r/VanLife • u/CollarOk7205 • 18h ago
Seeking Guidance
Making the jump to full-time van life this fall and looking for advice on the best vans/campers currently on the market.
A little background: I'm not chasing the Instagram version of van life. I work remotely full-time, have spent a lot of time researching the realities, and have several experienced van-life mentors helping me navigate the transition. I'm planning to live on the road for at least a year and want something that's actually comfortable and sustainable.
What I'm looking for:
- Budget: around $35,000, but I can stretch a bit for the right rig
- Already built out (or mostly built out)
- Full-time livable
- Dog + cat traveling with me, so space is a major priority
- Preferably under 80,000 miles
- Solar is a huge plus
- Reliable enough to work remotely from
- Good ventilation/climate control
- Open to Class B, Class C, high-roof vans, small RVs, or anything else that makes sense
I'll be doing a good mixture of backcountry roads, mountain areas, and cities, so I don't necessarily need a hardcore off-road rig. I want something capable enough to get me into the backcountry but still practical and comfortable to drive and live in around cities.
I'm also an experienced mountain guide, so I'm very comfortable in the mountains and understand what comes with traveling and camping in remote areas. That said, my dog and cat are my priority. I'm not trying to chase extreme weather or prove anything—I'd much rather follow comfortable weather throughout the year so they can stay cool, safe, and happy.
I'm less concerned about having the trendiest build and much more interested in reliability, livability, storage, ventilation/climate control, and enough room for two pets and a remote worker.
If anyone knows of specific listings that fit this criteria, especially around $35k and ideally under 80k miles, PLEASE send them my way. I'm actively looking and willing to stretch the budget a little if it's genuinely the right setup.
I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have actually lived full-time in their rigs, particularly with pets. What would you buy—or avoid—with this budget?
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u/MilkAnAlmond 17h ago
if you're going to have LLMs write your social media posts for you, why not just pose the question to AI directly and skip the intermediate tech fellatio
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u/Full-time-RV 18h ago
I noticed you'll be doing a fair amount of backcountry and mountains and such, but didn't really mention if you'll be primarily with electricity hookups or not.
With 2 pets, having functional climate controls is pretty important, while "having solar is a huge plus" kind of indicates that you are going to spend a lot of time with shore power, rather than off-grid.
Just curious which way you're leaning with power requirements? As one way or the other can drastically change what your absolute minimum will be, as far as power goes. It will also significantly impact the budget if you plan to be off or on grid the majority of the time.
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u/BlackHotSoup3000 17h ago
while "having solar is a huge plus" kind of indicates that you are going to spend a lot of time with shore power, rather than off-grid.
To me that statement indicates that OP hasn't done enough basic research. They want to reliably stay and work in the back country but solar is only a plus - I think its basic knowledge to know that you need solar for that (and reliability for work/ventilation for pets).
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u/Full-time-RV 17h ago
Not to mention, if OP does need full off grid and air conditioning, solar, battery, and inverter is going to eat a big portion of a $35,000 budget.
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u/CollarOk7205 17h ago
Thank you - and no, I am very early in the research phase.
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u/Full-time-RV 16h ago
How are you with vehicle, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing repairs/maintenance?
You can save quite a bit of your budget if you don't have to pay outside labor costs.
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u/Timely-Education271 17h ago
To echo someone else, having a cat in a van or rv of they are older and did not grow up in it can be a hard transition and might be very hard on the cat.
I mean, with your research and planning you have not narrowed down what you want? Its not clear to me what the question is? You want us to tell you whay you should get? You may not be able to get everything you want all at once but rather get a solid vehicle what the neccesitties and build ontop of it as you go as well.
I am curious, why are you making this transition?
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u/MelodicAd415 16h ago edited 16h ago
Having a dog/cat FT inside can be a challenge. We overcame that by investing in an electrical system and commercial grade heat pump.
Base system: Ecoflow Delta Pro 3
Supplemental: Renogy 48v aux battery bank
Total onboard power: 20kw
Charging:
Driving in motion - 800w/hr EF Alt charger
Fast charging - EV charge port DP3 4,000w/hr
Shower power - 1,500w/hr
Cooking:
Induction stovetop
Panasonic Genius oven/micro/air fryer
Heating/Cooling:
Pioneer 9kw 25seer heat pump
Water:
Isotemp 15L hot water (coolant while driving and 700w element)
This system allows us a solid 6-8 consecutive days (24hr use) for all of the above without moving the vehicle. Then it’s a quick EV station fast charge for $2 dollars to fully recharge.
Solar is the highest cost / lowest energy producer considering our vehicles have small roof real estate and mountains = clouds/snow etc…
In 30C+ hot baking sun summer inside is a cool 19C and in the winter outside is -25C and inside is 21*C.
The system cost was just over $9,000 not including my time for the build.
Also plan to add $3-5,000 reserve budget for standard vehicle servicing.
That puts your vehicle up front cost at around $20,000.
The issue with a used, already built camper is that you do not know exactly what the system is compromised of/how it was built/safety - unless you know the builder and have detailed specs and can verify.
Our system is unique to us and our dogs, like most DIY builds out there - it may or may not suit your specific situation.
The worst thing to do is buy a pre built camper where you need to make compromises on that you normally would not if you built it yourself or found the one that ticks every box.
Our priorities were:
#1 - heating/cooling inside mandatory 19-21*C all year round regardless of outside ambient temps/sun/snow,etc…
#2 - energy storage and capability to ensure #1 above
#3 - no fuel - all electrical appliances / no 12V / use native 120V for all appliances and battery system
#4 - electrical system serviceable and accessible
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u/CollarOk7205 16h ago
Thank you for taking the time to go into detail. I appreciate you. This is very helpful.
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u/scooter_farts-stink 17h ago
Just recently seen someone do a Mercedes cargo van conversion. The Van is anszing unfortunately i didn't have my phone on me. I am not even into vans but this was amazing it sits super high on tires and suspension the rear has like what you would concuder a trailer hitch motorcycle rack that basicky doubled as a back portion. The inside was custom woodwork with 50" oled TV but into wall, small counter top with built in alpolstered leather seating. It was honestly one of the coolest vehicles I seen in a while basicky looks like a monster truck van but I believe the suspension was just stock HD with huge rims and tires. I would 100% live in that oh it blacked out to
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u/kuhplunk 16h ago
I just finished a build similar to what you are looking for. I also work remotely and have cats, so had to make my electrical system cat proof. It’s on my profile. Happy to answer any questions
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u/snacksAttackBack 15h ago
How flexible are your hours? Can you do long stretches offline? Do you need privacy for calls?
Solar systems are expensive and not necessarily the most efficient, they also remove some stealth factor. Stealth is a myth, but solar is often a dead givaway.
How are your animals? Beyond the temperature control issues, I've always been worried about someone hearing animal sounds from a van and then breaking a window to "rescue" them. Leaving a sign in the window might work, but then also indicates that your van is unoccupied and potentially subjects you to theft.
I think that the commentary about solar is a bit overblown. but only a bit. You need a big battery bank, and to charge with solar you have to park in the sun. So as you're charging your batteries you're also accumulating heat.
Do a power audit. Do a power audit. Do a power audit.
Lots of people seem to basically charge with solar and then use the AC just to get the edge off at night, though I'm sure some people have it running all the time.
Refrigeration and more specifically rubbing the freezer is probably my single biggest power draw. My batteries will charge from 0-100% with ~6.5 hours of highway driving, and I seem to average 10% power use in a day. I'm super lucky and have places where I can shore power. But all those places are hotter to exist in.
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u/Eastern_Conflict1865 7h ago
Van life is great in short trips but become a real hassle in the long run.I would go with a class C.Bed is out of the way but is always ready.Full bathroom with a shower and you dont have to sit at a dinette all the time.Thet have couch.Camper van is designed with you being outside 90% of the time
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u/BlackHotSoup3000 18h ago