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Author: John Serbell

John is the co-founder of Gnomad Home. He researches and writes the in depth guides on our site, and his goal is to make vanlife, alternative living, and dream chasing accessible to all through the democratizing power of free information. He's also passionate about creating, both hands on and digitally - he's the driving force behind our vehicle builds, and he's also in charge of the web design/development around here.
The Best 12 Volt Portable Refrigerators for Vanlife, Camping, or RVing
Van Build Epic Guides Vanlife

The Best 12 Volt Portable Refrigerators for Vanlife, Camping, or RVing

ByJohn Serbell December 14, 2022January 30, 2023

There are tons of 12 volt refrigerators out there, but are they any good? Discover the best 12 volt refrigerators for your vanlife, camping, or RV adventure.

Read More The Best 12 Volt Portable Refrigerators for Vanlife, Camping, or RVingContinue

Removing the Rear AC Unit From a Conversion Van
Van Build Our Build

Removing the Rear AC Unit From a Conversion Van

ByJohn Serbell July 20, 2022July 20, 2022

What do you do with the rear ac unit air handler in a conversion van? We go over the process and pros/cons for removing it or leaving it in and building around it.

Read More Removing the Rear AC Unit From a Conversion VanContinue

BougeRV 180W Solar Panels Review: Cheap Solar for Vanlife
Electrical & Solar Product Review Van Build

BougeRV 180W Solar Panels Review: Cheap Solar for Vanlife

ByJohn Serbell February 22, 2022July 12, 2022

In this review of the BougeRV 180W solar panels, we examine and test out these affordable solar panels to see how they’ll hold up to full time van life.

Read More BougeRV 180W Solar Panels Review: Cheap Solar for VanlifeContinue

Epic Guide to Van Life Electrical & Solar (How to Get Electricity in a Van)
Electrical & Solar Epic Guides Van Build Van Build How-Tos

Epic Guide to Van Life Electrical & Solar (How to Get Electricity in a Van)

ByJohn Serbell December 13, 2021July 12, 2022

Confused about installing electricity in your van? Check out our guide to everything electrical for tips, how-tos, and awesome diagrams.

Read More Epic Guide to Van Life Electrical & Solar (How to Get Electricity in a Van)Continue

BougeRV Portable Fridge Review: Is This Cheap Vanlife Fridge Worth It?
Van Build Product Review

BougeRV Portable Fridge Review: Is This Cheap Vanlife Fridge Worth It?

ByJohn Serbell June 10, 2021July 12, 2022

BougeRV offers a low-priced portable refrigerator. But how does it stack up, and can it handle full time vanlife? Read our hands on review to find out!

Read More BougeRV Portable Fridge Review: Is This Cheap Vanlife Fridge Worth It?Continue

Best DC-DC Chargers and Battery Isolators for Vanlife (How to Charge Your Van While Driving)
Electrical & Solar Van Build Van Build How-Tos

Best DC-DC Chargers and Battery Isolators for Vanlife (How to Charge Your Van While Driving)

ByJohn Serbell April 29, 2021July 12, 2022

Adding a smart battery isolator will let you charge your batteries from your van’s engine. Read on to see why you need an isolator and how to install one.

Read More Best DC-DC Chargers and Battery Isolators for Vanlife (How to Charge Your Van While Driving)Continue

Jackery Explorer 1000 Review: Is This a Legit Option for Vanlife?
Van Build Electrical & Solar

Jackery Explorer 1000 Review: Is This a Legit Option for Vanlife?

ByJohn Serbell February 8, 2021July 12, 2022

Jackery portable power stations have made quite the splash. But can the Jackery Explorer 1000 stand up to life on the road? We test one to find out!

Read More Jackery Explorer 1000 Review: Is This a Legit Option for Vanlife?Continue

Our Adventure Becoming South Dakota Residents
Life on the Road Vanlife

Our Adventure Becoming South Dakota Residents

ByJohn Serbell February 25, 2019July 12, 2022

How do nomads navigate society without a permanent address? In this post, follow along as we adventure to nomad-friendly South Dakota to become legal residents!

Read More Our Adventure Becoming South Dakota ResidentsContinue

Domicile for Nomads: Establishing a Legal Residence on the Road
Life on the Road Vanlife

Domicile for Nomads: Establishing a Legal Residence on the Road

ByJohn Serbell February 21, 2019July 12, 2022

How do you get a permanent address as a vanlifer, RVer, or nomad? We go over the options for setting up a legal address even when you travel full time.

Read More Domicile for Nomads: Establishing a Legal Residence on the RoadContinue

Mail and Packages on the Road: A Guide for Vanlife Nomads
Vanlife Life on the Road

Mail and Packages on the Road: A Guide for Vanlife Nomads

ByJohn Serbell February 18, 2019January 27, 2023

How do you get mail and packages without a fixed address? In this post we go over all the ins and outs of getting your mail on the road as a vanlifer. Read on!

Read More Mail and Packages on the Road: A Guide for Vanlife NomadsContinue

Mounting an ARB Awning on a High Top Van (Without a Roof Rack)
Our Build Van Build Van Build How-Tos

Mounting an ARB Awning on a High Top Van (Without a Roof Rack)

ByJohn Serbell August 27, 2018July 12, 2022

Trying to figure out how to mount an awning onto your van? We’ve got you covered. Read on to see how we mounted an ARB awning without a roof rack.

Read More Mounting an ARB Awning on a High Top Van (Without a Roof Rack)Continue

The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVs
Electrical & Solar Epic Guides Van Build

The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVs

ByJohn Serbell August 7, 2018July 12, 2022

It can be tough to find the best power inverter for your DIY campervan. Read our epic guide to inverters for everything you need to know for your build.

Read More The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVsContinue

Vanlife Mold Prevention and Redoing Our Floor: Tips and Lessons
Van Build Van Build How-Tos

Vanlife Mold Prevention and Redoing Our Floor: Tips and Lessons

ByJohn Serbell June 26, 2018July 20, 2022

Dealing with mold is every vanlifer’s worst nightmare. Read about how we dealt with a mold issue on our subfloor with some easy mold prevention strategies.

Read More Vanlife Mold Prevention and Redoing Our Floor: Tips and LessonsContinue

Insulating Your Van: Everything You Need to Know for Your DIY Van Build
Van Build Epic Guides Heating & Cooling

Insulating Your Van: Everything You Need to Know for Your DIY Van Build

ByJohn Serbell January 24, 2018July 12, 2022

Confused about how best to insulate your van? Our guide breaks it all down for you! From the best materials, to how insulation works, to step-by-step instructions, to answers to common questions – everything you need is right here!

Read More Insulating Your Van: Everything You Need to Know for Your DIY Van BuildContinue

5 Things We’d Change About Our Van Build (and 5 We Wouldn’t)
Our Build Van Build

5 Things We’d Change About Our Van Build (and 5 We Wouldn’t)

ByJohn Serbell November 6, 2017July 20, 2022

After 7 months of living in our van, we know what works and what doesn’t. Here’s 5 things we’d change about our build, and 5 things we’ll never change.

Read More 5 Things We’d Change About Our Van Build (and 5 We Wouldn’t)Continue

Installing Our Water System: DIY Van Build Plumbing Made Easy
Our Build Van Build Van Build How-Tos

Installing Our Water System: DIY Van Build Plumbing Made Easy

ByJohn Serbell October 2, 2017July 12, 2022

Choosing and installing the water in your van can be intimidating. Read on for instructions on how we installed a foot pump system in our DIY van build.

Read More Installing Our Water System: DIY Van Build Plumbing Made EasyContinue

On the Road with Our Fan-Tastic Vent: Would We Buy it Again?
Van Build Heating & Cooling Our Build

On the Road with Our Fan-Tastic Vent: Would We Buy it Again?

ByJohn Serbell August 14, 2017July 12, 2022

The Fan-Tastic Vent is highly recommended among RVers. But is it the best choice of vent fan if you live in your vehicle full time? Read on to find out!

Read More On the Road with Our Fan-Tastic Vent: Would We Buy it Again?Continue

How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount Out of PVC
Electrical & Solar Van Build Van Build How-Tos

How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount Out of PVC

ByJohn Serbell June 1, 2017July 12, 2022

Check out our guide on how to make a portable solar panel tilt mount out of PVC and zip ties. Complete with quick-connect wiring. Perfect for van life.

Read More How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount Out of PVCContinue

How to Build a Plywood Battery Box for a DIY Van Conversion
Electrical & Solar Our Build Van Build Van Build How-Tos

How to Build a Plywood Battery Box for a DIY Van Conversion

ByJohn Serbell May 15, 2017July 12, 2022

Modern AGM batteries are uber-safe, but there are still many good reasons for a battery box. See how we built a plywood battery box for our van build!

Read More How to Build a Plywood Battery Box for a DIY Van ConversionContinue

How to Fit a Queen-sized Bed in Your Van: Badass Pullout Bed Frame Design
Our Build Van Build Van Build How-Tos

How to Fit a Queen-sized Bed in Your Van: Badass Pullout Bed Frame Design

ByJohn Serbell May 1, 2017January 23, 2023

A queen sized bed? IN A VAN?!? Read our in-depth post to see how we managed to fit a big, comfy bed in our van build and still have plenty of space.

Read More How to Fit a Queen-sized Bed in Your Van: Badass Pullout Bed Frame DesignContinue

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