10 VAN LIFE Items / Hacks You Might Not Have Thought Of

Wondering what to pack for vanlife? After you've lived in a van for 4 years you learn a lot of little tips and tricks using items you might not have thought of. In this video, I go over 10 must-have van life items that I can't live without.
Enjoy!
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[@memoryim]

The spray bottle to do the dishes is a genius idea! I’m definitely stealing that idea.

[@scottadamson6116]

Please do!

[@JohnLaGuardia]

Love the spray bottle idea!

[@copcuffs9973]

@@scottadamson6116 Try vinegar in the spray bottle, boiling water unnecessary 👍

[@alicialatour]

id also use it for body cleaning too lol instead of wipes.

[@RippSnortin]

@@copcuffs9973 yup. And if you let it sit for 10-15 minutes it cleans just about anything off of non stick skillets.

[@maitildamcintyre9344]

All great tips. When I’m conserving water I have 2 spray bottles. One with soap and water for cleaning the dishes and one with plain water to rinse off dishes. It seems to me I use less water to rinse that way.

[@scottadamson6116]

Thanks for the tip!

[@anitalee2114]

Use soapy water bottle for hands, bathroom and dishes.

[@Kolopsych]

As a long haul driver, I always kept a spare key around my neck. A little hard to explain to the boss why your locked out of your vehicle and can’t make your delivery

[@scottadamson6116]

Good call!

[@williambianchi2006]

That's brilliant.

[@Drpepperhernandez]

Can you make another video on the future on showing the recovery gear that you carry in the van? Thanks

[@tepblog]

how do you put your hammock up in the van?

[@Trailvagabonds]

I am always amazed when I see people without a headlamp. I am glad that made your list! And the spray bottle for dishes is genius! We will definitely be utilizing that on the road

[@scottadamson6116]

I love it!

[@copcuffs9973]

Use vinegar in the spray bottle it makes boiling water unnecessary.

[@aboutdawntoday]

I had an aero press and to put so much pressure on boiling water in such an awkward position into a non attached cup seemed a bit too dangerous so I switched to pour over instead.

[@jackspectre4302]

Squirt bottle - 💥BOOM 💥 - brilliant idea - Done ✅

[@scottadamson6116]

Yeah its a great one

[@pauljohnson9542]

Don’t comment on many videos but I have to say I found this one very useful and liked the presenters style

[@janetfolkerts5827]

Wisdom is from experience, and nothing is better, thank you for sharing your bits of wisdom.

[@davidramossalsologoporexse2469]

Good picks. You never know when you going to need anything

[@jaybennett7316]

Thanks so much for the advice! I noticed you have one shot of surfing... looks like Canadian side of Straits( Vancouver Island). I am a 72 year young surfer doing same in PNW.. mainly Washington, and trips to southern Cal.. Actually love winter in PNW surfing. Big, cold and wild.. Thanks again!!

[@margiesvanmori]

Thanks for the video! I am building out my van now and going to be moving in this year. I am so psyched! I have been watching videos like this to get ideas and inspiration. I'm gonna be working in film and tv while living in the van and I also want to get better at KZbin. Thank you for listing your camera gear and equipment. Thats actually so so helpful and I really appreciate the extra time you took to do so! Cheers!

[@JaYoeNation]

Spray bottle! Love it

[@TheColleen39]

Great info... We are new at this so appreciate your experience. The spray bottle for dishes is a must for me & we will for sure have a magnet box ( attached to the under carriage) for a Van key. Van-on XX

[@rhondakeown564]

Super practical tips! Thank you, Scott... you rock!

[@supriyashanti9880]

Thank you for these great tips!

[@VanlifeWonder]

great hacks! Love them

[@OtravelgirlO]

Wow! Fantastic List! Like. This. Video. ✌️

[@paulandrews7573]

I like that this list has different things than all the others, 8 things I haven't seen on other vids

[@cpw8191]

--practical suggestions. This was among the best of these types of videos that I've seen today.

[@scottadamson6116]

Glad you liked it!

[@rose8662]

Loved this! 💖 Thanks so much!

[@scottadamson6116]

You're so welcome!

[@ch.7763]

Great tips thanks ... I had to laugh when you say extra key we had this experience too 😅 yes it’s very important

[@OldExodus]

Wow……these tips were great! I had to take notes. Great information by the way so I had to subscribe

[@vita-girl4345]

Great suggestions, thanks!

[@scottadamson6116]

My pleasure!

[@torriebrown9607]

Thank you ty I learning

[@BillyEconomou]

Great Job!!

[@scottadamson6116]

Thanks! How are things going!?

[@12vLife]

I've carried way too many tools in my small van.. been slowly downsizing. Recently downsized my 12v freezer to 15L which seems tiny, but it seems to work now that I'm vegan and have cut out sugar. I'm willing to go shopping once a week. One challenge I have is keeping tommotoes fresh, but not frozen or mushy.

[@lukepocock]

u say tommotoes......

[@johntatman9168]

We wipe the dishes clean with a wet paper towel and then spray the dishes with a vinegar and water 50% solution and dry.

[@scottadamson6116]

Thats a good idea.... Id be lying if I didnt say that sometimes Ellie is my pre wash.

[@johntatman9168]

@@scottadamson6116 Our dog Pearl serves the same purposr. :)

[@swetha2244]

Thankyou

[@lolalola201]

can you do a video dedicated to recovery gear and then on for the tools you mentioned?

[@scottadamson6116]

Yeah I will put that together once Im done with the current build!

[@atoothlessdragon]

1:09 #1 Aeropress for coffee (routine nice, coffee lovers) 1:54 #2 Headlamp (not just hiking, good to have hands free light at night) 2:41 #3 Squirt Bottle (dishes, save water) 3:28 #4 Wet Wipes/Moist Toilettes (hygiene) 4:03 #5 Ear Plugs (sound, obviously) 4:54 #6 Spare Key (dumb people no have 🗿, hide somewhere outside van) 6:22 #7 Grip Strength Trainer (? Personal preference, something to occupy while driving “keeps blood flowing” - my man, if you’re blood stops flowing you die. I kid) 6:54 #8 Pedal Box (reduces lag of accelerator/gas pedal, zoom zoom hack) 7:58 #9 Good Set of Tools + Jack (troubleshooting, DIY) 8:36 #10 Recovery Gear (Max tracks, shovel, air compressor, tire chains, toe strap; recommends know how to use) 9:43 #10+1 Small Broom+Dustpan & Hand Vacuum (clean out sand, dust, vacuum for dog hair) 10:14 #10+2 Hammock (calls “Spare Bedroom,” if people come can rig in van)

[@jemme8468]

You da MAN!

[@bloochoob]

Silicone putty earplugs are best, custom fit your own ears 👂

[@hfortenberry]

This is a good list but I don’t know what everything was. Pictures of the stuff you mentioned would be very helpful. I would have really appreciated the recovery gear especially.

[@danthelambboy]

Headlamp with removable rechargeable batteries is best. It will last way longer and we can just use rechargeable batteries

[@scottadamson6116]

👌

[@raydeal5777]

for my van I have a spare key it's in a velcro thin key holder under my rear license plate on my back door and a key for my gas cap is in that as well fits perfectly

[@jamesszumiloski9522]

Where do you live?

[@JesusSaves3-16]

How about cheap dollar tree plastic/foam dishes/ cutlery/ styrofoam cups etc.. a pack of 40 cups at dollar tree is.... a dollar.. some things you dont go cheap on.. tools is one of them. Great vid bro.. GodBless

[@quintonbuttars7381]

That's literally the worst thing to do, first of all a waste of money and probably end up being more than buying a reusable plate bowl/cup. Secondly it's just unnecessary rubbish that'll end up in the ocean or somewhere it's not supposed to be. Why would not buy a reusable bowl/plate and cups and also a spork etc it'll take up less space. No waste/better for the planet and be cheaper in the long run

[@mikeburdick927]

Geta black diamond recharging headlight mine is 3+ years old of heavy use and still will light all night if necessary (8hrs)

[@strawberryroad1347]

Never heard of a pedal box before, have to Google, if it is possible to get for my 2005 Ford transit connect

[@raydeal5777]

highest Dawn dish soap for cleaning everything in a spray bottle best window cleaner ever if you don't is too much soap it does not streak. use for a steel wool clean your windshield aggressively with it clean the glass make sure of Dawn soap and water not very much soap learn to adjust the amount depending on container size and then two coats of concentrated Rain-X over that be amazed and how clean your glasses outside only with the steel wool

[@robbkevers]

Great stuff. Curious, for what situations are you using the air compressor?

[@scottadamson6116]

I do a lot of off roading on gravel roads and its a much smoother ride, Im also doing to use it for cleaning out the inside sand and pumping bike tires and stuff

[@craigmccall7450]

CO2 tanks are so sweet too. Mobile and (right now) fast.

[@Judygurl2]

I'm going to figure out how & where to hang a hammock in my van. Easier than dedicating space for a spare bed. Thanks!

[@scottadamson6116]

You bet! It works great.

[@ccriswell5]

Hi Scott! What is the brand of earplugs do you use? Thanks.

[@scottadamson6116]

I just got them off Amazon if you send me a quick email on our website ill dig up a link for you.

[@ginaesguerra9049]

Hi Scott, You have great ideas! Is you van guide have the all the information needed for a 144?

[@scottadamson6116]

Not yet!But Im slowly updating it

[@danzbeard]

Earplugs are clutch

[@Bang-C4]

Yay AeroPress

[@scottadamson6116]

The best road coffee.

[@peterpiper487]

I like the IDEA of an Aeropress but I never use plastic of any kind. Too bad they don't make a ceramic Aeropress with some sort of natural paper filter.

[@rocketsmall4547]

cold brew

[@nuttinelli]

How did you install hookups for your hammock in the van to support the weight?

[@scottadamson6116]

I use the roof rack outside on the rear and the grab handles above the front seats Ill try and put a quick video together.

[@skwishtopher]

@@scottadamson6116 yes I look forward to that video. Hammock is a game changer. Thank you 👍

[@skwishtopher]

I just realized how old this video is. 🤣🤣. Did you ever make that hammock video???

[@MANZANOADRIAN]

Coffee link aero press

[@Gramma-Bambi-Lynn]

Good info! Which hand vac do you use/recommend for dog hair?

[@scottadamson6116]

Its the bissel pet one it works great.

[@annecaulder9495]

It seems like I would do the dishes the opposite way and rinse with the spray bottle.

[@scottadamson6116]

Hi Anne some people even use the spray bottle for both.

[@lucyalderman422]

Get rechargeable batteries and charger

[@MiniatureChickenChannel]

😃😃 That stache reminds me of Super Troopers.....take it easy meow.

[@mralek15]

Putting a shower/toilet in your new build?

[@scottadamson6116]

Hi Tracey, yes I will be.

[@peterpiper487]

You boil hot water? Why not save the expense of making the water hot before you boil it and just boil cold water? I don't have a water heater so if I make hot water it HAS TO BE cold water that I boil.

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

In bear country you’ll want a portable electric fence around your campsite. Less than 2.5 lbs for huge peace of mind

[@michelleschweizer9000]

Do u still have the dog?

[@igorhiperactivo2446]

Pfff showers...

[@007nadineL]

*WHAT HAPPENED TO YR NOSE?* .

[@Kewchu]

Could of just listed these and saved us all 11mins