Planning a road trip? We share these van life hacks so you can enjoy your road trip without feeling stressed.
Living a life on the road is full of adventures and thrills. You’ll never know what’s around the corner, what landscapes you’ll see, and what friends you will meet. However, van life is also full of inconveniences and challenges. For example, you may find it challenging to keep the costs of your trip in check or sufficiently prepare for the hardships you may encounter on the road. Even with promo codes from sites like Hey Discount and the best equipment at hand, you might struggle to enjoy your van adventure.
So, how can you make your life all the easier? We’ve compiled a list of our greatest van life hacks that will make any journey on the road feel hassle-free.
Van life hacks
Stay Powered Up
We’ve become accustomed to a world with plenty of power, so you’ll need a backup source in case things go awry and you can’t charge your devices conventionally. We recommend that you invest in something like the ecoflow delta max portable power station that offers excellent battery life in emergency situations.
This can:
- help you stay powered up on long road trips
- give you a backup power source in case of emergencies
- let you charge all your devices at once
But it is essential that you have a backup plan for when your power runs out. A solar panel is an excellent way to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. We recommend finding a solar panel kit that is lightweight, portable, and easy to set up.
Protect Yourself with Mosquito Nets
There’s nothing more frustrating than leaving your van doors open and inviting in a parade of creepy crawlies in the process. You can easily purchase portable nets to protect you from any mosquito bites at night. This is especially useful if you prefer sleeping with the doors open during hotter months.
Buying a mosquito net is a good investment, especially if you travel to areas with a lot of mosquitoes. Not only will it protect you from bites, but it will also keep the mosquitoes out of your van.
Make Every Space Count
Anyone that’s lived in a space as small as a campervan can let you know that making every space count is essential. You need to minimise your lifestyle and maximise your storage space. For example, you can hang your fruit in netted baskets, install hooks to place tools, and opt for collapsible Tupperware.
You should also invest in some creative storage solutions like over the door organisers, under the bed storage, and space-saving hangers. Get creative with how you use the space in your van so that you can utilise every nook and cranny.
Park with Levelling Blocks
At the end of a long day and drive across America, the only thing you really want is a great night’s rest. However, it isn’t always easy to find a level parking spot, especially if you are travelling around a hilly area. Why not grab yourself a set of levelling blocks that can help you get rid of any pesky angles.
Levelling blocks are one of the most essential van life hacks because they will make your life so much easier. You won’t have to worry about your van rolling around in the middle of the night, and you can sleep soundly knowing that you’re on level ground.
This can:
- help you find a level parking spot
- prevent your van from rolling
- give you a better night’s sleep
Purchase Packing Cubes
When you live in a tight space, organisation is of the essence. Packing cubes can come in all shapes and sizes and they basically act as a wardrobe organiser. You can even purchase compression packs to help you store away any seasonal items you won’t be needing in the near future. If you’re looking for that special article of clothing, you’ll know exactly where it is.
Packing cubes are one of the best van life hacks because they help you keep your van organised and tidy. You can even use them to store away any valuables you might have so that they’re out of sight and out of mind.
Connect With the Van Community
The best thing about van life is the community that it has created. You can reach out to fellow van people through various social media platforms and groups. They’re always willing to lend a helping hand. You can even download apps that are specifically designed for the lifestyle, for example, where the best places to park in Las Vegas are, where to find cheap fuel, and much more.
The van community is one of the best things about this lifestyle. You can always find someone to help you out, and you’ll never feel alone on the road. People are often willing to share their tips and tricks, so don’t be afraid to ask around.
Install a Whiteboard
A whiteboard is one of the most essential van life hacks because it can help you keep track of all your appointments, to-do lists, and reminders. You can even use it as a menu board so that you know what you’re going to cook for dinner. If you have kids, a whiteboard can also be used as a learning tool.
This is also an excellent way to stay organised while you’re on the road. It’s also a great way to keep the whole family on track.
All in all, remember to be safe on the roads. For the most part, living in your van is a safe experience, but it’s important to be aware of any potential dangers. Don’t drive when you’re overtired, make sure to park in safe areas, and turn off any fire hazards before you go to sleep.
Happy van-living!
Helpful Resources
Travel essentials:
- We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
- For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs.
- We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first).
- This is our favourite travel Insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offers year coverage.
What to pack
- No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizer’s and a mini first aid kit.
- We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage.
- We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips.
- I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these, over backpack and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.
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