There are an estimated one million full time RV’ers in North America, many of whom do not recognize the van dweller as a legitimate RV’er. Their vision of van dwellers is usually one of an old decrepit van or trailer sitting in a mosquito infested RV park near a swamp. But the truth is far from this picture. The Full Time van dweller is gaining in popularity alongside the traditional RV’er. For the most part, one visualizes the RV’er as one living in a class A, class B, fifth-wheel or travel trailer, but rarely a van. The RV’er (including vans) is fast becoming the lifestyle of choice for many retirees as well as the younger generation who do not like the cubicle lifestyle.
The advent of the Internet has spawned a new type of worker; the teleworker or telecommuter. More and more people are now working from home or other venues including from RV’s. This has allowed not only retirees to travel, but a younger type of nomad can now travel and enjoy this great country before they are too old and perhaps not able to enjoy themselves. Let’s not forget the business owner who can easily run a small business from the road. No one will ever know that you’re not in some cubicle in some office in town, when you may actually be on that beautiful beach in Mexico. Not only can you still work while enjoying this lifestyle, but a large portion of all your expenses might qualify to be written off as a business expense. *
Enter the van dweller.
Because the younger teleworkers may not have the capital retirees do, the younger generation seems to be the ones more inclined to be a van dweller. The younger generation appears to have more of a minimalist attitude than the retirees. Being a minimalist lends itself more to van dwelling for obvious reasons – vans do not have much room to store all those needless items like a larger RV.
The van of choice for those desiring to live and travel in is the Chevrolet / GMC or Ford work type cargo vans that one might see construction crews using. These vans are larger than so-called mini-vans and some are built out to afford one most of the conveniences of a larger RV, except perhaps a shower and some even have a small personal shower that one can use inside an enclosure that is easily set-up outside the van. I’ve also found that van dwellers will stop at truck stops and rent a shower for a few bucks like truck drivers do. Some have gym memberships with nationwide gym facilities where they shower. Some large laundromats have shower facilities so doing one’s laundry and grabbing a shower at the same time can be had. It seems van dwellers are not lacking for anything. Next would be the Sprinter vans. These vans tend to be quite a bit more pricey as they are tall and afford one room to stand and can be built out comparable to a class B motor home. A lot of the Sprinter vans are built on a Mercedes or Dodge chassis and many of them include a diesel engine compared to the traditional van.
Vans are easier to drive and park compared to larger RV’s. My research reveals that one of the primary reasons people are choosing vans for living and traveling in is the fact that a lot of money can be saved from having to park in expensive RV parks. Van dwelling, sometimes referred to as “stealth camping” is a luxury that RV’ers cannot enjoy. A nondescript van can be parked in a regular parking space and therefore can be parked and fit in nicely in a town or city neighborhood, thus saving the occupant an expensive night in an RV park. Vans can also take advantage of camping off grid, off-road camping on dirt roads, BLM land, etc that RV’s are just unable to traverse. Most van owners are buying portable or even fixed solar panels to install on their vans affording them the ability to have power for essentials while off grid. A good solar system can be purchased and installed for less than $500 that will meet most needs. Today, most smart phones can be used as a “hot spot” to provide Internet for a laptop computer. When in a town or city, it’s very easy to park a van near a McDonalds or Starbucks or any other restaurant that offers free wi-fi and take advantage of it… with a cup of coffee or a cheap meal.
I have come across several van dwellers with 2 people living in them and a couple even had a dog there as well. What a great way to live, work and play. And, if one tires of their location, all you have to do is put the key in the ignition and you’re off on another adventure. I recently met a young woman living such a life and she told me she works from her van all across America. I asked what she does to earn money to live on and she told me she is a photographer. She takes photos as she travels and sells them to stock photo companies. I’ve met several who earn income by buying and selling goods on eBay and or Amazon. So, if there’s a will there is a way, so the old saying goes.
For the retired person or the one who is not retired but is able to telework and loves to travel, this lifestyle is ideal. You can have your own home, wake up in your own bed, cook your own meals, and for a very little money, you can travel almost anywhere in North America your heart desires and stay as long as you want. In my last blog, I mentioned that Jason told me he lives on $20 per day quite easily. His biggest cost is gasoline, simply because he likes to move around. The average mini-van will get approximately 20-22 MPG on the road. The average cargo type van will get somewhere around 14-16 MPG and the larger RV coaches are lucky to get 9-10 MPG. Again, another advantage of having a van.
Until next time…
* (DISCLAIMER) I’m not a lawyer, so this is not legal advice, but if you talk with your attorney or accountant, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the write-offs you can qualify for).
