We present to you Van'essa or Jean-Claude Van Van, depending on the mood :)
Bought two years ago by us (we didn't even introduce ourselves, Enora and Malcie, two sisters in search of adventure!), we have completely fitted it out to be as practical as possible on the roads. I lived there full time for 6 months and I find that it feels much better there than in a 3* palace (ok, maybe I'm not completely objective). As we want the best for our Vaness' we decided to rent her a little to find her a warm place for the winter.
So yes, the comfort is a little rudimentary but it is largely functional for a few weeks.
You will find a comfortable double bed that we switch to "living room" mode during the day with bench seat and table. Kitchen level, gas hobs and a sink. Two water tanks below this, one for clean water to be filled when empty and the other for gray water to be emptied when full. Easy so far, are you with me? Yes, so we continue the tour of the owner. We also have a fridge which only works if we are plugged into an electrical outlet but which consumes a lot of electricity, we use it more as a cooler.
Many cupboards to store all your belongings. A grocery store with basic products will be provided to you as well as crockery for 4 people in case you have guests and the classic kit for cooking (stove, saucepan, we even have a dish for making cakes on the hotplates !).
On the bathroom side, chemical toilets for urgent desires, and a solar shower. We place it on the windshield during the day to warm it up and we hang it outside in the back of the truck in the evening to take our shower, with a curtain stretched out for maximum privacy. If it's raining we have plan Z to take a shower inside the truck but it requires a little more logistics, we'll explain.
In the driver's cabin, 3 seats in the front. You will probably say to me "but then, can we travel with 3 people? We can, but there, the comfort for the third person is not the same because it will be necessary to inflate a mattress (which we can provide if you really care) to sleep on the floor of the truck and believe us, it's not very big. But it is done. We prefer to indicate two beds so that everyone is comfortable but we can discuss it by phone if you want to be 3. Equipment level, a car radio with Bluetooth to listen to your best sounds while driving.
Finally, on the outside, a blind to protect you from the sun or the rain, an outdoor table with 4 stools and nature as a garden, that's the van life!
For electricity, we have an auxiliary battery that recharges while driving. It allows you to have light inside the truck in the evening and to charge your USB electrical devices. Be careful, no 220V socket as long as the truck is not plugged into the mains. We have a converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter if you really need to charge your computer while driving, but it makes a hell of a racket, it's more of an opportunity to unplug a little from the screens :)
If, however, you find a socket to plug the van into at a campsite or a neighbour's garden, then it is possible to plug the truck in with the extension cord and adapter that we will provide to have conventional sockets inside. . If you are plugged in, we have a small electric heater that you can turn on. On the other hand, in the middle of nature, there is no socket, so no heating, but the duvet is very warm, you get used to it, it's just sometimes a little difficult to get out of bed in the morning.
If this little description has made your mouth water, you feel like a conqueror and you want to experience this way of life, do not hesitate to contact us so that we can discuss and see if our Vanessa' is adapted to your projects.
The van will be delivered clean with a full tank of water and fuel, toilet cassette and gray water empty, it must be returned in the same condition - if the vehicle is not returned clean, 80 EUROS will be charged.
Possibility of parking for your vehicle during your stay.
You'll see, once adopted, you can't live without it :)
Goodbye !