Must-Haves For Living The Van Life
Embracing the van life lifestyle can be a thrilling adventure, offering the freedom to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home on wheels. However, transitioning to this nomadic way of living requires careful planning and preparation. Here are a few things you'll want to bring along on your adventures:
1. The Van!
Both the foundation and the pinnacle of your van life experience; ultimately, the biggest decision you make for your van living and adventuring lies in your choice of vehicle. Some of the most popular choices are the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, or Ram Promaster for their versatility, reliability, and sheer amount of potential for upgrades and additions. When deciding, try to not let the price be your driving factor: It’s essential to consider space requirements, fuel efficiency, and whether you’ll be living in the van full-time or just using it for weekend getaways. Make sure to test drive different models and do thorough research on their maintenance and repair costs.2. Basic Amenities and Setup
Equipping your van with the right amenities is key to comfort on the road. At a minimum, you should invest in a comfortable sleeping area, but having a cooking solution like a kitchenette and potentially a place to sit with family and friends can add a lot to your experience.
- There are plenty of sleep options! A bed can be achieved through a foldable (or fixed) platform to maximize space.
- Our newest Murphy Bed System offers a way to completely sidle up your bed against your van wall so you have easy access to space when not in use.
- For a bed that can be transformed into a dining space, consider a Dinette Bed System. You can purchase separate cushions to accompany the benches that hold the bed frame up that double as your bed mattress.
- The Universal Bed System boasts ample storage for water tanks and power systems while providing a sturdy frame for a solid or foldable Perfect Fit mattress.
- Being out in the wild can make finding spots to prepare food and a fire difficult. If you want to keep things simple, basic cooking set-ups could consist of just a countertop and possibly a mini cooktop and refrigerator. For more options for in-van cooking, consider installing a Universal Kitchen, which includes a sink, fridge, and storage for a water tank. For even more space thanks to a drawer bank, our Tapered Kitchen delivers a sleek aesthetic as well.
3. Power Solutions
Living off the grid means prepping for your power needs in advance. Investing in a reliable power system, like the EcoFlow Power Kit, can offer you the ability to keep your devices and appliances charged for extended times. Don’t forget to carry the necessary cords and adapters to connect your devices efficiently -- our outlet and wiring systems can make this seamless!
4. Temperature
When think about your upcoming travels, it can be easy to focus on the adventuring, and less on the scorching or freezing nights. While equipment can enhance the effect of warming or cooling your vehicle, starting out with insulating your van is one of the best first steps to ensuring the interior stays comfortable. You can even get a pre-cut insulations kit that will fit your specific van perfectly, so there's no need to do the cutting yourself. A Maxx Air Fan can be a game-changer for more ventilation and airflow in your camper van, and for the cooler times, consider bringing on board a heater like the Webasto Air Top.
5. Water Storage
As crucial as water is on the road, prepping an adequate storage solution is imperative. Installing a water tank is an easy and convenient way to ensure you have the supply you need, and they come in several sizes depending on your needs. Water tanks can easily fit over your van's interior wheelwells, or underneath your vehicle in the spare tire location. Serg Supply bed systems are designed to perfectly fit water tanks in the cabinets bracing your bed frame.
6. Embracing Minimalism (To a Point!)
Van life inherently encourages a minimalist lifestyle, but don't let that fool you into thinking there's no storage potential in your camper. Depending on your goals for your van space, the options are endless!
- If you prioritize space to sit with friends or the flexibility to get things out of the way for bikes or other equipment, you may decide the Dinette Bed System is the one for you. A table offers an eating space for meals, which can be taken off later when you're ready to put the bed together and unfold the bench cushions out to become a full bed. The benches themselves offer space for electrical or water equipment, and more storage can be found with overhead cabinets, kitchen drawers, and more.
- If you prefer to utilize more storage and less open space, you can also opt for one of our best-selling Murphy Beds that closes up against the wall of your van, leaving plenty of space for moving around during the day, and easily opens up again for bedtime. Overhead cabinets compliment the bed (and come as part of the set!) to offer even more room.
In conclusion
Setting yourself up for success in your van build can feel challenging, but the reward is well worth the effort. Van life is a choice that can offer you a lifestyle that's full of freedom and memories. Embrace the journey, both the build and the travel, and remember that we're always here to answer questions you may have to help you out along the way!
