• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Best Men Tools

A Trusted Blog for Men's Health, Tools and Home Improvement

  • Top Lists
  • Tools and Home Improvement
    • Noise Reduction and Soundproofing
    • Garden and Outdoor Tools
  • Product Reviews

Van Life Essentials: 14 Items That Will Help You Survive

10/09/2020 by Chris Miller

I've always been on the move. I've always wanted to be off to so many places. I get frantic when I feel that I am stuck. I always want to be moving and be in different areas even at least after every two or three months.

So I came up with a plan to research about the life in a van. Then it dawned on me to write something about "Van Life Essentials" as my headstart if van life is for me too.

Have you ever thought of living off the grid?

I saw this Korean drama on TV one time and the lead actress was a doctor who chose to live in her car instead of having a house.

Am also a huge fan of National Geographic so I've watched this documentary or series about people who chose to live off the grid and left their usual city life.

Have fun reading and be flabbergasted by this article that I wrote not just for myself but also for you who is into fun and adventure just as I am. Let us both have fun as we dig deeper into this “Life in a Van.”

Van Life Essentials2

Photo credit: dirtmountainbike.de

However:

Before you decide to live on the road, there are things that you must be prepared for. You wouldn't want your van life to be just chaos, and of course, you want your van life to be somehow free of complications.

So here are some essential tips for us before we move on to our van life. But first, let me briefly define this phrase.

What are Van Life Essentials?

Van life essentials are the most valuable things that you might be needing when you finally decide to live in your van. Not everything you want to take with you will actually fit in your van.


Contents

  • 5 ESSENTIAL TIPS WHEN PREPARING FOR A VAN LIFE:
  • Van Life Essentials: 14 Items for Survival
    • 1. Plastic Basin 
    • 2. Hanging Fruit Basket
    • 3. ​Wet Wipes
    • 4. Solar Powered Lamps
    • 5. Power Bank 
    • 6. Backpack 
    • 7. Fridge/Freezer
    • 8. Multi-Pot Set 
    • 9. Water Canister 
    • 10. Tents/Sleeping Bags 
    • 11. Sharp Knife/Swiss Knife 
    • 12. Portable Butane Gas Stove 
    • 13. Vacuum 
    • 14. Towel 
  • Before I go…

5 ESSENTIAL TIPS WHEN PREPARING FOR A VAN LIFE:

  • 1
    Try it out. You can start off by heading on a road trip. You may also try sleeping in your car and eat while traveling. This will help you learn if van life is for you.
  • 2
    Budget. This is really important since you will be off to anywhere so must set your budget when you are planning to live in a van. Setting up a monthly budget will help you cut down on unnecessary spending. It will also help you maximize what you need to transfer into your savings. You have to work on your van life budget because it is going to be very different from a normal house budget you got used to already.
  • 3
    Research. You have to figure out what kind of vehicle you are going for. Whether it'd be a van, a car or an RV, you must go out for a test drive. Try as many campers as you can for you to have an idea of what really best fits you. Do not rush into purchasing. Please do your homework. Remember, it's going to be your home.
  • 4
    Work. You have to figure out on how you are going to continue making money while you're on the road. There are plenty of ways to make money but it's totally different when you are always on the road.
  • 5
    Downsize. You may get rid of everything or anything you do not need on the road or things that don't bring you joy. If you are going to have a life in a van, you carry only the things that you need.

Camper Van Essentials

play

Van Life Essentials: 14 Items for Survival

1. Plastic Basin 


	 StormDrain FSD-3017-20BKIT-6 20 in. Large Round Catch Basin with Black Grate Kit
Check Price on Amazon.com

You will be amazed by this item because it can actually play three roles.

  • Firstly, you can keep things in this basin that you don't want to be moving when you are driving.
  • You can carry dirty plates or dishes to and from dishwashing stations which is much convenient since you are always on the go.
  • Finally, you can use it as your own sink to wash your face, your dishes, and even your dirty clothes.

You may choose a basin that is not too big or the size that will surely fit in your van which will not occupy too much space.

2. Hanging Fruit Basket


	 Deppon 3-Tier Wire Fruit Hanging Basket, Vegetable Kitchen Storage Basket, Iron Wire
Check Price on Amazon.com

This is highly efficient so you can store some of your stuff or even your fruit hanged on the ceiling of your van.

There are lots of different hanging baskets that are available in the market. But according to my research, the highly recommended type is the two-tiered metal hanging basket because this type can store more kinds of stuff and is durable enough to hold heavier ones. This can also save lots of space and prevent clutter.

3. ​Wet Wipes


Moist Cotton Towel, Antibacterial Hand, Face and Body Wet Wipes Individually Wrapped, Shower Body Wipes, Portable Towel For Outdoor, Camping Gear, Travel, Yoga, Product from Thailand (30 Count)
Check Price on Amazon.com

Remember you are dealing with your life on the road so this thing right here is a must-have. Your car leaks and you leak, wet wipes are going to be your best pal.

You spill oil on your hands while cooking, wet wipes it! Seriously though, buy the biggest box for your wipes because you will need this more than anything.

4. Solar Powered Lamps


Portable Solar Powered LED Light Bulb Outdoor with Solar Panel Rechargeable LED Emergency Lamp 2200mAh for Hiking Fishing Camping Tent
Check Price on Amazon.com

You are always on the road so having solar powered lights is a wise choice because you won't have to waste much money on batteries. All you have to do is charge them on your dash during daytime and enjoy the benefits after the sun sets.​

play

5. Power Bank 


Portable Charger RAVPower 22000mAh External Battery 22000 Power Bank 5.8A Output 3-Port Backup Battery Packs (2.4A Input, iSmart 2.0 USB Ports, Li-Polymer) for iPhone X, iPhone 8, Galaxy S9 – Black
Check Price on Amazon.com

We want our devices fully charged at all times, and this is a must for a traveler because there is nothing worse than you not being able to get an update on your Twitter.

Kidding aside, for emergency situations, imagine your gears suddenly drained. You are in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. Not a good vision, huh?

6. Backpack 


AmazonBasics Backpack for Laptops up to 17-inches
Check Price on Amazon.com

This is easy to carry, comes in handy, you can fit almost everything that you need for your stop-overs especially your valuables.

This van life essential is also ideal when you work remotely on the road. From your tiny living space in the van to your office space on the road for the day, it should be just easy and painless. It's best to invest in the backpack you really like.

7. Fridge/Freezer


Danby DCF072A2WDB-3 DCF072A2WDB1 Chest Freezer, 7.2 Cubic Feet, White
Check Price on Amazon.com

Whenever or whatever kind of life we chose, this is truly something that we all need in our lives. I, myself, can't live without this thing.

A small one will do since you will be living in a van. You can have it built-in to secure its position in your van. It doesn't have to be very big but just enough for you to have storage for your food.

8. Multi-Pot Set 


Stainless Steel Pots and Pans Set: 10 Piece Titan Cookware Tri Ply Full Kitchen Set - Cooking Starter Kit with 2 Frying Pans, 1 Saute Pan with Lid, 2 Saucepans with Lids and 1 Casserole Pot with Lid
Check Price on Amazon.com

You will be cooking, and as you go, you won’t know the type of meal you’re going to prepare--whether you’re having soup, fried egg, or grilled salmon. So having a multi-pot set is a great idea.  You then can save great space in your mini always-on-the-go house.

9. Water Canister 


Bluewave Lifestyle BPA Free Water Bottle with Big-Mouth & Dispensing Valve, 5 gallon
Check Price on Amazon.com

Water is life! So having a container and something enough (not so big) to avoid consuming huge space in your van.

I highly suggest getting one that can hold about 5 gallons because you can fill in much water which can get you all throughout without worrying about "what if's."

10. Tents/Sleeping Bags 


FARLAND Camping Sleeping Bag-Envelope Mummy Outdoor Lightweight Portable Waterproof Perfect for 20 Degree Traveling,Hiking Activities(Dark Grey/Left Zip, Rectangular)
Check Price on Amazon.com

This right here are your on-the-go buddies if you wish to stop by at a place for quite some time or a bit longer period. You will surely want to explore places along your way, so it's best to have these items.

11. Sharp Knife/Swiss Knife 


	 Geralt 11-in-1 Stainless Steel Swiss Army Style Pocket Folding Knife, Black
Check Price on Amazon.com

This is something that is needed not only for backpackers but most especially if you want to have a life on the road. You are not just a backpacker but you are going to finally live in your car mostly. So better have something that is essential in your kitchen in your van.

12. Portable Butane Gas Stove 


Camplux Portable Outdoor Camping Butane Gas Stove 8000BTU Carrying Case
Check Price on Amazon.com

I like this because it’s highly portable, affordable, and is available almost everywhere. So in case you run out of fuel, you can always find a replacement.

13. Vacuum 


Homasy Rechargeable Handheld Vacuum Cordless, Powerful Cyclonic Suction Vacuum Cleaner, 14.8V Lithium with Quick Charge, Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair, Dust, Gravel Cleaning, Black
Check Price on Amazon.com

Vacuum comes in handy. It makes it easier for you to keep your van free of dust and dirt especially that you’re always off-road.

14. Towel 


4 PACK Hand Towels Set | Premium Quality Luxury Turkish Cotton Absorbent AND Super Soft - SILVER GREY
Check Price on Amazon.com

Towel is, of course, necessary not just to keep you dry after taking a shower but also to keep you warm at night.

Before I go...

Whatever you choose in life, make sure it makes you happy. You may live the life you wanted and anyway you wanted just as long as it makes you satisfied. As for me, all I want is to share with you this list of van life essentials for you to have a new perspective on life.

Related Tips and Tricks from BestMenTools Lists:

  1. ​How to Heat a Tent without Electricity? (2 Effective Ways)

Filed Under: Top Lists Tagged With: best van life accessories, Van Life, Van Life Essentials, van life essentials list, van life gadgets, van life gear, van life packing list, van living must haves

About Chris Miller

Hey there, I'm Chris Miller, founder and editor in chief here at Best Men Tools. Besmentools is a result of my interest in physics and materials. Truth be told, it’s the only thing I’m actually good at. A tool junkie if you will.

Hobart 210 vs. Miller 211

Hobart 210 vs. Miller 211 Welding Machine (All You Need To Know)

DeWALT DW734 vs. DW735

DeWALT DW734 vs. DW735 (How To Choose The Best Planer)

Van Life Essentials

Van Life Essentials: 14 Items That Will Help You Survive

Netgear-R6400-vs-R6700-vs-R7000

Netgear R6400 vs. R6700 vs. R7000 (What is the Best WiFi Router?)

Roomba 805 vs. 880 vs. 860 Reviews and Comparisons

Roomba 805 vs. 880 vs. 860 Reviews and Comparisons (What is The Best Vacuum?)

Bestmentools.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Additionally, Bestmentools.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. We do not specifically market to children under 13.

Social

Follow me on:
  • About Me
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Police
  • Contact

COPYRIGHT © 2019 BESTMENTOOLS.COM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.