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Ahhhhh the vanlife dream; you’ve seen all the whimsical Instagram posts – opening the back doors to a stunning deserted beach and now you’re thinking about taking your life on the road. Vanlife can be an amazing journey and one that will change your life, but if you’re not properly prepared it might not be the trip you dreamed of.
Here is what you need to know before starting your vanlife adventure, from deciding what sort of vanlifer you’ll be, to the simple things like where you are going to shower.
1. Choosing The Right Van For Your Vanlife Lifestyle
Vanlife will be different for everyone depending on what sort of lifestyle you want to live on the road. Are you going to seek out the more off-the-beaten-track locations? (in which case you might need a 4×4 van). Will your trips be short or are you looking to live in your van full time? These are some of the basic questions that will help you decide which van best suits your vanlife goals.
We recently compared three of the most popular vans chosen for starting vanlife – you can read the article here!
2. Full Time Vanlife or Weekender
Before you make any rash decisions about vanlife, ask yourself: are you going to be living on the road full time or are you just looking to escape on weekends? Knowing how you will use your van will help you determine your build. As a full timer you might want to include added amenities like a shower and toilet to your build. If you’re going for shorter weekend trips you may not need these additions and if you are planning on camping in designated RV parks you may not need a large solar system to support your trip.
3. Where Are You Going To Sleep While Travelling In A Van
The importance of knowing where you will sleep will vary depending on whether you personally prefer to plan ahead or go where the road takes you. We like to know where we are going to sleep, so planning ahead is an important part of our routine. Having a couple of options in mind before it’s time to park up for the night can make vanlife a little less chaotic. Using apps like iOverlander and Wikicamps (Australia) to find free or paid camping areas is a great way to lock down locations ahead of time. Here are 10 apps we recommend for Vanlife Australia.
4. Where Do Vanlifers Shower
There are a few options when it comes to showering while your on the road. If you’re a long term traveller you may have included a shower in your van build which is a fantastic luxury as long as you remember to fill your tanks regularly. If you aren’t in a position to have a shower in your van or it simply isn’t a priority for your build, there are a few traveller hacks you can use to get a nice warm shower.
The go to for a lot of vanlifers are gyms, and in particular gyms that have multiple locations around the country. You can sign up to gym memberships that allow you to use any facility around the country and conveniently, their showers. Well worth the monthly fees for a traveller! If you’re going a bit further off the beaten track where there are no gyms, some public toilets also have showers available or you may wish to invest in a camp shower that you can fill yourself and enjoy the great outdoors!
5. Where Are You Going To Go To The Toilet
This can be a big challenge for vanlifers. If you aren’t willing to include a toilet in your build, be it a high end compostable Natures Head Toilet or just a bucket, you can either get really comfortable with nature (in appropriate locations) or you are going to have to find a public toilet. We recommend that long term travellers include at least a basic toilet in your build; even with loos available nearby it can be a game changer on a rainy night!
6. Eating Well and Staying Healthy On the Road
Staying fit and healthy on the road can be tough if you aren’t prepared. Knowing where you can get healthy food while travelling is important. Look for local markets and fruit and veg shops to ensure you are getting fresh ingredients where possible. It’s really easy to get caught up buying quick takeaway meals when travelling but we try to make it the exception and not the rule. And of course, make sure you take time to get out of the van whether it’s to take a hike or just a quick stroll around a new location. Being cooped up in a van for long periods of time while travelling can really wear you down but no lifestyle lends itself better to getting out and about!
7. Expect Things To Break And Be Prepared
Unfortunately things will not always go to plan and things will break; be prepared and ensure you have a good roadside assist / insurance cover. Before you hit the road, learn the common things that can go wrong with your van and know how to change an oil filter and a tyre in a pinch. Carry tools and replacement parts that you might need along the way and above all make sure you are able to contact someone if you need help (in some areas you may need a Satelite phone).
8. Making Money On The Road
While vanlife can be cheaper than traditional living you are still going to need money to survive and enjoy life on the road. Making money on the road is the ultimate goal for the hardcore vanlifer and there are many different ways to do this. A few popular options are filming your journey and sharing it on platforms like Youtube (this will take time and skill to build a monetised channel) and VA (Virtual Assistant) jobs working remotely for a company or an individual at an agreed rate. You may also be able to pick up seasonal work while on the road, such as fruit picking.
9. Staying Warm and Safe In Bad Weather
Weather extremes can be amplified in a van and may be uncomfortable or even dangerous if you are not well prepared. Ensuring your van is well insulated is a must if you are planning on living in it through all the seasons, keeping the warmth in during winter and protecting you from the harsh sun in summer. We highly recommend installing at least one ceiling fan in your van to get some circulation through in summer, we personally prefer the Maxx Air Fan as the pro models can continue running even if it’s raining. Pro tip: when installing any external fan ensure that you seal the edges well to ensure they are watertight on rainy days.
