When traveling it’s always best to be prepared. When you are on the road or in woods you never know what can happen, so here is a list of 3 things you should have in your van.
Recovery equipment
Recovery equipment is something you need to have if you plan to do any off-roading or anything away from pavement.
- Recovery strap – A recovery strap is a good thing to get you out of most situations, however you do need a second vehicle with you.
- Recovery boards – Recovery boards are something you can use by yourself. They work best in sandy environments where you can’t get traction. To use them you place them against the tires and drive on top of them. One downside is that they are fairly large but well worth if you plan on driving in risky places.
- Shovel – This is something you may already have with you, and it can help with recovery. In a situation where you are stuck, you can dig out your tires to get traction.
Jumper cables
- Jumper cables are something everyone should have in their car or van. Batteries can be drained by accident or go bad.
- Since you may be alone when traveling it is also a good thing to have a jump pack. A jump pack allows you to jump start your vehicle without the need for a second vehicle.
Tools
Tools are something every van lifer should have. This is especially true for those of us with older vans. Having a variety of tools can help in those unexpected situations. I have had many nights of needing to do roadside repairs. That includes fixing the van as well as the build itself.
Some good hand tools to have include:
- Socket set
- Screw drivers – Phillips and flathead.
- Wrench Set – Sae and metric sizes.
- Pliers set
Having tools is not all that matters, you need to know how to use them. It’s important to learn how your van works and how to fix issues with your build. Web forums, Youtube, and Google are great ways to learn how to fix things.
