So, you've decided you want a little piece of heaven on wheels... congratulations! Now you've made the best decision of your life, it's time to decide what you need and get hunting.
OK, hands up, who dreams of life on the road in a vintage split screen VW? I certainly did... it's the ultimate image of chilled summers filled with adventure, but how practical are they, and will it suit what you want a van for?
Everyone is different and everyone's van needs will also be different; so to ensure you get the right van for you, let's consider a few key things to help you make the best choice.
Sleeping... Do you plan to sleep in your van, or is it more for getting to a location where you can pitch a tent or an awning? If you want to sleep inside the van, how many of you do you need to fit? Are there pets to consider, where will they sleep?
If you are going to sleep inside the van, you need to decide if you want a fixed bed (so you can just roll on in at night), or a pull out bed (rock and roll, or convertible benches)... personally the idea of having to make a bed up each night was far too stressful, so I opted for a fixed bed which I built and installed widthways at the back of my van. If you go for a fixed bed, do you want it high up so you can store stuff underneath, can you fit widthways (you need to be 5'6" or under generally!) or does it need to be built lengthways? If you have kids, think about installing hammocks in the cab area, or have an extra bed using bench seats etc. There are so many clever ways to create sleeping areas, both fixed and temporary. A friend of mine has an amazing double bunk bed system in his van to sleep the four of them.
Cooking... I love to cook, so having a dedicated space to cook inside my van was essential. Outdoor cooking is amazing but what about when it's chucking down with rain, blowing a gale or you just want to make a quick mug of coffee in the morning without leaving the comfort of your van?!
If, like me, you've decided you need cooking facilities inside your van, next have a think about whether you want a permanent set up or just an area to get a portable camping stove out and do the business. I found the biggest issue for me was worktop space; when I first got my van I spent months just bimbling around with a mattress in the back and a camping stove set up on my collapsible table... It soon became apparent that I needed a fixed cooker and space to prep my food. It's amazing how much space a chopping board, plate and a pan take up! Finally think about powering your stove, gas is the simplest and easiest to set up and if you get a camping stove you can pretty much plug in and go... But be wary of where you store your gas, a gas locker is a sensible investment. This stores your gas canister securely and vents it to the outside in case of any leaks. Also ensure you install a Carbon Monoxide detector and only cook in a well ventilated space.
Ablutions... Ah the big question on everyone's lips, 'where do you go to the toilet'. Well personally I go in my van. No no, it's ok, I have a loo! Originally I was all for building a shower room in my van, which would also house the toilet, but after living in my van for a while I just felt it didn't warrant the space it would take up; I preferred the van to feel more open. But many people do install bathrooms, in fact I've seen full blown baths in vans! If you do want a shower room, then this will majorly impact on your van. However, if you can get by with a bucket, porta loo, or using public WCs then you can be far more flexible with your van size.
For washing, I use the kitchen sink (well once it's installed - for now it's just a washing up bowl). You can easily strip wash and do your hair in a bowl. I also have a 12v plug in shower, which I store in the back of the van for al fresco showering... There are lots of options available but this, next to your sleeping plans, will have the biggest impact on the type of van you need.
Utilities... Ok, we've now decided on whether we need a bathroom and kitchen, and considered sleeping arrangements. Next we'll need power and heating... So, thinking about how you'll use the van, will help to decide what sort of power you will need. You could go old school and make do with a torch and some battery powered fairy lights to read and cook by, plus a few good blankets and thick pair of socks to keep you warm. But trust me, having heating and a good power supply makes life far more comfortable whilst in your van.
Therefore, it's definitely worth looking at having power in your van. The simplest option is a leisure battery charged by your alternator, not expensive and works perfectly well to power your lights and a 12v socket or two, to charge phones and run a water pump from etc. Or take it up a level and install some solar panels, these will also charge your leisure batteries alongside your alternator. This is what I did, and it means even if I don't drive anywhere for days, I still have 12v power. Another option is to consider adding a 240v hook up point (EHU). If you plan on staying at campsites, then this is a great option and means you can charge your batteries whilst parked up and also run 240v sockets for laptop charging, hairdryers and kettles if you so wish. I've got EHU but to be honest very rarely use it as I tend to just use 12v but it's nice to have in case there's no sun for ages...I mean we do live in the UK!
So that's your power sorted, but what about heating? Again, depending on where and when you plan to use your van, along with your budget, will impact your decisions on heating. If you are planning on running heating, a stove and a hot water heater, then gas is the way forward. It's expensive but an underslung tank is your friend here for ultimate vanlife luxury. You can also just install a standard bottle of gas to do this job, but consider storage and resupply if you are travelling a lot; especially in Europe. However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget or not bothering with hot water, then a diesel heater is perfect. It runs off your van's fuel tank, is inexpensive to install and heats the van beautifully. This is the route I went down and I'm super pleased with it. The final option is to install a wood burner. Great if you have the space and it does look and feel amazing. However, do think of the practicalities of this. You can't control the heat as easily, you need to carry extra fuel, you can't hop in and move at a moment's notice; plus, also consider the safety measures required and costs of installation.
Storage... Depending on how many bikes, surfboards and outdoor gear you own will significantly impact the storage you will want in your van! So consider whether you'll be wanting to carry all your equipment at the same time, or pack up for specific trips. As I live in my van, I needed to be able to cart all my 'stuff' around with me. Despite a serious declutter and selling, scrapping and giving away pretty much 90% of my belongings, I still needed to be able to fit a lot of kit in to my home on wheels; including bikes and all that goes with them, snowboarding kit, camping gear, dog stuff, clothes, food, cleaning products, tools, stuff to be creative, books, maps, cooking gear etc etc etc. It's surprising what you actually need in your life, but then it's very rewarding realising that a lot of what you've been holding on to for years isn't important too. To decide what you need, start with a good list, write down everything you think you'll need and then revisit it and whittle it down to about a third!
Solutions for storage are unlimited, from fancy storage cabinets, to good old fashioned boxes. The key is to be very organised, everything to have a place and only carry what you need. You could use the KonMari method to declutter ready for vanlife by simply holding each item you possess and asking 'does it spark joy?'... a great way to whittle down what you own. I simply asked three questions of each item I owned; 'have I used it this year?', 'does it make me happy?', 'would life be challenging/dangerous without it?'. This helped me get rid of all my unnecessary stuff I was hoarding and enable me to fit all my possessions in my van. Yes, I popped some art and photo albums in storage (aka my mum's), but otherwise what you see in my van is what I own; including a ball gown, because you just never know!
Driving and parking... How confident a driver are you? A van is bound to be bigger than your current vehicle, so bear in mind how you would feel driving something larger. Will you be exploring narrow country lanes, do you need to park at the supermarket or in town, and if not full time in your van, where will you store it at home? Personally, I find driving a large van easy; you may hit a curb or two in the first few weeks but you'll soon get used to handling a larger vehicle and reading the road better. If you're not a confident driver, why not sign up for a local driving course... practice makes perfect and in no time at all you'll be cruising around like a pro.
The biggest issue I have found is parking. You can't simply pull in to a normal car park without taking up extra spaces or having to search for a space with an overhang. So be prepared and don't panic; use your mirrors, take your time and you'll be fine. If you are really worried about this aspect, then go for a SWB van or classic VW, as these will fit in a normal car parking space.
Camping... So, you're all packed up and it's time to hit the road. Yippee! This is the best part. Where do you want to go? do you want to wild camp or use sites? If you want to wake up in the middle of nowhere, then wild camping is perfect. It can be a bit scary to start with, there's the worry of being moved on or being woken by wild animals or local boy racers, but the perks definitely outweigh the risks. Sitting in your van watching the sun set over an empty beach, looking up at the night sky and seeing a million stars, or waking up and drinking your coffee surrounded by open moors is heaven, and what vanlife is all about.
The best way to find a suitable place to park for the night is research, research, research... check out forums on social media, download apps like Park 4 Night, study Ordnance Survey maps, chat to other vanlifers and ask locals. Even better, drive around an area you're interested in and just see what's about.
Just remember the golden rules; always be respectful, be friendly, don't park near houses, don't block access roads, lanes or gates, don't block in a fellow van or their view (bloody annoying!), don't litter and ALWAYS leave a spot better than you found it.
We are so lucky in the UK to have some amazing campsites of all shapes and sizes. Whether you're looking for an all singing all dancing club site or a remote eco-friendly site in the hills, you won't be disappointed. Again, do your research, check out social media, use camp site search apps and if you love to use decent sites, then join the Caravan and Camping Club.
Sites will generally have EHU, chemical waste disposal points, fresh water and toilet/shower facilities. I love to use a site every so often to clean out my van, sort out my loo and water situation and enjoy a nice hot shower! Most sites also have washing facilities which are generally cheaper than launderettes, so a great chance to sort out your laundry so you don't have to keep hanging your pants on your wing mirrors to dry!
Again, even on a site remember to be respectful, friendly and tidy.
Types of vans... Finally, let us look at a few van options. There are hundreds of different options, but here are three of the most popular, along with what I consider to be the perks and dissadvantages of each. Of course, this is just my opinion and again we're all different!
VW campervan - This beautiful classic van is sexy, elegant and fun... it's perfect as a surf bus, day van or for the occasional over night trip. Whether a vintage classic or modern T6, generally they will have a rock and roll bed, which will sleep two and many will have a high roof or pop top which will sleep another one or two in a hammock or platform. They often have fitted kitchen units with an integrated sink and hob, and have storage underneath for gas and water. The water is normally pumped to the tap via a foot or hand pump and is cold only.
Storage space is short and so kit often needs to be stored inside the van and then moved once you arrive to camp up, or alternatively on the roof or back of the van. Once the bed is down, space within the van is very tight and will impact use of the kitchen area and access to kit. Another thing to consider is that if it doesn't have a pop top or high roof, you will spend your days stooped over, which isn't pleasant! However, you can get awnings, and most people using them at sites will set up a lounge area in the awning to free up space within the van.
The biggest downside though is that they are expensive to buy and run.
Motorhome - Available in all shapes and sizes, from one man sized to huge multi- family beasts; motorhomes are purpose-built homes on wheels. A bit like a caravan with an engine! There are so many options for layout and most (bar the really small ones) will have a fitted kitchen with a hob and oven, plus a shower room. Generally, they will have leisure batteries and EHU, plus gas heating installed. The beds are often converted from the seating area to form a double or two singles, but larger motorhomes also offer fixed beds and even separate bedrooms. Vans like the one in this picture also have a bed area over the cab, great for kids or extra storage. Again, like the VW, storage for bulky items such as bikes and boards is limited and often require storing on the back of the van or the roof. However, the internal storage for clothes, books, board games, food etc. is fantastic, with lots of purpose built cupboards and closets. Many even have a TV!
For me, the only real downside to these great purpose-built vans, is that they are lacking a little personality... No offence meant at all, as they are fantastic vehicles if you are looking for a great holiday home, but for me they are very structured in the way the interiors are laid out and feel a little formal and as such, lack that homely vibe, regardless of the amount of bunting and soft furnishings added.
Build your own - The humble panel van can become whatever you want it to be; a luxury race van, rustic lodge or sleek and sexy modern home on wheels. With plenty of models and sizes on the market, you can choose the base van which best fits your needs. You can choose a SWB, MWB or LWN option, choose a standard height van or an extra high top; you can easily add windows, design the perfect floor plan, create bespoke storage, add modern luxuries and even give it a paint job.
Personally, I went with a VW Crafter LWB high top for my conversion, as I wanted something reasonably inexpensive, pretty reliable and spacious. I wanted to be able to stand up in my van, have a side door to enjoy the views from and plenty of storage space for all my kit. It was also important for me to have space for a fixed bed, as discussed previously. These vans can be laid out in any way to suit your needs, can be converted easily by yourself or if you don't have the skills, tools or space, done professionally with all the mod cons you would find in a motorhome but over all would probably cheaper. Old delivery and work vans can be picked up for a reasonable price if you shop around; just check over the body work before you buy, as rust is expensive to cure, and run a check to ensure it's not been reported stolen or has an outstanding finance contract associated with it.
The downside to these vans is that you need to do the work to make it a home on wheels, unless you're willing to pay a premium for one already converted. But by getting a blank canvas you can create whatever you want to suit your timescale and budget... you can always just lob a mattress in the back and off you go!
So, I hope this has helped you to consider what sort of van you need... the next step is to go and find it!
Good luck and happy shopping campers... see you on the road.
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