Van Life Must Haves - Products that make Camper Van Living Easier | Adventure in a Backpack

[@EXPLORISTlife]

List of All Products & Where to Buy: kit.com/AdventureInABackpack/vanlife

[@brucejarvis5461]

Adventure in a Backpacker with

[@morganelliott8626]

Hey I can't get this link to open up, did you take it down?

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

Thank you, both! Tasteful. Relevant. Intelligent. Fun, Subscribed.

[@allenshorter]

Several of your items on this kit site are now broken links at amazon. Might want to cruise through all of them to check. Great video! I am going full-time RV with my family soon, but learning a ton from Vanlifers like you...where everything (space, weight, smell, etc...) is even more crucial.

[@markrigsby2107]

EXPLORIST life Great video

[@blackmanops3749]

After trying every new "miracle fabric" for over 40 years, I have come back to cotton and wool. They just work and work really, really well.

[@jimscheltema670]

The merino wool clothing was a great suggestion!

[@yellowroseoftexas2890]

You two play well off one another. Videos that are both informative & entertaining. As all ways, thank you for sharing.

[@precisiont5188]

I can tell you two have a great relationship.

[@Swimdeep]

Hands down most comprehensive list of must-haves I’ve found on KZbin. Thank you so much for all the effort you’ve put into this video👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼✅

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad it was helpful!

[@lblampmanjr]

After decades of experience with alcohol stoves I would add some caveats. The burning fumes make some people sick -- me included. There is not as much energy in a given amount of alcohol (compared to propane, white gas, diesel, etc) so the flame burns cooler, depending on what you cook and where you are it can be something to be aware of. When lit, the flame is essentially invisible, you need keep that in mind anytime you've lit the stove, it's easy to forget if you get distracted (or for someone else around you to not know) that there's a flame burning and that can lead to injuries or "Oh goodness" moments. There are upsides to the alcohol stoves for sure (simplicity, being able to put the fire out with water, not having a fuel like propane to deal with, etc) but the choice does come with some downsides as well.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah, the fumes burn the eyes without proper ventilation...but that's just a reminder to open a vent! lol The lower cooking temps was an issue at first, but the more I cooked on it, the more I got used to it. Plus, the lower cooking temps makes it harder to burn something! Overall, definitely pretty happy with it!

[@chrisfry5874]

not sure if this was asked. What about an induction cooktop?

[@arekk6470]

Chris Fry check video

[@a64738]

Impossible to fry beef correctly on alcohol because it heats the room and not the pan and the beef end up getting cooked and not fried... But if works quite nicely to heat the room lol (used it in my sailboat when living in Tromsø Norway when it was so cold that the electric heating was slow to get the warm up and lit the two 2000w burners I had).

[@davidstanek6]

Amen to under armour sucking odor. When it first hit the market I could tell it was crap. Wool is the way to go.

[@AmosFernandesamos]

You guys are the cutest couple. I giggled along with you guys in this video. So thankful you guys are easy to watch and also learn.

[@pranxor5771]

Some good tips, thnx! Wool also transport moist/sweat and vaporates quicker than cotton/wool mix shirts. This is important for hikers etc in colder climates, as you are less likely to become sick, catch cold. Merino wool also do not itch as opposed to wool from most sheep races. Handwashing pure wool products is generally a better choice than machine washing as it will not damage the fibers as much. Use a mild wool detergent to keep the fibers soft and the shirts will keep their form and last longer.

[@holly3830]

You guys are so cute together! I really love your videos. Thanks for this one, love getting breakdowns of composting toilets, fridge, etc. currently working on the plan of my build so my amazon cart is full of things! Was missing toilet and fridge but I think I’m sold on what you have!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Oh! Two of the most important things! :D haha. :D Glad to know it helps!

[@pjt3887]

I agree, I'm to old to be setting on a bucket. I need a shower and a toilet sink and kitchen with a queen size bed. How I'm going to fit it all that's the question. Good point about the stove. I was thinking about convection cook top. The ability to cook outside is smart keeps the cooking smell out of the van. Good tips.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

For sure! Thanks so much for watching!

[@SKWDMDYT]

Great tips, especially the wool. Don't recall, what do you do for heat inside the van when it gets cold? If you use propane heaters are you concerned about the water vapor issue? One other thing....without getting into excruciating detail, if you rub your hand in dirt, and all you do is use dry soap for cleanup, you have successfully killed the bacteria, but the dirt is still on your hand.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much! I LOVE our wool gear, obviously... lol We haven't had to deal with cold weather yet but will be installing an Espar heater before this winter. We won't go with a propane heater due to the condensation as you mentioned as well as having to have a vent open for the propane heater to operate safely. We will be talking about that a lot this winter I suspect... lol

[@stevecleans]

My fave vanlife channel. Awesome info. Cant wait to meet up with ya someday. Stop by if youre ever in Indiana

[@ericmarks6322]

Like the suggestion of the merino wool clothing. See no need for composting toilet though, a regular port a pottie or a 5 gal. bucket works fine.

[@gagemable]

If you get tired of those quick dry towels, as a swimmer a chamois was a must have. Tiny but very effective and won't stink if you leave it and of course, wring it out to dry and repeat is great.

[@Kayte...]

Chamois aren't harmful to the environment as is microfiber.

[@BradColemanisHere]

Another great video. It's good to know what's working well. A couple of questions pop to mind that are a bit off-topic but you mentioned wanting ideas for videos... First, do you ever get bored? Do you watch TV online or play games or watch sports or anything? Might seem mundane but I wonder. Second, do you see yourself taking a break from van life? I guess I wonder if you have a long term plan is. It's been 2 years but you're still doing new things which is awesome. Do you have certain places you want to travel and that's the goal, or do you have a time frame in mind? Does adding to your family come into play? Will you stay in warm climates in the winter or stay in a house? Also, my wife is one of those people I love being around. But I still wonder what it'd be like if she was the only person I saw day in and day out. Do you miss the interaction of friends and family, or was that not really a factor before you started this path? Love the videos! :)

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much! Rather than answer those here, I've added them to a "random questions" list we have going and will make another video over those. Thanks so much for the suggestions!

[@J1M0TEE]

Wow, rad questions man. I'd be very interested in the answers too. It's those kind of aspects of actually living in a small, mobile space with one other person that you don't often see videos on.

[@tommorelli5752]

How do you dispose of the toilet compost material when on the road? Bury it?

[@InvisibleCitizen]

We used a double alcohol stove on our both. They work great! We are thinking about changing our pp stove to alcohol. We want to change to a composting toilet but don’t know which on to get.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I am a HUGE fan of the Natures Head toilet: amzn.to/3jybAkj

[@SOCALOC4x4]

Hi all, I started a camper shell project for my truck. Figured I may as well make it a sleeper also. The problems I wonder about is security. Recently a friend had his 50k truck stolen built off road and camper to the max. Lost his mobile house probably in Mexico now when parked to eat in Oceanside California.......... What is the best protection for a mobile home other than a pit bull in the driver seat that can operate the AC ?

[@mange2]

Just a heads up about hand sanitizer, Please have a look for research conducted about bacteria on hands using sanitizer vs soap and water. I cant remember the specific study, but it showed that although sanitizer killed more bacteria on initial hand cleansing, within a short period of time, the sanitizer provided a breeding medium for bacteria, so increased bacterial growth was significantly higher and faster than after soap and water.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Would love to read the study. If you find it, send it over. :D

[@sjr7822]

I just read that. The nursing home thought that if they used the hand sanitizer they wouldn't have to wash their hands before and after attending residence, little did they know the bacterial was growing back. I just use the alcohol straight from the bottle with a sprayer head on it, spray a fine mist. I use it after shopping, after getting the mail, after many icky tasks like handling animal dishes, etc. very cheap and easy. I say I spray my hands after handling mail, because my mother use to come down with sever flu, and she had no contract with civilization, except through the mailbox.

[@carolstiver4652]

As a nurse, I can say that hand sanitizer is handy but modern infection control protocols always include hand washing, even after the use of gloves. The first rule is to remove the material that has soiled our hands. Bio-environmentally, we know that using chemicals when more conservative methods serve the purpose (e.g. nobody in the home is sick) is not good. I am glad to see that for bathing you are using a dampened washcloth with it which decreases the chemical concentration. Our skin is the first level of defense against infection and if alcohol derivatives are used continuously, our protective oils and ph are compromised.

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

Another nurse here, agreeing with the other nurse. Keep in mind that most chemicals put on skin will show up in your urine - within - seconds! There are generally natural alts to chems which cost a bit more sometimes, and perhaps involve a little more h2o use. Worth it. And ..... BTW, a couple of hrs in direct sun renders an item sterile. Army field training re personal hygiene protocol says if no bathing possible, get naked in sun for a few hrs every few days.!! Eg: A very little bit of baking soda dust applied to armpits alters the pH of local enviro so the local odor causing bugs don't grow. No hard to handle chemistry, eliminates nasty deodorant containers - costs < $2 year. Doubles as harmless abrasive for cleaning sinks, toilets, etc. Simple.

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

Suggest research on the alcohol use. Just sayin'.

[@philrusciano115]

so far you guys have figured out every step and I think the panels can be rigged to tilt. i would even consider hydraulic lifts sweet and smooth and a pain in the ass to structure and rig but fun. hydraulic from atomic fan could work. just a crazy thought from the asylum.by the way if you come buy take me with you please i am a great cook but somewhat quirky.

[@smeallo]

Thanks for the tips! I was always afraid of having a gas bomb in my Van. I love the dometic spirit stove. It cooks really fast and it's save. ;) From the experience so far I can only recommend it.

[@marvg8002]

awsome vid im thinking of living in a van not because i want to travel but bwcause i cant afford an apartment with disability income thanks for the info

[@EntropicRussian]

I am doing it to move and to save up for land. It's way easier to do it in town. You know where everything is.

[@laurakramer396]

I'm going to end up getting either a Promaster or a Class C. I can't afford rent anymore on disability pay and since there is no chance of returning to work I have to be able to live comfortably.

[@deandre1988]

Definitely definitely definitely, something something something... Really enjoyed the last half of the video, very good recommendations, unique. Never heard them before.

[@mmclaughlin006]

You two are awesome! I've been thinking of building a van out and this is by far my favorite channel for information. Keep up the great work!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much for the kind words! :D :D

[@zacharydavis1517]

What is your sink situation? how do you pump water to it and where does your gray water go?

[@Kayte...]

I know this is an old vid but I'm wondering which storage bins you are using for your clothes. I'd rather do something like this instead of cupboards. I've found some on Amazon but they look cheap and hate to purchase them without seeing them first. How have yours held up and if you like them, where did you get them/brand? Thanks

[@susandoyle263]

Very informative video - I subscribed and will be following you. Thanks so much for the recommendations - I just started a list of things to buy for my van. I hope to build it out next summer and be on the road 6 months later. I am a teacher and can't wait to retire and get rid of all my teacher clothes. I did buy a t-shirt and towel - might as well try them out now.

[@jamiylahseye8526]

You guys are such a beautiful couple. This is a very informative video so thanks I definitely appreciate you guys. Oh by the way, I am new subscriber so you will hear my little comments periodically. Again good stuff😃

[@will_5053]

What do you guys recommend for meal prep? What kinds of foods do you put in the fridge and generally how long does food last in the fridge. I know my aunt travels a lot snd she will dehydrate chilli and meals.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

For the most part, we cook things we can cook a big batch of, refrigerate, and eat for 3-5 days. Chili, tacos, breakfast scrambles and such. We don't go through the added effort of dehydrating things, just cooking them how we would if we were in a house. The food lasts the same amount of time in our fridge as it would in a normal fridge.

[@euphioquestion420]

Thanks for sharing. Have a question about the composting toilet, in regards to the slight smell is that when you're using the computer fan to exhaust air from the composting chamber?

[@marionsutcliffe1119]

How do you manage grey water smell? How does the air get out when the greywater goes in? Bleach down the drain? P-trap seems pointless if not externally vented. Smaller tank size?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We found that we just empty the grey water when it starts to smell, just like you would a trash can. No bleach as it's not very environmentally friendly. A little splash of vinegar is good to go, though!

[@lavernecarroll1195]

The material for your shirts, you said was some type of wool. Seems like it would be hot, I like the idea, although I like staying cool at the same time. I just found your channel, I am preparing for van life August of 2019.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Welcome aboard! It's merino wool and is not hot at all. Buy one and see if you like it but be careful, you'll want to replace your whole collection with them after the first one.

[@infamous7676]

Hey, your the solar dude from the other channel who helped me set up my solar kit! HI...

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey there! 😂

[@stevenbrehm]

Hi there love you guys southafrica

[@carpenterfamily6198]

I was a little surprised the Instant Pot wasn't mentioned. Do you still use it, or did it not workout for VanLife ?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We don't use it enough for it to be a 'game-changer'. Definitely a good thing to have, but not enough to make the list. Maybe it will make the 'wintertime' must have products list. :D

[@nickkirk3565]

Thanks for sharing all these videos. I'm working on a conversation myself and have gleaned many great ideas from your channel. I hear you on the 'leave no trace' with regards to him waste. I've been on the fence with the toilet as I have a smaller van and space is getting tight. I'm curious how often you empty the waste and where? Do you add anything to it like normal composting toilets such as lime or wood chips to keep the odor further contained? Thanks again!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We have to empty liquids once every 3 days or so. 95% of the time we are able find a toilet or an RV dump station to use. But in an emergency, it's not super detremental to empty the pee bucket on the ground given it's WELL away from campsites, water sources, etc. Solids is once every, like 4 months or so, but we typically try to find a bathroom for #2 when we can to limit needing to empty the solids container. We just use peat moss. No odor.

[@robiny1823]

Love your commitment to LNT! Good stuff - I just subscribed. Thanks!

[@mwilliamshs]

R Yee what is LNT?

[@deadtrungersoulmain8825]

Hey do you guys have a panda wool mattress just a suggestion because it does not absorb smell or sweat

[@twinklestar927]

Can you show me your cookware stuff I want one cook pot that does all the job, I hope

[@lynnhylton9182]

Hi - Where do you put your compost toilet set-up in a van? I have a conversion van & cannot find the space. I don't want it in the middle of my van or near the kitchen...where is yours? What do you suggest? Thanks -great video!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Ours is in the middle of the van near the kitchen. Not a lot of options with our setup but we're fine with it.

[@lynnhylton9182]

@@EXPLORISTlife Thanks much for you reply!

[@ShawnClaycomb]

That was great, I'm always concerned about safety!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much! :D We should be! :D

[@DannybFlat01]

Calm Cool and Collective, Thanks again! Nice video

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much! :D

[@dalekundtz4603]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@ellenbentley5033]

Wool is nonflammable fibert, insulative, longwearing. Acrylic, polyesters, etc. are very flammable. I saw a van build that used WOOL insulation and, of course, I didn't write down the name of the manufactuer.

[@kimberlyw.5712]

Ellen Bentley Check out Wayfarer Vans channel. They have a plug and play conversion kit for the Promaster and they use wool and denim material for insulation when they build out the "Walter" kit

[@DobbyandHarley]

How do you find the alcohol stove compared to a gas one while cooking, for example does cooking take longer? How easy is it to refill, what do you refill with and where to buy that from? I'm also concerned about having gas on board and think this is a great option that ive seen before but know very little about. There are a few models available, why did you choose the one you have over the others?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We like it. As it stands, we wouldn't go with any other option. Cooking takes a little bit longer, but it's pretty marginal. It gets refilled with denatured alcohol which can be bought anywhere that sells paint. We chose the one we did because it had good reviews.

[@theauthentict-rexclimber6596]

How much solar power do you have? What brand are they & the other equipment? Any issues???

[@theauthentict-rexclimber6596]

Also, how do you empty the composting toilet? Lifting weight is difficult for me, I am 4ft 6'' tall, so I have not yet found a toilet that I can lift to empty/clean.

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

Interesting video. Discovered merino wool few years ago. Icebreaker def expensive - some more affordable brands and expanded choices on the web. Helpful to understand the thought processes involved in decision making processes re your choices. Thanks for that and sources. Detail questions .... Curious about the healthiness of water jug materials - no brand mentioned so no research possible. Also left wanting more details on the stove - re performance, etc. VVVery definitely same re composting toilet which I need soon! . Suggestion hints:: Thanks. ! lol

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Will add them to the calendar!

[@traceymardon8161]

Have you had any problems with holes in your merino wool tops and socks?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Socks, no. Shirts, eventually... specifically on top of my belt buckle. Would I consider it a big problem, though? Maybe no considering the sheer volume of use it gets. Recently, I've been wearing the WoolX brand and it's a little thicker, so longevity may be a bit better.

[@traceymardon8161]

@@EXPLORISTlife Thanks for your quick reply! I thought perhaps it was the brand we buy from Costco which you certainly can't beat for price but I had the same thing happen with some Smartwool socks that I bought as a gift a few months before Christmas. I do find they last longer if I wash them with no zippers and after drying, I store them in a sealed Ziploc. a bit finicky but hopefully worth it.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

@@traceymardon8161 Ah, yes... I had that issue with smartwool. Perhaps try 'Farm to Feet' socks. 'Wigwam' socks are another brand we've had good success with.

[@CampervanCookout]

Great video. Thanks for taking time me to make it.

[@4GodsPeople]

Awesome helpful video thank you! I was wondering what the brand is your composting toilet?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem! It's a Natures Head: amzn.to/2APfy3r

[@precisiont5188]

Do you have a video about parking?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I don't! Good idea, though.

[@aubreythomas46]

Just one question: is it illegal for people to be laying in the bed in the van when it's driving? Or if you converted a school bus can people be sitting in the beds in their when it's driving?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

It's likely illegal, but that's a state-by-state law issue.

[@williamwatterson2499]

Where do you get your quick dry towels and wash cloths?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Here is a list of everything that was on the list, including the towels & wash cloths: kit.com/AdventureInABackpack/vanlife

[@EXPLORISTlife]

All of the products mentioned on the video can be found here: kit.com/AdventureInABackpack/vanlife

[@MikeThwaite]

Great video guys, some great insights! Love your van 😎👍

[@asiraky]

Solar *energy* system 😂. Love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Haha. There we go!

[@williamwatterson2499]

Do you have a link for your compost toilet, fridge and alcohol cook stove?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Sure do! It can all be found here: kit.com/AdventureInABackpack/vanlife

[@mommaceleste]

Thanks guys!!!! Great stuff

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

It's funny you say that because I bought a nice merino wool very lightweight sweater for my son, then saw when I got it home that it was dry clean only. I wonder if yours have a special treatment, or if it washing would work for this sweater? Do you have a link for it?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I don't know much about the sweater you bought in particular, but ours are not dry clean only. Most of our wool is from Icebreaker. You can find it on Amazon here: amzn.to/2PIYalw

[@lastfrontier_vanscapes5694]

another great video! thanks for all the insight

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching! :D

[@rob4631]

cool setup. ever considered that by collecting & boosting the radio frequencies into ur van ur basically cooking urself in a metal box? research into the molecular effects of rf is disturbing.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Have you ever considered that driving 70mph down the interstate may be slightly more dangerous than the molecular effects of rf? That's such a small scale worry that no, we don't consider it an issue.

[@rob4631]

driving is no doubt hazardous. “more” dangerous is relative & debatable. statistics can’t be used to compare until this new technology has been utilized on an adequate timescale. the absorption of rf is a 24/7 deal. it’s accumulative. all night while u sleep it is concentrated in that confined rebounding space. I think we'll find in time it is not so "small scale". regardless, i asked the question genuinely wondering if u were aware of the effects. i also intended to initiate dialogue for the benefit of any van lifers reading. i was not challenging or ridiculing you. your snarky & defensive response is surprising to me. as a fellow adventurer, i judged by ur videos that u would be cooler. we all have our moods. c’est la vie. be well

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Apologies. It's tough to detect tone through text and a lot of the times my snark and metaphor merge together. But to answer your question, yes, we've been made aware of it, but no, we don't really worry about it. Sure, we could turn it off at night while we are sleeping, but the other 18 hours of the day, it would be on as having internet signal is how we are able to sustain our income on the road, so there are few other options. We have to pick our battles, ya know?

[@MultiScrappydo]

Just ridiculous! Your tone is snarky and condescending and when called on it you become defensive. Surprising that you would leave such a ridiculous comment and then become even snarkier "we all do have our moods" Try not to act like such a know-it-all and smartass and maybe your well-intentioned comments will be better received. Be well yourself.

[@rob4631]

thats one way to interpret it i suppose. my initial comment & general tone in person & online is simple, direct, succinct & genuine. projecting personal emotions & assumptions into such speak is where the issue lies. it’s very common with written correspondence. i submit that the awareness of & research into rf is anything but “ridiculous”. i’m also the first to admit that i don’t “know it all”. thats a ridiculous & delusional stance for anyone to take. surprising & ironic that u think u know that about me. if u read my words without emotional projection you’ll find that they adhere to facts & logic & can be interpreted in another way. regardless, thanks for sharing your view. I had fun thinking about this for a moment. also, thanks for the response explorist, i somehow missed your reply until now. life is short & we’re all gonna die of something. pick ur battles & push onward!

[@angeliquegriggs4250]

What type of fan do you have?

[@sjr7822]

I have a dollar store sprayer filled with alcohol, or you can use the sprayer head off of the dollar store sprayer onto the alcohol bottle.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Good to know! With all of our time in dry temps, alcohol would be pretty brutal on our hands (drys out the skin)

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

copying my comment from above...... Another nurse here, agreeing with the other nurse. Keep in mind that most chemicals put on skin will show up in your urine - within - seconds! There are generally natural alts to chems which cost a bit more sometimes, and perhaps involve a little more h2o use. Worth it. And ..... BTW, a couple of hrs in direct sun renders an item sterile. Army field training re personal hygiene protocol says if no bathing possible, get naked in sun for a few hrs every few days.!! Eg: A very little bit of baking soda dust applied to armpits alters the pH of local enviro so the local odor causing bugs don't grow. No hard to handle chemistry, eliminates nasty deodorant containers - costs < $2 year. Doubles as harmless abrasive for cleaning sinks, toilets, etc. Simple. Suggest research on the alcohol. Just sayin'

[@martinbrazil2899]

Guys would love to know more about how you guys painted the Van and how much it cost you guys. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

For sure! That can be found here: adventureinabackpack.com/full-body-plastidip-diy-sprinter-campervan/

[@jonrogerson5979]

What about wind turbines for when the suns not shining

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Generally more effort than they are worth for mobile applications, in my opinion. For stationary houses/off-grid houses and such they are great.

[@dragonmyst000]

I agree, ARB seems to be better then the competitors. Better customer service and much better reviews. They are a little more expensive for a reason....

[@JoaoFerreira-vm3uo]

That fan? Where did you get it from?

[@sigma_carnivoresse]

Great list!!! Thank you

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@creedm3040]

Great video! You probably mentioned it and I missed it but did you get your van fixed? You have the long wheelbase Sprinter, how is the power?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We have not yet fixed the van... Still troubleshooting... :/ We do have the long wheelbase sprinter. All kinds of power! Sure, it won't climb a 6% grade at 70 mph fully loaded down, but I don't expect it to.

[@michaelprior7459]

Merino clothing x1000!

[@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei]

Where did you get the stove?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

It's been discontinued since making this video, unfortunately.

[@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei]

@@EXPLORISTlife bum thanks

[@TheGrowGeek]

what are your running costs on the stove?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

It seems like we go through a little under a gallon per month, so about $15 per month.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Actually, a little less because the canisters hold a little less than a gallon. But still... $10-$15 per month.

[@denisbartley8162]

I am thinking of getting the same stove but I have read it can smell of spirits. What do you think? Do you find a certain brand of alcohol better than others?

[@seanthompson258]

Hey guys how does a composting toilet work? From South Africa here we have nothing like that here? Is there a tank? from what i hear you say it doesnt sound like it so how does it work?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Basically, it seperates the solids and liquids, in which there is a container for each. Sewage is only made when they mix. Earth is in the solids container and when it's full (once every month or two), it goes into the trash to go to the landfill where it continues the decomposing cycle and turns back to dirt.

[@RETIREMESOON]

The wife and i retire in 2019 .....23 months ans 4 days......LOL Going solar and compost. I watched a Ted talks awhile ago and apparently they have compost systems in the homes but the adults feel it is spiritually healthier to crap all over the yard. Thousands of children die from the bacteria so I'm happy we use compost toilets or at least dig a hole and cover it when we go on a canoe trip. There is enough crap in life without stepping in it.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We love the solar and the composting toilet! So convenient!

[@carlawalker8219]

going into walmart for food what do you do with dogs?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

They stay in the van. It's climate controlled.

[@DevonMcGettrick]

Very good info...do u use any sort of Baby, wet wipes?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Rarely. We more or less use the wash cloths dampened down with water and the foaming hand sanitizer and just wash the quick dry washcloths when we can. They pack down well so they don't take up much space.

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

Lots of chems in the commercial wipes - which you can find in your urine within seconds.

[@twowander2470]

Good video! The wife and I are moving into our Promaster in 6 months, your tips help a ton! I haven't watched all your videos so maybe you've answered this, but how do you find your places to camp? Are you going to reserveamerica, or just google searching an area or something like that? Any tips would help. Thanks again!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Super Cool! This should help answer your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/il64Zp5tpc6HqJY

[@cleokey]

More good info, thanks. I'm not very good with computers, cell phones and don't understand how you get internet service on the road like you do? There's an antenna of some sort, laptop and then what? I'm probably hopeless.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

So, the cell signal goes from a tower to our exterior antenna then that antenna sends the signal to the signal repeater inside the van where it amplifies the signal so our phones have a better chance of picking it up. From that signal, we can 'hotspot' that 4g data into wifi and 'tether' our computers to the phones so we can run the internet from our computers using the data from our AT&T Plan. Does that clear anything up? lol

[@cleokey]

Adventure in a Backpack Very helpful. I appreciate your answer, thank you. Today, it's amazing how much I rely on the internet to do things. Even the newspaper I read is electronic. Thanks again, safe travels ☺

[@magomago7819]

Was that Marino wool or mariner wool.😉...can I get the website plz. Thanks in advance.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Marino Wool: amzn.to/2Xx1LGM

[@seanthompson258]

Hey Guys thanks for the good video just a personal comment from myself i have to say those fridges to me are barely worth buying because they are so small!!!, They are so expensive and so small that i think the best way to go is buy a normal fridge if your camper or motorhome can fit one of course and use an inverter to power the normal fridge.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We can get about 3-5 days of food in it pretty easily. 7 if we are strategic. These fridges are MUCH more energy efficient than a normal front opening fridge running on 110, which is SUPER important when spending months away from electric hookups. Those fridges have their place, but they would be TERRIBLE for our lifestyle.

[@safeharbor7]

Thanks for the great info ,big help... Thumbs up...

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks so much! :D

[@precisiont5188]

I clicked your link but Page Not Found error.

[@hbuzzell]

Where do you dump your composting toilet?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The composting toilet separates solids and liquids. 90% of the time, we are able to find a public bathroom at a trailhead we dump the liquids into. If we literally can find nowhere for the liquids, we find a place that satisfies the 'leave no trace' principles (200ft from water/trails/campsites) the best we can and dump the liquids there. For solids, we try to find a composting bin. Generally, we cannot find a composting bin and we just throw it into the trash. It then goes to the landfill where it completes it's composting cycle and turns back to dirt.

[@debramoss2267]

Thank you, invaluable!

[@carlawalker8219]

how do you have power in boondocking

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We have 825 watts of solar and 700 AH of batteries. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ-xc2Scm56NoKM

[@nancymick3916]

loved your video

[@damiansullivan8312]

All I want to know is what do you guys do for a living that you're able to travel around as much as you do with such nice equipment??

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Nate is a Videographer/editor/producer. Steph owns her own financial consulting firm (businesses). Our KZbin channel and website make money, and we have a rental property. You should join our facebook group if making money unbound from physical location is an interest of yours: facebook.com/groups/TheUnboundExplorist/

[@johnwang9914]

I would disagree with the alcohol stove. Low temperature and inefficient producing far more carbon monoxide then the alternatives. Butane cannisters stoves or Coleman's white gas stove might've been better and far less expensive. The propane issue is that propane is heavier than air and can accumulate, this is a major problem on boats but with a car it's usually just a matter of ensuring ventilation where the butane can drop through the floor to the outside, usually by drilling a hole in the floor where you stash the tanks, also a lot of people just keep the propane outside the vehicle.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Feel free to use whatever you like in your own build. :)

[@billcoleman7316]

The stove is a great idea but in California you can no longer buy Denatured Alcohol.

[@kennethmeese]

I'm all for the environment. I recycle and always do my part to keep the environment clean. I've just got to comment on your saying its not a good practice to poop in the woods. Come on! Should we regulate and ticket the Bears, Raccoons, Squirrels, Deer and all the other wildlife crapping in the woods? Maybe we could get them all together for a meeting explaining it's not good for the environment so they should find alternative methods of using the bathroom. If they all do it what is the problem with us humans doing it?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

If you are like animals and are largely inhabiting wilderness settings (no trailheads, no trails, no campsites, etc), go for it. (although, then, the argument could them be made against that due to the crappy food that most humans eat vs foraging and hunting methods of animals, but I digress...) Unfortunately, most humans, when recreating out in nature, tend to flock to all of the same areas. We have trailheads, we have trails, we have established campsites (even in the backcountry, there are still established campsites). When everybody is frequently visiting these same areas, unlike animals, the waste starts to build up at an alarming rate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you never should, or we never do. But efforts should be made to pack it out if it's possible. When it's not possible: Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.

[@carlawalker8219]

sorry I have a poodle and I a m in a caravan I want to bring him with but don't think i can

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No worries. Everybody has to make those decisions. :)

[@AdventuringGreg]

Do you guys ever need a break from each other? How do you handle needing a little privacy or alone time traveling together constantly?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We really don't find that we need time apart. We work pretty well together in that aspect.

[@AdventuringGreg]

Adventure in a Backpack the perfect couple. Lol. I thought that might be your answer. Don’t get me wrong, I love my wife and we’ve been married for 8 years and would love to transition to van life, but I definitely enjoy alone time. Thanks for the reply.

[@lblampmanjr]

To add to the conversation a bit; there really isn't a specific answer for your question as it really depends on the couple. I've found (just in our situation) that we spend the most time together when we're doing things together. In other words, times we're also not sort of bored or feeling stuck together, so it's not a problem since we have shared goals. If we're feeling like we need a bit of space, or a break, it's easy to arrange by each doing our own thing at malls, or shopping centers, at parks, at museums, etc. I found that the question really had more to do with how happy I was (or wasn't) with what I was doing and very little to do with being with my wife too much. In other words, I didn't really need to get away from her as much as do something that fulfilled my needs whether that's working on the computer, or reading a book, or visiting a sports store, or taking a walk, or riding the bike, or fishing, ad infinitum.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

ARB vs Domedic frig ?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We, unfortunately, have no experience with the Dometic fridge. We really like ARB as it's more geared to the rigors of overland travel honed in the Australian Outback. If it's good enough for them, it's more than good enough for us if that makes sense.

[@MrBi1166]

Great Video. Have you ever done a product review on the stove?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! We actually just put one out. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJSwZ4mBpb6YiM0

[@ann-christinyngve7105]

In Sweden, were I lives, it Can cost you 800 SEK in fines for a PEE outdoors!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yah, I believe it!

[@soothedlife]

Even in the woods?

[@ann-christinyngve7105]

@@soothedlife Yeah! IF the cops coming..

[@mystuff1405]

Not supposed to use methanol or isopropyl alcohol in an enclosed area. Drinking alcohol, ethanol, is ok by the literature.

[@Arthur-Silva]

So.... you guys go number 2 in there? Please say no?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

When necessary, of course! But really only when out in the middle of nowhere.

[@holly3830]

That’s what toilets are for. If you’re taking care of it properly and regularly, it isn’t an issue.

[@rickbeckett9102]

It's ok to pee outside, don't be silly now!Lol

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Sure, peeing outside is fine, but when it's -30f outside, it's sure inconvenient. Plus, we had to have a toilet to re-title our van as an RV for insurance purposes.

[@kebers]

7 gallon jug x 8 lbs per gallon = 56 lbs!!! That’s REALLY HEAVY! I couldn’t easily carry that much weight very far. You should let your viewers understand that. I’d much rather get 2-3 gallon jugs to carry water in.