This wiki collects and organizes information to help full-timers get the best out of the lifestyle. As such, it chiefly concerns vandwelling as a voluntary lifestyle (“houseless-ness”).

This is not intended to be an all-purpous guide to everything van-life. Rather, it is a collection of links to other resources and guides put together by outside sources. It is by no means complete, or authoritative. Found something wrong and want to fix it? See

If you are facing involuntary vandwelling (homelessness) start with this emergency quick start.

• start here! for basic info
  • What are some avoidable beginner mistakes? (rant)
  • What is the best van?
  • Should I buy a pre-built campervan or build my own?
  • How much solar do I need to run an air conditioner?
  • How will I charge my laptop?
  • How do I get Internet?
  • Should I get a “solar generator” like a Goal Zero?
  • How will I make coffee?
  • Why would anyone live in a van?
  • What do vandwellers and FTers wish they had known beforehand?
  • Is there a basic guide to solar?
  • Why a van and not something else?
  • how will I use the bathroom?
  • how will I stay clean?
  • will it be just like instagram?
  • what do I need to get started?
  • where will I sleep?
  • won't my friends and family freak out?
  • How much does it cost to live on the road?
  • How can I earn money on the road?
  • How will I do my laundry?
  • How do I know if my solar is working?
  • How can I get solar power in my car?
  • How will I find things to see and do?
  • What does that acronym mean?
  • Is MPPT required for series panel configurations?

• going “full time”
  • How will I get my mail?
  • What do I put as my address?
  • living out of the van vs living in the van

More advanced topics are listed below, or you can use the search box in the upper right of each page.

• Types of RV - class A, class B, class C, travel trailers, cargo vans, cars, box trucks, step vans, slide-ins, cargo trailers, etc
• Van Comparisons
• Van-Specific Articles
  • Ford E-series
  • Ford Transit
  • Chevy Astro / GMC Safari
  • Sprinter
  • Ram Promaster
  • Chevy Express / GMC Savanna
  • Nissan NV2500/3500
• Getting your own van or RV
  1. How to find your desired van or RV for sale somewhere
  2. How to assess a van or RV you have found. Is it a good one?
  3. Purchasing the van or RV
• keeping your van or RV running
  • maintenance
  • Troubleshooting - electrical, engine, leaks

• Choosing your type of build: minimal, luxurious, or otherwise
• Tools
• Power -
  • Solar - Solar charge controllers, Solar panels, Shallow-cycling microsolar for cardwellers and minimalists
  • Shore power - Converters,
  • Generators
  • House DC (12v) power - Deep cycle batteries, inverters, 24v, conservation
• Communication
  • internet
  • mobile devices
  • phone
  • trackers
  • Zello
• lighting - LED, solar (LUCI)
• Water
  • hookup
  • drinking water
  • fresh water
  • gray water
  • black water
  • purification
  • conservation
  • showers
• toilet
  • plumbed with black tank
  • cassette
  • bucket
  • composting
  • hole in the ground
  • being "self-contained"
• Food
  • cooking
  • Making coffee
  • refrigeration
  • stoves
  • ovens
  • microwaves
  • dehydration
  • canning
  • sprouting
• climate control|Climate Control
  • heating
  • roof vents
  • cooling
  • insulation
• Awnings
• TV

• checklist for hitting the road
• core skills
• collected words of wisdom
• Nomadic retirement
• not getting stuck
• Camping - snowbirding, boondocking (dispersed/free camping), private campgrounds, public campgrounds, truck stops, walmart, stealth, LVTA, rest areas, safety, camping in Canada
• hobbies - sewing, geocaching, reading, writing
• involuntary vandwelling

Learning from others - websites, forums, mailing lists, books, blogs, youtube channels, podcasts.

unoffical reddit /r/vandwellers FAQ

Synopses:

• HandyBob's RV battery charging puzzle
• Cruisers and Sailing forum LiFePO4 batteries thread

• About this wiki
• Credits
• edit this wiki!
• affiliate info

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