Full time van living

[Scrumpypops]

Can I ask if anyone lives in their van full time, I appreciate there probably won’t be many of you, I have checked out old posts and just fancied an up to date response.

I live quite minimalistic and when away from work, can happily live a nomad life.
The ocean I like mainly because it’s built from scratch to be a camper, however I’m drawn to the Westfalia conversions with built in loo/shower, which would be fine for me as I’d shower at work or local rivers etc. It needs to be practical so nothing bigger would suit me.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Below can be can have shower + toilet:

The perfect model for everyone

Whether motorhome or camper van, integrated or semi-integrated, on Mercedes-Benz or on Fiat chassis: find the right model in our overview of all HYMER motorhomes and camper vans.

www.hymercar.com

 

[Lightning]

Can I ask if anyone lives in their van full time, I appreciate there probably won’t be many of you, I have checked out old posts and just fancied an up to date response.

I live quite minimalistic and when away from work, can happily live a nomad life.
The ocean I like mainly because it’s built from scratch to be a camper, however I’m drawn to the Westfalia conversions with built in loo/shower, which would be fine for me as I’d shower at work or local rivers etc. It needs to be practical so nothing bigger would suit me.

Thanks for any replies.

I do, I have done since February. I let out my flat to travel. The Ocean is fine for one person full timing and there is always the external cold shower which I’ve used up a couple of mountains. There are plenty of options for hot showers outside the van and other methods for keeping sparkly clean, and even vans with showers have to source lots of water to use them, so tend not to use them much. It’s such a versatile van it’s been brilliant for me, go anywhere and use daily.
The only caveat I would have is that I don’t have to work 9-5, so that may be more challenging. I’ve had a Hymer A class in the past which I lived in for a couple of years for work but it was too big and cumbersome to travel around although more comfortable.
The other option worth checking out are the Murvi range, which I think have great layouts and history.

 

[Scrumpypops]

Great response thank you

 

[Scrumpypops]

Do you use a portable loo?
If it’s just you that uses it, are you emptying weekly ?
I appreciate it depends on how quickly it fills up but wondered if you empty it anyway after a period of time
Once again ‘thanks’

 

[Lightning]

Do you use a portable loo?
If it’s just you that uses it, are you emptying weekly ?
I appreciate it depends on how quickly it fills up but wondered if you empty it anyway after a period of time
Once again ‘thanks’

I have the portable loo that fits inside the kitchen unit, and a separate Pee bottle. I line the loo with 2 strong bin bags and dispose of it ASAP in dog poop bins where possible. Although it sounds grim, it’s actually usually more hygienic and more convenient than using public loos. I buy baby wipes, hand sanitiser and antiseptic wipes in family packs to avoid any contamination, and now I’m used to it it really isn’t an issue. Emptying the toilet normally is a pain, which is why I went for the bag method, which is common amongst full timers. Apologies if this is too much information!

 

[Lightning]

I have the portable loo that fits inside the kitchen unit, and a separate Pee bottle. I line the loo with 2 strong bin bags and dispose of it ASAP in dog poop bins where possible. Although it sounds grim, it’s actually usually more hygienic and more convenient than using public loos. I buy baby wipes, hand sanitiser and antiseptic wipes in family packs to avoid any contamination, and now I’m used to it it really isn’t an issue. Emptying the toilet normally is a pain, which is why I went for the bag method, which is common amongst full timers. Apologies if this is too much information!

I should point out that I wild camp all the time. I avoid campsites.

 

[Amarillo]

We spent a full year as a family of four (boys aged 2 & 3 at time of departure) living in our Beach and travelling around Europe. Almost exclusively staying on campsites for use of facilities. It was a real challenge at times, but a lifetime of happy memories.


A gift of oranges in Caulonia, toe of Italy.

 

[Scrumpypops]

I have the portable loo that fits inside the kitchen unit, and a separate Pee bottle. I line the loo with 2 strong bin bags and dispose of it ASAP in dog poop bins where possible. Although it sounds grim, it’s actually usually more hygienic and more convenient than using public loos. I buy baby wipes, hand sanitiser and antiseptic wipes in family packs to avoid any contamination, and now I’m used to it it really isn’t an issue. Emptying the toilet normally is a pain, which is why I went for the bag method, which is common amongst full timers. Apologies if this is too much information!

No my friend never to much info
This is exactly what I want to hear.
Fab idea ref the bin bags, I’m use to going middle of nowhere etc..

 

[Scrumpypops]

I should point out that I wild camp all the time. I avoid campsites.

Same idea.. maybe treat myself if I’m feeling flush

 

[Scrumpypops]

We spent a full year as a family of four (boys aged 2 & 3 at time of departure) living in our Beach and travelling around Europe. Almost exclusively staying on campsites for use of facilities. It was a real challenge at times, but a lifetime of happy memories.

View attachment 50483
A gift of oranges at Caulonia, south Italy.

Amazing memories

 

[Nomis]

Lived in my '19 plate Cali Coast for 3 months with a partner traveling from North Norway to Spain where we are now. We sometimes camp wild but now more often in naturism campsites ,so we were able to get rid of most of our clothes to make more space

 

[Curzone]

Yeah, I'm a full time vandweller. Been living in my Cali for roughly 5 years now. As a divorcee it started out as a necessity, which then became a normal way of life.
I don’t exactly fit the perceived mould of someone who’s homeless and living in a van - I’m a professional, I work full time as a Solutions / Systems Architect, Technical Author, and a Tech Comms Manager, and move around a lot with work (UK and abroad), so living in a small van is convenient and cheap.

 

[No_heroes]

Yeah, I'm a full time vandweller. Been living in my Cali for roughly 5 years now. As a divorcee it started out as a necessity, which then became a normal way of life.
I don’t exactly fit the perceived mould of someone who’s homeless and living in a van - I’m a professional, I work full time as a Solutions / Systems Architect, Technical Author, and a Tech Comms Manager, and move around a lot with work (UK and abroad), so living in a small van is convenient and cheap.

Are you always on campsites, or urban and car parks?

 

[Curzone]

No, very rarely on campsites... I free camp, and enjoy nice scenic spots most nights - I’m somewhere on Ashdown Forest tonight . Although, sometimes I park on motorway services, pubs, etc. if I’m driving late or want a drink and a bit of civilisation.


I’m mostly based in South East and South West England and sometimes on the continent (Spain, France, Switzerland, etc.)... Mostly stay stealthy close to nature - woods, forests, mountains, beaches. Although having a good 3G/4G signal plays a big part on where I spend the night - I still enjoy Netflix... I keep a database of places to stay, and don’t stay in one place for longer than two nights.


When not working remotely, I work from an office in central London or Southampton. When in London, I stay somewhere in Surrey, Sussex, or Kent and commute in by train. In Southampton, there’s loads of good places to stay, including the New Forrest.


Barely use campsites. I rely on my gym membership to stay fit and clean - the Gym Group or Pure Gym only costs about £19 a month, with sites all over the U.K.
Occasionally use campsites to clean my clothes. Although, most times I pay for dry cleaners to do my washing and ironing (sometimes I need to wear a suit for work) - I hate doing laundry - I hate launderettes.



I use the convinces closest to me at any point in time - work, gym, service stations, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, behind a tree, water bottle, etc.

 

[Amarillo]

No, very rarely on campsites... I free camp, and enjoy nice scenic spots most nights - I’m somewhere on Ashdown Forest tonight . Although, sometimes I park on motorway services, pubs, etc. if I’m driving late or want a drink and a bit of civilisation.


I’m mostly based in South East and South West England and sometimes on the continent (Spain, France, Switzerland, etc.)... Mostly stay stealthy close to nature - woods, forests, mountains, beaches. Although having a good 3G/4G signal plays a big part on where I spend the night - I still enjoy Netflix... I keep a database of places to stay, and don’t stay in one place for longer than two nights.


When not working remotely, I work from an office in central London or Southampton. When in London, I stay somewhere in Surrey, Sussex, or Kent and commute in by train. In Southampton, there’s loads of good places to stay, including the New Forrest.


Barely use campsites. I rely on my gym membership to stay fit and clean - the Gym Group or Pure Gym only costs about £19 a month, with sites all over the U.K.
Occasionally use campsites to clean my clothes. Although, most times I pay for dry cleaners to do my washing and ironing (sometimes I need to wear a suit for work) - I hate doing laundry - I hate launderettes.



I use the convinces closest to me at any point in time - work, gym, service stations, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, behind a tree, water bottle, etc.

Amazing!

How do you manage when you van needs a service? Do they loan you a camper?

 

[Scrumpypops]

Great replies I’m getting all the answers to the questions buzzing around in my head

 

[Spottydog]

Lived in mine for 8 months last year and it worked fine. Mostly wild camped and a few sites usually if I needed to do laundry.

 

[Barryjm]

Wow fascinating thread! No plans to do this but great to hear how people use their vans!

 

[Scrumpypops]

Latest thought is a shower? The VW attachment seems a waste of money. Looking at heating a kettle + same cold into collapsible bucket, 12V shower attacment from bucket to shower head on tailgate. Then all stores away. £20 for 12V + bucket. Then shower at work, leisure centres on rest days. Maybe go the whole wild think and have a Spa day

 

[Scrumpypops]

Sorry

Maybe go the whole wild thing and have a Spa day

 

[Lightning]

Latest thought is a shower? The VW attachment seems a waste of money. Looking at heating a kettle + same cold into collapsible bucket, 12V shower attacment from bucket to shower head on tailgate. Then all stores away. £20 for 12V + bucket. Then shower at work, leisure centres on rest days. Maybe go the whole wild think and have a Spa day

I have also have a portable shower you hand pump up to pressurise, it’s an aluminium tank with an integral hand pump off amazon. I can heat boiling water On the job to warm it up. It works for occasional use. I have seen people use garden sprayers the same way.

A proper shower cannot be beaten though, gyms, campsites, marinas, sports centres, swimming pools, truck stops etc.

 

[LemonDrop]

We've got this from Decathlon and it works really well, i was very sceptical at first.

HIKING CAMP LAMPS, HYGIENE, - Portable Shower 8 L

£34.99 - HIKING CAMP LAMPS, HYGIENE, - Portable Shower 8 L - QUECHUA

www.decathlon.co.uk

We put some cold water in and then water from the kettle and it's toasty (never tried heating it up in the sun so no idea how well that works).

 

[The Merle]

Can I ask if anyone lives in their van full time, I appreciate there probably won’t be many of you, I have checked out old posts and just fancied an up to date response.

I live quite minimalistic and when away from work, can happily live a nomad life.
The ocean I like mainly because it’s built from scratch to be a camper, however I’m drawn to the Westfalia conversions with built in loo/shower, which would be fine for me as I’d shower at work or local rivers etc. It needs to be practical so nothing bigger would suit me.

Thanks for any replies.

Hi

Yes I’ve

Can I ask if anyone lives in their van full time, I appreciate there probably won’t be many of you, I have checked out old posts and just fancied an up to date response.

I live quite minimalistic and when away from work, can happily live a nomad life.
The ocean I like mainly because it’s built from scratch to be a camper, however I’m drawn to the Westfalia conversions with built in loo/shower, which would be fine for me as I’d shower at work or local rivers etc. It needs to be practical so nothing bigger would suit me.

Thanks for any replies.

Hi

I’ve been living in my joker since January, have got a few more luxuries over the Cali with shower/hot water and a loo! Downside it’s taller and a bit ugly on the outside!
Wild camp a lot but also had a half season pass at a campsite in the new forest worked out around £5 night, no showers but has water and chem point. It’s nice as there are no marked pitches you can camp right in the forest and not worry about getting moved by forestry commission as they are pretty hot on wild camping.
Love the freedom of going anywhere, just remember to travel light as the move clothes etc the more hassle.

 

[The Merle]

Just leave awning set up with bits in as a base on site in the new forest