I’m laying in bed reading Vanlife as I normally do and discussing doing van life with my girlfriend. She cannot wrap her head around where anyone doing Van life goes to the bathroom. I’ve explained to her, but she wants to know more than just my answers. Personally, I’m able to do Van life for a few months out of the year. I use the restroom in a variety of “normal” places like gas stations, restaurants, etc. Sorry for the weird question, thanks!

Totally new experience, kinda scared. I've been urban camping for the past four years, I developed a routine - took a couple years but I'm comfortable. Wondering, are there any van life caravans out there? Going into a very different situation, hope I can manage... im in Colorado, traveling to Arizona, any insights would be helpful, Peace!

Hey roadmates! long time viewer but pretty quiet on here. I’ve been a nomad since about 23yr old (aging myself, but that’s 15 years now) never really lived ‘anywhere’ and love living everywhere. I started this project originally as a backpacking app because i’d travel to work, but as I lived in car, eventually a van full time and now currently full time in a jeep, I work in dog rescue and remote tech - I met so many people on the road and asked 10000 questions.

that journey resulted in what this app is today. started building this in 2016, and ran out of money too many times along the way, but it’s finally out.

100% FREE, the app doesn’t capture any data,
the app doesn’t even need your name unless you want to add it. and it’s forever free for those who contribute, flag waypoints, scout spots.

I built this to give back to the community that got me on my feet on the road.

No need to download regions and, over 1mil waypoints, and the community get to shape what it becomes.

here’s some key features.

MAP - pretty self explanatory but very helpful with finding what you need. Scouted and verified dispersed camping, potable water, wild camp spots the usuals! + yep you can add secret spots only your friends, or trusted travelers can see.

ROADMATES - keep up with where the people you meet on the road are at

BEACONS - proximity based happenings, or help needed, even leftover firewood up for grabs

TOOLS - Gyro rig leveling, Offline Compass that will lead you back to where you started, Altimeter, Solar tracking for solar panel optimization, Storm watch alerts.

PRIVACY - Set your privacy at any time, go ghost, be visible to friends only, or open social.

SECRET SPOTS - got a spot you only want your roadmates to see? don’t blow up a spot but share it forever with those you trust.

PATCHES - earn patches for living life on the road. walmart overnight? there’s a patch for that. 20 nights in quartzsite, visit the arches in moab, drove coast to coast? got a tattoo in vegas? patches for all of that.

SAFETY - set up check-ins with your friends, SOS alerts that work without service, close friend location visibility.

FEMALE SPECIFIC SAFETY - Solo female traveler tailored safety features, lets you know if there’s other female travelers in the area if you opt in, female only groups, convoys etc. (female accounts must be verified with either ID or other trusted female travelers can vouch for you)

THRIFT STORE - Got a jacket you want to give to someone who will appreciate it? place any item of clothing you’d give away or sell, nearby travelers can see the items up for grabs.

MARKET - ceramicist? jewelry maker? tattoo artist? crest a market that you can earn on the road with. showcase your work.

SKILLS - Mechanic? solar electrician? carpenter? If you have valuable skills other travelers may need, repairs, upgrades, skill swap - charge for your work or do it in good will and earn Merit.

COMPANIONS - Add a dog, cat, reptile, goat - whatever is riding shotgun with you. See if there’s other social companions in the area, see organized dog friendly events / play dates.

DOG SAFETY - Dog specific alerts, hazard flags, blue/green algae reports.

ROAD FOSTER & RESCUE - place your intended city you’re heading to, rescues can tap in and pay you to transport rescue dogs to their homes or transfers to other rescues.

There’s a lot more but i’ll stop rambling… organize groups, gatherings, convoys, temporary wifi sharing.

EVERYTHING built was a suggestion from people who live on the road, every want, need and wish - whatever helps make the road feel less heavy ❤️

and the team behind this live on the road full time.
If you got this far. thank you.

APPLE / IOS

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nomadic-roam-together/id6762540373

ANDROID

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.nomadic.app&pcampaignid=web_share

I’m doing a weekender build in an extended Chevy express high top. I want something multifunctional. My thoughts are to be able to use this for camping, kayaking, biking, and Home Depot trips. It’s a design challenge for sure, but I’m thinking I can build a toe kick into the cabinets so I have the wider floor space open, but deeper cabinet space for more normal storage and countertop space. Also planning to keep the ability to reinstall and use the front bench seat for all the people I don’t travel with🤣 Keeps it legal for passenger car registration if I’m ever challenged though.

Am I giving myself too much trouble for things I won’t need to do much, or are there loads of other people out there who have done the same thing? Floor is done. Ceiling in process. Everything in between will be last.

Day 3 on my "new" campervan and finding the seller was less than thorough about some things. They had left it parked under a tree for over a month and the solar panels were covered in leaves, grime, and pitch from the trees. I've washed them off, however, the battery is doing nothing even though in the sun end of yesterday and all day today. Based on Chat GPT, the battery has been drained. I could really use some help here, getting no guidance from the seller.

The inverter, when I turned off (to stop from draining what little may be there in the battery), ended up causing the ceiling fan to make an unending beep-ish sound. The inverter BARELY has any light on, but it looks like its green or yellow. The colors on the wanderer panels are Green..and the other one is red. Both solid

I have no idea what to do next...Any guidance would be immeasurably appreciated

Baker Snoqualmie National Forest in a Chevy Brightdrop⚡️🚐✌️

I keep getting ads for this RV drawer latch and I really like the minimal design. Does anyone have it in their build and have any real reviews?

Here is the Link to the product.

Im building a high top e350. I want to bring a bmw f900gs with me to commute when needed and rip fire/dirt/gravel roads and explore. Seems its at the maxweightlimit of a rear carrier, plus the van is extended, so leverage...so I started thinking about a box truck but I dont want the hassle of selling this and spending what id conscider to be too much on a good box. Im already 2500ish in parts in this van. The whole front end is new. Waterpump, idler, high output alternator, belt, plugs/coils, trans fluid/filter,rear diff cleaning etc. Ive been trying to bulletproof it. It has 42k miles.

Thus im thinking of getting like a 5x8 enclosed to haul the bike, have extra storage, and probably keep my cooking equipment in. The van would be just a sleeping/living room.

My concern is towing the trailer. The van is already long..adding a hitch and another trailer and its huge...I will at some point need to sleep in parking lots as I move around. Ill need to be able to get through the trails and lands to find my spots. E350s als9 tend to wander so adding a trailer seems problematic.

To those of you who do something similar what are your thoughts ik regard to me concerns? Any extra advice?

Hey everyone

I just spent the last two months driving around the USA and had the most incredible experience. I’m en route to my home city on the east coast and feel somewhat depressed I’m leaving the nomadic lifestyle and returning to my old life.

I am contemplating selling all my possessions, quitting my job, and liquidating my investments so I can live this lifestyle for another year (maybe more) while working gig jobs.

Am I crazy for thinking this? Is this a honeymoon phase mindset?

I’ve always dreamt of working gig jobs on the west coast and in ski tons. It’s just a vastly different lifestyle than the culture I was raised in (southeast US). I love the west coast culture and beautiful places. I feel like the desire to leave my current life and chase this new one sounds crazy, but I feel this gravitational pull.

Had anyone expereince this and left their old life behind? Do you regret it?

I am 29 and am at a cross road in my life. I work in a corporate environment and make good money (~120k), but can’t help but think I’d be happier working a job around my passions for much less. My 401k has $50k in it - not a lot but enough to snowball into something when I hit retirement age. I just don’t share the excitement all of my friends have to stay in their careers, buy homes, get married, have kids, and live in their hometown

Looking into getting a 1999 170 roadtrek and was wondering other people's thoughts as I'm not familiar with the kinda vehicle. Is it a good vehicle worth getting? It has 61k miles and a lot of new parts

So we looked at our first van today. So we saw a Mercedes Sprinter in a yard. Pulled in, and checked it out. So many things were oh so nice!

But-No bathroom, bed for one, but it was so nice to see one. It’s a 2015, 75K miles, and my husband said the vehicle was in great shape. It had a lot of bells and whistles, which was super tempting. 400w solar, and they said their bottom price was $47K.

I thought that was a bit pricey from what everyone here says? But it had an electric awning, fridge, A/C, microwave, and it was wrapped, (which made it LOOK great)

So please tell me what you think?

we have a caravan in our back yard and in heavy rain the water gets in from the roof and drips onto the bed

its a pop top van and doesnt seem to let water in when the roof if down

no obvious spot water is getting in. it I guess it could get under the roof and run a ways before leaking inside so any suggestions for how to seal it up -

current thoughts are to paint the roof area with a barrier

Im look at a promaster but seems like they are unreliable
Also a transit but it is a ford and lack over all reliability it seems
Also a possible option is a chevy express

Anyone else traveling with their dog making core memories on the road?

- Victron MultiPlus-II 3000 inverter/charger
- 2x Epoch 300Ah batteries
- Victron Orion XS 50A DC-DC charger
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50
- Victron Cerbo GX
- Victron GX Touch 70 display
- Victron Lynx Distributor
- Victron SmartShunt

This is going to be hard af to wrap my brain around setting all this up. But I’m committed to the upgrade. Any tips would be helpful

Hi, I hope this is allowed. I have a Groove Lounge topper by RoamRest (the regular 72” size version) for a Storyteller Overland that has never been used and I no longer need it. I paid around $700 for it, but will sell it for $400 if anyone is looking for one. I’m a long time eBay seller and have plenty of feedback on there. I’d be happy to share those details if interested. Thanks!

amazon parts is here, costed $17 and two days Amazon prime shipping.

Parts are not very well made. The gasket is made of paper, and one of the screen is bent, as shown on P6. I think I should buy from Vevor directly next time.

The ATV I put on last time, caused some trouble removing this time. I just left some residue on there I hope it doesn’t cause any problems.

Observation:

1. The old screen has some carbon build on it, P11. It can be burnt off with 1000 degrees flame.
2. P18, filter caught something dirty
3. P19, there are some dirt in the bottom of fuel tank, I need to flush that out next time it‘s empty
4. There are some thing on the old glow plug, looks like burnt plastic. I replaced it with a a new plug from the repair kit.

Short version: I removed the carpet from my Honda odyssey 2007 and can’t figure out how to install a new floor

The carpet was really gross, so I removed it thinking I could just install a hardwood floor, but then the floor is so irregular I can’t figure out how to even it out to install flooring.

Things I’ve tried:
- getting the old carpet and putting it back in to even it out (too soft, the hardwood bends
- cutting out the profile with pink insulating boards (I can’t get it even and the boards are hard to work with)

Any ideas?? Anyone else done this to their minivans and have suggestions?? I really want to make this van life thing work

Hey everyone!

Currently converting our Peugeot Boxer L3H2 into a campervan and I've been looking into different electrical setups for quite a while now.

Originally I was planning on going with a full Victron setup, but after doing some research I came across the BLUETTI Elite 300 combined with the Charger 2.

And honestly, for our needs, this setup is more than enough. We're mainly going to use the van for camping trips, occasionally spending a day or two off-grid. Our electrical needs are pretty basic: a fridge, MaxxFans, LED lighting, water pumps, charging laptops and phones, etc.

The Elite 300 seems to tick pretty much every box, without having to spend a fortune on a full electrical system.

I've actually been in contact with BLUETTI, and they confirmed that the 12V/30A output can be connected to a permanent 12V fuse box, which is great!

**However, there's one thing I'm still trying to figure out: the 230V side of things.**

I'd really like to install permanent 230V outlets throughout the van that can run from either the Elite 300 or campsite shore power.

BLUETTI confirmed this is technically possible, but mentioned that the Elite 300 has a floating neutral, meaning the grounding and RCD protection need some extra attention. They also mentioned needing a double-pole transfer switch and proper neutral-to-earth bonding depending on the power source.

So my question is:

**Has anyone actually done something similar with a BLUETTI or another portable power station?**

How did you handle the grounding, RCD protection and switching between shore power and the power station?

Did you use an automatic transfer switch, or did you keep things simple with a manual one?

I'm based in Belgium, so ideally I'd like to keep everything compliant with European electrical safety standards as well.

I'm not looking to build some massive electrical system. The Elite 300 already offers everything we need, and I'd rather not spend thousands more just to get a few permanent 230V sockets working safely.

Would love to see how others have approached this, especially if you have pictures or wiring diagrams of your setup!

Thanks in advance!

Hey fellow hosers, my wife and I are selling our cottage and planning to spend about 6 months/ year traveling our amazing country (MAYBE someday we’ll go below the 49th, we’ll have to see).
My question: I hate the noise/ light and garbage polluting folks. Is it possible to mostly avoid this type of shit? We’ll be set up to boondock for a couple weeks at a time and know enough to avoid National and Provincial parks on long weekends.
Cheers!

fall colors are gone here, but very pretty in Bishop still!

Wild Willy's was very crowded, but the other hot springs in the area were vacant

[oc storiesbydalton]

I have a Ram Promaster. My existing drill bits have always worked on the sheet metal of the interior, but I'm having a heck of a time drilling through the undercarriage (the matte gray bumpy textured metal that covers a majority of the undercarriage). Is it worth buying some titanium drill bits or something?