
Can i join you lol
Exactly
I think that is so precious!
It seems that he wants to marry her, plant some roots and have little ones someday.👶👶
That says a lot about his character.
Thank you for your honesty.
Really appreciate this video.