There are lots of things you may need while living nomadically. Here is a partial list to get you started. Each person will have different needs.
Don't pack everything
“ Pack as if you're going out for only a week during the summer. Then add what you'd need if you were going out for only a week in winter. That should pretty much cover everything.[1] ”
“ I can't be prepared for everything I can possibly imagine, so I prepare for things that are most likely to happen.[2] ”
Safety equipment
Be sure to have proper safety equipment when living in a vehicle. This equipment can help you ensure your safety and security wherever you are.- Air horns
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Compass
- Firearms
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Pepper spray
- Phones
- Smoke detector
- Whistle
Sleeping
Tent camping
Even if you live in vehicle, it can be useful to prepare for tent camping as well. If you are at a campground or camping away from campgrounds, a tent can provide alternative sleeping accommodations (especially useful if you live in a small vehicle!), additional temporary storage space, and a way to "hold" your site so that someone else doesn't think it's unoccupied when you are away for a short time. This is sometimes called a "decoy tent" or "placeholder tent".- Tent
- Tent stakes and tent ropes
- Camping chairs
- Tarps and shadecloth
- Flashlights and hanging lights
- Insect repellent
Communications equipment
- Phone - At a minimum, anything that can make and take calls and texts. In the United States, you don't need a phone plan to make calls to 911; as long as the phone powers on and is in range of a cell tower, you can make emergency calls. A smartphone, even one without a SIM card or data plan, can be very useful for vandwellers: built in GPS and the ability to use offline navigation. Google Voice can provide text and calling if you get near wifi.
Other things you may need
- Air compressors
- Downsizing for nomadic living
- Dry bags
- E-bikes
- OBD2 scanners
- Snow broom
- Solar water heating
- Tents
- water for drinking, bathing, and doing dishes and laundry
- food
- cookware, and utensils
- ventilation: a fan
- bed: cot, blankets, mummy sleeping bag
- a few item to cook and eat with
- clothing
- heater
- toilet, and toiletries: toothpaste/brush, moisturizer
This article is incomplete or needs additional work. Use the "Suggest a change" or "Edit page" buttons below if you would like to help improve it! |