I’m in the process of selling my van. Fortunately i have some where else to live. As this van while being as good option for some people. I was not one of them.
I strongly recommend hiring one for at least a couple of months before. Committing your self to a particular configuration. And van life in gdners
I placed my van for sale back in January with a company that specializes in selling camper vans online. I got several inquiries, but decided not to sell. I originally wanted to get a mini-van and deck it out into a camper, but got second thoughts. I chose more space over traveling in a mini van. I know the mini vans are easier to drive, but since I don't plan on driving more than I camp, I decided the Promaster was a better option for me. I'm so glad I kept it.
I’m glad you found a van configuration that suites you, and you’re happy with it. My priorities are different from yours, as I have a town house to live in most of the time. As you have done some soul searching prior making this big commitment is vital to how it works for you
We have an electric van. It’s good because we can run the A/C or heat and electric overnight when we use it for sleeping in. It’s a 2023 Ford E Transit cargo van, which we put my sewing room in and which we also use when the weather is too rough to sleep on our sailboat. Tiny living between the 2! Thanks for your writing about van life-I appreciate it! Judi
Hi Judi, You're welcome. I wasn't aware that Ford Transit made an electric vehicle. Do you have enough solar panels to power the AC/Heating unit, or do you have to plug in to shore power? Just wondering.
Hi Carol, yes Ford came out with them in 2022 I think. The A/C and heat and frig.,etc., will run for about 2-3 nights without charging, depending on how cold or hot it is out. In the day, one can plug into a medium fast charger, which is cheaper and takes longer, thus allowing one to stay in one place for a reason. You can also charge within 40-60 minutes with a fast charger, or over a couple of days, with a regular outlet. I have a senior off season pass for WA, and in winter I can have a spot with electric for $10 a night, for up to 10 days within 30, in each of 3 parks near my town.
4YEARS. That's how long van life was for me. Had a job, had, of course, a van. Parked many places, as moving was safety. Walmart was fairly safe.. then I picked up a side job, helping to keep clean the bathrooms, laundromat, and shower rooms at a campground for reduced rent. That WORKED. Safety, a place to park, ans of course, showers and laundry. The owners were very nice people, and realistic, it's a business after all. One night I could hear loud laughter, loud "other" oises, so, I went to check..in the bathroom , in the toilet, was a new t-shirt stuffed in the bowl, then flushed..the smell was awful.. I couldn't bring myself to call the owners, she would have gagged. However, the ext morning when I told them, they were flabbergasted! why? they had never experienced this before. Then at a baseball tournament, it happened again. Bikers..adults(so-called) dong things only devil possessed would do, and of course, adolescent types.. This is what we have become!! Anyway, van life is not for me.. never again.
At least you had 4 wonderful years of experiencing life on the road. I know it’s not all peaches and cream. It sounds like the job put a sour taste in your mouth. And I know the road can get old after a while. That’s why I advocate for people to have some kind of purpose. It could be writing, journaling, art work, bird-watching, reading, watching Netflix, just what ever you choose. But just riding from place to place like a wanderer is no good. You need to know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there to have a fulfilling journey. Don’t you think so Bonny?
Carol, hi, back. When I was in the van life, I was working at Silver Star Ski resort, Vernon, B.C. The weather there was just enough to tolerate ..later on , I got a trailer(26 foot wilderness with one slide out.)still living at the trailer park, working at the ski hill And the campground..the big thing for me was safety. I would not do this again, it is NOT safe anymore with today's mass ideological woke warped society. But, it was an adventure for sure, and I learned a lot. Especially when I was robbed!!! Broad daylight!! Druggies looking for anything to sell for their meth problems.
It's really tough at first! It's even tough four years in. Had a bout of loneliness! And I'm searching for a mountain town in Cali where I can hang out at a cafe to work every day. It gets difficult without a community. I usually camp in free spots, like BLM land or National Forest land, and there are months where I only talk to people who check me out at the grocery store lol. Good luck on your travels!
I’m in the process of selling my van. Fortunately i have some where else to live. As this van while being as good option for some people. I was not one of them.
I strongly recommend hiring one for at least a couple of months before. Committing your self to a particular configuration. And van life in gdners
I placed my van for sale back in January with a company that specializes in selling camper vans online. I got several inquiries, but decided not to sell. I originally wanted to get a mini-van and deck it out into a camper, but got second thoughts. I chose more space over traveling in a mini van. I know the mini vans are easier to drive, but since I don't plan on driving more than I camp, I decided the Promaster was a better option for me. I'm so glad I kept it.
I’m glad you found a van configuration that suites you, and you’re happy with it. My priorities are different from yours, as I have a town house to live in most of the time. As you have done some soul searching prior making this big commitment is vital to how it works for you
We have an electric van. It’s good because we can run the A/C or heat and electric overnight when we use it for sleeping in. It’s a 2023 Ford E Transit cargo van, which we put my sewing room in and which we also use when the weather is too rough to sleep on our sailboat. Tiny living between the 2! Thanks for your writing about van life-I appreciate it! Judi
Hi Judi, You're welcome. I wasn't aware that Ford Transit made an electric vehicle. Do you have enough solar panels to power the AC/Heating unit, or do you have to plug in to shore power? Just wondering.
Hi Carol, yes Ford came out with them in 2022 I think. The A/C and heat and frig.,etc., will run for about 2-3 nights without charging, depending on how cold or hot it is out. In the day, one can plug into a medium fast charger, which is cheaper and takes longer, thus allowing one to stay in one place for a reason. You can also charge within 40-60 minutes with a fast charger, or over a couple of days, with a regular outlet. I have a senior off season pass for WA, and in winter I can have a spot with electric for $10 a night, for up to 10 days within 30, in each of 3 parks near my town.
4YEARS. That's how long van life was for me. Had a job, had, of course, a van. Parked many places, as moving was safety. Walmart was fairly safe.. then I picked up a side job, helping to keep clean the bathrooms, laundromat, and shower rooms at a campground for reduced rent. That WORKED. Safety, a place to park, ans of course, showers and laundry. The owners were very nice people, and realistic, it's a business after all. One night I could hear loud laughter, loud "other" oises, so, I went to check..in the bathroom , in the toilet, was a new t-shirt stuffed in the bowl, then flushed..the smell was awful.. I couldn't bring myself to call the owners, she would have gagged. However, the ext morning when I told them, they were flabbergasted! why? they had never experienced this before. Then at a baseball tournament, it happened again. Bikers..adults(so-called) dong things only devil possessed would do, and of course, adolescent types.. This is what we have become!! Anyway, van life is not for me.. never again.
Hi Bonny,
At least you had 4 wonderful years of experiencing life on the road. I know it’s not all peaches and cream. It sounds like the job put a sour taste in your mouth. And I know the road can get old after a while. That’s why I advocate for people to have some kind of purpose. It could be writing, journaling, art work, bird-watching, reading, watching Netflix, just what ever you choose. But just riding from place to place like a wanderer is no good. You need to know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there to have a fulfilling journey. Don’t you think so Bonny?
Carol, hi, back. When I was in the van life, I was working at Silver Star Ski resort, Vernon, B.C. The weather there was just enough to tolerate ..later on , I got a trailer(26 foot wilderness with one slide out.)still living at the trailer park, working at the ski hill And the campground..the big thing for me was safety. I would not do this again, it is NOT safe anymore with today's mass ideological woke warped society. But, it was an adventure for sure, and I learned a lot. Especially when I was robbed!!! Broad daylight!! Druggies looking for anything to sell for their meth problems.
It's really tough at first! It's even tough four years in. Had a bout of loneliness! And I'm searching for a mountain town in Cali where I can hang out at a cafe to work every day. It gets difficult without a community. I usually camp in free spots, like BLM land or National Forest land, and there are months where I only talk to people who check me out at the grocery store lol. Good luck on your travels!