lessons learned from a year living in a van

Lessons Learned From A Year Living In A VanJustin W Coffey

Filed to: VAN LIFE 4/03/15 2:36pm

I've been living on the road for more than a year. Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Baja, Las Vegas, Tempe.

Something like 20,000 miles. Let me break down a few of the things I've learned along the way.

Prepare to be judged: By your friends, your family, co-workers. Both past and present. And pretty much

everyone you'll meet along the way.

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Lessons Learned From A Year Living In A Van http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/lessons-learned-from-a-year-living-i...

1 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

Excess is Excessive: There's this scene in "Grand Prix" where the owner of the Japanese team is talking to

James Garner, his new driver, about Americans and their excess. It goes something like, "Why do Americans buy

big house with lots of closets and then fill those closets with things they don't use…And then buy bigger houses

because they're running out of closet space?" That's always stuck with me, a reminder that if I haven't used

something in a year or more, I likely never will again.

Living on the road forces you to assess all the things occupying your suddenly very limited space. Clothing is the

easiest thing to overdo and also the easiest to exorcise. How many shirts do you really need? And jackets. Are

you really going to wear that windbreaker?

I like to lay all my apparel out and, if I haven't worn something in more than a month and if it's not going to be

necessary for an upcoming climate, it goes.

Black t-shirts are best, as you can wear them for days on end without evidence. A base layer is also important,

but not everything has to be made by some overpriced outdoors brand. I have a thin grey sweatshirt, purchased

second hand, that has traveled with me for years. It's an essential, and that is essentially what you want. Things

you can't live without.

I know people like an opinion, so here's one: get rid of two-thirds of your clothes before you hit the road. Take

things for two climates: warm and cold. You can always layer. Socks and underwear are important, but you don't

need a clean pair every day. You can wash things. Learn to let go.

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2 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

Never say no to a driveway: You meet me in the int he parking lot of some surf spot. We chat, share a few

waves, you hear about what I've got going on and then suggest I park my rig in your driveway for a few days.

"Stay as long as you like! Feel free to use the shower and the shitter!"

Often times, people say these things as a hollow gesture of good will, but I never say no. That's lead to some

wonderful friendships.

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3 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

Keep your butt clean: Really. Hav you seen that documentary "Surfwise" about Dorian Paskowitz? He and his

wife and nine children lived in a variety of RVs for the better part of two decades. The most important rule they

had? Keep your asshole clean.

Showers can be skipped; I've gone a solid two weeks living in the same shirt and shorts. But your butt? You've

gotta keep that thing clean.

You can usually find a hostel with a pay-to-play shower. State Parks are good too, a number have coin-operated

shower stalls. There are even few surf shops along the coast with outdoor showers.

Living in a van doesn't have to leave you smelling like old socks. The trick is to take advantage of any opportunity

to scrub yourself down. On that note, Dr. Bronners — the hippie shit with the words on the bottle — works great.

You can use it on just about everything and even wash your clothes in it. The pepperment flavor might leave your

business a bit tingly though; my friend Walker calls it, "a breath mint for your balls."

All Day Distractions: Living in a small space like a van isn't for everyone. Distract yourself by creating

something. Draw, write, cook, just make something. Maybe a list! Things you'd like to do, places you'd like to see

or sketch a design of something you've been meaning to make. The idea is to make the most of your time on the

road. Soon enough, you'll be back in some apartment, entranced by the screen in your hand.

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4 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

On the Internet and eating out: I'm a no good cook. Top Ramen, toast with peanut butter, that's about it. So,

figuring out a healthy diet is hard; pizza and pints are all too available and appealing. So, when you pull into a

gas station in the middle of nowhere, grab some beef jerky, nuts and water. The coffee might be crap, but it's

better than soda. You can stock up on bulk snacks too — granola, trail mix, dried fruit and the ever important

peanut butter.

With the Internet, your best bet is going to be to steal it. Starbucks is always an option, but so are libraries,

sandwich shops and even bars. I can't tell you how many times I wrapped up a work project sitting over a pint at

Pizza Port in San Clemente after surfing all day.

If you're planning to be on the road a long time, get yourself a gym membership at one of those big chains that's

actually open 24 hours. They'll have showers and Internet you can access from the parking lot.

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5 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

You'll be dead soon: A friend recently suggested he would like to move to Mexico. Somewhere with cheap

beer, warm water and consistent surf. I knew that money wasn't holding him back, so asked what was. "We just

need the courage."

About midway into our current adventure, I accepted a job back in Seattle. We were living out of our van in

southern California at the time. Hesitant, but eager for some extra income, we packed up our things and headed

north. Fast forward a few weeks and we were living in a comfortable little studio apartment, furnished with all

the things we could ever want.

Not more than three weeks later, the company brought in a new manager who immediately decided to do away

with the marketing department, including me. Fear, was the first feeling. That was weird, given that we'd spent

so much time living in uncertainty. Comfort comes quickly and, like any good drug, leaves you needing more.

The idea of abandoning all our newly-acquired — the Chesterfield couch, the teal waterfall dresser, the french

doors that separated our living and dining rooms — was terrifying. But it was all just a bunch of stuff. I

remembered how easy it is to just get rid of everything and still be happy. Maybe more than you were to begin

with; maybe more than you ever will be again. Courage came next. We packed up our shit, again, and said

goodbye to a city neither one of us is terribly fond of.

Certainty is something people put a lot of importance in. But there's beauty in the unknown and freedom in it

too. Our impermanence may have been forced on us this time, but, turning over the keys to the apartment and

climbing back into the van, a concordant sight of relief escaped us. No, we're not sure what the future holds,

where we'll live or if we'll be able to pay all of our bills on time. Or even where we'll sleep tonight.

I guess sometimes you just gotta say, "What the fuck? Make your move."

Justin W. Coffey is the Co-Creator of WESTx1000, a multimedia company creating unique multimedia

content for the adventure motorcycle community. Justin also works as the Social Media Manager for

Touratech-USA, Backcountry Discovery Routes, GlobeRiders Motorcycle Adventures and Wolfman Luggage.

He is a published author and photographer whose work has appeared on Gizmodo, Expedition Portal, ADV

Pulse, RevZilla, SLIDE Magazine, TKart, 0-60 Magazine and MX-5 Forever, among others. Additionally,

Justin launched the Peanut Butter Coast — a surf inspired travelogue — in 2011.

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6 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

IndefinitelyWild is a new publication about adventure travel in the outdoors, the vehicles and gear that get us

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A Basic Guide To Cheap OutdoorsGear For Broke Adventurers

Wild Camping in Oslo (AndEverywhere Else I Go)

I'm Riding A $450 MotorcycleAcross Vietnam

Life On The Road

damienvaldes Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 2:46pm

Did you see this guy?

aranxa1 damienvaldes

4/03/15 2:49pm

You beat me to it by one minute!

clickSucka damienvaldes

4/03/15 2:49pm

Down by the river?

Eating a steady diet of government cheese?

moetop damienvaldes

4/03/15 2:55pm


7 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

A van down by the beach is much better than down by the river.

theswamii Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 2:55pm

I picked up a 2004 E150 (4.6L panel style) last year. As much as feeding it sucks, I'm loving it. While it's

not so practical for the day-to-day cube monkey lifestyle, it's an epic adventuremobile on the weekends. I

can pack all my toys and a few friends with room to spare. I always get stoked out seeing other e-series

people are converting, I'd love to see more picture of the inside of yours.

See you around the parking lots of SoCal.

jamiej Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 2:58pm

I lived out of my 4Runner for about 3 months. I was lucky I live in an area (Santa Cruz) where that's not all

that uncommon. Also, my work at the time (Organic Co-Op brewing store) was backing me, they had a

shower upstairs and were on board with it.

Mine wasn't really my choice - I had been in a year lease with 5 other individuals (try living in a 3 bedroom

house with 5 other 18-20 year old guys ,that was freaking gross). We were all planning on moving out after

the lease expired (in September). Since I am a proactive type of person, myself and three others secured a

new house, starting Sept 1st, but signed the lease almost 4 months in advance (it was a really nice spot and

an awesome deal).

Then my landlord at the time came to us to tell us if we wanted out early, we could. Since we were a bunch

of second year college students, all 5 of my housemates were planning on moving home for the summer.

Not me - I had a job and wasn't leaving. But I had dropped all my money on the new security deposit (and

we were not getting one back for sure). They all voted to leave and save the rent money, leaving me high

and dry.

Nomstradamus Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:02pm

My sister and her husband lived in their truck w/camper shell for about 8 years! They weren't married at

the time and decided that if they had survived that happily they should go ahead and get married.

It's always a good reminder to consider how you could be surviving if a few things changed (job loss,

medical bills, etc.). It makes you grateful for all that you have and also spurs you to reassess what you may

not actually need.

Corey Hass Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:03pm


8 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

Old Man's looking all Old Man's like

John77 Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:04pm

I don't personally know Robbie Sell, but I did grow up watching him in snowboarding videos when I was

younger. When Instagram came around I started following him and found that he's living "VANcariously".

Essentially he's traveling the states in his camper, documenting his progress and all that with the ultimate

goal of making a coffee table book. Check it out if you get a chance.

toecutter the gray Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:04pm

Anything can be done.

DeeLite Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:06pm


9 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

The pepperment flavor might leave your business a bit tingly though; my friend Walker calls it,

"a breath mint for your balls."

The first time I used Dr. Bronner's I washed everything as normal, including my lady bits. I almost passed

out.

VivaLaManual Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:08pm

I'll take my 3500 sq foot house thank you very much.

Faslane Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:11pm

Be VERY careful "camping" along the beach in Mexico. My cousin travels in his VW Bus yearly and has

been threatened a couple times and robbed by banditos once. It's very common at night when sleeping to

have a car full of them sneak in on you, they know the spots. It hasn't stopped him and he even talked one

of them into giving some of his CD's back they wouldn't have use for but he was with his (now wife) fiance'

and he let them have it for fear they'd take her or (do other things god forbid rape) so he played it cool and

got them outta there asap.

Lurker113 Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:15pm

Ain't nothing wrong with being poor and free for a while when you're young. It would suck to live that way

when you're old though, so it's a good idea to get one's shit together and take life seriously at some point.

Aquifel Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:20pm

I had that exact van for awhile, was a good little machine, I still miss you van.

StevenG Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:22pm

Socks and underwear are important, but you don't need a clean pair every day.

Yeah, no. That is about the most vile thing ever written. No matter how poor I have ever been, I was always

able to have clean underwear. Get enough for a week, stop at a laundromat.


10 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

toddwhomods Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:26pm

I did a year in a 72 VW Westfalia.

With best intentions to follow the warm weather.

Instead, an engine failure 3 weeks into the trip ate up my travel money, and slowed down my progress

south. The decision to make a quick trip up the Al-Can highway in October "before the winter set in" didn't

help. I turned around at Tok Junction, 100 miles over the border.

Man, I got stories from that trip...

TheSmokingTire Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:27pm

From recent experience, those who live in vans are usually cool as hell. We just had this dude Ben on our

podcast this week who is living in a 1992 VW Kombi (brazil spec) and driving from Tierra del Fuego to

Alaska with no real timeline. He's rebuilt the motor 10 times as of Los Angeles, and has people come along

with him via his YouTube channel KombiLife Here's his podcast appearance:

http://shoutengine.com/TheSmokingTire...

Also, these people:

The-Guy-They-Warned-You-About Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:27pm

Did you have "Free Candy" written on the side?

JayHova Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:27pm

LtCmndHipster Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:28pm

I've been on a pretty consistent schedule of moving at least every 3 years. No better time to get rid of your


11 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

crap. Why do I have 30 t-shirts I got for free? Tear up a few for rags, and give the rest to Good Will.

Renting furnished apartments is always good, too, when your future isn't totally settled. Nothing

depreciates faster than furniture.

PedalHead Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:28pm

I always disliked the grille on this generation Ford van. Some of the older ones were bordering on

handsome, this one they beat with an ugly stick. Making it entirely out of black plastic made it look ugly

AND cheap.

TFritch, 8=====8 Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:31pm

This is the kind of thing I dreamed of but never did in my 20s. I have the VW van, surfboards, and

Bronners too. Good on ya.

Frank Grimes Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:36pm

Maybe this is my answer to what I should do with my life and what I should change my major to.

The thing that would hurt most is people calling me a hippy. How do I avoid that? Is it about not smelling?

cliiftonyo Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:37pm


12 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

Where the heck did you find the "Utopia" murder bag???

472CID Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:37pm

It's interesting you mentioned limiting you stuff. I live in fairly small place and have to carefully control

how much stuff I amass. I have a hard time imagining having all the appropriate gear for surfing and

motorcycling in a van that all of your personal belonging fit into as well.

Rudolph Ranger Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:39pm

More stuff like this Giz

JonHammsSausage Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:39pm

Black t-shirts are best, as you can wear them for days on end without evidence

Might want to invest in a lint roller if you're gonna be wearing black.

Fred von Halem Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:40pm

Awesome.

Eric Leonard Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:40pm

I learned traveling around the country that McDonald's is the answer for free WiFi. Every McDonald's has

free WiFi. And the damn things are pretty much everywhere. :-)

Jimbobway Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:41pm

Damn, I wish I could do this.

Another life maybe.

SessileRaptor Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:42pm

Dear Justin (and everybody else)


13 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

You cannot "steal" internet access from a library. Providing free access to the internet and other resources

to people who would not otherwise have such access is the whole reason we exist, so go for it.

You're welcome.

Signed, a library employee.

Jimbobway Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:42pm

now there's a setup.

Charles Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:53pm

Love my van. If it wasn't for my love of winter, I could live it in year round...

Elancee Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:56pm

Lived a year in various Van and station Wagon cars with my wife all around the world. The most happiest

days in my life ! We never had much and didn't need much either.

Today, i'm back where I always lived, everything feels dull and spoiled.

My wife got a job, refuse to leave anymore, even if she cried when we had to comeback.

I changed but the world around me didn't. My dream job became a jail of disillusions.

I'd love to settle somewhere I know I will be happy to live. But once again, she get used to family and

comfort.

I hope to find a way to make her change her mind cause reasons that make us stay are not good one to

me...

warriorscot Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:57pm

I would say the whole hygiene and cleanliness thing is more important than you portray, particularly if you

are active. It's not actually that hard to keep yourself clean both your body and your clothes and really


14 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

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there isn't an excuse for it if you are travelling in civilisation with a vehicle. You don't really need to a clean

pair of underwear and a shirt everyday, but you should have one, even on trips in the middle of nowhere

hiking I at least keep my undershirt and underwear clean on every day and if I'm out long enough to run

out(4 or 5 days) I stop and I clean them(and everything else if it's a good day to get stuff dry).

But at least you recognise the importance of at least keeping the important bits clean. In the first bit of

military training the one thing you get rammed home is cleanliness and hygiene. Doesn't matter if you are

arse deep in mud and guts you keep your ass and genitals clean at all times.

Good hygeine is a pain sometimes, but it's something that boosts your morale and more importantly

boosts other peoples morale as nobody wants to get stuck behind the smelly hobo looking guy in the queue

at the grocery store checkout. Liquid soaps are good, a pot of nice warm water and a washcloth does

wonders, and wet wipes are also a great alternative and often more convenient.

Jefffthereff Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 3:58pm

So what was your average RPM?

That is, Rapes Per Mile.

Sorry, had to. Interesting perspective, it would be cool to read more about your adventures.

Tamburello Rouge Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 4:01pm

This is exactly the type of thing I fantasize about every time I'm paying property tax, hoa fees,

homeowner's insurance, car insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, etc, etc.

thedangler Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 4:21pm

+1 for Dr. Bronner's soap - both the bars of soap and the shampoo. That stuff makes you feel so good. And

you can use it if you're camping/on the lake too. It's biodegradable and works for Dogs too.

mk1gti Justin W Coffey

4/03/15 4:24pm

This article could not have come along at a better time, really tired of increasing rent and other expenses

without a similar rise in pay. I've been thinking a lot of living out of a van myself and this article helps me

to frame things more clearly. Very informative! Here's hoping we'll see more articles about van living to

inspire the rest of us.


15 of 15 2015-04-05 23:22

lessons learned from a year living in a van

Documents

things ive

van http

thing clean

butt clean

van life

clean pair

asshole clean

road forces