She Built Her Dream Tiny Home on Wheels - Solo Female Van Life

Her Social Media Links:
Her Instagram - / everywhere_with_claire
Her Website - everywherewithclaire.com/links/
Interested In Being Featured On The Channel? : bit.ly/Tour-Application
VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
Join Claire on an exciting journey as she shares her experience of transforming a simple van into a cozy and functional tiny home on wheels. In this video, Claire takes viewers through every step of her van build, from the initial idea sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic to the final, beautiful result.
Meet Claire!
In 2020, as Claire social life dwindled, she found herself with the time and motivation to embark on a unique project: building her dream van. What she thought would take three months ended up being an incredible year-and-a-half adventure full of learning, challenges, and rewarding moments.
Welcome to Claire's Kitchen!
Claire knew she wanted ample counter space and a sink that wasn’t in front of the door. The kitchen features a unique countertop made from a plank of wood found in her dad’s barn, an upright refrigerator perfectly fitting next to the wheel well, and cleverly designed drawers for maximum storage. Claire opted for a camp stove initially but made sure her drawers were wide enough to retrofit an oven if needed.
Living Room Comfort
The living room, located opposite the slider door, provides a space for Claire to work and relax. The pull-out bed, additional open storage, and custom shelves ensure everything has its place. The aftermarket window with a pull-down blind adds a touch of privacy and convenience.
Functional Shower and Toilet Room
The shower and toilet room, while mostly used for storage, features an RFP waterproofed shower and a highly efficient Airhead composting toilet. The practical design reflects Claire's commitment to maintaining a sustainable lifestyle on the road.
Garage and Electrical Systems
Underneath the bed, Claire installed large drawers on 500 lb slides, providing storage for her outdoor gear and essentials. Her van is equipped with 400 watts of solar power, 400 amp hours of lithium batteries, and a 3,000-watt inverter, ensuring she can run all necessary appliances comfortably.
Travel and Community
Originally from Upstate New York, Claire's desire to explore led her to Raleigh, North Carolina, and eventually to life on the road. Over three years, she built a community of fellow travelers, finding a sense of belonging and support.
Cozy Bedroom
The bedroom area, designed initially as a dinette, now serves as Claire's cozy sleeping space. The queen-sized bed, additional storage, and thoughtful touches like a clothesline for drying clothes make it both functional and comfortable.
Living Tiny, Traveling Big
Claire's journey emphasizes living tiny to travel big. By reducing living expenses, she maximizes her ability to explore and enjoy life. She continues to share her experiences and tips on her website and Instagram.
Shot & Edited By - / brian_bear_butler
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[@everywherewithclaire]

What an honor to be featured! Thanks for sharing my van build

[@TinyHomeTours]

Thanks so much for filming with us! We greatly appreciate it!

[@leslieobrien4690]

Really L❤VE how you arranged your floor plan and cabinets. The best use of available space I’ve ever seen!

[@meridethhendry5733]

Beautiful van. Very well built and planned.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

Well done! I like how you kept everything simple. I'm amazed that you built it yourself! In 2014, I bought a 2003 22' Winnebago Rialta for $35,000, picked it up in CA and drove it home, cross-country. Only took 2 days driving and 1 night boondocking to fall in love, and I still love it in 2024. I prefer to have propane onboard. I don't live in it, but I take 3 month-long trips/yr plus shorter campouts closer to home. I would have done more, but I had 3 small grandbabies. I lived in it for 2 months in Florida last winter, and it was hard to come back home to all this stuff! I had a 38' sailboat earlier, and I lived on it for 3 years after I became a widow. I was a tent camper in CO until age 61. Cozy is good! God bless you!

[@carolemmwilliams-UK]

Wow! What a fantastic Tiny Home Van. Every detail has been well planned Well Done, Clare 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@rebeccacartier153]

It’s really hard to pay attention to the van story, when the cutest dog is lying belly up behind her living its best sunbathing life.

[@LucariosTrainer]

My thumb was in the way, I didn't even notice the dog 😂

[@JustAGalAndHerDog]

I noticed that same cuteness shot

[@marywatkins9438]

This is a lovely van. I confess that the $70,000 price tag is a little rich for my blood. But, you do get what you pay for. I’m sure you’ve gotten your money’s worth. And you have the peace of mind knowing that the components are quality and will last. You have a beautiful furry travel companion, btw.❤

[@van_trippin5260]

It is very nice, but not 25k nice! Guess tradesmen charge a lot over there?!

[@everywherewithclaire]

@@van_trippin5260 it was self built, so no labor cost. That's just the cost of the materials. You should look into what windows, AC units and lithium ion batteries cost!

[@juliamaxwellmarin]

This is an absolutely beautiful build...thank you for sharing it.

[@thepandemicdiva3369]

Your build is very well thought out. Congratulations!

[@joeythenomad]

Those DIY modifications definitely keep van life interesting, awesome that you were able to use old wood and adjust as needed.

[@everywherewithclaire]

Thanks! I love having that wood countertop - makes me think of my dad

[@elainelipscomb1476]

I use tension curtain rods in my cupboards.great to keep things in place

[@JustAGalAndHerDog]

Love how bright and authentic it is

[@rogertemple7193]

This is another awesome tiny house on wheels and i like how she fixed it all up on the inside it is really amazing how good it looks thank you again for an awesome home on wheels have a wonderful week.🇺🇲🚌🚐🇺🇲

[@user-js4xl9nv8r]

Your build is absolutely beautiful, well thought of and bright and airy. Love that you have your dog with you. Safe travels. Heather 🇨🇦

[@freedomontheloose]

Awesome set up, Great Job!

[@bethgreen5587]

Wow. Great job. You are inspiring

[@purelightlove8888]

Love it 💓 Nice Job…!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌎 FUN!!

[@bonriver9420]

Beautiful van build. Everything is so organized and pretty.

[@marcellaorourke8997]

This is the van of my dreams! Great job on the build. I will watch this over and over for sure!

[@ann66pearson4]

You did a great design job and build. So glad you're enjoying your travels.

[@aletheasmith1013]

Love your Tiny Home Van❤ it’s perfect 👍🏽

[@1981pjt]

Someday I'll have a van or a enclosed trailer turned into a camper ❤❤❤ just gotta understand all the solar stuff just seems really confusing to me

[@Cloudwanderervanlife]

Great looking van! Working on my build now. Very basic compared to this😢

[@communispider4643]

So clean and looks very comfortable

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

I am proud of you and your courage in pursuing this kind of life. ✨✨

[@thereseshine7506]

I'm very impressed by your building abilities! I love your van! It's airy and sleek. I'm not sure why vanlifers don't use their showers, though. Thank you for the tour!

[@everywherewithclaire]

Thank you! I don't use the shower because I generally find it's more annoying to constantly find places to fill my fresh water tank than to pop in for a quick shower. Plus, if I shower at gyms I can use unlimited hot water but if I shower in the van it's water on/off to conserve the limited amount in my tank- it's just not as satisfying :)

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

I have an indoor and an outdoor shower, and it is easier to shower outdoors in my bathing suit, just like my sailboat's deck shower. If I'm boondocking or have to be indoors, I prefer to wash up using a warm, wet washcloth to conserve water. But most of the time, I'm using a campground shower.

[@joanneganon7157]

Very well done, bright and light! Happy Trails 🎉 JO JO IN VT 💞

[@GlampingGurl]

Great design and use of space!

[@larrydarnellfilmandvideoll6226]

Beautifully done, thank you for sharing so many details as it makes it that much easier for others and saves us time during our process

[@hollyvick181]

Amazing van!

[@therealkingofspadesvlogs856]

That's amazing I love your videos keep up the good work

[@jillychurch5514]

Fabulous design!! Well done you 🎉🎉

[@beebuffalo1582]

Beautiful van build, great job. Enjoy and safe travels👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

[@itoldyouso2137]

Love your setup 🔥🔥

[@equinevoicesuk]

I have your globe lights! I love them but mine hangs around a large mirror and unit . Well done on your home :)

[@raylenetatum8185]

Beautiful build. Love it!!!!

[@barbarawilliams236]

Love love love your van set up ❣️❣️❣️

[@tammycruz8189]

What a Gorgeous Build

[@melbawoods6513]

I love your home 🏡

[@jerimow8400]

Great job!

[@joyhobbs5431]

nice!

[@plauditecives]

Well done you! Love your story. You are very well spoken. You must work in communications. I love the views from your windows. Makes me feel so nostalgic for that type of travel. Wish I had done it when I was younger, but raised in a family where caution was the everyday mantra. I live vicariously through good souls like you.

[@harriethunter8910]

Van looks wonderful. Warm greetings from Australia.

[@user-qb8ip2jj9z]

ME GUSTA TU CASA❤

[@VirginiaBarber-nv9hj]

Well-done!!!

[@Sheilah_LucasGraphics]

Beautiful Van!!! ❤

[@bee-anca236]

Wow this is an amazing build!!!!

[@rhondamckinley4373]

Thank you!

[@equinevoicesuk]

Just noticed your dog in the background lol

[@davidbraxton6600]

THIS IS REALLY COOL BUILD 😎

[@andreamantovani5354]

Excellent build

[@user-zk9de2hz6l]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gretavains8707]

Boy, oh boy. you did well on build. I just lost my little dog one week ago. I just kept focusing on your beautiful dog. However congratulations on your build😊

[@everywherewithclaire]

I’m so sorry for your loss 😢 sending you peace

[@gretavains8707]

@@everywherewithclaire thank you very much

[@audreyheart2180]

💜💜💜

[@Chelsea-zj5lx]

First one her ❤🎉

[@loserbvtch561]

the couch and the drawer is like a coffin huhu,

[@westonpekar94]

It was so hard to pay attention cuz you're so beautiful❤

[@vanhuynh9341]

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@reginayoung8130]

Beautiful van. How much would a solar system like you have cost roughly?

[@everywherewithclaire]

The panels are about $100 each (x4), the batteries run $800-$1000 each (x4), and the inverter was about another $1000. There's a few hundred more for the wiring and fuse/circuit breakers. All in I think it landed somewhere around $6,500 for materials. Of course, you could get away with fewer batteries and save some money!

[@user-eq8ug2oy2s]

Love it! One of the most attractive vans I’ve seen. Curious. If you don’t use the shower, where do you shower? The outside one, or do you have an apartment or something?

[@everywherewithclaire]

Usually at planet fitness or campgrounds! There surprisingly easy to find and about $5 per use (but I pay $25/mo which gets me into every planet fitness across the country)

[@totot99]

I swear I've seen that other woman from a different tiny house/van (can't remember which) video. Who is she?

[@user-xq4zu1sq6b]

سلام خسته نباشی ❤🍀🌺🍀

[@SteveFontaine99]

Beautiful space! Im an indoor air quality expert and can assist with any concerns you have.

[@CynthiaWithLove]

Where does she shower then?

[@hollyvick181]

So, where do you shower?

[@everywherewithclaire]

Mostly Planet Fitness, campgrounds, local rec centers etc. They almost all have $5-7 day passes and private showers

[@spzzz556]

What’s her KZbin channel?

[@everywherewithclaire]

Right here!

[@janeburton7647]

Hi - Very interesting Van build story! Appreciate your sharing it with us. 🏕🏕

[@helpthepoor7043]

❤❤hello

[@janeburton7647]

@@helpthepoor7043 Hi 😊

[@keithr2203]

Someone please help me understand…. How do people like this and young people like this have the 70 grand to spend on a little vehicle and drive around and pay to park and live in 30 ft.² for years? I like the Idea, but day to day, hour to hour, safe places to stay every night of there lives. Who has $70,000 laying around before they even start moving this vehicle ?? Some these big sis is using the bathroom or taking a shower is an arduous task every day as compared to living in a small apartment or a small home… I wanna understand this because it sounds fun but when you have a job to go to every day and you come up to live in a little van with 30 ft.² or 20 ft.² people go nuts did you can’t even walk around in it you gotta sit in the same spot Dan and day out. I get the upside you have some freedoms, but let’s be real I mean like every day real.

[@TinyHomeTours]

Thanks to remote work, seasonal jobs, and the affordability of the lifestyle many young people have the freedom to choose nomadic life as opposed to a traditional lifestyle.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

Everyday real is you need to be personally suited to being in a cozy space and really loving it. As a senior with lifetime pass, National Parks are half price, but each one has a camping limit. I've found lots of free camping spots in many states over the years using a camping app. I've never stayed in a parking lot of any kind. I'm not out driving every day. I really prefer a very simple life. I make my own food, which keeps costs down. My used 22' Winnebago camper van cost $35,000.

[@everywherewithclaire]

I bet you sit in the same spot on your couch every day 😉 it’s not that different. Spend more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder while not increasing your cost of living and voila! You have assets and investments that pay bills. It doesn’t happen overnight but the idea that young people can’t be smart with money is sad and misinformed. PS. It’s 90sf 😂