10 reasons why caravan life SUCKS

Summary

Brett and Mel, a family of four, share their nomadic lifestyle in an 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO, candidly discussing the challenges of van life. They address issues like finding campsites, space constraints, maintaining hygiene, and the impact of weather on their living situation. Despite the hardships, they cherish the freedom and experiences it offers, providing a balanced view of the less glamorous aspects of full-time van living.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Finding campsites and parking can be challenging, especially during peak times and in busy areas.
• 📚 Balancing school and homeschooling with a nomadic lifestyle requires careful planning and can be stressful.
• 🚐 Limited space in a van leads to constant organization and can quickly become cluttered, affecting daily life.
• 💼 Jobs and chores like emptying the toilet cassette and managing resources are part of daily life on the road.
• 🚿 Hygiene and toileting in a van can be less than ideal, with limited water supply and space for showers.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The lack of a stable community and having to frequently say goodbye to friends can be emotionally taxing.
• 🏡 Living on the road can lead to feelings of isolation and being on the fringe of society.
• ⚖️ Legal and logistical issues like mail, education, and voting can be difficult to manage without a fixed address.
• 🌤️ Weather conditions greatly impact the quality of life in a caravan, with no control over the elements.
• 💡 Power management is crucial, with solar power being the main source and the recent addition of Starlink affecting energy usage.
• 📦 Receiving mail and packages is a logistical challenge, often requiring advanced planning and flexibility.
• 🔧 Constant maintenance and repairs are part of van life, but they also foster self-reliance and practical skills.
• 🌐 Internet access is essential for work and school, and the reliance on reception or satellite connections can be limiting.

Q & A

How long have Brett and Mel been living full time in their 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO?

Brett and Mel have been living full time in their 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO for the last two years.

What are some of the challenges faced when finding campsites during peak times like school holidays?

During peak times like school holidays, it can be very expensive and stressful to find a place to stay. They have to plan well in advance, which can limit their ability to explore an area properly due to the need to stick to a schedule.

What is the issue with Hipcamps and national parks as described in the script?

The issue with Hipcamps and national parks is that the photos taken by professional photographers can be misleading, making the places look better than they actually are. Additionally, when booking national parks, they often end up with sites next to toilets, which can make camping unpleasant.

How does the limited space in the van affect the family's daily life?

The limited space in the van requires the family to be very tidy and organized. It can quickly become messy, and accessing items can be difficult due to the confined space. They also have to deal with broken sleep and a lack of privacy.

What are some of the daily chores that the family has to do while living on the road?

Daily chores include emptying the cassette toilet, finding water, dumping waste, getting food, and disposing of rubbish. On travel days, these tasks can be particularly tiring and time-consuming.

How does the family manage toileting and hygiene in their van?

The family uses a chemical toilet in the van, which requires them to empty it regularly. The toilet is close to their bed and dining area, which can be unpleasant. They also have a shower in the van, but due to limited water supply, they have to be efficient and not shower every day.

What are the social implications of living a nomadic lifestyle as described in the script?

Living a nomadic lifestyle can be isolating as they don't have a consistent community. They may go months without talking to other adults and have to frequently say goodbye to new friends they make on the road.

What are some of the legal and logistical challenges faced by the family due to their nomadic lifestyle?

The family faces challenges such as receiving mail, ensuring vehicle maintenance, providing education for their kids, and voting in elections. These tasks are complicated by their constant movement and the lack of a fixed address.

How does the weather affect their lifestyle and what measures do they take to cope with it?

The weather greatly affects their lifestyle as they rely on the sun for solar power and can be uncomfortable if the weather turns bad. They have to be conscious of their power usage and may need to move to a caravan park if the weather doesn't allow them to generate enough solar power.

What are the financial implications of fuel costs on their travels?

Fuel costs are a significant expense for the family, especially as they need to move north in winter and south in summer to chase the sun. The rising cost of fuel can be a burden, and they are already considering the high cost of moving north again.

How does the family handle maintenance and repairs on the road?

The family faces constant maintenance and repair issues with their van and car. They have learned to be self-reliant and handle many repairs themselves, which has been a significant learning experience and a source of pride.

What is the impact of the internet on their lifestyle, and how do they manage it?

The internet is crucial for their work and school, and they recently purchased Starlink for a reliable connection. However, it requires a significant amount of power and a clear line of sight to the sky, adding another layer of consideration when choosing campsites.

Outlines

00:00

🏕️ Challenges of Full-Time Van Living

Brett and Mel discuss the realities of living in an 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO van full-time with their family. They acknowledge that while they often showcase the positive aspects of their travels in their weekly vlogs, the lifestyle is not without its difficulties. Key challenges include finding suitable campsites, which can be expensive and crowded, especially during school and public holidays. They also mention the anxiety of getting the caravan into tight spots and leveling it, which can be stressful. The couple emphasizes that van life is not for everyone, but they love the way they live, despite the less glamorous sides.

05:01

🚫 Space Constraints and Daily Chores

The family of four living in a 17-foot van faces the challenge of limited space, which quickly becomes cluttered with everyday items. They must be meticulous about tidiness and storage. The video highlights the inconvenience of an East-West bed configuration, where one person has to clamber over another to use the toilet at night. Additionally, they discuss the lack of dedicated workspace and the necessity of efficient packing and organization. The daily chores are highlighted, including managing a cassette toilet, which requires regular emptying, and the tiring nature of travel days that involve finding water, dumping waste, and securing accommodation.

10:01

🚿 Hygiene, Laundry, and the Lack of Community

The script touches on the less glamorous aspects of van life, such as toileting and hygiene. The close proximity of the toilet to the living and sleeping areas can be uncomfortable, and the shower setup is basic and water-conserving, leading to less frequent showers than in a traditional home. Laundry is done manually due to the absence of a washing machine, adding to the chores. The family also experiences the lack of a stable community, as they frequently have to say goodbye to new friends, which can be emotionally challenging for both adults and children.

15:03

⚖️ Legalities, Weather Dependence, and the Cost of Living

Legal and logistical challenges are discussed, such as receiving mail and ensuring proper education for the children while on the road. The family is also entirely dependent on the weather, as they rely on solar power and are affected by adverse conditions that can damage their living situation or require them to move. The high cost of fuel and the need to travel to different seasons place a financial strain on their lifestyle. Additionally, the script mentions the recent acquisition of Starlink for internet access, which, while a game-changer, adds to their power consumption and requires a clear line of sight to operate.

📦 Mail and Shipping Hassles, Maintenance, and Internet Connectivity

Receiving mail and packages is described as a logistical nightmare, requiring advanced planning and sometimes resulting in additional costs and efforts for redirection. Maintenance and repairs are constant, with minor issues arising weekly that require attention and financial outlay. The need for internet connectivity for work and school adds another layer of complexity to finding suitable campsites, as they must now also consider the availability of a clear sky for their Starlink satellite internet connection.

🌟 Embracing the Van Life Despite the Drawbacks

Despite the numerous challenges outlined, the family expresses their love for van life and their commitment to continuing this lifestyle. They acknowledge the less glamorous aspects but emphasize the new experiences, quality time with their children, and the people they meet as rewards that outweigh the difficulties. The video concludes by encouraging those interested in this lifestyle to consider both the positive and negative aspects before making the leap.

Keywords

💡Van life

Van life refers to a lifestyle where individuals live in and travel using a van, often converted to include living spaces and amenities. In the video, the couple shares their experiences of living full-time in an 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO van, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of this lifestyle.

💡Caravan parks

Caravan parks are designated areas for recreational vehicles where travelers can park and stay overnight. The script mentions the challenges of finding suitable caravan parks, especially during busy times, and the difficulties of maneuvering a large vehicle into tight spots within these parks.

💡School holidays

School holidays are periods when educational institutions are closed for vacations. The video discusses how these times can be stressful for full-time travelers as they often coincide with peak travel seasons, leading to increased costs and competition for camping spots.

💡Space constraints

Space constraints refer to the limited amount of room available in a van for living. The script illustrates this by describing how four people must share a 17-foot van, leading to challenges in maintaining tidiness and organization, and the need for efficient use of the limited space.

💡Cassette toilet

A cassette toilet is a type of portable toilet used in recreational vehicles, where waste is stored in a removable cassette. The video discusses the maintenance and hygiene challenges associated with using such a toilet, including the need to empty it regularly and the limited capacity it offers.

💡Travel days

Travel days are the periods when full-time travelers are on the move from one location to another. The script mentions that these days can be tiring and filled with tasks such as finding water, dumping waste, and securing accommodations, making them less about leisure and more about logistics.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people sharing a common interest or living in the same area. The video reflects on the isolation that can come with van life, where forming and maintaining community connections can be challenging due to the transient nature of the lifestyle.

💡Nomadic lifestyle

A nomadic lifestyle is one where individuals do not have a fixed home and move from place to place. The script touches on the legal and administrative challenges that come with this lifestyle, such as receiving mail, vehicle registration, and ensuring children's education.

💡Weather dependency

Weather dependency means being affected by or reliant on the weather conditions for various aspects of life. In the video, the couple explains how their living situation in a van is heavily influenced by the weather, including the need for sunlight for solar power and the impact of harsh conditions on their comfort and safety.

💡Fuel costs

Fuel costs refer to the expenses associated with purchasing fuel for vehicles. The script mentions the financial burden of high fuel prices, especially for those who travel extensively, as it directly affects the cost of moving from one location to another.

💡Internet connectivity

Internet connectivity is the ability to access the internet, which is crucial for work, school, and staying connected in today's digital age. The video discusses the challenges of maintaining a reliable internet connection while on the move, including the recent adoption of Starlink and its impact on power consumption.

Highlights

Living in an 18-foot Vancouver Family HTO full time for two years.

Producing weekly Vlogs documenting their travels and adventures.

Acknowledging the tendency to romanticize their lifestyle by focusing on positives.

Admitting that their nomadic lifestyle is not easy and not for everyone.

Discussing the challenges of finding campsites and parking in busy areas.

The difficulty of securing spots during school and public holidays.

The issue of overcrowded caravan parks and the stress of planning ahead.

Misleading online photos of campgrounds and the reality of the campsite conditions.

The limited space in their 17-foot van and the need for constant tidiness.

The inconvenience of a small living space affecting daily routines and sleep.

The responsibilities and chores of living on the road, including dealing with a cassette toilet.

The tiring nature of travel days due to the many tasks involved.

The lack of privacy and hygiene challenges with a toilet in close proximity to living spaces.

Managing water consumption for cooking, drinking, and limited showering.

The absence of a washing machine and the manual effort required for laundry.

The feeling of isolation and lack of community while constantly moving.

The legal and logistical challenges of a nomadic lifestyle, including mail and education.

The impact of weather on their living situation and the reliance on solar power.

The high cost and inconvenience of fuel for seasonal migration.

The logistical nightmare of receiving mail and packages while on the move.

The constant need for maintenance and repairs on their vehicle and caravan.

The struggle with internet connectivity for work and school before getting Starlink.

The mixed feelings about van life, acknowledging both its challenges and rewards.

Transcripts

at home with my family we don't need

Anne do we all right perfect well let's

write that one out for your teacher okay

I'm just gonna go and get you a pencil

yeah

sorry Kaylee

g'day I'm Brett and I'm Mel and we've

been living full time in our 18-foot

Vancouver Family HTO for the last two

years we've also been putting out a

weekly Vlog of our travels and

Adventures for the last two years and we

might be just a little bit guilty of

romanticizing this lifestyle we kind of

tend to focus on the positives rather

than the negatives our lifestyle is

definitely not easy there are lots of

ups and downs and lots of challenges and

it's definitely not for everyone that

said we do really love the way that

we're living but we want to have a go at

sharing the less glamorous sides of the

way that we live number one finding

camps and parking so sometimes you need

to be near reception although that can

hardly be changed now thanks to starlink

it can be hard and expensive to find

places to stay especially if you're in a

busy area and you have no choice but to

go to a caravan Park sometimes they're

so squishy and it's really hard to park

especially for everyone watching other

times you're going to be looking for a

free camp and you do find one but guess

what all of the good sites are taken and

you are left with the smallest tightest

most unlevel site that's there and uh

getting the Caravan backed into that

spot and leveled out can cause a lot of

anxiety another problem for us is school

holidays and public holidays they're

obviously different in every state

finding somewhere to stay during these

Peak busy times can be very expensive

and very stressful we have to be well

planned in advance so that we know where

we're going and where we're going to

stay but being planned in advance can be

a real pain in the ass so you might not

get to explore an area properly because

you get bad weather so you might want to

stay longer but guess what you can't

because you've got to move to a schedule

because you need to be booked and

planned somewhere for those school and

public holidays basically we have to be

very thoughtful about where we're going

to be staying during school holidays and

one of the things that we tend to do is

try and stay a lot further away from

major cities during those times and say

you've been organized you plan in

advance you book somewhere based on an

online booking and you get there and it

sucks because you're on a hill there's

no solar it's full of people there's 10

million mozzies it is we tend to

find this is a bit of a problem with hip

camps hip camps have paid photographers

come out and take photos of these

campgrounds and they make the place look

really good but they can be a little bit

misleading as to what you're actually

getting we also have this problem a

little bit with national parks as well

you just don't know what you get when

you're booking from online photos so

national parks you usually end up next

to a toilet or something which stinks

yeah so you can make camping there quite

unpleasant so these are some of the uh

things that cause a bit of anxiety for

us when we're finding camps and places

to stay number two space

so space

yeah you don't have a lot of it in a van

we are four people living in a 17-foot

van we did make this choice so we don't

really have the right to complain but

luckily that's what this video is all

about but I still think if we had a

bigger van we would encounter these

problems in such a small space it

doesn't take long for this van to become

a pigsty all it takes is one person

working a few dishes the kids pulling

out their toys and hey Presto this place

is a pigsty so you have to become really

good at being tidy and putting things

away when you're finished with them also

if you want to get to one thing 10

things are going to be in your way it's

a pain in the ass

got it

now we have what they call an East-West

bed and I get to sleep on the far side

so what that means is anytime I need to

get up and go and pee at night I've got

a clamber over Mel and I can tell you

what after two years it is starting to

get a little bit tiresome you get used

to Broken sleep because our space is so

limited we don't have a lot of the

luxuries that you would have in a house

I don't have a dedicated workspace I

work on the bed generally because they

can't fit four of us with four laptops

at the desk we also don't have a lot of

shoes clothes or toiletries and packing

these things away can feel a little bit

like playing a game of Tetris

sometimes you lose number three

jobs

okay let's talk about some of the

jobs that we have to do living on the

road we have what they call a cassette

toilet or a chemical toilet so it's

going to last us if we are camping off

grid and cannot use another toilet and

can't do any outside bushwees to

potentially three days at the most if

we're camping somewhere and we can do

some bushwees at night it might last us

three or four days uh if we're camping

somewhere and we can do bushwees during

the day and night maybe it'll last us

four or five days so we like to camp in

places for about a year not about a year

sorry about a week about a week so

basically that means at least one time

during our camp out we've got to jump in

the car take the toilet cassette

somewhere and empty our waste it's not a

very fun job to do on top of that we

also will have to empty the toilet

cassette when we're traveling to our

next campsite as well So Glamorous this

uh bushway business travel days it's not

just a new adventure we do have a lot of

jobs to do on those days for example we

have to go find water dump the toilet

work out where we're gonna stay we have

to get food as well as find out where

we're going to dump our rubbish it's not

always just go to the next camp and

we're good it's actually quite tiring

travel day is uh completely wasted day

particularly for me because driving with

a caravan on for a couple of hours is

very taxing and quite tiring so by the

time we get somewhere I'm spent number

four toileting and hygiene

toilet in the van is not the nicest

experience you can see the toilet from

our bed and it's right near the dining

table for some reason our sun decides to

has to go number two in the middle of

dinner so we've all got to smell it it

is gross the space in our toilet is

pretty tight we are lucky that we have a

door but when you close that door it

becomes pretty claustrophobic so what

about showers yes we have a shower in

the van but we only carry 200 liters of

water and as we've already mentioned we

try to camp out in places for a week so

if we were to all shower every day our

water would probably last us about three

days so what does that mean well we

don't shower every day we will usually

shower every second to third day it's

not that disgusting if we do get dirty

we will shower if we do get sweaty we

will shower but generally speaking we

are camped out on lakes and oceans so

we're swimming as well

the other thing too is the shower is not

like one at home we get in we get wet we

turn it off shape up turn it up turn it

back on turn it off so you're basically

turning the shower on and off on and off

just to get all your jobs done it's not

relaxing you're just trying to be as

efficient as possible save as much water

as possible

and it's really it's really a chore

actually

let's talk about laundry if I had the

choice again I would definitely have a

washing machine in the Caravan but then

we would have more problems with water

so unfortunately we don't and we have a

scrubber bag so it's all done by hand

wring it out hang it up we probably have

to do it every two to three days because

the kids get really grubby so it is a

chore makes life harder and the kids wet

the bed or if it's raining like it's it

is a massive manual washing we are

living like peasants guys it's not fun

number five lack of community they say

that when you're traveling on the road

you're going to meet lots of people and

make tons of friends and look it's true

you do meet people on the road but it's

not all the time we have gone months

without talking to another adult and

then when you finally do meet someone

that you get along with and you click

and you really enjoyed each other's

company guess what you have to say

goodbye and you're the worst parent in

the world the kids hate you because

you've left someone they made friends

with and it is horrid

[Laughter]

I'll miss you again

uh we gotta say goodbye a second time

that sucks living on the road means you

can't do a lot of things you would do if

you lived in a home I used to go to the

gym all the time and I used to go to a

boxing gym I used to go movies once a

week and hang out with my friends we

can't sign the kids up to community

things or chess clubs or they're not

enrolled in the sports club also you

don't have your favorite coffee Club

where the Barista knows how you like

your coffee you don't have your favorite

hairdresser who you can trust to give

you a good haircut haircut hell you

don't even know where you are so you

can't just jump in the car and go for a

drive you've got to pull up a map so you

know where you're going I guess what

we're trying to say here is that life on

the road can be a little bit isolating

and it can leave you feeling like you're

kind of Living On The Fringe of society

number six legal stuff the world is not

really set up for people who live a

nomadic lifestyle there are a lot of

questions that you need to fight answers

to and it's not very easy to find those

answers like how do you receive your

mail how do you ensure your van and car

make sure your kids are getting a great

education how do you vote in an election

this is all boring stuff but it's hard

to work out on the road so let's move on

because it's boring let's move on number

seven the mercy of the weather

living in a caravan means you are living

at the mercy of the weather we have

camped in some places that started out

absolutely beautiful like you were in a

fairy tale and then the weather turns

and you get destroyed you've got to run

with your tail between your legs because

you're getting sandblasted with sand

getting into absolutely everything the

wind's so bad your van is shaking or

come there's rain coming in the windows

because it's blowing vertical

just not good but not only that we rely

on the Sun for solar our fridge is a it

only runs on batteries it doesn't run on

gas and if we don't have Sun for four or

five days we have to go to a caravan

Park we literally become power Natsu's

like oh you can't turn that on you can't

use that use a torch we just don't turn

anything on if you charge it we charge

up the solar lights and run those at

night yeah yeah we really have to be

conscious of our power usage

um

otherwise we find ourselves in trouble

and having to go to Caravan Parks which

we don't really like doing now adding to

our power situation we've just picked up

starlink and it is an absolute Game

Changer we can now have internet

anywhere but starlink uses a pretty

significant amount of power it runs on

240 only which means our inverter now

needs to be on all day during a work or

a school day and it's usually drawing

between four to eight amp hours so that

on top of our fridge usage means we are

now starting to not make enough power

during the day so yes we are always

being conscious of our power and that

definitely adds a level of anxiety to

your life we're always checking the

monitor as well so we can check how low

we're getting and checking on our apps

for the battery so it does mean you're

just checking 24 7. it is really

frustrating lastly Seasons don't last

long enough one of the advantages of

living in a caravan is that we get to

chase the Sun so we go north in Winter

and South in summer but fuel is getting

incredibly expensive and it just doesn't

feel like Seasons last long enough so

we're already looking to start heading

North now uh which means we're going to

be blowing another 900 to a thousand

dollars in fuel to make our way North

and it's expensive it's so expensive it

hurts every time I go to pay I'm just

like just don't tell me just tap away

yeah if they could stop Rising the price

of fuel that would be great number eight

mail and shipping receiving mail on the

road is a logistical nightmare I mean we

often don't get stuff at Shops because

we can't find it usually it's a

specialized item we need and we have to

think where we're going to be say two

weeks out before we order something the

other issue we have is schooling on the

road so we receive eight packages a year

so it's two a term two or three terms so

trying to get those items we need to

know four weeks in advance where we're

going to be sometimes things are delayed

or we're running late or early so we

have to backtrack for the items or we

have to call the post office to say

we're running late please don't send it

back because they do do that if we can't

if we've missed an item or it's been

delayed we have to then spend 40 minutes

on the phone getting it redirected which

does come at a cost to us as well so

living on the road means you don't just

get things delivered to your front

doorstep it is uh certainly a lot less

convenient than living in a house number

nine maintenance and repairs if I'm

being honest things constantly breaking

is the thing that I hate the most about

this lifestyle and it's not the big

things like you might think like yes

we've done an engine mount in the car

the canopy is just about falling apart

the Caravan swing arm just about broken

caused the wheels to fall off we did put

a hole in the Caravan but it's not the

big things it's the little things every

week there's something that has to be

fixed a door won't be locking properly

there'll be a small like

there's a screw on the floor and you

don't know where it's from I mean we

could sit here and rattle off the thing

after thing after thing there is never a

dull moment there is always something on

our to-do list there is always something

that needs to be fixed hence a lot of

money spent at Bunnings

yeah Bunnings is a very significant

money sink for us but I mean the

positive side of this is I was not

really a practical person before we got

on the road he's not a handyman living

on the road has forced me to become a

lot more

um self-reliant and I am I am proud of

myself and I'm proud of what I've

learned and how um self-reliant we have

become number 10 internet unfortunately

we need to have reception for work in

school and until recently that's meant

that we've always had to find somewhere

that we were camping that was within

signal we've recently just purchased

starlink but starlink doesn't come

without its own complications we've

already talked about it being a massive

power draw but on top of that starlink

needs a line of sight to the sky so now

when we're finding a camp we need to

keep in mind are we going to be able to

put up the starlink and get signal and

get internet because unfortunately we do

need to be connected to the world we are

data suckers so that is just another

thing that you are going to be thinking

about when you're living on the road

like we are conclusion

okay so there you have it 10 reasons why

van life sucks I wouldn't recommend it

to anyone just kidding if you've been

watching our videos you know we do a

weekly Vlog of our adventures and we do

really love this lifestyle the new

experiences we get to do quality time

with our kids the people we get to meet

not looking to quit anytime soon

but if you are considering living

full-time on the road like us we do hope

that this video has given you some

insights into some of the less glamorous

size of this lifestyle that some of the

van influencers might not share with you

so thanks so much for watching the video

don't forget to like And subscribe and

we'll see you in the next video bye

[Music]

thank you