Comments on: Vanabode: Home is Where the Van is Parked

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:00:57 +0000

You really don't need a lot to do it. Especially in the U.S. Our needs are not nearly as complicated as our wants. People like to have the gigantic, multi-slideout RV's to have a lot of living space. But as Jason points out in the book, the whole world is your living space, the van is just to have someplace to sleep when you're done exploring.

By: Rasheed Hooda

Rasheed Hooda — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:04:13 +0000

James, Thanks for this inspirational post. I just bought a van and am ordering personalized plates for it. I intend to remove the seats, throw in an air mattress, strap a folding chair, a bike and a small suitcase to the luggage rack and hit the roads very soon. My wife likes to travel but she is not into the mobile lifestyle, yet. I am sure we'll find a compromise that will make this work for us. My youngest one has one more year of High School, so, I will be experimenting with my nomadic excursions for a year, and then go full time. I have already taken the van for it's virgin voyage to the nearby Sam Houston State Park, and spent a day there having fun. You know, hiking, paddle boating, eating nuts and berries and stuff. I do need to invest in a good camera. Rasheed .-= Rasheed Hooda´s last blog ..What is Original? =-.

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:04:58 +0000

I have a Lance Campers brochure sitting here on my desk. My grandpa had a camper on a pickup similar to yours when I was a little kid. He later went to a Class C, but no bigger. One of the things that gave me the bug in the first place, I’m sure!

We have a 900 Square foot condo at the moment, and we have rooms we don’t even enter for weeks at a time. The absurdity of it is making us move on these changes. Still a way to go, but we’re getting there.

I’m enjoying reading about your trip.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:32:10 +0000

Having just returned from three months on the road with my husband and our 103lb American bulldog in our Lance truck camper, I know I could full-time in a small vehicle. 14 states and 10,801 miles of primarily boondocking, adjusting to being frugal with water and power took some time getting used to, but for me, it's been more difficult adjusting to being back in a home that's too large and too excessive for just the three of us. I'm not sure yet if full-timing is on our horizon, but we're definitely making some changes based on our experiences. I envy the people who have already made the decision to live with less *stuff* and more freedom, and a self-contained van definitely has its advantages. .-= Susan´s last blog ..Want a life on the road but don’t think you can afford it? =-.

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:00:57 +0000

I am still torn on the idea of boat or land. In many ways being land-based would be easier, but at the same time limiting. Also more difficult to get around on land without burning gas if you have some stuff, so I see why sailing would work better for you.

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:58:37 +0000

There are quite a few stereotypes to overcome with this type of lifestyle. It surprises people to know how many many people do this, though. There are many ways to live more simply without owning a van. I imagine it is not as commonplace in Taiwan.

By: Isao

Isao — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:42:39 +0000

I love the idea of living in the van with minimalistic lifestyle – many people, including my parents, still associate the living-out-there type of lifestyle with “Into the Wild” where the protagonist lives a happy life but prematurely terminates it too. I envy Trevor Clark for realizing his life and riding it along with his partner.
Well, the point is to have a mobile life, not owning a van, so I will try to continue doing that in the city. Thank you for the inspirational post.

By: Andrew MacPherson

Andrew MacPherson — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:03:31 +0000

Before I bought the sailboat, I tossed around the idea of throwing a mountain bike in the back of a van and riding as much Western Hemisphere singletrack as humanly possible. This was before my current obsession with zero fuel electric propulsion, but coincidentally, the thought of endless gasoline bills is what ultimately caused me to scrap the idea.

That Chris Farley sketch has probably done more damage to the used van industry than anything but the uncle in Napoleon Dynamite. I love it.

By: James Schipper

James Schipper — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:36:31 +0000

Having a home base is nice, but there is a lot to be said for not being tied to a plot of land with a pile of sticks on it.

By: Carmen

Carmen — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:26:22 +0000

Thanks for telling us about Vanabode, Jim. As our family nomads, I become more and more aware that what I love is seeing new places constantly. That's hard to do when you're renting a home or apartment in your location. Having the mobility of a van would allow us to be constantly experiencing new things. .-= Carmen´s last blog ..Meet the Nomads – Doug Baum’s Love for Camels Connects Him to True Bedouin Nomads =-.