A couple, who abandoned traditional living to become full-time nomads, have shared the challenging reality of van life.
When Brittany Lojko decided to join her long-time friend, Taylor Putman, for three weeks on the road, she had no idea what would follow.
The couple, now aged 30 and 32, soon fell in love, finding themselves “inseparable” and didn’t want their adventure to end – and so decided never to return to their old life.
With van life often painted as an idyllic lifestyle, the pair are sharing a candid account of the good, the bad and the ugly.
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“There was [a] time where our diesel heater stopped working because it was -25c,” Taylor, from New Hampshire, US, told What’s The Jam.
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“The exhaust pipe had actually frozen solid and forced our heat to go out.
“Since it was so freezing and we were in the middle of nowhere, it was difficult.
“We were both so cold and got testy with each other, and it was tense, definitely pushed us overboard, and it did make Brittany want to abandon van life for good – it was scary.”
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Anyone looking to renovate their own van should also be aware that, while it may be fun, it’s also costly and can take months, depending on the state the vehicle is in.
So be prepared to put the time in.
The pair purchased the 2014 Ram Promaster 3500 for $25,000 (USD) (£19,700) but additional supplies drove the cost up much higher – with the total coming in at $45,000 (USD) (£35,400).
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After 10 months, the van was complete, much thanks to Taylor’s DIY skills, with him picking up tips from YouTube.
Taylor said: “[To build the van], I had to work 60 hours per week to get the funds and once I had the money to buy materials, I would get to work until I ran out of money again and start the process over.
“For me, it got difficult around the eight-month mark, as I just wanted to be done and living in the van.”
The van life has also forced the couple to confront relationship issues head-on.
Taylor said: “Living in the van together really forces us to confront any and all of our problems face to face.
“It’s made us better communicators and our relationship is strong because of how much time we truly spend together.
“It has [got its] challenges and when you need some space, it’s difficult to get.
“But a lot of the times, when one of us is struggling and we don’t know why, the other will notice and talk about it.
“It takes patience and kindness to be able to listen and understand someone that you love.”
The pair, who were previously living in house shares and spending £2,000 a month each on rent and bills, knew they wanted a different way of life that would give them more freedom.
Brittany and Taylor set off in June 2022 and since then, they’ve visited the Redwood Forest, Glacier National Park and The Badlands, to name but a few locations.
The couple spend their days hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding.
And they are joined by their nine-year-old Mika, who has adapted to the nomadic and eco-friendly lifestyle quickly.
Despite the challenges along the way, the couple have no regrets.
Brittany added: “We’re inseparable and love the life we’ve built.
“We are living our wildest dream and are extremely grateful to have met each other.
“We wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
VAN BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Van: $25,000
Appliances: $3,000, (£2,365)
Electric system and solar panels: $5,000, (£3,940)
Heater: $1,000, (£790)
Materials: $7,000, (£5,520)
Miscellaneous: $4,000, (£3,150)
TOTAL: $45,000, (£35,400)
