Van Life – Tips and Tricks for Maintenance on the Road

Converted van living is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to get out and see a bit more of the world in style and comfort. They offer the same amenities as an RV without being as big and bulky, and they offer more storage and flexibility than just a car. However, nothing can prepare you for when something goes wrong on the road. Here are some top tips for maintaining your gruau van on your travels.

Take Some Lessons

Basic mechanics is easier than many people think. Though important jobs should always be left to the professionals, there are many small tasks that you will be able to do when something goes wrong. If you are taking on the role of a van lifer, you need to make sure that you have the confidence to jump in and make changes as they are needed.

See what basic mechanic lessons there are in your local area that you could attend. Plumbing and electrical work could also be incredibly useful as these are important fixtures in your van that you don’t want to go wrong. Take a look at what lessons are available. Your local community college may offer night classes in the areas you need to cover. You never know when you are going to have to pull on this knowledge, so make sure you have all the basics down. It is easy to pick up this knowledge, and it could serve you well.

Schedule Big Maintenance

Do you know that your van is due for some big maintenance like an oil or tyre change? Rather than keep it running until it finally breaks, you need to make sure that you are scheduling in maintenance long before it is truly needed.

Pick a location on the map where you want to park up and explore and then see what you can find in way of a repair shop there. You could hire a car and spend a few days exploring in a different medium while the important maintenance is handled by professionals. For example, if you know that you are going to be in North Delaware then you might want to book into somewhere like Paul Campanella’s Auto Center which is the premier service in that location, having operated there for over 30 years. In order to find an auto center like this, do some research before you set off on each location you’re planning on going to and note down the top names you find. Whilst you’re there, you can head out on a hike or even pop across to Washington DC to do a little exploration and good old-fashioned sightseeing. It could be a great way to spend a few days while your beloved van is getting all the attention it deserves.

Prioritize Equipment

No van is spacious. You can try to put in as much storage as you can, but you need to ensure that you still have all the room you could want for your pots and pans, clothes, and other goods. There is so much that you will not be able to take with you on your trip, and unfortunately, that includes tools.

Many vans have a hidden compartment that you can use to store your toolkit and other important things that you might need for the maintenance of the van itself. However, this is just a finite space. You can’t fill it with equipment that you are never going to use. You might pack something that you will never need.

Instead, you should speak to other van lifers about some of the most important tools they have needed. Try to pack them, and make sure you buy adjustable versions wherever you can. This will allow you to put together an adequate toolkit that could help you tackle most major problems.

Be Prepared for Things to Go Wrong

You need to make sure that you are always prepared for something to go wrong and for you to get stuck somewhere waiting for a repairman. Due to this, it can be helpful to prep the van ahead of time to ensure that you are in the best possible position for waiting things out.

For example, try to make sure that your smartphone charger has an option beyond the batteries of your van. If they go dead, you could be in real trouble as you would then have no way to charge your phone. In addition to a portable charger, consider investing in a small two-way radio. If you are going to be camping off-grid for a few days, stop by a ranger’s station and find out the best frequency to call on if you do run into any issues.

Van life is tremendous fun but you do need to be prepared for anything. With the above tips and a positive mindset, you should be in a good position to take on most problems when they come your way. Life on the road can be unexpected at times, but you are likely to make some of the best memories you will ever have!