I live in a van but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be – I can only shower for 3 minutes and my heater almost killed me
A VANLIFER has revealed the unexpected challenges she’s experienced living in her converted Ford Transit.
Amélise confessed staying warm, safe, and clean hasn’t been easy in her three years on the road.
She racked up thousands of views on a now-viral video answering questions about the hardest part of living in a van she converted herself.
She described the fact her van, which she calls Gloria, has stayed in one piece as a “miracle.”
The vehicle sometimes leaks due to its age but the shower situation is the main feature she would change.
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“I would get a gas boiler that you can continuously run cold water through and heat up immediately,” she said.
“I’m not that much of a fan of the water tank on board because I do have one but I got really lazy with it and it was kind of complicated.
“Now I only have a hot water stream straight to my shower, so I can have a shower for about three minutes.
“I have to hold it out here so it can cool enough before it touches my skin.
“It still doesn’t, it feels like I’m showering in flames.
“It’s not a pleasant experience and I think it damaged my hair a lot.”
On top of that, the rising cost of renting a house has put many off doing so, especially when wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living crisis.
Although it has gained popularity again, many people opted for van life in the 60s and 70s.
The heater worked for a year, before malfunctioning when she accidentally left it on.
Amélise said her new method for staying warm is turning on the gas hob for cooking despite being risky.
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Viewers were impressed by the work she put into her van and grateful that she was open to answering their questions.
One commenter said they could relate to her “traumatic flashbacks” installing a diesel heater, while others revealed they were inspired to start their own van builds.