Van life is about simplicity, which is why so many people fall in love with the concept, and leave it all to get out on the road.
However, there are some essential items you’ll need if you want van life to feel good instead of chaotic and unpleasant.
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Here are six things to invest in to kick off this new journey.
1. A Van
First of all, you’ll obviously need a van. But for a really good van life experience, you’ll need to put a lot of work into converting it into something you can live in.
Think of your van as more of a tiny home than just a means of transport. You’ll want a comfortable sleeping area, space to store all your stuff and more, depending on your needs. Check out some van conversions online for inspiration.
2. A Power Source
Next, you’ll need some form of power, even out on the road. In most cases, a portable generator will be your best option. This will be used to power your phones and laptops, a mini fridge if you decide to install one, and any other electric appliances you’ll need.
Solar lights are a good option for brightening things up at night. Simply charge them during the day and switch them on when the sun sets. This will help you save on fuel for your generator.
3. Water Filters and Storage
To avoid getting sick, you’ll need to make sure that all the water you drink is properly treated, so try to invest in a filter or purification system you can take along with you.
You can find some really advanced systems, or simply go for a water bottle with a filtering straw. Be sure to do a little research into which options are best and safest, whilst still being compact and portable.
4. Camping Cookware
Figuring out meals is a major challenge of van life, but it doesn’t need to inhibit you from taking the leap. There are plenty of portable cooking options out there, such as camping cookware. Some of these can be really advanced too and you’ll be able to cook up a variety of healthy meals.
Of course, you should keep a good amount of convenient camping survival foods on hand too, for quick and easy meals in a pinch.
5. Storage Baskets
The simplicity of van life implies serious minimalism, but that doesn’t mean you can live without owning anything at all.
You’ll still need some stuff, and when you’re living in a space as small as a van, things can get cluttered, disorganized and slightly chaotic pretty quickly. Using storage boxes and baskets to keep everything neatly in its place is helpful.
6. A Portable Toilet
If you gotta go, you gotta go. But if you’re worried about going to the bathroom when you sell your soul to van life, you don’t need to stress about it anymore because you can simply invest in a portable toilet.
There are even portable tents available for some extra privacy when you need them.