Families who want (or need) to start living life on the road face special challenges that aren't seen by the rest of the vanlife crowd. Things are fairly manageable for those who can just do it part time and can live at a conventional sticks-and-bricks home the rest of the year, but those living nomadically full time have to make a number of adjustments to make things work!
Vehicle choice
In general, families who live on the road need large vehicles like motorhomes or skoolies. When deciding on what vehicle features are needed, families may place more weight on living space, passthrough, and emergency exits.
Families often tow a travel trailer. Many will bring tents to allow more use of outdoor space. Sometimes, larger families will travel in two vehicles, with one parent driving each vehicle. For example, all children might ride with mom in a passenger van while dad follows with whatever vehicle is big enough for everyone to sleep.
Seating
Part-time nomads and campers who want a campervan like a Sprinter or ProMaster will want to shop for the "crew" version of those vans. These include seating behind the front driver and passenger seats.
Beds
In family vehicles, more beds are needed. These vehicles will often include convertible beds (such as Rock N Roll beds that switch between automotive bench seat and bed), bunk beds, slides, and a pop-up roof with a bed in it.
School
Families who live on the road full time generally "road school" (instead of "home school") or unschool their children.
Channels featuring Families
These channels may have more information about Families:
- Hannah Spreading Love
- Jinti Fell
- Mathers On The Map
- Never Say Someday
- Ourkaravan
- Overland Uncharted
- Parking Lot Pirates
- Peter Holcombe
- Project Trek
- Time To Go Adventure
Families gallery
See more in the Families category. For image credits, open image and click More Details.
Resources
| Resource | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| VanVentures with Kids | Private Facebook group with <100 members as of August 2024. "A private group for VanLife-spirited families with children. Share your best family-friendly camping travel adventures around North America." | |
| Families on the Road | Resources for nomadic families. Most content requires a subscription to view. | |
| RVing with Kids Group | Subforum of GoodSam Community | |
| Republic of Nomads | "An adventure community focused on assisting families transition from short-term to long-term family travel, ... developing a lifestyle of adventure, exploration & service focused travel, empowering families to live their best lives on the road." | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "families" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "families" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "families" |
See other categories of channels by person featured.
- ↑ For image credits, open image and click More Details