Jackery Explorer 1000 Review: Is This a Legit Option for Vanlife?
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!
Why I Chose a Chevy Van for Van Life
Are Chevy vans the best van to live in? Christopher Ives details his life in an AWD Chevy Express, which he used as a base for his eco-friendly build.
Why I Chose A Nissan NV for Van Life
Nissan NV vans are less well-known, but they can be a great option for full time van life. Lisa Jacobs shares her experience living in her Nissan NV2500.
Why We Chose a Badass Truck Camper for Van Life
Is van life best lived in a truck camper? To help you decide, one couple talks about the pros and cons of living in their flatbed off road truck camper.
Why We Chose a Toyota RV for Van Life
Is a Toyota RV a good vehicle for vanlife? To help you decide, one couple details their experience living and traveling in a Toyota motorhome.
Why We Chose a Volkswagen Vanagon for Van Life
Are the iconic Volkswagen Vanagons the ultimate van life vehicle? One couple talks about their experience living full time in a 1985 VW Vanagon.
Why I Chose a Ford Transit for Van Life
Is the Ford Transit the best van for van life? Sydney Ferbrache writes about the pros and cons of living full time in a self-converted Ford Transit.
Why I Chose a Sprinter Van for Van Life
Is a Mercedes Sprinter the best van for van life? Kaya Lindsay of One Chick Travels talks about the pros and cons of her Sprinter van dwelling.
Why We Chose a Dodge Promaster for Van Life
Is the Dodge Promaster the best van for vanlife? This post breaks down the pros/cons of living in a Promaster, so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Mounting an ARB Awning on a High Top Van (Without a Roof Rack)
We didn’t install a roof rack when we built our van. At the time, we didn’t see the need for one. “Our roof is going to be taken over by solar panels and a vent fan,” we thought. “There’s no reason for us to get a roof rack.” How wrong we were. We know now…
The Best 12V Power Inverters for DIY Campervans and RVs
It’s tough to live without electricity in today’s world, even when you’re traveling in a van. And if you want to keep your laptop charged, or if you like to make super healthy smoothies for breakfast, or if you prefer to freshly grind your coffee every morning – you need an inverter. An inverter is…
Vanlife Mold Prevention and Redoing Our Floor: Tips and Lessons
It’s every vanlifer’s worst nightmare. There’s a leak somewhere, and a good rainstorm brings a steady drip of water that might not seem like a big deal at first. But that water ends up leaching into some dark, unventilated corner of your van, and before you know it you’ve got a mold problem. This is…
Refrigeration on the Road: The Best 12V Portable Fridges for Vanlife
There’s nothing like having a refrigerator in your van to really bring the comforts of home on the road. Refrigeration means you can store fresh food and other cold items – like vegetables, dairy, meat, “booch,” and beer. It means you don’t have to fuss with a cooler full of ice and water-logged food. And…
Epic Guide to DIY Van Build Electrical: How to Install a Campervan Solar Electrical System
When we first started thinking about our vanlife electrical system and buying our components, we had a lot of questions. We researched online, read other van build blogs and forum posts, and watched Youtube videos. Some were very helpful, but many left us with a swirl of even more questions. We were learning a lot…
Why We Chose a High Top Conversion Van for Van Life
High top conversion vans are the perfect combination of interior space, low cost, and reliability. Does that make them the best vans for vanlife?
Insulating Your Van: Everything You Need to Know for Your DIY Van Build
If you want to stay comfortable in your van no matter the weather, you need to insulate. Insulation is one of the most important steps of any van build, and it pays to take the time to do it right. There’s also a lot of confusion and debate over the best way to insulate a…
5 Things We’d Change About Our Van Build (and 5 We Wouldn’t)
It’s officially November, and for us that means it’s time for some anniversary celebrations! A year ago we launched this blog, quit our jobs, and jumped full steam into our van build. We’re also well past six months on the road, and we thought it would be helpful to reflect on what we’ve learned about…
Vanlife Essentials: Installing a Smart Battery Isolator
Having solar power in your van is just plain awesome. It means you can live completely off the grid with lights, a fridge, phones and computers – all while not worrying about electric bills or power outages. But sometimes solar power just isn’t enough, especially if your budget doesn’t allow you to throw down for…
Installing Our Water System: DIY Van Build Plumbing Made Easy
If you plan on going off grid for any length of time, you need water in your van. And if you like to cook as much as we do, you’ll also want a sink for washing dishes and a way to catch waste water. But how do you go about setting all of this up?…
On the Road with Our Fan-Tastic Vent: Would We Buy it Again?
It’s now been over four months since we left our old lives behind and hit the road in our van. Since then we’ve learned a lot about what features we do and don’t need, and what actually works best when you live in a vehicle full time. As soon as we hit the road, we…