#VanLife

Since 2015 I've lived and traveled full time as a digital nomad in my 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia named Tantor. #VanLife has brought us adventure, challenge, epic vistas, frozen nights, a few breakdowns, and enough good stories to last a lifetime. Living in a van ain't always easy, but it's definitely worth it! This is our story.
www.ChrisTarzanClemens.com

[@TheTeasfamily]

Carolyn here ...1984 Westy with over 400,000 miles before the speedometer broke. I married a man over 25 years ago and my #1 "husband choosing" criteria was that he be mechanically minded and agree to faithfully keep my van running. God bless my husband, he has never let me down. I picked a good one.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Sounds like you got a great van, and an even better husband! Cheers!

[@918Boppa]

Chris... your attitude and style are unique among the van life community. I like your independence and perspective. You seem grounded yet so inquisitive. Holy #@&*, you’re me... except much younger. I just turned 65, living in Southeast Asia, and returning to America later this year with no agenda - only to continue the adventure. Happy trails to you! (side note- I’m a lifelong PBR and JD fan... I mean consumer... I mean admirer)

[@hug5480]

Gary Condon I’m only 16 but just reading your comment gives me some joy. Not sure why but I’m happy. I really am. Happiness

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Funny thing is now I spend a lot more time in Southeast Asia although I still go back and travel around in my current rig, a truck camper. I'm not sure why, but I always feel best when I'm on the move! Cheers!

[@gramoukdoom]

Simple and authentic. The real van life. No 70k$ syncros, no tight ass chicks in undies, no insane drone films, instagram crap. Just a man, german steel and a cold one. Ride on buddy!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! The Sprinters are pretty sweet, but I've learned that I don't need much to be happy in life! Cheers!

[@my_name_is_betty283]

You don't choose the van life. The van life chooses you

[@stepzyt3889]

Betty I disagree. Unless this post was written on Opposite Day.

[@Thistlefootbard]

YES I Agree, ik it's in the process of choosing me

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Totally agree. Cheers!!!

[@garrickjohnson9238]

Thanks for sharing your story. Keep on being you.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!

[@mxmvrnn]

you opened the beer with help door lock, its amazing

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Easiest way to do it!

[@chancesareshewears]

the sliding door is heaven for flies and mosquito alike

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, sometimes it was a bummer, but I loved hanging out in places without bugs and having it wide open! Cheers!

[@fenoveto]

great start with beer :D

[@jameshargroder7090]

Yeahh ESPECIALLY PBR, THATS MY GO TO JEEP/JEEP WORKSHOP BEER, I USU5ONLY BUY CANS, BUT NOW I GOTTA SWITCH TO PBR BOTTLES, THE BOTTLE BEER ALWAYS TASTE BETTER!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, thank you! Cheers!!!

[@ngangbamgovindassingh2510]

You are doing my dream ✌️

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sebsantabarbaratravel]

Awesome van and awesome lifestyle. It’s ace to see how others live the Vanlife around the world, and you’ve made such a nice tiny home for yourself. Self sufficient lifestyles are the way forward. Thanks for sharing!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I definitely enjoy owning less and living mobile! Cheers!

[@jameshargroder7090]

TRULY A KIKASS STRESS FREE LIFESTYLE, AND THE BEST PART BOUT IT U CAN ALWAYS HOMESTEAD IN A FRIEND/FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY, CHILL out and visit, and cook, and hang out, QUALITY TIME, AND THEN GO CRAWL IN YOUR VAN BED, without them having to go through any trouble are out of their way, are daily routine to accommodate You, that's TRULY UNIQUE AND AWESOME, I mean for regular working couples with small kids a house guest could cause them more work in there already stressful routine but You being self sufficient is SUPER KOOL, ALLZ U NEED IS A LIL DRIVEWAY/STREET CURB SPACE!! AND U r GOOD TO GO!!

[@paulchristiansen8515]

you're living the dream of the moment and that's cool

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!!!

[@derricktremblay5603]

Excellent 👌

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Gdariovg]

Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼 I have a combi 1993 and in 3 weeks start the trip of life 🥰

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's fantastic! Have an awesome adVANture!!! Cheers!

[@yahyajean]

One of the smartest van person comments about van life.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I absolutely love living in vehicles, owning less, and not being tied to one place, but there are lots of challenges that social media doesn't really show. But for me, personally it's all worth it! Cheers!

[@yahyajean]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens Thank you for answering me. I personally downgraded and simplified my life moving from Expensive NY to Morocco where my rent for a small home is only $250/month and this gives me a lot of opportunities to travel and do many things more important for me than just working to pay bills. I am able to include in my budget at least one trip back to the US about every 6 months. I work remotely online and this is perfect. I get a lot of inspiration for many van life videos and tiny homes about simplification and else; but as you said, some people are just doing this for business obviously (when someone has about 1 million views you know they make good money haha) nothing wrong to make money of course but they are definitely less "genuine" for me. Hope it does make sense.

[@richardhudak685]

I LIVED IN MY 1970VW POP TOP CAMPER BUS FOT 3 YEARS LOTS OF MEMORIES I WISH I STILL HAD IT

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! I've since moved into a truck camper, which I really do enjoy, but I still miss the VW van!!!

[@lonecrazyasian]

Anyone who finishes the AT trail is a badass

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, that was definitely an epic hike!!!

[@penguinchick6563]

I live in a van and pay peanuts to stay in a coworkers driveway, while still working 40 hours a weekbb saves about $1500 a month. 👍🐧

[@jameshargroder7090]

Damn That is JUST SOO DAMN SMART, I COULD DEF GET BEHIND THAT!!! SUPERKOOL AND NO RESTRAINTS, MAN IAM JEALOUS AND GLAD FOR U!!!

[@blackl1steddrums]

Yes but not everyone is as smart as you! Keep going, keep saving 👍

[@penguinchick6563]

@@blackl1steddrums 5 years in...now $250 a mouth!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yes! Definitely can save lots of money! Cheers!!!

[@user-eo6bk9sg5y]

Good video

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@Aiden-0915]

Wow living the life

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Trying to fit as much fun stuff in as I can! Cheers!

[@Mr._.BrandonMovie]

Woah that bed is the best part :D

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

The Westy really is the ideal setup for camping! Cheers!

[@alankinsella4249]

Class life style Chris, I'm getting inspired here in Ireland to follow suit

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Hope to see you out on the open road someday soon! Cheers!

[@alankinsella4249]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens love to brother, I'm going to be in Ohio for a month paragliding and kayaking

[@johncarlson6876]

Great video Chris! I just bought a 85 Westfalia a month ago. I'm looking forward to bouncing up and down the west cost with it.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! I loved my VW van, just a perfect setup for getting out and expoloring. The only reason I sold it is I wanted to get more off road, remote adventures, so I switched to a 4x4 pickup, but the VW van is just so perfect! Cheers and have fun!!!

[@XCTERRA]

Love that mechanic's bottle holder!!! :) Be safe you two.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@millsman19]

Great story Chris, nearing my dream as well to spend time in my Blue Westy I call Newman. Home is where you park it!

[@josejuca9228]

O

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! That's awesome!!!

[@brennentope]

I saw your van at a rest stop in Nov. 2016 in MI while on my way to Detroit. I snapped a few pics, and waited a few minutes but didn't see the owner. I had just bought my third VW van at the beginning of that year and was slowly fixing and modifying it to travel full time after I finished my second year of community college. Things happen but now two years later I should be going full time this upcoming fall. Not sure how long I'll actually do it for but its something I've wanted to do for years and I'm glad I'm finally doing it.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! The van was great, I definitely enjoyed 3 years in it crisscrossing the United States. I miss it now, but the old Tacoma 4x4 I live in now is getting me off the pavement and into the wilderness a lot more. Good luck with your adVANture!

[@chargermopar]

This makes me want to revive my 1972 Blue Bird bus I converted to run on wood.

[@angryfootball6241]

Dude that sounds sick

[@bahamasking2063]

Your bus runs on wood

[@chargermopar]

@@bahamasking2063 Yes I had one with a wood gas generator. It is still sitting around but has not run since 2005

[@bahamasking2063]

chargermopar The engine uses wood as the fuel?

[@chargermopar]

@@bahamasking2063 Yes the wood is heated to form a gas that is mixed with air and burned in the engine.

[@dlight1999]

Awesome

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@robertogzalez]

That’s A lot of buzz my friend!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!

[@kenkliu]

Very nice video. I really enjoyed watching it. I’m spending so much time with my grandparents right now. It’s awesome.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yes man, you cannot go wrong spending time with family. One of the best decisions ever... Cheers!

[@ed389]

Hey Chris. Met you at BBB in 2017. We were a few spots down. Cool video and hooe you have many more adventures.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome Ed! I haven't been back to BBB since, and I don't have a VW van now, but I'd like to attend again, lots of great people there!!!

[@ed389]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens . We still have the Vanagon. I actually put a Subaru 6 cylinder in it and a 5 spd trans.

[@JordanTomasone]

Living in the slow lane, is the only way to live 🤙

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah! Totally agree!!!

[@MRsin084]

Very cool man..😎

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DanVaderX]

2:08 escudo beer and clos de pirque wine. Great choices.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, yup, can't go wrong! Cheers!

[@darius2640]

I reckognise those wheels they are standart wheels from a mercedes, something like w124 or w140

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, I'm not exactly sure which Mercedes wheels they are, but they fit great with the old Vanagons!

[@CalDempsey]

Lovin the astroturf!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, ha, wanted to bring the outside in!!!

[@jonathancarlos1425]

7:52 I call dibs on tantor!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, Tantor was a great van!!!

[@PaolaMartinez-yz9yq]

Love this video!! Just subscribed!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@luispimienta7915]

👋saludos de Guadalajara México.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Gracias!

[@alejandrocano88]

at 2:03 looks like Colombia but I dont know where exactly

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I think that was actually in Quito, Ecuador!

[@peytonsalisbury2292]

Me and my bf lived in a minivan for 5 weeks.... There's no privacy, it's a small amount of space and you don't have a bathroom.. but at the end of the day, I loved the experience and the freedom that living in a van brought us but the vanlife that's protrayed on social media isn't always the truth lol

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That’s awesome Peyton! Ha, yeah, it’s easy to make VanLife look glamorous on social media. I’ve always tried to be pretty transparent about the realities of living in a vehicle. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I absolutely love the trade offs! Also, I actually did live with a past girlfriend for 6+ months in a Honda Element, and believe it or not, living virtually on top of each other in such a small space wasn’t the reason we broke up! Ha, but I do enjoy having my own space now in my renovated truck camper. Cheers!

[@carlosz7208]

You gave me a brief sliver of hope that I could open a beer with my VW bus. No dice, my slider is different. I’ll keep looking. What do you anchor your hammock to on the van? Cool van and videos dude!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks Carlos! When I hung the hammock I just strung it to the rear bracket of the pop top. Maybe not the best place, but it seemed to work!

[@grumpyoldman3458]

+ Carlos Z Try the latch on the cab door, it worked on my LDV.

[@nisara2510]

2:09 Chile!!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup! I miss boxes of Clos and bottles of Escudo!!!

[@toes1965]

Cool video and looks like youre having a great time. What do you do for income? Do you work regular and save and then take off for a couple months?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! Yup, life is pretty good! I work freelance marketing, I have a few clients in the industrial bakery equipment industry and I manage their websites, marketing programs, trade show prep, photos, videos, brochures, and social media. I can work from anywhere I can find a WiFi connection, so that gives me a chance to travel full time! Cheers!

can you share with me about pat's chair to bed infomartion . please

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks, I'm not sure what your question is, everything is original in the old Westfalia campervan, so the seat to bed configuration is stock and the same on all old Westfalia vans.

@@ChrisTarzanClemens wow thank you

[@livios7587]

Hi Chris, congratulations for the video. can I ask you where did you buy the red sheet? Thanks bye

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Do you mean the red canvas around the pop top? I'm not sure about that, the previous owner had installed the new canvas, but check websites like VanCafe or GoWesty.

[@jasonyoung5913]

Does anybody know how much a van cost like this to purchase

[@David-ry5il]

all depends on the condition for this Van in current condition around $18,000. A warning if you do not like to fix cars/learn to fix cars or have the cash to pay someone these Vans might not be a perfect choice. There is a reason just about every Vanagon owner has AAA ..

[@my_name_is_betty283]

My van is a 1985 and I got it for 800$ back in high school. Put a new engine in it and it is like new again

[@frankiepitt9135]

Look for one

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Can be a wide price range, but totally worth it!!!

[@themannamedjack]

Hey man howd you get the stuff on the roof?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

With the top down I could normally stand on the rear wheel, or the bench seat with the door open and access the roof box. I actually had a collapsable ladder in the van too, but didn't use it very often. Cheers!

[@themannamedjack]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens thanks for the reply man. I’m looking at buying a vw soon and you have given me some great ideas!! Stay healthy

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@themannamedjack Awesome, good luck and have fun! VW vans are the best!!!

[@teknikkemal07]

😲😲😀😀👍

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, cheers!

[@arekk6470]

Tarzan in Tantor? What Disney movie is it

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I think Tantor is in all the animated films. Cheers!

[@leilal8053]

Nice....4me a TOILET is paramount. but that is an easy addition....😉

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, yup, having a bathroom would be pretty nice!

[@andreasdahl717]

Pabst and Jack :D

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I work while traveling, mostly online work building websites and helping with B2B marketing programs. Cheers!

[@WHIZZER86]

Can anyone tell me what the wheels are called on this van?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

They are the EUROPEAN-LOOK ALLOY WHEELS from VanCafe.com : vancafe.com/16-european-look-alloy-black/

[@WHIZZER86]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens European wheels? I’m in the UK & can’t find them anywhere 😳

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@WHIZZER86 I think that's just the name of them. If I remember correctly they're nearly the same as some Mercedes wheels, but it's been a few years since I had them...

[@WHIZZER86]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens cheers Chris 🍻

[@webuser5950]

If you ever sell the van let me know

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Dakota, it's for sale right now, in Southern California.

[@walterwhite7279]

Why do you have MERCEDES e Wheel on vw

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I think those Mercedes wheels are the perfect fit for the old VW Vanagaons. I've seen a lot of them out there!

[@achmadmarendes]

Subbed Greetings from Jakarta

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@stefanghica87]

How do you find Blm lands?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Stefan, the VanLife is definitely worth it! Over the years I've gotten better at finding free camping, but the easiest place to start is probably with an app called iOverlander. There are lots of free campsites listed there. Also, searching for "forest service road" on Google Maps works well, and BLM.gov can show you BLM per state or region. Good luck and have fun!

[@pattmanns8767]

Jaja wn algún otro chileno que vio el cartón de clos y su tonta escudo retornable?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Clos is the best! Salud!

[@ahgridbhek3482]

광고 안 붙여서 좋네 넌 구독이다

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

I don't think most of these people live in the air mattress full time and it's bull crap it's all part time and they come they have houses to go to

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, I do think there's a lot of people with both. I don't have my own house but I do spend about half the year with the vehicle parked and I travel in Asia or South America, so I do end up living indoors a lot too. But, it's still a lot of fun!

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens I live better Both Worlds I do both I live alternatively part-time and I have a base but I plan to buy a piece of land. .but living alternative is awesome. .it's a cheap away today..

[@nurulradhiatulafizaramli6255]

I would like to be your passenger side i wish

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Hey, cheers!

[@ynwgang3633]

60th

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Cheers!

[@KysDawn]

Apple-at-chin

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, yup!

[@p3yotlwilliamisi]

So you don't have respect for the people who drive and park on the parking where you took your shower?! Poor Attitude!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I'm not exactly sure that I understand your statement, but, thank you for watching my video!

[@davidliftsheavycircles]

JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT!!! AND I WANT TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY READ ALL OF THIS OPPOSED TO JUST WRITING SOMETHING ANGRY BACK AFTER GLANCING AT THE FIRST LINE! I BET MOST WONT, AND WE WILL KNOW

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@noelherns7965]

Dangerous

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, its an addicting lifestyle!