Van Life YouTubers Are Full Of SH*T! (influencers exposed)
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- Опубликовано: 23 сен 2022
- During the pandemic, I watched a bunch of RUclipsrs live in their vans and thought.. Hmm, this looks fun, I can do the same. I then bought a brand new van and took it to Cascade Campers to do the build. Afterwards, I sold all my belongings and began to document my experience from beginning to end on this channel while traveling to a bunch of places and living in it full time.
Lately, I've had a lot of time to think about all this and I wanted to make this video to talk about things NEVER discussed by other RUclipsrs. I made this video so it is helpful to others and to bring a fresh dose of reality to the HYPE known as "van life."
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What is Will & Rambo up to these days? Here is a cooking show we made to talk about all this: ruclips.net/video/tktlWrMQROU/видео.htmlsi=HkXGw7UNT_patURY
Yes, it isn’t easy. I lived in my split window VW Bus in 1970. I really loved it and had wonderful experiences but when I finally got an apartment with my new wife in 1972 I was very happy to have a real kitchen and bath.
I never looked back. BTW this will be our 50th wedding anniversary in November.
Congrats dude! 50 years is awesome!
Wow congrats
Well done!!!!
🍾🎉Congratulations on your 50th...50 more!🥂
Congratulations!
Van life in the 70s was completely different.
I watched Bob Wells for years and thought I can do that! I lived in a camper about 2 months on my own property and decided that it was not for me. You don't know the reality of it until you do it yourself. The propane runs out in the middle of the freezing rain. You can hear everything outside, EVERYTHING. Cooking is a big mess. Nope, I cured myself of that. Only way I could do it again is if it were in one of those 250k motor homes with a driver/maintenance person on board.
Don’t think this video isn’t about him either.. He makes loads of income from RUclips and special events in which he is popular with the REAL VL community (the homeless).. they ALL do RUclips because they will not be functional humans without real jobs otherwise so they pretend to love living in a tiny box and pretending to be happy.
@@WillandRambo he did this years before you tube.
He seems like a stalker
@@WillandRamboSo true! He and Carolyn are the biggest charlatans of them all.
Same with me. It looks great on RUclips. Then you try it yourself and it's far from all it's made out to be. I spent two years in a camper.. I don't look back on it fondly.. it was more like like two years in a Siberian gulag. It's like a furnace in the summer and an icebox in the winter.. if you open the place up in summer to let some air in it's full of insects and spiders.. and as for winter, well you've not felt cold until you've lived in a tin box camper in December.. I swear if I left some tea in the bottom of a cup it'd be frozen solid in the morning. I had to spend most of the time wrapped up inside a sleeping bag with the electric blanket on.. I couldn't' even get out it was so cold.. not to mention the general, cold dampness.. and maintenance on the damn thing trying to keep everything right is a full time job. Especially with an older one.. there's a lot of wood in them so if in a damp climate or a leak or something you're gonna be dealing structural issues.. keeping floors right etc. And it's by no means cheap either.. you can't heat the damn things as the heat doesn't stay in them like a house with insulated cavity wall and double or triple glazing.. soon as you turn the heat off it's freezing again in ten minutes. So you're running a combination of expensive gas, fuel or electric heaters.. all of which are gonna cost some serious money in the long term. It's difficult to keep clean.. you have no real hygiene facilities.. you can't wash yourself, you can't wash your clothes.. mine even had a shower but the cost to heat the water wasn't worth it. Like you say, the sound is ridiculous. It would drive anyone insane. Like if you're a night owl you can forget about sleeping in the day time. It's like you're inside a huge amplifier and even someone closing a bin lid 500 yards away sounds like an explosion. Smells outside? Well you're gonna get those too. If there's a farmer spreading cow poop or chemicals in a nearby field.. well your camper is gonna be full of it too. Honestly, my experience with it is that it's a constant pain in the ass. I'm not saying everyone's will be the same. It could be done but it's just.. making everything more difficult and actually more expensive I feel, if the objective is to save money I don't it's a good option (at least in my area, it'd be cheaper to rent a house and heat it.. maybe different if you like in NYC or something) It might work if you had the right facilities or maybe the perfect, modern camper.. but that's gonna cost A LOT of money too, which could be spent on a real home. I'm not saying my outfit was ideal.. but even so it was as good if not better than some of these RUclipsrs saying they live in their all the time. I feel they're okay for a weekend break in the summer sure.. but full time living? Not for me thanks. I done it and I feel it's not all it's made out to be.
I'm a true nomad, and he is talking about the RUclipsrs, NOT us real nomads. The RUclipsrs, and I camped with most of them as they came and invaded our spots, are mainly scammers. 99% OF THEM! They're entitled, arrogant, and care not who is in the background of their videos. They would come and park right smack dab in the middle of the only spot with a view over the river, or mountain, or lake, and block it from everyone else who was camping there. Most have their own land that they go to for respite between "nomadic outings," and many stay in hotels. They make nomadic life look glamorous, fun, and adventurous, but it is VERY HARD WORK!! VERY!! And it is NOT CHEAP!! It's a perpetual dirty camping trip you NEVER GET TO COME HOME FROM! He is spot on.
The expenses are oftentimes exhorbitant: vehicle repairs and upkeep are constant, propane & gasoline are expensive, food is also expensive because you are rarely near a Walmart or Costco, and even if you are, you can't stock up on the cheaper bulk priced items. Water is rarely free unless you drive long distances to a public pump, but then the cost of gas to get to that free pump costs more than paying to fill your water jugs in your current location. Dumping your porta potty or your tanks is the same issue as water. Solar power is expensive to start up, and the batteries must be replaced every couple years. Cleaning the panels is a frequent job, bc they must be maintained so they work properly. Also, if you've got solar panels attached to the roof of your vehicle your "stealth camping" abilities are NON EXISTANT. Every cop and ranger KNOWS who you are, as does every thief. Being a nomad is NOT cheap, and it isn't safe either. I've had MANY attempted break ins while I've been inside my vehicle, and the only thing that drove them away was hearing the cocking of my shotgun and a clear vocal warning to "LEAVE or else I'm blowing a hole right through that door you're touching!"
If you have ANY type of chronic health problem, this life will make it worse, and finding a physician and a pharmacy on the road is nearly impossible, and you will pay cash, because insurance only pays for doctors in your residence area. There is no such thing as "nomad medical insurance," except Medicare, and you only get that if you're disabled and elderly, which in my opinion, those demographics should not be nomads. Anyway...he tells the truth. The RUclipsrs are full of it. Real nomads can't stand them.
Pinning this comment.
Very interesting! Thank you.
@@WillandRambo Thank you for being straight up and honest!!! Now people have a choice with KNOWLEDGE!
Yes, & you need to be diligent about people you socialize/deal with on the road. Be friendly, but cautious & strive not to appear overly dependent or unsure of yourself. Naitivity aside, people are not always honestly forthright about who they are & some are very good actors. Develop the skills of a detective, don't ignore those red flags, & don't trust anyone until they prove themselves to you.
I'm not a prude, but excessive indulgence can mean trouble, & you can become an innocent pawn/victim of a scam. Develop that intuition & refuse to be placed in a position where you could be set up for a fall.
I met a bunch of RUclipsrs and they have all been fake. They only come out of their rig to shoot some quick video and then go hide. They all think they’re famous and can’t be bothered. They need to be exposed.
This is RUclips. People love to spin a good yarn about almost anything. During the first 'wave', every van life RUclipsr was showboating about van life. Now the second wave has come where they all berate it.
so true! one youtuber will do some diff spin on the norm, an then 20 more videos pop up within a week! it’s all about copying o guess
Exactly
@@brandy_lish yeah it's now a trend for break-in attempts while they are in a van filming, secretly acting of course, or it's just the week when everyone in a van gets broken into or attempted.
The RUclipsrs I see doing van life videos romanticize it, and make videos that are very much geared toward social media like Instagram. The whole point I suppose is to make money from followers.
So trueeeeee bro i love you man
I understand your perspective. I am an over the road trucker, i travel all 48 states. And I actually love my career. Professional Semi Truck Van life! I am an introvert like you say. If I vlogged, which is too much of an extroverted thing for me to do. It might appeal to people who are stuck in a circular lifestyle. To the office back home, to the same places in their city over and over. I think the key is balance. While I'm isolated for more than average people. It's peaceful for me...and when I enter into society again, it's an exciting joy to be in the hussle and bustle. However. It drains me and I re-enter my solitude like a refreshing shower. I don't think its everyone not being authentic on youtube. It's hard to tell who is and isn't. Oh, and take a tip from a trucker. You can always park at rest areas and truck stops to sleep over night, if you can't find something exotic.
@@1DrBar Makes two!
Cool, thanks for your insight. And, yes, it is very hard to tell whose being truthful on RUclips. You have do it by fact and not by looks, because actors are very, very good at what they do.
At the same time, though, your Rig made you money so it's a little different. That was your job. It's like the professional RUclipsrs LoL.
Most people going into this are going to spend money on it- not directly make.
Thanks!! Much Love
I lived in a semi truck for over. 5 years without keeping a house or an apt to take time off in. But I loved it and would do it again in a second .
I once slept in the back of my Jeep Wrangler at a truck stop near Cedar City Utah right off I-15, I enjoyed it.
I actually find that I'm out and about and around others more now in my van than I ever was off isolated in an apartment.
I agree it's the opposite
thats right.4 walls can be like a jail cell.
And how are you managing that? I've reached out to the FB groups I'm in to see where people might be hanging out without much luck (mostly timing), so I've been completely alone on the road for 2 months. I'm an extrovert and I'm dying out here.
In my home, I can establish a nest on the couch, and just never leave it. A van would just end up being a bigger nest…and would tank my emotional state.
Eh isolating yourself in your apartment was a choice right? So basically either way it`s your choice to be out and about or stay in the house isolated. However, for some introverts being in the house is bliss.
The cost of a van/rv really put me off, so I simply just decided to travel around with short term rentals (airbnb) in areas I wanted to explore. It has kept the costs down, no long term leases, and no expensive van purchases.
And to continue on your thoughts how about outfitting temporarily a Nissan truck? $2000 one time for ever more and have all the niceties one can desire whenever I want? Ahh…ain’t life great! ❤😂
How was Airbnb?
@@ShyLeonheart I think they're overpriced and it's like having a landlord and they all suck! I had a really negative experience trying to do a first time air bnb. Guess I asked too many questions about how much the fees were? Seems they don't like to discuss that, guy got all snotty w me for asking. No thank you.
@@stj971 have you compared the cost of airbnb with that of hiring a fully furnished campervan? is there much difference in price? (Assuming you can find places to park in the area you want to explore.)
@Joe Thibodeau bought my E350 extended van back in 2015 for $3800. If you dont need new and are able to remove seats and install your own bed etc, you'll find a deal.
I have a feeling some of these "van life" influencers don't live in their van as much as they claim. There were a few young couples with popular YT channels on van life and turns out they live with their parents most of the time. So the have a full time home, but basically pretend they live full time out in their van. One even raffled their van off to some "lucky" fan and it was almost completely in operable. The new couple took it out and only made it a short way into their trip before they were stranded with a broke down vehicle. So obnoxious of people like that. Thanks for being honest!
Haha wow!!! Bunch of phonies and fakes.. remember bear Grylls? He too, pretended to sleep outdoors next to grizzly bears but meanwhile had a hotel nearby for himself and his crew.. it’s TV and people will put on a show. RUclips is no different.
I would say MOST are phonies. I laugh at the fools that send them money, and fall for the patron scam. There's one that's particularly disgusting called Nomadic -------, he's a real con artist and a grifter, and thousands of gullible people idolize him.😖
Thanks for all the idea for my next "van-scam". lol
I’m not saying that those people who sold the van were being truthful on their yt channel, but if they were travelling around in it for a really long time (and let’s say if the van was old too), then couldn’t it have been broken down?
@@stardustismyhomespaceshipt3719, yes, but why give broken stuff to someone else? Just throw it away or donate it to someone who knows that it’s broken (and is willing to fix it).
I traveled around Australia with a Canadian girl in a van and never thought it was about living in a van. It was being close to someone I loved while we experienced the majesty of the country together.
As long as you live OUTSIDE your van most of the time and just sleep inside the van, you're fine. The exception, of course, being during inclement weather. I have friends who live in vans and they spend very little time actually in the van unless they're camping, and even then, some have nice tents they stay in when stationary. The van is to get from here to there and to sleep in. It isn't meant to be the place you live in, unless you can afford an RV with climate control and space to just hang out and be your introvert self.
Beautiful! Then the van experience worked for you.
@@dsa2591 what if you're the opposite and you just want to be in your van all the time is there anything wrong with that?
There’s no right or wrong with any of it. Different strokes. I always appreciate seeing all sides of a thing. It does turn me off, though, when someone presents their experience as end-all-be-all and the only “true representation”.
@@lavapop1900 Do what makes you at peace.just don't hurt anyone else doing it. ☮️
I think the biggest shock to van lifers is most come from renting, where a lot of the homeowner responsibilities are taken care of or just a phone call away. Van life moves you straight into a homeowner mentality, where you have to do it all yourself, which can come as a big shock to anyone who has lived in apartments their entire life (or their parents house)
Except a Vehicle doesn't earn equity
@@PEDALSnPROJECTS I suspect property in the US wont be gaining in value over the next few years too.
@@imitation100 Temporary
i moved out of my parents house at age 16 and never went back. I am astonished at all the 20 and 30 somethings today living with Mom and Dad. They are lucky the Mom and Dad can afford to support them.
I was thinking about vanlife but I need more space. I’m fine being alone. So I just went out and brought a 40 foot sailboat to live on. I know there are drawbacks just like with vanlife. Still this is the path I have chosen.
Envy you. That was a dream for me in the mid to late 70s. We had friends that lived on a 42' cabin cruiser. Most of the time, they were tied up at a dock. He'd do odd jobs like repairs and maintenance around the docks while she went in for her office job.
In 2017, the vanlife/nomadic life style appealed to me just as quickly.👍
Just never lean over the side of the boat in a storm!!
@@kateburk2168 I'd take the boat!
I live in my van therefore I have to make a few comments, I live in a 2015 Ford transit extended high roof the biggest van and engine that Ford makes. I don’t have any 50.000 dollars in it much less 100,000. It runs great. But I stay on top of the maintenance. I camp in forest woods deserts lakes, I like people and being around them and on the other half I don’t. So I have no problem doing van life both ways. After nine years of lots of van living and traveling I honestly have to say the only downfall I see about this lifestyle is, It can get extremely boring.
I have a cassette toilet and sure it’s a hassle to dump, it generally takes me anywhere between five and 10 minutes. But going to work eight hours a day is much harder. Yes it takes time to move every two weeks, but much less time than working eight hours a day 40 hours a week, Yes I have to set up a shower tent outside and boil water, but much less time than going to work every day for eight hours 40 hours a week, yes it takes a little longer to cook and clean it all up, but much less time than going to work eight hours a day 40 days a week. Van life does come with its challenges, but just as many is working eight hours a day 40 days a week dealing with bosses neighbors and house maintenance. So anytime I get tired of dumping my toilet boiling my water or setting up my shower tent, or even look for new camping spot, I always remind myself of this one thing, twice a month I have to move do laundry grocery shop dump my toilet and fill my water tanks. On average that’s a five hour to a six hour day twice a month. So I exchanged a lifestyle of working five days a week to working two days a month. The rest of the time I do what I want. Again to me the worst part of Vanlife is boredom. I would suggest not doing this lifestyle in a vehicle older than 3 to 4 years. And make sure you take hobbies with you. Thank you for your video.
Nailed it, Michelle!
Very good way of putting it, it's all about perspective. Thank you.
I owned an automotive air conditioning and radiator repair shop for 30 years. We were open 5-1/2 days a week for years (50 hr work week). I only took off one week a year for vacation and another week of days. Yes I liked working but I dreamed about the freedom you have with van life.
Soooo… how do you earn money to eat and what about once you get old? And need to retire? What income will you have then.
@@fishhuntadventure
It's really not that bad. Better than being cooped up in an oversized box, paying a landlord overpriced rent, doing the same routine everyday, dealing with annoying neighbors, living with all the city crime and wasting my life getting fat on a couch staring at mindless TV dribble all day. Shall I continue with all the drawbacks of apartment dwelling? Freedom is the road.
You are so right! And who says your not safe? Stay in front of people you know in their yard, hospitals, etc.. And you don't have to travel. This video!😂😂😂
I totally agree
Is why I own a home but then it's all maintenance but growing equity..I've only rented once in my life
It evens out though.
Van life can be costly just the same as living in a cheap home.
I never paid overpriced rent nor worried about crime.
You must have lived in the ghetto.
It's really about expectations IMO. Some expect it to be so glamorous and relaxing and forget the sacrifices that come with it. If you get worked up about things like cleaning and pooping in public enough that it ruins the experience then yeah it's not for you but it's more about the opportunity to sew and do things you wouldn't otherwise that *should* outweight the bad
There are a lot of nomads that absolutely love it. Not all are introverts, some are quite social. And travel in groups and caravans. The life isn't easy and totally care free, but neither is living in a stationary structure. I think it comes down to what is important to you personally. There are many nomad RUclipsrs who fell in love with the life style well before making videos. If they learn to hate anything it's the demand of making the videos that takes away from enjoyment of living nomadic. I'm sorry you didn't find you nitch in van life, it's not a one size fits all. Good luck.
I agree what works for some. Does t work for others. I loved it. Can’t wait to get back to it. I could just as easily be honest about living in a house in a one spot all the time.
Very insightful and so true.
So true.
Living in sticks and bricks it’s far more stressful for me.
Eyes brows go up when I see someone talking to themselves with go pro in hand when I am out and about enjoying my trip. Yes, I am a "Grey Nomad" when I can be :)
Like the 60's, right?
Thanks for the realistic version of things. I rocked out of a van out of necessity for a good 7-8 months.
There's alot of work involved. I would clean the van out every 3 days because clutter gets out of control.
I turned into a snowbird. You go north during summer, south during winter. Alot of work.
Constant risk of breaking down. Your car is your life. When it goes down you're left treading water.
It's hard to find bathrooms. Due to the goofs vandalizing public bathrooms it's actually a bit tricky. If I was setting up in a spot I would get a monthly sub to a YMCA or a gym.
You have to play musical sleeping lots since people start to recognize you. Karen is your biggest enemy. It's a big hassle. Once you've been recognized expect to have the cops nocking on your windows in the AM to say hi. Truckers are your best friend for finding sleeping spots. They've been at this for quite a bit longer than you have. Just don't park right next to them to stay off their sus radar.
You need to sleep with an eye half open. I've had goobers messing with the car while I slept inside. There are some bad actors in play so you need your bunny ears up.
You nailed it!
Messing with the car in what way?
@@butwhole4186 LOL
It was one of the more scary ventures.
I had stopped in a trucker stop gas station and parked in the small vehicle spots off to the side to stay out of the way.
My psych had prescribed me night time meds and I had taken them.
I wake up in the aim hearing some dude stomping his feet outside my ark mumbling about me being in his parking spot. I was groggy from the medications and knew I couldn't fight him so I pretended to sleep.
The guy commences to keying my 20 yo rust bucket. Thusly improving the paint job. While muttering to himself about "ducking" me up.
He left when some truckers passing by yelled at him.
The parking spaces were all open. I think dude man was high or decided it was a good time to mess with someone.
My psychiatrist is still upset with me when I refuse to take his meds.
The whole bathroom thing is what turned me off to trying van life. I may still do it, but might just move to Mexico instead....maybe in a van. LOL Hey, gotta get my stuff down there, right?
@@dsa2591 that’s what my plan is, I already have a place in Baja by the Sea of Cortez but in the summer it gets super hot, therefore summertime my intentions are to return to camp in the Sierras for a few months or camp out by the Pacific, coming back home afterwards.
Van life was created by necessity of not being homeless in a tent. Vans ,cars, whatever someone has to live in. Now people that have other options and are just playing around will have another attitude about doing it. It's like eating homeless camp food just to try it out compared to being hungry and have to eat it.
Or just to get away from a weak divided society that is brainwashed and dumbed down to obey a group of Corp Nazi fascist owners of aMErika. Now Mask up and obey... And close only small businesses and now good businesses are now hurting or homeless. I can say that aMErika is a dump these days on purpose by the elite Corps, govts and the weak masses that obey the lies.
Is living in a tent considered homeless? I lived in one for almost 6 months and it was my home.
Home isn’t determined by brick and mortar.
Not for me. I actually am homeless and living in mine fulltime and working. I don't have a family and I have been through homelessness more than once in my lifetime and for long periods of time. I have had to learn to adapt in order to survive. I have also conditioned myself to withstand the weather what do I mean by that; basically by staying out in it until my body becomes used to it through high heat and humidity to freezing cold temps. It can be a living hell believe me but in the long run you will be that much tougher for it. You will be able to withstand much more than the average person can. I can go without a coat or any heavy clothing to stop the cold and winds. And I have learned how to lower my body temperature without air-conditioning or fans of any kind. I take shade or shelter from the rain wherever I find it in the summer I hang out at public parks where there are a lot of shade trees and other structures to cast shadows there are also covered picnic tables where I sit. I have learned to distance myself from the environment around me by putting my mind in a different by place than my surroundings. I live in mine because it isn't a big deal to me at least not like it was when I started out being homeless when I had no vehicle to sleep in. I slept on the ground or on sidewalks or park benches, behind dumpsters in abandoned buildings hell believe it or not I even slept under a freaking house where an old man was still residing. I don't need a house or an apartment to make it. If I need shelter it is all around me for free such as public libraries, bus stations, churches, hospital waiting rooms, bars, gyms, and other places. The thought of paying for a place to live is absurd to me. I have been homeless for much of my life starting at a very young age living like a stray dog and I have realized that I don't really need a home or a building around me I will be just fine whatever comes my way. And in the end when the sh*t hits the fan it will be people like me who are left standing.
Yea this channel is beyond annoying…..he’s just faking drama cuz now he’s bought ANOTHER VAN….and I guess is done wah wah wahing about it and wants to do it again….why? What TF
@@user-pf3mi7np1yHonestly, you need a stable home. Working is good for you. You need a healthy and normal living environment.
I honestly can't think of anything worse than living in a vehicle other than being homeless on the streets
Not experiencing what it's like to be a hunter. A gatherer. A go getter. To brake the chains of societys approval and go threw seasons of confusion, loneliness trials and tribulations to truly find ones inner self. To find a level of enlightenment (to each their own). To not be a trout swimming in circles with the rest of the trout but truly going no where. I don't blame you, ignorance is bliss. You chose the blue pill. To each their own. We chose the red pill. That is the difference.
You're right, it's like living your life inside a coffin
@@Drmidnight-dd6tw The idea is to have an apartment or a house and just live in the van for a while. When you get tire you always have the possibility to return home and rest !!!
@@snapcrrracklepop An RV costs more and removes a lot of parking options that a van would have. Imagine paying for rv parking. Might as well be paying rent unless you can afford RV parking.
@@capgun56I' m so sure ❤
We have no van life in Finland - so far.
Of course , in the summertime people love the van life very much.
But actually not too many.
Freezing in the winters.
I think this does not happen too often in Europe.
I have travelled pretty much,
God bless richly. 🙏🙏
I'll agree that most don't show the real side of vanlife, but we love you show the uncomfortable parts. Guys like Foresty Forest do an amazing job of not hiding the reality of it all.
Thank you for your honesty! Much appreciated.
I've decided against a van for my retirement. Instead, I'll be looking for a used class c . The first thing I've been arranging is a list of support people and researching the products that will the most important and effective. I also have friends in different places in the West/Southwest that have undeveloped land that they've already given me permission to boondock on. I don't want to wander around not knowing if I'm unwelcome to park. Planning for this lifestyle will, hopefully, cut down on difficulty. Respecting the landowner and their land is of utmost importance at all times.
There is a middle ground between constantly moving and living in a park for very long terms. I travel full time and have for the last 12 1/2 years. My best investment was a Thousand Trails membership. Three weeks at a time free and park to park. The parks are not all over the country but you can spend years visiting all those that are available. From time to time I paid for my week out of a particular park. Usually did that twice in the same park. That way I could spend 11 weeks in a park for the price of two weeks. And as a member I got a discount on the weekly rate. I have never spent a night while not visiting relatives, where I camp in the driveway, in anything but an RV park. I am not in a van either. I have a Travel Trailer and pickup truck to pull it.
I think this video is very helpful for those who haven’t thought it out much past what they see on some and I say, some, #Vanlife RUclips channels. I certainly follow vanlifers that do cover these aspects that you’ve mentioned though, and OMG, the number of times a day that the vacuum comes out. I’ve sadly watched one solo female vanlifer have to drive for hours because none of the Cracker Barrels in that state allowed overnight parking - something she’d come to rely on if she had to be in the city. I’m glad you’re doing something now that you are better suited to. Good on you for trying it out!
That girl was a nightmare. She wouldn't consider spending $10 on a camp site.
I've spent many comfortable nights inside my vans while traveling but can honestly say I can't imagine living that lifestyle for more than a few days at a time. Spending those nights mostly at interstate rest stops have afforded me free access to bathrooms, which on short trips is probably the most important thing, but everything else can be a pain in the rear. Congrat's to those who figure out a way to enjoy the lifestyle.
A lot of the van and RV and tent people I watch do show those real life daily struggles and they talk about them. That’s part of what makes them so interesting. It’s not all beautiful views that smells like roses.There are issues living in a house like HVAC, sewage systems, toilets, roofs, etc.... And I think your right about it being easier if your a loner. Absolutely. Cause if your not that could be rough.
His what is a loner?
You dont understand...they are fake too.
@@narlywaves2371 Are you claiming to be psychic now? You know exactly who she's referring to, what they said, & you were either there with them,all of them, or you're psychic. Or you are just a immature liar who has to hate on someone to make yourself feel better. Society is horrible.
Extrovert here. I've only been on the road for 2 months and it's been extremely isolating so far. 😞
I want a van build like yours to use for surf trips, but living full time would be super challenging. Kudos to you for trying it out!
I have been using my van to go camping and road travel...until I needed a transition space to make a move...I can tell you committed living in a van without other options is a little depressing. I feel like I get so little done. Grateful for so nany friends where I have been able to break up the van living. But also grateful for the van to give me personal space. Trick is to find gratitude wherever you are!
Kristi Lee health coach... Yes, exactly! Exactly that, to everything you said! You have to be especially careful if you're a health coach living in a van also, because it's just amazing how much less walking and moving around you do. So much more moving your vehicle around, but not moving your own self around enough. Even when you think you're getting out and doing plenty of that, it really creeps up on you! (Terrible consequences if you're not constantly aware and on top of it)
@@shirleytyree276 thanks for the reply...i so agree...i do love health coaching because it is something i can do virtually from anywhere...but being careful about what i eat and when i eat and moving and sleeping is always a challenge...in the van or out of it!
I'm learning that one
Everyone will have a different experience. Some people are able to make it work others are not. Different strokes for different folks I guess. 🤷🏽♀️
Although I did not live in a van, I did live in a travel trailer for over a year. Planning is key, even if you stay at RV parks, getting there at night once the office is closed is very stressful. I can’t tell you how many times I would arrive in a town, locate an RV park, and find out the spots available are extremely difficult to maneuver by yourself in the dark. Fuel for my tow vehicle was ridiculous as you are lucky if you get eight MPG. This was also back before smartphones and Wi-Fi. There are some great benefits but as William says, a lot of challenges.
I am glad you mentioned your dog “Rambo” at the end of your vid. I was just about to ask about him and why was he not seen in this vid. He is usually always with you and makes an appearance!!
"Van life is for introverts" - this statement of profound truth should be heeded by anyone contemplating this life style. For the intermittent introvert, rent-a-van might be more realistic. This would be me. After three months camping in a tent in the forest boy was I happy to open the door to my modest but sturdy, comfortable home-studio and all my beloved things. At seventy-six, I'm getting to know myself. This was my first experience camping, but maybe a bit too long. But way less maintenance and work than living in a van.
Would you say that the maintenance and work involved with living in a van is less or more than living in a studio? (I'm curious, having been a life-long renter of poorly-maintained apartments and having not yet attempted to live in a van.)
@@balthazarquinn I live in a studio and I absolutely love it. But I love small spaces. They feel cozy to me, and are easier for me to maintain.
@@balthazarquinn if something breaks down in your studio apartment you still have your studio apartment to live in
If your van breaks down in the desert or your van breaks down in the mountains away from infrastructure or your van breaks down in the snow you're stuck
Yes. And even introverts find it isolating...
@@balthazarquinnit can be just as costly as living in a home.
Been there done that.
I love it. I work from my van. I take up a small footprint. My carbon footprint is my gas usage, and that's it. Smaller than most people wo think they're living 'green', and I get 9mpg. But I'm also an introvert. I do most of my living in a city.. parked wherever to sleep. But yeah.. If you believe the instagram 'van life', yeah no. You deserve whatever happens to you. Also, we all (should) know that van life youtubers are doing this for a living and many of them DO talk about how long it takes to make a video. If you're just cooking for yourself, it doesn't take long. I can cook a meal in the same time as I did in a house. It takes longer because you're cooking for the camera.
curious which mobile hotspot do you use for your internet?
I did urban vandwelling for a year in Denver with no insulation and worked a full time job. It fitted me like a glove and I was never happier. I still hung out with my friends even though they thought I was crazy. I would still be doing it if it wasn't for COVID. My gyms closed as well as my eateries. I was living in a minivan.
I could definitely live in my van if I stayed parked in a city and had a job. The worst part of van living is no access to running water and toilets, having to find a new place to park every night, and not seeing your friends or maintaining meaningful relationships.
"Urban vandwelling in the major city of Denver" that's a nice way to describe homeless with extra steps. Idk I just can't see any upside with that way of living in a CITY
Save $1000s a month instead of paying rent? Especially in Denver....
My biggest concern is finding somewhere legal to stay so I won’t have to worry about the knock.
@@fy4729 public land? Duh
Thanks for your honesty! The bathroom situation alone would count me out!
Probably myself as well. It sounds interesting but..there to much to consider that you have to deal with and if any one can. Go for it.
I always took what "Van Lifer's" said with a grain of salt. It's a "Van", not a large RV or a house where you have a ton of space. Plus its hot, it's cold, you get "the knock", some creepy guy is looking in your windows...😄 It's Cray Cray.
The van lifers I watch DO talk about this stuff. Perhaps that's an indication that I watch TOO many!
Or maybe it's an indication he didn't watch enough before he decided to try the life🤷♀️
@@debbie4315 Maybe.
I agree…I embarked on vanlife 6 month ago having watched lots of vanlifers vlogs and felt fully prepared. 🤷♀️.
I’ve watched several nomads on RUclips who document their van life. Couple things I have observed, the nomad has to have a gym membership for bathroom access, they have to keep moving around to find places to sleep, and the risk of danger… I saw a van life RUclips shorts, where the nomad actually filmed rodents in her van. 🤢 it’s fascinating to watch folks live the van life because I couldn’t do it. Great commentary!
Thank you for keeping it real. This is the first channel I've seen with this content, I will be watching.
I agree with everything you said. My friend and I traveled for a year all over North America in a small brand new truck with new over the head camper. It was a lot of fun, this was many years ago before this van life craze started. I know right away that this phase is not going to last long. We spent every penny we had in our savings account and by the time we finished we were tired and ready to settle down in one place and start working again. We didn’t run into major problems, not even a car breakdown because our car was brand new. Mexico was inexpensive, we just pulled over wherever we wanted and spoke with the natives and the cops and they all let us stay sometimes for weeks. Then we moved on to the US, and money started to just pass by our hands quickly, things became expensive, then all over Canada which was even more expensive especially the gas prices. We gave ourselves a year to travel. Then this van life became a fad, and I knew it won’t last very long, unless you’re homeless and don’t have any choice but live in a car, which we know there are many in this country. Now I travel here and abroad, mainly abroad, and when I travel here I’m equipped with everything I needed to camp, I know my resources, I know where to camp free, and I know how to be safe whether I’m camping in the city or in remote areas. There are things to be learned from this vanlife phase and they can use them in the future when they go back to traveling…. Without giving up their permanent homes and jobs.
I watch a lot of van lifers. All of them have a video on bathroom strategy. Either composting or taking cassette toilets. Many with larger systems show all the tubes needed to empty big tanks, how to put it in sewage depot areas. I watched immensely how a variety people travel, the cost of fuel, breakdowns, extreme weather problems. I approach it with a sober head as I do my research before getting my setup in the near future. Yes I am a sociable introvert so travelling in remote areas is like a dream come true.
Thank you so much for this video...it's invaluable for those who get lost in the romance of vanlife without seeing the downside.
Much love & energy to you 💜
No compost toilet thank you. No "cassette" toilet thank you. I dont want to empty the tanks through the tubes into sewage depot areas (fees!), time, smells, need for sterilization, etc. NO "Gray water tank"???? What the heck???? When I shower, brush my teeth, clean my dirties, wash my food, clean clothes, I dont want to have slimy, smelly, dirty, unsanitary water sitting in a tank in my living space thta I have to empty. NO THANKS. No fake toilets. When I flush, it better be gone! Dont be a foo;
Thank you for the chat.
You touched on things that I was interested in knowing about Van life.
You did a thorough job explaining what van life is truly like.
Thanks again!
Thank you for making a honest video about the things you personally struggled with. It's nice to see and have insight from all different types of people who tried and see what worked for them and what didn't. Personally most of your reasons don't resonate with me due to different personalities and some of them seemed silly as if you didn't expect to be doing those things going into it. But as other people have noted there is a difference between vanlife RUclipsrs and nomads. Thank you for having a clear well spoken video about the negative things you experienced, somehow it only reassured me on what I'm doing.
I live in my Tesla with a cat and dog and you’re not wrong!! There are a LOT of things that come with this lifestyle that aren’t as ‘aesthetic’ to share!
I found your point on introverts super interesting. I definitely am one- I spend a ton of time cross stitching, watching scenery and taking photos, and haven’t been bored on my travels yet! ❤️
Is there a reason why it’s necessary to mention it’s a Tesla instead of just saying ‘car’?
You’re one of THOSE people eh? 🤣
@@carltonthepug a Tesla has it's challenges distinctive of a conventional liquid fuel vehicle
@@carltonthepug A Tesla, or any ev, can run your A/C when it's triple digits outside (or your heat) unlike an ice vehicle that will empty out your gas tank (plus let everyone near you know your vehicle is on)
Little Hippy Gal, how does the charging station situation affect your travels in the Tesla?
If you can afford a Tesla you technically don't have to be living out of your car you could afford a larger vehicle for camping even if it was older
Very realistic problems you've mentioned in this video William. I feel anyone thinking about starting van life should go part time first (if possible) and see if they like the life style.
I'm setting up to rent one for two weeks. Even more part time before I try part time. I've heard of all the problems he mentions and so far am not dissuaded, but I KNOW I need to try out the real thing before committing. Selling your house and all you own and jumping into it without ever even giving a weekend seems foolhardy.
@@DenaInWyo Vans are extremely expensive to rent and they have many times a mileage limit or should I say a distance limit
Cruise America rents RVs many of them 21 ft Class C RVs which are fully self-contained and are more affordable to rent
@@DenaInWyo I wish I had rented out my house for a year and bought the van and tried it. As it was, I sold the house, got rid of 90% of what I owned (still don't regret that part) and bought the van and went. There are parts of it I really enjoyed. I loved driving to new places and seeing the road and being on the move. In a year, I would have spent enough time on BLM land to realize this idea sucked.
@@camposvazquez But so different than living in a van. You can't stealth camp in cities in a Class C. You don't get the concept of living in the square footage of a postage stamp. You also don't get the concept of making every space in that van fit at least 2 functions, better it fit 4. Life is so comfortable in a Class C but you don't understand what it is like to live without a black tank or a shower.
@@janasher4940 I would never live without a shower/toilet
I own a 21 foot calls b plus coachmen Starflyte 21rb and a 35 foot holiday rambler class A
I am very hygienic and shower daily.. wash my dishes and flush the toilet..wash my hands..
The VANLIFE you see on RUclips is glorified homelessness.. NO thank you
I also go off road camping (4runner)... Portable shower and a reliance foldable toilet with 12 gallons of water on the roof rack..
I stay fully self contained..
Even RVrs have issues. Camp grounds aren't cheap. I could not do it full time. I might try van life back when I was in my 20s or 30s, but I was serving my country. Getting paid to live in the UK, Europe, and Korea. I wouldn't trade that for anything! 🙏♥️
Most of these inconveniences can be discovered with a few camping trips. It isn’t for everyone! I camp several times per year for a couple of weeks at a time. The cons don’t overwhelm me but most probably that’s because I know I have a cushy home to go back to!
Try living out of one and traveling for a month (or 8 like me)
You have to be adaptable, capable, cunning and a have a good head on your shoulders to be a Van Lifer. You never know what’s around the next corner.
Definitely, this is part of the reason. Some people love this life. The challenges, and meeting them can be incredibly rewarding. This person was not cut out for this. It doesn't make everyone else full of shit. Lol. What an egotistical point of view.
@@richardclark. To be fair he didn't say everyone, why does everyone get so defensive? I agree with him in general and I would still give it it ago in a few years.
Everyone has a difference experience with every different opportunity. I'm more introverted so I think it would work good for me. I'm very mechanically inclined as well so breakdowns wouldn't scare me as much as someone else. All that being said I love my house with attached heated shop. Right now motorcycle camping trips are my vacations till retirement.
I live full-time in a Roadtrek camper van with solar panels and am a "Snowbird" where I never have to shovel snow or slip on ice. I'll compare my monthly expenses and a few small chores, to your never ending mortgage payments, high property taxes, heating and lighting all those rooms, and constant house repairs, dealing with bad neighbors and mowing of a lawn. I love gathering new memories as I travel and would not want to spend my life sitting in recliner watching other people's memories on TV.
Thank you for the video. I have been more curious about, how safe is it living in a van? To be honest, I be so nervous seeing some of these solo van lifers out in secluded places.
8 mths is nothing... I've been doing it for 6 yrs... You have to learn to adapt and find ways to make it better I love it.
Don’t be ridiculous.. 2 weeks is enough for any normal person to find truth in all of the points he made. But anyway What does it mean to ‘adapt’? Is adapting to lowering your standards of living enough that you accept your new reality?
I agree very much. I hadn't officially lived in the car, but I will. I don't expect it to be perfect or glamorous. It's just that I can't live anywhere.
@@johnsnow2022 if you do it full time the cycle can be shorter or longer
You're always limited to the weakest link what shortens your cycle food water clean clothes or dumping your tanks if you have any
I have a 34 ft Class A that I can survive off of for 3 weeks enough water enough tanks the fridge holds enough food and it has a washer and dryer stackable
I have a 21-ft class B it holds enough water for 2 weeks I have enough waste tank capacity for 2 weeks it holds enough food for 2 weeks... The issue is clean clothes I usually carry a week and a half's worth of clothes which is just about enough white clothes in one washing machine colored clothes in one washing machine linens in one washing machine
It's when you do a full cycle of all things where you can get a better well-rounded picture of living on the road
There's distinctions between living on the road vehicle dwellers being a nomad living the van life live in the RV life and living in parks like KOA and other paid spots
I'm originally a tent camper car camping is a luxury truck camping even more van life even more class B life even more and ultimately Class A fifth wheel life...
Being a tent camper and having a fully self-contained Class B plus and a fully self-contained Class A.. I'm in a moving studio apartment..
@@johnsnow2022 yes. Lower your standards. That is the point. We don't need as much we think we need
@@johnsnow2022 he adapted to shitting in a bucket by eating it afterwards lol
Cooking and clean up take way longer in a big kitchen too. Open windows in large house also causes dust. I go in and out of my home and my birds and dog cause mess in house too. If you never open your windows of your house it will smell too. Composting toilets can break down #2 very efficiently and only need to be changed every couple of months. I don't know which van lifers you are watching but I've watched many who are quite honest about it all.
True, some longtimers coming to the conclusion composting toilet is easier & less ugly to deal with.
@@naomisims7230 I understand the system for composting toilets and I've used them
It takes discipline to use a composting toilet because you need to separate the liquids from the solids
Not all guests are as disciplined.. there are times when people defecate explosively that has its issues on a composting toilet when it comes to keeping liquids in solids separated
If you were ill sometimes liquids in solids are released from the same orifice
Composting toilets have their drawbacks...
Personally I need water to flush second I use a 5 gallon cassette style toilet next I use a logo lastly I use a composting toilet
I had to laugh when I read this.
Cooking and cleaning is super easy in a big house compared to doing it in a van. Everytime you need to do either, you have to unpack and repack your stuff, find somewhere to toss your trash, or dump your fluids, etc. There's a lot more to do without even the actual cooking or cleaning.
You're missing the point that you need to constantly clean in a small space like a van otherwise it will cause serious health issues. You can't just run a vac (assumimg you even have one) or open all your doors and windows whenever you want to. There's no floor mat outside your doors, every time you step in you're bringing in dirt.
You'll usually be parked in a dirty parking lot, where as in your house or apartment, you can keep it clean or at the very least hose down everything. The outside of your van is always going to be filthy unless you can afford to wash it all the time. Majority of people can't.
Composting toilets are a fancy marketing name, they don't actually compost. You actually do the opposite of composting, which is dehydrating your #2.
Vanlife is dirty and a lot hard work. You can spend a lot of your time just trying to find somewhere safe to park. And laundry isn't just toss your clothes in the washer and go on with your day. You have to go to a laundry mat, and sit there and guard your clothes so they don't get stolen. That's after you've been driving around for a week with dirty clothes stinking up the tiny area in your van.
It takes a particular sort of person, and a particular situation to live full time in a van.
You said it: great for a hobby, challenging as a lifestyle.
Excellent video! TY! Being raised in the military, traveling gets tiresome. Saying goodbye to people you like is hard. The breakdowns can be quite expensive. You're right about cooking, etc inside the van!
Thank you for being so honest !! I love it
Living on wheels of one kind or another since 1975, those glory without reality videos often make me laugh and tune out. You detailed the mobile Life challenges well.
Currently in a 37' park model plus a couple of 5th wheels in the sticks, and Love it.
Thank you for your honesty. I appreciate the time and effort you and other van lifers put into videos on camping. I would like to do it someday but squatting on a bucket to do the number 2 is a BIG 0!!.
Appreciate the transparency man, I’m gonna need it
I have the same van and built-out you had. I love it but it’s used for camping and traveling with our two dogs. We don’t always sleep in it while on the road but it opens up opportunities and adventures when traveling with dogs. It’s a fun little vehicle and I love it. But I’m always happy to be home at the end of a trip.
It does look like a great built. For traveling around, holidays it’s ideal, I would think if you stayed in a serviced campsite or similar.
I would imagine the heat is a problem. On one hand you need solar power, on the other you don’t want the inside to get too hot.
Although I watch another channel, Static Camper and he has lived in his van (same make) for 6 years. It suits some people.
Interesting points you make..Maybe I should be a RUclipsr. I’m a solo introvert/extrovert living in my tiny van all winter in florida at the Gulf and it’s so easy and chill and I love it. Love my Netflix and Hulu nights in my tiny van alone but also love my live music, socializing and Karaoke lol. I can see doing it full time by going up north in the summer and staying in one spot. Overthinking and over traveling is what makes people feel uncomfortable with van life. Keep it simple but be flexible and treat the van life the same as a regular house. I clean up my dishes after every meal there too! If it’s too hot to cook, I make a big salad with sardines or shrimp or steak leftovers or I eat out. I’m a Townie, I shower at Anytime, the beach or use my outdoor portable shower and I like working part time so parking is never a problem when you have a paradise for a home base and you stay long enough to get to know people with inside info instead of traveling around and you know where to park for privacy, shade (and nearby garbage cans for bucket bags) where you can keep your doors open and solar charged too. In my regular home life I ride a bicycle so I carry a foldable one on my passenger seat. I dated a van life RUclipsr and his videos depict van life accurately and realistically with even the bad stuff but still fun. I taught him how to ride a Harley and the videos were accurate and left the viewer feeling entertained with a dose of reality. He trailers his Harley around but I leave mine at home for the winter due to ease of parking. I think desire to live rent free in nice places is all it takes, despite some basic inconveniences. I have no desire to live in a hot desert or snow just for the scenery. Be realistic and live according to your actual lifestyle and you will love it! Blessings to all ❤
As someone so interested in this subject, I can't believe that normal people haven't realised the possible problems of such a lifestyle, when watching these videos. You mean it doesn't occur to people that it's tougher than it looks? Being confined to a tiny space is surely not a lot of fun. I've noticed recently too, how those I admire need a break and are going through depression or burnout. You're right, as an experience great, as a lifestyle no way. I'm personally proud to own a home, and I'd not trade that to sleep in a car park at great risk.
For me it was just an experiment. But these van life RUclipsrs doing it for money which I’m sure makes them feel stuck, they are prob all going nuts on the inside. If they stop, the money eventually dries up.. what a terrible feeling. This is why I quit because I didn’t want it to be all about money.
Thanks for your honesty, a lot of what you mentioned resonates with me, I don't live in a van but a boat. Whilst I enjoy the freedom it can afford when things are going well, it's like a prison sentence when it doesn't. Also when people realise I live on a boat, I certainly feel looked down upon and many of the Marinas that I visit, I have to hide the fact that I'm a full time liveaboard.
OMG. So true. I had to hide the fact that I lived in a van even though I was teaching other CPA's how to enter into a new industry or market at a convention. There is such a stigma attached to it like we are really 'the homeless' - one step above the bumb they are stepping over as they get off the escalator coming up from the Tube to go to work every morning.
Sticks & Bricks life is full of problems, too.
People choose what set of problems they would like to have.
You are AWESOME!!! Thanks for being straight up, appreciate you!!
I did it for two years I truly loved the lifestyle
Why did you stopped?
@@esval3054 exactly why did you stop if so great
My girlfriend mom died left her a house 🏠 I thinking of getting a rv it not over yet lol.
It does seem to "get in your blood" if you find you enjoy it. My dad said the same about truck driving. He tried better paying jobs where he stayed put, but he always would go back to trucking eventually. Truckers also have to "learn to deal with themselves" on those long trips. You have to find a good attitutude inside, or you're miserable. Some can't handle it.
I just think that we should live and let others do the same - their way.
The problem is that many van lifers don’t respect the areas they visit, they leave trash and waste.
I'm glad you made this video & appreciate the pros/cons honesty in all of your van life videos. It's vital to get a realistic perspective of the day to day challenges of the lifestyle. I've thought about things seldom mentioned like how can your clothes not get smelly from cooking inside the van, constant accumulation & cleaning of dirt, dust & pet hair, battling claustrophobia especially in bad weather, water tank challenges, cost of gas & the irony of needing public places for privacy (showers, toilets, workspace, water refill, parking lots, etc). BIG difference between weekend warrior van camper & full time van dweller. Thank you! 😊
I've been living in, first a Buick Estate Wagon, and now a Dodge Promaster for more then six years. I love it. I thrive on the daily challenges and adventure, and I don't need to make videos seeking the approval of others. But it's not for the faint of heart. You have to applying common sense and planning. Improvise, adapt and overcome. Every time I start to question my decision, to press on in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, I pull out my bank book and suddenly it's all worth it.
Something I notice in vanlife videos is all the STUFF people cram into their vans. I really don't believe they use every single thing they pack in. I wonder if they're just trying to show how much can fit into THEIR van. I don't imagine it's comfortable.
Hi, I think the only videos I saw of yours was your guiting video and this one. All nine of ur points were pretty valid but on the flip side I think u were a pretty bad choice for full-time van life. I started doing van life, use to be called "out on the bum" from '76 to '81 in a vw camper because of the economics of life. Retired in 2018 and bought a 2008 commercial looking step van. Been full-time since July 2021 and am mostly in cities on the west coast. My built out is very minimal so city life affords me with the best value and convenience. Just turned 70, my major concern is how much longer can I keep this up. 🙏
Define who the right choice would be for Van life.
Anyone NOT like u
Do you have to work while in your van or do you have Social Secutity or A pension. I would like to do van life traveling each summer but need to wait 10 years for SS.
@@kevinweber5129 I have SS and some savings. Unfortunately I don't see things getting better. I think there will be way more people living in there vehicles but not driving around because of the economy.
We travel with a family of 4 in our van have a cassette toilet. We have gone across the country several times and never had a problem. Took some planning, but thats ok and very willing to deal with gray and black water in exchange for the convenience. It sounds like vanlife wasnt for you, and thats ok.
Having kids in a campervan isn't great if the adults want some privacy.
Thanks for sharing. Just bought a van. Interesting to hear the possible pitfalls.
Isn't a part time vanner the same as just camping? When I was a kid, we travelled as a family across the US every summer in an what would be a small today RV (this was 1960's - 1970's) for 4 weeks or so. With a dog. So van life? I had a friend who lived in her van with her dog. Her van didn't smell. She kept it clean.
Thank you yet again for this information. Yes, that trip to the artic by Living the Van Life seemed awesome and I was so taken by just his courage to do such a thing in February! It makes you want to live the van/RV/ Box Truck life. But hearing you speak the truth about it, brings one back to earth. There are so many seniors that have to live that life. Glorious Life On Wheels just did an interview with a 75 yr old woman who is doing van life and still working because she can't afford an apartment. I prayed for her today. So sad that people are forced into it. And I just found another channel of a very young black woman and her toddler living in a van as well. So sad that here we are in the richest country in the world, and what, 30 percent of people are forced to live in vehicles or on the street !!
I'm retiring in 2 years and moving to either Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Philippines, or Thailand, because it's dirt cheap and you can live like royalty. The van life always is on my mind and it makes one believe you can save lots of money rather than paying rent. I wish it could be that way but like you said from experience, it's expensive and dangerous as well.
Thank you again.
BTW, a certain RUclips van life channel did not take too well to your last video exposing van life! He had to prove you wrong.
I think I know which ‘pretend hobo’ you’re talking about. End of the day, they have nothing else besides the RUclips machine generating income. Ask yourself.. does he genuinely like living 24/7 in a tin box on wheels in the middle of the winter? Lol come on now. YT income is too good and very difficult to give up. I could have kept going and I would have had 100K subs and making minimum 10K a month but it wouldn’t be authentic and I’d be full of shit too.
@@WillandRambo - I have to agree. I would also bet he lives within that giant garage he rents to fix his rig now and then. There's no way he can live full time in a van in the bitter Canadian winter. Especially one he cannot stand up in.
Thanks for your reply.
I was born and raised in the inner city, Baltimore Maryland to be exact. I joined the military in 2006, with my first duty post being in Texas. I ended up falling in love with the country living, and neighbors not being close to my home. I retired from the military in 2014 due to injuries sustained from multiple combat deployments. I turned 29, Sept 15 and really considering trying out the van life. Not as a permanent thing, but for the experience. I respect your honesty, thank you for the videos. Much love from Texas 🤙
Thank you for your service to our country! I am sorry to read that you have multiple injuries, and I hope you are getting quality medical care which helps you. God bless you! Praying for you.
Thank you I truly appreciate your honesty ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for your honesty, I was about to do this lifestyle without knowing all the details. Thank you!
thank you for sharing your experiences. I myself am about to take a temporary "break" in my life. Van Life seems appropriate for this. even if I am aware that many things are presented too rosy. Good luck in the coming time and enjoy your new situation. Greetings from Germany
Wow. It’s really an eye opener. Thanks for making and sharing this video
Seems lately a lot of folks that became roadies whether it be RV, van,schoolie, shuttle bus, etc full time are now building homes off grid. They still plan on getting away in their van when they want to but they are laying down roots now. I feel whatever makes someone happy, they should pursue their happiness live their dream. It’s their life their choice!! Kudos to the folks making a lot of money from having a huge you tube following. Their content is so good that we watching feel like we know this person or persons. We don’t. I enjoy those that I follow because I like their personality and their posts and I personally relate to them on a certain level. Some crack me up as well as make me cry. Some inspire me to be a better human being. They also inspire me to do or build ,create things myself. They give me confidence, if that chica can do it so can I .
Also learning from them they are showing you on their channel how they built a deck or built out their van etc. some of these folks are so talented. They are artistic, creative, intelligent. If being on the road inspires their creativity then good for them. We are all just trying to live our best lives dealing with life’s challenges as they come. No one had it figured out!! It all takes work and it’s not EZ!! I do believe life is a present live it the way u want. Being in nature for me is my outlet I always feel better after being in nature. I work have a mortgage, ❤ my lil home , a van to get out into nature to camp. Also have a tent & hammock that I also enjoy sleeping in when I’m camping. Life is full of surprises some good some not so good but it all passes and a new day is around the corner. “Waking up is a blessing”, an elderly patient once told me. Be grateful, Be kind to all beings ✌️
You just described 9 engineering challenges that need to be solved. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to do this video and your honesty great reality check. Looking forward to your videos 🙂
Thanks for sharing some the "Cons" I have been watching the cost fuel begin to rise again in my area. It's definitely factoring in to my consideration of trying van life.
Your honesty is refreshing.
Taking a dump/deuce/sh!t is a subject that is definitely neglected by van dwelling youtubers. All those hoses and tanks can be a nightmare. I've never lived in a van, but in my camping/overlanding experience, I've found that a detergent bottle with the pour spout cut out and a 2 gallon bucket are the most efficient solutions for all the toilet needs.
A little soapy water in the bottom of any bucket helps everything come out easier, dish soap a great invention for RV'ers.
I was so used to peeing standing up (I'm 62 yr woman) that it was strange when I moved into the house and needed to sit. Always peed into plastic mold connected to tubing that drained into old water jug. Emptied the jug every morning around my camp/grass.
Im just going poop in a bag..
@@KOOLBadger use a small bucket with a pool noodle on the rim lined with a couple of plastic bags. It's easier than pooping directly into a bag.
Vanessa's Van Life Journey basically made her own composting toilet set up with an upright cooler and pine shavings. Seems like that would work pretty well. I don't get cassette toilets at all, they look like they'd be super easy to spill everywhere and I have noticed even nicer campervans have them. Incinerating toilets would be awesome but they're super expensive. I don't think that I have ever seen a van build with one.
It's all about the individual, and would amagine where your at.
Sounds like van life isn't for you. In two days it will be 5 yrs full time van dweller... only regret is, wish I would have done it sooner.
Great vid tho...
So much of this is true. Trying to build my own fully stealth camper to live in. Working around limitations is pretty difficult. My panels have to be invisible, my camo has to be perfect. No loud vent fans, front exposed areas need to look stock. Super hard to do, but I've had success.
Thank you for the honest views of van life. I am considering purchasing a used motorhome and now worry about breakdowns (for the most part). These days, parts may not even be readily available.
Consider a Ford...parts everywhere.
Some people are honest. Some people lie. Some people love vanlife. Some do not.
I personally have been living vanlife for a little over two years. It can be hard yes, like anything in life. I think it's more a matter of whether you are cut out for it or not. To each his own. ✌🏼💕
Some very valid comments but I would only agree with half of them.Like anyway of life it does not suit everyone and hardly anyone would want to do it for the rest of their life.Anyone who lives in a van needs to learn to adapt to its limitations but as many have shown it can be done and still provide a reasonable degree of comfort. Everyone should have a simple compost toilet in their van.When used by one person it only needs emptying once a month and is completely odour freel.You dont need to shower everyday You can keep yourself perfectly clean with a daily sponge bath.Getting rid of grey water is not a problem - having to find clean water to drink and bathe with is probably more of a chore. You need to enjoy travelling and is definitely not for the person who wants to stay around a town or city for work or recreation.
I've studied compost toilets. You do realize you need to vent those outside with a 12 vt fan, right? You won't get that without solar power. And a simple compost system is combining urine with solid wastes, and that will stink to high heaven in a van. That's tantamount to having a pit vault toilet in your van. You really should be composting solids only (as soon as you add wet works to it, it all goes south quickly) and still those are vented out.
I do agree with that we need showers a lot less than we think. I got to the point of showering 1ce every week in the summer (1.5 gallon shower) and once every 3 weeks in the winter. I tried to shower regularly because skin needs to slough off. My skin used to lift up in patches. I exfoliated more often then I showered actually, but that was the driving force for my showers was to get the dead skin off. I molted like a snake if I didn't exfoliate. During this time I had the most wonderful skin and people used to tell me I looked 30 yrs younger. As soon as I moved into a house and started showering regularly, my skin aged 10 years in 1 yr. I've been thinking about this.
I want to thank you for the honesty.
I have watched many videos on the
elderly how much they enjoy van life
and ladies alone living that life style
so I have through about
You are so right about some influencers in general different categories. Thanks for speaking the truth .
"I like to socialize and when I'm not around people my energy goes down"
I felt this 100%
I'm the complete opposite.
I get depressed around people and my energy skyrockets when I'm alone.
Find people and go socialize. It really is that easy.
@@irok1d amen
It's amazing how people can be so different from one person to the next. i.e., I can go weeks, days and months intereatcing with hardly anyone while surrounded by nature and all nature has to offer, however, mega cities and mega populations tend to suck the energy and life right of me.
Most introverts don’t dislike people (some do) but they have the opposite effect - they may like/enjoy socializing or being in crowds, but they have to expend energy while socializing, and can find it utterly exhausting, to the point that they are fine and happy with time alone. Introvert/extrovert each has its good and bad points, and 2020 lockdown was…no big deal (but sorry for those who struggled with it).
Very true.. being a extrovert or a introvert isn't about liking or not liking people or socialising. It's about how they get their energy.. a extrovert feeds off others- they feel energized and charged when around and interacting with others.. introverts need alone time to recharge all the energy they have used while being social .
Thank you for your honesty!!
Thank you. You confirmed all of the things I suspected. I respect you ND your honesty.
I want to say thank you so much for your honesty. It's videos like this that help me to re-evaluate this life before I jump into it. I've been testing the waters for quite a while now. I sleep 5 days a week in the van and 2 at home. I am the kind of guy who has to have every possible scenario thought of before I take a big step. First is really planning the build. I had two previous van builds as practice...lol. I realized last year that for this to work, being able to stand up is a must for me. So I bought a midsized ram promaster high top. I put solid walls between the front cab and living area, and between the back doors and living area. I only have one window and I double pained it, then insulated the crap out of it all. I installed a buddy heater hooked up to a 5gal propane and also carry a spare. Cuz I hate to be cold. In summer, I'm fine with a box fan up to about 95 Fahrenheit. After that, for peak heat, I can run the vehicle AC and pipe it into the living area. What I'm saying is I have bad weather covered.
As for moving around all the time, I drive an hour back and forth to work every day. What's the difference if I'm driving to a house or a location to sleep?
Grey water? I use an infinite grey water tank. Meaning when I wash my hands or a dish, only about a 32 oz cup of water goes on the ground. Shower? I only use at most two gallons at a time. That tub of bath water, waters some grass or flowers somewhere. Same with my urine jug. Number 2 waste goes into a bucket lined with trash bag and then immediately gets tied and dumped where millions of baby diapers get dumped. The nearest trash can. I don't have to find the nearest public bathroom ever. Just the nearest trash. Cuz I don't drive anywhere with waste in my van.
Breakdowns? Here's my well oiled machine in motion. Van goes down on the side of the road. First I call my insurance who starts a tow truck in my direction. I find the nearest service dealership for my van make. I also locate a car rental who delivers to that dealership. Upon arrival to the dealer via tow truck, I find out if they will need it in their shop overnight and or for approximately how long. If yes a few days, I call the car rental. Then I pack a bag like I'm going on a trip, including taking my trifold mattress, sleeping bag, and buddy heater (if cold weather) which detaches and runs off small cans of propane. I spend one night in the rental car and find the nearest UHall the next day. They will rent you a van for $20 a day. I move into that for the remainder of the time my van is in the shop. When ready, I drop off the UHall and Uber back to the dealership. And pick up my van. How do I pay for all of this you ask? No I'm not rich. But I did make sure I had an emergency credit card before I ever started. This allows me to simply make payments monthly to the credit card to pay for all of this.
Loneliness? Well I do agree that this would probably be harder for someone not an introvert like myself. However even introverts need some people fixes. I have a little different situation. I'm a born again Christian and have hundreds of Christian family in every city in the world. All just waiting for me to meet them. I don't plan on staying in the exact same spot all the time, but I do plan on staying in certain cities for long periods of time. In each city I will find a local church of my denomination and get plugged in right away. I don't have trouble finding friends who love God like I do, so I figure I will never really be alone alone.
I am also a night person so I will always seek night employment wherever I am. This is also unique because almost no van dwellers have trouble finding a place to sleep in the day time. I'll never get a knock in the night because I will be at work.
Anyway. Sorry this was so long. I loved the video. Very thought provoking. God's blessings to you.
Well-written, so length was informative, and it flowed well. Love the way you handle all these different scenarios.
@@OmOnWheels thanks 😊
Best reply ever to any video anywhere in the history of RUclips. 👍
@@balthazarquinn aww...I don't know about that, but thank you for such kind words. Blessings to you friend.
Wow! Your my twin! Are you male or female? Country?
Lmboo
We apparently have watched different RUclipsrs. I follow several, and have watched a great many from a variety of people and perspectives. There are quite a few discussing things they hate (including most of those you mention!), problems, challenges, and how they’ve worked through various issues. Some join caravans for camaraderie community, and it works well for them. From your previous videos that I have seen and these descriptions, I think full-time van life would be a bad choice for you. Many enjoy seeing different parts of the country, and there are many ways of dealing with hygiene and toilet issues (e.g., my separating/composting toilet cost $30 to make, doesn’t smell, and the contents are easily disposed of. No tanks!) I think people who don’t require a lot of convenience or people around them, and experienced campers do best. Since my finances are very limited and I really want to take my time and explore the country, van life is an ideal choice for me as a disabled elder.
Ya I get it.. but this video is for newbies… I made it for people who know nothing about VL and don’t have to go through 100 YT channels that will make these types of videos.. honestly, most are sarcastic and try not to offend anyone.. in the end of a ‘I hate VL video’ -oh just kidding guys.. you know I love Van life.. like / subscribe! - lol gimme a break.. bunch of fakes.
Could you please let me know how you made your compost toilet for under $50? I would love to know. 👍✌️
@@martasplace6414 looked at a lot of “composting” and “separating” toilet videos. Picked up a Luggable Loo from REI for $19. Found an automotive funnel with an attached hose (about 4”x6” at the top) for about $7, saved a small laundry jug, and picked up a bunch zip ties for maybe $2-3. Zip tied hose onto funnel, because first time it jammed down into the jug and pee went into bucket 😮. Drilled holes in the top of the bucket and funnel, used zip ties to tie together. Lined bucket with kitchen trash bag, put in laundry jug, threaded hose into jug. Put another bag or 2 into back half of potty and fill with a couple cups dry medium. Snap on seat and lid (if possible-mine doesn’t like all the plastic bags, but is still surprisingly stable.) Went back after trial run and used tin snips to cut down top of funnel because it dug into my backside. Potty!
Thanks for the transparency...honestly!
I like ur transparency bcuz I know that Van life has its ups n downs n I wish that people would talk about the downs so that people like me who r thinking of making the move are informed n well aware of what events could transpire while being out in the environment.. I often think of the night bcuz in a home there is separation between the home n street n in a van or vehicle anyone can walk right up into ur space without No barrier except the doors. I often wonder how SAFE is being that vulnerable. Thank U for sharing ur experiences.. I’m looking forward to more information on ur next video Which will help me to decide what I should do🙏🏼🌹
Anytime 👍
How safe are you in a house? Most houses have glass windows, people can knock on your door, invade & kill you with the door locked or not.
You're actually safer out in the wilderness than a populated area. I grew up in a sparsely populated area, & am scared when in the city. My city friends are scared when they come to the country.
It's like flying, tho...I'm terrified of it, & KNOWING the statistics STILL doesn't help me BELIEVE a car is not safer.
Sometimes facing a fear like that is the only way to overcome it.
Sounds like Piss Poor Planning on your part. The right setup you shouldn't have issues..
I had the right plan all along.. experiment, document my process and move back in a home /Experiment complete! Now I’m simply telling my story and informing others.
You were so excited about Vanlife that you didn't gradually go into living that kind of lifestyle like living out of a van for 2-3 days per week for say 6 months to get a better idea of common issues and the inconvenience of it all. With a better budget you can make things work and appear as normal like living in an apt or whatever.
You know what… you’re right… I should have bought cat litter and a box to shit inside of like a primitive cave man… or I should have bought baby wipes to clean myself.. who needs running water.
Look.. go watch my earlier videos and make your way up to the last one.. I’ve done my homework and now it’s time for you to do yours before you make anymore comments / accusations of my ill preparedness.
You need that daily interaction with people. I don't. I can go about my day without speaking to a single one person all day and not give a single fook.
You mentioned personalities. You gotta have that special kind of personality to live that kind of lifestyle.
😂 at the van being constantly dirty! So true! I made a video about this recently. I've been living in a tiny vintage RV for over 3 years now and I literally have to sweep my floor multiple times a day and also have a small vacuum. First thing I installed in my caravan was a rooftop AC/heat pump so temperatures is never a problem and dehumidifies to avoid mold. Every time weather allows open up every window and the door. It's not without its challenges, but I've adapted and adjusted over the years to pretty much all those cons you mentioned. And I definitely DO talk about all the challenges you mention of my nomad life as I was under no illusions that the slick "insta famous" types of vanlife/RV/nomad life videos on RUclips were any reflection on reality.
Agree about them doing what they do for the views and $$$, and then feeling obligated to "create good content" and I have zero desire to go down that road. Living in my van is my life, the videos about it are just a hobby.