Basic Van Life Start Up Must Have Supplies
#vanlifeessentials #vanlifeshoppinglist #nomadnecessities
We originally wanted to complete a full build before hitting the road, but our plans changed. We hit the road with only a mostly finished sub-floor. That's it. An insulation-plus-plywood floor. No vinyl. No wall insulation. No solar. No cute tiny kitchen. No tiny bathroom. No coordinating bed set. No bed.
It was winter- the end of January 2021. (Yeah... covid, too.) Our empty, un-built van was our new home. We had to grab some basic essentials and just make it work. We'd figure the rest out along the way.
We had already taken our stationary-life storage items to a new storage location in our eventual future home in North Carolina (read about that cross-country trip here) and had only some van build equipment and supplies on hand. We needed actual basic van supplies to get started.
With only hear-say and common sense, we put this "bucket and a blanket" dry camping, basic, BLM- ready, boondocking-ready, list together and hoped for the best:
chargeable power station
cold weather sleeping bags
pillows
pillow cases
5 gallon bucket
trash bags
kitty litter
air neutralizer
bath tissue
hand towels
bins for easy storage
bungee cords
gallon water jugs
cooler
ice
plastic bags
back-pack for shower items and change of clothes
food
a roll of Reflectix for the windows (for privacy and temp control)
We already had packed our suitcases with...
a few changes of clothes (for various kinds of weather)
tennis shoes
flip flops
dry shampoo
baby powder
baby wipes
real shampoo, conditioner and soap (for when we have access to a real shower)
deodorant
a laundry bag
vitamins
nail clippers
tooth brush
toothpaste
brush
hair ties
Vaseline
Chapstick
first aid kit
hydrogen peroxide
laundry soap
dryer sheets
bag o' make up (I'm not going on camera bare-faced- Sorry, Charlie.)
And, we each had separate suitcases for school and office supplies including:
laptops
chargers
mobile wi-fi
books
pens
etc. according to our individual needs
Tip: Don't forget to pack any necessary medications and plan on transferring your prescription pick up location as you roam.
About a week in, we bought leave-in conditioner and cleaning supplies like window cleaner and a dust pan with a sweeper.
It was winter- the end of January 2021. (Yeah... covid, too.) Our empty, un-built van was our new home. We had to grab some basic essentials and just make it work. We'd figure the rest out along the way.
We had already taken our stationary-life storage items to a new storage location in our eventual future home in North Carolina (read about that cross-country trip here) and had only some van build equipment and supplies on hand. We needed actual basic van supplies to get started.
With only hear-say and common sense, we put this "bucket and a blanket" dry camping, basic, BLM- ready, boondocking-ready, list together and hoped for the best:
chargeable power station
cold weather sleeping bags
pillows
pillow cases
5 gallon bucket
trash bags
kitty litter
air neutralizer
bath tissue
hand towels
bins for easy storage
bungee cords
gallon water jugs
cooler
ice
plastic bags
back-pack for shower items and change of clothes
food
a roll of Reflectix for the windows (for privacy and temp control)
We already had packed our suitcases with...
a few changes of clothes (for various kinds of weather)
tennis shoes
flip flops
dry shampoo
baby powder
baby wipes
real shampoo, conditioner and soap (for when we have access to a real shower)
deodorant
a laundry bag
vitamins
nail clippers
tooth brush
toothpaste
brush
hair ties
Vaseline
Chapstick
first aid kit
hydrogen peroxide
laundry soap
dryer sheets
bag o' make up (I'm not going on camera bare-faced- Sorry, Charlie.)
And, we each had separate suitcases for school and office supplies including:
laptops
chargers
mobile wi-fi
books
pens
etc. according to our individual needs
Tip: Don't forget to pack any necessary medications and plan on transferring your prescription pick up location as you roam.
About a week in, we bought leave-in conditioner and cleaning supplies like window cleaner and a dust pan with a sweeper.