I am an outdoor adventure filmmaker driven by an insatiable curiosity about the world. I live by the words "Only the brave discover true freedom." Join me as I embark on an epic journeys in the wilderness, explore gear that enables freedom, and think about the world in unique perspectives.
Right now, I'm attending Colorado State University majoring in Natural Resource Management. With a new video each week, make sure you follow me on my solo adventures as I capture the beauty and excitement of the great outdoors and explore deep and meaningful ideas.
Buy a reliable vehicle is paramount; I converted my Toyota Sienna and do all the maintenance myself at Autozone parking lot. I've been all over Mexico, Canada and the USA; by far the cheapest way to travel.
Excellent Video… You are absolutely correct. Another expensive Break down was my other build (2023) had a complete rusted out Frame and had to be totaled out to Junk Yard… Coming Back stronger this time and a better build.
@@Fab50VanLife Thank you! It’s definitely a journey with a lot of learning experiences, especially when big repairs come up. Props to you for bouncing back with a new and improved build. Wishing you the best on the road!
Man your moaning about nothing. A one bedroom apt in LA is 2000+ a month and you can't drive it nowhere. You video is nonsense complaining about nothing. Without a van traveling crosscountry traveling hotels rent a car will cost you more. You want something for nothing your points are nonsense
Well, all in life has a cost! But we have to get organized before making decisions, no matter if you buy a car to live in or to buy a house! Number one, get a car that has a few miles, plus it doesn't consume too much gas! Try not to make it obvious that you live there and it isn't too big. All that will save you money in all the ways! Remember you don't live in a house, then everything has to be adapted to your car and budget. For me, a Dodge Caravan is perfect and everything is adapted to my size (5.01) beginning for my bed, I don't need something 75" is I just need 62" there's one foot waste. Also I don't need a queen size, a twin bed size works! There are many things to sacrifice but it's worth it!
@@luluh.153 Thanks for sharing your insights! I completely agree-every decision in van life needs to be planned carefully to balance comfort and cost. Your point about adapting everything to your needs is so true. My van setup is all about making use of every inch without overloading it. It’s amazing how some sacrifices end up making the whole experience even more rewarding. Appreciate your perspective!
These vehicle expenses are the same when you live in bricks & mortar, you still have to do all the maintenance, pay registration & insurance, and on top pay rent/mortgage + dwelling insurance ! This lifestyle saves me $1000.- / month. And I never pay for parking/sleeping at night. Do your own shower system, sure it takes longer than going to a campground or gym, but we have the time, don't we ?. Also I don't understand how you spend $40,- / month on laundry.... don't use the dryer, take your stuff, hang it to dry at a boondocking spot (just a suggestion/example, maybe you don't like the idea...). For clothes I shop at 2nd hand stores, even when I lived in an apt. I keep a checklist of the fluids i need to watch for on the suv, do what i can myself. I appreciate that you tackled the notion of car expenses.
@@alariaesculenta8177 Thank you for sharing your perspective and tips! I agree; van life can definitely save a lot when done efficiently, especially compared to traditional living expenses. You’ve clearly mastered a minimalist approach and found ways to make it even more cost-effective. The $40 laundry estimate is based on my personal experience, including times when drying wasn’t an option, but I love your idea of hanging clothes to dry at boondocking spots! It’s great to hear about others’ creative solutions-second-hand shopping and a DIY maintenance checklist are smart moves. Thanks for adding valuable insights to the conversation!
I think all these videos about VanLife "education" really underestimate the people who are making the decision to live VL full or part time. I have personally watched 100s of videos of people's everyday life and you get a sense of what entitles, the discomfort, dangers, cost, changes, provision for mail, delivery, doctors, mental health etc. There's common sense as well. I have done several road trips in my life so I'm fully aware of the cost of fuel, but as someone pointed out below, in the beginning, the sense of freedom and novelty to go anywhere will mean you'll travel more and fuel will be a big cost but eventually you know where you prefer to spend time and stay put longer. The cost you didn't mention is for coverage like satellite, or network connection that will be different for everyone and depends on your lifestyle.
I really appreciate you bringing this up! The reality of van life includes so many behind-the-scenes details that don’t always make it into videos. Staying connected, managing fuel costs, and the mental side of it all are huge parts of the journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I have been on the road for 4 1/2 years now. Normally I don’t like staying too long in one place but I really needed to save some money so I took a gig as a camp host in the Mount Hood forest of Oregon. No cell signal no Internet, and I would only go to town once a month to resupply. That was always an expensive day, but thankfully it only happened every 3 to 4 weeks. That was the only way I was able to save some money!
@@nowheregal7610 Mount Hood is stunning! I admire how you made it work as a camp host, though that lack of service must have been tough. It’s one of those places where you really feel the remoteness, but there’s a unique peace that comes with it too. Thanks for sharing your journey!
@ and thanks for this video. I’m a little sick of RU-vidrs just painting everything as unicorns and rainbows on the road and then people up, heave their life and are sorely disappointed by the reality of things. Some of us didn’t have a choice with living on the road but those that do should consider the pros and cons before taking the plunge. And yes, the forest was lovely, but five months of not having service was definitely taxing. I would have to drive 3 miles just to get a weak enough signal to send text message if I needed to get in touch with my boss and I would have to drive 20 miles to get enough service to download some shows to watch in my downtime.😅
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I completely agree-there’s so much more to life on the road than the highlights. It’s not all sunshine and scenic views; it takes a lot of adjustment and can be quite challenging, especially with limited service or having to make tough choices. My goal is to show the real side of van life, both the highs and lows, so people can make informed decisions before taking the plunge. Appreciate you watching and adding depth to the conversation!
Adam, question? I am confused about the tire rotation, I have used multiple oil change places through the years, and all of them offered "free" tire rotation with the oil change? I have lived in 5 states. 🤔 Is this not a standard freebie? Thanks 😃
@@huskerhut In my experience not always but I’ve been to some places that offer free tire rotation with the oil change and when I come across them I try to go there as often as possible.
Preach! It’s like everything has its hand in my wallet this year. Maybe my next video should be about surviving on a budget of $0. Just existing drains the bank account honestly 😂
@@huskerhut Thank you for the kind words! Making these videos meaningful is my top priority. If you have any other van life topics you’re curious about, just let me know!
I change my oil - female:)) in my Promaster. I do the pump out method, super easy and fast. AND I know the filter has been changed! Buy your tires from a place that rotates for free!: discount tires does. And be a slower roamer- stop and smell the roses. I don’t know any vanlifer that puts that kind of mileage on their vans. 🎉🎉🎉
The van lifestyle is so thrilling in the beginning-it’s easy to want to see it all! But as I’ve settled in, I’m learning to embrace slower travel and savor each spot. There’s something so rewarding about taking your time and diving deep into a place and seeing what it has to offer.
I once heard $15 for a shower n thought it was too much. no way.. just use a bottle of water or two at that point.. you said $20 for a shower... wow.. personally I wouldn't pay $20 for a shower.. you do know they have those camp showers you can get n let it sit in the sun for a while n it will be hot water...
@@Z3N_P1AYZ You’re absolutely right-those solar camp showers can be a lifesaver! My current setup only lets me carry 5 gallons of water, so stretching it can be tricky. Hoping to bump that up to 10 gallons for longer trips soon. Wet wipes definitely help in a pinch, but nothing quite compares to a real, hot shower every once in a while!
Sounds to me like you were probably spending a lot more in your Sticks and Bricks existence as well. Learn to rely on yourself, develop and learn new skills, rather than everyone else. It's adventure, not stress, and self-sufficiency that is the part the average person doesn't see before they embark on this new lifestyle . The essence of freedom is being self-sufficient. Break the shackles of reliance on others.
@@philrau2758 Absolutely agree! Being self-sufficient is a major part of this lifestyle, and it’s one of the things that brings the most satisfaction. Each skill you pick up is one less thing you need to rely on others for, and that’s real freedom. It takes time to develop those skills but over time it all adds up to help.
@@FdR88 True! Having a base really does cut down on costs if you’re not constantly on the move. Staying put definitely makes the van life more manageable, especially with fuel prices these days.
@@TempehGoreng Thanks for the info! Starlink at $50/month for 50GB sounds great. I wish I could get my hands on the Starlink mini for the extra space-saving, but from what I’ve seen, it’s only available as an add-on and not sold separately
We've been living on the road for 17 years. Been to 53 countries and 5 continent. I completely disagree that vanlife puts more miles on the vehicle. I've put way more miles on my cars before starting this while living in California. if you are relatively new to this lifestyle, you are likely driving way too much because of the novelty if it all. It will taper off over time. We now average 12k miles a year. These miles include driving from LA to Alaska to Baltimore, Belgium to Turkiye to Morocco, New York to Washington and now to Argentina. Still less miles than my former static life per year.
@@freelyroaming That’s a great point! There’s definitely a learning curve with van life, and I can see how you’d naturally get more efficient with travel and mileage over time. Starting out, it’s easy to feel like you have to keep moving constantly, but I imagine that settles as you gain experience. Your journey across so many countries and continents is inspiring-thanks for sharing your perspective!
Agreed but if you do NOT ovverall plan ahead Budget. Becomes manageable settling into a Rhythm. Some if Mobile Life is HONESTLY has more PROS might have to find Mobile Part-Tome or Reset work save then Venture back on the road. Yes, since COVID now includes those No alternative fell into living in their rigs SQUAT 24/7 what was our STEALTH locations which is why I see STAKE info for preventing ABUSE
@@bencuraza6503 Very true! Settling into a rhythm and having a solid budget are key for van life. COVID has definitely shifted things with stealth camping and finding good locations it’s a lot harder than it used to be. Appreciate the tips!
I currently live in the cheapest apartment in my area which costs me $1,355 per month. I daily commute to another city for work because a studio close by would be $2,000 per month. My current place isn't in a high crime area but my last place had gunshots going off outside and maybe a third of the people living on that street were career criminal drug users. I am constantly under threat of being fired at work because it's a large corporation that has firing quotas managers must meet on a weekly basis. Every drive is wading through traffic. Because I am always worn down from my job, I work in huge crowds and get groceries in huge crowds I get sick often (like today). Instead of resting I have to push myself at work or I'm written up at my tracked to the second job. The nomad life has challenges but life at an even higher gross income level but a lease traps you in civilization and 45% of your net income goes to rent is way worse. And civilization may be great for those with money but it's hell for the poor. What I have never seen anyone do is a side by side comparison of van life and lease life of total income and expense, and pluses and minuses that come with both. Living in a vehicle to save money will always be way cheaper than living in an apartment. Living in a vehicle to be on permanent vacation will always be way more expensive. People with money were always free to do whatever they wanted. Living in a vehicle is a way for the poor to experience freedom that isn't accessible any other way. The moment I can get early social security and have a way out of civilization hell I'm taking it and never going back.
I do have to agree with others here regarding rotating tires. If one is living in a van a basic, dare I say *required*, skill you should have is knowing how to change a tire. And tire rotation is simply changing four tires. I recommend you rotate your tires with a full sized spare (if you do not have a full sized spare, you should). That way you only need one jack and you always have three tires on the ground which is safer. And if you have a full sized spare and get a flat somewhere in BFN, you have a full sized spare and are not limited to those useless dinky tiny spares with about 10 feet of useful rolling lifespan. Also you can do more complex rotations that way (such as cross rotations rather than simply front to back). Also recommend you get a torque wrench to make sure that nuts are on to spec. A "decent" torque wrench will cost you about the same as one tire rotation. Unlike an oil or other fluid change, which is usually illegal in other than dedicated locations due to spill potentiality (by EPA or state law**), you can rotate your tires pretty much anywhere, even in a paid campsite. Hope this helps. ** Those that do otherwise, sadly make van life a target of even more bad press and ill will by non-van lifers, and thus even more laws and regulations aimed specifically at limiting that community.
@@SaintCoemgen Wow, lots of valuable info here-thank you! I hadn’t thought about the advantage of a full-sized spare and more complex rotations. Definitely adding a torque wrench to my toolkit!
Your question : I'm never surprised.... Breakdowns are expected. Always have an emergency fund up to the job ! You'll reach a point between 5 & 40 k in the fund where worries will just slow down 💥. 👍 Rock on 🙂.
@@mythicalnomadadventure969 Great advice! I’m working on building that emergency fund myself-definitely helps with peace of mind. Any other must-have tips for staying prepared?
@@BrettyPOV Right? It’s easy to get caught up in the dream, but a reality check helps everyone make informed choices. There are ways to make things cheaper but it definitely takes some effort and a willingness to learn over time.
Sounds like someone needs to learn how to change their own tire. Change their own oil and filters. And paying $1,600.00 for a radiator and water pump and 4 gallons of coolant is around $350.00 if you do it yourself on that Van. Just call an Uber driver for the auto parts store. Then you can learn a new skill doing it yourself. Now if you're one that doesn't like getting dirty. Then you will pay 5x more to stay clean. So I suggest you hire a Mobile repair mechanic. Their cheaper and they come to you. I made a fortune off clean people with no skills doing that on the side. It paid for my Van... I also suggest you Buy a AAA membership. It's cheap insurance for the small things. Plus you get 100 mile towing.. So learn one new Mechanical skill everyday. in a year you know 365 new skills. One one reason content creators spend so much time posting videos. They want the free stuff from companies. To pay for their lifestyle. As the review the product then sell it. RU-vid is bloated with them.
@@MasterChief4U Appreciate the tips! You’re absolutely right-learning mechanical skills can save a lot, but it comes down to either spending time to learn everything or paying for help. I don’t claim to know it all; I’m still learning myself, but I think it’s important for people to understand the real economics of van life. It’s often glamorized, but there’s a lot more to it than just hitting the road!
@@AdamxSoldo They glamorized it to get the free stuff from Companies. They also get paid chunks of money to promote it as well. Then comes Warranty or Support time. Then you get the other side. As now that $2,500.00+ Solar Generator is useless when one thing breaks in them. I think companies gave them out like Halloween candy to Content creators to promote. Why I always suggest people that try this life style. You better have an income that supports it already or learn how to do things yourself. As things do break down, just how it is... And what really got me. People that lived this lifestyle did it out of necessity. As they were homeless. Now you got everybody making their living off it. Which drove the prices so high on a used Van. The poor homeless people can't afford them anymore. As now it's the new hippy thing of the 60's. Less work, more play theme going on..
@ Couldn’t agree more! The glamorization makes it look like van life is easy and cheap, but there’s so much people don’t see-like the cost of keeping things running and having to DIY repairs. And you’re right about the used van market-it’s gone way up, which makes it tough for those who are really in need. Van life isn’t just a trend; it’s a big commitment!
@ Couldn’t agree more. The van life scene has evolved a lot, and not always for the better. The commercial side has driven prices up, making it tough for people who started out of necessity. It’s a reminder to keep it real and be prepared for the costs!
@@Globetrotter-1 Interesting take! Topping off can help, but regular changes do help keep everything running smoothly in the long run. But hey, everyone’s got their own way of doing things!
@AdamxSoldo A lifetime of experience with vehicles. My Mercedes petrol engine still running smooth as silk beyond 250,000 miles, a second Mercedes at 135,000 and my BMW diesel ⛽ engine is approaching 160,000 without problems and still as strong as ever.
@ That’s impressive! Sounds like you’ve taken great care of those engines, and it’s amazing to see how far they can go with the right maintenance approach. A lifetime of experience really shows-thanks for sharing your insights, hopefully my van makes it that long. 🍀🤞🏼
@ If my van can hold up like yours, I’ll be thrilled! Looks like I’ve got a lot to look forward to in the mileage department if I maintain decent maintenance.
@@songjiang165 Good points! Those basic skills can definitely save money if you’re comfortable doing them. Not everyone is, though, and it’s worth showing the reality of costs and choices in van life
@@NicholasMatteo-p3b Definitely! Changing the oil is a good starting point for DIY maintenance, and I’m still picking up skills as I go. The challenge is finding safe, environmentally friendly places to do it, which isn’t always easy on the road!
Mostly the fuel is the largest part. I have Good Sam towing for rescue because they will come get you on Forest roads as long as they are numbered no tire service unless you buy it. Liability only car insurance is cheaper. You must have an emergency fund. I would recommend an emergency fund of at least $5000
@@tbone3079 Totally agree! Fuel and emergency funds are huge, especially for van life. I’ve had a few close calls, and having the right insurance and towing is worth every penny. Because my van is from 2010 I feel the need for the maximum towing that’s possible.
@@BecomingMeSince1965-k9o Absolutely! Even with the maintenance and fuel costs, van life can still be easier on the wallet than a permanent structure and all the bills that come with it. It definitely takes good budgeting skills and management to minimize overall costs to save the most amount of money, especially as the temptation to travel is always there.
@BryanKale777 Good point! Doing your own oil changes and tire rotations can definitely save money, though finding a safe place to do it while on the road can sometimes be a challenge
@tracyhardyjohnson1315 Exactly! Not having a garage is definitely one of the challenges of van life. It makes simple maintenance a bit more complicated on the road.
@satindersingh9671 True! You don’t always need a garage, but finding a safe and environmentally friendly spot to do maintenance can still be tricky. It’s all about making it work wherever you are!
@@Staetik That’s the spirit! It’s all about pushing through the fear and embracing the adventure. This country has so much beauty to explore it’s changed my life-go for it!
@@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei I went with USAA to insure my van. It can be tricky finding coverage for self-built conversions, but they’ve been great for me so far!
@@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei That’s right! USAA is for military members, veterans, and their families. If you qualify, they’re worth checking out for van insurance. If not, let me know-I can suggest some alternatives
All good points! I'm planning to get out there part-time next year and have a budget in place but the unexpected is what I can't fully gauge. I'm hoping that the good will far outweigh the unexpected!
@@OutdoorsybyNature Totally get that! The unexpected has been one of the biggest adjustments for me, but it’s also what keeps things exciting. Having a budget definitely helps, and trust me, the good moments make it all worthwhile. You’re going to love it! Hope to see you out there on the road!
Yep, i could not agree more. I chose to continue working my full-time job and bank the ssvings. Even then, there are always expenses. This is your home now, and if it fails, that can be horrible. Great video, new sub
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I completely agree-it’s always a balancing act with the expenses, even with a full-time job! Van life definitely comes with its own set of financial surprises. Glad to have you on board!
@@AdamxSoldo I just jumped into something similar with a camper no idea what I'm doing learning as I go getting it ready now to live in in the next 2 weeks and going to school. It's exciting
@@EllaandAmiee Congrats on starting this journey! It’s such an adventure learning as you go. Wishing you all the best with the camper and school. Keep me posted on how it’s going!
@@shaftmasterlathes Thanks for the tip! That sounds like a quick and budget-friendly solution. Always good to have those practical fixes on hand - would I want to sand down the rust first?
Your Van’s name is Iconic! I live and travel full time in my trusty steed Pegasus the Prius! 💃🏽🚙 I was going to say you should go to Arizona for winters the desert is beautiful but then you said you’re in school so I assume you may have to stay around that area. I don’t blame you I’d totally get an apartment for winter if I could. The cinematography an shots are stunning in this video 👏🏽
@@TaylorLoven Thank you so much! Vincent van Gogh has become more than just a van-he’s my trusty sidekick on all these adventures. Pegasus the Prius sounds like an absolute legend too! Arizona’s desert winters would be amazing, but yeah, school is keeping me local for now. If I could, I’d totally follow the warmth as well. Your support means a lot, and I’m really glad you enjoyed the cinematography-I’ve been working hard on making each shot count. Here’s to more epic travels for both of us!
