Have you ever felt that there’s more to life than the daily grind? A life filled with purpose, adventure, and genuine happiness? That’s exactly how I felt at 54, which led me to a life of living and traveling in my camper van, ‘Lucy.’ The question I often hear is, “Why on earth would you move into a van?”
For me, it wasn’t about escaping something bad, but embracing something better. Despite having a life that many would envy – a house, a stable job – I felt confined by the routine of a nine-to-five and limited vacation time. The idea of traveling the world in a van, planted by a friend, had taken root. I’d always admired classic VW Campervans, dreaming of the freedom they represented. Suddenly, this “crazy” idea didn’t seem so crazy anymore.
If you’re dreaming of the Travel Camper lifestyle but feel unsure where to begin, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore the incredible world of van life and how a travel camper can unlock a life of adventure.
camper van at purple and yellow sunset parked between palm trees
My Journey into Travel Camper Life
The thought kept echoing in my mind: Why couldn’t I do this? Living in a travel camper, embarking on adventures – it seemed wild, especially with two teenagers, Gina and Zach. But deep down, I knew anything was possible if I truly desired it.
Initially, I was clueless. Should I buy a brand-new travel camper? Could I even afford it? Or a used one? But how would I navigate the used market? I’m the type of person who, once decided, jumps right in. After some initial online research, I discovered ‘Sussex Campervans,’ a company specializing in converting new vans and selling pre-converted travel campers. Perfect, and conveniently located nearby!
The following weekend, I visited their showroom. The moment I saw the travel campers, I knew I was going to buy one. For me, a pre-converted camper was the ideal solution, offering a quicker route to the open road. For others, a DIY conversion might be more appealing to manage costs.
These travel campers were a significant investment, but I viewed it as investing in a home, a tangible asset, and a lifestyle change. Fortunately, my finances were in order, and securing a loan was relatively straightforward.
Choosing My Travel Camper
I opted for a new travel camper. The price difference between new and low-mileage used models wasn’t substantial enough to justify going second-hand. I chose the new Nissan NV300 Tecna, attracted by its 5-year warranty and European breakdown cover.
I also invested in comprehensive travel camper insurance, providing complete breakdown coverage for extra peace of mind on my travels.
The only catch was an eight-month wait for the van. It was a new model, arriving as a panel van directly from the factory to Sussex Campervans for conversion. This lead time gave me valuable months to save more funds for my journey, arrange to rent out my house, and tender my resignation at work, considering my 3-month notice period.
My Travel Camper Adventure Plan
Initially, my plan was a one-year adventure in my travel camper, after which I’d likely sell it to repay the loan.
However, shortly after starting my journey in April, it became clear that returning to my old life was not an option. The freedom of the travel camper lifestyle was too addictive.
I had always dreamed of writing a book, a project constantly sidelined by time constraints and lack of inspiration. Traveling in my camper van provided the perfect opportunity. Now, several chapters are written, evolving alongside my journey.
In nine months, my travel camper has taken me through ten countries: Scotland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal. And if you’re considering travel camper life in the US, a Western US road trip is an incredible option.
I’ve reconnected with myself, living life authentically and happily. The future of this journey is unknown, but for now, my hope is to inspire others to break free from life’s conditioning and pursue their own dreams, whatever they may be.
Text graphic promoting location independence, a key benefit of the travel camper lifestyle.
5 Essential Tips for Starting Your Travel Camper Life
woman laying in the back of her camper van with bed pulled out
Imagine someone asking, “Would you like a life of freedom, simplicity, and peace? Waking up in breathtaking locations and working from anywhere?” Would your answer be “Yes!”?
If so, the following tips will guide your first steps into travel camper life. Numerous books and YouTube channels offer valuable insights into van living, which are excellent resources to explore.
Here are my top 5 tips to kickstart your travel camper adventure:
1. Invest in the Best Travel Camper Your Budget Allows
While I’m not a van expert, I strongly advise buying the best travel camper you can afford. This investment translates to reliability on the road, reducing the risk of breakdowns in remote areas, and enhanced security.
Newer travel campers often offer improved reliability, fuel efficiency, and safer, more functional onboard systems like gas and electrics. You’ll appreciate this, especially when you need your heater working in cold climates (yes, travel campers have heating!). Some even have hot water, though mine doesn’t, making hot showers a treat rather than a daily occurrence.
However, budget-friendly options exist. Used vans can be significantly cheaper, and converting a van yourself is a cost-effective route. I highly recommend exploring YouTube for DIY conversion inspiration and guides. You’ll find a vast range of van models and makes to choose from.
Some of the most impressive travel campers I’ve encountered on the road are self-conversions by individuals with no prior experience. DIY conversions not only save money but also equip you with valuable skills. It’s a time investment, but the payoff is intimate knowledge of your camper, making repairs easier on the go.
Remember, the travel camper community is incredibly supportive. Fellow van lifers are always willing to help, especially to solo female travelers.
2. Consider Size and Layout for Your Travel Camper
Size is a crucial factor beyond just amenities. I chose a standard panel van for my travel camper because I was new to van driving and wanted ease of parking in cities and standard parking lots. My van fits perfectly in a regular car parking space, which was a key requirement. It’s surprisingly easy to drive, and you quickly adapt to the extra width and length.
While travel camper living means embracing a compact space, the maneuverability and parking convenience of a smaller van were worthwhile trade-offs for me.
I also opted for a pop-up roof rather than a high-top. This allows access to areas with height restrictions, common in places like the UK and France. This feature has opened up numerous beautiful and secluded camping spots that would have been inaccessible with a high-top travel camper.
3. Don’t Skimp on the Leisure Battery
A high-quality leisure battery is indispensable, particularly for those planning to wild camp frequently, away from paid campsites with electrical hookups. Even with a new travel camper, power limitations exist, especially during extended periods without driving or sufficient sunlight to charge the solar panel.
I’ve spent the majority of my nine months of travel wild camping, only using electric hookups twice.
Wild camping saves significant money on campsite fees and, for me, is a core part of the travel camper experience. It’s about parking in nature’s embrace, waking up to breathtaking views. I’ve enjoyed views from my travel camper that rival five-star hotels, largely thanks to a reliable off-grid battery system.
4. Create a Realistic Monthly Travel Camper Budget
Developing a monthly budget is essential. This will depend on your savings and income. Track your spending meticulously, perhaps in a notebook, to monitor your financial situation.
Living off savings, I set a strict monthly budget: £300 for fuel and just £120 for food, avoiding eating out. I’ve largely adhered to this, although pricier countries like Norway occasionally pushed me over budget. However, I compensated in more affordable countries like Spain.
Factor in incidentals such as tolls (which can accumulate quickly – avoid toll roads if time isn’t a constraint), ferries, and occasional campsite showers.
5. Embrace the Freedom of Wild Camping in Your Travel Camper
Wild camping, also known as boondocking, means parking your travel camper off-grid, immersed in nature, rather than in designated parking lots, RV parks, or campsites. It’s a fantastic way to save money and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of travel camper life.
Finding legal and safe wild camping spots, especially in new locations, can be challenging initially. Focus on public lands rather than private property. The travel camper community is incredibly helpful and shares valuable tips and locations.
Park4Night is the best free app for finding wild camping spots. Search in advance or use the ‘Around Me’ feature when you’re ready to stop for the day.
I also use the Camperstop app, which requires payment (unless you buy their book for a free year’s subscription). I purchased Camperstop before discovering Park4Night and, in hindsight, would have relied solely on Park4Night.
An interior view of a new camper van
Travel Camper Living: Practicalities and Daily Life
With these essential tips covered, let’s delve into the everyday aspects of travel camper life that require consideration before you move into your van.
Travel Camper Safety and Security
I’m pleased to say I haven’t experienced any break-ins or significant safety issues in my travel camper, with only one minor nighttime encounter with locals. Several precautions can minimize these risks.
Here are my safety recommendations for travel camper living, especially for solo female travelers:
- I use authentic-looking stickers on my travel camper windows stating “equipped with video recording equipment” (which I don’t actually have). This acts as a visual deterrent.
- I have a recording of a barking dog on my phone. If anyone attempts to enter my travel camper while I’m inside, I can play it to scare them off. I’ve never had to use it.
- When parking in cities, choose well-lit, safe locations. Parking near other travel campers is beneficial as van lifers tend to look out for each other.
- At night in urban areas, park under streetlights.
- When wild camping in remote nature spots, I always try to park discreetly and ensure the driver’s seat is clear for a quick escape if needed. Again, this has never been necessary.
These tips are primarily precautionary, and I operate on the principle of “better safe than sorry.”
For added security, consider travel insurance like SafetyWing to cover any unforeseen incidents.
Travel Camper Toilet Solutions
I highly recommend a compost toilet for your travel camper. It eliminates the need to find disposal points for porta-potty waste, which can be unpleasant. While emptying porta-potties is easy in some countries like Norway, it proved challenging in Southern Spain unless using campsites.
Since I primarily wild camp, I utilize nature or public toilets as much as possible to minimize porta-potty emptying.
Always carry a trowel to bury waste when using nature. It’s crucial to leave no trace and avoid littering the beautiful countryside with toilet paper or wipes.
Fresh Water Management in Your Travel Camper
Install the largest possible fresh water tank in your travel camper, along with a smaller backup container (I have a 10-liter one). Using the backup signals the need to replenish your main supply, preventing you from running completely dry.
You’ll quickly become water-conscious. Washing dishes, cooking, and personal hygiene become exercises in water conservation.
Initially, water scarcity was a concern, but I’ve never actually run out. Many European petrol stations have water taps for easy refills.
The UK was surprisingly challenging for finding water. Many petrol stations have removed taps. My tip for the UK is to buy a tap key, as pubs often have outdoor taps but remove the handles. I also always carry 5 liters of drinking water as a reserve.
The Park4night app is also invaluable for locating water refill points.
Packing Light for Travel Camper Life
Your packing list will depend on your travel duration and destinations. However, my primary advice is to pack less than you think you need. Minimalism is an inherent part of the nomadic travel camper lifestyle.
Traveling through both cold and warm climates required careful clothing and shoe considerations. Storage space is limited in a travel camper. I have one cupboard and no hanging space, so crease-resistant clothes are essential. Rolling clothes minimizes creases.
Despite careful packing, I still brought too many clothes and wear only a fraction regularly, often rotating the same items until laundry is needed!
Most towns and cities have laundromats, making it unnecessary to overpack. Remember, a travel camper is a small living space. Maximize living area by minimizing storage. Less clutter also makes keeping your van tidy easier.
Wifi and Data on the Road
I initially bought a mobile wifi router, but consistently got only 3G speeds despite it being a 4G router. I switched to using mobile data and upgraded to an unlimited data SIM card.
Be aware of data limitations when traveling internationally. “Unlimited” data plans may have restrictions outside your home country. I learned this after upgrading to Three’s unlimited data SIM.
Many travel camper owners use dedicated Motorhome wifi systems, which might be a better option for consistent wifi access, especially for frequent international travel where data plan limitations are uncertain.
If you spend considerable time in cities, utilize free wifi in cafes and restaurants. McDonald’s is a reliable source of free wifi.
Camper van parked with mountain and sea in the background
Earning an Income on the Road as a Travel Camper
Fortunately, making money while living the travel camper lifestyle has never been easier! The internet is a wealth of resources. Start with a general search like how to become a digital nomad and explore from there.
An increasing number of jobs are adaptable to online work. Whether you’re interested in digital marketing, website design, or freelance blog writing, numerous remote work opportunities exist.
Alternatively, if you want to use your travel camper primarily for leisure travel, consider platforms that allow you to save money and stretch your travel funds.
I’m gradually embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, but it’s been a steep learning curve. Building a professional brand, navigating social media and audience building, creating a website to showcase my writing, and incorporating affiliate links for income generation from product recommendations – it all takes time. Building a sustainable income stream can be a gradual process.
If you want to bypass the guesswork of starting your own website (if that’s your chosen path), I highly recommend the Scale Your Travel Blog course.
Is Travel Camper Life For You?
A camper van parked in the forests during a big snow storm
Travel camper life has been a significant step outside my comfort zone, but one I’ve wholeheartedly embraced.
Choosing a mobile lifestyle is an alternative path. No rent or hostel costs. Your travel camper is your home, your transport, and your workspace, all in one. You have the freedom to live and travel wherever you desire, which is the very freedom I yearned for.
Home truly is where you park your travel camper.
