"Van Life": Does it make sense in current times?

[Mark7]

I have looked into the 'van life' craze. It's not really a craze; it's what some people have to do to survive these days. It makes a lot of sense. By living in a van, you cut a lot of unnecessary stuff. The inherent constraints force a minimalist take on life. I lived in a camper myself for a few months, it's not that bad with a little mental discipline... What do you really need? Considering the available surface area, current solar cells on top of a van could deliver about 400 watts of continuous power... which could be stored in batteries, 2 state-of-the-art solar arrays can produce about 400 watts of continuous power during sunny or a little less during partially sunny days, which is not anything to sneeze at. Think of 2 incandescent bulbs burning brightly - that's a lot of energy. Store that energy with a couple of high-capacity batteries that could deliver enough energy to provide for lighting, some cooking, and computers. Add a propane stove for cooking most of the time. A powerful roof fan. A bed. What else does one need? They have portable showers and cassette toilets. Internet options are available. Many people are already working online and living in a van. If one doesnt do online stuff there are plenty of other opportunities for earning a living/making money for expenses. Van Life is a cheap way to live.

Minimalist living is cheap, with the ability to travel if the current local environment gets rough. "Van Life" is becoming hugely popular out of necessity. Is it a viable alternative for some members of the forum? Who's interested?

This veteran of van life seems to have a good take:

 

[gdpetti]

It is cheap depending upon how you like to live etc. If you're near the beach, lake, river, then most of those spots charge rates per night like a campground. Watching the vids gets you ready, but like most things, until you do it, it doesn't sink in. Once you learn the basics like watching your battery meter, especially with a DIY, or keeping the solar panels clean enough to work, what size frig you want etc, then the rest gets rather easy. Things break, wear out like in any home/rental situation, but overall, much cheaper especially if you're boondocking in the West... trying to stay in the 70s to avoid the cold in winter and heat in summer. You get used to the visuals out the windows, which is usually nice. You have to choose windows or not, type of power for cooking etc. The whole thing makes you learn a little about most aspects in any house setup from plumbing to electrical etc. You have to learn what you like or prefer, and if doing a self-build, it's usually better to figure out what you want and where and setup the electrical first. So sound insulation isn't really necessary as you won't hear much after you install counters etc., and with the radio on while driving, you won't hear much else... so that was a waste, which is why most do a second build... after figuring out what they want.

Temps here are set to rise 30 to 38 degrees above normal, so time to head north tomorrow for a week. If you're thinking of A/C, you're looking at a rig that will probably spend time in RV lots, which is like paying rent. It all depends upon you're wants/needs etc. The lots are like parking lots essentially, while boondocking means you have to watch your water levels mostly depending upon what size water tank you get. Lot of little variables like that. It's different, but everything becomes the norm after a while.

 

[Mark7]

It is cheap depending upon how you like to live etc. If you're near the beach, lake, river, then most of those spots charge rates per night like a campground. Watching the vids gets you ready, but like most things, until you do it, it doesn't sink in. Once you learn the basics like watching your battery meter, especially with a DIY, or keeping the solar panels clean enough to work, what size frig you want etc, then the rest gets rather easy. Things break, wear out like in any home/rental situation, but overall, much cheaper especially if you're boondocking in the West... trying to stay in the 70s to avoid the cold in winter and heat in summer. You get used to the visuals out the windows, which is usually nice. You have to choose windows or not, type of power for cooking etc. The whole thing makes you learn a little about most aspects in any house setup from plumbing to electrical etc. You have to learn what you like or prefer, and if doing a self-build, it's usually better to figure out what you want and where and setup the electrical first. So sound insulation isn't really necessary as you won't hear much after you install counters etc., and with the radio on while driving, you won't hear much else... so that was a waste, which is why most do a second build... after figuring out what they want.

Temps here are set to rise 30 to 38 degrees above normal, so time to head north tomorrow for a week. If you're thinking of A/C, you're looking at a rig that will probably spend time in RV lots, which is like paying rent. It all depends upon you're wants/needs etc. The lots are like parking lots essentially, while boondocking means you have to watch your water levels mostly depending upon what size water tank you get. Lot of little variables like that. It's different, but everything becomes the norm after a while.

Wow, sounds like you are living the life already, or at least been there, done that. Thanks!