Best Van Life Essentials – A Holiday Gift Guide

van life essentials feature image

When trading a stationary home for one on wheels, some sacrifice is inevitable. Though a van may not have all of the comforts of a house, there are so many van life essentials to help make the transition smoother and more comfortable!

These van life accessories also make perfect Christmas gifts for that one weird relative that lives in a van down by the river… oh wait, is that me?

The concept of living a more minimal lifestyle is a major factor that drew me into vanlife. On the pursuit to own a lot less things, living in a van has aligned perfectly with living more minimalistic. While I do believe that less is more, I have learned that the foundation for living comfortably with a lot less is to have a few really good items. My van is fairly minimal as I wanted to start off pretty barebones, then figure out what I needed/don’t need down the road.

So, after a few months on the road full-time, I am here to share some of the car living essentials I couldn’t survive without, along with must-haves that I plan on adding soon as well. I definitely haven’t found myself ‘dishing out’ on gear/gadgets because I am ballin’ on a budget, so I hope these items help you without breaking the bank.

**Concious Buying Tips**

Whether small things or the big ones, I try to buy items that will help me reduce my footprint. One way is by buying things that make it easier to refrain from buying disposable products or single-use plastic items. Dishing out a few extra bucks for things that I can reuse- like Beeswax Bags listed below- so that I don’t have to buy Ziplock bags is an example.

When I do use single use plastic/disposable goods, I try to repurpose them in any way possible. I’ll take my bag of nuts from Trader Joe’s when it’s empty and use it as my TP waste bag when I’m on the trail!

I also have recently made it a mission to try to shop locally/direct when possible and be less reliant on Amazon. However, that isn’t always possible (especially in our current coronavirus climate) but I want to encourage you to do the same when shopping for your van life gear or to be more conscious of where your money is going.

(Sometimes Amazon is truly the cheapest/fastest option or the only carriers of certain products, but just a tip to be more aware when you can be)

KITCHEN Van Life Essentials

Coleman Stove

coleman stove is an essential van life item

A good stove is one of the most important essentials for van life. I currently have the Classic Coleman propane stove, but I am actually planning on selling it and purchasing their Triton model. I think the Classic is great for the price and gets the job done, but the pipe for me has always been finicky and I have heard better things about the Triton Series stove. For the price though, I do think the Classic is a great option.

The Triton also has automatic ignition so you don’t have to find your lighter every meal. Another selling point is that it is only around $20 more than the Classic, which I recommend going for.

Bee's Wax Wrap

I’m always a fan of reducing my plastic consumption and bee’s wax wraps are a fantastic and sustainable option in place of plastic ziplock bags! These bags are made from organic cotton and coated with beeswax. I have used these so much and they have yet to fail me. I pack all of my sandwiches and trail snacks in them, as well as store leftover fruits and veggies which stay just as fresh as they would in plastic baggies.

Mason Jars

mason jars are a must van life essential

Mason jars are my sh*t. Another amazing form of food storage for pretty much anything that can fit in these glass jars, which also double as beverage glasses IMO. I’ll pack my morning oatmeal in one of these before hitting the trail, or leftover dinner that isn’t solid enough to go into Beeswax bags.

You can find loads of mason jars in all sizes at Walmart, Target, and Hobby Lobby.

Hydro Flask / Insulated Bottle

hydro flasks are awesome

I didn’t understand the hype around Hydroflasks until I was the owner of one. I put off buying one due to the price tag for a while, but I am here to tell you that they are very much worth it! 

I love ice cold water and I often find myself stopping at gas stations to fill up my Hydroflask with ice. I can attest that the ice stays in there for at least 24 hours… sometimes more! They’re also great for keeping your tea and coffee warm.

Cast Iron Skillet

cast iron skillet is a van life essential

Honestly, a necessity whether you’re in a van or a house. When seasoned properly, a cast iron skillet is easy to clean with little water which is always a huge plus in the van. Though heavy, they are also versatile and can be used over your stove or an open campfire! I also just really love the way these skillets cook food in general.

Nesting Cookware

nesting cookware is essential

The last thing any of us wants is an entire cabinet overflowing with a mess of pots and pans. The solution? Nesting cookware! This set of pots and pans nests in one another, making them extremely space-savvy.

Pressure Cooker

pressure cooker van life essential

My cousin said she is buying me a pressure cooker for Christmas and I am so pumped. Gone are the days of waiting 45 minutes for overcooked rice! I have used these in the house before and I am so pumped for this van addition. With these, you can make soups, stews, rice, oats, chili, potatoes, and so much more.

**I am opting for the stove top pressure cooker vs. an Instapot because my electrical system can’t support an Instapot. If yours can, I highly recommend one- an efficient way to cook without breaking out your stove and easy clean-up.

Water Filter

katadyn water filter is an everyday essential

A water filter is an absolute necessity for anyone spending a lot of time outdoors. From personal experience, I can guarantee running out of water is a problem you never want to face, whether on the trail or in the van. This one is quite small, but can be used for long days on the trail or if you’re ever in a pinch in your vehicle.

Dish Rags

the best dishrags are a van life essential

I came across these dish rags before I hit the road, and I sure am glad that I did! An eco-friendly option, these rags are amazing at getting grease off of your cast-iron skillet, as well as cleaning all other dishwater spotless. They come with 12 rags which I try to use to keep my paper towel usage as low as possible. I even use these to clean my floor and they work great! I simply toss them in my dirty laundry when done and after a wash, they’re good as new

AeroPress Coffee Maker

aeropress is a hiking essential and a van life essential

We have a whole article about making coffee, because that is an extremely important thing.

Okay, so I do love my French Press, but… I am I thinking about cheating on her with an Aeropress? Shhh…

A few of my van friends have an Aeropress and swear by it. Between its compactness and the fact it brews a cup in two measly minutes, it is a game changer that all coffee addicts on the move need.

Collapsible Measuring Cups

collapsible measuring cups van life essential

Typically, I eyeball when cooking, but I have these collapsible measuring cups for those more specific recipes. For those planning to cook a lot on the road, these are perfect space-saving cooking tools!

Dometic Cooler Fidge / Freezer

dometic fridge is the best 12v fridge

I was going to opt for a cooler as my fridge, but as someone who loves cooking and food I realized having a fridge of some sort would be essential. These are pricey and I struggled finding one that wasn’t going to cost me an arm and leg, but I settled on the Dometic CC40 that I found for not a terrible price.

*I have seen a lot of people using RTIC or Yeti coolers, but with them ranging from $300-400, I chose the Dometic CC40 as it was only a little bit more.

Find out more information about 12v portable refrigerators for vanlife below!

Cleaning/Organization Van Life Essentials

Baby / Wilderness Wipes

sea to summit baby wipes van life essential

Unless you have a shower in your build, showers may be far and few in between. I have surprised myself by showering once in five weeks. There is no way in hell I would have lasted that long without these wipes!

A more eco-friendly alternative to traditional baby wipes, these are biodegradable and compostable, and will be your saving grace after a sweat-filled day of activities.

*Pro Tip- if you have some cleanness left on the wipe, put that baby back in the pack and break it out for a second wipe shower!

Dr. Bronner's Soap

dr bronners is an essential van life soap

Another must-have that y’all have most likely heard of due to its’ incredible versatility. This soap has 18 different uses from laundry detergent to dish soap to shampoo. It is also biodegradable which is VERY important if you’re disposing of it in any way outdoors. You can find this soap at pretty much any drug store, grocery store or health food store.

Quick Dry Towel

quick dry towel

These towels got me through backpacking in Thailand, and I knew I had to have them in the van as well. As the name suggests, these microfiber towels dry super quick and fold into a very compact size. I’m always on the hunt for any body of water I can jump into, and these towels make it much easier than a heavy, soggy beach/bath towel.

Van Life Vacuum

van life vacuum

Because my van is so small, I probably won’t be splurging on a vacuum and shall continue to utilize 25 cent gas station vacuums. I have mooched off of a few friends though and I will say it would be amazing to own one. Here is the one my friend swears by!

Packing Cubes

packing cubes essential for van life

I cannot recommend purchasing packing cubes enough. They are amazing for keeping your sh*t organized and my van would be a hell of a lot messier without them. Don’t just stop at clothes! I use a couple small ones to organize other things such as spices, condiments and toiletries.

Other Van Life Essentials

Small Rug or Carpet

small rug is a great van life edition

Okay, so there is a very valid argument that a carpet in a van is sure to get dirty super fast. While I can agree with that, I also will say a rug is one of the best things I added to my van. I didn’t realize how much the floor contributed to how cold my van would get and a small rug has made all of the difference! It also just looks 10x cuter and cozier in there now. I make sure to wash it pretty frequently or shake it out to get dirt and crumbs out.

Slippers

slippers are a van life essential

As previously stated, I underestimated just how cold the floor gets. Good slippers are a must for this reason. You will also come to find that as many layers as possible is crucial when winter hits in the van! 

Earplugs

ear plugs are so essential

A small item, but a necessary one. Sometimes you’re parked next to a noisy highway overnight or next to a loud group of hooligans partying all night. While my fan does a great job of tuning sound out, sometimes you need a little additional assistance in ensuring you get a quiet and peaceful sleep.

Maxxiar Maxxfan

maxxair fan is the van life essential

I cannot recommend this fan enough. A fan is crucial for many reasons whether it’s keeping your van cool in the blazing heat, circulating air while cooking, or (my personal fav) drowning out noise so well while you sleep. I was between the Fantastic Fan and this one, but after reading many reviews I chose to go with this one and couldn’t be happier!

In Conclusion

There are many van life essentials. However, what seems essential to someone might not seem essential to others. 

We will try to continually update this list with new and relevant accessories. 

The most important point, however, is to try and shop local whenever possible. 

50+ Mobile and Remote Jobs to Earn Money From Virtually Anywhere

Remote work virtual work

There are so many ways to work remotely from home, or from the comfort of your camper van.  Hell, you can even be a digital nomad while sippin’ mai tais on a beach in Thailand. Whatever your goal, this list will cover it all and provide a ton of resources. Let us help you find some van life jobs.

!!WARNING!! This article is LONG and will be routinely updated. Feel free to use the table of contents below to navigate through the multiple sections.

Let’s start off by defining a few terms that will be used throughout this lengthy article about mobile work and van life jobs. 

Remote (or mobile) jobs

Remote work is typically done away from a centralized office. This may include careers that can be done from home, on the road, or even while traveling abroad.

However, these are not exclusively “virtual work,” although there is a lot of overlap.

A remote job might require you to be in a specific town or place for a period of time. The term remote work gets used broadly and for the sake of this article, we will use the terms remote work and mobile work interchangeably.

Virtual work

Virtual work are typically jobs that can be done through a computer and a good wifi connection. These can be full time careers like a remote IT job or they can be freelance gigs like a digital designer.

There is also a variety of self-employed entrepreneurial virtual work, like running an affiliate marketing website or managing a business from abroad.

It is important to make the distinction that not all virtual jobs can be done remotely, however. Some employers might take a more traditional approach and want their employees to show up to a traditional office for work. For the sake of this article, we will focus on remote virtual work when talking about virtual jobs.

I think it is the dream of many people that live a constantly shifting, vanlife lifestyle to be a successful digital nomad and find a mobile or a virtual job to allow them full freedom.

This is a comprehensive list of all of the different ways you can earn money while on the road, or from home, or even from that beach in Thailand.

There are over 50 options for remote work listed here. Some of these jobs will require a degree, or prior training. Some are seasonal work that will require you to hunker down for a few months. Other’s are virtual jobs that can be done from anywhere to make money on the road. 

Use the table of contents to navigate around this extensive list of ways to make money while living in a van or RV

Phew… now that we got all that out of the way, let’s get down to the fun part.

Table of Contents

MOBILE JOBS THAT ANYONE COULD DO

These are mobile jobs that require no specific degree or certification. They might have some barriers to entry, but they are quite low making them perfect opportunities for a van life job, or to make money on the road.

#1

Driving for a Ride Share

Uber and Lyft are both popular jobs that anyone with a vehicle (and even those without… more on that later) can do. They might not seem like the best choice for a job while traveling in an RV or van, however. Gas mileage (and increased mileage on the engine itself) is a concern. Plus, I don’t think many people would enjoy riding along in the back of your motorhome or camper van.

However, there are still some options. If you are traveling the country in a van or RV, you could tow a small car behind. There are stories of people making their living this way, and supporting their nomadic lifestyle.

Also, a few months ago I caught a ride with an Uber driver that stated she rented her ride share car.

Rent a car????

Yes!

I found out that day that this is completely legal and many drivers actually do this. In fact, there are programs in place through the rideshare companies to get you set-up with renting a car.

The obvious benefit of doing this is that you are not putting a large amount of miles on your personal vehicle, lowering the maintenance costs. So, if you don’t have a practical car to drive but driving for Uber or Lyft appeals to you, renting a car might be a good way to earn money remotely on the road. 

The following links will have more information about driving with the two biggest rideshare companies (Uber and Lyft) as well as information how to go about renting a car.

https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/uber-offerings/#earn

https://www.lyft.com/drive-with-lyft

And if you want to find out if driving for a rideshare company is worth it, check out this great article by Millennial Money Man.

Driving for Uber | Best Side Hustle and Pay for Drivers?

When I first heard about Uber a few years ago I remember thinking that it sounded like an awesome idea – a super millennial-friendly alternative to cabs that also helps people make more money on the side driving their own cars. As you may or may not know, I’m all about making extra money.

#2

Meal Delivery Service

UberEats, Postmates, GrubHub and DoorDash are good ways to earn some money while traveling. You can work on your own terms, when you want to. The gas mileage and wear-and-tear of your vehicle is still a concern, like with the ride-share services. However, if you are living out of your car or towing a car along with you, they are great remote job options.

In fact, you can even do these deliveries on a bicycle (if you’re in a busy enough city) or motorcycle. 

I’ve delivered for Postmates and UberEats out of my camper van, although I am very weary about the distance required for the delivery. 

I much prefer the next section in regards to a van life job.

#3

Grocery Delivery Service

I did grocery shopping and delivery for InstaCart for several months while living full-time in my camper van conversion. It was a nice little side hustle. Definitely a better bang-for-your-buck in regards to mileage and time compared to some of the meal delivery services. 

Basically, you log into the app and wait for an order, or a “batch” as they call it. You can see how much you are going to make and how big the batch is ahead of time. You can even see the tip (although they can change that at a later time).

You can make some pretty decent money on InstaCart if you do it full time. Although, there are frustrations. 

  • Some batches have low pay.
  • Some people don’t tip.
  • Some people you shop for can be very picky.
  • During the pandemic, the grocery shelves were out of nearly everything and trying to pick through and find adequate replacements was very frustrating.

My go-to technique is to turn on my InstaCart app when I have nothing better to do. Maybe I’m walking in the park or sitting in my van watching a movie. Regardless, I turn it on and wait for a good order. One that isn’t a million items and pays well with a decent tip… and isn’t a huge drive. Sounds like a white elephant but they definitely exist.

Since I have a full time job (more on that later), I only do this intermittently and I view this as a nice little supplemental income on my travels. This makes it a perfect little side hustle for vanlife.

#4

In-Store Shopper (for InstaCart)

If using your precious camper van or RV to deliver groceries doesn’t appeal to you, look into becoming an InstaCart in-store shopper.

In some areas InstaCart has a program where they divide the service into a delivery person and an in-store shopper. 

Basically, you do the shopping part, bag up the groceries and set them aside for the delivery person to pick up.

Again, you can work on your own terms, design your own hours and schedule, and you wouldn’t even have to put any added miles on your van.

Some grocery stores even have their own in-store shopper service, so that is something else to look at if you are planning on being in the same area for a while.

#5

Ask Your Current Job if You Can Work Remotely

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people are just afraid to ask. This is a very viable option, especially with the COVID-19 shutdown. Many businesses moved their employees to work from home. I think this might open the door for many remote work opportunities. 

If you currently work at a job that you think could be done as a virtual job or done remotely, consider asking your employer. If your field isn’t practical to be done on the road while traveling, why not ask if there is anything else available that would be?

If you are preparing to hit the road to see the world, you’re probably already planning on leaving your job. So, why not just ask?

REMOTE VIRTUAL WORK THAT ANYONE COULD DO

The following are virtual jobs that have a low barrier-to-entry. They might require a basic understanding of the English language, basic writing skills, or possibly a little creative spark.

The beautiful thing about these virtual gigs is that these all can be done from anywhere, allowing you to travel the world… as long as there is a wifi connection.

#6

Freelance Content Writing

This is a very common way to get virtual work. Content writing is a vast field. What I’m doing right now is content writing. Most of what you read on blogs, websites, and articles would fall into this category. You are writing content for emails, websites, magazines, newsletters, whatever.

Entry level writers generally get paid per word, around 0.02 – 0.10 cents per word. As you can see, that already varies dramatically. Now, to add to that, some of the top content writers can be paid as much as one or more dollars per word.

To break that down, that means that a very competent, and perhaps a little lucky, content writer can net a cool grand for one 1,000 word article. Again, this is the upper level of the pay scale so you will be much more likely to get something like $30 or $40 for that same length of an article, especially at first.

With the ability to do it from anywhere and pretty much no barrier to entry, besides a basic grasp of the English language, it makes for great virtual work for us van lifers. 

There are many different websites that you can join to get a freelance writing gig. 

Upworks.com

Contena.com

ContentWriters.com tells you exactly how to become a content writer.

How to Become A Content Writer

Becoming a freelance content writer is an excellent work-at-home opportunity for professional, deadline-driven solopreneurs who want to make a living helping companies create effective digital marketing content. This often comes in the form of blog posts, website pages, email newsletters, product descriptions, and white papers.

Ditching Conventional has a great article on finding more freelance writing websites.

9 Freelancing Websites You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner – Ditching Conventional

61% of freelancers say they freelance by choice and 51% of freelancers say they will not go back to a traditional job, no matter how much they would get paid ( stats from Fundera). We are two of those freelancers in those statistics. It’s easy to find great freelancing jobs with all of the freelancing websites available.

#7

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants (VA’s) are used by many entrepreneurs. Basically, they are assistants that work virtually. It can be done anywhere in the world. Many VA’s live in low-cost-of-living countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and India.

Typical tasks that these virtual assistants do are research, reports, excel data entry, reading and replying to emails, and so many others. Pretty much any semi-repetitive tasks that takes up time but doesn’t need a ton of specialized education to do. 

Unspecialized VA’s and entry level VA’s don’t make a lot, typically less than minimum wage in most American states. However, having experience or skills like graphic design, website development, SEO, or other such specializations, can definitely increase that amount by a significant amount.

Personally, I’m willing to take a pay cut to be able to work wherever and whenever I want. However, keep in mind, clients will likely have schedules and deadlines for the work they want done.

#8

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an entrepreneurial business model that allows people to start an online business, buy and sell products, without ever having to stock or come in contact with the products themselves making it a pretty perfect van life job.

To find out more about what dropshipping is, check out this beginner’s guide by Dropified:

How Dropshipping Works? – A Guide by Dropified

As more people look to start their own businesses, eCommerce has become really appealing because the cost to get started is extremely low compared to traditional brick and mortar retail businesses.

#9

Become a Brand Ambassador

If you have any sort of social media account, you probably see brand ambassadors on a daily basis, even if you don’t realize it.

To put it simply, a brand ambassador embodies and embraces a particular brand. They spread that brand’s message and goals. They are basically marketing machines… in human form.

Sometimes brand ambassadors are also called brand champions. You can either be a brand ambassador in real life, or in the internet world. And yes, you can get paid.

Becoming a brand ambassador is a little obscure and requires that you market yourself to your potential brand, but if you’re interested here are some very general tips.

(note, this is mainly for virtual brand ambassadors)

  1. Discover brands that are compatible and build engagement.
  2. Build an online personality.
  3. Build an online audience.
  4. Engage and get your audience involved.
  5. Contact relevant brands and apply to be a brand ambassador.

There are different ways of being a “brand ambassador.” For example, some beer companies are even offering to pay you money to hike the Appalachian Trail and drink their beer!

Get Paid $20,000 to Hike the Appalachian Trail As a ‘Chief Hiking Officer’ (Video)

A Virginia-based beer company wants to pay one lucky brew lover $20,000 to hike the Appalachian Trail as part of the ultimate socially-distanced ‘workcation.’ Devils Backbone Brewing Company is looking to hire a CHO or “Chief Hiking Officer” to hike through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine, in the spring of 2021.

#10

Grade Tests Online

Yes! You can actually get paid to be an online test grader. Not to mention you can totally do it from your van while living remotely on the road.

This virtual gig typically pays around $10-12/hr and requires no training or prior education past possibly a high school diploma or GED.

There’s several different websites that cater to this field and you can find out more information by checking out The Work at Home Wife’s post:

Get Paid to be an Online Test Grader: 8 Legit Online Grading Jobs

One work-from-home job loved by many in my community is contracting as an online test grader. In this position, you are working online grading tests, essays and other papers. In many cases, these essays are submitted as part of a standardized test like the ACT or SAT.

#11

Transcriptionist

If you’ve ever worked in a hospital you might be familiar with the term “dictation.” Doctors have to do a lot of charting and often do it over audio via a phone or a headset. If you’ve ever used Siri, you know how inaccurate this audio capture can be. Someone on the backend listens to the recorded dictation and transcribes it into word.  

What about the subtitles and closed captioning on TV shows and movies? Those have to be transcribed by a person as well. 

There’s plenty of other examples of situations where a recorded audio dictation has to be transcribed into type. There is a pretty low barrier to entry as well but you definitely have to have a decent grasp of the English language.

If you think this might appeal to you, check out www.rev.com, a popular website where people make money transcribing, created captions, and even translating foreign audio into text (bonus, that pays more!)

 

#12

Data Entry Freelancer

Data entry jobs are great work at home (or from van) gigs. They don’t require any sort of formal education past high school or a GED and it’s fairly easy to get started. 

You have to be a decent typist, have a computer/laptop, and a good WIFI connection.

You can find freelance writing gigs on www.UpWorks.com

For a more detailed dive into getting a remote job doing data entry, check out this article by The Work at Home Wife.

12 Legit Data Entry Jobs From Home

INSIDE: Data entry jobs from home are easy to get – but the industry is full of scammers. Here are 12 real opportunites and what you’ll need to get started. Data entry requires very little specific knowledge, so it’s fairly easy to get started with one of these jobs from home.

#13

Remote Online Tutor

A lot of tutoring can be done online over zoom or facetime. Especially now with COVID protocols in place tutoring is a great remote job. 

There are a literal TON of online tutoring websites but here is a list to get you started:

  • Revolution Prep
  • Skooli
  • Smarthinking
  • SpecialEdTutoring.com
  • TutorEye
  • TutorMe
  • Varsity Tutors
  • Wyzant

#14

Remote Call Center / Customer Service

Ring ring ring ring…

That’s my telephone impression, pretty good huh?

Seriously though, working in an actual call center sounds like a nightmare to me. I get startled when I receive a text on my cell phone let alone a whole room of ringing phones and talking voices, that’s just the picture I have in my head.

That’s why I think being a remote customer service technician would be appealing. I know a couple people that do this for their full-time job and are able to do it from the comfort of their home… so why not do it from a camper van or RV instead?

Here are some good books for your travels if you are interested in finding more about working remotely or virtually. 

VIRTUAL JOBS THAT TAKE SOME SELF-TEACHING AND/OR FREE TRAINING

A formal education is not a requirement of these following tech-savvy jobs. That doesn’t mean you won’t have to put in effort to learn a new skill and become proficient at it. However, if you are able to do that, these jobs are perfect for remote work and van life job.

#15

Coding / Programming

I don’t know much about coding.

I do know, however, that people can learn to do it on their own with no formal education. There are tons of YouTube videos and websites dedicated to learning to code. Like this one:

There are definitely different types of coding language: C++, Javascript, Python, HTML, CSS, Ruby.

This article titled “A Guide to the Different Types of Coding Languages” will be a good place to learn more.

You might have to put in some effort into learning the trade, but coding is a very well paying job and is one of the most sought after “digital nomad” careers which makes it perfect for van life and nomadic living.

#16

Website Development and Design

I had to learn a bit of website development on my own for this very site you’re on now. It was remarkably frustrating and full of trial and error.

However, like coding, there are so many YouTube videos dedicated to website creation, design, and development. Not to mention that the stand-alone blog creation sites, like WordPress.com, make things intuitive and easy to get into.

Even if you only know the basics, that is still a lot more than the majority of people know. There are tons of Mom and Pop businesses that don’t have websites and would benefit from one, so there is definitely a market for basic level website development. 

If you continue to learn and grow your own business in website design and development, you can get bigger clients and make a VERY good living from anywhere in the world while living remotely and working on your own schedule.

#17

Become a Copywriter

What is copywriting? 

Basically, it is using words to get people to buy something (or take some form of action).

Copywriting is like being a salesman, but in print. Think about those newspaper ads that are a whole column long that tell this elaborate story to sell you a vacuum cleaner… that is copywriting. Those (semi-annoying) pop-ups and landing pages that you come across on the web from time to time–copywriting.

This can be a very lucrative career if you know what you are doing. Also, as far as I know, there is no formal education for copywriting. You just kind of… do it. You learn the trade by doing, and market yourself.

You might end up doing things like writing emails for mailing lists, ads (the long kind and the short kind), landing pages, etc. I will warn you, however, you have to be very self motivated to be a successful copywriter. You will have to hustle. 

Copywriting is kind of mysterious, in a way. If you want to find out more about copywriting, check out: 

How to Become a Copywriter (2020 Beginner’s Guide)

Trying to figure out how to become a copywriter in 2020? Well, you’ve just stepped into the right corner of the internet. In this article, I’m going to introduce you to all things copy. I’ll tell you what copywriting is, why it’s the best career ever, and even give you the tools and resources you need to get started writing high-performing business copy today.

#18

Affiliate Marketing

The big thing online right now is affiliate marketing. It seems like every blog or website these days has some sort of affiliate links connected to it. I mean, why not?

If someone like Amazon is willing to give you a small percentage of a sale for directing traffic and sales to their website, you take it.

However, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have to have something that people want to read first. A website or a blog is typically viewed as the easiest barrier to entry into affiliate marketing, but affiliate marketing can stretch across multiple platforms–like Facebook or YouTube.

Some of the big affiliate sites can make tens of thousands of dollars per month. Most, however, probably fall into the market of barely breaking even.

The nice thing about affiliate marketing is that once you have a website or blog set up, it is mostly passive income. Some websites are a decade old and are still producing income with little or no upkeep. 

This is perfect for a little extra money while living your vandwelling dreams. You can manage an affiliate marketing website/campaign from anywhere in the world, making it a great remote job.

#19

Social Media Assistant / Account Manager

Social media assistants basically run social media accounts for clients… duh.

Sounds simple enough but once a social media account gets super popular, it can start becomming unwieldy, which is why people seek out social media managers.

You have to know the intricacies of the social media platform you are using and be able to run successful social media campaigns and even advertisements. So, it might sound like anyone could do it, but we have it listed in this category for a reason. It does take some training. 

Also, many potential clients will want to see a successful social media account as “proof” of their assistant’s past work. If you think you can run a social media account and have proof, social media assistants can make pretty good money. Better yet, it is a remote virtual gig that you can do it from anywhere in the world making it one of the ideal van life jobs.

#20

Online and Remote Sales Work

Sales is a career that has a wide range of jobs and not all of them require you to be tied to a brick and mortar business. Not to mention they don’t require any sort of advanced degree.

Sales work can be done over the phone, through email, creating sales campaigns for businesses, or through zoom and skype. 

You can either be a fully virtual salesperson or have it as a semi mobile job.

For example, some of the medical sales reps that come to the hospital travel all over the country to different hospital systems, or they might have a big regional area as their territory. This might be a nice gig for a vanlifer, if you can get it.

Sales is a hard field to get into, and you definitely have to be either

a) VERY knowledgeable about the product / service you are selling

b) be a VERY good salesperson

VAN LIFE JOBS FOR YOUR CREATIVE SIDE

If you are one of the lucky ones that have a creative bone in your body, this following section is for you. Some of these are my favorite possible van life jobs, as I always wanted to be an artist. These creative jobs allow you the freedom to build your own schedule and possibly work from anywhere in the world.

#21

Freelance Artist

Freelance artists don’t need any sort of formal education. Sure, there are formal art school degrees you can get and they will surely help if you want to be a professional artist — but it is not a requirement.

If you have a bit of a creative side and find doing art enjoyable (I know I do), then look into being a freelance artist while working in the comfort of your own… van. You can create a cheap, or free, website to showcase your work and commission art or just sell prints (or originals) of your own work.

#22

Graphic Design

Contrary to what you might believe, you don’t need any sort of formal education to make money as a graphic designer. It might help if you have some degree behind your name, but just like freelance artists, it is not required.

All you need to do is learn the ropes online, get a program on your computer, and start a profile on Fiverr.com

https://www.fiverr.com

On fiverr, you create a profile. People who are looking for a graphic design freelancer will search through the profiles and portfolios and if they like your stuff they will choose you for their project.

You can set your own prices. Some people will create a logo for five dollars, others will cost as much as $500. You might have to do some free logos to get a little profile to showcase, but other than that… anybody can sign up.

I don’t know about you, but being a freelance digital designer while working remotely on a beach in Thailand sounds pretty amazing to me… I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with Thailand.

#23

Be a Creative Writer

Basically, this is any other writing not already mentioned on this long post. You can write poems, stories, biographies, comic books, what-the-fuck-ever. Much like being a freelance artist, you will have to hustle your own stuff… but if you’re a good writer, there is money to be made.

You can self publish pretty easily on amazon as an e-book or go the more traditional route and find a publisher.

Amazon Self-Publishing: [9 Step Guide] How to Publish on Amazon

Amazon self-publishing sounds tricky, but it’s actually one of the easiest ways to publish a book. Learning how to publish on Amazon is simple if you have a step-by-step guide, but since Amazon’s publishing platform may not be the most friendly user experience to some, it can get a little confusing if you’re trying to figure it all out yourself.

#24

Sell Something Out of Your Van / Etsy

If you like crafts and there is something you can create and sell on Etsy, then this might be a perfect opportunity for you to make some money remotely. Sure, typically you will need a little room, or a craft station, to make and sell your products… but who says that can’t be done in your van?

Knitting, croache, prints, stickers, leather work, minor wood work, stones, and even tie-dye… these things sell like hotcakes on Etsy. 

#25

Photographer

Photography is a career that can mesh very well with lving the #vanlife. It can be done mobily and remotely. All you really need is a good camera and possibly some post editing software.

I know a handful of photographers that drool at the thought of living in a van and traveling the country (or world) to take pictures of beautiful shit.

You can be a freelance photographer and do things like wedding photography, family shots, nature photography, etc. Or you can create your own store and sell prints of more “artistic” pieces of stuff you have already made.

#26

Videography

Photography’s strange and more outgoing cousin, videography. I’m separating this one from the YouTube section because I want to talk more about the artistic side of videography.

YouTube is a platform to showcase this work, but you don’t necessarily have to be a youtuber to make money in video production.

I had a friend once (I know, suprising) that bought a drone and a fairly cheap camera and started his own video company. He filmed mostly weddings, but became very succesful. It just takes a little bit of drive.

If you are into extreme sports, like snowboarding or mountainbiking, you can take that film talent to a whole-nother level.

Personally, I always had dreams of being a nature/animal videographer. I love animals and I would like nothing more than to film them all day, every day.

#27

Become a YouTuber (Like it's That Easy)

Now again, I seperated this from the above section because I don’t feel like becoming a YouTuber relies on being a good videographer. Sure, it can help, but it is not a requirement.

Many YouTube videos are poorly filmed how-to/instructional videos. Hell, I changed my first alternator by watching a YouTube video.

If you are passionate about something, you can pretty much start a YouTube channel… regardless of your videography skills.

All that being said, you need at least 1,000 subscribers before you can monitize a YouTube channel with ads. Even at that point you will be making only pennies. Therefor, I don’t think you can approach life with an attitude that you are going to be a YouTube sensation…

However, there is something to the saying “where there is a will, there is a way.”

Just for fun, here is the top 5 most successful YouTuber’s, their subscirbers, and their net worth.

  1. Ryan’s World : Toy reviews : 23.3 million subscribers : $26 million
  2. Dude Perfect : Sports and who knows : 51 million subscribers : $20 million
  3. Logan Paul : Douche bag : 21 million subscribers : $19 million
  4. Jake Paul: Another douche bag : Who cares : You’re f*cking rich.
  5. You know what… it doesn’t matter 🙂

#28

Musician / Busker

I know what you’re thinking, this one might appear to be more of a stretch. Sure, if you’re in a band I wouldn’t consider that a mobile job. You will most likely have to have band practice and play local shows to build up a presence. We’re not talking about that.

If you are a good musician, there’s nobody telling you that you can’t put that to work for you. In today’s age of technology there are a ton of ways to make this happen. You could do live shows on YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, or Twitch and link them up to a Patreon account

Or, if you like the more traditional approach and are talented enough, you could become a street performer, play open-mic-nights or do virtual collaborations with other artists. 

If you’re a solo musician you can sell your songs/albums online. 

Get creative to find a way to make money while doing something you love.

#29

Video Editing

Maybe you don’t want to be in front of the camera, or even behind the camera, but videography is stills something that interests you.

Video editing is something that can be done from anywhere in the world making it a pretty good remote virtual job.

Now video editing CAN be done on a good high-powered laptop, but a lot of the professionals use a lot more gear.

If you have the ability to hook up to shore power, or just have a really strong battery bank and solar set-up, then you definitely can get the higher powered gear in your van or RV set-up.

However, a video editor can still do work freelance work from their laptop on some beach in Vietnam (hah, switched it up on you).

Check out this video for more information!

TEMPORARY AND SEASONAL WORK IS A GREAT OPTION FOR VAN LIFE JOBS

If you live mobily in a camper van or RV, then that means you are probably keeping your expenses and overhead pretty low. I know people that are able to hunker down for a few months and get one of these temporary/seasonal jobs to earn some cash and then travel around for the rest of the year.

You just have to get creative!

#30

Work at a National Park

There are tons of national park jobs available, and many are seasonal work. Some of these jobs actually pair really well with living in a van.

The variety of jobs is outstanding; trail building and maintenance, bartending and restaurant work, nursing and wilderness first aid, admin and accounting, and many more. You can get a job in retail at the gift shops or be a park greeter.

Hell, I’ve even heard of people caretaking areas deep in the mountains for a handful of months. Some national parks are like their own towns and they have to staff a lot of people. A lot of these parks are also very seasonal. If you want to hunker down for a few months and make a little money, working at a National Park might be a good choice for you.

Check out these sites for more info:

#31

Work at REI

I was recently in the mountains of Colorado debating on what I was going to do for work for the winter. I wanted to hunker down and ski for the winter but I didn’t want to go back to work in my career field (more on that later).

I came across a REI and I got the idea to see if they had any seasonal work for the upcoming winter. Sure as Hell, they did. A lot of it.

It would have been a pretty good marriage of my hobbies (discounts on REI gear) and work.

I ended up going with a short term job related to my actual career, but there are definitely a lot of seasonal REI work.

Check out their job’s board and see if there is any seasonal work near you:

#32

Work at a Ski Resort

Similar to my experience ALMOST getting a job with REI, I thought about getting a seasonal job at a ski resort.

I worked at a ski resort when I was fresh out of high school and had the most memorable winters of my life… even if I flunked all my online college classes.

Maybe I just wanted to just relive that winter of my youth but I can’t imagine a more perfect seasonal gig for a vanlifer than working at a ski resort.

You could park your campervan in the overnight lot and walk to work. You could spend your time after work skiing the slopes and drinking heavily at the bar. 

Being a ski bum and a van life vagabond sounds really perfect to me. 

There are a bunch of jobs at a ski resorts. If you know how to snowboard or ski, you can be a ski instructor. Trust me, you don’t even have to be good since a lot of times you are teaching little kids the absolute basics. You could also be a lift operator, bartender, server, cook, work in the ticket booth, or be a park guy, or in rentals… the list goes on.

If you do get a gig working at a ski resort make sure you have a well insulated van and invest in a good heater to keep you warm!

#33

Temporarily Become a Farm Hand

Farmers are always looking for extra help. If you’re a hard worker, try reaching out to local farmers to see if they need any physical labor in exchange for some money and maybe even a place to park the van or RV.

If you need more help finding a place to sleep check out this great article by one of our writers.

#34

Seasonal Bartending and Restaurant Work

I spent 7 years working nearly every jobs there is in the restaurant field. I went from being a dishwasher to being a prep cook, line cook, busser, expo, server and eventually bartender.

This isn’t about me, however, this is about you… and there are plenty of seasonal restaurant work for you.

We’ve already mentioned the restaurant work at ski resorts and national parks, but there’s more. Outside of the ski resorts there is typically a ski town. Generally dead during the summer and slammed busy during the winter, these ski towns will often hire seasonal bartender and restaurant workers. 

Winter not your favorite season? Want something warmer? Beach resorts and beach towns are seasonal as well. I thought about cruising down to Florida and trying to get a bartending gig for spring break… before covid happened of course. They probably make a killing down there.

You don’t even have to go to that extreme though. A restaurant I used to work for in the Pacific Northwest had a location on the water. It was super busy during the summer but dead during the winter so they would double their staff every summer. Many restaurants have a busy and a dead season, so look for seasonal work there.

#35

Other Retail Work

Many retail stores are also seasonal. Take Christmas, for example; many department stores hire retail associates during the busy holiday seasons (cashier, store clerk, gift wrapper).

A smaller mom and pop shop in a beach town might hire an extra employee or two during the summer time with the expectation that it is just a temporary seasonal job. 

#36

Summer Camp Counselor

It probably won’t surprise you that being a camp counselors is a seasonal job. For a month or two during the summer, you can be a camp counselor with little-to-no training. This is a great opportunity to earn a bit of money while still having the freedom to travel the rest of the year. 

#37

Be a Tax Preparer

Being a tax preparer might be a but more involved than the other jobs in this section, but it is definitely a valid option.

People will pay you to do their taxes! Besides being good at math, there are a few things that you have to do in order to qualify to become a Tax Preparer

  1. Take a 60-hour qualifying education course (CTEC approved).
  2. Purchase a tax preparer bond from an insurance agent.
  3. Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS.
  4. Register ($33)

If you want to find out more about becoming a tax preparer, check out this blog post by The Work At Home Woman.

How to Become a Tax Preparer at Home

Tax season is a stressful time. Even if you’re ahead of the game or adept at filing, you’re likely surrounded by other adults who aren’t as speedy or savvy. For them, it’s a good thing that those who are well-organized, mathematically inclined, and meticulous become tax preparers.

OTHER SIDE HUSTLES TO MAKE MONEY ON THE ROAD

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, sometimes you have to be a little creative to make money on the road. This section covers some of the more obscure ways to make a little cash. However, obscure definitely has a place on our list of van life jobs.

#38

OnlyFans

Okay okay okay… I know I’ll probably get some flack for this one. It’s a VALID OPTION though. And regardless of your stance on it, you can make money from the comfort of your van with an OnlyFans account… therefor it’s on the list.

OnlyFans is a subscription based site that lets content creators monetize their content. They can lock their content behind a paywall. People either pay a reoccurring monthly fee or a one-time tip to see the content. 

And no! Not all the content is pornographic… even if most of it is.

I’m not gonna dive into the details. If you’re interested, do your own research.

#39

Teach Online Courses via Udemy.com

Udemy.com is a platform designed to crowdsource information and teaching. On Udemy an instructor can create courses on a topic that they are proficient in and charge a fee for people to enroll and take their class, usually in video form.

The nice thing is once the course content is created, it is up there for people to find. So if you have something to teach that you think might be a benefit to someone, think about spending time to design a course.

How Much Do Udemy Instructors Make? – Blog | TeachinGuide

In a popular blog a few months back, we profiled five high earning Udemy Instructors who gave their advice about how to be a successful Udemy instructor. Those featured Udemy instructors earn A LOT of money teaching the best online courses and this has been promoted as an argument for becoming a Udemy instructor in all manner of media and blogs.

#40

TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is a GENIUS platform designed to match freelance labor with local demand. Don’t know what I mean?

Imagine you need help painting your house, you can go on TaskRabbit and hire some help for the day. 

If you don’t mind doing everyday tasks like laundry, cleaning, yardwork, painting, moving, delivery, and other basic handyman work then TaskRabbit.com is a great way to earn some money on your free time.

#41

Become a Webcam Model

Yeah, again… I’m not going to go into details. Just google it yourself, but be prepared for the results of that search.

#42

GoFundMe (AKA e-begging)

GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that is actually a pretty cool idea… when used properly. If you have a cool idea for a business, invention, or project that will benefit people then you can start a GoFundMe campaign to earn some money to get it up and running…

However, some people have started to take advantage of the platform by what I termed as “e-begging.”

This is far from my favorite idea and I almost didn’t include it, but a lot of people do it. I know some famous vanlife YouTubers who recently did this to get their van fixed. They got a lot of flack for it, and for good reason.

However, if you have no problem asking random strangers for money via the internet, feel free to start a GoFundMe.

#43

Become a Streamer on Twitch

I don’t know much about video games or Twitch, but I know it is damn popular. 

I did a quick google search and found that expert streamers can make around $3,000-5,000 per month playing video games 40 hours a week, and that is not counting ad revenue. 

This is the envy of every 14 year old boy, but Twitch streaming can be a serious cash cow. Now imagine if you did videogame streaming from cool places across the world. I might be on to something.

#44

Rent Out Your Van or RV on OutDoorsy

You might be opposed to renting out your camper to some stranger, but I know a couple people that bought an RV strictly for this reason… and they make a killing. 

I mean, just now I went over to www.outdoorsy.com and on my very first search I found

A MERCEDES SPRINTER VAN GOING FOR $200 / NIGHT

What if you don’t have a sprinter van? Well I also found

A CONVERTED FORD ECONOLINE FOR $140 / NIGHT

So, if you arn’t planning on using your van for a while, consider renting it out. 

I might even consider doing another build strictly for renting it out on Outdoorsy.

#45

Day Trading and Investing

It is always important to maximize your investments but if you don’t know much about the stock market I would stay away from day trading. You might have dreams of being the new “Wolf of Wall street” but you could very much end up broke living out of your van down by the river… oh wait.

Day trading is a form of speculative stock trading in which the investor opens and closes their positions on certain stocks in a short amount of time, usually before day’s end. The investor usually basis their in and out points based on a variety of technical data.

There are tons of YouTube videos on the subject, if you want to find out more information.

 

#46

Help People Build Out Their Van Conversions

What better van life job than building vans??

I’m surprised by how often I see Facebook posts where people are asking, even begging, to pay other people to come help with their van build. If you’re already traveling around the country in your own DIY van camper, why not make a little extra money helping someone else build theirs?

Keep an eye on those van conversion groups. People might cover your gas, pay you money for your time, and provide you with a spot to park and sleep.

In fact, if you are really good at building out vans you can really start getting a Van Conversion company going. Some people are willing to pay big money for a luxury van build.

I worked with a doctor once that was ready to sink over $50k into hiring a van conversion company to build out his Mercedes Sprinter.

VIRTUAL JOBS AND MOBILE CAREERS THAT REQUIRE SOME FORMAL EDUCATION

Just because a job requires formal education doesn’t mean it isn’t a valid way to make money on the road. Some of the best virtual jobs for digital nomads require some sort of degree or certification.

If you are serious about setting up and building a mobile life, you might want to look into these career paths.

#47

Be an Editor

Whether you are editing blog posts for an established website, an article for a newspaper/magazine, or somebody’s vampire porn fan fiction… editing can be done anywhere in the world making it a perfect addition to our list of van life jobs.

Typically, an editor can make anywhere from $30k-$100k+ a year, depending on experience. That being said, editing is far from a cakewalk job. You could potentially have to spend your days filled with reading, communicating with clients, re-reading, thoughtful feedback, and re-re-reading.

If you are interested in being an editor, here are some steps to get your started,

How to Become an Editor: A Comprehensive Guide for Writers

Despite some similarities, writing and editing are not the same job. Yet editing is often a natural progression for writers within an organization, and it’s a way for freelancers to broaden their work prospects. Based on my experience transitioning from writer to editor as a freelancer and staffer, here’s how to become an editor.

#48

Remote Virtual IT Job

Informational Technologists make good money but also requires some schooling. Traditionally, IT guys work in or near their employer so that they can come in to troubleshoot problems. 

However, more and more IT jobs are moving into the remote work category. A lot of the troubleshooting can be done virtually. 

You can get a certification/degree in IT from a trade school for very cheap compared to some of the more “advanced” degrees.

#49

Remote Accounting

Accountants handle financial records, data entry and analysis, managing accounts receivable and accounts payable for a businesses. Most of this work can be done remotely as they have digitalized this field.

Long gone are the days of having to sit in a cubicle to be an accounted. Sure, those jobs might still exist but it’s pretty unnecessary. 

Personally, I don’t know if I could be an accountant… I’m not much of a number’s guy. But if you are trying to figure out what career might give you the most freedom so you can live your dreams in a van down by the river, dare I say it might be accounting.

#50

Virtual Engineer Job

Engineers can work from home, or virtually, although it depends on what kind of engineering they do, what company they work for, and how good of a fit they are for working from home.

There are five general types of engineers,

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering

I won’t go into much detail about this because to become an engineer requires a ton of schooling and if you are considering it you probably already know more about me on the subject.

#51

Digital Marketing

I put this under the “needs some formal education” category because it definitely would be EASIER to succeed in this field if you had a marketing degree.

However, it is far from a hard requirement. If you are good at marketing you could totally market yourself into a sweet remote job doing digital marketing for a variety of companies.

And finally, what I do for a living…

#52

Travel Nursing

I went into nursing with the narrow minded focus of becoming a travel nurse. Far before I ever found #vanlife, I wanted to travel around and live a more nomadic lifestyle.

I got my 2 year Associates Degree in Nursing, started working on a general Med/Surg floor and hated it. I thought about quitting several times before eventually switching to emergency and then to the cardiac cath lab, which is where I still am.

As soon as I got enough experience, I pursued my dream of travel nursing. At the time of this article, I’m working in the foothills of Colorado, living in my van named Vanessa, and awaiting the ski season.

Travel nursing isn’t virtual or remote, but it is mobile. I work a 3 month assignment and then I can take the rest of the year off if I wanted to!

There’s other jobs in the nursing field that allow for a more nomadic lifestyle, like working for a nurse hotline (not the sexy kind–get your mind out of the gutter).

If you’ve actually read this entire list of van life jobs, I’m very surprised. If you got ANY sort of value out of it, please consider sharing it with your friends or on social media and give us a like and a follow.

If there is a job that you think we missed, please let us know in the comments below!

Toilet Talk: The Best Portable Toilet Options for Vanlife, RV, or Camping

portable toilet with @ditchingconventional

Where do you poo? What is the best portable toilet option for vanlife or RV living? Should I take a toilet camping? SO MANY QUESTIONS!! Well, hopefully we can get down to the dirty details and answer your questions in our article, “Toilet Talk: The Best Portable Toilet Options for Vanlife, Camping, or RV Living

Does a bear shit in the woods? Yes. But, that doesn’t mean YOU have to. I mean, that is the whole point of getting a camper toilet, right?  

Converting your van into a home-on-wheels means making yourself as comfortable as possible. Replicating the essential parts of a house, like the kitchen and bathroom, will make your transition to vanlife a smooth one as well as make going to the bathroom a smooth operation 

Everybody poops, sometimes even multiple times a day, so be prepared to deal with it. Proper planning prevents piss poor performance. Who wants to waste time on the road searching for facilities when you could be relaxing, lounging around your campervan and enjoying the sights outside your windows? 

Of course, there is the environment to consider too. As vanlifers, our everyday efforts to minimize our impact on the earth and reduce the level of waste we produce matters. Luckily, there are many different bathroom setups available to suit every situation and budget, and we’ve picked out some favorites for the best portable toilet in each category.

Also, because cassette toilets are so commonly used, and there are so many, we did a seperate review of the best cassette toilets that you can find here:

Best Portable Toilet Options (at a glance)

Best Cassette Toilet (Chemical Toilet)

Thetfort Porta Potti 365

thetford is the best portable cassette toilet

Thetfort is the best known brand when it comes to cassette toilets, and for good reason.

Best Composting Toilet

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet

Nature's head is the best portable composting toilet

If you decide that you must absolutely have a composting toilet, than Nature’s Head is the leading brand, but it comes at a price.

Best Bucket Toilet

Reliance Luggable Loo 5-Gallon

Luggable loo best portable toilet bucket toilet

Luggable Loo is simple, cheap, and effective.

Best Alternative Way to Take a Dump

Use a public bathroom! 

public bathroom instead of a portable toilet

When in doubt, you can always squeeze one out in a public bathroom, or a really understanding friend’s house.

What We Will Cover

We will cover basic poo etiquette and why it is important to separate your 1’s from your 2’s. We will go over the best portable toilets (cassette, composting, and bucket toilets) as well as other toileting options. Maybe most importantly, we will go into the dirty details about how to dispose of your waste.

Use this table of contents to skip around, if you’re so inclined.

Table of Contents

Toilet Talk: An Easier Way to Pee

The best way to extend the life of your camper or RV toilet might be to separate the liquids (which are easily discarded) from the solids (which are not).

Go outside and write your name in the snow or water the flowers when nature calls. Or, if that is impossible, use a wide mouthed vessel with a tightly sealed lid.   

This doesn’t just go for men. Women can purchase a she-wee, or a similar female urinal product. They are cheap, comfortable, easy to use and can provide a certain amount of ease-of-mind in an emergency. Perfect for stealth camping in the city or driveway surfing in suburbia. 

Best Female Urinals

Sunany’s Female Urinal

shewee urinal

The most common female urinal “design” made out of a collapsible silicone material allowing you to pee while standing up.

The Tinkle Belle Female Urinal

female urinal device the Tinkle Belle

This design is partly rigid which allows women to not only pee while standing up, but also while fully clothed. 

The She Wee Female Urinal

she wee female urinal

The she-wee is a fully rigid design which, again, allows women to pee while standing and fully clothed.

Empty your collected urine regularly and discreetly–down a drain, or onto grass, or under the cover of darkness. Small amounts of urine will not hurt the environment. In fact, a thirsty tree will appreciate the nitrogen!  

Keep a USB charged headlamp hanging by your van door for night-time excursions, because–safety first… and two hands are better than one for a job like this. 

So, pee is easy peasy, but what are your options for number two? 

The Wild Poo

Wherever possible, be like the bear and conduct your business outside!  

If you are lucky enough to park up in mostly secluded spots like leafy forests and sparse mountainsides, pooping-al-fresco is a great option. Take a hand trowel, go well off the beaten path, dig a hole and deposit your load. Cover up the mess and leave absolutely no trace 

For bonus eco-friendly points, use freshly fallen leaves to wipe, provided of course they are not poison ivy. That could lead to an embarrassing visit to the E.R.  

Check out this handy multi-tool and folding shovel. It’s perfect for digging shitholes, fits neatly in your backpack and so very useful in so many situations. It even has a hatchet in case you run into those aforementioned bears. 

IUNIO Multi-Use Shovel Tool

folding shovel multitool is a good option instead of a camping toilet

The she-wee is a fully rigid design which, again, allows women to pee while standing and fully clothed.

The Free Poo

By far the best, most eco-friendly, most satisfying way to drop anchor is into someone else’s pre-plumbed, sparkling white, pristine ceramic bowl. Use a friend or relatives house, a campground, a gas station restroom, a playground toilet or any business you have just paid to patronize 

Remember if you don’t bring it into the van, you won’t have to take it out again; this applies especially to poo. Use an app to find public toilets nearby, time your movements to coincide with the available facilities and don’t be afraid to ask. Using someone else’s toilet can extend the life of yours immeasurably, not to mention reduce the smell inside your campervan or RV

Carry a small washbag with a toilet roll, biodegradable wipes and hand sanitizer in your backpack, just in case. 

The Buck-it and Chuck-it Method & Best Portable Bucket Toilets

bucket portable toilet by @theunraveledroad
Photo credit: @theunraveledroad

Best Bucket Toilets

Reliance Luggable Loo 5-Gallon

Luggable loo best portable toilet bucket toilet

Luggable Loo is simple, cheap, and effective. It’s the cheapest pre-made bucket toilet and there’s not to much more to say on the matter 🙂

Reliance Luggable Loo 5-Gallon

camco bucket portable toilet

Luggable Loo is simple, cheap, and effective. It’s the cheapest pre-made bucket toilet and there’s not to much more to say on the matter 🙂

Use these buckets lined with a plastic bag, bag up the results and dispose of it as soon as humanly possible into a dedicated dog poo bin. Some like to line the bag with straw, pet bedding or even kitty litter to absorb the liquids, and hopefully the aroma, but this setup should be used for emergencies only.  

Now their isn’t much to these portable bucket toilets. In fact, you could probably save a couple bucks by making your own.

A makeshift, DIY portable toilet for your campervan is a quick fix if you are caught in a pinch but not to be considered a long-term solution, for health and hygiene reasons, not to mention the potential smell in a small living area. 

DIY portable toilet by @my_hikes_log
Photo credit: @my_hikes_log
DIY portable toilet by @itsjennyfromtheblog
Photo credit: @itsjennyfromtheblog

The ‘bucket and chuck it’ method could get expensive, it certainly costs the planet in plastic and let’s face it, you might be living in a van, but hovering over a bucket every day squeezing one out? You’re better than that. 

This van is your castle…

You deserve a throne. 

The Cassette Toilet (The Best Portable Toilet)

Sometimes also called portapotties, chemical toilets, cassette toilet, portable toilets, or known by one of the first brand names of Thetford, these plastic portable toilets devices are an ideal solution for vanlife or those living in an RV.

With a relatively small footprint, they take up little space in your van conversion, are easy to use and straightforward to empty. They look and feel like an ordinary toilet and sitting on one of these is far from unpleasant. 

The top tank is filled with water for flushing. Use a few sheets of cheap, 1 ply toilet roll which dissolves easily in the tank. A little drawer-pull releases the waste into the cassette below and closing the shutter again keeps everything sealed until the cassette is full.  

There are chemical products available which when poured into the waste tank will break down the contents biologically, these are often referred to as Pink (for rinsing and scent) and Blue (for breakdown).  

So what are the best portable toilets? Check out the list below!

portable toilet with @ditchingconventional
Photo Credit: @DitchingConventional

Best Cassette Toilet (Overall)

Thetfort Porta Potti 365

thetford is the best portable cassette toilet

Thetfort is often the name that comes to mind when pondering about the best portable toilet, as I often do.

  • 4 Gallon (15L) Fresh Water Capacity
  • 5.5 Gallon (21L) Waste Water Tank
  • 15.36 x 17.13 x 16.6 inches
  • Easy to dump with it’s swivel dump spout

Best Cassette Toilet on a Budget

CamCo Portable Toilet 5.3 Gallon

best portable budget cassette toilet camco

This one comes in at about half the price of the other toilets on this list, which makes it our budget option for best portable toilet.

  • 2.5 Gallon (9.5L) Fresh Water Capacity
  • 5.3 Gallon (20L) Waste Water Tank
  • 15.5 inch H x 14 inch W x 16 inch
  • Solid, sturdy construction

Best Cassette Toilets with the Smallest Footprint

Thetfort Porta-Potti White

best portable toilet withs mall footprint Thetfort

This toilet is sleek and is designed unlike other portable toilets. It is more narrow then most, allowing you to fit it into awkward places. Plus it even has an adjustable seat height. It does require batteries for it’s electric flush, however.

  • 4 Gallon (15L) Fresh Water Capacity
  • 5.5 Gallon (21L) Waste Water Tank
  • 17.6″ height x 15.2″ width x 17.7″ depth
  • Adjustable seat height

Thetfort Porta Potti 135

thetford best portable toilet small footprint

A little bit more squat than the above portable toilet, and with less of a capacity, this is the shortest of the cassette toilets. 

  • 2.6 Gallon (9.5L) Fresh Water Capacity
  • 2.6 Gallon (9.5L) Waste Water Tank
  • 12.2″ Height x 13.5″ Width x 15″ Depth
  • Squat and simple

Emptying A Cassette Toilet 

When the time has come to empty your portable toilet, simply lift the top box off, take out the cassette and open the screw top lid, press the valve release button, avert your eyes and pour out the contents. Wear latex gloves if you are squeamish and stand back from the hole to avoid any nasty splash back 

Never, ever, ever empty the cassette anywhere that is not a dedicated disposal point or sewage system. 

Ever.  

Camping toilets are portable, affordable and can last many years if taken care of correctly. Using bleach or harsh chemicals to clean the unit may erode the seals which keep it airtight, the flush button requires manual ‘pumping’ and the drawer mechanisms can be flimsy as molded plastic tends to be so be gentle with the moving parts. Wash all elements of your camping toilet regularly in warm soapy water. 

Look after your chemical camper toilet and it will look after you when you need it most! 

Best chemicals for your portable toilet

portable toilet cleaning solution
chemical toilet cleaning solution
portable toilet TST packets

The Composting Toilet

A lot of people do not find chemical toilets or portable cassette toilets appealing and so they want to opt towards a composting toilet.

Often seen as the ultimate aspiration of vanlife facilities, composting toilets come with advantages and disadvantages.  

Composting is great for the environment when all the steps are carried out correctly. Venting is required to keep constant airflow throughout the tank and to activate the composting cycle which will involve cutting holes into your van walls. Many use coconut fiber cores as a medium to absorb the waste which comes at a price. 

Some require electricity to power a small fan and to flush which is another huge consideration; what happens when your battery runs low?  

Composting toilets are only useful if you have access to the next step in the process (a stage 2 compost pile), otherwise the waste produced is no more eco-friendly than the chemical toilet above and may be more troublesome to discard in the end.  

Compost toilets can be expensive to install and maintain. Consider your options and where you will empty one before you make your decision! 

Best Portable Toilet for Composting

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet

Nature's head is the best portable composting toilet

If you decide that you must absolutely have a composting toilet, than Nature’s Head is the leading brand, but it comes at a price.

Emptying Your Composting Toilet

So how do you empty your composting toilet, then?

There might be a bit of a controversy on this subject. As stated previously, a composting camper toilet wont actually fully compost your poo unless it can be transferred to a stage 2 compost pile. 

Without one, your poo still carries all the possible diseases and problems that it would have if you didn’t attempt to compost it. This means you can’t just toss the “compost” in the woods, or use it for gardening, or leave it on your friend’s gas.

You could dig a cathole, backpacker style, to deposit your waste into… but a 7inch cathole is hard enough to dig for one poop, let alone a week’s worth or more, so that isn’t practical.

You obviously can’t dump it in a normal toilet, like you’d be able to do with a cassette camper toilet.

And whatever you do, please don’t dump it in a pit toilet at a national, state, or city park. It might seem like a good idea at first, but this puts an unnecessary strain on an already strained and tight budgeted parks system.

So that pretty much just leaves you with two options. 

  1. Dump it in a stage 2 composting system.
  2. Take the compost, put it in a plastic bag, and toss it in the garbage.

Now, the second option isn’t illegal, but it sure seems like it defeats the eco-friendly purpose of a composting toilet.

RV & Van Toilet Do's and Don'ts

  • DO separate liquids from solids for easy disposal 
  • DON’T dispose of a chemical toilet anywhere but a designated point!
  • DO use the cheapest toilet roll (or RV/Marine TP) you can find, it dissolves easily to prevent clogging. 
  • DON’T be afraid to ask to use the facilities of a business you are patronizing 
  • DO keep your portapotty area well ventilated to prevent smells and wash all parts regularly 
  • DON’T use bleach to clean a camper portable toilet 
  • DO be the bear and go outside when feasible. 

And Finally...

Like everything in life, living in a van is trial and error. Toilet habits are different and vary wildly from person to person. Try to find the easiest, cheapest, most eco-friendly solution that suits you, your lifestyle and your van.  

Outside of using public restrooms and digging a cathole when you’re out in nature, we think that cassette toilets are the best portable toilet you can use.

Whether you live fulltime in your rig or just enjoy a jaunt in the countryside as a weekend warrior, having the right facilities onboard can make all the difference. Nobody wants to pack up and leave when they’re parked in paradise and halfway through the first of many cups of coffee, just to relieve their bowels.  

Arm yourself with the necessary tools to make your movements as easy, efficient, smell-free, and low impact as possible. Shit happens, so be prepared! 

What is your preferred method for taking a dump? Let us know in the comments below!

So, now that you got the portable toilet part down, what about the shower?

Best Chinese Diesel Heaters (and Other Van Heating Options)

best chinese diesel heaters featured image

Well, it’s getting to be that time of year again… you know, the cold time. But just because it is cold, doesn’t mean you have to suffer. There are many ways to heat up your campervan or RV and one of the most popular options are these chinese diesel heaters everyone keeps talking about. 

What is the deal with these diesel heaters and are they a good fit for your camper van? 

It’s no suprise that having a heat source of some kind is essential for van life if you plan on being anywhere that has even a semblence of a winter. There are typically propane, diesel, and electric heat source options.

We recently updated this article for the 2021-2022 winter and we’ll focus on diesel heaters, but touch on other heater options as well. In this most recent update, we’ve added the following to this article:

  • Updated the 6 best chinese diesel heaters to make sure they truly reflect what we believe to be the best available.
  • Included the two most popular chinese diesel heaters according to what people like you are purchasing.
  • Added our thoughts on the Propex HeatSource2000 after two cold winters using it.

We hope you find this article beneficial.

Let’s start with simply explaining what Chinese diesel heaters are and why they started to become so dang popular. Winter is coming, after all…

A Brief History of Diesel Heaters

Diesel heaters have been around for quite a while and are a popular choice of a heat source in marine, RV, camper van, and workshop communities. Traditionally, these heaters were only produced by a handful of European companies (mostly German) and sold at only select dealers, at a fairly high premium. 

These diesel heaters were (and still are) a popular choice in van life, but it was common for these heaters to sell for over $1,000. Regardless of their price, they still remained very prevelant… mainly because they were the only diesel heater options. 

Chinese Diesel Heaters, Where Did They Come From?

In recent years, however, Chinese companies began to produce their own, significantly cheaper, versions of these diesel heaters. At first, these heaters were known to have significant issues in regards to breaking, missing and mislabeled parts. They also took a long time to ship and arrive in the Western world.

Although they still might not be perfect, these Chinese diesel heaters have come a long way and gained a massive amount of support in the camper van communities. They often prove to be comparable on nearly every level as their European counterparts, and for a fraction of the cost. These suckers go for about $125-$175, have far faster shipping times through Amazon, and, even though the customer support might be lacking, they have a bustling grassroots community of people prepared to assist you with any repairs or maintenance.

Did you know? 

You don’t have to have a diesel vehicle to run a diesel heater? They often come with their own mini gas-tank. 

Now, these Chinese diesel heaters might not be for everyone. In fact, I didn’t even go with one for my van build (more on what I did go with, and why I wish I hadn’t, at the end). If you think these heaters might be for you, we picked 5 reliable choices for our best Chinese diesel heaters.

The Best Chinese Diesel Heaters

3KW Happybuy Diesel Heater

happybuy 3kw chinese diesel heater and parts

Heater power: 3KW

Fuel consumption: 0.1-0.35(1/H)

Motor weight: 4.5kg/9.9LBS

Happybuy is a popular branding for these Chinese diesel heaters. This heater comes in at 3,000 watts instead of the typical 5,000 or 8,000 watts for roughly the same price. The benefit of this is obviously the lower electrical power draw and fuel consumption. 3KW should be perfectly suited to a small place like a camper van.

8KW Wayska Diesel Heater

Wayska Chinese Diesel Heater 8KW

Heater power: 8KW

Fuel consumption: 0.2-0.5

Motor weight: 7.8kg/17.4LBS

If you’re looking for a very powerful diesel heater, this Wayska is a 8,000 watt model. Obviously, this will consume more power but it will also (in theory) heat faster than the other models and are great for bigger RV’s and workshops. This particular diesel heater has very good ratings AND is part of Amazon Prime for quick delivery. This one also has a 15L tank, where the others on our list have 10L.

*** There has been reports that some of the 8KW heaters are simply 5KW models that have been adjusted to pump out a bit more heat. 

5KW 12v Diesel Heater WITH SILENCER

5KW 12v diesel heater

Heater power: 5KW

Fuel consumption: 0.64

Motor weight: 8.1kg/18LBS

It’s no secret that diesel heaters (or many heaters for that matter) can be extremely noisy. There are a lot of aftermarket “silencers” available to help quiet them down, so why not get a model that already comes with one like this 5kw option.

5KW maXpeedingrods 12v Diesel Air Heater

chinese diesel heater most popular on amazon

Heater power: 5KW

Fuel consumption: unknown

Motor weight: 7.53kg/16.6LBS

This one, as far as we can find, is the highest rated diesel heater on Amazon. 4.5 stars with over 1200 ratings. That alone earns it a place on our list, but really… who is coming up with these branding names? maXpeedingrods. What does that even mean?

The Most Popular Chinese Diesel Heaters

The following two heaters are by and far the most popular models according to the analytics of what people are buying through our affiliate links.

5KW Happybuy Diesel Heater

happybuy 5KW chinese diesel heater and parts

Heater power: 5KW

Fuel consumption: 0.11-0.51(1/H)

Motor weight: 4.5kg/9.9LBS

Happybuy is a popular branding of these diesel heaters and comes with very good reviews overall. The set-up should be simple enough (video below on installation) and the shipping is estimated around 1 week. At around $150, this is an affordable option. 5kw might be a bit on the more powerful side when it comes to heating a van, however.

2KW Superfastracing Diesel Heater

superfastracing 2kw chinese diesel heater and parts

Heater power: 2KW

Fuel consumption: N/A

Motor weight: 7kg/15.6lbs

Want something with even LESS power draw and fuel consumption? This 2KW model is for you. A bonus is that it is available through Amazon Prime so that shipping will be much quicker. If you want or need something quick this chinese diesel heater is for you. Bonus points for the name of the brand. Superfastracing… 

Troubleshooting and Common Problems With Chinese Diesel Heaters

Now, there are some issues with these chinese diesel heaters. Will touch on each of these problems below.

  1. Broken or mislabled parts
  2. Noise
  3. Tuning and adjusting for high altitude

Broken or mislabled parts on Chinese diesel heaters

One of the most common complaints is broken or mislabled parts. Also, sometimes the directions that come with the heaters are poorly written and hard to follow. Add to that the fact that if you do have any broken or faulty parts it is not likely that you can just find easy replacements or send it in for a quick repair. You might think “why would I get a Chinese diesel heater in the first place?”

Well, luckily these heaters are still a very good option as a heat source for your van, RV, or work-shop. The particular issues and problems with broken or mislabled parts are becoming less common as these heaters become MORE common. Plus, since you can buy like 8 of these for the price of just one of the expensive European models, it almost becomes a no-brainer.

Now, I won’t claim to be an expert at fixing or repairing these Chinese diesel heaters, but as the folks over at RVdaily.com stated,

“there is a huge online community of owners who have posted lots of supporting material on the internet, including a vast number of YouTube videos detailing the installation process as well as troubleshooting problems”

“The Chinese Diesel Air Heater – Troubleshooting and Parts Sales Facebook group is by far the most popular with over 25,000 (now 45k) members across the world. They have developed an extensive array of documents in their files section that anyone installing one of these heaters will find extremely useful when researching what heaters to buy and how to get them working successfully.”

This online Facebook group that they mentioned is AMAZING. These people are dedicated to fixing, repairing, and troubleshooting the massive variety of Chinese diesel heaters.

Noise With Diesel Heaters

It’s no secret that diesel heaters can be noisy. In fact, propane heaters can be noisy too.

If you end up getting one of the “name-brand” European models of heaters located later in this post, you can often find a specifically made muffler or silencer for them. However, if you go the Chinese diesel heater route that might not be the case.

Luckily, there are aftermarket mufflers found easily enough. Or you can always get one that already comes with a muffler/silencer.

Tuning and Adjusting for High Altitude

If you plan on spending any time up in the mountains or, say, Colorado… you will need to adjust your Chinese diesel heater for high altitude. 

There are a ton of videos and online resources that show you how to do this. Check out the video located in the next section about installing a Chinese diesel heater because it also goes into detail about how to tune them.

There are a lot more of them out there, but we feel like the one’s we listed are the best Chinese diesel heaters available and are pretty confident that if you go with one of the 5 listed above, you shouldn’t have any issues with missing or mislabeled parts. 

Installing Your Chinese Diesel Heater

***Check to make sure your diesel heaters can be tuned for high altitude or are compatible with high altitude kits.

Installation for a chinese diesel heater might be slightly different depending on model, but should all follow a pretty similar plan. 

They all should have a plastic fuel container, an exhaust tube, and intake and output vents. Also, they should come with all the parts that you need to wire them and some have electronic digital displays. Some might need a high-altitude adaptor if you are going to be in, well… high-altitude, so check the specs on that.

This video goes over installation and tuning your chinese diesel heater for high-altitude:

Other Diesel Heaters For Van Life

Now, all that being said, there are other diesel heater options for your van, RV, boar, or workshop. We hinted at them up above, but they are the Webasto and Eberspacher. These are the big names in the diesel heating world. 

Both companies have been around for a while, both are German made, and both are considered reliable options for heating your camper van. 

Just like their Chinese counterparts, they arn’t perfect. At least they are made by established companies where you will find some sembelance of customer support.

As mentioned above, these heaters are expensive to buy and expensive to repair and can usually only be found at certified licensed dealers. 

Other Diesel Heaters For Your Van

Not into the chinese diesel heaters? Check out these models that started the whole craze, the European Diesel Heaters.

Webasto 2KW-4KW

webasto european diesel heater

Heater power: 2-4KW

Fuel consumption: 0.12 – 0.24 liters per hour

Motor weight: 2.74kg/6.04lbs

This is a very popular european 12v diesel heater. It’s a very reputable brand but can be difficult to find in the states. Only certified dealers sell them. If you’re in Europe you shouldn’t have any issue. Otherwise, check with van builders or semi truck suppliers. An extra bonus, they have a 2 year warranty. The downside; it’s expensive.

0.85KW - 2.2KW Eberspacher Esbar Airtronic 12v Diesel Heater

eberspacher esbar european german heater

Heater power: 0.85-2.2KW

Fuel consumption: N/A

Motor weight: 6.7kg/14.72lbs

Wow. This one is the most expensive heater on the list but it comes with the works. It’s self regulating, comes with a remote, has a digital display. Also, it has a remarkably low power draw compared to even some of the Chinese diesel heaters. You can get the optional high-altitude kit with this one.

Best Propane Heater

Okay, so what if you don’t want a diesel heater? Maybe you want to get a propane heater like the Propex HS2000? There’s nothing wrong with that.

Propane heaters are great and propane is cheap. Their main issue is the propane tank itself, and where to store it

We wont go into super detail about propane heaters, because we think they deserve their own post, but these two are our favorites and what we view as the best propane heaters available.

Propex HS 2000 (HeatSource 2000)

propex hs2000 propane heater

The Propex HS2000 is a propane heating unit that is fairly simple to install. Propane burns “wet” but the nice thing about the heatsource 2000 is that it vents everything outside so you won’t have the condensation issues you might otherwise have with other heater options. This is definitely the best vented propane heater for your RV or van.

The one bad thing is that it can be hard to find one. They are often sold out online but can be found at local custom van suppliers.

Mr. Buddy Propane Heater (indoor safe model only)

mr buddy indoor safe propane heater

Mr. Buddy heaters are very popular options. They now have an indoor safe model which, technically, should be safe to use in a van. We wouldn’t recommend any other version and still suggest opening a window if you are going to run one of these.

Also, since these don’t vent anything outside the van, the condensation of the wet burning propane might be a problem.

Pro’s are that it is cheap and easy to use (no installation required).

Now, I’ve had a Propex HeatSource2000 in my van over two very cold winters. I spent one winter in Colorado and one in Missouri. Normally, the heater worked great. On the coldest nights of the year, the Propex struggled a bit. For a couple days there the temperature got to -20 Fahrenheit and the heater struggled to keep the van in the 40’s! Part of that might be insulation, or wind blowing underneath the van, sucking out the heat. Part of it just might be because the Propex Heatsource isn’t the best. Find out more in my upcoming full review of the HeatSource2000.

Final, but important, thoughts...

Whatever you decide to go with, don’t forget a good Carbon Monoxide detector. You can get a nice battery powered one and stick it up in your sleeping area.

If you’re running any sort of propane in your van, it is also important to get a proper propane detector.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

carbon monoxide detector for chinese diesel heaters

Propane Detector

propane detector for propane heating systems

I ended up going with the Propex HS2000 for my van build. I love it, it’s a great heater. It keeps me warm and toasty. All that being said, it cost a small fortune. I could have gotten several of the diesel heaters listed in this article for the price of my propex, and not have to deal with having propane in my van!

However, hindsight is 20/20 and the show must go on!

A good heater is only as good as your insulation. Make sure you check out our article about van insulation,

van insulation
William Grubb

A Comprehensive Guide To Van Insulation

What is the best way to go about your van insulation?  Well… that is going to be an ever-ongoing debate within the vanlife community and

A Comprehensive Guide To Van Insulation

van insulation

What is the best way to go about your van insulation? 

Well… that is going to be an ever-ongoing debate within the vanlife community and van builders alike. We won’t claim to know everything about van insulation. However, we hope you can find this guide useful in deciding how to insulate your cargo van. 

Campervan Insulation

Insulating a van is one of the most important aspects of your build. In fact, insulation is an important aspect of building any area as a space for living.

Living in a van is a lot like living outside—you’re at the whim of the elements. With proper van insulation you will be more comfortable inside your home-on-wheels no matter what’s going on outside.

There is so much information out there regarding what is the best way to insulate a van… and it’s daunting to sift through. From materials and R-values to types of heat transfer and whether or not you should use a vapor barrier, we have you covered.

Let's Talk About Heat

van insulation heating up

This is where we need to begin. Whether you’re trying to keep heat in or out of your campervan you need to understand the basics behind heat transfers.

Heat will transfer in or out of a material (ie: your van’s exterior) in three ways—radiation, conduction, and convection.

  • Radiation is the transfer of heat through the atmosphere. This is the warmth you feel from the sun. Heat radiation will pummel the windows of your van on a hot day, and it’s easy to feel the effects; we’ve all been inside a car sitting in a parking lot on a warm summer day. Radiated heat comes through the windows, so the simplest solution to keeping this heat out is to use reflective window coverings that repel the radiated heat. The opposite can be done as well; you can use reflective surfaces inside your vehicle to conduct the radiated heat when it’s cold outside.
  • Conduction is heat transferred through a surface—this is what happens when the walls of your vehicle warm up due to radiated heat. The heat transfers from the outside to the inside, warming the interior of your van. When choosing how to insulate a van you need to account for the areas where conduction will take place. Insulating these areas, the walls of your van, will cut down on the transfer of heat in or out through your van’s walls.
  • Convection is when hot air rises and cool air falls inside an enclosed space. Insulating your ceiling, and blowing hot air out through a roof top fan will cut down on convection inside of your camper van.

These three forms of heat transfer can never be nullified, but with proper insulation you can drastically slow the transfer of heat through your van. Simply put, the R-value of your insulating material stands for resistance, as in how well that material resists heat transfer.

Where To Put Your Van Insulation

This may seem obvious, but there are nuances to where you should put your van insulation.

Of course, the walls and ceiling are most important, but if you’re planning on camping or living in your van in a colder climate you should definitely consider adding van floor insulation as well.

All of this also depends on the type of campervan you are insulating — do you have a cargo van with no windows, or is yours a passenger type van?

For those with cargo vans and the like, the choice is simple: you want to insulate everything. If you have a lot of windows, you may consider covering some of them permanently and insulting the van that way.

This all comes down to personal preference and the overall plan you have for your van.

Check out our article on camper van floor plans if you need help getting started with a plan.

If you know what you want and where you’re going to be staying, the choice of what to insulate will start to become clear. In general, the more insulation, the better your temperature control inside your home on wheels will be.

Vapor Barriers

Perhaps now is the best time to talk about vapor barriers and whether or not you need one.

A vapor barrier, like this one,  essentially acts as a physical barrier that prevents moisture or condensation from getting into the insulation behind your vehicle’s panels.

not a fan of vapor barriers for van insulation

Moisture can cause nasty things like mold and rust, but not all insulation materials will absorb moisture from the air, and some even act as their own vapor barrier. If you’re using a moisture absorbing insulation then you may want to put up a vapor barrier to keep it dry but keep in mind that this is very difficult to accomplish and is not a permanent solution. 

The idea behind a vapor barrier in regards to campervan insulation is to physically block the water molecules from being able to reach the van’s insulation. This is much easier said than done, as really no vapor barrier is going to be perfect in a van build. Also, an imperfect vapor barrier might even prevent the moisture that does get to the insulation from evaporating… trapping it and causing those nasty mold problems that everyone dreads. 

We recommended against using insulation that needs a vapor barrier. The best way to prevent moisture from collecting within or around your van insulation is making sure that you have plenty of airflow within your camper van. If air flows well it can reduce or negate the need for a vapor barrier… and air flow is much easier to accomplish.

Camper Van Insulation Materials

Choosing the correct insulation material for your van conversion is one of the most important factors when you set about insulating your van. Different materials work well in different spaces and familiarizing yourself with the types of material and how they relate to the inside of your van will help you decide what is the best way to insulate your cargo van.

There are a myriad of choices and considerations when it comes to choosing the materials for your van’s insulation. Logically, your best choices are going to be ones that have a high R-value, are within your budget, and are resistant to mold and mildew so they don’t lead to a moldy rusty nightmare in your living space.

Here are some of the most common insulation materials people choose when insulating a van, their pros and cons, and also their recommended usefulness.

Foam Board Insulation

Foam boards are quick and easy to install, have high R-values, resist moisture, and are affordable and easy to find.

These are the squared off foam boards that you see in any big hardware store. Typically, one side of a foam board is covered in a reflective material that can be used to dispel radiated heat if you install them with a small air gap between the board and your van’s walls. However, double sided reflective foam boards (or even no reflective material at all) can be found.

That being said, you need to take time to minimize the chance for moisture to get between the board and the van’s wall. This could cause mold, mildew, and perhaps worst of all, rust.

Foam boards come in a range of thicknesses (which effects the R-Value) and are rigid but the thinner ones can be bent slightly. They work best against flat walls, or as van floor insulation as they compress well. These qualities are shared by all foam boards, but not all foam boards are created equal.

van insulation

Polyisocyanute (Polyiso)

Polyisocyanute (Polyiso) foam is often thought of as a good choice when it comes to insulating your van in an environmentally friendly manner. The production process used in polyiso foam does not include harmful emissions. An added benefit is that polyiso foam has the highest R-value per inch out of all foam boards, but this comes at a slightly higher cost than other foam boards. 

Polyiso is still an affordable option and relatively easy to find locally. While it is easy to install, you should be sure not to leave any pockets of air between your insulation and the van’s walls. This can create a trap for moisture that would otherwise be repelled by the moisture resistant polyiso.

Pro's

  • Good for flat walls or van floor insulation
  • Cheap and readily available
  • High R-value
  • Environmentally friendly

Con's

  • Does not work well in very curved or tight spaces (doors)
  • Can squeak during driving due to rubbing on the van’s surface
  • Can possibly trap moisture between the foam boards and the van’s wall.

XPS Foam Boards or Extruded Polystyrene

XPS Foam Boards or Extruded Polystyrene is another option for those who wish to use foam for their camper van insulation. 

Unlike polyiso foam, XPS is manufactured in a way that releases hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into the atmosphere. HFCs are industrial chemicals whose gas byproducts contribute to climate breakdown. Some manufacturers are moving away from using HFCs as their blowing agent in foam construction, and hopefully this will phase it out in several years. Check the manufacturer’s safety data sheet (MSDS) to see if the foam you’re considering uses HFCs. 

XPS foam is a bit cheaper than polyiso foam, but has a slightly lower R-value. If you’re going for the most budget friendly van insulation then this would be a decent choice, but we see no other reason to use XPS foam in your van build. For just a little more money you can have a higher R-value, and less environmental concerns, by using Polyiso foamboards instead.

Pro's

  • Good for flat walls and van floor insulation

  • Easy to use and readily available

  • Budget friendly

Con's

  • Does not work well in very curved or tight spaces (doors)
  • Less environmentally friendly if it uses HFCs
  • Lower R-value than polyiso 
  • Can squeak during driving due to rubbing on the van’s surface
  • Can possibly trap moisture between the foam boards and the van’s wall.

Expanded Polystyrene Boards (EPS foam boards)

Expanded Polystyrene Boards or EPS are the white, Styrofoam like packaging boards used as disposable cooler or in refrigerated packaging.

These boards are some of the lightest insulation you can find as they’re made from 98% air. They’re common in construction just like the other foam boards we have listed here. Again, their rigidity makes them well suited for the same spaces in a van: flat walls and van floor insulation. These can be bought as insulation in any big box hardware store, but have lower R-values than the other foam boards we’ve discussed here. 

They also are less water resistant due to their non-closed cell construction and can lead to mold and mildew problems in a van. However, they are the cheapest of the foam boards, making them a very budget-friendly option for your campervan insulation.

Pro's

  • Cheapest foam board, 

  • Easy to use and readily available

  • “Greener” than XPS foam (no HFCs)

Con's

  • Does not work well in very curved or tight spaces (doors)
  • Can absorb moisture
  • Lower R-value than polyiso 
  • Can squeak during driving due to rubbing on the van’s surface

Batt Insulation For Vans

Batt insulation is a pre-cut roll of insulating material. Batts and rolls can be made from various materials, each with their own properties, benefits, and cons.

The main advantage of batt insulation is the ease of installation—simply unroll your insulation and place it where it needs to go.

Depending on the type of batt you choose for your campervan insulation, you’ll have to pay attention to a few important factors.

Batts work best along walls, ceilings, floors, and some can even be compressed or ripped to fit and stuffed into the smaller and harder to reach spaces in your van, like the ribs and doors. Some batt insulation materials are water resistant while others might hold onto moisture. Keep this in mind when choosing insulation for your van.

Sheep’s Wool

sheep's wool van insulation
Sheep’s Wool insulation is considered one of the best in terms of cargo van insulation.  Havelock Wool is the leading provider of sheep’s wool insulation.

It has several key advantages over other batt insulations including that it’s non-toxic and water resistant. This makes for a super easy install, as you won’t need to wear protective clothing or worry about hazardous particles living behind the panels of your van. Its water resistance keeps the wool from absorbing condensation and keeps your van dry.

Wool has a relatively good R-value of 3.6 per inch of thickness, making it comparable to the foam boards mentioned previously. It’s perhaps the easiest insulation to work with and indeed one of the most environmentally friendly (hell, it’s compostable).

Sheep’s wool insulation does come at a higher price, however, and (for now) can only be purchased on the internet.  Wool can be purchased in both batts and loose forms, making it ideal for any surface inside of your camper van, from behind door panels to the ceiling.  Wool batts have the additional benefit of providing more sound-deadening than other forms of insulation. This is a nice way to reduce road noise in your van.

Pro’s

  • Repels moisture​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Non-toxic and compostable​​​​​​​​​​
  • Easy to install​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Good R-value​

Con’s

  • More costly than other insulation
  • harder to find locally
van insulation sheeps wool

Credit: justavanride

Rock Wool

Rock Wool, or mineral wool, is made from Basalt and recycled steel slag.

This material compound is water resistant but vapor permeable. This means that water vapor in the air can pass through it. This aspect is ideal when it comes to insulating a small living space that contains condensation.

Unlike sheep wool, rock wool can be dangerous to install unless you take the proper precautions. A mask, eye protection, and gloves are highly reccomended to make sure you don’t get fibers inside your body or on your skin.

It has an R value of 3.0 – 3.3 per inch and like other batt insulations can be used in nearly every part of your van.

Pro’s

  • Water resistant and vapor permeable.
  • Easy to find at nearly any hardware store
  • Good R-value

Con’s

  • Must wear protection when installing

Recycled Denim Batts

Recycled Denim batts have many of the same qualities as sheep’s wool—they are easy to work with, non-toxic, biodegradable, and have a solid R-value of 3.5 per inch.

Denim is cheaper and easier to find than wool batts, but this comes at a cost for van lifers… denim absorbs water.

If you choose to go with denim for your camper van insulation you’re either going to need to create a vapor barrier or make absolute sure that your insulation will be able to dry itself out.

For this reason, we can’t recommend using recycled denim unless you’re planning on being in a dry environment most of the time and also have excellent airflow inside your van.

This doesn’t mean that denim doesn’t have its uses; I personally chose recycled denim for reinsulating my Volkswagen Vanagon as my van has two roof vents, many windows, and I spend my time in sunny California.

Pro’s

  • Non-toxic
  • Easy to find
  • Easy to install
  • Afordable
  • Good R-Value

Con’s

  • Absorbs moisture

Fiberglass Batts

Fiberglass Batts are made of… well, fiberglass. That means that you won’t want the microscopic particles getting into your lungs or eyes while installing them. This also means that they’re cheaper to buy than other forms of batt insulation and produce relatively the same R-values, 2.9-3.8 to be exact,
depending on the density of the material.

Fiberglass batts can be found at nearly any big box home improvement store. The nature of the material does not allow it to absorb moisture, but it does hold moisture between the fibers. This can lead to, you guessed it, mold, mildew, and rust.

If you’re considering fiberglass insulation for your van insulation, know that you will need personal protective equipment during your installation. You should also seriously consider a vapor barrier unless you’ve got a well ventilated van in a dry environment.

For these reasons, we can’t recommend fiberglass insulation in vans despite its affordability and availability.

Pro’s

  • Affordable
  • Easy to find
  • Good R-Value

Con’s

  • Contains hazardous materials
  • Traps moisture
  • Must be installed with protective equipment (masks and gloves)

Spray Foam Insulation

spray foam van insulation

Spray foam insulation can vary widely in price, hazardousness, and effectiveness. Spray foam
comes in two categories, open cell and closed cell.

The difference between the two is the difference in the distance between insulating particles.

Closed cell is denser, more rigid, and has a higher R-value than open cell. Closed cell insulates with an R-value range of 6.5-7 while open cell is more comparable to batt insulation with an R-value of 3.3-3.8.

The quality of the insulation is also reflected in the price, as open cell is considerably cheaper than closed cell spray foam. Even so, spray foam will cost more per square foot than the other forms of insulation and also requires a more detailed installation than batts or foam panels.

Closed cell and open cell insulation both have the advantage of filling in any and all gaps inside your van conversion. Spray foam is by far the most effective insulation in terms of fully coating the interior of your
van, and has the added benefit of providing excellent sound deadening. Closed cell insulation will weigh
more than open cell, but also acts as its own vapor barrier.

Many professional builders use spray foam as their primary van insulation. 

Pro’s

  • Highly effective
  • Easy to find
  • Good R-Value
  • Fills any space

Con’s

  • Requires careful installation
  • Very expensive
spray foam insulation for a van

If you’re going to go the spray foam route for your van insulation, you will need a lot of it. You might find the best bulk deal online versus in a hardware store.

Should You Insulate Your Van's Floor?

van floor insulation

This question comes up often, whether you are doing a Sprinter van insulation or turning your cargo van into a weekend warrior rig. The answer is relative to what your needs are.

Are you staying in a particularly cold climate or are you trying to keep your van temperature down in hot weather?

If the answer is the former, you may want to consider adding in van floor insulation. No one likes stepping on a cold floor first thing in the morning. Also, the cold air blowing underneath your camper van can pull away the heat inside the van. If you’re in a snowy area, I’ve seen people pack snow against the side of the van to prevent this from happening.

If you’re spending most of your time in warm or temperate weather, however, you can save some cash and skip the van floor insulation. The choice is entirely yours.

For floor insulation, foam boards work best for van floor insulation but remember they will cut down on your headroom in an already small space.

Other Things To Consider When Doing Your Van Insulation

The obvious things to insulate permanently are your walls and ceiling. But don’t forget that your
windshield and other windows are BIG factors when it comes to heat transfer.

Anyone who lives in a warm or hot place knows the importance of putting up a reflective screen in the summer time, and of course the same concept applies to a van.

To fully insulate your vehicle you should be covering not just the windshield but all the windows. It’s easy and just take a little work to cut custom window coverings out of materials like Reflectix.

reflectix works good for van window insulation

If you have a larger van, such as a Sprinter or Ford Transit, it is also worth considering building a partial wall to separate the cab from the cabin of your van. This of course costs money and adds weight, but if those aren’t of concern then you can add another wall of insulation and use thick blackout curtains to fill the doorway when you need to.

A black out curtain works well regardless of you having a partition or not and is a good thing to add to your van to create separation, insulation, and privacy in your vehicle.

Do you have fan’s or skylights installed in your van? Consider cutting out inserts made out of foam boards to shove in the fan during the winter. What good is ceiling insulation if you are going to have 14″x14″ gaps that the hot air can escape from?

Don't Forget The Heater

All this talk of van insulation is a mute point if you don’t have a source of heat

Chinese Diesel Heater

best chinese diesel heater

Diesel heaters seem to be all the rage right now. You don’t even have to have a diesel vehicle in order to imploy one of these bad boys.

The nice thing about about diesel heaters is they burn dry heat, which is nice to reduce moisture and humidity within the camper van. There are many different models out there but they all work on the same principles.  

Propex Heatsource2000 (Propane)

propex hs2000 propane heater

The Propex Heatsource 2000 is a propane heating unit that is fairly simple to install. Propane burns “wet” but the nice thing about the heatsource 2000 is that it vents everything outside so you won’t have the condinsation issues you might otherwise have with other heater options.

The one bad thing is that it can be hard to find one. They are often sold out online but can be found at local custom van suppliers.

Mr. Buddy Heater (Propane)

mr buddy heater is a propane heater option

Mr. Buddy heaters are very popular options. They now have an indoor safe model which, technically, should be safe to use in a van. We wouldn’t recommend any other version.

Also, since these don’t vent anything outside the van, the condensation of the wet burning propane might be a problem.

Pro’s are that it is cheap and easy to use (no installation required).

Final Thoughts On Van Insulation

In the end, how you do your camper van insulation is entirely up to your own wants and needs.

Most people don’t opt for a full on spray foam job despite its effectiveness and instead use a combination of materials.

By combining materials you can effective and affordably insulate your van to your heart’s content. The most effective insulation jobs cover the majority, if not all, of the ceiling, floor, and walls.

What you plan on doing and where you plan on staying in your van should act as your basic guide to insulation as well as the layout of your camper.

We hope this guide offers a good basis to provide you with the knowledge to go forward in your camper van build!

Now that you have your insulation done, you’ll have to keep your baby warm! Check out this post about those Chinese Diesel Heaters all the kids are talking about.

Camper Van Floor Plans – Designing the Layout

Table of Contents

By the time you move into your van you will have already conquered one of vanlife’s greatest challenges.

Fitting an entire home into less than 80 square feet.

Even an Ikea designer would struggle with camper van floor plans. However, with careful consideration and creativity, you can create a van layout to suit your needs.

But you must first identify your needs.

camper van layout
camper van finished
Credit: @van.der.trieb

Vehicle Choice

This article covers key things to think about when considering different camper van floor plans, or designing your own.

Going through them first might give you a better idea of what your vehicle needs are. Then you can buy a vehicle that accommodates the conversion van layout you have in mind.

On the other hand, you can also buy the vehicle first and make your layout work.

Since we’re talking about van layouts, let’s focus on van size considerations.

Check out our post “The Best Vans To Live In”

Full time or part time

Full time and part time van dwellers have different needs. 

As a full timer, I wanted as many amenities as possible since my van is my home. But a part timer might be okay with making more sacrifices for a weekend or a few weeks. Overall, part timers can usually get away with a smaller van or more open floor plan than a full timer.

Number of vanmates

If you’re solo or a duo, almost any sized van can work depending on your needs. 

Three or more people require a lot more space. First and foremost, they need a safe and legal place to sit while traveling. Additionally, everyone needs a place to relax, eat and sleep. Therefore, an extended or extra-long van is best your option for large groups. Mercedes Sprinters offer the longest conversion vans out there.

Additional considerations

Do you want to stand up in your van? If the answer’s yes, a high top is in your future. The high-top Transit is one of the tallest cargo vans available.

Do you have a lot of stuff to store? Is a roomy van a must? If so, then a long wheelbase van is a good option.

Are big items coming with you? High tops also allow for more storage as well.

How we chose our van

Mercedes sprinter van life
@markthegreenvan

Ever since vanlife was a twinkle in my eye, I wanted a Sprinter. 

But what size?

Unlike the Promaster, they’re not wide enough to fit a bed crosswise. Additionally, we wanted our bed platform to be permanent, forming a garage. To have enough space for the lengthwise bed, kitchen, and seating, we settled on the extended body.

My husband didn’t care if he could stand in the van, so could we pull off a low-top?

Nope!

Because we wanted ample storage under the bed and the ability to sit up while in bed, the high-top won. Our needs chose our van size for us.

Camper Van Floor Plan Considerations

van life camper van layout
Credit: @vanventurous

Windows

There are two major advantages to having windows in your van.

Natural light and ventilation.

However, there are also disadvantages. First, if you want to take advantage of the windows, you can’t build over them (duh!). This also means you can’t insulate them. Thus, they limit your camper van layout (but window covers do a decent job at providing some insulation).

Second, if your van doesn’t come with windows, you can’t put one in anywhere you want. The “ribs” of the van provide structural support. As a result, it’s wisest to put windows between the ribs.

Lastly, windows make your van so not stealthy.

Storage

Most of a van build revolves around storage. So it makes sense that you would need to consider it when looking at camper van floor plans.

You need space for food, kitchen supplies, toiletries, clothes, leisure battery, water, your hobby stuff and more. Take advantage of the space created by other parts of the build. For instance, a bench seat is also a fine storage box. Even the space under a step can be used. The space above the cab makes a fine attic for additional storage.

Mountain bike van life storage
@i.be.colin Mountain Bike Storage

Another popular solution is a fixed platform bed. It creates a large storage space underneath commonly referred to as the garage. This setup is great if you have larger items to store. For instance, mountain bikers usually have a garage because it’s the best bike storage solution.

Bed (zzzz)

Speaking of beds, is a fixed platform bed more your thing, or do you want a multipurpose convertible bed?

As previously mentioned, fixed platform allows for extra storage. Additionally, your bed is always ready when you are. However, it takes away floor space.

Van life platform bed
Credit: @i.be.colin
 

Convertible beds are a great option if you need ample workspace or space to entertain. They allow you to maximize seating while still providing a place to sleep.

An extending bed is a bench seat with a slide out extension that creates a bed platform.

A table bed is another popular option. The telescoping table leg lowers the table to the level of the bench seats, creating a large bed. For both options, the seat cushions double as a mattress. There are many other creative possibilities out there as well.

Seating/Table

The table bed covered above is one seating/table option. It’s a bed and it allows you to sit face-to-face. Seating arrangements might not seem like a big deal, but what about when you’re playing poker to pass the time?

My husband and I opted for face-to-face seats. We wanted to play games without contorting ourselves to hide our hands. But a bench seat might suit your needs better.

A table isn’t a necessity, but it makes eating, working, and playing games so much easier. However, unlike a bench seat, you can’t use the space under your table for storage. To maximize space, you have a few table choices.

van life table
@i.be.colin ‘s table drops down into another single bed.

A swivel table leg gives you a table when you need it. When it’s not needed the tabletop swings over a seat or removed and stowed.

A platform bed allows for a slide-out table. The disadvantage of a slide-out table is the space it takes up in the garage.

A fold-up or fold-down table could also work for your camper van layout.

Kitchen

Is a kitchen necessary?

This goes back to full time and part time needs. A part timer might not care about a kitchen, but it could be a must-have for a full timer.

If a kitchen is a must, do you want it inside or outside the van? Outdoor pull-out kitchens save floor space. But they take up storage space. Additionally, outdoor cooking leaves you at the mercy of mother nature.

Camper van kitchen mess
@i.be.colin is a messy cook


Stove

What kind of stove/oven do you want? Do you want one permanently installed or removable? Induction, propane, isobutane, or marine alcohol?

Your choice affects your batter capacity or storage space for fuel. I chose a removable stove/oven combo because in the summer I’d rather cook outside instead of heating up the van. I went with propane to conserve batter power.

However, I also had to find a place for the propane tank.

Refrigerator

What are you going to do for a refrigerator? There are a ton of options available.

12v portable “chest” style fridges are the most effecient and are easy to build around. Many people still opt for a front loading 12v refrigerator, like a “dorm-style” fridge.

Hell, some people just go with an ice-box and fill it with ice every few days and some others don’t use a fridge at all! 

Learn more about your 12v portable vanlife refrigerator options here: “Best Portable Refrigerators for Camping and Vanlife

Sink

Is a sink essential? What size?

A larger sink pulls double duty, giving you enough room to wash dishes. It also serves as a bathroom sink. Come to think of it, you can also do your laundry in a larger sink!

On the other hand, a smaller sink isn’t good for much more than brushing teeth.

And don’t forget about the grey water tank! It needs to be easy to access and close to the sink.

You also might want to consider vent fan placement in relation to the stove and sink. This helps with ventilating steam and heat.

Counterspace

How much counterspace do you need?

Luckily, there are plenty of space saving ways to maximize counterspace. A sink cover is an easy way to gain more space. An adjustable height table doubles as a counter. A folding shelf countertop is another option that takes up minimal space. Another folding option is a hinged countertop over the stove. That’s what I have in my van. It gives me the extra space I need until it’s time to cook.

Toilet

Do you want to drop a deuce without leaving the van?

Van life toilet
Credit: @i.be.colin

If you’re thinking emergencies only, an empty grocery bag takes up the least amount of space.

Half kidding.

However, a composting or chemical toilet is a more practical, long-term solution. My husband and I opted for a composting toilet. He often awakens in the middle of the night with the urge to poo.

If you ask me, a toilet is only necessary for number two. Guys come with the equipment to pee in a bottle. And girls are one pee funnel away from doing the same.

Shower

A membership to a nationwide gym provides easy access to showers. Although this used to be a reliable way for a vanlifer to shower, COVID-19 changed that.

Therefore, you might want to consider your van showering options.

An indoor shower is the ultimate luxury, but it takes up precious space. The Sprinter and Transit are longer van options that give you extra space for a shower. Also, if you plan to have a toilet, an indoor shower is great place to put it (called a wet room).

Some ingenious vanlifers have come up with space saving indoor shower solutions. A Vintage Rolling Stone uses two showers curtains, a hula hoop and plastic tub as a shower stall. It’s cheap, light, and easy to stash.

Indoor showers are great, but outdoor showers are another viable option. Some folks set up the back of their van as an outdoor shower. A shower curtain hanging between the doors offers privacy.

As far as the shower itself, you have many options. A large PVC pipe painted black and mounted on the van roof makes a great solar shower.

I use a black water bladder as my solar shower.

Check out our post “The 8 Best Solar Showers For Van Life”

For a fancy outdoor shower, you can get a portable hot water heater with a showerhead attachment.

Some folks even use garden spray tanks as a makeshift shower.

And don’t forget about bathing in a cool mountain stream or river!

(Just be cautious. Even environmentally friendly soap can damage the environment)

Support systems

The main support systems are electrical and water. So is propane if you use it for cooking, heating, and/or a hot water heater.

How many batteries do you need room for? What about the rest of your electrical setup?

Do you want a large water tank, or smaller water jugs?

Do you plan to use a 20-pound propane tank or the smaller camping ones?

All these things need a place to call their own in your van layout. Their placement is crucial as well because you need access to all of them. Some need easier access than others. Also, their location determines how far you need to run wires, plumbing and hoses.

Phew! That’s a lot to consider when designing your camper van floor plan.

Laying It All Out

These next couple things might seem super obvious, but I’m putting them out there anyway.

Van life Campervan layout

Van sliding doors are wide and you don’t need that whole doorway to get in and out of your van. Therefore, your floor plan can spill into the sliding doorway.

Do you care about access between the cab and living area? If not, you can build a wall behind the cab, giving you more options for your van layout.

Also, don’t forget about insulation, walls, flooring, and ceiling cover. All these things take away from the overall dimensions of your space. Make sure to account for them before you start working on your layout.

Weight distribution

As if coming up with a camper van floor plan wasn’t hard enough with limited space. You also
need to consider weight distribution.

If you’re too heavy on one side, it affects your handling and tire wear. Therefore, try to keep things as even as possible. The goal is to keep the heavy stuff between the axels and as close to the floor as possible.

Additionally, it’s not your water, batteries, and Olympic weight set that tip the scale.

Odds are your building materials will far outweigh any of your cargo.

Multipurpose

Anyone who has ever been backpacking knows the key to saving weight and space. That key is having multipurpose gear.

The same applies to a van conversion.

For example, one of my seats houses the composting toilet. These are the kinds of things that save space and give you more flexibility with your camper van floor plan.

Software

I’m not knocking good old-fashioned pen and paper when planning your van layout…

But software makes the 3D portion of the planning a lot easier. If you know how to use AutoCAD, you’re ahead of most of us. Go do your thang!

Van life floorplan sketchbook
@i.be.colin ‘s sketch up floor plan

Another great option is SketchUp. It’s a web application that is free to use. However, there is a paid version available for more advanced users. I hear it’s easy to learn, and I’ve seen some amazing 3D van layouts created with it.

However, for simpletons like me, drag-and-drop software is the way to go.

After struggling with SketchUp, I discovered Sweet Home 3D. It’s made for the interior design of homes, but it worked well enough for my Sprinter van conversion floor plan.

Additionally, you can use it online or download it to your computer – for free.

Vanspace 3D

If you’re looking for van-specific software, vanspace 3D has you covered. A one-time fee gives you access for one year. You can download it to your computer or use the light version online. It comes with over 20 common vans and features a drag-and-drop system.

That being said, many people have commented about how glitchy the program is. However, check it out for yourself!

Testing It Out

Making a camper van floor plan on paper or with software is great and all, but will it work in practice? 

That is to say, once it’s built out will your van layout be comfortable to live in. One of the reasons I liked Sweet Home 3D is it has a “virtual visit” view, as does vanspace 3D. It sticks a virtual visitor in your space and allows you to see it through the visitor’s eyes. 

van life van layout
Credit: @truependoustravels

 

A more realistic option is using cardboard to make a mockup of your proposed layout. If that sounds like too much work, a little masking tape on the van floor outlining your layout works well too.

Get To Work!

As you can see, there are many things to consider when designing camper van floor plans and layouts. 

Now you should have a good idea of you need to comfortable and happy in your van. This should give you an idea of what size van you need. Now it’s time to get to work and create a camper van floor plan!

Best Vans To Live In – A Guide To Picking A Conversion Van

van life table

Why would anybody want to live in a van anyway? Well, with both housing prices and rent on the rise all over the world and with wages not keeping up, people are becoming drawn to alternative housing solutions.

Enter stage left — #vanlife

One of the first things you need to start van life is… a van. Obvious, I know. But with so many different options, which are the best vans to live in? What is the best van for conversion? More importantly, you should be asking which van is best for you?

There are two parts to finding the best van for you. First, what does your van need to be a home?

If you haven’t already, check out Camper Van Floor Plans – Designing The Layout.

It will help you determine what features and amenities you want your home on wheels to have. Then you can move onto the second part. Which van best accommodates your needs.

If you decide to buy a used van instead of new, check out this great little guide that we put together.

buying a used van infographic

Now it’s time to talk about vans! I’ll cover eight of the best vans to live in, as well as three bonus vehicles. First, I’ll give you a vehicle overview. Then I’ll get into some of the more technical details if possible.

Dodge Promaster

Dodge promaster van conversion

The Promaster is the widest of the vans I’ll cover today, coming in at 73” (interior). With this bad boy, you can fit a bed crosswise. That’s a major space saver.

Additionally, it has one of the “squarest” interiors. While you might not appreciate that right now, you will once you start building.

Starting in 2019, new Promasters are only available with a gas engine. However, you can buy an older used diesel.

The Promasters give you three body types to choose from: regular, extended, and long body. These give you an interior length of about 106”, 126” and 140” respectively. The regular body come with a 136” wheelbase, and the longer bodies come with a 159” wheelbase. As far as roofs go, only the standard comes with a low top and give you 64” of height. The high top gives you 74” of height.

Although the Promaster is one of the most affordable vans on the list, that comes with a price. Many folks complain about how uncomfortable the seats are. They say the seats almost force you to stand while sitting.

In addition, Car and Driver reported poor steering and handling. Also, all Promasters come with front wheel drive. This is an advantage in most vehicles when you need traction. However, in a camper van, much of the weight is over the rear axle, so be cautious of your weight distribution or the front wheel drive wont help you much.

Regardless of their drawbacks, Dodge Promasters are constantly listed as one of the best vans to convert into a camper van. Often listed alongside our next contender…

Mercedes Sprinter

mercedes sprinter van

This is the only newer van out there with a 4×4 option. Therefore, the Mercedes Sprinter van is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. Also, if you need a long van with a lot of space, this is the conversion van for you. 

However, unlike the Promaster, Sprinters are curvy beasts. But that still doesn’t stop it from being a popular van for conversion. You’ll still get 69” across the widest part of the van. 

If you want a diesel, the Sprinter is a great choice. And if you don’t, in 2018 Mercedes started producing them with gas engines, as well as the diesel. All Sprinters are rear wheel drive.

The Sprinter is available in three different bodies: standard, extended, and extra long. The interior lengths are 123”, 165” and 180” respectively. The standard comes on a 144” wheelbase, the longer bodies come on a 170” wheelbase. They also come with three different heights: low (standard only), high, and super high. This gives you an interior height of 64”, 75” and 87” respectively.

Sprinters get great fuel economy, and they handle well. They also hold their resale value. The biggest disadvantage of the Sprinter is cost. Not only are the upfront costs steep, repairs and maintenance on the diesel engines are also expensive. Also, some of the older models are known to have rust issues.

Ford Econoline

ford econoline camper van

For over 50 years Ford produced the Econoline before replacing it with the Transit. There are many used ones out there in great shape for a good price.

Because Ford made them for over 50 years, it’s hard to give detailed specs about the Econoline. There are too many to list! But I can tell you Ford made them in both gas and diesel. I can also tell you there’s only one wheelbase option with two different lengths.

Additionally, you only get one roof height option, and it’s a low top. Unless a pop-up or extended roof was added after-market. 

ford econoline camper van with pop up roof

All that being said, the Ford Econoline is a very popular choice making it one of the best vans for conversion. Due to it’s low price entry point and how common they are.

If you head over to the Van Focused Facebook Group, you will find many Ford Econoline van enthusiests.

Ford Transit

ford transit van conversion

In 2014 the Transit replaced the Econoline. Therefore, they are newer to the US market. However, they’re quickly becoming a popular van among van lifers. 

Like the Sprinter, Transits offer a width of 69”. However, they are squarer than the Sprinter. Although the Transit has both a gas and diesel option, the diesels are harder to find. In 2020 the Transit offered an all-wheel drive option, but before that they were all rear wheel drive.

The Transit is available in three different bodies: regular, long, and extended length. The interior lengths are 106”, 124” and 154” respectively. The regular body has a 130” wheelbase, and the longer bodies have a 148” wheelbase. The Transit comes in three different roof heights: low, medium, and high, giving you an interior height of 48”, 70” and 77” respectively. Both the low and long body are available with a low roof.

Although Transits are becoming popular, their recent introduction to the US market has two disadvantages.

  1. Their long-term reliability is unknown.
  2. Used ones are harder to find.

On a side note, if you go for the extended length body, keep in mind it has a long rear overhang.

Chevy Express

If you want engine options, the Express give them to you with four different engines to choose from. You can pick from one diesel or three gas engines, two of which are V8s. 

If you’re looking for additional fuel options, The Express has you covered. Starting in 2017 one of the V8s not only runs on gas, it can also run on propane or natural gas. 

All Expresses are rear wheel drive.

As far as length goes, you have two options. The standard 135” wheelbase gets you 124”. The 155” wheelbase gets you 146”. There is only one roof height available with an interior height of 48”. One of the advantages of the Express is the side door is available in either a sliding door or hinged doors. The hinged door is advantageous. Unlike the sliding door, you can build features onto it, like storage. Additionally, older models are very affordable.

chevy express camper van

The Express is also quite popular among van conversion companies. During the conversion process, a high roof is added for more headroom. If like the Express but long for a high top, look for one that’s already converted. On the other hand, you could always add a high top yourself!

Nissan NV

This guy isn’t super popular in the van life community (yet), but the NV has its place. They are more a “live out of” than “live in” van because of their size. 

The good news is, they come with 120V outlets in the cab, and some trims also have them in the back. The NV’s width is like that of a Sprinter or Transit at 70”. They come in rear wheel drive and gas engines only.

The NV doesn’t give you a lot of size options. There’s only one body with an interior length of 120” on a 146” wheelbase. However, you do have a low and high roof option. The low roof gives you 56” of interior height. The high roof gives you 77” of interior height, which is impressive considering the size.

Because they are smaller than the other cargo vans, the NV gets great fuel economy. Additionally, you can get a V8 engine.

Mitsubishi Delica

mitsubishi delica

The Mitsubishi Delica is a super popular van in Japan and was also sold under different names in Australia (Starwagon), New Zealand and parts of Europe (L300/L400). 

What these vans lack in size, they more than make up for it cool points. These 4×4 off-road machines also make pretty awesome vanlife conversions too… if you can get used to the small size. 

They can be found in both gas and diesel, and what you’d probably want to look for is the 3rd or 4th generation Delica in the USA… where they are beginning to become more prevalent thanks to the export influx of used vans coming from Japan.

Volkswagen Vans

Living in a VW Bus or Westy means living life in the slow lane. Like they maybe go the speed limit kind of slow.

Although they can make it up a steep grade, it’ll be chugging along well under the speed limit.

Some folks like the Bus and Westy because they’re easy to work on. It’s good thing too because they require a lot of maintenance and repairs.

Because of their popularity, these sexy little vans not only cost you a pretty penny to maintain, but also to buy.

The Bus

vw bus van

This is the quintessential van life vehicle. Many folks fantasize about cruising the country in an old school V-Dub. These iconic vehicles are great conversation starters, instantly making you a hit wherever you go.

However, if you’re leaning towards a Bus, it’s likely because of the looks. So, I’ll spare you a lot of tech specs and get to the nitty gritty.

If you plan to spend time in colder climates, the VW Bus isn’t the best choice. They’re hard to insulate and many Bus van lifers complain of not keeping warm in the winter.

Also, because of their size, your storage is limited. But there are quite a few buses out there with pop tops for extra headroom.

On the plus side, the Bus has good ground clearance and can handle itself well off-road.

If you’re going for street cred, the VW Bus will always be considered one of the best vans to live in. But if comfort is more you’re thing, meet the Westfalia.

Westy/Vanagon

vw westfalia camper van

Like the Bus, the Westy is another classic, head-turning VW.

Unlike the Bus, Westies come pre-built with everything you need – stove, fridge, bed, sink and a couch that converts into a bed.

Additionally, they come with a pop top that houses a spare bed! The clever layout and design of the Westy maximizes space. However, some find the storage limited and opt for a roof top cargo box. 

That wraps up the list of the best vans for conversion and to live in. But wait, there’s other options. 

Non-Vans

Truck Camper

truck camper or van life

If you’re not super worried about space and want way more vehicle options, a truck camper is a great choice. You can slide a camper into almost any pickup truck that can handle the load.

Additionally, you can find trucks that already have a camper installed. And if you’re into off-roading, a truck camper might suit your needs better than a Sprinter.

The campers themselves give you a lot of options. You can get a basic one or splurge for a mini top-of-line RV-like camper. There are even pop top campers that give you more headroom.

However, there are always disadvantages. Truck campers are not stealthy. Additionally, pickup trucks tend to have not-so-good fuel economy.

Whether you plan on part-time or full-time vehicle living, a truck camper has a distinct advantage. You can setup the camper itself off the truck. If you’re a part timer, this means you can use the truck without the camper as a daily driver. And if you’re a full timer, you can setup the camper at your campsite and take only the truck to explore. Something to think about…

Skoolie

skoolie bus life or van life

#buslife give you a whole lot more room than #vanlife.

You’re also not short on options when considering a bus. From school buses to shuttle buses, there are many sizes to choose from. They also come in gas or diesel. And the diesels are known for their longevity – up to a million miles!

The biggest downside to a bus is fuel economy.

Also, the longer buses are a lot harder to maneuver than the longest van. Moreover, that long buses leave you more prone to high centering if you hit a back road.

Class B RV

class b rv or van life

From the outside, it’s hard to tell a Class B apart from a regular cargo van conversion.

But on the inside, they have all the luxuries of an RV squished into the space of a cargo van. And I don’t mean to say “squished” like it’s a bad thing.

The interiors are equally impressive as a Class C RV but with more efficient use of space.

The typical Class B comes with a toilet (flush, not composting), shower, fridge, stove, air conditioning, and heat. They’re basically a swankier version of a self-converted camper van.

All this goodness comes at a high price though. A newer used Class B will run you between $75k to over $100k. It is possible to find an older one closer to $50-$60k. However, you don’t have to waste any time building it out. You are road ready as soon as they hand you the keys.

Which are the best vans to live in?

Whew! That’s a lot of options! Whether you want a lot of space, a powerful engine or a head turner, there’s a van or vehicle out there that’s best for you. Didn’t see anything on the list that seemed like a good fit? Don’t worry, there are plenty of options I didn’t cover that.

Remember, you can turn almost any vehicle into home on wheels

Dometic Fantastic Fan Review – All Models + Maxxfan Comparison

dometic fantastic fan

This detailed review will cover all of the fantastic fan models, pro’s and con’s, and put the two RV vent fan front-runners in our Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan matchup.

Sweating in a stinky camper-van or RV sucks.

Do you know what else sucks… but in a good way? 

Get your mind out of the gutter! 

I’m talking about the Dometic Fantastic Fan.

These roof vents boast a powerful fan to keep you cool and remove stale air from your home on wheels. And Dometic produces many other van life essentials, making them a well-known brand.

There are many different models of the Fan-tastic Fan, but not all are one click away from your doorstep. A lot of the models are OEM, meaning they’re only sold to specific RV or camper van manufacturers. Because of this, I’ll only cover the five Fantastic vent fan models easily available to you and me as well as how they might stack up against their biggest competitor, the Maxxair Maxxfan in our Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan matchup.

Table of Contents

However, if you want to skip over all of our hard work here and go check out the Maxxair Maxxfan review, here it is.

Fantastic Vent Fan - General Overview

Before getting into each model, let’s talk about the basics that apply to all five of Dometic’s Fantastic Fan models.

  • 12v / DC power
  • 12 inch, 10-blade fan
  • White base
  • High profile base
  • One crank arm supporting the dome
  • Fits standard 14” x 14” rv roof vent opening
  • Dome must be open at least 3” to turn on the fan

Let’s move on to the pros and cons.

Fantastic Vent Fan Pro’s

I don’t know about you, but I like to hear the good news first… 

All but one of the Fantastic Fans operates as a vent fan (sucking) or a ceiling fan (blowing). Either way, the fans move a lot of air. Because of the translucent dome, the vent fan doubles as a subdued skylight. Additionally, online reviews boast easy installation across the board.

Fantastic Vent Fan Con’s

Now, for the bad news. Many reviews complained about how noisy the Fantastic Fan is, especially at higher speeds. However, this might not be a deal-breaker for you. Only one lift arm supports the dome, making it far less stable in windy conditions and while driving. Also, operating these vent fans while it’s raining is not wise. In other words, keeping the dome open while it’s raining can result in a fried fan motor and soggy interior.

A Quick Look at the FAN-Tastic Vent Fan Features

 Fan SpeedsReversible Air FlowThermostatRain SensorAutomatic Dome LiftRemote
Fantastic Fan 1200
Check Price
3NoNoNoNoNo
Fantastic Fan 1250
Check Price
3YesNoNoNoNo
Fantastic Fan 2250
Check Price
3YesYesNoNoNo
Fantastic Fan 3350
Check Price
3YesYesYesYesNo
Fantastic Fan 7350
Check Price
14YesYesYesYesYes

Fantastic Fan Models

Fantastic Fan 1200

fantastic fan 1200

This is a bare bones camper vent, and all it does is vent (suck). As a result, this is the one and only Fantastic Fan on the list that doesn’t double as a ceiling fan (blow). The dome is manual lift and seals tight when lowered. It offers three speeds to meet your cooling needs.

Dometic Fanstatic Fan 1200CFMAmps
Low4781.86
Med6532.29
High9203.00

Fantastic Fan 1250

fantastic fan 1250

As you might have guessed by the model number, this Fan-Tastic Fan is almost the same as Model 1200. The only difference is the 1250 is a vent AND a ceiling fan. With the flip of a handy rocker switch you can go from pulling air out to pushing air in. All other specs are the same as the Model 1200. Anticlimactic, I know. 

Don’t worry, it gets better.

Fantastic Fan 2250

fantastic fan 2250

Take Model 1250, add a thermostat, and you have the Dometic Fantastic Vent Fan Model 2250. Although it doesn’t sound like much, a thermostat is a game changer. It maintains the temperature in your camper van or RV for you. All you do is select the fan speed and set the temperature control knob. After that, the thermostat does the rest. It monitors ambient temperature and cycles the vent fan on and off to maintain your desired temperature. This is a great feature for when you’re sleeping or if you need to leave pets inside.

Fantastic Fan 3350

fantastic fan 3350

This model adds two fancy features onto the 2250.

First, Fantastic Fan 3350 comes with automatic dome open/close switch. Don’t worry there’s still a manual dome-lift knob in case you need it. 

Second, the 3350 has a rain sensor! When the rain sensor senses moisture the dome automatically closes and turns off the fan. Thus, the fan motor and your camper van or RV interior are automatically protected from the rain. 

However, there is a catch.

When the rain sensor dries out the dome doesn’t reopen automatically. Therefore, the camper fan doesn’t restart automatically either. This can bite you in the butt. For example, let’s say you have the thermostat set to keep your dog cool while you go out for the day. A quick drizzle right after you leave could trigger the rain sensor, turning off and closing the vent fan. As a result, your dog is now stuck in a hot camper van or RV until you return. Not ideal.

If you’re willing to trade a wet interior (and a possible fried Fan-Tastic Fan) for your dog’s life, you can turn the rain sensor off. Additionally, you can use the manual dome lift knob to open the dome after the rain sensor secures the vent fan. This overrides the rain sensor which won’t reactivate until it has dried out.

Fantastic Fan 7350

fantastic fan 7350

This model spices things up a bit from the 3350. The Fantastic Fan 7350 has 14 fan speeds instead of a measly three! 

Because of the speed variability, the vent fan motor is more efficient. Therefore, it only draws 0.2 amps at the lowest speed and 1.9 amps at the highest speed. For those concerned about power, this is the van roof vent/fan for you!

Another fun feature of the 7350 is the wireless remote. With the remote you have all the controls at your fingertips without having to get up. 

However, there are some downsides to the remote. If the batteries die and you have no replacements, you’re shit out of luck when it comes to operating the vent fan. Some users complain about the signal from the remote not always registering with the Fantastic Fan. Additionally, the temperature control units are only in increments of 5°F. While not horrible, you lose the fine tuning of the manual knob. But speaking of manual knobs, the 7350 does still have the manual dome lift knob.

Dometic Fan-Tastic Ultrabreeze Vent Cover

fantastic ultrabreeze vent cover

Now, we’ve mentioned before that NONE of these models come with a rain cover and only TWO of them have a rain sensor.

If you want to protect your fan, and your camper van, from the rain, then the Ultra Breeze Vent Cover from Fant-Tastic Vent is your answer. They make the vent cover in white, black, and smoke grey so you can choose whatever color best fits your camper van or RV.

Fantastic Fan VS Maxxfan

There’s definitely two front runners when it comes to campervan and RV vent fans: Fantastic Fan vs Maxxair Maxxfan. People are going to have their own personal opinions on which one they like better, but since we have done a write-up on both, we feel confident enough to compare the two RV vent fans for you.

 

Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan Round 1
Fan Speed Comparison

Fantastic Vent Fan

All but one of the Fantastic Fans only have 3 speeds (the model 7350 has 14).

Maxxair Maxxfan

3 out of 5 of the Maxxfans have 10 speeds. Two models have only 4 speeds, which is still more than the Fantastic Fan’s 3 speed standard.

CONCLUSION

In our eyes it is considered better to have more speed settings. This allows you to run the fan at a slower, more efficient, speed as well as higher speeds for ULTIMATE COOLNESS. For this reason, we have to say that Maxxfan takes the cake.

Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan Round 2
Fan Power Draw

Fantastic Vent Fan

According to the Dometic’s Fantastic Fan website, the fan draws 1.86 amps / hr on it’s lowest setting.

Maxxair Maxxfan

Across Maxxair’s 10-speed fans, they draw 2.66 amps while on the highest setting, and only 0.17 amps on the lowest. Wow.

CONCLUSION

It’s obvious here, but the Maxxfan is by-and-far the most efficient out of these two RV vent fans. This is partly due to the fact that Maxxair’s 10-speed settings allow you to operate the fans at a lower, more power efficient, speed. 

Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan Round 3
General Operation

Fantastic Vent Fan

The fantastic fan needs a rain guard in order to be operated in the rain. However, some models do come with a rain sensor which automatically closes the lid when it senses rain.

Maxxair Maxxfan

The majority of the Maxxfans have a built in rain guard that allows operation during the rain.

CONCLUSION

The rain guard might not be a deal breaker for some people. I know many people in sunny-Colorado that went with the Fantastic Fan because it simply doesn’t rain that much.

Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan Round 4
Cost

Fantastic Vent Fan

The most basic Fan-tastic Fan model 1200 is just shy of $150 and their most “luxurious” model 7350 is just over $300. 

Maxxair Maxxfan

Maxxfan is a bit more expensive. Their base models usually run around $175 and their top end model can be anywhere between $400 and $500!

CONCLUSION

This is the main reason why Fantastic Vent fan is still a popular choice among vanlifers and RV enthusiasts… the price point. If you are going for a budget build, you can get the Fantastic Fan for a cheaper price than Maxxair. However, if you factor in the cost of the rain guard, they are pretty comparable.

Summary

Despite what the above Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan comparisons hints at, if you’re looking for a RV fan or van roof vent, a Dometic Fantastic Fan is still a solid choice. They provide great airflow, are simple to use and affordable. On the other hand, if operating your vent fan while it’s raining is a must, or if you want the most energy efficient RV vent fan, you will probably want something like the Maxxair Maxxfan or invest in Dometic’s rain cover.

If you think you might be more interested in reading more about the Maxxair Maxxfan, check out this detailed review for more information.

Maxxair Maxxfan Review – All Models (2022)

maxxair maxxfan

Maxxair Maxxfan is often considered the most popular RV vent fan on the market, and for good reason. In this review we will take a deep dive into the 5 most popular maxxfan models, their specs and power consumption, and stack them up against their biggest competitor in our Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan Challenge.

Do You Even Need a Vent Fan?

Do you really need a Maxxair Maxxfan? Or any RV roof vent at all? Well just imagine that…

It’s been a long day hiking and you get back to your camper van to find out that the shade you’d parked in has vacated…

It’s been hours since your home on wheels has been sitting out, baking under the hot afternoon sun.

Or, were you out mountain biking and needed to leave your camper van’s solar panels in the sun to recharge after your Strava speed run?

Or maybe you’ve been sitting in some café in Sedona working while your van has been sitting out under the blazing desert sun. 

Whatever the situation, anyone who lives the van life will need to park under the warm sunlight at some point and we all know what it’s like to get back into a hot car after a long day of work or play. 

It isn’t fun

That’s where the Maxxair Fan comes into play.

The Maxxfan is the leading van roof vent on the market, and there’s a good reason for this.  Most of the products from Maxxair offers the ability to blow air up or down, and while it may not seem like much, this makes a huge difference for someone living in a small space.  We talked about scenarios where you might want the fan to blow air down into your camper van, ie: when it’s too hot inside and you need to circulate air quickly.  But there are plenty of other times people living the van life may want to use a RV vent fan. 

What happens when you cook a curry meal only a few feet from your bedding? 

Or when you spend ten minutes on your composting toilet while your partner brews coffee? 

Or when… well you get the point. 

There will be times when you want to air inside of your van to leave.  There’s no better way of doing this efficiently and discreetly than the Maxxair Maxxfan.

Now, let’s get into the different models and specs, as well as how the fan stacks up in the Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan challenge. 

If you wan’t to skip to the FULL Fantastic Fan Review, head over here. (We suggest you finish this review first!)

Table of Contents

The Maxxfan Deluxe

This is Maxxair’s top of the line rv roof vent and fan. As their website states, it is the only RV fan on the market that includes a built in rain guard vent cover. With the Maxxair Deluxe you can ventilate your camper van conversion, even in the rain, at a rate of 900 cubic feet per minute (CFM).  

That’s a ton of ventilation.  

To put that in perspective, the Home Ventilating Institute recommends a ventilation system of 50 CFM for a 1000 square foot home.  The Maxxair Deluxe provides nearly 20x that rate of ventilation, if you want to turn it to max, of course.  Even on the lowest setting, a Maxx air fan will offer 274 CFM of airflow.  

It’s also mad quiet and will run off very little power. 

Maxxair offers four models of the Maxxfan Deluxe – the 5100k, 6200k, 7000k, and 7500k models are the ones you want for your ideal cargo van roof vent fan.  All of these models offer both intake and exhaust features, allowing you to blow air either out or into your camper van, and at 10 different speeds.  

Of course they all come with the rain guard vent cover, and all fold down to a low profile.  You can use these RV roof vent fans when they’re folded down as a sort of built in ceiling vent to allow for air circulation as well.

MaxxFan Deluxe 5100K (WHITE) and 6200K (SMOKE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL CONTROLS
  • RAIN SHEILD
  • THERMOSTAT
  • BLOW & SUCK (hehe)
  • 10 SPEEDS

DOESN’T HAVE

  • REMOTE CONTROL
  • ELECTRIC LID CLOSE/OPEN

MaxxFan Deluxe 7000K (WHITE) and 7500K (SMOKE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL & REMOTE CONTROLS
  • RAIN SHEILD
  • THERMOSTAT
  • BLOW & SUCK 
  • 10 SPEEDS
  • ELECTRIC LID CLOSE/OPEN

DOESN’T HAVE

  • REGRET
  • THIS FAN HAS NO REGRETS

There are additional benefits of the Maxxair Deluxe 7000k, including a remote control with a wall mount, temperature control that allows the fan to act as an air conditioning unit, and two support arms allowing you to use the fan in high winds or while driving. 

These features, along with the built in rain guard set the Maxxfan Deluxe apart from the competition.  In fact, we can go as far as saying that the rain guard itself makes the Deluxe worth the money.  Having proper moisture control in the rain is key and no other product on the market can do what this rv roof vent fan does—ventilate air even in a downpour.

While at first it may seem like all fans are created equal, this is not true.  A simple and often overlooked aspect of the perfect camper van conversion build, having a reliable and effective ventilation system is hugely important.  This is why we recommend the Maxxfan Deluxe, as it gives the user the most versatility in ventilation.  

You can literally use this RV vent fan at any moment, and its power draw is so small that you can run it all day and night with a solar set up.

One of the largest benefits of the Maxxair Fan is it’s low power draw.  The Maxxair Deluxe 7000k draws only 2.66 amps of power while on the highest setting and 0.2 amps of power on the lowest setting. To put this in perspective,

You could run a single Maxxfan Deluxe off of a standard camper van 100watt solar panel and a deep cycle battery 24/7, all summer long. 

A quick rundown on roof vent usage...

Brought to you by Paradigm Van Conversions

Trying to conserve battery power, but still want to run your roof vent? A quick physics lesson may help you manage your usage!

The fan affinity laws expresses the relationship between electrical power and speed such that power is equal to the cube (^3) of speed. 

So what does that mean? 

It means that if you reduce your fan speed from 100% to 80%, you use approximately 50% less energy. 

maxxfan electricty and power usage

The graph shows the power draw of a MaxxAir Deluxe fan across it’s 10 different speed setting, and you can see that the power draw is not a linear 1:1 relationship. The efficiency of the fan gets dramatically worse at higher speeds.

So, the takeaway is this: Simply avoid speeds above 80% as much as possible and you will effectively double the run time of your fan. If you are trying to decide on what kind of fan to buy, consider one with variable speed, not just for comfort reasons, but for energy efficiency reasons.

Happy camping!

Paradigm Van Conversions

Of course, the Deluxe model may not fit into everyone’s price range, but Maxxair offers other fans as well. Enter, the Maxxfan Plus.

The MaxxFan Plus

Budget conscious van lifers can choose the Maxx fan Plus, which offers many of the features of the Deluxe—exhaust and intake, 10 speeds, and easy installation. The 4500K model even comes with a remote control, electric lid opening, and a rain sensor (NOTE: Not a RAIN GUARD. The rain sensor is supposed to sense the rain, turn off the fan, and close the lid to protect the inside of your camper van)

The MaxxFan Plus 4000K (WHITE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL CONTROLS
  • THERMOSTAT
  • BLOW & SUCK (hehe)
  • 10 SPEEDS

DOESN’T HAVE

  • RAIN SHEILD
  • REMOTE CONTROL
  • ELECTRIC LID CLOSE/OPEN

The MaxxFan Plus 4500K (SMOKE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL & REMOTE CONTROLS
  • RAIN SENSOR (NOT GUARD)
  • THERMOSTAT
  • BLOW & SUCK (sorry, still doesnt get old)
  • 10 SPEEDS
  • ELECTRIC LID CLOSE/OPEN

DOESN’T HAVE

  • RAIN GUARD

The Regular Maxx Fan

Last in the line of these Maxxair fans is the plain ol’ regular Maxxfan. It only offers exhaust, and neither of the models have the thermostat or rain guard.  

Other companies offer similar products, such as the popular Fantastic Fan, but these products also fall short of what the Maxxfan Deluxe offers.  However all the Maxx air fans, and fans such as the Dometic Fantastic Fan, fit into one standard 14”x14” opening.  

This means that you can always upgrade to a higher end RV vent fan later in your van life journey. Here’s the spec’s on the regular Maxx fan. Please note, the only difference between the two models is the color scheme.

MaxxFan 4301K (WHITE) and 4401k (SMOKE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL CONTROLS
  • 4 SPEEDS ONLY
  • EXHAUST ONLY

DOESN’T HAVE

  • NO RAIN GUARD/SENSOR
  • NO INTAKE FAN
  • NO REMOTE CONTROL
  • NO THERMOSTAT

There is also one less talked about model of the Maxx air line of rv roof vents that is basically just the Regular Maxx Fan, but with a rain guard. This model is the MaxxFan Deluxe Model 5301K and 6401K (only difference, again, is the color). We put this fan down in this section, even though it sports the “Deluxe” title, because it has such basic features.

MaxxFan 5301K (WHITE) and 6401K (SMOKE)

DOES HAVE

  • MANUAL CONTROLS
  • 4 SPEEDS ONLY
  • EXHAUST ONLY
  • RAIN GUARD!

DOESN’T HAVE

  • NO INTAKE FAN
  • NO REMOTE CONTROL
  • NO THERMOSTAT

A Quick Review of the Specs

That was a lot to take in, so here’s one more chart that put’s all the Maxxair Fan features and specs together:

maxxair maxxfan chart

Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan

It is pretty obvious that Maxxair and Dometic (Fantastic Fan) are the leaders in the RV vent fan industry, but how do they stack up against eachother?

Now we went into a bit more detail over on the Fantastic Fan Review (found below) but we will summarize the differences between the Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan here.

Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan in PRICE POINT

Now this might be the only thing the Fantastic Fan hands-down beats the Maxxfan in… price point. When you do a side by side in the models, you can typically get the Fantastic Fan anywhere from about 15-35% cheaper than the Maxxair.

For example, check out the prices of each of the company’s top-of-the-line models.

Fantastic Fan 7350

Fantastic fan vs Maxxfan

Maxxfan 7500k

maxxair vs fantastic fan

Now, of course if you factor in the cost of the additional rain guard (for the fantastic fan), this difference in price starts to dwindle. Also note that the more basic models of each brand are more similar in price.

Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan in SPEED CONTROL

Speed control is one thing that Maxxfan reigns supreme over the Fantastic Fan. 3 out of 5 of the maxx fan’s have 10-speed, the other two have 4-speed. The Fantastic Fan, on the other hand, only has one fan that has more than 3-speeds, and that’s their model 7350.

Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan in POWER DRAW

Again, the maxxfan wins this one. On their lowest setting, the fan uses only 0.17 amps / hr on it’s lowest setting! Compare that to the WHOPPING 1.86amps/hr that the Fantastic Fan uses on it’s lowest setting and it’s clear to see who wins this Maxxair vs Fantastic Fan matchup.

Fantastic Fan vs Maxxfan WRAP-UP

A final note is that NONE of the fan tastic fans come with a rain guard. None. 

You have to buy that separately. 

Now, for people doing a budget build (and don’t plan on being anywhere that rains) then I would recommend the Fantastic Fan.

For everyone else, I’d go with the Maxxair Maxxfan. 

Conclusion

Overall, we believe the Maxxair Maxxfan is the best van roof vent. No other fan is going to do what the Maxx fan Deluxe does, working in any condition and on such a small power supply. Nor will any other fan be as reliable.  

Like many things in a good van build, it is worth it to spend the extra money on important components and one should not overlook the importance of ventilation and air flow.

However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option and plan on being in drier climates, go check out our Dometic Fantastic Fan review below.