Jul 24, 2026
Latest From the Road
The Van Roof Math: More Solar Means One Less Fan
Panels barely got denser in eight years, so more solar means more panels. On a van roof those panels compete with your vent fans. Here's the real math.
8
years full-time
2017
Ram ProMaster 2500
35
field-tested guides
0
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New to van life?
Start here: our guide to getting on the road without overcomplicating it.
→Power & Electrical
See all →Power stations, solar, alternator charging, and watt-hour planning.
PowerThe Power Upgrade That Changed How We Cook
Going from a Goal Zero Yeti 1400 to a Bluetti Elite 200V2 meant more than extra watt-hours. It put appliances on the menu the Yeti could …
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PowerWhich Power Stations Can Expand Later?
Which van power stations actually expand (Apex 300, DELTA 3 Ultra Plus), which are fixed (Elite 300, Elite 200 V2), and when a second unit …
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PowerSolar Input Explained for Portable Power Stations
What a solar input rating actually delivers on a van roof. Panel matching, the flat-mount tax, and the honest harvest numbers from eight …
Read More →Build & Gear
See all →Ventilation, tools, fridge, kitchen, and van build decisions.
BuildStaying Cool in a Van Without AC
Managing summer heat in a van with no rooftop AC: roof fans, window covers, parking strategy, evaporative cooling, and lifestyle shifts that …
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BuildEight Years on 300W of Solar: What I'd Change
300W worked most of the time. A Florida summer and a Colorado winter showed the gap. Why more panels was never the answer on a van roof.
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BuildChest vs Upright Fridge for Van Life: Karlee Was Right
I chose the chest fridge. She wanted upright from day one. After eight years of daily use, she was right, and here's exactly why.
Read More →Van Life Reality
See all →Real stories, couples perspective, and the parts nobody talks about.
RealityIs the Ram ProMaster Reliable? 8 Years, One Engine
We bought a 2017 Ram ProMaster 2500 at 30,000 miles and drove 100,000 more. The roller lifters went at 98,000. Here is every repair, what …
Read More →Getting Started
See all →First van, first build, and how to begin without overcomplicating it.
StarterVan Conversion Tools: Why I Bought the Cheap Drill
I laid flooring and tile for years before I built my van out, and I still bought Ryobi. The rule that decides it, and the one tool on this …
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StarterSolar Power for Van Life Beginners
Beginner solar for budget van lifers: panel sizing, MPPT vs PWM, what starter kits get wrong, and the upgrade path that doesn't waste money.
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