WHAT VAN LIFE IS REALLY LIKE - 5 Pros and Cons of living van life off the grid

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld this is an affiliate link so every time you make a purchase i make a small commission good news it doesn't cost you any extra but it helps me to continue to make these videos. thank you. Beck's Channel www.youtube.com/@SACREDTRAVELLER

[@joline2730]

Mel: I use a Porta-Potti but I catch poo in a bag and put in doggy bins. Only liquid goes in tank. No problem as I am only a weekender so take it home to be washed out 👌

[@Ko-gl2dd]

Simple but effective,Mel.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes indeed!

[@terrygogz]

Your a very honest man .. thanks for your unbelievably honest channel .. Terry from Ireland.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I appreciate that thank you so very much 🫶🤓👍

[@Ritarelay]

As always great vlog!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks again!🫶💕

[@lyndsayscott8866]

Great vid as always. Totally agree with the first five. Now, van yoga - keeps me fitter. Always do one job at a time. Which brings me into the loo - seperator toilet all the way. Don’t have a problem emptying no.2’s tbh. Internet can be a prob sometimes, but pubs or maccy d’s usually have internet. Maxxair is great for stabilising the temperature. Haven’t had a breakdown yet!!!!! Except having to swap the battery out for a new one last week. Noco is your freind just incase. We are stuck in bricks atm until Sunday - off to meet freinds at the drove for fire pits and birthday celebrations.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Sounds like you’re going to have a great time stay safe love to you both 🫶💕🤓

[@jansweeney1333]

Hi, Oh Becky after getting advice from yourself about how to deal with the faulty Power unit from Allpowers ; I finally recieved my replacement;R600 Power Station ….& so far so good it is working. Thanks 🙏 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Jan

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Wonderful! Ive passed this on to Becky too. Enjoy the new unit!

[@timstradling7764]

Never problems, just challenges😅 Keeps your mind active😊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

So true!

[@van-gabondramblinrose6398]

Hi Mel. Currently sat in my new [to me ] Vario, with the heater on, Toasty warm, in deepest Dorset-soster-cestershire. With a gorgeous view. Watching your latest mildly entertaining offering. 😁

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That sound amazing I’m busting to start getting out and about again good luck with the new project and thanks for watching the video really appreciate the support 🤓👍

[@marvinwatson3245]

Its that time of year again, MOT time. Yippee my stealth camping van passed, ready for another year of van camping in Scotland. Keep up the good work on your channel Mel.👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Sounds great congratulations on new mot stay safe 👍🤓👍

[@MarianMoise1974]

I'm watching your channel since i bought an Vario for conversion into campervan. Really enjoyable channel, thank you for sharing experience. Greetings from east Europe!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Awesome, thank you for taking the time to comment and for such kindness really appreciated 👍🤓👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great vlogs on travels keep up thbe great trave vlog thanks lee

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you for the kind words really appreciate it 🍻👍🤓

[@Wanderingwalter]

I love the van life live and that includes all the bad bits , I’ll never go back !

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

It’s the best thing I’ve ever done 👍

[@Cheekymonkey1]

Goodnight Becky and Mel i love watching your you tube videos on your you tube channel I hope both of you are well and when are you back converting in your new camper van I hope that you and Becky do come back to do some work in your new camper van please keep safe and warm and please keep up your good work on your you channel

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Good morning! Buddy thank you that’s very kind of you to say 🫶🤓👍

[@yorkieboy239]

To be honest Mel , I have a boat and many of the issues you mention have been there for many years on boats ! and look boating never lost its attraction hey .the five things including the repairs they can get scary , BOAT stands for break out another thousand , keep it up pal great channel

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes you’re not wrong i grew up around boats and ships for that matter always dreamed of owning one but as I get older and wiser I think I’ll stick with a van 👍💕

[@denisecafferky2248]

Well explained

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@Ivanho-go]

Mel, when you sat at your table talking to camera with lap top, I was intrigued by the table top. Is it on a Lagun? How did you do the folding top? Is there a video I missed? If not can we have one please as you are a great teacher.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That table top is from an old VW T2 that I sold about 20 years ago and I forgot to give the new owner so kept it Incas they wanted it.the van was 30 years old then so it’s probably as old as me I’ll never part with it 😂👍

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Haha some good reasons to have a van. For me I have a disability and my van is my safe place which is a huge relief for me when I come across a problem. Im not full time van life just a part timer but even my van still has costly repairs occasionally too.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I understand what you’re saying my camper started off as my lifeboat never realised how much it would actually change my life 👍🤓👍

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

@ I never imagined travelling to places that we have been either. It was my post “C” project and it’s been life changing, just got to hope that “C” stays away which I’m sure it will.

[@ianlulham]

Ups and downs come in all walks of life and the van life problems are far, far better than any permanent dwelling problems I've had. I reckon Starlink is going to solve at least one problem..

[@OffGridProject]

Great video as always Mel, also look forward to some metal detecting videos! Maybe I can join you someday!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That would be cool!🤓👍

[@Wayne-world]

Great video Mel 👊👊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙌

[@stephenbetts242]

Hi Mel, are you still converting the Vario if so when will your next video but live? Really enjoy watching your channel Mel, take care buddy.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Very soon I’m still sorting out the new work shop 🫶

[@JazzFunkNobby1964]

Having lived in caravans before, I would definitely get some kind of air conditioning fitted. The summer heat is unbearable.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You’re not wrong about that maybe I should have mentioned that 🤓👍

[@WhipperdeetsAdventures]

Great video bud, yep totally agree with everything you said, but the problem I have is no one to fall on to when have problems, I have no family since they stole everything from me, I miss my heating too :( haven’t had a great two years of full time van life too 😢hope your both well 💙

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hope you get the heater fitted soon 👍🤓👍

[@WhipperdeetsAdventures]

@@BigVanSmallWorld I doubt it I’m having a headache with Evri and maxpeeding rods :(

[@truth3358]

I thought it failed it’s MOT then you took it back

[@johnshaw4140]

Hopefully your new van , as it is much more simple , will give fewer problems Mel , hopefully Dragonfly will be better than Mary

[@mentalneil]

Hey Mel and Becky, are you still in Medway area, and fancy a coffee meet up, all the best and safe travels, #1

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

No buddy no where near Medway sorry 👍🍻👍

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

Heya, we live permanent in the Cotswolds now. But Mel suddenly has to pop down sometimes - sadly he was pushed and on a deadline this time 😮

[@flemingo7687]

No comparison to maintaining a home though! 🤷🏼‍♀️ You'd av to maintain any vehicle... Seems the positives far outweigh the negatives..👌🏻🚙🤞🏻

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

My thoughts exactly 👍

[@thevikingcraftsman]

👍

[@chrismajor2501]

How do you insure a van without a residential address same for licence, yes you could use a friend s house but your not living there your living in the van

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

You can use anyone’s address as long as you have permission and regularly go there to pick up important information. We are currently using my parents address. But in the future we will make friends with folks on the road and use theirs with their permission 👍🏻.

[@joline2730]

​@@SACREDTRAVELLER There is a company, so I've heard, that supplies a proper address for this purpose - don't know name or any details . . . Sorry not very helpful but think you can find out, if need be ❤

[@chrismajor2501]

@@SACREDTRAVELLER do you have to change the v5 to the same and where you insure it? Like your parents and just change it as you move it or just keep one address. Thanks for the info, love the vids hope the new barn works out better.

[@patrickjobling8676]

I like yogurt ..🤓pip pips

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Mr too 😂🤣😂👍

[@kalimataan]

I am so isolated . Vanlife full time would be a nightmare for me,especially when breaking down. Hmm

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That’s what the RAC are for 🍻👍

[@kalimataan]

I know . But... I broke down on a weekend,had to tow my van to a garage,where it was parked outside upsetting some neighbours .Then had to wait until the garage opened and until they had an appointment for me. Horrible. That's only one example.

[@IvicaCagalj-o6i]

Mate bucket £1.99 +plastic bag😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh the good old days 😂🤣😂👍

[@IvicaCagalj-o6i]

@@BigVanSmallWorld simply the best 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@offshoretinker]

Strikes me that full time van life is similar to living on a small boat - very few people can hack it and are essentially water/road gypsies.

[@JohnDoe-df2zz]

Biggest drawback I've seen while looking at vans is the initial expense. Outfitted new vans start around $150k USD. Even buying a new stripped van and outfitting it yourself it can quickly climb to almost $100K USD. A local van conversion place near me charges $60-70K to convert your van to one of their designs. Sure you can try to buy used, but the local used market wants almost new price for vans with tons of miles, and other peoples' wear and tear.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Sounds like you have no choice but to build your own 🤓👍

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

Building your own here in the UK is best for keeping costs down. The USA definately has a huge market for pre-built. It’s starting here since 2020, but still too expensive for most people to afford who could actually benefit from the lifestyle/change of scene. Once again it’s a part of life that seems to have been overtaken by the rich and pricing hard working people out.

[@lt10offley]

60k for a van conversion!!! Crazy. You could do it all yourself for about 15k. Unless wood batterns cost an arm and a leg in america 😂.