Last checked November 2026.
Living the van life in a camper van or motorhome is a cheap and convenient way to see lots of places. If you want to explore in comfort, it’s a great option.
Darren lived in a camper van for nine months, from September 2006 to June 2007, and loved it. The van was a short-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter that Darren had converted into a camper van, and the trip went through France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. Darren spent a lot of the time free camping, with stays on campsites in built-up areas, and now and then in the countryside to fill up with water and empty the toilet. Darren had no problems at all. Even then, free camping near the beaches was harder in June, July and August, when the car parks were busy with visitors, and since then many of those spots have been banned at night all year round.
The van looked like an ordinary van from the outside, so it didn’t attract much attention.
Living in a van full time in the UK today takes more than finding somewhere to park. You need an address for your post and for DVLA, a doctor, insurance that covers you living in the van, and a safe way to keep warm through the winter. For living on the road abroad, see living full time in Europe.
Choosing a van to live in
For a long time in a vehicle, a motorhome is more comfortable, but a well converted camper van can be just as comfortable. Darren considers a high-top vehicle necessary, so you can stand up all the time: in bad weather, which can last several days, you need to be able to stand comfortably and move around, and a small area to walk around is good for stretching your legs. In Darren’s view the typical VW layout, with the seating across the van, isn’t good for living in, and is really only meant for weekends.
Darren also suggests a washroom with a toilet and perhaps a simple shower. Toilets are easy to empty with occasional visits to campsites, but showers need a lot of water to be carried.
Think about fresh air as well as warmth. To keep the Sprinter looking like an ordinary van, Darren fitted no windows in the back, and later wished for a roof vent to let air through with the doors shut. A stealth camper draws less attention, but it still needs ventilation (see carbon monoxide below).
More on choosing and buying a camper van or motorhome and on building your own.
Where you can park and sleep
There’s no right to live in a van wherever you like, and some of the rules are aimed at people living in vehicles, so they matter more to full-timers than to holidaymakers.
England and Wales. There’s no general law against sleeping in a van that’s legally parked on a public road, but local rules are common and you have to read the signs:
- Council car parks usually ban sleeping or camping in a vehicle. A growing number sell overnight tickets for self-contained motorhomes in a few named car parks.
- Traffic orders ban motor caravans overnight on some roads and seafronts.
- Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) can ban overnight stays in vehicles across whole areas, including verges, lay-bys and streets. Breaking one is a criminal offence, and since 26 October 2026 councils can set the fixed penalty at up to £500.
- Being moved on. A council can direct people living in a vehicle on a roadside or other land to leave, even if they’ve done nothing wrong; ignoring the direction, or coming back within three months, can mean a fine of up to £1,000. Living in a vehicle on someone’s land without consent becomes a criminal offence if it causes significant damage, disruption or distress and you don’t leave when asked, with up to three months in prison or a £2,500 fine, and the police can seize the vehicle. So if the police, the council or the landowner asks you to move on, go.
Off the road, there’s no right to wild camp in a vehicle anywhere in England or Wales, Dartmoor included, so you need the landowner’s permission. The National Trust doesn’t allow overnight parking at any of its places, and Forestry England doesn’t allow it in its car parks.
On private land. With the landowner’s permission, one van can stay on a piece of land for up to two nights without the land needing a caravan site licence, as long as no other caravan is there and caravans haven’t been on the land for more than 28 days in the past twelve months. A holding of five acres or more can take up to three vans for up to 28 days a year. Stay longer, such as living on a friend’s land, and the landowner may need planning permission and a site licence, so check with the council first.
Scotland. Access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 don’t cover vehicles, so sleeping in a van isn’t wild camping. The Highland Council and the Cairngorms National Park say you can rest overnight in a formal lay-by as long as everything stays inside the van, but never stop overnight in a passing place. Forest tracks and pull-offs need the landowner’s permission, and from March to September you need a permit to sleep in a vehicle off the road in Loch Lomond’s Camping Management Zones. For £10 a night, self-contained vans can stay in about 45 Forestry and Land Scotland forest car parks or the Highland Council’s 12 overnight car parks. See Scotland.
Northern Ireland. You can’t sleep in a council car park: the Off-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 bans using one “for sleeping or camping purposes”. There are a few paid motorhome stops instead, and plenty of campsites. See Northern Ireland.
Campsites and stopovers. Many campsites close from October or November to March, so plan where you’ll spend the winter. Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club can use their small certificated sites, which take up to five vans and are often on farms, so they’re quiet and usually cheap.
For Darren’s approach to a quiet night in a town, see Britain, and for more on where to stop, wild camping and free camping.
Post, Council Tax, voting and banking
Post. The Post Office’s free Poste Restante service is for travellers who don’t have a permanent address where they want to receive mail. Pick a branch that offers it (all the Post Office branches in TG Jones shops do), and have your post addressed to your name, then “Poste Restante”, then the branch’s name and address. Post from within the UK is kept for up to 18 days and post from abroad for 21 days, and you can’t use the service for more than three months in the same town. To collect it, the Post Office asks UK residents for proof of address as well as a passport.
Council Tax. In England and Wales, Council Tax is charged on homes rather than on people. For a caravan, which in law includes a motorhome or campervan, the home is the pitch it stands on when it’s someone’s sole or main residence. So if you settle on one pitch, such as on a friend’s land, the council may send you a bill. If you keep a house or flat while you live in the van, you’ll usually still pay on it: the council decides whether it counts as a second home or an empty home, may give a discount, and can charge extra on second homes and on homes that have been empty for a year or more. Tell the council when you move out. The rules are different in Scotland.
Voting. In England, Wales and Scotland you can register to vote without a fixed address, on a paper form for people with no fixed or permanent address. You give an address where you’d be living if it weren’t for your situation, or an address where you’ve lived before; Northern Ireland has its own form. Once you’re registered you can apply for a postal vote and, if you’ll be away when the ballot pack is sent out, ask for it to go to a different address, at least 11 working days before the election. You can also vote by proxy.
Banking. Banks have to check who you are, and each sets its own list of documents it accepts, so having no fixed address can make a new account hard to open. If you’re legally resident in the UK and don’t have a bank account, or can’t get a normal one, the nine largest current account providers have to offer you a basic bank account. In July 2026, after a review by the Financial Conduct Authority, those nine banks committed to a clear process for customers without standard ID, including people with no fixed address. So keep your existing account if you can, and if you need a new one, ask what the bank accepts instead of proof of address.
DVLA: your driving licence and log book
You must tell DVLA when your address changes, on both your driving licence and your vehicle log book (V5C), and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t. The log book can’t show a PO Box address. To change the address online you need a UK address for the log book, and to be resident in Great Britain for the licence; Northern Ireland has its own process.
The address matters because DVLA and others write to it. If a camera catches your van speeding, a notice of intended prosecution is sent within 14 days, to the driver or the registered keeper, and the form that comes with it has to be returned within 28 days. So keep the address up to date, and make sure post sent there reaches you quickly.
If you take the van abroad for less than 12 months, it must stay taxed in the UK, with a current MOT and UK insurance, and its log book must show your most recent UK address. See living full time in Europe, and legal information for registering a conversion as a motor caravan.
Registering with a GP
In England, you don’t need a fixed address, ID or proof of address to register with a GP surgery. You’re asked for basic details: your name, date of birth and address, and if you don’t have a permanent address you can use a temporary address or the address of the surgery. A surgery can refuse you if it isn’t taking new patients or you live outside its area, and if it does, it must write to you within 14 days to say why.
Away from your own surgery, you can register with another as a temporary patient for up to 3 months, and if it refuses, you can still get any treatment you need immediately for up to 14 days.
In Scotland, NHS inform says you shouldn’t be delayed or refused registration because you can’t provide ID or proof of address. If you’re staying in an area for less than 3 months, you’re treated as a temporary resident instead.
Insurance
Tell your insurer that you live in the van, as some policies require you to keep a home. In 2026 one UK motorhome policy required the policyholder to keep a UK home at the address shown on the policy, the same address as on the electoral register, driving licence and log book, unless a full-timing rate had been agreed. It sold cover for using the van for nine months or more in a year as an extra.
Policies also list changes you must report during the year, such as a change of address or of where the van is kept overnight. By law you must take reasonable care not to give an insurer wrong information. If you carelessly get something wrong, the insurer can reduce what it pays on a claim, and if it wouldn’t have insured you at all, it can cancel the policy and refuse all claims.
Check the cover for your belongings as well: when you live in the van, nearly everything you own is in it. Two UK motorhome policies, from 2024 and 2026, limited cover for belongings to £3,500 and £5,000, with lower limits for single items. Breakdown cover is separate, and standard cover may not take a heavy or long motorhome. More on campervan insurance.
Heating, winter and carbon monoxide
If you intend to spend the winter in the UK, or anywhere else that’s cold, you need some way of heating the van. Insulate it to keep the heat in and the cold out. Thick curtains that fit the windows well also keep a lot of heat in.
There are heaters made for camper vans and motorhomes that run on diesel, sit outside the living area and pump heat in. They take a bit of work to fit and make some noise. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises having every heater and cooker that burns fuel serviced regularly by a qualified, registered engineer (for gas, a Gas Safe registered engineer). Gas heaters that sit on top of a gas bottle have no flue, so their fumes stay in the van, and UKHSA names gas heaters among the indoor sources of carbon monoxide. Never heat the van with the gas cooker: Gas Safe Register says cookers shouldn’t be used for heating and need good ventilation whenever they’re on.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you can’t see, smell or taste, made when fuel burns without enough oxygen. In a van it can come from a faulty or badly ventilated heater or cooker, a heater’s exhaust, a generator or a barbecue. To stay safe:
- Fit an audible CO alarm that meets EN 50291, and a smoke alarm, and test them. An alarm isn’t a substitute for servicing, as it won’t go off at low levels.
- Never block the vents. The Home Office’s fire safety advice for caravans is to keep them ventilated and never block air vents, and not to dry clothes over the stove.
- Never bring a barbecue inside, even after you’ve finished cooking, and never run a generator inside the van.
- Know the warning signs. Black marks or stains around an appliance, and lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, mean it may not be working properly: don’t use it until a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked it. An MOT isn’t a guarantee that the gas is safe.
- Know the symptoms. Gas Safe Register lists six: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness. CO poisoning is easily mistaken for food poisoning or a hangover.
- If the alarm goes off or you think there’s a problem, stop using the appliances, turn the gas off at the cylinder if it’s safe to, put out any flames, open the doors and windows and get out of the van. Get medical help: NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
More on gas bottles.
Winter in a van can be hard work, even somewhere warm. One January morning in 2007, at Barranco in the Algarve, Darren’s thermometer read 9°C. Wearing two T-shirts, two jumpers, two pairs of socks and a hat, Darren was warm enough, but with the sea flat and cold, it was a day of wondering whether to stay.
Some insurance policies have conditions about the water system, such as draining it over winter so it doesn’t freeze, so check yours if you’re living in the van through a cold spell.
Electricity
A vehicle for living in should have a good 12 V electrical system with one or more leisure batteries. In Darren’s view these are best charged when the engine is running, as that’s the quickest way. The Sprinter had a leisure battery charged through a split charge relay, and Darren later added two more so the van could go several days without a charge, which proved very useful. Charge them as you drive, not by running the engine while you’re parked: the Highway Code says you must not leave an engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road.
Solar panels give a small amount of power in daylight. The one Darren fitted at Vila Nova de Milfontes in November 2006 gave less than expected on an overcast day, so it was a good job it was a big one. If you need lots of power, for a TV or a laptop, consider several leisure batteries.
For mains electricity, a campsite with hook-up is the simplest answer. A generator is noisy, so it’s no use anywhere near other people, and it must never run inside the van or close to it. Wind turbines, like those on yachts, can also give reasonable amounts of 12 V power, but in Darren’s view they’re expensive and have to come down from the roof every time you drive. More on campervan conversion electrics.
Water, toilets and showers
In smaller vehicles, such as camper vans, the biggest problem is normally the lack of a toilet or shower: they take up a lot of room, and showers need a lot of fresh and waste water to be carried. Larger motorhomes often have a toilet and shower room. It’s easy to add a portable toilet to a camper van, but storing it can be a problem. Many beaches have cold water showers, and you can use public toilets and those at stations, supermarkets and cafés. Solar showers are an option too, and it’s easy to rig up a simple shower outdoors.
Empty a chemical toilet only at a proper disposal point, never in a public toilet, a drain or the countryside. Grey water from the sink or shower doesn’t go on the ground either: the detergent and grease pollute the soil and rivers. Many campsites let passing vans use their service point for a fee.
Keeping costs down
Expenses can be kept to a minimum with free camping where it’s allowed, limited driving and stocking up at supermarkets. In Darren’s experience gas works out cheaper bought in larger bottles, so big gas bottles save money. Darren kept a list of the fuel, toll and campsite costs on the 2006 to 2007 trip: see costs of my trip, and saving money.
Good things
You always have your home with you
You don’t have to plan your day around looking for somewhere to stay, or end your day early because you need to find a hotel.
You always have transport
You can drive where you want, when you want. If you’re exploring a lot of places, you save lots of time and money: you don’t have to get up early, or wait around for a connection or a flight. If you don’t like somewhere you just drive on, and if you do like it, you can stay.
You can stay in beautiful places
Many campsites are in lovely spots, and many have great facilities. And where the rules allow it, free camping (wild camping) lets you stay in some beautiful places for free. There are few things better than watching the sun go down at the beach, then waking up in the same place in the morning, just by stepping out of your camper van or motorhome.
You can carry more
With a camper van you can carry much more than if you’re relying on public transport. This is great if your travels include sports such as surfing, windsurfing or cycling.
Bad things
Security
Camper vans and motorhomes are easy to spot and can be a target for thieves. If you’re careful you can reduce the chances of theft or damage, and a stealth camper can help a lot by blending in with the normal traffic. In the first month of the 2006 trip, the worry of a break-in led Darren to stay on campsites nearly every night.
The cost of the van and its upkeep
You have to buy or build a camper van or motorhome, and they generally cost a lot of money, although you can trade in your existing vehicle. On a long trip, sleeping in the van works out much cheaper than public transport and hotels. All vehicles need maintaining, which can be expensive, but careful driving and good maintenance keep the costs down.
Harder to drive and park than a car
Camper vans and motorhomes are bigger than a car and need a good deal of care to drive. High or wide vehicles are limited in where they can go, and many car parks have height barriers. There’s always somewhere else to park, and pop-top models get around the problem.
Islands
If you’re visiting an island for a day or more, taking a vehicle on the ferry can be expensive, and sometimes isn’t an option. You can get around this by finding somewhere secure to park the van and using public transport. It’s worth asking at campsites whether they can store it for you while you’re away: many store caravans.
Living in a van abroad
Darren’s nine months in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal were before the UK left the EU. Today a UK citizen can only spend 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area, which covers most of Europe, without a visa, and living on the road abroad affects your van’s registration and insurance, your healthcare and your tax. See living full time in Europe, van insurance in Europe and winter in Europe.
Darren’s trip and the van
- Mercedes Sprinter conversion: the Pampy Camper, the van and the trip
- Electrics (2006)
- My thoughts so far, travelling for nearly 1 month (2006), on living in the van
- Vila Nova de Milfontes: fitted a solar panel to the camper van (2006)
- Shortest day, but a cold one (2006)
- Cold and rainy day at Praia do Barranco (2007)
- Back home in Cornwall after 9 months on the road (2007)
- Costs of my trip (2007)
- Summary of Darren’s 2006 tour of Europe
More on living in a van
- Van life and making money on the road
- Wild camping and free camping and stealth camper vans
- Britain and Scotland
- Living full time in Europe
- Campervan insurance
- Travelling alone
- Build your own campervan
Sources: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and Crime and Policing Act 2026; Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960; Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003; Off-Street Parking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000; Local Government Finance Acts 1988 and 1992; Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988; the Highway Code; gov.uk (Council Tax, registering to vote without a fixed address, postal votes, changing your address with DVLA, speeding penalties and taking a vehicle abroad); Home Office (fire safety outdoors); NHS (registering with a GP surgery) and NHS inform; Financial Conduct Authority (basic bank accounts, 2023 and July 2026); Post Office (Poste Restante); Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012; a UK motorhome policy (2026); UK Health Security Agency (carbon monoxide); Gas Safe Register; Cornwall Council; North Yorkshire Council; Cyngor Gwynedd; Highland Council; Cairngorms National Park Authority; Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park; Forestry and Land Scotland; Forestry England; National Trust; Camping and Caravanning Club; Brit Stops; checked November 2026. Know of a change? Tell us in the comments below.
I am mid 50’s and in a respectable job, but I also am recently separated and paying 3/4 of my wage to my ex-wife and kids so it is becoming more and more likely that in order to continue to pay a decent amount for my kids support I will be heading down (or up) this route. I have been struggling to think of how I can continue with the downtime I currently enjoy after work, but in reality it will be upgraded – no more trash TV, no more stress on usual bills that just creep up and up. I worried about work, but I can afford to get my work clothes laundered each week so will never need to spend 5 – 8 hours on Sunday doing that chore. I worried about having the kids visit me, but to them it will be weekend camping with daddy every weekend! What a series of life lessons they will benefit from. In less than 12 months from now I will be converted, and so will some LWB van.
Sorry to hear about your circumstances.
It sounds like you embracing the change.
Van life has lots of pluses, and you have mentioned many of them.
Sounds like you need a bigger vehicle, which is worth it if you have somewhere to park regularly.
My inspiration for my conversions, and indeed creating this website was spending years in my grandparent caravans, which I loved so much.
Somebody above in the comments mentioned copies of important documents – All you need to do is open up a DropBox / Google Drive or Onedrive account and stash scans of your passport/birth certificate/whatever you need up in there.
I personally have all my references, driver license/blah blah stashed away behind a password. Has saved my ass on more than one occasion.
As a fairly seasoned camper – you want to have:
A portable toilet, a second battery (12v auto), a dual-charging system to feed the second and your primary battery and a 1000W inverter for mains power on the go.
Forget the advice about dry/canned food – That’s obvious – Nothing will make you feel more like a confident member of the human race after a week away from your last shower than: Wet (Flushable) wipes or a damp washcloth for those areas we prefer not to mention.
(sure power) & (solar) wiring van for off grid living
hello, can use any info on how or who (or) were I can take my unity to be wired
A Travelling Life
I’m 60 years old with Terminal Cancer and Pulmonary Hypertension. I need a Vehicle which will suit my 6’3″ frame. I prefer sitting higher than local traffic but I also like a vehicle I can take into most car parks. I no longer have any meaningful strength or stamina. I need advice on the type of Vehicle I could live in here and abroad. I’m Ex Forces so am used to “Roughing it” but……….
Living in a van when you sixty
Hi, I purchased a Nissan Elgrand recently, it already has a fridge, sink and leisure battery system installed. Also has pop up roof with room for sleeping and I plan on installing an inverter so I can run my microwave etc…Where would I be able to find a twelve volt tv/DVDs player in the uk also has anyone used the twelve volt shower system. I am single woman with three very small yorkies and would love to store what I want to keep and live in my van for a year or two. I would like to connect with any other ladies who have done this or are thinking of doing it.
I would like to turn an x
I would like to turn an x trail by Nissan into a camper, any ideas. I cannot put carpeting down because I have chemical and fungal sensitivities.
Stealth vans
I am not sure that stealth vans are the answer as thieves are not fools. If they do think your van is a standard commercial vehicle, they may target it to steal tools and other valuable items. It’s no coincidence that many commercial vans in the UK display a notice in the rear window: ‘No tools left in this vehicle overnight’.
money matters
what about finacial and what about address if u have post bank if you lose your credit cards etc
Solar showers
Hi guys, I saw someone mention solar showers. Does anyone know of someone wanting any? I am In the forces and have been given a large quantity of them.
I would love some solar
I would love some solar panels for my small stealth camper van, how can I get in touch with Ryan?
Regards
Jon
Living in a camper van or motorhome
Hi all,
I always wanted a motorhome but due to the price I was not in a position to do so until I went through a divorce and my dream came true, I bought a Autotrail 4berth for £46000 which was a year old with 6000 miles on the clock and lived in it for two and a half years and have to say they were the best times of my life and only sold it to start my own business and needed the money to set it up, my family thought I was nuts but it was so comfortable that would recommend it to anyone and intend to do it again one day as I traveled around a lot and saw the country so go for it folks and enjoy.
Hi Phillip
Hi Phillip
What a great adventure. Thanks for sharing.
Hi guys, just today came
Hi guys, just today came across the website trying to find some info and ideas to improve the car for weekends this winter.
I’ve been doing free camping for the last 12 years (tent) never done camping sites as here in Greece people are very close in camping sites (I don’t know how it is out there) and when I’m going camping its because I want to be close to nature and not people [there is enough people in Athens that I live 🙂 ]
Well this summer me and wifey decided to mod the car and try to spend our holidays different this time, by driving around Peloponnese (west side is the best part guys +if anyone needs info I can help you out),we did nearly 1 month on the road.
I’ve got a Peugeot 307 3door hatch, took the back seats out, cut a mattress (12cm thick for good nights sleep) exactly the shape of the car and separated so I could fold the front seats and unfold the mattress and do the opposite to drive . Thrown the necessary gear on the roof box, clothes / 12v shower / folded chairs and table and went off… Stoped anywhere we liked the spot, enjoy the day at the beach and go sleep in the car at night, the next morning after breakfast we moved to the next spot and every day the same thing, needless to say that if we decided to do the same thing and staying in a hotel (especially with the kind of views that we had right in front off the sea) it would cost us at least 2500€ in accommodation only. We spent 650€ and enjoyed it!! 😀
Now we are thinking of doing some weekends in the winter but we come across some difficulties… We’ll get our around them though 🙂
Nice to come across this website and thank you guys for the info
Conversion currently in progress
Hi, came across your site this morning while having breakfast, nice and informative.
I too am fed up like most here paying high prices for rent, when house prices seem to keep getting out of my reach, so instead I bought a bus, yes a bus, a hopper bus, a 18 seater which is now just 2 seater bus. Windows all round, which by Tuesday will have 8mm security mirror reflective film on. The bus’s name is BURT cos that seems to be one of the destinations on the board so all the neighbours said to keep it as it suits this old bugger (not me). I plan to live aboard for probably 9 – 16 months full time, I am self employed and my renovation company that I run will still continue, so having to give some serious thoughts to electrics powering laptop and wifi to answer enquiry emails.
So far have gotten down to the removing the horrible vinyl and finding that its only ply lined on the chassis, so have bought myself a Karcher K4, chassis cleaner, POR 15 rust prevention paint and a black top coat. New boards will be laid on top, was considering fibre glass as a base just to stop water ingress, but if I treat the marine ply carefully and fill all edges with epoxy resin and surfaces with yacht varnish, plus put a bitumen layer underneath I should (fingers crossed be water free), sounds good in principle and should work. Hope to get a website going with all the news and restoration. I’ve got a bespoke carpenter/joiner onboard, plan on doing some bespoke cabinets, a captains bed with portholes. The obvious things before furniture comes in is to insulate, so on the ceiling which is currently carpeted will use armaflex 18mm, the sides will have 200-250mm foil backed roofing insulation (yet to be fully decided what brand, but may as well be expensive, then having seen many articles about vapour barriers will put a vapour barrier around. The floor will be duly insulated too, probably 250-300mm then ply on top of that and again varnished, then carpet tiles ontop of that for ease of cleaning – have a springer spaniel and she will have muddy paws! Debating this morning about toilet and shower, have the external stuff like a shower tent and shower materials, may get a solar panel for it though so its nice and warm. Thule have a new awning out, its a Quickfit awning, looks good to put up for one person, yes has to be one person and must be easy, they say it only takes 15 minutes – cool and just the job for breakfast outside. Debating on the diner still whether this will be another pull out bed or even a rock n roll bed, not sure. I’ve got the space for it all. My grey dull office 4 drawer office filing cabinet was painted up by some local spray company and will be the kitchen larder and utensils holder. I’ve bought some nice lime green items from John Lewis to compliment the off white colour scheme inside with some jazzy colours. The 110Ltr fridge has been bought, a compressor one Waeco, sitting in the middle of the lounge room. Next things to consider are the security, I know I want some good locks – I’ve got air compressor front doors as you can imagine and a rear side exit door, T bars on the front door, but exit will have to be strengthened may get a mobile welder over to install some strong steel plates into the insulation areas so I can add locks and chains or whatever I source on the interweb – isn’t it so great now having the web to source items, either on ebay who I am a great fan.
Well I don’t want to overshadow this website with my current conversion, so adios and good luck everyone, if you see BURT the bus around, give me a wink and a hoot, I shall be going up and down the UK. He is currently red at the front and has a grey behind!
All the best.
want to travel west in canada
my dog and I want to travel west in Canada to get away from life, I am over 50 and fed up. I think a van would be ok. Just pull out the back seats, make a box for a bed with storage under for clothes, back wall where the tail gate opens make a cupboard for microwave, hot plate, bbq mini fridge, roof rack for storage, ladder on side to get to storage, solar panel to run kettle and radio, curtains on window for privacy, generator for heat its still very cold here. But the small tent trailers under 24 ft looks just like home but are expensive. I don’t want to pay for a camp site because it would double the cost after paying for a tent trailer. Can I just pull in the bush or a lane way off the highway out of site and park for the night. any advice for a first timer on her own.
I can’t take much more I need to get out.
Living
Yeah I’m a student entering my 3rd year and have managed to save the funds to buy a camper this coming summer and have decided to buy a van and travel initial for the summer break and who knows may stay in it when I get back. I have a gym membership so shower and indulgence won’t be an issue, can’t afford accomodation so bring on the free wheeling xxx
Campervan Toilets.
I read with interest the difficulties of getting a compact loo that does not smell and has no water or chemicals slopping about when you are travelling.
If you have a look at Popaloo this could solve a lot of your problems…Water,Chemical and Smell free..
It’s something we all have to do..but it’s a lot nicer with a Popaloo.
van living
Iv been living in my van in leeds west Yorkshire since may 2013 after spliting up from the girlfriend and having no where to go I brought a vw lt 46 thats been converted to a camper iv fitted a 100 watt solar panel and have a 1000wat and 2000 watt inverter. now going in to my first winter so will see how I go on with the cold. I enjoy the life living in a van and something I thought about for years.
van living in Leeds
Christopher – I’m interested to know how you get on. That’s not an easy climate to be running around in – what have you done about insulation and heating? How are you getting on finding places to park? Any specific difficulties you have had to overcome?
Good luck with it!
Phil
Envy!!
Would love to have the balls to go and live this kind of life. Fed up of paying rent and all the things associated with modern living. Seriously considering this way of life and I suppose if I don’t try I wont know….watch this space, I may be talking to you all shortly!
If you do it, you’ll find it
If you do it, you’ll find it so much easier than you think.
You will never regret trying.
I live in mine to fund my adventures
Fab lifestyle
travelpod.com (no longer online)
Hi, have really enjoyed
Hi, have really enjoyed reading the comments and learning about other people who are thinking along the same lines as me. I have been thinking seriously about a bit of stealth living myself but have one main concern…not having an official address. I have no family or friends that I would feel comfortable in asking for this kind of help so need to know how i would get around this problem? My main worry is the things like where you would have your driving license registered to, and your bank account, and what do you say to any employers? What is the address on the vehicle docs? I don’t want to let these worries spoil a unique opportunity to explore and live a simpler life, (and hopefully save a bit of money up in the process!) Can anyone put my mind at rest?
Hi
What country are you in?
Hi
What country are you in? There are options to work around this, typically getting a temporary address via a company that provides such as thing.
You need insurance that allows you to live in the vehicle, which is available.
Your employer does not need to know, unless it directly affects your ability to do you job, which is very rare.
Worries of life on the Road
I have also been wanting to live on the road and just have a free life. It’s sounds fun and exhilarating. But, like you, I also had many worries of where my license and address would be registered and I started researching on the internet. I found this website and it is VERY VERY helpful. Hope you enjoy it.
http://www.today.com/id/33618582/ns/today-money/t/living-road-full-time-it-right-you/#.UswhzxXnaM8
Adventures are afoot!
Hi,
I have really enjoyed reading the travelling stories on your site, I read them aloud to my partner as he scours hundreds of ads on the web looking to buy a used camper van. He and I are fully intent on heading out across Europe to escape both the bitter North England winter and the massive heating bill that is inevitably follows. My Partner is a singer – usually entertaining in pubs clubs,at weddings etc. so we are hoping to get him a little work whilst on our adventures – has anyone done anything similar? if so, please share,
happy camping all :0)
Mobile Bathroom
I made a video about going to the bathroom, and keeping everything clean.
Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQWzdLyi9fg
buying
hi guys, iam a hungarian/eu citizen and would like to buy a motorhome/campervan in the uk. my question is , if i want to keep the english number plate, i have to have an adress in the uk?
Hi. You don’t need a UK
Hi. You don’t need a UK address. You can use a EU address when buying the vehicle. After you have bought it, you send off the registration document (V5 form) and they send a new one to your address.
To keep the UK number plate you need to have a MOT (vehicle inspection) every year. This has to be in the UK.
You also need to pay for Tax every year and have insurance.
I’M Looking to buy a camper
I’M Looking to buy a camper van, to travel with my son and dogs, never ever done this before, got to buy one yet,all I know is that I want to see England, and see cornwall and scotland,I can drive well, but I do not not how to use it, how to work the toliet,shower or cooker, what do you hook upto ? can I just pull over somewhere and cook a meal, in the camper van, how would the cooker work, what makes it work, what about the toilet and if I want a shower,and charging up the battery, there is so much to learn, but so want to do this, does anyone have a guide for me, my husband died 4 years ago,I just want a lovely long hoilday, 3-6 weeks, as I’m a beginner, any one can you give me advice please, kind regards
Hi
It’s all a lot easier than
Hi
It’s all a lot easier than you think.
Driving is just like driving a van, but more fun.
The toilet, shower and cooker are straight forward, and you’ll work it out, or have someone explain it to you at the right time.
You can stop and pull over anywhere you are allowed to. Such as a car park, lay-by. Just be mindful of private land.
Cooker typically runs from a gas bottle, which you replace when it’s empty.
The battery charges from the engine.
The best thing to do is get a friend to help who knows about camper vans or caravans.
Must admit its something I
Must admit its something I looked into when my marriage hit a rough patch. Now it’s something I like to read up on so should the worst happen £2k and a bit of time will see me living/loving life in a van and weekend fishing trips aplenty.
It’s quite a nice lifestyle.
It’s quite a nice lifestyle. Especially if you can contain your interestes in the van, such as your fishing kit, bike, etc. Great when you move around the place as well. Especially in the warm weather.
Living full time in a motorhome or converted van
both myself and my wife have been thinking about living full time in a camper van or a motorhome , Is there a book you can buy that gives you all the proses and cons about living this way. we our both in are mid 50s and would like to travel around , we are both semi retired so we would still have to find a few days work here and there . it would mean giving up our council flat ,We will save about six to seven hundred pounds a month , can anybody please give me any advice… Fed up living in the rat race ??? Thank you and good luck to all fellow campers/full timers…
Useful link for longer journeys
You’d not go far wrong following some of the tips left by these guys:
http://www.europebycamper.com/
They’ve been travelling for ever and have so much information the mind boggles.
Living in a camper van..
Hi,
My husband and I also have the same idea, also in our fifties. Since we bought our converted camper van we have been out and about every weekend and have camped out over night at various locations. It`s such an adventure being self sufficient and having the freedom of the road, to go anywhere the whim takes you and to sleep snuggley with rain beating down on the skylight. It would be heaven to live in The Hobbit, that we have affectionately named our van,` Unfortunately we still have work commitments,
But, someday ……………
that sounds great, do you
that sounds great, do you have any pics to post up?
secure gated parking plot
I decided enough was enough with all the money I was paying my lovely landlord for the priviledge of living in a shared house with 5 others. I was showering at the gym everyday and eating most of my meals at my job so was starting to wonder why I was commuting back to my tiny bedroom every night just to sleep. I work in the city of london EC1 and decided to buy a small van and make it comfy to sleep in. I didnt like the idea of moving about and parking up on the streets so I checked out the gumtree ads for parking spaces.. there were tons of places offering secure spaces, even within gated developments for around £100 per month. I actually found a place that was a secure underground car park close to barbican and managed to knock the guy down to £75 a month. The great thing about this was that I saved on insurance costs along with road tax. The van was pretty cheap and just managed to chug along into its parking spot. A good friend allowed me to store my things at his place and even collect what I needed any time. Actually I am haveing a much better nights sleep in my van than I did when I shared as there is hardly no noise after 11pm at night unlike the room I stayed in I could hear people chatting and moving around. I dont plan to do this forever but for a few years and save a chunk of change is a smart move I feel.
Sounds like a really good
Sounds like a really good idea to me. Well done. I hope all goes well, and you save a good deal from it.
secure gated parking plot
Any chance you can share this location , possibly chat by email ?
This is exactley what i need ! In fact if anyone has this info please let me know.
Need to reduce costs asap !
Thanks
Is it legal to stay for two
Is it legal to stay for two months in a trailer/tent thing on my friend’s driveway? They have given permission and we will only sleep in the trailer. I have not seen it but its big I think it has a comfy double bed in. I am sure the neighbours in the cul de sac will complain (they complain about cars parked in their space) so I am a bit worried, I am more concerned that there are no laws or by laws preventing it. We will be homeless for 2 months and it seems the only way to do things.
Thanks
I think it probably is
I think it probably is illegal. One can park a caravan or campervan on ones own driveway. But if anyone lives in that parked caravan or campervan for more than 28days of the year (not in a row, just in total) then you need planning permission to allow then to live in that vehicle.
Surely the same will apply for a trailer tent.
living in vans
so guys and gals can someone please tell me the best why to insulate the van , i have a t2 vw and am planning to live in it once shes on the road in a few months. the summer im sure will be fine and i have a stove and sink to go in. But how do i keep the cold out in the winter ? any ideas experiences or dont do greatfully recieved . thanks and good luck to all
Pedro
Re. Insulation
There are any number of methods from bubblewrap behind your ply lining to fully self adhesive purpose designed insulation options (which are expensive!).
What ever you do, remember that condensation will still be forming behind whatever is warm to the touch and will rot anything and risk starting rust spots where you can’t see them.
A good option is to simply carpet the sides and roof, you’ll not get too cold and it’s able to dry out quickly if you get a warm day!
Happy travels.
Insulating van
The best method is the slab polystyrene sheeting you can get from places like B&Q, the 2 inch or so thick stuff. Cut to fit, then glue in with the spray foam can, cover with decent plastic film, to proof if from condensation, then cover with thin plywood. If you like you can get cheap carpet offcuts to glue onto the plywood.
camper van toilet/shower
hi, anyone im going to be traviling in a camer van soon and how do i change the water, get more water and get fresh water
Hi
The easiest option is to
Hi
The easiest option is to check into a campersite every few days, and empty the tanks and topup with water.
Also across Europe there are Aires, special service stations for campers.
However, if you intend to avoid campsites, this is what most people do.
Fuel station
When stopping for fuel as them if it’s OK to empty the toilet into theres, and fill up with fresh water. Most (outside of the UK) are happy to do this.
For waster water, either let it run onto the ground, or empty the tank onto some waste ground or over a drain.
You can also find a manhole cover and empty your toilet into it.
how to
hi thank you for your reply, but also do u know how change the batteries and charge them up
You only need to change the
You only need to change the batteries if they are not holding their charge anymore. A vehicle battery centre should be able to change them for you.
I suspect that your vehicle already charges them. They are various ways to charge them. The most common being with the engine running, but also solar panels, and a hookup charger.
Wild if not furious campervanning!
We have travelled throughout UK and Europe, rarely visiting campsites – except in Holland where anti wild camping is strongly enforced. Put pride aside and have an old ‘van. There are many advantages: less likely to be targetted by thieves; less worry about narrow roads and branch damage; simpler engines that can limp along til you/someone can fix it; more fun in adapting it to your own requirements- the list could go on and on. While the ‘hippy’ lifestyle is associated with older vans try to avoid that image; we have had a knock on the door from a curious landowner who was more than happy that we stayed for a night once he saw a conventional older couple.
There are directories for wild camping but develop a ‘nose’ for it. NEVER CAUSE AN OBSTRUCTION, try places that are unoccupied when you want to put your head down like industrial estates (often a source of water will be found)
We have driven an old Merc to the extremes of Greece twice and would recommend it.
I don’t know how this site works exactly (e-mail is private) but I would happily share experiences/give tips to like-minded people who would like to be sitting near a beach in the med as we are now.
All the best
I lived in a nissan vanette for 6 months in west london
I was so sick of paying rent so I purchased a little red stealth van. I worked as a supervisor at my local leisure centre and had the keys to the building so had permanent access to the facilities but I only went in at night in emergencies.
I used a pee bottle at night and on days off and use public toilets if I had to do a number 2. That was the worst part of it. I blacked out the rear windows, put a curtain across the rear of the cockpit. I started with a camp-bed and blanket but it got so cold in winter with icycles on the ceiling I got a matress and sleeping bag which could withstand -15degrees and was super comfy. I used a little camping gas stove mainly for tea and coffee. The laundrette was just around the corner. I rented a really cheap lock-up where I kept most of my larger posessions that I didnt want to get rid of such as my guitar amplifiers, stereo, tv and at least I had somewhere to put things when I needed to.
It was stressful trying to find new places to park because I was keeping it secret from my friends and family that I was living like a gypsey. I parked by the forest, in laybyes, residential areas always moving around so I wouldnt be noticed.
I saved so much money in such a short time and managed to get enough for a deposit for a house now Im the landlord.
Wow great story. Glad it
Wow great story. Glad it worked out OK for you. An inspirational story for this trying to get on the property ladder.
Campervan Living!!
Aaaaww Dan sounds so sweet!! :), yes it certainly looks like you’re enjoying your new life in the campervan. Oh it’s nice, unusual and like you say you’re saving with it!!, not being offensive to landlords but many of them are greedy and now it’s done away with at least one bill!!!. It’s something i’de love to do, maybe go travelling a bit in one (bit of a globetrotter)! and it sounds quite cosy!!. Nothing wrong with being a bit different!!. As for a forum or group it would be nice but feel free to email me anytime!. If you get back i’ll post my email addy!.
am loving the independence..
I recently got made homeless very suddenly and thankfully enough had a mercedes 308d camper which i have been able to use. I have a new carpet fitted, with underlay,yuasa 75ah leisure battery which i got down scrapyard for a tenner 🙂 a 10w solar panel and charge controller which works nicely, apart from that i use bottled 5L water containers and am yet to purchase a 12v tv/dvd (many out there look on ebay) i have 3 12v strip lights on ceiling and a 12v jvc hifi system along with 300w inverter- i am currently parked opposite a hotel & i am a member of their pool etc which means nice sessions in the pool and jacuzi etc when needed. I do feel a bit self conscious wondering what people are thinking of my new life but at the end of the day im living well within my means and am able to save money & thats quite cool! More to spend on the van and things that matter to me rather than £500 a month to live in a shared house student style giving all my heard earned money to some greedy landlord (Which is no way for a grown man!)
Would be nice if there is a forum for people like us living in our campers so we can interact – if anyone knows of one please let me know!
I don’t think it’s fair to be
I don’t think it’s fair to be calling a landlord greedy because they rent out their property.
At the end of the day they have to pay for the property maintain it and usually make no profit.
We are going to be living in a van to just enjoy life and travel but we have a house.
We either need to sell it which could be difficult or rent it out.
You need to remember living in a van for some people is out of the question and they are happy to pay rent.
Good luck.
‘landlords dont make profit ???!!!!!!!’
Landlords dont make profit ???!!!! Take it from that if you do let out your house you are only going to charge rent to cover the mortgage payments if that’s the case ????
Good luck to guy living in his camper van – At least you are working to pay for your OWN roof over your head instead of working to line someone else’s pockets (which the property is usually in poor condition and not worth the high rent charges and most landlords do as little maintenance as possible anyway). landlords DO make profit otherwise they wouldn’t bother with the letting game at all.
Don’t agree with this comment and the guy doesn’t ‘need to remember’ anything ! He was just conveying his situation and how financially free HE now feels and if you had read his post would have seen that this has not happened out of choice.
You are a joke
You are a joke
i’ve replied above
i’ve replied above Dan!!…hope all is well in the campervan!!
Lucky, you’re living my dream!
Hiya, I’m 17 and am planing on trading in my motorcycle, and buying a camper van to live in! i’ve already planed my first lands end to lands end trip! Good luck to you! (Dream van: VW T2/T1)
More likely van: VW T25
I Love the Idea of Stealth Van Living
I think alot about the best way to modify a van to be practical enough for camping out in the country or at a state park, but stealthy enough to hide out in a big city for awhile. That way I could work in the city for a month or two and earn more and then go someplace peaceful with hiking trails, fishing, and natural beauty. It looks like it’s a fine line to walk, but if you can figure it out, then you have an awesome lifestyle for very little money.
Thanks for all the info
Hey Darren, thanks for all the info you have put on this site, me and my gf are off around france and spain on the 1st Aug, starting in Cornwall (where we live – Penzance) and see how long we last out there aaaaaaaah
Not too sure on this free camping, havent heard much about it, are they easy to come across????
Hi Sharkus
Great to hear
Hi Sharkus
Great to hear about your trip.
Free camping is great. France has special areas where you can park, which are generally free in winter.
Spain and Portugal is good for free camping. Just ask the other campers when you get there.
See the Free Camping Guide:
https://www.campervanlife.com/camping/free-camping
And also guides to Spain, Portugal, etc. which have information about free camping in some towns
https://www.campervanlife.com/locations/europe
Have a great trip!
camping
FREE CAMPING. IS WOT IT SAYS, LIKE A BEACH, FIELD, ANY WERE, AWAY FROM OTHERS, IUSED TO DO IT WHEN I LIVED ON MY NARROWBOAT, find some were out the way, get tent out, or just sleeping bag, do wot u want,
converting a small car
Hi
I am planning on converting a small car such a nissan micra to replace my rented room which costs £500 a months in London and I only go home to sleep, had enough of paying someone elses mortgage, time to save money, I plan to sleep in the car for a year, having a gym membership that I can use anywhere in the city (for shower, toilet, and basic washing, cooking is not important, nor storing food, as my job takes care of that,
Question is a highly efficient sleeping bag and enough layers ok for winter, or do I need some sort of heating. also how do I insulate the car?
thanks
mat
Hi mat
I would consider
Hi mat
I would consider getting a small van, rather than a car. A smal van such as a Fiat Scudo (or Peugeot Expert or Citroen Dispatch which are the same van with a different name) costs about the same to run as a car but will give a lot more space. Their diesel engines are very economical.
In winter you will definitely want a well insulated vehicle. Insulating a car is difficult because it is not designed to be modified. By having a van you can insulated and modify it much more easily.
Take a look at these small van conversions for some ideas.
cornishben.smugmug.com (no longer online)
https://www.campervanlife.com/galleries/537/6469
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rick_barnes/2629556644/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8376527@N08/sets/72157600218078354/
Full Timing In London
Hi,
Did you survive winter?
We are trying to find a London parking place right now, would love to hear your stories??
Thanks
Ray
sleep in the car
hi your car is allready insulated against cold,a good expensive sleeping bag is a must,also a good pillow,ensure you can lie your seats fully back,and ensure that you have a new higher amp battery fitted,which will mean u can run ur radio and heater when needed,a small kettle camper stove and a 5 litre water holder with a pan or two can easily fit your boot and means u can have a brew when u feel.security////ensure that all doors are locked when sleeping but leave a window down enough for ventillation,but not enough to fit a hand in,keep your keys in your pocket and a heavy object near by in case of any problemsa large spanner would sufice,also it might be worthwile having the windows tinted,if u have a parcel shelf remove it as this creates more room.if u only use your car occasionly u might consider swapping on gumtree for a small van etc/it may sound alot but the crash bag cooking gear and a battery and window tint film will come in at around £150,2 days rent in london,i did this for a year acroos scotland with no probs good luck.
Insurance
I am planning to live in my van but i can’t find insurance for traveling in europe – can anyone recommend any companies?
How long do you intend to go
How long do you intend to go for? Months or years I am assuming?
van insurance
Try carol nash, I use them for my motorbike and car, they include breakdown, eu cover, 100,000 insurance cover , home start, etc, all in with the price at no extra cost
My Stealth Van
I have a LDV Maxus LWB Xtra High Top. It has Full electrics with plug sockets and a CTek charger (enabling a charge to the leisure battery whilst driving). Double bed (fitted width ways)with the dog ‘house’ underneath, storage, microwave, small cooler, Digital TV and computer. Fully carpeted by myself and of course insulated !
Also, a 1000w inverter for minor electrical needs, electric blanket and night lights.
I decided to get a 2.8kv generator, also, which enables me to ‘hookup’ when far away from others!……..it powers everything I need.
I now live in it full time with the Labrador. I work part time…Mon-Thurs…..and get away for a long weekend …every weekend!
I visit a local pool/sauna twice a week for a full relaxing degunge….and have a shower everyday at work.
The toilet is another issue. I do not want to cart around a chem toilet because of the smell (and it takes up too much room0 …so I use a 99p bucket from Wickes…lined with a thick ‘black bin liner’ and add chemicals before tying up and disposing of thoughtfully !! Not the best solution but it does work.
My van is a stealth van with only two mushroom vents in the roof.No windows so can park anywhere.
I also have a two ring gas hob which I carry in the back with my extra water and tools etc……I love it 🙂
Sounds like a great van and a
Sounds like a great van and a great way of life.
Do you find the bed long enough length ways in the van? How tall are you?
I think it’s awesome how your
I think it’s awesome how your living and saving money. Dropping out of the rat race so to speak. Ive thought about doing something like this someday when the kids are grown. Email me sometime i would love to hear your personal advise as well as the pros and cons to using a van compared to using a combination pickup truck /slide on camper.
Sounds ideal!
Sounds ideal!
thank you for your
thank you for your information good luck in your endevours