13 Things Some Van Lifers Do That People Can’t Stand

2 Comments

Do YOU do any of these things?

Although most van lifers are respectful and have good intentions, some do things that can rub others the wrong way. Unfortunately, this can cause people to perceive the van life community negatively. Here are some of the most annoying things van lifers do that people can’t stand.

1. Taking Up Multiple Parking Spaces

Photo Credit: Brooke Alexander

Depending on the size of the rig, it might take up more than one parking space. When van lifers intentionally park their van or RV across several spots, it’s inconvenient for other drivers (especially in a popular location or busy area).

2. Overstaying in Parking Spots

Photo Credit: Kaylin Zittergruen

It’s frustrating when van lifers overstay their welcome in parking spots, especially in desirable areas where others want to park. When van lifers stay in one location for too long, it prevents anyone else from being able to park there. Locals also complain when van lifers park in residential areas or try to “stealth camp” in front of their homes.

3. Littering

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Some van lifers don’t clean up after themselves and leave their campsites littered with garbage and dog poop. When van lifers don’t properly dispose of their waste, this damages the environment. It’s something that even fellow van lifers like myself can’t stand!

4. Making Excessive Noise

No one likes to listen to a loud generator all night. Van lifers who make excessive noise by constantly running their generators or playing loud music can disturb the peace. If van lifers ignore established quiet hours in a campground or public space, this can prevent people from sleeping. 

5. Ignoring Proper Waste Disposal

The proper way to dump sewage is this!

Improperly dumping greywater or sewage in most places is illegal, but many van lifers do so anyway. Some van lifers don’t even have a greywater tank, so their sink water drips onto the ground with each use. This leads to unsanitary and harmful environmental effects. 

6. Camping Illegally

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Some van lifers think they can camp anywhere and disregard local regulations or laws. Trespassing on private land can lead to negative interactions with locals and the authorities. For van lifers, this can lead to the dreaded knock telling you to leave!

7. Hogging Amenities

Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Van lifers often use amenities like public restrooms to take sink showers – which can inconvenience others waiting to use them. When it comes to laundry, van lifers often don’t like to carve time out of their adventures to visit the laundromat, so they often have loads of laundry to do once they finally get to one. Hogging amenities like washing machines and driers can be annoying to locals who need to use them.

8. Leaving Pets Unattended

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Many van lifers have a furry travel companion like a cat or dog to join them on their travels. Some leave their pets unattended and allow them to roam off-leash or leave them in their vehicle for hours. When the pet barks, whines, or approaches others, this can lead to conflict.

9. Spreading Out Their Gear

campervan parked by a lake with gear out
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

When van lifers extend their awnings and set up their tables, chairs, and grills in public spaces, this can take up lots of space and limit others from being able to use the spaces, too. The clutter can also be unsightly to others walking by. 

10. Monopolizing Outlets and Wi-Fi

power cords in an outlet
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Some van lifers charge all their electronics in public electrical outlets. When these devices are completely dead, it can take hours to charge back to full capacity, keeping others from being able to use them. When van lifers use public Wi-Fi (especially for heavy bandwidth activities), it can slow the internet speed for others trying to use it.

11. Ignoring Fire Bans

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Many states, natural areas, and campgrounds have fire bans to protect the environment. Some van lifers ignore these fire bans, which creates safety hazards within the community.

12. Engaging in Illegal Activities

people's hands with drugs
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

When van lifers engage in illegal activities like drugs, this can disturb the community and involve the police. Other activities like vandalism can cause permanent damage and have lasting impacts on the area.

13. Disregarding Vehicle Maintenance

beat up looking campervan on the side of the road

Sometimes, van lifers don’t take care of their rigs. Their vans might emit excessive smoke or leak fluids. This can be problematic for the environment and other drivers and campers.

Kaylin is a full-time van lifer traveling the US in her 2023 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter with her husband, Tom, and dog, Willow. She has a goal of visiting all of the national parks and enjoys hiking, backpacking, running, reading, writing, and social media content creation. Feel free to follow her travels on Instagram at @katekeepswild.

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2 Comments

  1. teri mandel says:

    Spot on for all of the listed, but one more that is terrible is campers will go outdoors to go to the bathroom regardless of no restrooms available nearby. There is a very affordable folding toilet with composting bags option ( way less than a tank of gas) for folks who do not have a built in toilet to protect our outdoors. I recently got to overnight on the beach with my rig in Nor. Calif. Amazing spot and felt grateful to be there..until I discovered the nearby bushes littered with waste of all kinds and a strong urine odor. I saw guys rotating into the bushes all day, while drinking beer and enjoying the beach. The closest bathroom was an exit away. This behavior robs us of access to such amazing spots and I was beyond angry that my fellow van campers would do this. I also think we have better recharging options these days and loud generators should be banned, period. I want to relax at my camp spot and enjoy it while i am there, during the morning and day as well. Having “quiet hours” allows god knows how many generators to run for HOURS, every day, emitting headache noise and exhaust trying to charge up their beasts before quiet hours begin. I was next to a fabulous creek and could never hear the babble of water due to so many generators. This alone has forced me to stealth camp and set up outside of where i am supposed to, adding to the problem you mentioned above. I simply will not go to campgrounds because of the behavior of others. I think if we are all out in the great outdoors, it should be preserved for all that it offers, fresh air, quiet and clean. I really resent the pollution emitted by others, as if it is their right to do so when they find their spot. While it is not illegal to emit pollution (noise, smoke via campfire or other, exhaust from generators or leaving auto running), people like me avoid campgrounds all together and those ignorant, selfish campers that take away everyone else’s ability to enjoy the outdoors for what it offers, not what people allow you to experience. I wish it were different …

    Reply

  2. Spot on for all of the listed, but one more that is terrible is campers will go outdoors to go to the bathroom regardless of no restrooms available nearby. There is a very affordable folding toilet with composting bags option ( way less than a tank of gas) for folks who do not have a built in toilet to protect our outdoors. I recently got to overnight on the beach with my rig in Nor. Calif. Amazing spot and felt grateful to be there..until I discovered the nearby bushes littered with waste of all kinds and a strong urine odor. I saw guys rotating into the bushes all day, while drinking beer and enjoying the beach. The closest bathroom was an exit away. This behavior robs us of access to such amazing spots and I was beyond angry that my fellow van campers would do this. I also think we have better recharging options these days and loud generators should be banned, period. I want to relax at my camp spot and enjoy it while i am there, during the morning and day as well. Having “quiet hours” allows god knows how many generators to run for HOURS, every day, emitting headache noise and exhaust trying to charge up their beasts before quiet hours begin. I was next to a fabulous creek and could never hear the babble of water due to so many generators. This alone has forced me to stealth camp and set up outside of where i am supposed to, adding to the problem you mentioned above. I simply will not go to campgrounds because of the behavior of others. I think if we are all out in the great outdoors, it should be preserved for all that it offers, fresh air, quiet and clean. I really resent the pollution emitted by others, as if it is their right to do so when they find their spot. While it is not illegal to emit pollution (noise, smoke via campfire or other, exhaust from generators or leaving auto running), people like me avoid campgrounds all together and those ignorant, selfish campers that take away everyone else’s ability to enjoy the outdoors for what it offers, not what people allow you to experience. I wish it were different …

    Reply

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