Don't forget to come back next week and check out the get to know us video! We will be talking about where we've traveled to, what do we want this channel to be, and our plan after van life. Subscribe, like, and comment if you want to follow us on our little adventures. Thanks for watching!
Just binged watched your videos, loved them. I have been living in a trailer for over 7 years myself. Love it! Love your cooking ideas. Thank you. Can't wait to see more of your adventures.
If you smell rotten eggs, you have a propane leak (propane is odorless--that's why they add that awful smell), so you'd know if it was leaking (carbon monoxide is a bigger issue than leaky propane). I just love you two :)
Shanna Trenholm thanks! And we love you too. Yeah I'm not too concern about leaking either. Maybe a bit more concern when we get into an accident and it explodes. Haha
Same about the getting hit and exploding. Maybe I should just put a sticker with an arrow pointing to the left rear of my van (where the propane canisters live) that says "to see epic explosion, hit here" 😂😂
Definitely looking forward to the dishwashing video! (Never thought I'd say something that mundane haha) I think about water usage everytime I do the dishes and when I think about future plans for living off grid/boondocking, so I'd love to see how you guys have mastered the art of minimal-water-dish-washing.
The -not so- Hopeless Wanderers Vanessa is the master at all. I tend to use a little bit more water than her. But yeah it's definitely something we all don't really think about when living in a house. We'll try to make the video as interesting as possible too. Haha
Live in New Zealand till November when I will go for months in Australia Over summer 60000 people are living in Van's, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Estima, converted trucks and buses. Just as the Chans did in Australia
Next time you go to the Honda dealer you should ask a tech what tools to have on hand in the car. Honda generally only uses like 4 hex head sizes on bolts and Philips head on screws. USB rechargeable flashlights are always nice too.
Surprised the Element was a manual, 5 speed? Switch to synthetic oil and go 10-15k highway miles between changes. Even with standard oils, 7k plus is fine. If you drive in a dusty environment, maybe 5k. Pay attention to air filters, blow out with air a few times at 2k intervals, then replace at 15-20k.
T'was very informative as we (my wife and my son) will be traveling in June from Manila for a road in Cali and hopefully be able to be in must see places around there in 25 days... :) btw... it shall be our first time and planing to hire/rent a car, an SUV like you have I guess will simply fit for us, I hope. God Bless you guys and enjoy travelling to the fullest.
Now that you are a RUclipsr has anybody recognized you yet? Or gone to your area and looked you up? Would be cool to meet the both of you someday on your travels.
Chris Cloud ha thanks chris but compare to other channels we are pretty tiny. So no to your questions. Not yet anyway. There are a few people and say they would love to meet up and we are always up for meeting new people. Yeah it would. Where are you based out of?
When you were living in a van in Australia Was it similar to being in the US? I travel all over Asia and never pay for hotels just no car so basically living like a homeless person. Basically tenting it and that is how I was able to stay in SG for a couple months. Other countries have been easier because they are cheaper and not as developed. Never been to Australia because I feel it is to similar to the US.
I didn't have the desire to visit Oz either, but because of Vanessa I changed my travel plans and followed her there. I don't regret going. It is a very expensive country if you are traveling on a budget. The couple of times I had to stay at hostels there, I hated it. Van life is the way to go there because it's more affordable and a lot easier than the US. It is similar in terms of language but other than that they still have their own culture and really absolutely beautiful beaches and towns. And it's a lot less people than the US.
What year is your Element? If you use air condition, average miles they say is 19-20 mph. How many miles do you have on it? Let me know when you get the maintenance code P2646. I'm surprise that you haven't gotten it since you go long without changing the oil. Are you using the recommended oil in the manual, 5w20? Are you guys in tech? You should carry those fix a flat in a can. I've carried it since college and it save me at least twice.
it's a 2004. I only use AC when I'm on the highway and it still avg at 22-24 mpg. Our element is at 196.000 miles now and still running great! I change oil every 3 to 4k miles. I make sure I do it regularly and I only do it at honda dealerships. Since it's our home, I'm pretty anal about this kind of stuff. I do work in tech in the silicon valley. =)
+Noe Lagasca it's a fwd but I would prefer a 4wd. I have gotten stuck in mud and sand a couple of times. 4wd would definitely have helped. But I would choose manual over 4wd.
billy yong hankook dynapro 235/70/16. I love them. People say they are loud but I don't mind it and really not that bad. You can notice the noise more from 40mph and below. Once you go over that, the noise is fine.
Hi Phil and Vanessa, your videos have been very helpful to me, so please keep them coming. I'm curious as to whether you guys have any possessions other than what you keep in your Element. Also, it's a very unconventional thing what you guys are doing. What allowed you to make the break from a more traditional lifestyle? Phil, especially, if it's not to personal, could you let us know what impelled you give up your IT job in Boston? Thanks!
All good questions. Most things that we need are mostly kept inside the car. Vanessa do have a few boxes of her school books and camping gears that we store at a friend's basement, but it's not much. Long answer short: I learned the most about myself during my two years traveling. All I had was my 40L backpack as my home for two years, that made me realized I don't need much to be happy. Also, once i push myself out of my comfort zone, it gave me a confidence that I never knew I had and that I could actually deal with certain situations a lot better than most people. Being frugal and finding creative ways to get certain things done is very satisfying when you know you just saved a crap load of money. All these things made me not care what other people think and makes me feel free. Plus after awhile, you get used to being looking and staring at your car. I was making decent money at my job in Boston and I had my own condo with mortgage. It's everyone dream to own a house in today's society until you have to pay that mortgage bill every month. After awhile, I felt trapped in this bubble and I felt like I couldn't get out. I have lost a lot of freedom to do what I wanted to do because of this house I owned and this job I am obligated to show up fore M-F. So just out of the blue, I decided to pay off my student loans in one year and I succeeded. Then the next year, I saved up $24,000 and that's when I just quit and left. The condo is being used by a family member and they are responsible for the mortgage now. I know that's first world problems and that we are extremely fortunate to have options and be able to choose what we want to do with our lives. Most people would be happy to have a paying job with a decent salary and able to own a house. But that just wasn't for me. Bottom line is, what is most important to me is being free and just keep life simple. Hope that answers your questions. Maybe I will make a video about this in the near future. Thanks!
Yes, I'd love to see a video on this topic. I'm currently in a desk job, and I'd feel very insecure about just walking away. I have no love for what I do, and it's just the money and having a sense of getting things done at the job that is any reward. It's just just incredible to me that you were to able to make that leap.
The hardest part is definitely making that leap, but it gets easier after that. Its definitely a scary thought that you will no longer be getting a bi-weekly check but you will feel so much better about yourself.
Pulled pork? I have to see that video. I am in Flyover Country and we have free range wild boar available everywhere. I don't want to waste any meat I or my dogs can enjoy from all these tasty vermin.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Don't forget to come back next week and check out the get to know us video! We will be talking about where we've traveled to, what do we want this channel to be, and our plan after van life. Subscribe, like, and comment if you want to follow us on our little adventures. Thanks for watching!
Always anticipating the next video from you both. Just really love you channel!
dGriggs thank you so much. We don't get a crazy amount of views but it's viewers like yourself that keep us going. 😀
just subscribed with you guys and thanks for convincing my girlfriend to buy a honda element very recently, we both love it ...kool videos !
Just binged watched your videos, loved them. I have been living in a trailer for over 7 years myself. Love it! Love your cooking ideas. Thank you. Can't wait to see more of your adventures.
If you smell rotten eggs, you have a propane leak (propane is odorless--that's why they add that awful smell), so you'd know if it was leaking (carbon monoxide is a bigger issue than leaky propane). I just love you two :)
Shanna Trenholm thanks! And we love you too. Yeah I'm not too concern about leaking either. Maybe a bit more concern when we get into an accident and it explodes. Haha
Same about the getting hit and exploding. Maybe I should just put a sticker with an arrow pointing to the left rear of my van (where the propane canisters live) that says "to see epic explosion, hit here" 😂😂
Hahaha you are awesome.
Phil Chan, what are the off road tires you put on?
I don't know him personally but I do follow him on RUclips. And I think we are both from Boston as well. ;)
Definitely looking forward to the dishwashing video! (Never thought I'd say something that mundane haha) I think about water usage everytime I do the dishes and when I think about future plans for living off grid/boondocking, so I'd love to see how you guys have mastered the art of minimal-water-dish-washing.
The -not so- Hopeless Wanderers Vanessa is the master at all. I tend to use a little bit more water than her. But yeah it's definitely something we all don't really think about when living in a house. We'll try to make the video as interesting as possible too. Haha
Enjoying your positive energy... thanks for the good information...
Live in New Zealand till November when I will go for months in Australia
Over summer 60000 people are living in Van's, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Estima, converted trucks and buses. Just as the Chans did in Australia
Minimal water dish washing and Honda element cooking videos sounds amazing
Calvin Lee noted! Asians washing dishes video will be made soon.
👌🏻😂👍
Next time you go to the Honda dealer you should ask a tech what tools to have on hand in the car. Honda generally only uses like 4 hex head sizes on bolts and Philips head on screws. USB rechargeable flashlights are always nice too.
Surprised the Element was a manual, 5 speed? Switch to synthetic oil and go 10-15k highway miles between changes. Even with standard oils, 7k plus is fine. If you drive in a dusty environment, maybe 5k. Pay attention to air filters, blow out with air a few times at 2k intervals, then replace at 15-20k.
yeah I was specifically looking for a manual. I usually do it ever 4-5k miles. I should consider changing it to synthetic tho.
T'was very informative as we (my wife and my son) will be traveling in June from Manila for a road in Cali and hopefully be able to be in must see places around there in 25 days... :) btw... it shall be our first time and planing to hire/rent a car, an SUV like you have I guess will simply fit for us, I hope.
God Bless you guys and enjoy travelling to the fullest.
hey great videos..lovely couple...great videos
👍👍 Great Journey! Maybe you’ll upgrade to a Sprinter size soon. Travel the world 🗺 ect.
Family opinion = it's great!
startakako great! Haha
Now that you are a RUclipsr has anybody recognized you yet? Or gone to your area and looked you up? Would be cool to meet the both of you someday on your travels.
Chris Cloud ha thanks chris but compare to other channels we are pretty tiny. So no to your questions. Not yet anyway. There are a few people and say they would love to meet up and we are always up for meeting new people. Yeah it would. Where are you based out of?
When you were living in a van in Australia Was it similar to being in the US? I travel all over Asia and never pay for hotels just no car so basically living like a homeless person. Basically tenting it and that is how I was able to stay in SG for a couple months. Other countries have been easier because they are cheaper and not as developed. Never been to Australia because I feel it is to similar to the US.
I didn't have the desire to visit Oz either, but because of Vanessa I changed my travel plans and followed her there. I don't regret going. It is a very expensive country if you are traveling on a budget. The couple of times I had to stay at hostels there, I hated it. Van life is the way to go there because it's more affordable and a lot easier than the US. It is similar in terms of language but other than that they still have their own culture and really absolutely beautiful beaches and towns. And it's a lot less people than the US.
What year is your Element? If you use air condition, average miles they say is 19-20 mph. How many miles do you have on it? Let me know when you get the maintenance code P2646. I'm surprise that you haven't gotten it since you go long without changing the oil. Are you using the recommended oil in the manual, 5w20? Are you guys in tech? You should carry those fix a flat in a can. I've carried it since college and it save me at least twice.
it's a 2004. I only use AC when I'm on the highway and it still avg at 22-24 mpg. Our element is at 196.000 miles now and still running great! I change oil every 3 to 4k miles. I make sure I do it regularly and I only do it at honda dealerships. Since it's our home, I'm pretty anal about this kind of stuff. I do work in tech in the silicon valley. =)
is your element a fwd? or a 4wd? what do you guys prefer?
+Noe Lagasca it's a fwd but I would prefer a 4wd. I have gotten stuck in mud and sand a couple of times. 4wd would definitely have helped. But I would choose manual over 4wd.
What off road tire do you put it on? Yokohama ?
billy yong hankook dynapro 235/70/16. I love them. People say they are loud but I don't mind it and really not that bad. You can notice the noise more from 40mph and below. Once you go over that, the noise is fine.
Oh man! I love them too, matter affects I just put them on to my Honda Odyssey, that much I love this tires !!
what size do you have them for the odessey?
P235/65/17, tks
Hi Phil and Vanessa, your videos have been very helpful to me, so please keep them coming.
I'm curious as to whether you guys have any possessions other than what you keep in your Element.
Also, it's a very unconventional thing what you guys are doing. What allowed you to make the break from a more traditional lifestyle? Phil, especially, if it's not to personal, could you let us know what impelled you give up your IT job in Boston?
Thanks!
All good questions. Most things that we need are mostly kept inside the car. Vanessa do have a few boxes of her school books and camping gears that we store at a friend's basement, but it's not much.
Long answer short: I learned the most about myself during my two years traveling. All I had was my 40L backpack as my home for two years, that made me realized I don't need much to be happy. Also, once i push myself out of my comfort zone, it gave me a confidence that I never knew I had and that I could actually deal with certain situations a lot better than most people. Being frugal and finding creative ways to get certain things done is very satisfying when you know you just saved a crap load of money. All these things made me not care what other people think and makes me feel free. Plus after awhile, you get used to being looking and staring at your car.
I was making decent money at my job in Boston and I had my own condo with mortgage. It's everyone dream to own a house in today's society until you have to pay that mortgage bill every month. After awhile, I felt trapped in this bubble and I felt like I couldn't get out. I have lost a lot of freedom to do what I wanted to do because of this house I owned and this job I am obligated to show up fore M-F. So just out of the blue, I decided to pay off my student loans in one year and I succeeded. Then the next year, I saved up $24,000 and that's when I just quit and left. The condo is being used by a family member and they are responsible for the mortgage now.
I know that's first world problems and that we are extremely fortunate to have options and be able to choose what we want to do with our lives. Most people would be happy to have a paying job with a decent salary and able to own a house. But that just wasn't for me.
Bottom line is, what is most important to me is being free and just keep life simple.
Hope that answers your questions. Maybe I will make a video about this in the near future. Thanks!
Yes, I'd love to see a video on this topic. I'm currently in a desk job, and I'd feel very insecure about just walking away. I have no love for what I do, and it's just the money and having a sense of getting things done at the job that is any reward. It's just just incredible to me that you were to able to make that leap.
The hardest part is definitely making that leap, but it gets easier after that. Its definitely a scary thought that you will no longer be getting a bi-weekly check but you will feel so much better about yourself.
Great Video! Lots of good info. How often or do do you guys stealth camp?
FlipCitii good call on the typo. Thanks! Yeah we pretty much stealth camp every night here in the Bay Area or when we're traveling.
I like both of you.
+zhulia thanks! Haha
I parked under tree once and a ants nest came onto my roof
You're not towing a spaceship? I can't watch your channel any more, then. :)
Shanna Trenholm I mean....yes......we......are......towing.....a.......spaceship. 😐
Pulled pork? I have to see that video. I am in Flyover Country and we have free range wild boar available everywhere. I don't want to waste any meat I or my dogs can enjoy from all these tasty vermin.
Do you guys have a P.O. box?
no we don't. We just use our friend's address.
What do you do about health insurance?
I am currently working right now so I get insurance through work. When I quit then I will just take the risk. ;)
vanessa is very hot!
Techmisfire haha thanks.