Let’s face it – parenting is an unpredictable ride. I have two amazing kids, a 7-year-old boy, and a 3-year-old girl, and the spectrum of emotions I traverse in a day is mind-boggling. From tears of gratitude to moments of frustration that make me scream, it’s a wild journey. Strangely, my wife and I wouldn’t trade it for anything – well, depends on the minute.

Van life, with its confined spaces and unique challenges, amplifies the highs and lows of parenting. My aim here is to share my story and perspectives, hoping to shed light on whether it’s the right fit for your family. Before we delve deeper, let’s clarify what we mean by “Van Life.” Living out of your van, without a brick-and-mortar house, is an adventure worth exploring. But, for the purpose of this guide, we’re focusing on extended vacations in a van, sans hotel stays, lasting around three weeks or more.

4. SOME TIPS + QUANTITY OF STUFF

• The parents eat out of the pot after serving the kids. Less dishes and to be blunt, intimacy with our spouse can get shot with kids. Small wins.
• We cook in the van, always. Haven’t had an issue with smell. Ever.
• Waterproof covers on the beds for kids is helpful.
• Easy games like cards or dice or others that don’t have small pieces to manage or a big board that can get bumped and shoot the game to hell.
• Pack clothing in layers.

• Let the kids get their shoes wet and just pack one pair. It’ll happen once, maybe twice. And then a peculiar thing happens, we see our kids take extra care with their shoes.
• A favorite stuffy.
• 1 toiletry bag for everyone, self care is a family event. Then it gets put away.

In the grand tapestry of van life with children, the key is to embrace the chaos, simplify, and savor the unexpected moments and opportunities. Not just move onto the next thing. It’s not just a lifestyle; it’s a journey filled with beautiful memories waiting to be experienced.

Photo credits: leahsmithphotography.com

Embarking on a journey with your Van is an invitation to explore the diverse and breathtaking landscapes of North America. From coastal wonders to mountain retreats. Here are five destinations that perfectly complement the spirit of Roost Vans:

3. Rocky Mountains, USA and Canada

The Rocky Mountains provide a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Your Van is the perfect companion for this grand adventure. Roam through the iconic Rocky Mountain National Park. Traverse the Icefields Parkway in Canada. Or camp under star-studded skies in the mountainous landscapes of Colorado and Alberta. The Rockies offer a majestic backdrop for your van life journey.

4. Newfoundland, Canada

For a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience, set your Van on a ferry to Newfoundland. This eastern Canadian province boasts dramatic coastlines and charming fishing villages. You may also enjoy the otherworldly landscapes of Gros Morne National Park. Embrace the tranquility of this remote destination and discover the untamed beauty of the Atlantic.

Roost Vans: Elevating Your North American Adventure

Roost Vans is not just a brand; it’s a companion for your unforgettable journey across North America. With our commitment to simplicity, innovation, and durability, your van life experience reaches new heights. Check out our Instagram Here! Your adventure awaits – let Roost Vans be your guide to the open road. 🌲🚐

Ah, the allure of van life—the freedom, the adventure, the wind in your hair as you traverse scenic landscapes. But hold on, aspiring van dwellers, before you hit the road. There’s a crucial element to consider: The timing of your van build. We’re here to spill the beans and give you some insider tips. This blog can make or break your dream of hitting the open road in style.

The Van-Build Frenzy

Picture this: February rolls around, and like clockwork, the Roost Vans phones light up with frantic calls from eager customers. The reason? The collective yearning for a van build that will be road-ready in time to enjoy the summer 2024. Roost’s innovative product line allows for extremely fast build time, but it’s not just about the duration of the build; it’s all about securing your spot on the schedule.

In the intricate dance of van building, timing is everything. If you’re eyeing a summer escapade in your newly built van, listen up. Most van builders, including Roost, operate on a schedule queue that hovers between four to six months. Winter might offer a breather, dipping to the lower end of the spectrum, but as spring approaches, so does the demand. By early march, most van builders will have their schedule booked out six months or more. This can turn your summer dreams into another year of anticipation.  

The Early Bird Gets the Van

Now, here’s the golden nugget of wisdom: If summer is your target, your best bet is to get the ball rolling by early February. Don’t wait until the sun peeks out, and the birds start chirping to secure your spot. Engage with your chosen van builder as early as possible. Try to reserve your spot on the schedule by early February. Missing this window might mean your dream van won’t hit the road until the fall.

DIY Dilemmas: A Twist in the Tale

For the hands-on enthusiasts opting for a DIY van build, the rules bend, but they don’t break. While DIYers don’t have to wait for the availability of our installers, there’s still a catch—lead times on essential components. Roost Vans can provide many of your build components with little or no lead time, but in the broader industry landscape lead times are a huge obstacle, and four to eight week lead times are not uncommon.  

Like building a house, a van build involves a lot of interdependent sequencing, with some stages of work reliant on the completion of others.  A six week lead time on a build component doesn’t just delay the build time for that part, but any portion of the build that follows.  Advance planning is key, and the sooner the start, the more likely you will spend your summer enjoying your van rather than working on the project.  

Roost Vans distinguishes itself by delivering interior build components promptly, providing DIYers with a huge head start. Nevertheless, a reality check is in order—DIY builders frequently underestimate the total time required for the entire process. Even in the realm of DIY, a mid-February to mid-March start is recommended to ensure your van is summer-ready.

Reserve Your Spot

Here’s a game-changer: you can secure your spot on the schedule with a deposit even as you’re on the hunt for the perfect van. While most builders may not explicitly offer this option, Roost Vans does. A small deposit with a solid plan can reserve your place on the build schedule, a proactive move that aligns your dream van’s completion with your envisioned timeline.

In the intricate ballet of van builds, Roost Vans doesn’t just offer a product; it provides a strategy for success. Whether you’re eyeing a professionally built van or embarking on a DIY adventure, heed the timeline. Mark your calendars, engage early, and let the road-tripping dreams unfold seamlessly. Your van life journey awaits, and with the right timing, it’s bound to be an adventure like no other.

Creating Christmas Cheer in Your Van

1. Roost Vans Tie Down brackets:
Discover the versatility of Roost Vans Tie-Down Brackets – the ultimate starting point for transforming your space! Elevate your van life experience by utilizing these brackets for various purposes, from hanging lights and stockings to showcasing ornaments and more. The possibilities are endless with Roost Vans Tie-Down Brackets!

2. Compact Christmas Tree:
Consider a tabletop or wall-mounted Christmas tree to bring the holiday spirit without taking up too much space. You can even craft your own tree using reclaimed materials.

3. Holiday Scents:
For safety reasons, try to avoid candles. Infuse your van with the scents of the season by hanging scented ornaments, or use an essential oil diffuser.

4. Van-Friendly Stockings:
Hang mini stockings on a Roost Vans tie down bracket, along the dashboard or on cabinet handles. Fill them with small treats, creating a festive touch without overwhelming your space.

5. Van Life Christmas Lights:
Embrace the charm of string lights. They’re not only festive but also provide cozy ambient lighting. Opt for solar-powered or rechargeable battery-operated lights to reduce excess wire. Use these tie downs to help manage wiring.

5. Portable Heater or Blanket:
Help van lifers stay cozy during chilly nights with a portable heater or a quality, heated blanket. Look for options designed for outdoor or RV use.

Van Life Christmas Memories

While celebrating Christmas in a van may require some creativity, the joy of the season can be fully embraced. Whether you’re decorating your compact space or gifting practical items for life on the road, the spirit of Christmas is about creating warm memories, no matter where your wheels take you. So, light up those fairy lights, sip on some hot cocoa, and make this holiday season a magical one in your cozy van home. Merry Christmas!

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.