15 Things Experienced Vanlifers Never Keep In Their Van — And You Should Remove Too
57K views · Jun 20, 2026 · Music
Comments · 308
@DaveCM · 3 months ago
I work at a university. A student was living in a converted van in the same parking lot I used. When we came back after Covid, he had added a ladder to the top of his van. I asked him about it. He said he put it up there to camouflage his solar panels since he had to leave the campus. It did make it look even more like a simple work van at a glance.
94
@melissajones5829 · 2 months ago
If decorations give you peace, have as many as you please.
13
@gerix5539 · 3 months ago
visible curtains, propane heaters designed for interior, cardboard storage, hard-cover books, too much clothing, multiple pots/pans, chem. air fresheners, unused electronic appliances, most cleaning chemicals, bedding that dries slowly, visible pet indicators, external stickers/decals, cheap/unbranded lithium batteries, decorative things that are not used and receipts and paperwork .
77
@LadyTSurvival · 3 months ago
while i agree with most of this, the clothing limit should be only limited to how often you go do laundry. ie if you go every two weeks to the laundromat... then you need two weeks worth of clothes plus one outfit to wear while you do laundry. you can wear many things twice, like pants if they dont get dirty, but other things are use once then wash. it helps with smell. even if you cant shower daily.
116
@takekoputa1209 · 3 months ago
I think the first thing vanlifers should get rid of is their social media accounts. They keep talking about how they are "stealth camping", yet they are the ones telling the whole world where they park, where they sleep, and how stealthy their van is.
52
@colinfffff · 3 months ago
My brother, do not drink coffee or tea? I keep an additional small pot that I use only for boiling water (and which, hence, never needs washing).<br>--And I've got ya beat: the lid for my 2 qt pot doubles as a fry pan. ✌🏽
50
@funkopfy2317 · 1 month ago
1 item that very few seem to have....a good fire extinguisher is essential.
10
@noname_pilgrim · 3 months ago
In my opinion the van itself is a giveaway. I have a chevy surburban with tinted windows. I removed all the back seats and have plenty of room for my bed and gear. From the outside it looks like a normal vehicle and no one would ever suspect that i live in it. It's easy to park in hotel and apartment building parking lots without looking out of place.
34
@supermpc · 3 months ago
Decals good point but there might be one exception : something that identifies you as a veteran or member of a veterans group such as American legion or VFW.
38
@daniellelaplace6455 · 3 months ago (edited)
I need two weeks of underwear to be ok between laundries, and I use the kettle at least once a day. My decorative cushions hide covers, pajamas...
13
@ChrisCooling · 3 months ago
Reflectix is also a dead giveaway.
69
@ridge-rhoads · 3 months ago
Propane heaters create humidity.
14
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