Cover the Basics – Living and Travelling in a Converted Van 101

Whether you are in your van every day of the year or once a month, knowing the basics can truly elevate your experience. Starting at the very beginning of your journey, we will explain a few of the basics that will help make your van life the best it can be.

Choosing the Right Van for You

This can seem daunting when you first begin your research, so we always advise taking a deep breath, and give yourself time to decide on which works best for you. The right answer will vary for each person, depending on a multitude of factors. To make this process a little easier we have made the perfect guide to choosing the best fit for you! Follow along with our guide to decide what works for you and your adventures.

The Perfect Conversion

Now this is where we are completely honest with you about some of the negatives of van living. Converting a van can be both time consuming and overwhelming, but it is also the most important step. This is because you need to make sure you have everything you want and need in your van, otherwise you are in for a rough ride. The good news is, this is where we step in, once you have decided on the best van for you, we will work together to design a bespoke conversion for you. This may be both the easiest and hardest step of all as this is where you can decide what you are looking for in your dream van. When researching it is common to find lots of different options and ideas, leaving you with a big pool to choose from. Don’t panic though, as our team is here to help you along this exciting conversion journey. With our wide knowledge and expertise, you can count on us to create the perfect van for you and your needs. Looking for inspiration? Take a look through some examples of our previous conversions. We look forward to helping make your van dreams come to life!

Preparing for Each Season

Being caught off guard with sudden weather changes can happen to anyone, but these are often a lot harder to deal with when travelling. By ensuring you are prepared for each season you can relax and enjoy your time in nature, knowing you are ready for anything. The main culprit for making van living a little tougher is always going to be Winter, with the temperatures dropping and sudden storms, it can cause havoc on your plans. The first step to making sure you are prepared is to plan ahead, be aware of the routes you plan to take and make note of any possible issues which could arise from these routes. For example, travelling near water, is there a chance of flooding? When travelling through a wooded area, is there potential of trees and debris falling onto the road? If you are knowledgeable of the main problems which could occur it will cause less panic and stress when you need to fall to Plan B. It is also important to remember to have a stocked-up emergency kit, so should you get stuck during a bad weather spell, you are always ready. The camping basics we would recommend keeping with you are:

• Charged Battery Packs
• Blankets
• Change of Clothes
• First Aid Kit
• Food & Water
• Torches (with spare batteries)

Something as simple as a small box containing these essentials could very well come in handy when you need it most, so we recommend having this ready to go at all times.

Top Tip – Don’t forget to replenish it every now and again to ensure everything stays in the best condition!

Eco-Conscious Living

With everyone aiming to be sustainable in their day-to-day lives, Van life is a great way to do just that. From the materials used, to the speed you drive, there are so many ways you can live a more sustainable life without even realising it. Starting with the basics, being aware of your surroundings.

When out in nature, there are many beautiful creatures we are sharing the space with, so it is essential that we respect the spaces we occupy. Always remember, we are visiting their homes so we must leave it as we found it. This includes cleaning up any litter, not trespassing in restricted areas and being wary of any growths and vegetation. Another simple, yet effective, step to take is monitoring your driving speed. By driving slower and staying in areas a day or two longer you are significantly lowering your carbon emissions and saving on fuel. It has become clear over recent years, through various trials and studies, that by driving at a slower yet steadier pace will result in lower emissions. Meaning you can continue your adventures whilst causing less pollution. This is also the perfect excuse to stay in the places you visit that little bit longer, allowing you to take in more of the sites and relax before moving on to your next spot. It is important to remember to enjoy each moment. These are just some of the small steps we each can take to ensure the environment around us continues to flourish, meaning we can explore it for years to come.

So, whether it is for personal freedom, to see new sights or to disconnect from the world, there will always be ups and downs to van living. However, it is important to remember to enjoy each moment, and the more research you do the better prepared you will be. There are many more tips, tricks and advice we can’t wait to share with you as we continue to share our knowledge. What are you waiting for? Enquire with us today so you can kickstart your next adventure!

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