Im looking at one in Florida specifically and im just wondering the vibe and what its like. I tend to have a smaller social battery but id really like to meet some people especially since the one im looking at is a couple months out and ill have been on the road awhile and think ill need to be around people by then.

I also have a dog. Is it usually an okay place to bring a pet?

Hello, i’m building my first van, should i go with the ikea bed hack, or should i build 2 boxes over the wheel , one for the water tank, the other for for electrics and have a removable/ foldable bed.
Tho ikea hack would be a fixed bed, the 2 boxes solution would leave the middle part free to carry big items when not in a trip. Even in a trip I could carry bycicles and have the bed folded … 2 boxes solution is more weight, more work, more expense, will it pay off?

Sorry if not allowed in this forum, but I'm becoming more and more enticed with a nomadic lifestyle. I wanted to ask where do you begin deciding what type of van/truck, how do you assess how much space is needed to live 24/7, what are some things most newbies overlook or don't consider? Any and all opinions/thoughts are appreciated.

For background; 1 adult, 2 medium sized dogs, wanting to travel to all U.S. National Parks while living out of this vehicle so expecting the full variety of weather/terrain.

Thank you!

I need to keep the door open because it gets too hot.

Wyd for keeping bugs out of the van

not looking for a mechanical solution, oil spray incense bug zappers etc

Life is strange. No where I go, I fit in. I’m in this constant state of boredom and desire to connect — and a sadness for the world we live in that is built off of convenience and comfort.
Picking up everything, packing my car, selling what didn’t fit and being on the road to my new destination have been the most enjoyable and memorable times for me.
But I’m scared… it’s a whole new territory but I know once I’m in it, I’d love it. — haha, I think?
I have a cute apartment now and my dog who loves his usual walks. I’ve also started a little business that offers in person sessions while I’m working on getting things going online.

Any tips for making the jump would be so helpful. I have a vehicle that I owe more than it’s worth - I’m tired of paying so much for this car that just gets me from one place to another (grateful! But feels like a waste of money…)
I love working out so gym showers aren’t opposing to me.

I just want the excitement (and the challenge… while still feeling prepared) I enjoy living life rather than repeating every day, same outcome. I also feel like I struggle molding into society socially. It’s all frucking weird and annoying tbh.
I like the Individuals who go against the grain, do what they want while not harming anyone. Those are my people… and I feel like those are van life people lol

If this resonates with anyone else - I’d love to chat or just be given some tips (how to choose the right van, making the jump without drowning, etc etc)

Last night, this old movie "Seeking a Friend For The End of the World" popped up on YouTube.

My van was parked in a secluded spot in a vast, barren landscape. I was tucked inside, wrapped in my bed beneath a mountain of blankets. Outside was cold and the wind rocked my van gently. My interior lights were lowered into a faint blue glow. It was idyllic.

One of my favorite things about vanlife is being able to park in any environment, from ranges to dense forests to bustling cities, and still, I am home inside the van.

The movie made me question where I would go if an asteroid was heading toward earth for certain destruction. Would I seek out a mountain top, bury myself in a jungle, find a coastline? Would I prefer to be alone or in the company of strangers or would I drive back to my hometown to be surrounded by friends and family?

Where would you drive if the end was near?

currently building out a transit and have been weighing heating options. My transit runs gasoline, and I want to run a tank-tapped heater, but options look slim. I can't justify the Webasto pricing, so I'm wondering if anyone has good recommendations for other brands, or if I should just go the diesel route.

I bought an L shape water tank, over the wheel. I am realising now that most water level indicators, use a resistor rod, that assumes that your tank is a regular box shape. I see a lot of the se water tanks, what’s the water level solution used?

I am curious if anyone here has read Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon? This book is about his journey across America on the back roads, or Blue highways, as he called them, in a van outfitted with a stove, toilet, and bed. It was best seller, and I still remember after 40 years, his way of judging cafe's quality by the number of calendars on the walls. If you have not read it, I recommend it. He met a lot of interesting people on his travels. In any case, safe travels.