A growing trend in recent years has been people selling their homes or moving out of their apartments to live in a van. In 2019, there were an estimated 140,000 people living in recreational vehicles. It’s a radical change of lifestyle. Van life is certainly not for everyone, and it’s probably safe to say that the majority of people would not take to it.
But there are more than a few adventurous souls who enjoy it. If you are considering ditching a house to reside in a vehicle, there are things you need to learn.
Staying Warm
It’s going to get cold sometimes, especially in winter in colder climates. Granted, it’s a van. You can drive to a warmer region for winter, but you will still have cold mornings or evenings at least once in a while.
The standard heating system that vehicles come out of the factory with is not sufficient. You have to run the engine to operate it. This brings on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and will cost you a fortune in gas.
If you are serious about living in your van, you will need a heater. Two of the basic types are diesel or electric. There are also heaters that run on propane. Each type has its pros and cons. You can decide for yourself which is right for you.
1. Diesel
Diesel heaters are very efficient and do an excellent job of heating your van. They don’t use as much fuel as gas heaters and if your van runs on diesel, you can connect the heater to your fuel tank. Diesel fuel is generally less expensive than gasoline and emits less carbon dioxide.
These heaters will run at very low temperatures which is helpful if you plan to winter in colder climates. You don’t need a license to install a diesel heater in your van and you have a wide range of temperature control.
On the downside, diesel heaters are expensive. The money they save you on fuel can help pay for the heater over time but be prepared for a large initial outlay of cash.
Diesel heaters tend to be loud and can give off smoke when they are first started. This can be a problem if you are parked in a campground or van park with others nearby. Diesel engines also use more electricity so you may need a solar panel to help supply sufficient juice.
2. Electric
Electric heaters are inexpensive and very easy to use. They are safe and have no emissions of carbon monoxide or any type of smoke. They are also easily portable. While these features may make choosing an electric heater a no-brainer, consider the cons.
Because they run on electricity, these heaters require a constant power source. This is fine if you are going to be living on campgrounds that provide electricity, but if you’ll be living more remotely, you run into the problem of needing power.
You can’t run your van’s engine for long periods and a generator will require gas or diesel. In that case, you may as well get a diesel heater. If you have solar panels and can produce the needed power that way, an electric heater may be a good option.
3. Propane
One of the biggest pluses of a propane van heater is that it does not require any electricity. You can use one anytime, anywhere, as long as you have the fuel. If your van has a supply of propane for a stove, you can tap into it to run the heater.
Propane heaters are inexpensive to purchase and cost-effective to run. They work even when the temperature drops significantly and they run quietly.
Like the other heaters, propane does have its downside. These heaters require ventilation, something that cannot be overlooked as they emit carbon monoxide. They also create considerable condensation and present a risk of fire. Before purchasing a propane heater, consider all of these things and how you will deal with them.
Lack of Space
Vans provide very little living space. Many people yearn for a bigger home and more storage. The rise in popularity of tiny homes demonstrates that there are quite a few who are happy with less space. Less to clean and less to manage.
Keep in mind, that even the largest of vans is smaller than the average tiny house. You probably won’t have the privacy of separate rooms and walking around inside a van can be very uncomfortable. Be sure you can be happy living in the confines of a van. Perhaps taking a vacation for a week or two to give it a try is something you can do to help decide if van life is really for you.
Adventures
One of the biggest appeals of van life is that you can travel at will, without ever leaving home. Rather than just seeing airports and hotels, you can really see the places you visit, hitting local restaurants, shops, and other attractions. There really is no downside here for people who love adventure and going where the wind takes them.
Van life is increasing in popularity. For people who don’t need much space, and love freedom and adventure, as well as the spirit of the open road, living in an RV might be their ideal lifestyle. If you are tempted to give it a whirl, carefully consider all the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision that you will be less likely to regret.
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