TOP TRICKS AND TIPS FOR SOLO FEMALE OFF-GRID VAN LIFE
With over 500,000 vans touring, travelling in a van alone as a female may be one of the most challenging experiences, but it will also be one of the most fascinating. Travelling alone guides people on a journey out of their comfort zone and to new limitations. A solo female van lifer may embrace this as an opportunity to develop, find their true identity, and achieve independent success.
Below are helpful tips on making the beginning of a journey for a solo female van lifer feel more exciting.
SELECTING A VEHICLE
Before living in a van, there are several factors to consider, including the type of van to get, its size, and its construction. Here are some useful recommendations for selecting the appropriate van.
Coming Up with a Budget
Establishing a budget should be the initial step when considering van life. Determine what is feasible and whether it will require a loan before proceeding.
Deciding on the Size of Vehicle
Due to the vast variety of alternatives available, searching for a van may require more research. A solo female van lifer can start by deciding between a smaller van or something where it is easy to stand up.
Another important matter to consider is if there is a need for a bathroom and shower. The budget may influence the size of the van and there may be an additional requirement when travelling with a pet.
For short weekend getaways, a small, compact van will suffice. However, if one is intending to travel full time and live in the van, it is best to obtain a stand-up van of at least medium size for comfort.
Building a Home Out of the Van
Purchasing an empty van allows for the choice to build up the van from scratch, or to hire someone to do so. In the process of building up a van, it is important to keep in mind that the project will take longer than anticipated due to the possibility of
unforeseen challenges, such as cost estimation, budget planning, choosing the right suppliers, and outsourcing construction materials.
Additionally, it is crucial to choose a suitable location where it is allowed to do construction work and acquire the necessary equipment to complete the task independently, such as screws, paints, and measuring and cutting tools.
Hiring someone is a more expensive choice, but it assures that everything will be completed professionally.
HOW TO STAY IN CHARGE AND CONNECTED TO POWER
Van life requires preparation. Continuing the journey with everything prepared in advance will enable the van lifer to live the off-grid lifestyle to the fullest.
Here are a few tips and power sources for a van:
Portable Solar panel
Small, simple-to-install, and handy solar panels are known as portable solar panels. These solar panels also transform solar energy to power devices and appliances. Portable solar panels typically come with a kit that contains extra tools, including a stand, wire, storage case, solar charge controller, inverter, and battery.
A portable solar panel must be wired from the roof to the interior of the van where the battery and solar charge controller are located. When the wires are completely connected to the solar panel to the battery and solar charge controller, activate the controller to start storing power in the battery.
The same principle applies when connecting a portable power station to a solar panel, except that there is no need to use a battery and solar charge controller.
Portable Wind Turbine
A portable wind turbine is a lightweight, compact power system that people can utilize to generate pure, sustainable energy. These wind turbines are typically smaller in rotor diameter and feature removable blades, making them more portable, less heavy, and less of a hassle to store.
Power banks can be charged by portable wind turbines and then utilized to power a wide range of electronic devices, such as lamps, phones, computers, and more.
Portable Power Station
A portable power station is a rechargeable battery-driven source of electricity large enough to power devices and appliances in an off-grid van. It contains a mix of standard AC outlets and USB ports for connecting other powered devices.
There are cords that come with the portable power station which must be connected to the solar panels and wind turbines to charge it.
TIPS FOR SOLO FEMALE VAN LIFERS
- Try the Van Life Before Committing
Before arranging a month-long vacation or purchasing a van, it would be helpful to explore solo female van life on a smaller scale. This is possible by booking a weekend getaway that would involve similar experiences. This short getaway is crucial in determining whether or not a person enjoys van trips.
- Equip Oneself with Basic Travel Skills and Knowledge About Travelling in a Van
It is best to learn the fundamentals to enjoy the journey. It includes knowing how the van functions, including what to do if the battery is dead and how to change a tire.
- Study the Essential Items to Bring
Aside from the usual camping essentials, such as clothing and toiletries, a solo female traveller starting on van life is advised to include a few additional items, such as a power bank, map and compass, and first aid kit.
- Join a Community
It is important to have a sense of belongingness while travelling alone. Joining a community allows people to park together and cultivate a safe space for solo female van lifers living in a van. Communities can help one to familiarize themselves with places and cultures.
ENJOYING VAN LIFE AS A SOLO FEMALE VAN LIFER
Solo female van lifers who want to try off-grid van life or live in one must have realistic expectations and be willing to adjust and try new things.
A portable wind turbine such as the Texenergy Infinite Air 18 would be an excellent choice to help solo female van lifers harness wind energy to help power up their van and make the journey comfortable.
To upgrade further and ensure things run efficiently, the wind turbines may be paired with Texenergy Infinite Solar 24 solar panels to create an even more powerful charging system, creating a fuss-free van lifestyle for solo female van lifers.