ESSENTIALS

The more we adventure the more we are learning to refine our list of "essentials" for van living. Traveling (especially by van) is inherently full of unknowns and while space is of the essence in vanlife, there are several items we are sure to never leave home without.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE /REPAIR

Any dwelling (be it on wheels or not) will need some upkeep and repair at times, and while we don't bring the whole shop, there are a few items we always bring in case we need to make repairs. We may not be able to work out a permanent fix on the road, but with the following items, we should at least be able to take care of most basic repairs until we can get somewhere where we can engineer a more permanent solution.
  • Cordless drill/battery
  • Drill bits
  • Small socket set/screwdrivers/allen wrenches
  • Electrical tape
  • Extra fuses
  • Plumbers putty/plumbers tape
  • Duct tape
  • Superglue

VAN SPECIFIC ITEMS

Fortunately we haven't had any van-related breakdowns or emergencies yet, but hopefully we will be prepared for when they do happen. Here's the basic stuff we bring along to help keep us driving saftely.
  • Tire traction mats/leveling blocks: These work as both!
  • Portable tire inflator
  • Collapsible ladder
  • Extension cord
  • Rope/tiedowns
  • LED road flares: Thanks Dad!
  • GPS device: Initially we started just by using our phones for navigation, but found that when we lost service or had spotty coverage it was really nice to have a separate device to help with navigation.
  • Van electrical diagram

SAFETY/SECURITY

Some of the most important items you will bring will be your basic safety equipment. 
  • CO2 & smoke detectors: We installed both a CO2 and smoke detector in our "dining room" on the end of our cabinets.
  • Fire extinguisher: We keep this  easily accessible underneath the sink
  • Garmin In-reach: This pulls double duty. We will always carry this running, but also serves as a backup device in the van should we need it
  • Personal safety devices: We are still figuring this one out. Some people choose to carry pepper spray or a pocket knife, we just haven't settled on anything quite yet.
  • First aid kit (for humans and dogs!): A basic first aid kit is a definite requirement. Boondocking may take you hours away from help so it's important to be able to triage and emergencies until you can get help.
  • CB radio: Not only useful for banter between Clifford and Falcor, CB radios have a dedicated emergency channel (9) just in case. And why not learn some sweet CB slang while your at it?!

DOG ITEMS

Traveling with dogs is worth it but can definitely add some complexity to van life. What each dog needs will be unique, but in general this is what we bring along to support our furry friends.
  • Vet records/information: We have dogs with all sorts of special needs so we keep a copy of vet records with us just in case we need to make a stop at an unfamiliar vet somewhere.
  • Extra food/prescriptions: Similar to above, we always pack extra of both just in case our journey takes an unexpected detour.
  • Poop bags/poop tube: Cleaning up after your dog is obvious, but where do you store those bags in the van before you can dispose of them in the garbage? We use a poop tube -- basically a sealed PVC tube that keeps in the smell so your doggy bags don't stink up the whole van!
  • Dog seatbelts: We have 3 dogs and 2 crates, which means that at least one dog is seat-belted up in front with us. We also belt in one of our dogs on the bed at night so she doesn't injure herself by trying to jump off.
  • Long leads: In addition to their regular 6ft walking leads, we also bring longer 20-30ft leads as well. Our dogs are not trained off leash, but this gives them the ability to explore and not be confined to the van while we are parked somewhere.
  • GPS tracking collar: We use Whistle pet tracker for piece of mind. While we have never had to use the GPS tracking functionality, its nice to know that should one of our dogs escape, we will be able to track them down!