What objects do you think are the most used or/and important living in a van? I am about to finish two lateral shelves to have the most important and useful things closer and, once it will be done, it would be great to don’t modificate it anymore…
My van is very small, a Renault Kangoo, so when the bed is open it’s very dificult to get things that are under the bed, so I am making the space up for those things I may need more often or could be important…
Always having a headlamp within arms reach is important! We have 4 around in our little Honda Odyssey. Toiletries/baby wipes are always great to have within reach, that way it’s not a hassle to do “morning routine” stuff. We also keep a few of our clothes close on hand too, like sweatpants or shorts, so if the weather changes you can quickly change to what you need, and don’t have to go through your whole box of clothes or whatever you may store clothes in
I would put some pepper spray or something similar for your personal safety within arms reach as well. Just in case.
It’s better to be safe then sorry.
Pepper spray isn’t legal in many areas… I keep a spray bottle of vinegar in my van, legal everywhere, and it even repels bears, dogs, and people. My spray bottle will do a spray or a stream, and the stream will shoot like 10 feet.
Vinegar can be good for cleaning and disinfecting too…
I know it’s been a hot minute since this thread was replied to, but I wanted to chime in-- having a dedicated, easily accessible spot for a portable charger is key! That way you can conveniently charge your phone and other devices at any time. Also, a consistent spot for a hand towel and/or paper towels is very helpful. Happy vanning!
I’d like to resurrect this topic because I think it will be very helpful to new, upcoming van lifers (like myself). It’d be nice to have a thread with suggestions for essential must haves.
What kind of tools should van dwellers always have on hand?
What kind of safety equipment/gadgets?
What kind of emergency supplies?
What type of first aid kits?
Are there specific apps or websites that should be in everyone’s phone/computer?
etc.,
What kind of tools should van dwellers always have on hand?
I don’t really carry that many tools any more, a basic wrench set, vise grips, crescent wrenches, self adjusting wrenches, screwdrivers, a yankee push drill, needle nose pliers, and a hammer.
What kind of safety equipment/gadgets?
I normally have a smoke/carbon monoxide detector, but I just gave mine to somebody who needed it worse than myself, and a multi purpose fire extinguisher.
What kind of emergency supplies?
I usually try to keep at least a couple weeks worth of food and water, and heating/cooking fuel in reserve.
What type of first aid kits?
I’ve got a good first aid kit that I picked up years ago, and have never opened it. Mainly I’ve got a box of band aids and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide that I use. Anything more serious, it’s time to seek help.
Cheers!
"Be the reason someone smiles today!" ~ Van_Dweller
Being that I’ll most likely be building and changing my van for awhile after I get out on the road, I’ll probably end up with a few more tools to begin with. But, that was my thinking, too - a basic tool set, a ratchet set, and a drill.
The smoke/carbon monoxide tester is a definite must. (As is the fire extinguisher.) Since learning about van life, I’ve read too many horror stories in Europe about folks living/sleeping in their vehicles somewhere and being either killed or put to sleep by carbon monoxide by thieves. If that catches on in America… Granted, it’s an essential piece of safety equipment anyway but, given the tendencies of the world today, I think it’s absolutely vital for van lifers.
Emergency food, water, and ways to keep warm and cook. That’s exactly what I was thinking. I was just wondering if there was anything I hadn’t thought of since I’m not actually in a van yet. Nice to know I’m on the right track at least.
The only thing I would add to what you said @Van_Dweller is Grapefruit Seed Extract (cheap and anti-everything: bacterial, fungal, etc.,) It heals wounds really quick. And also colloidal silver. I make my own and take it at the first sign of getting sick. It knocks it out immediately and, as a result, I think I’ve been sick twice in the last five years and that was because I didn’t have my colloidal silver kit with me.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is fantastic. One small bottle lasts a very, very long time because you only use a few drops if you take internally. It must be diluted in water and tastes awful but, the benefits are many and incredible! If you use it topically, one or two drops (again, diluted with water by wetting your finger) works wonders on cuts, burns, rashes, warts, fungal infections, etc.,
And it’s perfectly safe.
Personally, I use/make colloidal silver if I feel a cold/flu or sinus infection coming on. When taken at the first sign of it, it will knock it out before it develops. I’ve also had problems with diverticulitis in the past. (Not for awhile now since I’ve corrected my diet.) When a bout of diverticulitis came along, it required a 10 day round of antibiotics (which I’m not a fan of). Instead, I would take colloidal silver, again at the first sign of a problem, and would only have to take it once or twice. It’s also effective on cleansing topical skin problems but using grapefruit seed extract is easier and my preferred remedy.
I know this may be weird but honestly I keep a medium sized plastic container with a tight lid - I put a small garbage bag and fill it about half way with kitty litter - just IN CASE I have to go to the bathroom and can’t get to one whether it’s the middle of the night or just not able to get to somewhere. I’ve rarely used it but it sure came in handy a few times. Just tie it up tight and toss it in the garbage- hope I haven’t grossed all of you out but it has saved my bacon and I always have it ready. Also I live in Colorado and have a concealed carry- especially because I park in the city of Denver - but I’ve never had anyone bother me or even approach my van.
MORE THINGS TO ADD (this is mainly car maintenance stuff)!
I have USB chargeable jumper cables and they’re a lifesaver.
Also recommend buying tow straps even if you don’t have towing capacity. If you need a tow, sometimes you’ll find a nice guy with a truck willing to help but he doesn’t have tow straps. Be prepared!
That reminded me of how I charged my house battery in a couple of rigs in my past. I had a ciggy lighter plug to ciggy lighter plug set of jumper cables, designed to jump start a car with a dead battery. Like today, I had 12v acc. outlets hooked up to my house battery, and to charge it I just plugged the other end into my dash when driving. Saved my bacon when my solar didn’t work worth a darn too.
It was a cheap, easy, down & dirty way to charge my house battery without any other complicated or expensive way necessary.
Today, I have a generator and a battery charger, a better and more robust backup plan for my normal isolator, but if the need arises, I would gladly and successfully repeat history. There will always be a place for the simple but effective solutions.
Cheers!
"Tis the season... To make bank selling Christmas Trees!" ~Van_Dweller
sorry if my english translation isn’t very good…