Mar 18, 2026
Latest
Why I Never Used a Generator in 8 Years of Van Life
Eight years full-time in a van, no gas generator. How we actually handle bad weeks — and what I'd recommend if you're ready to ditch yours.
8
years full-time
2017
Ram ProMaster 2500
32
field-tested guides
0
sponsored posts
Recent Posts
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.
PowerWhich Power Stations Can Expand Later?
Expandable vs. fixed-capacity power stations: which platforms let you grow, which are dead-ends, and when expansion actually makes financial …
Read More →
PowerSolar Input Explained for Portable Power Stations
Solar input limits, panel matching, and what 400W of input really delivers on a van roof — the reality vs the spec sheet, after 8 years of …
Read More →
PowerHow Many Watt-Hours Do I Need in a Van?
Sizing your van's portable power station around real daily loads — fridge, fans, work laptop, and the reserve you actually need for cloudy …
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 …
Read More →
BuildEight Years on 300W of Solar: What I'd Change
300W worked most of the time. But cloudy stretches in Colorado and winter in the Northeast showed the gap. What I'd build today.
Read More →
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? An 8-Year Verdict
Eight years full-time in a 2017 Ram ProMaster 2500. The real reliability verdict — what held up, what didn't, and whether we'd buy it again.
Read More →Getting Started
See all →First van, first build, and how to begin without overcomplicating it.
StarterVan Conversion Tools: Buy, Borrow, or Skip
A real guide to van conversion tools — what you actually need to own, what to borrow, and what exists only to generate clicks.
Read More →
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 …
Read More →