Thank you for this. I lived in a van for about 2 1/2 to 3 years straight full-time and then I moved into an RV then eventually a tiny home with the foundation. I drove an old van and there are usually four reactions that you get. One they think you’re a child molester two they think you’re a druggie three they think you’re just poor and need money or four they really think what you’re doing is amazing, other peoples expectations never faced me. I became a truck driver over the road and I went team and and then I was getting paid to travel. It’s not the same as Vanlife, but it sent me ahead. I never could’ve put myself through school if it was not for my good old van. I will never apologize for driving it and or living in it and I don’t care who it offends.

@interestingcomments5178

25 күн бұрын

There is also people in Vanlife who are elitist. They either built their van out or they drive them Mercedes sprinters and they really don’t like people like us. They will make comments or look down on us and think that we are ruining it for them.

Hang in there. You got this.😊 Van, car, tent...just do what's best for you and we'll be here for it.

@user-rk8zc7xn6k

15 күн бұрын

see if you can find out what zoning or building codes are for the area. the codes change from place to place. Most trucks or vans are normal in construction and locations . Stay at it and don't give up .

@user-rk8zc7xn6k

15 күн бұрын

Keep the van fix it up.

A lot of people would do well to mind their own business more especially when it doesn't affect them in any way whatsoever! People are also way too concerned about aesthetics when function/utility is way more important!! I appreciate your authenticity

I like how you are trying to still be nice and respectful but at the same time calling them out. your sense of humor is great.. wish I could hear more stories from you. il blast no doubt in my car for you 😂

@thebattousai1403

Ай бұрын

one of my biggest pet peeves, people think they own the actual street/curb where people park if it's in front of their house. even if it's in front of their house or in their neighborhood, they have no right to do that lmao

I’m so sorry this happened to you! You still inspire me and your story on how you have not lost your faith in humanity. Keep your heads up Alex. I wish you the best and you’re always in my heart and prayers.

Thank you so much for this rant. It's the realest of the real when it comes to vehicle-dwelling. I'm fully employed, work remotely, and live out of my Mazda 3. I've "built- it -out" and of course --the dream will always be a sprinter van. But the reality for myself (and most), is that I'm then 'house-poor' all over again.. Like, I'd have this "home" that is now the only thing I can afford. And that's the whole reason I ended up choosing this over rent. Paying off debt and having more freedom with the funds I have are of more value to me than remaining "house-poor"... Just. I appreciate you sharing this aspect of what "van-life" is for many, many people.

Love the rant! Hope it gets better for you

I really enjoy your ranting, Ahle! And listening to your thought process. Keep doing you and keep being awesome!

I always appreciated how simple your build out was. After seeing all of the crazy custom cabinets and sinks with a faucet etc., I would sometimes start to doubt myself with my desk table and walmart plastic drawers. Seeing yours was a reminder that if it works, it works, and it's ok to do what works for you. I like that idea that it is a spectrum. I find it so comforting to know that even if my van isn't super cool on the inside, it holds everything I need it to. And that is enough for me.

@denverdubois5835

Ай бұрын

I like the simpler setups better myself. I bought an antique dresser and put it in there. Varnished the top to protect it. Just kept a few big bottles of water in the passenger footwell and used a simple antique washbowl for hygiene etc. Washed my stuff at campgrounds, showered there and at the gym. Kept my stuff organized and clean in the drawers and a couple of storage tubs, cooked with campfires, Coleman stove, rice cooker using a power bank. Had some simple pans and stuff made for camping, worked perfectly with paper plates etc. Created a nice atmosphere with fairy lights, salt lamp, comfy bedding. Laundromat once a week. Like that.

Your resilient! and that's what is awesome about you. I know it gets tiring trying to make everything work but you're doing a great job and keep or sell, etc - you have the experience to thrive no matter what.

I love your videos and journey! It's one of the more relatable content and mindsets that's I've connected to on here in a while. My sister and I have done the van life and still kinda do, but you're so right, there's a time and a place and everything is constantly evolving. If you ever make a trip out to Oregon with Bertha, we have an amazing mobile mechanic that has helped my sister and I out a ton in recent years. He's the only mechanic we can trust with our vehicles now. I'm sure he would be able to do a successful diagnostic on your situation. I know that's kinda a long drive and all but just thought I'd throw it out as an option. Plus it would be amazing to meet you! 🎉❤

Omg you’re back!

"The neighbors called the cops on my van" Yeoooo the van is innocent.🤣😁 Call the cops on the people; the van doesn't know what's going on.

@BrianWaller-qe7gr

Ай бұрын

Someone called the sheriff on me. I was just sitting in a secluded area some idiot comes along then leaves. Like 20 minutes later the sheriff showed up. He didn’t tell me I couldn’t stay there and had to move. Just asked what I was doing and if I needed help. I was just sitting there minding my own business. If I needed help I’d flag down the car that showed up.

I love your rants but I also love your strand of conversations

Tire rubber degrades after 7 to 10 years. Search how to tell how old your tires are. See if you are developing small cracks in the rubber. You do not want one of your old tires exploding while you are on the freeway.

@barcrusher

Ай бұрын

7-10? It’s 6 years in Australia then they’re illegal.

@hoodrooster224

Ай бұрын

@@barcrusherIn the US we're just on our own, lol.

No one’s business but yours on the van build out. I would keep the van.

I've had a campervan since 2017 but I don't 'live" in it. It's more of weekends, a few+ weeks riding mountain bikes. Rarely do I pay for camping and I know where I can park to work and/or sleep in the I frequent. I did get kicked out of a Bucee's in Florence, SC this past February. I parked in an area they wanted to work on or clean up. I should have parked by the Tesla chargers and the other RVs.

Thanks Ahle. Hang in there!

I am sorry that van is being mechanically challenging, you are so on point about people lacking empathy/understanding. I enjoy your content.

I've had a couple old white vans and there's definitely a bad stigma attached to them. I found one remedy which was just to attach some business stickers to them. I put "Brandons Mobile Welding" on the side of one van and never had an issue again. Im currently building out a white 97 Dodge Van similar to yours but without all the windows and I'm just gonna give it a cheap Rust-Oleum paint job. Probably make it an industrial gray which seems to be a popular color on new expensive vans these days and I'll still keep the "Brandons Mobile Welding" decals on the side.

No judgement here! You inspired me because you do what works for u! Authentically yourself. I appreciate u always sharing.

That sucks, sorry that happened to you. I’m a van dweller so I understand what you’re going through.

I have a nice 1994 class A, and found many RV parks won't allow it there because of the age. I can afford a new one, but don't see the need since I'm a mechanic and can keep anything running like new. The older I get, the less I care what other people think. I like your comment about the priority list 🙂.

You're awesome, bro.

Thanks for another excellent video.

I've living in my suv off an on for about 2 years. The first time was during 2020. I was a line cook and all the restaurants closed so I went to find work in LA/ meridian county. Was there for less that 6 months then I started cooking again back in my county/ inland empire area. Now I live in washington state and I've been in the same vehicle for almost a year and a half. It's a 2004 ml350 mercedes. The m112 v6 motor is really holding up, just everything else is falling apart 😅 the evap system is out cause I've had some close calls with funds and gas. I finally built a bed in the back, took out the seats. Have enough room for a laundry hamper, cooler and storage underneath the bed frame. But I can build a bed in a new vehicle again. Departing from vehicle is hard but it's just time to move on to better things to help us on our real journey. I'm going to miss this car, it's taught me alot and helped me through some tough times. But I'm ready to start a new journey in a new vessel. God bless, been watching your vids since 2016-2017?

Good luck selling it. I’m living in my Chevy Astro not as big as yours but I like how small it is.

Imagine going to someone's house and asking them why they haven't redone the kitchen and bathrooms? Because it's 1) None of your business and 2) costs money.

@99cachorro

Ай бұрын

Costs money is right. I am doing a remodel on a bathroom/closet and I'm already up to $16,000 before drywall!

My sister told me she was thinking of buying an RV. I told she shouldn't. The reason is I have done it. First, they're big. Then the stigma you get these days. Then because of our housing issues, the camp grounds are full and free spots are crowded. I had a full time job, good rental history, but I had a Rottweiler. Nobody would rent to me. I wasn't going to abandon my best friend, so I had the RV. Went from parking lot to parking lot. Had eggs thrown at me. People banging on my walls, yelling. Calling me a drug addict, child molester, and to get a life. Now I own my house. Not buying my house, I own it. Those lessons were a harsh lesson to learn. My sister isn't going to listen to me. She said I was crushing her dreams. I told her, it's not me, it's reality and she needed to face it now before she makes a mistake.

Tried my own living in the car for a vacation last week and itnwas pretty fun! Drove frim New Hampshire to Florida and then slept in the car at Disney World for a week (Fort Wilderness campground). It was an electric car, Tesla Model Y, so you can run the A/C without thr car being "on" so we kept it at a comfortable 68 degrees all night. The hatchback opens and seats fold down to put an actual mattress big enough for 2 people. Kept out stuff all around vehind the seats, on the front seats, in the front trunk, dirty laundry under the trunk floor. Fortunately the bathrooms with shower was a close walk. Really the main inconvenience was not having a place to dry out the bath towel after showering

I live in my 2005 Dodge grand caravan and I am 60 years old. I could get a place but like you I couldn't have the luxury of a vehicle n my beloved Yamaha VMAX and my vane is not built out at all. It basically has a small bed and a cooler and I also rent a storage unit which holds all my other belongings. So I go there to get clean clothes and ect. I shower at a friend's house and could even move in there but his brother and girlfriend also live there.And while we all get along I like being alone in my van and playing on the Internet. But I stay local I want to travel but haven't yet. But I have a really great place where I park every night. Where there's no foot traffic and mostly only tractor trailers use this road and also a company down the street their workers go to and from work on this road so it's a good spot for me and it's only about 10 blocks to my storage unit and about a mile from my friend's house

I had a Honda Element that I lived in and loved it. I think there’s a lot to be said about stealth camping esp in neighborhoods

Actually a real good video. I really just check in to see how you are doing and stuff so rants are very informative. Sorry the world has gotten more crazy.

Also are the newer Sprinter Vans as well built as Bertha is ?

Sadly if it isn’t pretty society wants it out of sight out of mind. Keep at it, excited to see future content. Thanks for sharing! 😊

Yo this UK van couple had a box van but it was previously removals and they kept the sign and it was painted nice. So maybe an idea if you wrote removals name on it then people are less likely to complain maybe.

I love ❤ women who speak their minds!!! You will find your way!!! Peace be with you!!!

Hope you're doing great

nice to see you again been following you from the start america is a far better place to live in a van uk is way to strickt and small hope one way or the other you carry on your love of van life and keep living it with us we missed you

Get a Tesla model x (2016 model) that gives you lifetime free supercharging. This will eliminate your travel cost since you are paying for gas. Also model x is huge is you remove the back two rows to put a mattress

It seems in my lifetime people have gotten so much more hung up on their perceived status and what is “appropriate” for their neighborhood. A lot of people look down on old vehicles and forget that at one time, that’s all they could afford. I like your take on it though, quite frustrating but you seem to be dealing with it well in a measured, thoughtful way. Better than I would probably.

Your style is much more realistic. I never used the coffee can but also never had full blown solar and a stove

I like hearing you speak :-)

Hope you are ok with the floods….

But a mini air compresser for the flat tires.

It seems like getting rid of the van is the right move at this point, having less things to worry about is always a good thing.

Sometimes Ahle,,,, ya just gotta rant a little. Your story is always welcoming to me.

Good video… hang in there👍😎

Sounds you're having a lot of fun.

Maybe a Honda Element with all wheel drive (AWD). Or a Toyota Sienna AWD. You could get either for about $3k - $4k. They're more "stealth". Don't stand out too much.

@classicscustomsandhotrodso600

Ай бұрын

Yes. We didn’t get the Element here but I have seen some nice conversions, and I think one of those would be perfect for her ..

@AA-zq1fi

Ай бұрын

Definitely. And the AWD version would be great for those muddy or snow filled boondocking sites.

I understand your delima Ahle . What about spending the money on a new engine for Bertha ? I was up in Memphis last week and waiting outside the Doctor office I was able to talk with the UPS Driver. We talked about the fuel costs for the Delivery Truck. He's older UPS Truck cost an average of 179.00 dollars to fill it up. His new Natural Gas Powered UPS Truck only costs 14.00 dollars for fueling with Natural Gas. With a New Natural Gas engine Powered Bertha; what about giving Bertha a complete make over ? This way you're covered by being debt free.

Hi Ahle I can't believe anyone would ever call the police on you I mean its just normal living in a van to Expect the worst hope for the best and take what ever comes and roll with it

@mrmotofy

24 күн бұрын

Yes...calls for the dumbest things. I had a neighbor that called the city cuz I parked a vehicle 1 foot off driveway, on the gravel along driveway since 2 cars side by side was too tight to get in/out of. Too bad for them, I KNEW it would be an issue so it was already zoned as driveway.

Could've parked it down by a river. It's a thing. Lol. Great to see you back on YT

Living out of car and camping around At had 3 people call sherif because they didn't like how we were camping, people are getting very insecure around the world, sign of a falling nation.

It is ridiculous how there are essentially no safe affordable housing options in America for people who consciously want to live minimally. Even in the hood they are cranking rents ups. Obviously, there is a lot of interest in eliminating alternative housing options to force people to pay ever increasing proportions of their income to rent. The best thing to recommend is to live with family for as long as possible, unfortunately American culture has put a stigma on generational homes, but there are thriving immigrant families that demonstrate what a group of people working together can do.

@jhart1979

Ай бұрын

So true. I moved back in with family during covid to save money and help raise my nephew. I'm still here and no regrets. During that time I've started a freelance business and saved up more than I ever could when I had an apartment. I'm now planning to use some of the money to be a digital nomad in cheaper countries for a while because I'm not wasting my money on current Canadian rent prices ($1900 for a 1-bedroom in my city of less than a million people which is what it used to cost to live in downtown Manhattan).

The biases against vehicle type is so silly. Someone literally yelled at me last week in my gym parking lot just because I have a van. So weird. Of course this NEVER randomly happened when I was living in my Civic. Some people just hate anyone who has a van, especially when it’s not a $150K van.

Well I'm so sad that you're selling the van but happy that you're getting something else.

Approximately how much is the cost a month total to live in a van vs an apartment???

Some places have rules against "eyesores" that might include "nonfunctioning vehicles". So when calling the cops the first time didn't work, maybe they found a statute like that and thought a flat tire would count. Even so, I don't think the cops would do anything, even though it might give them the power to write a ticket. Especially bc they can look up the previous call and see it wasn't flat at that time.

Cost of replacement ( do you ) keep the van they have so many uses rock auto wholesale page penny's on the dollar

Curious how it went with the cops if you were not breaking any ordinances. Were they courteous? It is true that older vehicles can just look more sketch. As mentioned below a Honda Element or a Scion would be more stealth and more reliable and use less gas (but less room) if you have the budget. Or if you have a little bigger budget you could go with something like a Toyota Sienna

Just be safe

Turbo Ahle. Your mouth always goes straight to plaid (as in the movie, "Spaceballs"). You could power a major metropolis with your laser-focused energy output. You are one of the happiest, most relentlessly positive people I've ever encountered. Pity that prissy, hall-monitor, soulless, no-life Gollum, complaining about your mobile torture chamber. Good luck!

Here's a like and a comment just to boost the moral

Ahle, I have followed your channel for a lot of years now. Remember watching you start this whole process with the van. I have done the van life thing with a much more well equipped camper van when I was much younger, now for the last 8 years I have been living on a 42' sailboat which I have been restoring and upgrading a bit at a time, and have been fortunate enough to sail her thousands of miles including from Washington to Alaska and back last year with my girlfriend. It seems a bit part of the problem with what you are running into right now is your van never really did get finished, you don't have a power system, plumbing system, shower, latrine etc, and because of this you are not comfortable in the van as you could be. Not saying that you need to do a $100k build out, but getting that van done up inside to make it a home will do wonders for your state of mind. If you want to capitalize on it, I would say tear everything inside out and start anew with a new design, freshen it up, make a video series on it, share what you have learned. Remember perfect is the enemy of good. Also, you may want to look into boat life, it is very similar to van life but way better because there are lots of anchorages where you can stay for periods of time, and marinas around that cater to you. You can get a sailboat that has far more living space than your van for 10-15k.

Meh. Ignore them. I wouldn’t give them a second thought. I’m in a dodge grand caravan, 2019. No build and no problems, ever. The windows came tinted. I sleep in the back on the third row seat and my pillow case, sheet and blanket are black. The third row seat is also my sofa. Very comfortable. No one can see me sleeping in it, no one knows I live in it. It’s just another mini van parked on the street and no one cares. I enjoyed your video. It was awesome! I gave it a thumbs up.

@BrianWaller-qe7gr

Ай бұрын

I’m in a 2018 caravan. It’s my work van. 173k miles.

There are increasing instances of folks taking over streets living in vehicles so some folks get triggered at the site of what they assume could be someone scouting a new area to to stay at.

Come move to Alberta

If all you want in your home is a cooler and a sleeping bag that is fine. You only need what makes you happy and fits your needs.

It seems you have knowledge about this van life stuff I could learn from but I think I might have some you could use. I travel for work and hate hotels, so I lived full time in a utility trailer I put together for 5 years. Now I stay part time at my girlfriends house but still live part time in this trailer. We should share our experiences and see what ideas might help each of us do this better.

U r soooo damn cute and animated!😀😀. I hope everything works out …. Yes that van really sticks out like a White Elephant….😬

I’m very over the stigma! I’m making some changes too and selling my van! 😁 Look at us, haha.

Replace the fuel lines delete all propane if need to get a gas only system go to a junk yard get the whole system from gas only dodge truck or van that year

I haven't watched you in some time really enjoy you're camping and vehicle living vlogs stay safe unfortunately all this attention being drawn to vanlife on social media people don't like it worried people gonna be staying sleeping outside there homes changing the neighborhood and stealing possibly people homeless and thats not the case people be afraid fear the worst 😊

not judging, but I would have invested money at the start to give the van a new paint job. Personally, I acquired a van that I intend to set up as a RV type vehicle. But it is an actual wheelchair transport van and all the features are still functional. Including the wheelchair lift. I may be naive, but I think that an actual wheelchair van might b easier to explain to the cops if they got called. Of course, I would only take it to locations that have RX hookups.

So much of our society has lost their minds. They are literally trying to make it illegal to be homeless here in Oregon. What happened to compassion for others?

@KaraBook

Ай бұрын

Then there is the Supreme Court case being heard this month.

@evinwhiteson4902

Ай бұрын

That's what 8 jabs can do. In laguna Beach you can't smoke or vape. Signs everywhere. Buckle up buttercup

@derekf5261

Ай бұрын

@@evinwhiteson4902 8 jabs?

@nisagomez4366

Ай бұрын

@@evinwhiteson4902 Your comment is what zero jabs can do.

@TrueBeauty2974

Ай бұрын

Does that mean they’ll buy me a house if I move there as a homeless person. I’m not really homeless, but I identify as a homeless blck woman.

your doing good and your living, just do it with what you have

She’s from Plano East senior high school .

Since in a last video you said you were in Roy New Mexico, it made me think...cops called ..flat tire...you must have parked in LAS CRUCES las Cruces , did I mention Las Cruces yet?

@andrewawp

Ай бұрын

Seems like I have known (about) you for years, I just don't really follow rock climbing and long sessions about personal thoughts and things much. ( my my, these people in upper Scotland, or from??? USA? ( Wales/Scotland/wild parts of W.Briton can look/act like Montana)). Anyway, I just realized you said you have AHSD or whatever it's called. Jeesh ok, now it makes sense why you stop posting quite a bit on new topics and there are gaps of years (I think) on your YT channel! It's making more sense now.

Just don't get caught in a unlawful assembly 😆. I'd luv to buy it.

yeah goodluck

You need to get away from them people

Would it happen with a newer van...YES there's busy bodies everywhere. They just don't like ANYONE doing anything they don't approve of.

This is frustrating to listen to. People have new cars, people have old cars and, if they hang onto them long enough, they become classic cars. You can park wherever you like, as long as its legal. Depending on local ordnance you may have to move it every few days, but within those restrictions, do whatever you like. If you suspect someone is vandalizing your property, report them. If they are harassing you with multiple police reports, fight back.

Bam Son

ALWAYS someone got something to say 🙄 mind yo business and enjoy her content, we create when we get the itch, NOT here to impress but to express.

❤

Sorry for your troubles. I realize someone said you could park there, but if the law allowed that person to decide who can use the street as a storage area, then he would have told the cops you had permission to be there. Car lifers/van life videographers notoriously misrepresent this issue and conceal misdemeanors with euphemisms like "stealth camping". There are tutorials on how to evade the law by parking after people are in bed, or concealing themselves with strategic use of hedgerows and such. Etc. It is not too late to get a husband. But it will be soon.

Breathing techniques. Meditate, find your center. Some time to close those beautiful eyes of yours. No one expects you to do anything more than a person can do in 24hrs. Nuthin new under the sun. Make a list, you worries are numbed. Maybe just 8.. Then take care of it. ✔️

Buy a minivan. It will give you the best of both worlds. It will be large enough to be comfortable living in. However, it will simultaneously be discreet enough to park in any residential area without attracting unwanted attention.

If you had permission to park there and the person had the right to give permission they should have put an end to the police ordeal.

Your van just experienced anti-Whitism… a lot of that going around lately.

Maybe it's time for the Hobo Homestead 👍

@goyoushorts6520

Ай бұрын

I'd watch that

Why they picking on Bertha!😮

i love you

It’s insane that folks think living in a van is about luxury and full build outs. You did the right think to ignore them as they won’t be able to understand your perspective. Keep on doing you!

Paint it?

People are vicious. This society is missing any love.

People definitely need to mind their own business. Just nosy ppl, I'd also wonder about the flat tire too, it's your van. Take as long as you want with the build process. If they care that much, then they can donate damnit.

I'm sorry to hear that but with squatters stories nowadays maybe people are suspicious. God bless you.

@heiner71

Ай бұрын

That's exactly it. I live in Northern California and we have problems with homeless encampments all around the area. Folks getting suspicious if a van shows up, because not long after, there will be a second one, then a third, then the tents and the shopping carts start appearing.

@denverdubois5835

Ай бұрын

Yeah, things have changed. If you're gonna park a vehicle for a while on any residential street, you probably have to connect with the neighbors and let you know you're not a problem. We had a guy like that on our block for a year. He talked with us and let us know his situation. Otherwise we would've been suspicious because we've had some VERY bad problems recently.