Dedicated to all newbie van lifers & nomads
In memory of Gabby Petito experiencing full-time van life for two months, I found this informative YouTube video to help others avoid pitfalls on the road: https://youtu.be/OsL9Q-37TPE
Vlogger Leslie Kalk & her husband spent months traveling together in their converted, Honda Odyssey camper van. Leslie’s YouTube video with 5 common mistakes is for new van life couples. I listed the first two mistakes below. From my own experiences, I have also included three recommendations that pertain directly to solo van dwellers & cross-country travelers.
1. Don’t try to emulate online appearances & edited images.
Too many wannabes see people on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media living a carefree, fun-filled van life! However, video clips & photos are usually edited to show desirable locations, and smiling couples who have never been happier – being together outdoors & on the road! Cleverly edited media can make viewers envious and want to emulate the fast growing “Van Life” or “RV Lifestyle”.
Numerous clicks, likes, and viewing times are vlogger end goals. YouTube channels cannot be monetized with low subscription rates & dismal tracking statistics. Notice how many channels use captivating headlines and exotic, visual scenes to promote their videos? You seldom see the grimy, dusty reality, unmade beds, piles of laundry, insect bites, or messy interiors. Many video clips are painstakingly produced & edited so “influencers” look their best for subscribers/followers!
2. Don’t be Desperate for Money 💰
It goes without saying that most full-time Van Lifers & RV’ers want to travel while being self-employed! It’s especially important for people who have not reached retirement age or don’t have trust funds, IRA’s & monthly pensions to rely on. Driving miles away from friends & family comes with inherent risks; especially those who own older vehicles with no extended warranties! Living in a moving vehicle, RV, or camper will incur maintenance and repair costs! It’s just a matter of time & mechanical breakage.
Gabby Petito & her boyfriend Brian Laundrie were experiencing money issues by their second month on the road full-time in August 2021. Her parents stated they had paid for pizza & Door Dash food when the couple needed assistance. Although Gabby had started a YouTube channel & online blog, it can take several months to establish a large media following with thousands of subscribers for monetary compensation. Being hungry & thirsty on a daily basis will add lots of stress to one’s travel life.
Highly recommend that road travelers have several thousand dollars in savings before embarking on a van life excursion, especially in older & high mileage vehicles! Stay in a nearby vicinity or a limited, geographic area if money becomes tight or dwindling! Better yet, find a full-time van life community (i.e. Bob Walsh TERRA Nomads) and join their tribes. There is safety in numbers instead of being isolated or stranded in a new location. Many Van Lifers/RVers find jobs as camp hosts so they can have free campsites and earn weekly incomes for one or more seasons. Here is a helpful resource for new Van Lifers: https://projectvanlife.com/
3. Be careful when traveling alone; especially if you’re young, beautiful, and/or a vulnerable person!
Female Van Lifers who travel solo have reported incidents of creepy guys following them or parking nearby. Do a search on YouTube to see how many van dwellers complain about sketchy people they’ve encountered on the road. It can be very dangerous in unfamiliar & desolate areas!
When in doubt, trust your gut instincts and drive away whenever possible! Park in well-lit areas! Venturing off into remote Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas by yourself is never a wise decision! One lady thought she was safe having a dog as her travel partner. She was murdered in her sleep! Staying inside a locked van is safer than being outside in a tent or sleeping in a hammock.
Most van dwellers use their vehicle alarms and ensure all doors are locked while inside & outside unless cooking with doors & windows open.
4. Consider buying a tracking device for your van or vehicle
Several people reported their campers, RVs & teardrop trailers were stolen while parked in urban & remote areas. The average camper van (professionally converted) costs approximately $38K & higher. Stolen van owners revealed they were probably followed from a nearby town because thieves spotted their expensive camper vans and discreetly followed them. Professional thieves can quickly hotwire a vehicle or tow it to a dismantling location. Track-i is an inexpensive device you can place inside a glove box or hide somewhere inside the interior of your van.
Track-i charges a nominal, monthly fee to track your vehicle in real time. Other tracking devices exist today. Do some online research for one that best fits your traveling needs. It’s helpful for relatives, police & FBI to know where you or your van disappeared to should that ever happen. WhereSafe Tracking GPS in 5G real-time offers monthly, yearly, and seasonal membership plans.
5. Don’t be afraid to end your full-time van life or cross-country excursion if things go wrong or become too difficult!
Many were hoping & praying for Gabby Petito to have a positive outcome! A female Park Ranger tried to encourage Gabby to consider her options and perhaps end a toxic relationship. But Gabby was goal oriented and wanted to finish her cross-country, van life adventure. Perhaps Gabby under-estimated Brian’s explosive temper or that she was in a confined space with a partner that was unpredictable & volatile when stressed or provoked! Gabby had a night alone to think about her available options after a policeman took Brian to a nearby hotel in Utah to emotionally decompress from a 911 call made by a passerby who saw Brian slap Gabby inside their 2012 Ford Transit Connect camper van. Five days later, Brian flew by himself to see his parents and take care of a few things in storage. Once again, Gabby was left alone in the van a few days before Brian rejoined her.
Most people (especially women) have limited opportunities to leave abusive relationships involving domestic violence. Conversely, a travel partner who constantly yells, gaslights others and/or engages in physical altercations is not physically nor emotionally safe for anyone. If the vehicle is registered in your name, drive off and leave the abuser(s) behind for your own safety & well-being! Otherwise, get yourself to the nearest airport, bus station or Western Union building and ask friends & family members to help you get back home safely!
Micro Van Life 