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Van Life Backups: Staying Prepared on the Road


Van life presents freedom and journey, but it surely additionally requires cautious planning to organize for surprising challenges. From working out of water to coping with no sufficent energy, having dependable backups is important for sustaining consolation and security on the street. Right here’s a information to managing backups for water, energy, meals, cash, and extra throughout your van life journey.

1. Water Backups: By no means Run Dry

Water is crucial for ingesting, cooking, cleansing, and hygiene, so at all times have a backup plan.

Further Water Containers: Hold transportable water jugs along with your important water tank.  I carry 20 gallons in my water tank, a 5 gallon jug for ingesting and a 1 gallon jug for emergencies.  

Water Filters: Carry a transportable water filter (like a LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini) to purify water from pure sources if wanted.  I don’t have a 4 wheel drive so don’t go into extraordinarily distant areas so I nonetheless haven’t bought a water filter, however it’s on my need checklist. 

Refill Monitoring: Often verify and refill your tanks and bottles when close to dependable sources, even when they’re not empty. That is particularly necessary after I plan to boondock.  I used to be in a state of affairs this previous fall the place I used to be caught for 4 days, however didn’t fear an excessive amount of as I had a number of water and meals..

2. Energy Backups: Retaining the Lights On

Energy outages is usually a problem, however preparation can maintain your units and home equipment working.

Using a Jackery as my backup power source
Charging my jackery for backup energy

Transportable Energy Stations: Spend money on a compact energy station (like a Jackery or EcoFlow) as a secondary power supply.  For 3 years I relied solely on my van photo voltaic system however there have been occasions the place an additional supply would have come in useful.  I now have a jackery as a backup for these cloudy weeks.  It doesn’t run my kitchen however I can cost my units and make a scorching drink!

Photo voltaic Panels: Add a small, foldable photo voltaic panel to recharge units throughout prolonged boondocking journeys.  A photo voltaic system was on prime of my checklist after I bought and refiited my van.  I’ve by no means regretted spending that cash.  Photo voltaic makes my life a lot simpler.

Backup Batteries: Hold additional batteries for crucial gadgets like flashlights, headlamps, and smoke detectors.  My sink faucet stopped working at some point and I didn’t understand there was a battery to function it.  I now carry an additional one simply in case.

Guide Chargers: Hand-crank or pedal-powered chargers could be lifesavers in emergencies.  I carry a photo voltaic crank radio which may additionally cost my mobile phone if there’s an emergency.

3. Meals Backups: Getting ready for the Surprising

Surprising delays or grocery shortages could make it onerous to seek out meals. Right here’s methods to keep stocked.

Easy to store food is a plus in a van
Straightforward to retailer meals is a plus in a van

Non-Perishable Staples: Retailer canned items, dried pasta, rice, nuts, and dehydrated meals. They final lengthy and don’t require refrigeration.  One among my favourite gadgets I carry are packets of salmon and tuna.  They’re simple to eat if I’ve no energy or a method to warmth of any meals and they don’t take up a lot area 

Meal Bars and Snacks: Hold protein bars, path combine, and jerky for fast, simple diet.  Additionally they don’t take up a lot area to retailer.  I simply be certain that my nuts and seeds are stored in plastic containers to assist forestall spoilage and mice. 

Transportable Range or Grill: A backup cooking methodology, like a propane camp range, ensures you possibly can put together meals even when your important setup fails.  I’ve an induction burner for my cooking which is photo voltaic pushed so I’ve a small tenting propane burner for emergencies.  I’ve by no means had to make use of it, however it’s within the van simply in case.

Rotating Inventory: Often verify expiration dates and rotate via your provides to keep away from spoilage.  I attempt to eat up what I’ve within the van then do an enormous store as soon as a month, guaranteeing the whole lot is contemporary.

Pet Security:  As I’m now travelling with a pet cat I be certain that I’ve additional meals and water for her.

4. Cash Backups: Keep away from Monetary Stress

Entry to funds could be difficult on the street, particularly in rural areas. Plan forward to stop monetary hiccups.

Emergency Money: Carry small denominations of money in a hidden, safe spot for locations that don’t settle for playing cards.

A number of Fee Strategies: Have not less than two debit/bank cards and retailer one individually in case of loss or theft.

Surprising Bills  Put aside a larger-than-normal emergency fund for surprising repairs, medical wants, or different crises.

Digital Wallets: Apps like PayPal or Venmo can present an alternate cost methodology in case your playing cards are compromised.

5. Navigation and Communication Backups

Getting misplaced or dropping cell service is an actual chance in distant areas.  Van life backups are important in case you are going off street particularly as a solo traveller.

Paper maps come in handy in an emergency
I exploit paper maps for planning and are an awesome backup.

Paper Maps and Atlases: All the time carry detailed maps of the areas you’re touring via.  I really like paper maps and use them to plan my journeys.

Offline GPS Apps: Obtain maps and routes to apps like Gaia GPS or Google Maps earlier than heading into areas with no service.

Two-Approach Radios: A set of walkie-talkies or a CB radio may also help you talk when cellphone indicators fail.  I don’t have this however am considering of one thing after I do my Alaska roadtrip.

Emergency Locator Beacon: Gadgets like a Garmin inReach assist you to ship SOS indicators and keep linked in distant areas.  I be certain that I’ve cell service after I camp which is one in every of my saftey “must haves” as a solo traveller.

6. Well being and First Assist Backups

Well being points can come up unexpectedly, so it’s very important to be ready.

First Assist Package: Hold a totally stocked equipment with bandages, antiseptics, medicines, and emergency instruments.

Backup Drugs: Retailer additional doses of any prescription medicines you want.

Hygiene Provides: Pack biodegradable moist wipes, hand sanitizer, and a transportable rest room as backups for hygiene.

Emergency Contacts: I maintain an inventory of emergency numbers of household and mates in my van and one other in my daily bag. 

7. Miscellaneous Van Life Backups

Some further gadgets can save the day in numerous eventualities:

Gas Scarcity:  All the time maintain your gas tank above half and should you really feel it’s wanted carry a small reserve gasoline can for emergencies.

Instruments and Spare Elements: A fundamental toolkit, duct tape, zip ties, and spare fuses may also help with minor repairs.

Backup Clothes: Climate can change shortly, so maintain additional layers, waterproof gear, and socks helpful.  A wool blanket is nice when the temperature drops.

Transportable Shelter: A light-weight tarp or tent could be invaluable if you must camp exterior your van quickly.

Hearth Starters: Matches, lighters, and fireplace starters are helpful for cooking or heat in emergencies.

Last Suggestions for Your Van Life Backups Preparation

Common Upkeep: Hold your van in prime situation with routine upkeep checks to stop breakdowns.

Take a look at Your Gear: Apply utilizing your backups so that you’re accustomed to them when the necessity arises.  I purchased a tire compressor final summer season however nonetheless haven’t had to make use of it, I have to do a apply session to discover ways to work it.

Keep Knowledgeable: Verify climate forecasts, street circumstances, and native advisories earlier than heading out. 

Being ready doesn’t imply sacrificing your sense of journey—it’s about guaranteeing you’re prepared for something the street throws your method. With correct backups in place, you’ll take pleasure in peace of thoughts and the liberty to discover with out fear.  Secure travels, and glad van dwelling!

The put up Van Life Backups: Staying Prepared on the Road appeared first on Sharing My Van Life.

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