MUST WATCH BEFORE STARTING VAN LIFE 

Complete Guide to Van Life: kombilife.com/van-life-book/

I almost got robbed my first day living out of a tent/car in Burlington , VT. The next couple months were great but the first day really made me distrust people for the rest of the trip

If you are doing the 9-5 office gig from your vehicle, get a membership at a 24 hour gym as well. 20 bucks a month or whatever, but clean showers and facilities always available.

Who else is well up for this after watching?!

I found this extremely educational! I'm currently considering Vanlife. I'm leaning heavily towards building a tiny shower and compost toilet inside my van.

I'm only 13 but my dream is to travel the world while living in a van with my best friend

Van life to me is living simple so the inconveniences are worth the sacrifice of not having the stress of a 9-5 work week and the debts that follow (rent etc). Great video. Thanks for the information.

I happened upon this because people in New York City are starting to live in vans on the streets because they can't afford the rents. This is the direction that this city is going. There will be a mass population of the "newly poor" formerly called the middle class living in vans on the streets, while the so called rich live in apartments. Thank you billionaire class for making this new phenomenon possible.

1 other thing if there's 2 of you make sure y'all get along with each other because it's not like a house where you can run to the man cave to vent

I’m facing a tough choice...pay the high rents and be constantly stressed with losing my job and becoming evicted or by a van to live in. It’s still a better alternative than having to sleep on the street.

I want to be a part of van life so bad! I just have to save up before I can get on the road! Also, have followed your channel for so long, Ben, and I have always loved it!

chocolate hostage.....tea is now all over my laptop.

4:06 I've always liked the double Walmart shopping bags in a waste paper basket method. Welcome to OTR life...

I travel North America in my vintage camper van and I love van Lifestyle. Your videos are inspiring. Freedom above all is the most important thing that you own . The van Lifestyle gives you the freedom that living under the bondage of debt can not . Subbed you guys . Bravo !!!

Love this video! All of the points are things I warn people about whenever they start talking to me about van life and how amazing it "looks." YES, van life is awesome, but it comes at a price! I don't want to scare anyone out of doing it but I do want them to know that instagram is BS and van life isn't as easy as it may appear.

hello mate, your videos and van life is just awesome man. i have been planning to to live a full time van life but don't know where to start from. M from India and work abroad. Tired of living a life for others, wanna live it now for myself. To see the world, the mother nature and all the beauty of nature. and your videos are very much inspirational. Keep it up mate. Cheers..

Hell yes! I am so so psyched! I am moving into my van this year to travel and work in film and TV and I am so so excited! I love videos like this to get me motivated and inspired. Thank you for a great video! My little 1988 chevy Morrison and I are ready!

We circled our surfer vans, then our hippy vans, now we're those old geezers you avoid.

This is a great video. I'm a musician who's thinking about going on the road as a nomad in the next few years because the music scene in my small town isn't very lively.

I have been in healthcare for forty years and this is the first time I heard the chocolate hostage...thought I'd heard it all before, learn something new every day :/

I'm finally out of my house 🏡 tomorrow so i will find out!!

Thanks for keeping it real...instagram will have you messed up and disappointed if you dont do your research. Loved the vid...Ben's dimples are distracting though, they are so cute!

Thank you for making an amazing video, people don't realize how bad a van life can be, Ive lived full time in my van dinky for 2 years now, I've lived nomadically travelling with my family on month long holidays for years so I knew what was to come, I now live with my dog collie shepherd cross Tate and my chicken fig, (no joke and don't worry she's toilet trained, but she's also really good for eggs). Thank you so much for making this great video keep at it :)

Ugh...Its 3 am and I was sooo close to falling asleep and then I hear " sometimes you just gotta release the chocolate hostage". I'm dying 😂😂😂

thank you so much for this video! I am highly considering and wanting vanlife in my life haha. Yes I do agree that on instagram and other social media it portrays amazing things and all but honestly I feel like this is my calling. Ive always wanted this and because of this pandemic and not having a job anymore makes me want to go do what I want to do. Thank you again!

I can't believe I wasted 3 years watching vanlife videos. I lived in my Jeep Patriot for 9 months (Dec-Aug). Everything I needed was less than $500; excluding all of the various trial and errors that I had for window coverings. I painted the inside of my Backstreet windows black. And I put a curtain behind the driver seat; if the front is open, people don't assume someone is sleeping in it. Once I removed the front passenger seat I could stretch out and sleep comfortably on a thick memory foam, and lots of soft fleece blankets to stay warm even during 40 degrees. A suitcase for clothes, a bin for TP & absorbant horse pellets. A bin for cooking, stove, dry foods; having an ice chest was a major pain; the ice melted too fast so my food would sit in water...so I just bought cold items as I needed them. Once I learned about OMAD/I.F. it really simplified my cooking time & weight loss. I had an amazing Hammock-Chair to read my Bible at the park/beach. Gym to shower/exercise, a small Storage Unit for extra food, clothes, etc. For the past 5 months I've been in an apartment. I've really enjoyed having plumbing and a refrigerator...but I hate feeling trapped in 1 city and having to spend $1,300/mo. Once my lease is up, I'm getting back out again for good! The only thing that I'll do differently is to remove the back seats for more room, add Solar for a real frig/freezer, so I can STAY COOL while I sleep during the summer!!

How do you deal with vehicle insurance? And taking the van from country to country - as in is it difficult to go past borders/cross oceans (I'm assuming you must then take the van on a cargo ship)? I'm just finding your channel today but have always been inspired to live in a van as I already live like a nomad in many ways. Is all of this information in your book? You two seem awesome, I'll have to watch more. :)

I waz living in a van. I had a GMC Savana extended 350. I just threw a mattress in the back. I took showers at Planet Fitness. I slept in a car for 5 months and a van for 9 months. I got tired of it. It was depressing. I missed having a sink to spit my used toothpaste into. I missed having heat at night and having AC on the hot days. Cracking the windows and using the buddy heater worked somewhat. There was no way I was going to sleep with that Buddy Heater on. I learned that I like having a toilet I can flush and use anytime I want and I like being able to take a hot shower anytime I feel like it. For me, life is too short to live in a van. Maybe I would try a Class A RV at least 26 feet long.

We're currently planning going full-time in a van, so a useful video (thanks). We've had motorhomes foe 10 years, so have a fair idea - but obviously different when it's home. Lots to sort out - but can't wait :)

"Release a chocolate hostage" - LOL

There are two types of Van Life, this and fake ones on youtube portrayed by actors. Keep it real like you guys do!

Love it , I will be purchasing your book... I am certain has some amazing information... glad to see you and Leah together... you both make a great team and great couple. cheers...

I always appreciate your information and enjoy your interactions with each other. Delightful couple! Entertaining videos! Thank you :)

For some reason RU-vid keeps pushing all kinds of van-life videos at me, and it's got me thinking. This is going to sound like I'm criticizing van-life, but that's not my intention: Never do I see it pointed out anywhere that van-life is a luxury for the few that's only possible because we live in such an amazing, affluent society. For every 1 van-nomad, there's got to be thousands of sedentary people working in the factories that build the vans, working in the factories that make the machinery for making vans, working on the oil rigs and refineries that make the gasoline, working to pave the roads and highways, working the farms that make the food, working in the banks that make all those other ventures possible, etc. It takes literally thousands of non-nomads working thousands of jobs daily to support the needs of each van-nomad. Again, I'm not bashing van-life; I just keeping seeing comments where people say, "Society tells you to stay-put and get a job, but there is another way..." Well yes, but realistically, that's a luxury for the very few -- it falls apart if everybody does it.

Nice vid. Still saving money for the initial investment but I'm done with the rat race, I just can't do it anymore. On average I work 63 hours a week 6 days a week and not even paid well for it. No thank you. So yeah I'm going nomad. You and Bob and everyone else are an inspiration, so thank you all for the info and life lessons that make it possible for others to go nomad.

I don't even want to live in a van and I watched through all of that!

Great vid, but the end was the best part!

Yes, I can handle van life, because I've already handled car life. = ) Thank you, Plant Fitness and storage unit businesses.

After watching the video and reading the comments I have boiled it down to 2 main points. One is a hot girlfriend and two being at least 6'2" tall is the most important. Everything else can be bought or built. I always enjoy the videos, thanks for the smiles and entertainment.

I'd love to travel but I'm only 15 definitely something I WILL do :) thanks for even more inspiration

We have a very small RV travel trailer since we have 3 kids. So I use vandweller info to help with packing a lot in small areas.

You forgot the most important thing. Before starting van life, have lots of money to pay expenses.

I LOVE your videos. I am a huge traveler, but honestly at 48, I NEED a nice room with a bathroom. I live vicariously through you guys in my hotel rooms!

Great video. I like you mentioned shower toilet and keeping clean. Seen so many van dweller video's and NO toilets or shower.. first thing I would like in a van. Cheers guys

i wanna do this soo bad because i wanna travel but i also won’t be able to afford it if i live in a normal house and stuff. i’m definitely considering it i just don’t know what my job would be.

Love your channel guys, super helpful. I'm planning to do New Zealand and Australia in a camper in January and February and it's been great seeing your experience. Thanks so much.

Mentioning the concept of what people will do/may do in SHTF is fantastic. We live in clueless times with the petal to the metal. A crash will come...planned or whoops. We are overdue like a heart attack. To not plan is to plan ...to fail. God bless fellow travelers.

Wanna do something like this so bad when I finish school, I watched all your videos in two weeks there insanely good. Shared with mates and family don't ever stop pls thanks 😁

English people have big advantages for urban van life. Those whom I have known over the years don't need bath as often and don't have lofty standards which are unnecessary. I adore them. Good message with this video. Thank you

I write books for a living and right now I'm living off my passive income. I'm ready for vanlife...just gotta wait til kids leave the house 😀

I love your dress so much!

Next summer I want to take a week with my two friends going to different places living in a car/van. We always joke about perusing van life when we’re older, but depending on how that week goes we actually may

Hi guys, when pooing in the bush (in WA, Australia), we recommend you burn your toilet paper if conditions allow I.e. No fire ban or no threat of causing a bush fire. Awesome videos, and when are you coming to WA?

Hardest part is nighttime parking and A/C. Getting solar hooked up right. Not being stranded if you break down. Everything else is GREAT!!!

Love the blooper end.....wicked funny.

Having a bathroom is a MUST... Don't need a proper bed, but a nice toilet is a must.

Thanks for the video! We live in our RV which eliminates stealth from the equation, especially since it seems to be the only red RV on the planet, but I'm OK with that, but I do sometimes think it would be cool to just park on the street. Thanks for the videos.

I don't think that I'll be able to live my life like that, but it does sound like a fun way to spend vacations like :)

"Release the chocolate hostage" absolutely sent me lmfao 🤣

I really expected this to just be negative, thanks for proving me wrong! Very insightful and realistic

I really like your Baja trips...keeping freedom free and being respectful to nature.

That would be an amazing video too!!! Things we need to learn about the maintenance of our vans. Please do that video! I get so much from your videos, thank you so much!!

I love the "Tommy Boy," reference; "I live in a van down by the river."

Loved the video, and thumbs up for the epic outtakes at the end! You two are awesome

Van life is the one for us ! - saving up after uni were off vlogging and explorig the world - great info guys thanks

"A chocolate hostage." Somehow, I'm going to have to incorporate that into a conversation, perhaps at work. "I'll be back in a few...I have to release a chocolate hostage." Yep. Monday morning, here I come!

Thanks for the infos and preparing us for both the ups AND downs :)!

Its good to plan and get a comfortable van which you will enjoy being in

Like the ending!))) ps: chocolate hostage lol

Can't agree more! True and honest video. But...in the end, the pro's are worth it all!

The two most important things to get in vanlife are: 1. A van. 2. A life. So get a life! And a cute aussie also helps. ; )

Thank you for this very helpful video!

Had my van broke down on me while driving on freeway. The bad part of the freeway. While checking out the ignition system, car accident occured right next to me causing one of the car to spin out of control and slam to the rail a couple hundred feet in front of me. My van was unscathed but too close to having been hit. Fortunately, it was an ignition module that is easily replaced and I was on my way out of danger. Also had a run in with cops once while sleeping. They left me alone because I proved I worked at the facility I was sleeping behind on the public road.

Great stuff, ya'll! This is a lifestyle I'd like to get into and most of the obstacles don't seem unacheivable at all; the one I've been stuck on though is health insurance without a full-time job + benefits (I have type 1 diabetes, so it's kind of crucial and super expensive). You two look quite healthy, so it may not be of concern to you, but if you have any tips or options, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

We just picked up a box truck with a lift to aid us on our scuba diving adventures!!! Ahhh so exciting!!!

She ... is so nice :). Congrats to you both. Good Luck & enjoy the Time. Cheers from GER

Wonderful video, i hope you’re both having a wonderful time right now.

yeah I'm with you guys!!!! Stop with the toilet paper everywhere people!!!!! (girls, please drip dry or ziplock you toilet paper) I love how you stopped to even mention that you hate seeing it! thanks for the video! everyone does need to knows the less appealing parts of the glamorous parts of vanlife!

😂 Release the Chocolate Hostage!!! Oh My goodness! I love that!

These videos are so helpful, but I also wonder why people seem to think it's so easy. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a realist, or a bit too old to take crazy chances that I haven't thought through. lol Hopefully people can remember not to believe everything the see, especially if it looks too good to be true... Thanks for sharing! Safe travels!!

Very cool video! I like your honesty and openness. I'm studying automotive engineering with van life in the back of my head, to fix the van and to have a certification to get work easily.

Ur Life and ur Life gonna be have so many history. Mostly ur old Van (we'll both)

Thanks for this interesting and informative video. Very helpful. Greetings from Bangkok from a fellow travel vlogger :)

I love watching your videos they're so inspirational I bought a van back in May and just started converting it and youtubing as well thanks for all the videos they definitely help with ideas for the van life

Great video guys, I'm doing research re-van life and found your point very helpful. Thanks for sharing

Not a lot of people talk about the break from VanLife @8:10 Thanks for that!

Ben, you and Bob Wells (CheapRVLiving) are the gurus of van life. He's choosing to stay in a van for the rest of his life. Do you think you can stay small or do you feel the need to move up to a "Class A" pulling a car like Chris and G did? Thanks

Thanks for keeping it real! All the best to you both!

Chocolate hostage. That was a first 🤣🤣🤣

I bought a nice laptop and am gonna have 4 300w solar panels so I can play wow whenever I want

I suck at video editing but once I learn how I’ll be doing videos like this when I save for my van too. 😊 I am giving myself 5 years to save the right amount. I’ll be travelling Australia like my grandparents did.

Doing better life depends on you actually and if you don't mind small spaces

love it all as allways! the bloopers killd me

In the US the Van life folks seem to spend a lot of nights in Walmart parking lots. Not the greatest scenery in my mind.

Thanks for sharing those informations. Validating as this is what I can experiment on a daily basis like you two. Van life is spartiate but you learn a lot, on you mainly. ;)

“Dropping the kids off to the pool” !! Toilet options

Chocolate hostage! HA!!! I nearly spat my cup of tea all over the computer.

I have some questions. How do you find the places to spend the night? Do you always end up in “camping” regions? How do you get your van from country to country?

Thanks for this honest video.

Hey Ben and Leah! I’m a tad late (July 2018 😂) but just wanted to say I loved this advice! I follow lots of van lifers and feel like I would love the life if my van had a shower and loo like some builds I’ve seen. I am considering if it’s something I want to do when life allows me - no more uni going kids at home or mum to look after AND if I have the necessary $. One of the things I’ve noticed is that buying and fitting out a van is way more expensive than it first appears. Plus it would seem sensible to have special savings for mechanical problems. That’s one of the reasons I loved this video, because it didn’t pull any punches. Leah - are you....an Aussie? I’m really looking forward to binge watching everything on your channel 👏🏻🤣 much more inviting than Home & Away or Neighbours 😂 cheers from Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺