Ever tried testing a shower curtain in your driveway? Well, we have – and it’s just one of the practical (and slightly ridiculous) moments you’ll witness in our latest van upgrade video!
Why These Van Life Upgrades Matter for Every Nomad
If you’ve ever struggled with rolling propane bottles, wondered about composting toilet alternatives, or needed a private outdoor shower solution, this week’s video is your goldmine. We’re sharing the real, unfiltered process of prepping our van for an epic Canadian Maritimes road trip – complete with the trial-and-error moments that make van life authentically imperfect.
The Van Life Upgrades That Made Our Must-Have List
1. ROAM Box Roof Storage with Lid Organizer
Sometimes the simplest modifications make the biggest difference. Our 128-liter ROAM Box now features a game-changing lid organizer with mesh pockets, cable management, and even a dedicated spot for headlamps. As we show in the video: “If you can use a screwdriver, you can do this.”
2. Joolca GottaGo Composting Toilet: The Odor-Free Solution
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or should we say, the toilet in the van? We ditched our smelly chemical toilet for the Joolca GottaGo system, and the difference is night and day. The two-part separation system keeps odors at bay, while the bag-based waste system means easy disposal anywhere.
Pro Tip: Vicky crafted a custom messenger bag for discreet transport of the urine container – because nobody wants to obviously carry toilet components around a campground!
3. Propane Bottle Organization That Actually Works
Those little green propane bottles rolling around your van? We’ve solved it with a simple zippered storage solution that fits perfectly in our gear boxes. Sometimes the best van life upgrades are the ones that eliminate small daily annoyances.
4. Under-Bed Soft Storage System
Vicky’s homemade hanging storage solution maximizes our space while keeping essentials like grilling tools, tablecloths, and our “very important solo s’more sticks” organized and accessible.
5. Complete Outdoor Shower Setup
From the water-saving Geyser sponge system to our custom sailcloth privacy curtains with magnetic attachments, we’ve created a functional outdoor shower that works in any campsite condition. The algae-based floor mat from Clean Ocean Designs adds the perfect finishing touch.
The Best Part? Real Van Life Moments
This isn’t a polished, perfect van tour. It’s real people solving real problems with practical solutions. You’ll see us figuring out Allen wrench sizes, joke about “pooker sticks,” and yes – test shower privacy in the driveway.
Our favorite authentic moment: “You couldn’t do it without me?” “Nope, couldn’t do it without you.” This is van life partnership in action.
Canadian Maritimes, Here We Come!
These van life upgrades aren’t just for show – they’re our preparation for an upcoming adventure through Canada’s Maritime provinces. Every modification serves a purpose for extended boondocking and remote camping.
Ready to See These Modifications in Action?
Words can only do so much. Our video walks you through each installation process, shows the upgrades working in real-time (well, maybe not the potty) and includes all those genuine van life moments that make the journey memorable.
Watch the full van upgrades video to see:
- Our installation process
- Our honest reactions and recommendations
- Behind-the-scenes van life partnership dynamics
Bonus: Interested in Vicky’s custom Joolca bag pattern? Just ask in the video comments – she’s offering to share her design with fellow van lifers!
Ready to upgrade your own van life setup? Hit subscribe for more practical van conversion tips, road trip adventures, and authentic van life content. As we always say – keep wandering!
