Live in a Van

You can make the most of your time living in a van with the right planning. Be resourceful by visiting local businesses, parks, and other spots for access to amenities like water, showers, and WiFi. Focus on staying warm and parking in safe areas at night. Create a comfortable living area by maximizing the space in your van and modifying it if you can.

Steps

Covering Your Basic Needs

1. Refill a large container as you go to keep a regular water supply. If you have a very large, RV-like van it may have refillable water tanks. If not, purchase a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} water bottle and refill it as needed for drinking water, basic hygiene, and other uses. Water fountains can be found easily in local parks and rest areas, or you can fill up for a few cents per liter at a grocery store.
2. Visit a gym to shower and exercise. If you are living in a van but sticking around the same city, purchase a gym membership. This will allow you to take regular showers and to exert some energy that may be built up from living in a small space. If you are living on the road, most gyms offer day passes for a few dollars.
3. Do your laundry at laundromats or campsites. Although hand washing your clothing is an option, it is less time-consuming and tedious to use washers and dryers whenever possible. Visit laundromats for relatively cheap laundry services. For a few extra dollars, you can also opt to spend a day at a fully-equipped campsite featuring laundry facilities.
4. Stay warm with an insulated sleeping bag and hot water bottle. Your best best for staying warm in your van during cold spells is to get an insulated sleeping bag designed for zero degree weather. As an alternative, try layering a thick woolen blanket under a foil thermal camping blanket. Hot water bottles can provide heat for hours without a need for any fire or electricity.
   • You can fill your hot water bottle with water heated over a campfire, or hot water from the sink in a public restroom.
   • Thermal sleeping bags and camping blankets can be purchased at camping stores.
5. Visit cafes, libraries, or other businesses to use free Wi-Fi. Stay tuned into the online world by finding businesses, community centers, and other spots offering free Wi-Fi. This will also give you an excuse to spend some time outside of the van for however long you wish. Relying on your mobile data plan for internet access will add up quickly, so take advantage of any free Wi-Fi opportunities you come across.
6. Tell your loved ones that you plan to live in a van to get their support. While it is possible that friends and family will judge you for deciding to live in a van, it is important to inform them about this life change. They may be able to offer help and support if you need it, such as a place to park your van occasionally. Be positive and confident when you tell them to alleviate any concern or worry about your new lifestyle.
7. Forward your mail to family or friends, get a P.O. box, or use commercial carriers. Ask friends if you can have your mail forwarded to their address so that they can send important correspondence to you. If this is not a possibility, you can rent a P.O. box at your local post office to receive general mail. To receive parcels, you can arrange to have them sent to a local commercial carrier like Fedex or UPS store for a fee.
   • Unlike P.O. boxes, you can receive mail and parcels from all carriers with a UPS box.
   • Call commercial carriers to arrange the service before ordering any packages.

Finding Places to Park

1. Look for free campsites if you are parking in the wilderness. Look online for spots to park your van that will not cost you anything. Such sites can be found on public land, often in the vicinity of national parks. Note that these sites will not provide electricity or amenities of any kind.
   • To find national parks and nearby campsites, visit https://www.nps.gov/index.htm.
2. Park on a residential street in suburban areas, if the law permits. If you are staying overnight in the suburbs, check the parking signs to make sure you can park your van legally. Some streets may have permit-only parking, which will result in pricey tickets. Be as inconspicuous as possible so that local residents don't take issue with your presence.
3. Park in the lots of 24-hour businesses if residential areas aren't an option. Hotels, motels, 24-hour grocery stores, and other businesses that are open all night will provide you with a good free parking option. Aim to drive into the lot when it is already relatively late to avoid attracting attention, as parking overnight may be frowned upon by management. Park in a discreet place, out of the way of customers' vehicles, and avoid creating any kind of disturbance.
   • Staying close to a 24-hour business will also offer security in the event that you need assistance.

Using the Space Wisely

1. Store a folding table, chairs, and dishes in the van. Ensure that you have the basic items necessary to enjoy a meal comfortably while living in your van. Pack 2-4 plates, glasses, mugs, and bowls, and the same number of forks, knives, and spoons. Bring a medium-sized folding table and folding chairs to set up outside of your van.
   • Store your breakable dishes in a large plastic container, separated with bubble wrap or towels to keep them from breaking while the van is moving.
2. Bring only basic cooking items to save space. Do not pack a variety of kitchen tools when moving into a van, since they will take up place and likely will not all be used. Make sure to pack a frying pan, small pot, and spatula. You can also bring a sharp knife and small cutting board for simple meal preparations.
3. Use a pillow and a set of minimal bedding. As a general rule, it is best to bring only 1 pillow per person and 1 set of bedding. Basic bedding should include a fitted bottom sheet, a warm blanket, and pillowcases. Depending on the temperature you are living in, you may opt to bring 1 light blanket and 1 extra warm blanket for cold months.
   • Wash your sheet and pillowcases at least once every 2 weeks, wherever you do the rest of your laundry.
4. Create storage space by stacking bins in a designated spot. The best way to pack and protect you belongings while living in a van is by using plastic storage bins. Designate bins for kitchen items, toiletries, clothing, or other important items. To keep them out of the way, stack them in a corner of the van and cover them with a tarp or blanket.
   • To keep them from toppling over, secure the bins with tie-down straps, bungee cords, or rope.
5. Build shelves or cabinets for storage for more permanent storage. Attach shelving high on the inside walls of your van to store small, everyday items like cookware, toiletries, books, or tools. Shelves should be screwed securely into the metal walls of them van and reinforced with brackets to ensure that they stay put. Alternatively, you can attach sturdy net pouches to store lighter items.

Upgrading Your Van

1. Add insulation to the van to maintain a comfortable temperature. Insulation will help you retain warm air in your van on cold nights and cool air inside during hot weather. Purchase styrofoam or polystyrene panels to attach to the interior walls of your van. Because these are rigid and will miss corners or curved spots, purchase insulation sheets to cover the gaps.
   • While you can insulate the interior of your van with insulation sheeting only, combining the panels and sheeting is a much more cost-effective option.
   • Use spray-on or brush-on adhesive to attach insulation the the walls of your van.
   • Flexible blanket insulation is also an option, but it is bulkier.
2. Install a composting toilet. A composting toilet is a good option for adding a portable toilet to your van. Composting toilets trap waste in an airtight drum, where it is composted and later deposited into the soil. If used properly, these toilets should be relatively odor-free.
   • There are several different models of composting toilets available. Opt for a lighter model with a locking system that will hold the compost drum upright while you are driving the van.
   • Follow the instructions on your composting toilet carefully when installing it in your van.
3. Put in a ceiling vent for better air circulation. A ceiling vent will provide better airflow through your van than simply opening the doors or windows will, and it is a more secure option. Purchase a vent online or at a hardware store. Use an electric jigsaw to cut out a space in your van's roof that is the same size as your vent, then insert the vent and apply sealant around it with a caulking gun.
4. Add lightweight, weather-resistant solar panels to the roof for power. If you wish to power a fridge, television, computer, or other amenities in your van, buying a monocrystalline solar panel is the way to go. Drill the panel onto your roof securely and add grommets for the extension cords. Add weather-proof caulking around the grommets.
   • Solar panels can be purchased online or in hardware stores.
5. Install a counter and a gas or electric cook top to make meals with. To cook in your van, you will need to install counter space to place a cook top on. For an easy option that is best for minimal cooking, install a small, electric cook top which can be placed directly on the counter. For more extensive use, install a drop-in or slide-in cook top that will connect to gas lines and a small gas tank under the counter.
6. Position a bed in your van in a space-efficient way. Depending on the size of your van, your sleeping options may be limited. If your van is wide enough, try installing a bed horizontally behind the driver and passenger seats, leaving room between the bed and the back doors. Alternatively, you can place a small bed vertically behind either the driver or passenger's seat, flush against one side of the van.

Tips

• Be sure to always lock you doors at night to keep yourself safe.
• Have your mail forwarded to a P.O. box or loved one's house.
• Keep a spare tire and tools in your van at all times in case of emergencies.

Quick Summary

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