The 7 Biggest Mistakes New Van Lifers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

I absolutely love van life, but the past decade on the road has not been all smooth sailing (or should I say “smooth driving”).

Please excuse the bad joke, but the point is that I’ve made quite a few mistakes, and if I were to start over, I would do some things very differently!

That’s why I find it so hard to see others make the same mistakes I remember making during my first years at van life. It’s especially difficult knowing I could save them so much time and money. 

It’s a big reason I find so much joy in writing about my experiences and engaging with the community. I genuinely love helping others avoid the most common mistakes new van lifers make! 

So, from relying on the wrong energy sources to bad packing habits and learning how to engage with the community in a healthy way, here’s what I wish someone had told me before I started Van Life! 

1. Not Having an Emergency Fund

One of the biggest mistakes new van lifers make is hitting the road without an adequate emergency fund. 

It’s so easy to fantasize about the idea of spontaneous travel, but there are actually a ton of hidden costs associated with van life that could put an end to your new lifestyle before you’ve even crossed a state line. 

I’m always shocked at how much everything adds up at the end of the month.

It’s not uncommon for us to have a random $1,000 maintenance expense or go over budget because campgrounds in a particular area are $50/night, and there’s nowhere nearby to boondock.

That’s why it’s critical to set aside money BEFORE you’re on the road. The peace of mind alone will allow you to enjoy the experience to the fullest. 

How to Avoid Financial Stress

Before getting on the road, build up an emergency fund. Depending on whether you have a job, this can take two forms. 

1. A reliable source of remote income + an emergency fund with at least 3 months of living expenses. 

2. An emergency fund with 6-12 months’ worth of living expenses, including repairs, fuel, food, and insurance.

Until you’ve met that threshold, consider sticking with weekend trips as you build up your bank accounts to justify full-time van life.

2. Heating Your Van With Propane

There are quite a few different solutions for heating your van. Most van lifers I know use either a gas/diesel heater or a propane heating system. However, I also know people who have opted for a wood-burning stove or a more luxurious hydronic heater.

One issue is that propane heaters cause moisture and condensation inside your van which can lead to mold and other problems.

A gas or diesel heater creates dry heat which is better for a van’s interior environment.

A couple of the top-rated heaters are the Webmaster Air Top Evo 2000 and Espar Airtronic AM3 – B4L.

You can read our entire post about the best gas and diesel heaters for van life here.

3. Relying 100% on Solar

Many van lifers like to use solar power in the name of sustainable living. 

This is awesome, and I am a proponent of solar energy. Once you buy the solar panels, batteries, and inverters, your expenses should fall pretty close to zero. 

But solar energy is far from perfect. 

They’re highly dependent on weather conditions and sunlight exposure, so if you find yourself in a particularly rainy region or winter destination with really short days, you can quickly run low on energy—no lights, no fridge, and no way to charge your devices. 

It’s good to have a way to charge your batteries by using your van’s engine when you’re driving or by plugging in at a campground or at someone’s house.

4. Overpacking

Another common mistake new van lifers make is overpacking. I’m sure this comes as no surprise, but converted vans are tiny. 

So, you must be very selective when deciding what to bring (especially if you have a partner). 

It doesn’t take much for your van to feel cluttered, not to mention the unnecessary weight it adds to the vehicle. Items you thought were essential may gather dust in a corner and make van life more stressful. 

I still see many first-timers bringing every kitchen utensil they *might* need. Then they bring all their outdoor gear because, “Who knows if I’ll be in the mood for mountain biking, surfing, or kayaking?”

How to Avoid Overpacking 

Learning to live with just the essentials is more of a lifestyle change that you’ll inevitably learn over time while living in a van, and it’s actually one of the ways the van life has benefitted my life the most!

But here are some things to consider that will help you avoid overpacking. 

Find multi-purpose items –  Look for items that serve multiple purposes, like a pot that can be used for both cooking and baking. 

Do a test run – Before committing to full-time van life, take your van out for a few days or a week. See what you use and what you might be able to leave behind.

5. Neglecting Maintainance

I’m sure you’re already aware of regular maintenance, but many people wildly underestimate the cost of maintaining their vehicle and how often they need to do it.

Living in your van means; 

1. Driving a lot more miles (potentially) than if it were simply a work vehicle.
2. Operating the vehicle close to (or slightly over) its maximum payload.

This means that you’ll need to schedule regular maintenance sooner than you think. If you have an older van, parts will start giving out quicker than usual. 

Whether you take your vehicle to a shop or DIY your vehicle maintenance, I highly encourage you to do things BEFORE they’re required to ensure everything stays in good working order. 

Important Vehicle Maintainance

• Oil changes: Every 6,000 – 8,000 miles
• Tire maintenance: Rotate every 6,000 – 8,000 miles; Replace every 40,000 – 60,000 miles
• Brakes: Inspect every 10,000 – 15,000 miles, replace pads & rotors every 25,000 – 50,000 miles
• Battery maintenance: Replace battery every 3 – 5 years
• Cooling system: Check coolant levels monthly, flush system every 50,000 miles
• Suspension and steering: Inspect annually or every 12,000 miles
• Fluid levels and leaks: Check monthly and address leaks immediately
• Electrical system: Inspect wiring annually
• HVAC system: Replace air filters every 15,000 – 30,000 miles, inspect seasonally
• General inspection: Every six months or before a long trip 

6. Not Investing in the Community

Once you start living in your van, you’ll be shocked at how many people are living on the road. 

Not everyone’s a van life blogger or an Instagram Influencer. Loads of people live out of converted vans just because they genuinely prefer the lifestyle. 

However, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to engage with this community or keep to yourself.

How to Build Community on the Road 

It’s really up to you whether or not you build a lasting community, and I encourage you to start putting yourself out there and investing in the community immediately. 

Attend a van life gathering, join Facebook Groups, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with the people parked near you. 

I understand that there are times when you’ll need your privacy (which – just FYI – becomes very rare during Van Life), but Van Life becomes extremely lonely without other people. Plus, these interactions can lead to valuable information/tips, like the best boondocking spots nearby or advice on handling the challenging parts of Van Life.

7. Rent a Campervan Before You Buy One

The final mistake I see, and honestly one of the most unfortunate, is people investing tens of thousands of dollars and months of work into a converted van, only to find out they don’t like it.

Van life is not for everybody and it’s not as dreamy as it looks on Instagram. 

So, I always tell people to rent a van for a week or two and see how they like it before diving in headfirst. 

Renting lets you get a feel for the space, determine what amenities are essential to you, and identify potential deal-breakers. You can try a couple of different setups to decide which works best for your lifestyle and determine whether you need more (or less) space than you originally thought.

How to Rent a Converted Campervan

Here are some places you can browse online for a campervan rental. 

Outdoorsy: Outdoorsy is our favorite campervan rental company and offers a huge selection of vans across the U.S., including many locations near national parks. It’s basically AirBnB for campervans, and prices typically run from $200 to $400/day. They also offer comprehensive $1 million insurance coverage and 24/7 roadside assistance + support. 

Plus, if you rent a campervan through Outdoorsy, use our coupon code “waywardhome” to get $50 off your conversion van rental!

Escape Campervans: Escape Campervans offer a more budget-friendly option and the flexibility to rent in one location and return in another. Built on the Ford E-150 chassis, these campervans range from $30 to $100 per night and are available in many U.S. and Canadian cities. Each van includes a convertible bed, kitchen setup, and solar-powered dual battery system.

Travellers Autobarn: Originally established in Australia, these colorful campervans are now available in certain U.S. cities, like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. Rates range from $25 to $125, and they offer unlimited mileage. This is a great West Coast road trip option, especially since you can rent at 21 years old! 

Waiting Too Long is Missing Out!

The last mistake people make is simply not doing it sooner. 

It’s not really a “mistake” (which is why it’s not officially on our list), but it’s a huge regret for many people who do full-time van life. People spend years waiting due to fear of change, discomfort, or life circumstances, and then once they get out on the road, they often find themselves wishing they had made the leap years earlier.

Obviously, you should obviously be smart about the decision to become a van lifer, build up an emergency fund, and avoid the other mistakes I mentioned in this article. But just know that there will never be a “perfect” time and that you can always make adjustments after you’ve gotten started. 
So, I hope this helps you feel more prepared and excited about Van Life. For more tips like this, check out my best tips for first-time solo Van Life.

MORE ARTICLES TO READ:

• Top 10 Rookie RV Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
• 12 Van Life Security Mistakes That Could Put You in Danger
• 13 Hidden Costs of Van Life That No One Talks About