Vehicle Living is not something that most preppers consider when they are prepping for an imminent disaster, however homelessness is a possibility when times are tough. It’s a place I have been in the past, and made due with what I had. But these days, there’s support networks for those who choose this route.
3 Types of Vehicle Living for the Tenacious
The 3 types are actually pretty common, we have RV (Recreational Vehicle) living, Car living, and Van Life. Each of these have their own set of challenges to face when people decide to start vehicle living. If I had to choose, I would personally choose van living, with a full-size van. But I have an RV and lived in it for several years. We will go over some of the aspects and challenges of living in each one. Here’s a breakdown of each option:
RV – Recreational Vehicle Living
Read more here, about RV Living.
Aspects:
- Space: Offers ample living space, including kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas.
- Amenities: Typically equipped with a range of amenities, such as a refrigerator, stove, shower, and sometimes even a full bathroom.
- Comfort: More comfortable for long-term living due to the larger space and ability to stand upright.
- Mobility: Allows you to travel and park in RV parks and rest stops while having a home-type setup.
Challenges:
- Cost: Higher initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs (fuel, repairs, insurance).
- Parking: Requires larger parking spaces and can be challenging to maneuver in urban or crowded areas!
- Fuel Economy: Generally lower fuel efficiency compared to cars and vans.
- Maintenance: More complex systems (plumbing, electrical) that require regular upkeep.
There is an additional cost, that most people don’t realize, it is which one you choose to go with. There’s a bumper-pull, which you need a heavy-duty truck to pull, a 5th wheel, which also needs a heavy-duty truck to pull, or a drivable RV. If your truck breaks down, you can live in the RV, but if you drive your RV, you can’t live in the camper while the shop fixes it. Though having a camper shell could fix this issue, camper shells are getting more and more expensive.
Note: Parking at a Walmart for a night, will usually get you towed. Watch for signs mentioning tow zones. It might be easier to simply sleep on a freeway on-ramp.
Pro Tip: If you have an indoor bathroom, the RV is considered a home. Keep this in mind, when filing taxes, preparing for bankruptcy, or getting loans.
Car
Aspects:
- Affordability: Generally the least expensive option to purchase, maintain, and fuel.
- Maneuverability: Easier to drive and park, especially in urban settings.
- Fuel Efficiency: Typically offers better fuel economy than both RVs and full-size vans.
Challenges:
- Limited Space: Very little living space; often just enough for basic belongings and sleeping (if camping).
- Amenities: Lacks facilities like a kitchen or bathroom, requiring reliance on external resources (restaurants, rest areas, or a nearby gym).
- Comfort: Less comfortable for long-term living; may feel cramped during extended use.
- Storage: Limited storage options for supplies and gear.
Urban Car Living is more and more becoming a thing. The hardest part, these days, seems to be finding somewhere quiet to sleep. More and more people are turning to rest-areas or business areas to sleep. But don’t be surprised, if you have people attempting to break in, keep you awake, or police telling you to move your vehicle. Blackout window-shades are a MUST.
Pro Tip: You can buy custom black out window coverings, but the key is to have them made of foam, black on one side, and a reflective color on the inside. You can use cardboard, foam, and tin foil to make your own. Black spray paint will do for the outside facing side.
Full-Size Van
Aspects:
- Flexibility: Offers a balance between space and mobility; can be customized for various living needs.
- Living Space: More room than a car but typically less than an RV, allowing for some basic amenities.
- Customizability: Can be converted into a camper van with a bed, storage, and possibly kitchen facilities.
- Maneuverability: Easier to drive compared to an RV, while still providing decent space.
Challenges:
- Space Constraints: While larger than a car, still not as spacious or comfortable as an RV for full-time living.
- Cost of Conversion: If converting a full-size van, initial costs can add up for materials and labor.
- Amenities: May require DIY solutions for kitchen and bathroom needs.
- Fuel Efficiency: Generally better than an RV, but may vary based on the engine and load.
Highly recommend getting a compost toilet, or even a bucket toilet where you can use kitchen trash bags to tie your poop/pee away. There’s no reason you couldn’t make a bed long enough to hold you and maybe someone above. The best heater to have is a buddy heater, which can keep you warm at night. Look at an RV air conditioner if you want cool air during the summer – keep in mind you will need a generator, and might want to invest in solar panels to keep batteries charged.
Pro Tip: Honda makes a generator which is small and compact, as well as very quiet. It should be enough to power an RV A/C unit, but will set you back $900+. Honda is the BEST brand of generators to live in your Van.
Vehicle Living Summary
Consider buying a Jackery with Solar Power recharging if you decide to go with Vehicle Living. It will make everything a bit easier when you need to recharge your electronic devices. Keep the solar panel, in your back window!
When deciding whether to live in an RV, a car, or a full-size van really depends on what you like, how you live, how much money you can spend, and what you need it for. RVs are really comfy and have lots of cool things inside, but they can be expensive and need a lot of care. Cars are easier on your wallet and super easy to drive, but they’re small and don’t have many places to store stuff. Full-size vans are kind of in the middle; they give you more space than a car, and you can make them your own, but you might miss out on some comforts and fun features.
Vehicle Living is a good alternative to prep for, if you expect to lose a job or be in a precarious situation in the future.
