Seven Tips for Successful Van Life Vacations
/If you’re exploring new ways to take to the open road for a long weekend or an extended trip, consider an adventure off the beaten path. A travel experience, unlike the average vacation, with scenes accessed only by roads less traveled, this is the lure of the camper van lifestyle. From desert landscapes to remote beaches and snow-topped mountain passes, van life offers a unique journey.
The options and amenities available with camper vans are far different than in years past. Our old camper hitched onto the back of a Plymouth Volare, with two beds sliding out to the side to sleep: no kitchen, table, or extras. Now, you can outfit a vehicle to your specific needs. While a camper van has a desired rugged appeal, it also allows certain luxuries to come along for the ride.
a Red & rugged custom serving board that doubles as a traveling sink cover.
You may be curious about exploring by van or researching to see if it’s for you. We asked one of our long-time customers, who recently began their van life adventures, to share a few tips and recommendations. This couple recently returned from a cross-country trip in their Ford Transit 250 Hi-Top, an AWD vehicle they fondly call, The LukeNest. Many thanks to @betluke for sharing the following thoughtful tips.
Here are seven tips, along with a few resources, to help you decide if van life is your road to more inspiring travel:
If you think camping in a van or an RV is for you, rent one first. We rented four different vans over the course of a few years before buying one. We learned a lot about van design preferences and which amenities we really wanted by doing this.
Go on a trip longer than a weekend to make sure you like your camping partner(s) enough to be in a small space for an extended period of time.
Mapping the trip. How many hours a day do you want to drive? Whatever your map app says it’s going to take, add at least an hour for stops. So many car trips are just about getting to a destination. Being in a van can be about the whole experience - or not.
Meal planning. You can actually cook good meals in a van, depending on your kitchen setup. We cook a lot of one-pot meals to conserve the number of dishes we then have to wash (which also conserves water). The quick rice packets are handy to add to, soups are easy too. Believe it or not, instant coffee works well. This is not a brand endorsement, but the Starbucks packets of instant coffee taste good and are so easy. There are many kinds available now, so try a few. Maybe your local coffee shop is making some?
Finding camping spots. There are several kinds - State Parks, National Parks, dispersed camping, State Recreational Areas, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to name a few. What part of the country you are in will likely influence where and how you camp, also the kind of vehicle you have. If you need hook-ups for an RV, you will be in parks that have more amenities or a private RV park. Another thing I Iearned along the way is how often your camping partner (and you) “need” to take a shower influences where you stay. All National Park reservations are handled online; make them early. Most states have some kind of online reservation system too. There are also several apps that can be used, e.g., Harvest Host, The Dyrt, and iOverlander.
Be ready to chat. People who are traveling generally like to engage in conversation. This will happen most anywhere you stop, especially in Rest Areas. Be open to chatting. You learn stuff.
Packing preferences. You probably need less than you are trying to pack. A key item is shower shoes, though. A variety of items that can be layered and worn singly is useful. Take your puffy vest unless you are starting and ending in the summer and will not be in the mountains.
Consider the above points before you drive into the sunset in a new van. Be honest about your preferred travel style(s) and what you want to accomplish on a trip. The answers to these questions will clarify if camper van travel is a route you want to take.
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