Living in a van when VAN LIFE SUCKS [solo van life]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- What happens when living in a van full-time means getting 100s of ants in my van, 7 van repairs and 1 bomb cyclone? Camper Van life sucks when major difficulties arise. 👉 The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/storych...
It's my last leg of the van trip to the San Francisco area where I'm getting my van repairs completed by Gordon at Edge Vanworks. The day after I arrived to Livermore, California, where the van repair shop is at, I noticed ants crawling in my bed by the corner. Ouch! How do you live in a van with all the power and other issues plus ants? You don't. I ended up checking into a hotel room so I could get rid of the ants in the van and also move all my stuff out of the back end so Gordon could access the inverter that needed repairs done to it. Of course the Bomb Cyclone hit during this time. It was a stressful moment moving everything out of the van and into the hotel room. This is why I say living in a van can really suck especially when everything hits at once.
However, I did get it all taken care of and was able to visit with a good who also has a Hymer van (Ram Promaster conversion van). I'm also sharing my travel costs in the van along the way.
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Hi, I'm Amber and in May 2017 I started full time RV living. I started this nomadic journey after selling my house and all my belongings to pursue this crazy dream of traveling full time in an RV and creating incredible memories.
After 1 year of traveling, I sold my 26 foot Winnebago Class C RV for a more nimble Class B van on a Promaster 2500 chassis. Now in my 5th year of RVing in my camper van, I'm still loving this RV lifestyle and being a digital nomad. I almost always boondock in nature and really enjoy that off grid living.
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★ Travel Vlog Season 5, Episode 63: Van life repairs in Livermore, California
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Just watching the hassles you're having in your van makes me very happy to be living simply in my Camry Condo. I took out my seats and made a little bed in the back. I also have a Luggable Loo in the back for me to pee in at night. I never get out of my car at night either, just scoot over the console into the back. I'm remarkably happy living simply-- and I'm a 67 yo lady!!!
I just built out my 2018 Kia Soul.
It was a Kitchen, bathroom, digital work area, and closet. I sit straight because of the way I built the platform. I just did a 9 day trip and I am very happy with how versatile it is 🙂
Do you find it hard to find places to sleep? how long have you been living in you're car? I'm curious about vanlife/carlife have considered it myself to get out of debt.
@@Lisa-kz7vw I got a great plan for you and you will get paid for it ....drive a sprinter van for tri-states or panther....you can stay at any truck stop and rest area and no one will say anything
That's quite a list, for your poor van. Reminds me of mine 😂 I'm sure it feels great getting her all fixed up for winter 😚. My sister just lost 75 pounds in the last year on Noom so I've been tempted to give it a shot too. Thanks for letting us follow along! ❤️. Safe travels and love to you both 🥰❤️🚙🇨🇦
Michelle Stratford 😊 That's incredible about your sister. I've lost 17 so far! I feel really good. When are you coming out to the US?
For some perspective, gas in the Netherlands costs around 11$ per gallon
Yikes!
Wow....thank you for showing the great salt lake
Found your channel💜 subbed
Always so many repairs, always gotta do maintenance, but there's so much more... the rest is all adventure!💜 be well and blessed
Thanks for the sub! Thank you!
Interesting that this video started with the race car facts. I just watched the history of it last night and why it was moved to Utah from Ormond beach Fla-because the cars were ending up in peoples back yards due to the speed. The track they made on the beach turned out not to be quite long enough.
We have made the trek across Nevada on I-80 several times now to and from the bay area to Indiana a couple times and Sioux Falls S. Dakota and Colorado also...The ride across the desert the past few yrs has gotten alot nicer with all the development that has occurred out there compared to yrs ago...We always spend the nite in Wendover in the Casino parking lots there...Livermore where you are at is just at the other end of Vasco Rd from us....We are in the Oakley/Brentwood area....
akgobears 😊 Yes I totally agree. It's building up in some areas. The wind hasn't taken a hike yet though! lol
Missed you. Amber you have become my weekday coffee companion ☺️. Nice to see the van getting a reset. Sometimes they just need a little TLC too 🙂. Diatomaceous earth is something to keep on hand. When boondocking or in the south put some down around your wheels. Also if under a tree put a little ontop of the van. It kills the bugs but doesn't hurt animals or the environment. I know you have a hat addiction but wow 😲 do you look amazing in those shots with your hair all done. The silvers are looking Brilliant as well. Can't wait till your grow out is complete. The extra body you will have will be worth all the waiting. Lily is extra adorable in this video. I especially liked the lilly intro ☺️. Happy travels coffee pal.
Wow, you have been busy! It must feel good to have everything fixed on your Van. I tell you what, I want to cry every time I fill up with gas these days. It's so expensive right now. I'm bummed we didn't get to see you on your way through Cali. One of these days... 🤗😄
I can imagine. It’s a lot of dough. I know I would love to see you too. I always seem to have an agenda of things to do or it’s too hot there. Bummer. One day though.
The pure honesty of your video title is why I’m subbing your channel 👏👏👏
I appreciate that thank you!
Amber nice video Enjoy your travels
Precious Lily, of course she was sleeping in first morning back home in the van, dogs don’t sleep well in unusual places, on duty in the hotel room all night! Good you’re back, you two were missed! 🐕🦺🚐💜. Gordon is a gem.
That’s so true. She had a rough time sleeping there.
I'm in a bad reception area I will continue watching in the morning if I don't get loaded
Yay glad the inverter wasn't messed up. Great you got all done on the van that needed to be done. Cool you are doing Noom. My friend has lost good on it. She says I need to join. I would love to but I can't right now. You and Lilly take care.
Ants hate spearmint or any kind of mint and mint grows very well in a pot and it's quite lovely to use in a tea or a recipe
Amber if the drive belts makes a noise it's slipping NOT needing replaced,just get silicone spray because the belt is DRY.
Have it professionally cleaned, steamed, fumigated and detailed.....it feel brand new
Ahaha I drove around Australia when I was 20 ,I took a 2 year trip selling my art as I went..i was in an unconditioned station wagon,so no kitchen, toilet, shower etc as I went, so me and my friend slept in motels and hotels for that most nights. We had a locust plague, monsoons, crocodiles, a frog plauge, swimming under bird eating spiders etc etc ITS AN ADVENTURE ants? The less you have in the vehical to go wrong, the less can go wrong. Unless you take a brand that has a great historical track record a lot of things can go wrong in a lot of travel vans these days. The last thing you need especially if your a woman in a van that can break down in the middle of nowhere and your not a mechanic. I did a short course in repair mechanics before I left also as there are lots of little things we can easerly fix ourselves if we knew basics. 👍 Beware ladies
Amber, I'm glad that you share the potential pitfalls of this life. Hug Lilly for me.
Diatomaceous earth works amazing for ants and is pet friendly to great for all crawly things
Love it 😍 I adore those landscapes 💕
Another good video showing......
Real Life Van Life.....
Had I been aware of the Wind against my Van.....
I'd have bought a Low height Van....
& Just added a.... Pop Top.....
As always.... Sending Loves to Lilly....
You know everytime i have a bump in my road i try and stop and remind myself like well least you have the money to get over the bump. When there's been times i couldn't afford to get over the bumps.
I I’m baffled that gas is so much more expensive in California than in Denmark. Nice to see you guys having fun.
Tell me about it! It's awful.
I keep home defense in the house and in my rig to keep the pests out
Have to compliment you on driving you are very good,I feel at ease usually I'm treading invisible brakes with most people I know you are ok.🙈🙉🙊 me usually.Oh!my!!me and my long stories again, but then again this is Story Chasing, right? 😊❤ stay safe
Heyyy chick...thanks for sharing
RAID TOXIC TO PETS. Don't let your dog lick where the raid was applied. I lost an entire litter of kittens to their attraction to the raid on the walls five weeks after application....
I wouldnt complain about your gas prices. I live in BC. Our gas just went up to $8.40 a gallon.
Saved by Grace 😊
your silver strip is stunning! Good choice for a unique and healthy looking hair. It's gonna grow in beautifully
beverly chandler Thank you very much! 😊🙏 I'm hoping I can stick with it.
just worked out your fuel costs....gas prices here (UK) recently are almost TWICE what you paid!
MWOCQU 😊 I've noticed that too!! I mean I guess we're lucky to have them lower than other countries, but what the heck! Craziness.
I heard you speak about skill share and I may try it. I just started my channel to share my adventures and I could use some creative assistance. I want to keep things simple yet I want to have videos that will be entertaining to watch. You do a good job of that.
first i’ve seen you..
continue your journey- i want to travel but know i don’t want to do it alone
Bruce Montgomery So sweet! Welcome to Story Chasing! 😊💕
@@storychasing what is so sweet?
Love your videos.
Thank you!
I LOVE IT ,,, BUT IM NOT TO SURE OF THE VAN BREAK DOWN 👎👎👎👎 THAT'S MUST SUCK...... ANYWAY IM ON MY WAY TO VAN LIFE AND LIVING TOO....SOON....
Awesome Job
Hi Amber. Can you tell me the name of the shop in Livermore that fixed your van? I am having issues with my power and need a place close by to get it looked at. Thanks and love your videos!
Coach Lakiesha 😊 Sorry to hear you're having troubles. It's called Edge Vanworks. Talk to Gordon.
@@storychasing Thank you soooooo much!!!
just saying in Canada we are currently paying $1.49/litre . So that is $6/gal
You must had parked close to an ant colony.
how do you get those hotel points? i travel n a minivan. n lawton ok right now.
howdy do 😊 I use my Marriott credit card. Here's a link to the one I use for everything so I rack up the points quickly: www.storychasing.com/marriott
Where's the link to Gorden?
Dr Romando 😊 It's Edge Vanworks in Livermore, CA
I would love to do what you do but I do not have a home to sell or anything to buy anything nice and new/or only mildly used or have an income on the road, I'm not a person who can do youtube videos...I'm hoping to get my photography business to the point where it could provide this life for me but it's scary out there, especially with the world going nuts (altho maybe it would actually be SAFER on the road than in a major city!) and I'm a type 1 diabetic. My biggest fear is getting stuck somewhere and having not help I guess....just seems impossible for me, but at least I am following my dream to do photography (especially because I almost lost my eyesight twice, I truly appreciate the beauty in everything and I've been told I have a creative photo unique "eye" for it! I haven't been watching your videos consistently but I'm going to try to now.
laura d 😊 You can do anything you want in this world and the fear is natural. I was scared too when I first started out. I didn't know what I would do either for money, but after 5 years of researching and putting all the pieces together it finally came to a point where I could travel full-time. Best of luck to you in journey Laura! You'll get there. Just keep focusing on your dream.
Dangerous 4 someone alone.
Paula Soutchek 😊 Not at all. What makes you think that?
Awesome
Wow that was a long intro.
Why not just upload pix just the way they were …. Not enhanced….?
Sometimes it could come out crappy
Sometimes I don't get my settings quite right so it's either too dark or too light or completely blown out. So adjusting the light and shadows abit helps to balance out the image so you can see the beauty.
Well ya I get it but I don’t feel like that’s true natural colors…but beautiful just the same😁
I'd like a small dog but they are so much trouble. Feeding, walking, medical bills; may as well get a girlfriend if I'm gonna do all that.
Amber your hair is looking good! Mine is completely grown out now. Everyone compliments me. Glad you got everything worked out with your Van.
Thank you so much!! I'd love to see it. Can you email me? I need encouragement. lol
I love your hair too! So elegant!!!
So humble 😂🤣 “everyone compliments me”
@@Kat-nl5gh yes, my family and friends people who are in my life. I’ve had a few from total strangers.
@@jenniferdeleon8954 super humble!! 🤣🤣🤣
Should have kept the 26' RV. I realize you wanted a smaller van, for financial reasons, but one bad decision can cause a snowball effect. Did you enjoy the larger RV? You seem to hate the smaller one. Van Life doesn't suck, SMALL van Life sucks. If you do not build it, you do not know what is in it.
Any size rv has problems and the snowball effect🤣🙀
Glad to see that you two are okay !!! And thank you for the update. Safe travels and blessings, Deb ❤️
Thanks so much! We're doing much better.
Glad you where able to get your van all squared away and ready for the next adventure. Lily is so adorable playing tug of war with her toy. As always, safe travels to you both!
Hi Amber and Lilly! Hey- I've been really liking your cost breakdowns- they give a nice perspective to your travels. But I did want to relate a concept used in general aviation- some kind of maintenance/cost of operation cost per mile. In aviation, there is always an "engine reserve" cost factor added to the actual operation to cover rebuilding the very expensive engine (and other parts as necessary). That way, when maintenance is required, those costs have hopefully already been banked for when you need them, instead of suddenly paying for everything out of the blue. You could add up oil and other consumables (tires, brake, drivetrain routine services and on) that directly affect the operation of the vehicle, then calculate their life down to a conservative "per mile cost", then include those in your trip. You being a numbers professional could easily present that to everyone so they could be aware. There is nothing like knowing at any given moment you are operating a fully and continually serviced vehicle, and having the funds to remain that way- and especially when it is your home. PL4M!
Wow!!! Great info!!!
This comment is super interesting I've been vanlifing for years and never knew about this!! But i came here to say i also appreciate the gas price reports!
Amber you are so relatable, so real and open!! You’re such a strong woman and so inspiring. I love your videos with your sweet Lily. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 🦃 & safe travels!!
Glad you got everything fixed on your van! Sweet Lily said “All this traveling is hard work Mama”. She has to catch up on her beauty sleep! Wiggle butt! I love it! 😆
Sandra P 😊 lol I love your depiction of Lily's thoughts. She's right!
Thanks Amber, I love how you show the nitty gritty of the full time living. I've had to diet most of my life. I've weighed and measured food countless times. The good thing is after all those years it it stuck in my brain for my older life ;) not that I worry about my weight so much anymore but it set me up for being able to make better choices & being able to just "eye" the food for measurement. Safe travels!
Your hair is looking fabulous! Glad you got your van all dialed in. Safe travels and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.
Thank you! You too! Your's is amazing too. When are we going to meet? Are you coming to the southwest this winter?
@@storychasing I don't have plans to go West unless I happen to get a delivery. I want to visit Colorado again next Spring or Fall so maybe we can run into each other out that way. 😀
Not at all surprised you got ants in CA…..we lived there 10 years in northern CA and the ants were just part of it. We found Terro ant baits to work the best and yes they always seemed worse when we’d finally get some rain. I’d love to know what hotel you stayed at with that great kitchen and affordable rate. So glad you were able to get everything done on your van. We also love pho- it’s just so good and refreshing. Safe travels to southern CA
Ants are such interesting creatures! I used to live on the TOP FLOOR of a high rise and I would get ants at times and all I could think was "HOW did you find your way ALL THE WAY UP HERE?!" ... And being in a moving van, that is so strange how they made their way into your space!! Very interesting critters but NOT the best to deal with, for sure.
Sprinkle some food grade diatomaceous earth wherever the ants are found in the van. That will get rid of them w/o pesticide.
Happy to know you jumped onto Noom, a real game changer.
It always feels so good to get work done on your house on wheels. I had quite a few little things done on mine last year. Travel safe stay warm give Lily a hug, she is just so darn cute!👍🏻❤️🐾
I have had success with ants by dousing cotton balls with Tea Tree essential oil.
I feel your concern Amber for truck's passing at 80mph.I took my travel trailer along that stretch going to Oregon last year. You rock when the big trucks pass. I saw your graying picture. I think that you look beautiful and distinguished. Don't cover it with color. Stay Beautiful and safe travels.
I love nesting in the Winter. Have a couple of cords of wood ready to go. both 275 gallon oil tanks are full ;-) Woodstove fired up with no problem the other day when we had flurries ;-) Spent the weekend grabbing some photos of Mr Squirrel and Mr Chipmunk also getting ready for the Winter. Filled up the bird feeders. I think Sunset today is at 4pm ;-) Trees are pretty much leaf-less so the full moon shining behind them looks super spooky ;-) Check out the Sony Alpha camera....Amazing!
That is awesome!
I wonder about the mounting location for your license plate. I’ve read that, in some states, the plate must be clearly visible, but your bike covers it such that nobody could ever see it unless they search and squirm between the tire cover and the bike. Have you ever had issues with that? In NJ, where I live, I’d get pulled over in a heartbeat! *sigh* That’s NJ for ya. Super great that you’ve gotten everything sorted in prep for Winter. Hoorah!
RoadTripLover 😊 I haven't had any issues, but that said I need to figure out a solution for sure.
Ants are just sheltering from the weather. Next time, try passing a chalk (the kind you use to write on blackboards) around the area they are coming from. If you ever try it, please let us know how it worked.
Ann C 😊 That's interesting. Hmmm...what makes this work?
No idea. Learned it from a Cuban friend.
Or spray peppermint oil
I tried the "white line ant barrier"
Sadly - doesnt work
Thanks now I want PHO 🍲 well if you ever come to Georgia and we meet up I will take you to a PHO restaurant that is the best I have ever eaten Mmmmmmmm stay safe stay strong stay healthy God bless and enjoy life🌻✌💖💪👨🍳🎅🚌👍
Your Petrol is Cheap it works out at £3.75p in English money for a Gallon Wow. we pay £7.50p a Gallon In England that's $10.00 a gallon so think yourself Lucky
Your grey is growing out beautifully
Susan Matthews Thank you very much! 😊🙏
I just noticed your license plate is covered by the bike. You might want to have someone reattach it where it’s visible because you may get pulled over for that here in Ca.
Sounds like you’re heading to San Diego. If you happen to come through Carlsbad you may want to stay at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon for a night through Harvest Host. I stayed there the other night and had the place to myself. They lock the gates and you have total privacy.
Wwwhhhaaatttt?????
You were in my neck of the woods!!! We probably passed each other going opposite directions on the highway, depending upon your travel hours.
Of course, that was 3 weeks ago!
Weather has been fine since then. COME BACK!!!
WE NEED MORE RAIN!!!
HAHAHA!!!!
I always love seeing Lilly
Lol. I have to laugh about your idea of “cold” etc
Hello i just want to say you caught my bus in your video at 3:20 lol that was a bit ago. Thank you. Take care that is a sight and good memories.
360 Gal 😊 haha...that was several years ago. How funny and what a cool surprise.
Oh yikes! Happy to see the van repairs weren’t catastrophic. At least you and sweet Lily had a nice spot to be safe and regroup with fun friends to boot. Stay safe out there. (And I hear you on CA gas prices - Egads! I cringe every time I have to get gas. It’s not quite close to $5/gal in the small SoCal town I live in, but $4+…? Still, Ouch!)
You US people are still lucky. In the Netherlands (Europe), prices for the cheaper gas currently start at 2,10 euro per liter, so that's roughly $8,00/gallon, going on to $9/gal when you're at a highway gas station.
I'm thinking about living in a van, but van living people all say they quit their jobs but yet where does the money come from to fix and gas the vans you all live in? How do you all privide for yourselves?
I've been homeless 6+ years ago and lived in my jeep with my dog. There was no help in that department.
Sooo. What's the secret?
Rachel M Lesperance 😊 I have a video coming out this week that might help you. Stay tuned.
We spray the underside of our RV with Home Defense. This seems to keep the insects away.
Tammy C 😊 oh good idea!
I would like to see a video detailing all the broken parts and other issues you’ve had with your ram pro master based van. Have you done that ?
Hearing about the serpentine belt give me idea to get a spare one and have it around when it eventually goes out.
Ants may have been from the rain event. We live in Redding and had ants coming in , probably from all that rain.
Lilly your so awesome 👌 amazing what a beautiful sweet fur baby
I'm in love 🥰
Vicky McConnell 😊
I'm so glad you made it back to the West Coast safely🤗 LOVE your videos!
Thanks so much!!
That was a beautiful hotel room. Have never seen a room like that.
Me neither. It's a Marriott Residence Inn. I've stayed at quite a few over the years and this was the nicest!
It’s good to see Lily back to her old self!
Skillshare helps to satisfy my thirst to learn new things. 🙂
And to hear you talk about using it really has me nodding in agreement. Seems like a wonderful source of interest for vanlifers.
I have been with Skillshare for 5 years now and I have never been at a loss for something to learn.
We're fans of Pho too!
You consistently produce great viewing that I look forward to. Keep it up, I admire your lifestyle 😊
I LOVE your hair! So glad your van is repaired and your headed south for beach weather.
I have the same Landed Gear Spare tire mount on my 2016 Travato!
Its the time of year, ants want to find a warm place to move into. This week I had a lady bug infestation, that was very weird.
Hello 🤩 from CALIFORNIA 👌👍💪😋
Hello 👋
Im paying $6.40 per gallon in vancouver.
Come See Scar in Arco Idaho at Honeys Park. Would love to meet you.
What if you got a small cheap apartment way outside the city and lived in a VAN during the workweek? I own a condo on the edge of the city but my commute is horrendous so I'm in the process of converting a mini-van into a camper and my plan is spend 2 to 4 days during the workweek in the mini-van and come back to the condo on weekends. Having a place to come back to every weekend makes Van Life alot more tolerable. I know what I'm doing isn't strictly legal but the cost of housing in my city is so outrageous that there are no legal affordable options for a single guy making a measly 90k per year. I suppose I could afford a decent apartment in the city if I spent every penny on rent but I strongly believe in putting 10% of my gross pay into a retirement account and saving another 10% of my gross pay for vacations/rainy day. I work construction and sometimes there is no work for months, saving 20% of my gross pay has gotten me through even the worst work slow downs.
Take a ride down U.S.95. It's one of the most beautiful rides I've ever seen. It winds through the valleys of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Absolutely beautiful!
Since you tell the downfalls and what year is Van. Gas expensive, not sealed so ants, sensors etc So would you recommend and older smaller Van?? Suggest what would be better please. I had so many problems once sensors where in my SUV! EXPENSIVE
Hey Amber, just to say I always love viewing your videos, to be able to factor this type of lifestyle into your life is challenging and brave , as a viewer thankyou for your efforts in bringing your adventures to our lives. Please keep them coming. Coming to you from the land down under!!
I80 is great after you get out of Omaha...if I'm in a sprinter or my semi dosnt have a trailer I stop at my favorite hobby shop and then 90-95 all the way down 80 to Vegas....
I HATE ants, therefore, having ants in my van would be a nightmare for me! You can get rid of them with peppermint oil.
2legit64 😊 I'll try that if there is a next time. Let's hope there's not! lol
Omg I just started binge watching you and today I noticed you're in my hometown of Livermore!!! Are you from here? I'm such a new fan!