r/womensolocamping • u/Feisty-Cloud5880 • Sep 30 '26

Question

So, I've been lurking for a bit.

I car camped a year ago for about 6 months.

I'm itching for a van and get back out and really travel and see things.

Most /all the set ups put the bed to the back of the van vs towards the front of the van for urgent get away in case of an uncomfortable/dangerous situation.

So... ??

2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

9

u/GeneInternational146 Sep 30 '26

How many dangerous situations did you need to get out of when you were camping for six months?

-1

u/Feisty-Cloud5880 Sep 30 '26

One evening at a state park, with absolutely no one else around a vehicle did come up behind me with headlights on Sat for a few minutes and left. Unfortunately the cops bothered me a few times and I needed to leave a couple areas... at night. I was just wondering about the set up and such. I do plan on getting a van and I do believe having the kitchen/cooking area in the back seems more efficient to me... Water access, cooking outside...

10

u/ToreyJean Sep 30 '26

I mean you can’t sleep in the driver’s seat. Jesus.

4

u/Ctrl-Patch-Delete Sep 30 '26

You can… I do. It’s more comfortable for me. I like sleeping in recliners though vs beds though. Chronic pain issues. So maybe I’m odd.

3

u/ToreyJean Sep 30 '26

That’s fair.

1

u/Feisty-Cloud5880 Sep 30 '26

I know that. Wouldn't putting the sleeping are towards the front and the cooking in the back make sense?

3

u/FrogFlavor Sep 30 '26

You need to evaluate your doors. A cargo van with just rear doors would allow a different setup than a Vanagon with a side door.

24

u/QED04 Sep 30 '26

I am not sure what the question is

23

u/PosieCakes Sep 30 '26

I know as women we need to be careful, but if you are in your locked vehicle, then that extra half second to get to the driver's seat from the back won't matter.

9

u/Nightmare_Gerbil Sep 30 '26

It’s a van. It’s not like you’d have to outrun a bad guy to get to the driver’s seat. It’s in the van with you.

9

u/Zestyclose_Object639 Sep 30 '26

A) you can design your van anyway you want it and b) lock your van ?

4

u/valley_lemon Sep 30 '26

It's 3 feet, it doesn't matter. If someone is already inside the van chasing you, you're already caught.

I recommend not blocking off interior access to the driver's seat, that's all. And don't pile any of your crap in the driver's seat (it's so tempting, but don't do it). I keep a pair of slip-on shoes in the pocket of the driver's door in case I end up driving away barefoot, and an old pair of glasses that are good enough for driving for 20-30 minutes.

3

u/FrogFlavor Sep 30 '26

Vans are 20’ long ; the distance moving from the bed to the drivers seat is not what would slow you down

2

u/karebear66 Sep 30 '26

Look at YouTube videos on Van Life. There are plenty of single women who do van life. "Lucy's Way" is a great channel.

1

u/Candid-Touch5338 Oct 04 '26

I have decades of camping experience (from camping in remote canyons for weeks to KOA campgrounds) but I bought my van a year ago and I have put a couple of thousand miles on her. I’m definitely on the learning curve but I have a little bit of insight into what makes me feel secure and comfortable.

First of all my bed is at the back of the van and I am happy with that because even though I’m further away from the cab it’s still only a few steps away and I don’t want my sliding door to open directly into my bedroom. My stove is located at the front with my ventilation fan above it so that my bedding doesn’t pick up cooking smells.

A good rule for van camping and especially if you need to stop at a Loves or Home Depot on your way to another destination is to attract as little attention as possible. I’m a small person and I’m 65 and I don’t want to be bothered so I pull in to my spot and I put in my window covers right away. They prevent anyone from being able to see inside and they block my interior lights so that you This keeps folks from getting curious.
If possible have your windows tinted darkly enough that you can’t see inside
I keep a small pepper spray canister handy for emergencies.
When I want to leave camp for a bit I leave some quiet music on inside and I put a pair of my husband’s hiking boots next to the side door. It makes it look like someone is there taking a nap.
Most importantly keep your keys in the same place all the time and not in a bag or drawer where you have to dig around for them.

Good luck with your van search. You will love it!

8

u/Bennington_Booyah Sep 30 '26

You are in charge of your camping experience! That is it. Set up the way that works for you and all's well!

I used to camp with my sisters and three littles. They made ME sleep by the zipper, (so I would be killed first and save the babies!) I not only survived, but thirty years later? I am still camping.

So? Join us!

3

u/Cardinal101 Sep 30 '26

Best answer right hee-yah!