Vandwelling 101-2, I Need A Good Night's Sleep.

The first thing I plan is where is my bed and how big will it be.

I'm 5'4", slender, and I have two small dogs that are absolute bed hogs.

In my first vehicle, it was a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. There wasn't a lot of choice as far as bed layout and size. I merely laid out my bedding across the back seat and curled around my pups.

I was thrilled when I bought my 1997 Ford e250 extended body cargo van. My bed was very simple, a Coleman cot across the rear doors. It was not the most comfortable bed, but I added substantial padding underneath me & it worked. I was tickled to have a pillow and I could stretch out full length. Luxury!

I tried moving the bed in several different places but I found out that a rear bed from side to side worked for me.

When the Coleman cot bit the dust (losing springs and aluminum leg breaking), I replaced it with half inch plywood that I laid across 4 milk crates.
The milk crate base was great for storage but it was often awkward to access the storage. This type of bed, with 2 inch memory foam from a sewing store is definitely one of the easiest starter beds.

When you upgrade your bed at a later date, all elements of this starter bed can be used for other things. You can use the plywood for custom cabinet or a counter top or a table. The milk crates become stackable storage.

My current van is a 1999 Ford e150 conversion van. The bed is rear seat folds down. Mine is mechanical, rather than electrical. If I ever go back to a cargo van, I'd just use starter bed again until I find a futon of the size and style I want.

In Hawaii, my bed was a foam chair that folded out to the size of a twin mattress on the floor.

I guess what I'm saying more than anything is that you don't have to have everything perfect right from the start. I've always needed time and experience to figure out what suited me best. By being comfortable, but utilising simple solutions, it allowed me to enjoy myself more and to reduce my stress from the beginning.

It takes time and experience before you know exactly how you want your van.
For me, simple works better, and I always have to watch my budget.

See you down the road.

A Van Life...What To Wear

This particular post is directed mainly at women. As a woman, I may have opinions on men's wardrobe but no real experience.

Every single vandwelling woman almost always packs too many choices in clothes and footwear.

I've been traveling off and on for decades. I've been full-time in a van again for about 3 years, before that 2 years in a compact car.

So I've gained some experience and insights on clothing.

Tip #1
Get rid of that suitcase. They are awkward to pack in the vehicle. They also make you look homeless.

I currently use a plastic 3 drawer unit.

Tip #2
Roll your clothes.
I roll my clothes right after i wash and dry them. They have fewer wrinkles (there is a learning curve to rolling clothes), and take up much less space.

Generally I never have clothes hanging in my van. They are apt to fall in transit. I do hang one sweater and my coat.

Tip #3
Build a wardrobe around a concept and a few compatible colors. Definitely look at comfort and ease of care when selecting items.

Tip #3
Footwear.

Less is more. In Michigan winter I had one pair of boots, one pair of tennis shoes. I recommend pull on boots and tennis shoes with Velcro fastening. Zippers either break or become hard to close when they get wet or dirty.  Shoelaces in a wet snowy winter become a tangled nightmare.

In the warm southwest I wear either sandals or Crocs. Sandals should have a hard bottom. You learn that as soon as you step on thorny seeds or a rock.

I keep a pair of dark slingback heels in a drawer with a black cocktail dress but I've really never had an occasion to wear it.

I have about 5 skirts, 4 long jean sleeveless dresses i wear over a t-shirt, a couple long sleeve t shirts, several short sleeve t shirts, a few tank tops. I add leggings under the dresses or skirts in cooler weather.  Almost every piece can be worn with each other.

I currently have a wide plastic three drawer unit for my clothes. I'm really thinking of downsizing yet again.

See you on the road somewhere.