Road Life Etiquette
You want to rent a van?
Let’s start with: What do you want to do with the van?
Are you planning to explore backcountry roads?
Driving those dirt windy bumpy roads in search of quiet solitude?
Do you want to hit up all the awesome crags?
Is you heart screaming for long treacherous hikes?
Have you been looking at paper maps planning backpacking trips into the wilderness in search of alpine lakes?
Does the open road call you? Your eyes longing to see all the sights of a road trip, sleeping in places so few get to experience.
Questions to ask yourself:
Think of what you are hoping to get out of this trip.
Is this your test to see if nomadic living is for you?
Is this your first time staying in a vehicle?
Lets talk about what it will be like living on the road for just a short period of time.
What should you plan:
The first thing to think about is:
Where do you want to go:
Are you a hiker?
Mountain Biker?
Rock Climber?
Sight seeker?
Nature Buff?
These things make a huge difference in where you will want to go on your trip.
Places are dependent on the type of adventure you want. If you are wanting to climb then plan the trip around climbing destinations, so you can sleep at the crag and climb all day while having the luxury of the van to go relax back in.
If you are wanting to see the sights, I would highly recommend using the RoadTripper app to find the sights you want to see and plan the best route possible.
The one thing you don’t want to do is plan a trip that isn’t going to spark your soul.
This is your trip, make it capture all that you are wanting.
What is the proper etiquette:
Now this is a big one.
What are the do's and don’ts of nomad life.
Do:
Have a blast
Explore new places
Leave it better than you found it.
Try new things
Drive down dirt roads
Don’t:
Roll up onto someone else’s campsite
If you see someone established in a campsite with room to spare, do not automatically roll into their site. If you have gone searching for a spot with no luck, ask them if you can simply stay there for the night.
However if you roll up super late and plan to leave early before they even wake up, then stay at the very outter edge of the site.
Leave your trash behind (Pick up trash that was left)
Leave a surface poop (Dig a 6-8 inch deep and wide hole.)
Leave Toilet Paper (PACK IT OUT)
Have an irresponsible fire (If it’s windy, and you’re in an area that is high fire danger, be smart and play it safe.)
If you don’t have enough water to drown the fire do not have one.
Drive onto roads that aren’t for motorized vehicles
Play loud music past 10pm if there is another campsite within shouting distance of you.
What are things you need to have before leaving:
Clothes:
Bring clothes that don’t really hold smell.
I recommend always bringing a pair of pants, because often it will get cool at night.
Always bring a jacket. I like to bring a down jacket and a rain/wind jacket.
If you are planning to get out and hike and bike a lot, plan to wear the same clothes for probably only 2 days. When you’re clothes get sweaty lay them on the hood of your vehicle in the sunlight to help them dry.
Typically I say you should wear the same clothes for 3-4 days, depending on how sweaty you’re getting.
It’s not a fashion show when you’re living out in the wilderness. Comfort always wins.
Now go Adventure Respectfully
You are now equipped with the basics of trying a weekend of Vanlife.
Now get out there and enjoy what it means to live on the road.
There are tons of new Van Rental companies. A simple search should provide a company near you. I’m a firm believer that trying this lifestyle before you jump into it is the best decision.