The Instagram version of van life is real. The part where you’re in a parking lot with fogged windows, 11% laptop battery, and an empty water tank — that’s also real.
The people who thrive in vans knew about both before they started.
Dale Harmon has done 3 full van builds from scratch and lived in a van for extended periods — not road trips, actual daily life. Van Life for Beginners is what he wishes had existed when he started: a technical build guide with real costs, specific product recommendations, and zero lifestyle fantasy.
The real numbers:
• Van purchase: $8,000–$30,000 depending on model and condition
• Basic DIY build: $3,000–$5,000. Full build with solar and diesel heat: $8,000–$15,000
• Monthly living costs: $1,200–$2,500 for most full-timers
What the book covers:
• Choosing the right van — specific models, years, and what to look for mechanically
• Insulation: the decision that determines whether you’re comfortable or miserable
• Electrical: solar sizing, battery banks, inverters — a system that actually works
• Bed platform, kitchen build, water system, grey water
• Diesel heater installation and propane safety
• Stealth parking, legal overnight spots, and domicile strategy
• Remote work, mail forwarding, health insurance — the logistics nobody posts about
3 builds. 1 book. No Instagram filter.
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