Hey there, fellow adventurers! Today, let’s dive into a topic that’s both a necessity and a challenge when you’re on the road: bathroom business in your van. We all know the deal – when nature calls, you have to answer. Doing so in a compact space like a van can be, well, a bit tricky, to say the least.

At Roost Vans, we understand the importance of accommodating families and their unique needs on the road. Our design philosophy centers around simplicity and practicality. We like to ensure that your adventure are memorable for all the right reasons. So, what’s our take on the whole “toilet in the van” situation? Let’s spill the beans.

The Toilet Options: Cassette Toilets, Composting Toilets, and More

Now, you might be wondering about other toilet options like cassette toilets, composting toilets, or the Laveo (also known at Roost Vans as the Diaper Genie). We’ve considered them all but ultimately settled for the chamber pot for its simplicity and cost. We took the KISS approach to our toilet solution. Cassette toilets come with chemicals and need care when disposing. Composting toilets tend to be larger, are complex and demand constant power for ventilation. Finally, the Laveo, while practical, still involves dealing with waste disposal. Essentially throwing another waste bag into the landfill as opposed to giving it back to the earth.

To Poop or Not to Poop: That is the Question

A question we often ask is, “Are you really going to take a poop in your van if you can avoid it?” We feel the answer is: probably not if you can avoid it. Finding a public restroom or a well-maintained outhouse is the preferred choice. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to stink up their cozy van space voluntarily. The Loo Bench is there for when you need it. Plain and simple.

In a nutshell, when it comes to van life and toilets, simplicity wins the day. Our approach at Roost Vans ensures that you can focus on the joy of the journey without worrying about complicated bathroom setups, and failures. So, next time nature calls, fear not – with a little planning and the right equipment, your van adventures will remain fresh and enjoyable. Happy travels, everyone!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new product, the Strap-Up Bed! This is a very affordable and versatile bed for sprinter and transit vans. It is made from high-quality bamboo and is easy to install and remove.
Van lifers often struggle to find a comfortable and affordable bed for their vehicles.  Quick straps provide quick access to a ready made bed at nearly any height.

Traditional beds can be expensive and difficult to install. They can also take up a lot of space, which is not ideal for vans that are already limited on space. Our Strap-Up Bed is the perfect solution for van lifers who are looking for a comfortable, affordable, and versatile bed.

To learn more about the Strap-Up Bed, visit the product page on our website or connect with us directly. We are confident that you will love this product as much as we do!

There are many different resources available online about building out a camper van… From blogs and videos, to social media groups. Sometimes it can feel like an information overload. At Roost Vans we like to be somewhat in the middle…

Do you want a professional, high quality build at a good value? Are you wanting to DIY the whole thing? Maybe you want to hire Roost Vans to do the hard parts, and you do the rest? We like to provide the van life community with an approach that meets your budget, skill set, schedule, and everything in between. In this blog, we are going to break down the 3 major decisions you should consider when diving head-first into the van world.

1. Platform

You’ve made the big decision to buy a van, but you don’t know where to begin. You have probably heard of the 3 most popular vans on the market: Sprinter, Transit, and Promaster. Which is right for you? They are all great vans, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. It really comes down to the process of elimination. Let’s do a comparison of the three vans to help you choose the best one for your needs.

So, which van should you choose?

For the more budget concsious person, we would recommend a Transit van, particularly if you plan to buy new (but we will get into that later). It is the most fuel-efficient and the cargo space gives you more room to work with.

If the budget allows for it, Sprinter would be the best option because of its reliability. The Sprinter has a lot of aftermarket parts and accessories available. This makes it easier to find the things you need to build your camper van.

This leaves Promaster being the least desirable all around. The curved roof and metal supports can make it more difficult to insulate or run plumbing through. On the other hand, buying a Prosmater can save you money on the purchase price of the van and it will give you the most space.

Finally, one last insider tip that is worth mentioning would be that you find a van that already has the basic configuration the way you want it. This will save you money, rather than paying to modify it. For example: A cargo van is going to give you way more bang for your buck than a passenger van when doing a full conversion. You will pay for a lot of finished interiors with a Passenger van that ends up getting torn out. Also, Buying something with the window configuration you want will save you thousands in adding new windows. Lastly, for a heavier build, buying a 2500 or 3500 is way less expensive than having to beef up the suspension to support the build.

2. New vs. Used

One of the most important decisions is whether to buy new or used. Buying a new van will come with the latest features and technology, and will often have a warranty, which can give you peace of mind. New vans are definitely more expensive than used vans, but you know exactly how the van has been driven and maintained.
The most obvious pro of buying a used van is that they are typically less expensive than new vans. You can still find vans with the features and options you want, even if they’re not the latest model. Sometimes used vans may have hidden problems that aren’t apparent during a test drive.
So, which is the better option?
The answer ultimately depends on your budget. Generally speaking we would recommend something under 10 years old, and less than 100k miles. Anything older is probably not worth putting the money into finishing it out. It could be like putting lipstick on a pig. Roost Vans product line (and most modern build product lines) are for 2008 and newer. We think a safe window would be buying 2 to 5-year-olds.
Just remember to do your research. Consider buying a van from a private seller, as they are often more willing to negotiate on price than dealerships. If you’re planning to finance your van, getting pre-approved for a loan will give you an idea of how much you can afford to spend. If you’re not happy with the price or the condition of a van, don’t be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of other vans available. Be patient: Buying a van on a budget takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find the perfect van right away. Keep looking and you’ll eventually find the perfect van for you.

• Features: What amenities are important to you? Do you need a kitchen, bathroom, or sleeping area? If you are wanting a kitchen, a bed, AND a living space, Roost Vans offers those products for both Transit and Sprinter vans.

• Cost: How much can you afford to spend on a van?

• Reliability: How reliable is the van? Will it be able to handle the rigors of full-time travel?

CONVERT THE VAN.

Once you’ve chosen the right van, you’ll need to convert it into a living space. You can go the route of hiring a van builder, like Roost, to convert your van for you. Or you can go the DIY route. We have an entire blog dedicated to helping you decide what choice would be best for you.

If you’re planning to DIY your van conversion, Roost Vans has everything you need to make the process easy and hassle-free. We offer a variety of van products that are simple to install yourself, so you can save money and get the van of your dreams.

Here are some specific examples of the products Roost Vans offers:

• Our 2-panel or 3-panel Fu-kit Bed System. With our Fu-kit Bed, you can add a Flip-up Kit, which allows you to turn your bed into a deep-seated sofa.

• We also have our Strap-up Bed! The Strap-up Bed is another versatile bed system that can be configured in a variety of ways. It can be raised or lowered to the perfect height, and it can be used to create a bunk bed system by adding the Fu-kit Bed.

We also have Passenger or Drivers side kitchen cabinets, Upper and Lower cabinetry, and so much more. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you, just remember to add plenty of storage space. We recommend really think about the features you want to add to make your van more comfortable.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE.

If you’re planning to travel full-time, you’ll need to plan your route. There are a few different ways to do this. You can either plan a specific route and stick to it, or you can be more flexible and decide where to go as you go. The possibilities are endless!

Some factors to consider when planning your route are…

• Your interests: What are you interested in seeing and doing? Do you want to visit national parks, hike trails, explore cities, or something else?

• Your flexibility: How flexible are you with your plans? If you’re willing to change your plans on the fly, you’ll have more freedom to explore and discover new places.

We recommend visiting Portland, Oregon! Portland is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, with mountains, forests, and rivers all within easy reach. There are endless opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. Not to mention, the food and craft beer is something you won’t want to miss out on. We might be a bit biased though, as Roost Vans is tucked inside the PNW, located in Clackamas.

If you would like to try out the van life before committing, read our Try Before You Buy blog post. This will give you the chance to hit the road and see how you like it before taking the time and spending the money to build out a van.

Photos by: Leah Smith