It doesn't matter if you refer to it as "van-life" or "overlanding," I've been doing it since back when it was known as "living in your car" and over the course of years and miles I've become quite familiar with what it takes to find an automobile that you can call home. If you know what you want to look for, vans pickups and SUVs can be modified to fit the road-trip lifestyle. Your life in the van will be influenced by the car you select for conversion. The comfort, the volume of cargo you'll be able to transport, the cost of your daily of living, and even whether or not you'll get rousted by cops or Karens--all depend on your choice of the chariot. If budget isn't a problem purchasing a van that is ready for life is, naturally simple. These days, many companies provide vans that are specifically designed for endless road-tripping, though they're costly. The ubiquitous Mercedes Sprinter, for example is priced at over $35,000. The sky is the limit when you purchase a brand new car. We're not talking about made-to-order overlanders. This letter is aimed at DIYers, many of whom have smaller budgets. Let's begin if this sounds like you. Shape and sizeIf you're trying to construct a home that is mobile, your primary concern is the amount of space you have. The more space you can have more space, the better. However, if you live too large then you'll spend every penny for gas to transport the heavy equipment around. The goal is to find a compromise between the space you would like and how much space you'll need. It is possible that you want a large panel van, but you also don't want your wallet being drained to the tune of 14 miles per gallon. A hatchback may be too small for longer trips than weekenders, therefore you'll need a vehicle that has more elbow room. Certain models also come with body shapes that are better suited for conversion. Although some SUVs may seem large at first, once you begin building your camper, you will find that the vehicle's narrow top and awkward angles make it difficult to design an enjoyable layout. The simpler the design, the more efficient. This is why I ended up choosing the Honda Element. Although it's theoretically the exact size as the Honda CRV or Subaru Forester It's essentially the size of a large box once you take the seats out and makes it more flexible than the majority of SUVs of a mid-sized size. Minivans have been a subject of an increase in aftermarket sales recently for the same reason. Take away all the seats that are family-friendly and you'll have plenty of room to work in. The mileage of gasGas mileage is an important consideration. It has become more essential due to the introduction of six-buck-gallons. Rent or mortgage if you're living the road lifestyle. If you get too much MPG, the lifestyle becomes outright unlivable. This is likely the reason why many are choosing to convert smaller SUVs over large vans these days. Ability and handlingIn my set-up, drove over 40,000 miles across North America last year. This includes every weather and road. Off-roading in Moab. Blizzards across Oregon, Idaho. Pavements that are bedraggled in rural Mexico. Numerous rainstorms and hairpin mountain passes have been recorded. Even one tornado that may be from Colorado. Overlanding isn't uncommon in these kinds of driving situations. A horde of conversions can be seen bouncing across the hardtop in Vegas. Additionally, they'll be driving through Pendleton snowstorms in the dead of Winter. Essentially, you want the vehicle to be capable to withstand the toughest road (or off-road) conditions you're expecting to throw at it. My Honda Element trim came with all-wheel drive, which makes it ideal for this purpose. Also, you'll see the Ford Transit and Subaru Forester, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota 4Runner among van-lifers. Reliability and conditionA car that is in good shape is the primary reason to consider a new one. However the well-maintained vehicle can be a different matter. If van-life was a popular trend prior to 2020, then the pandemic made it explode in popularity, as people searched for alternatives to travel. Van conversions were suddenly widespread, and a lot of people who aren't van owners have become accustomed to seeing vans all over. In the end, those (or the police) who may not have been bothered by anyone parking in their street to rest just a few years ago are now much more likely to rouse you with an angry knock and send you off on to the next destination. The result of this has been the increase in "stealth" van-lifing where the aim is to park in an urban or suburban area without drawing attention or anger from locals. There are a myriad of methods to achieve this but the most important thing is how your vehicle appears.
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