Honest Van Life Adventures and Reviews
It’s August 2nd, 2024, and I’m back in the van. Not just to sit in it and go, “ooh, look at my nice floor,” but to actually get on with building it again. Feels weird to say that. This thing has sat still for longer than I care to admit—partly because life got messy, partly because of the whole heart attack thing (which, let me tell you, is a hell of a way to get out of lifting ply sheets).
Today’s the start of the next push. 336 days to go.
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Driving for hours in a van is knackering enough without the constant deluge of road noise battering your ears. Every mile feels longer when you’re fighting tyre roar, wind noise, and the general racket of being inside a metal box doing 70mph.
Then you finally park up. Maybe it’s somewhere decent like the Lakes, thinking you’ll get a bit of birdsong and tranquillity. But the wind kicks off and the rain starts hammering the roof like a techno set at 3am. Or worse—you’re stuck in a layby next to the A1 trying to get some kip while every HGV thundering past sounds like it’s about to plough through your pillow.
Welcome to van life—where every inch of bare metal turns into a resonating chamber of chaos.
Sound deadening is one of those jobs everyone bangs on about during their build, and for good reason. Done properly, it transforms your van from a mobile drum kit into something you can actually sleep in. The trick is knowing what actually works and what’s just expensive marketing fluff.
Let’s strip back the hype and get into what’s actually worth doing to stop your van sounding like a biscuit tin in a blender.
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When most people think of van life, they imagine waking up to stunning mountain views, sipping a hot brew with the back doors wide open. And sure, sometimes it’s like that. But most of the time? You’re brushing your teeth with half a bottle of water while trying not to knock over your portable toilet.
It’s a lifestyle that teaches you quickly: small habits make a massive difference. Here are five van life habits I’ve picked up that genuinely make day-to-day living smoother—and might just save your sanity on the road.
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In this blog post I’ll share common beginner misconceptions and simple lessons about what I’ve learned starting out in Van life at a the age of 48 including expectations vs. reality, managing daily routines, plus unexpected benefits and challenges.
When I first started van life, one of the biggest challenges was finding safe, legal, and quiet places to park up for the night. I relied heavily on just one app Park4Night.—until I realised there were plenty of options and other smart techniques to make overnight stays a breeze. Here’s what I wish I’d known:
Read moreEver been stuck with a dead phone during a camping trip? Or lost power at home during a storm? The iAllPowers S2000 Pro power station might just be the solution you need. This compact power box packs enough juice to keep your essential devices running when traditional power isn’t an option.
Read moreBack in January 2023, my old Ex Rac, T5.1 van was crashed into, writing it off completely. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt apart from the van and, you can say, a bit of my mental sanity. It took over a year to release this for a few reasons, mainly because I’m poor at editing and ADHD-riddled, jumping from project to project, but mainly, well, this was the tipping point in life where things seemed to keep going downhill from here on in.
Living the van life is all about freedom, adventure, and the occasional DIY fix. If you’re like me, your Chinese diesel heater is one of your most prized possessions—keeping you warm during those chilly nights in the mountains or frosty mornings by the lake. But let’s face it, even the most reliable gear can throw a curveball now and then. Chinese diesel heaters, while affordable and efficient, are notorious for a few common faults that can leave you scratching your head (or shivering in your van).
Fear not, fellow van lifer! I’ve put together this handy guide to help you troubleshoot the most common Chinese diesel heater errors. Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a total newbie, these tips will have you back to cozy vibes in no time.
Read moreFinally the floor is up in my Mercedes Sprinter Conversion and that leads to the inevitable question, how best to fill the holes left over from ripping up the floor.
Read moreSitting back with a drink in your van after a long day sounds like the perfect end to a road trip. But before you crack open that bottle, let’s address the question: can you legally drink in your van in the UK?
Read moreFair to say it’s been a bit of a weekend in the UK with Storm Darragh making its presence known and it’s a time where I’m grateful to have a battery power bank in the form of the AllPowers R600, and yes one day I’ll have that video edited.
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