Thread: Could you actually live long-term in a van?

Originally Posted by trout1105

If you don't have a toilet and shower in the van living long term out of it would be a PITA having to rely on public facilities or even caravan park aminaties.
Our van is 20f when being towed and has 2x double beds that fold down in seconds when we park up making it a 28 footer.
We have a dunny and a shower with a gas/electric HWS and we have been very comfortable for 5he last 4 months or so even in the NT buildup.
We have seen heaps of those " minimalist" type rigs being setup and they usually take ages to get setup and look bloody uncomfortable to live out of as well.
More IS better when you are thinking about spending months or even years roaming around the country, Even one of those itsy bitsy washing machines can make a huge differance as can cooking outside on a webber Q.
A camper trailer is fine for a long weekend or an annual holiday But I would hate to live long term out of one.

Yep, totally agree.

The other thing to consider is our age/health. At 55, I'm not considered all that old, but, my bodies stuffed, so setting up and taking down any set-up can be hard work, so the least I have to do, the better. If I get work out there, which is the aim, the last thing I'm probably going to want to come home to, is fixing things,, tents, fly's etc, or worse still, have to actually set up something, regardless of how so called "easy" it is.
Our "Mac Mansion" has to be comfortable enough to keep us going for , what I hope, is a few years,, as in, up to possibly 10 years, but, who knows what will actually happen. Most of us guys can/could live out of a suitcase/swag easily for quite some time, I lived in a van at a van park for just over 2.5 years, easy, but if you want to uproot your Mrs and drag her all over the country,, even if it is what she wants to do too,, then you should be thinking more about what "she" will want. Things like having a decent meal and being able to prepare it on tables/benches, as opposed to on the ground,, or having enough ingredients etc,, its all relevant.

Ultimately, every-body's needs and wants are different. We've figured our 21 foot "Mac Mansion" will do us well for our time allotted, and strangely enough, we may actually find housing along the way and not even need the van all the time.
Some people will need/want more room, more gadgets etc,, and some will go with less. Who does it "easier, faster, lighter or whatever", really doesn't matter,, but for us,, our comfort level requires us to do what we've done,, and the few trials so far,, all is good.

Good call Weeds...hopefully I’ll be doing the same!