I make my Model Y a Home on Wheels

[journey.w.vic]

As EVs are continuously adopted, it’s only a matter of time before “van life” in EVs becomes the hottest new way of traveling around, living like a hippie, and enjoying “camp mode” every night.

I’m writing this post from my bed in my Model Y, (AKA Journey) from a parking lot in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Indeed, I am living out of my Model Y. For the next 2.5 months, I’ll be traveling across the United States and living out of my Tesla. As far as I know, I’ll be the only person living out of a Tesla in the United States, full time. I want to become an expert at living in EVs, so please, ask questions!

If you’d like to follow along, I’ll be making videos, posts, etc on social media @journey.w.vic

 

[Suspendmix]

Nice, just followed - you got a youtube channel too?

 

[acarney]

I'll be very curious how many times you run into issues of "you can't camp in that" even if you are in a sanctioned camp group, especially one that has a 30amp or 50amp outlet. To me that is the best case; you hit a camp group that can charge the car overnight and you get all the comforts of a nice heated/cooled cabin and keeping the bugs out. BUT, I've heard of some camp areas throwing a fit saying you can't "camp in cars" and making people either setup tents or have RVs...

I hope over the next few years that changes

 

[DanDi58]

I think I might have waited for the ID.Buzz to be generally available...! That would make a neat Westphalia-style conversion.

 

[Big Earl]

You’re definitely not the only person full-timing in a Tesla. We have one person in our Superchargers Visited competition who is currently nomadic in a Model S 70D with a stripped and converted interior. I’ve also met several other Tesla-lifers at Superchargers. One of the more memorable folks I’ve encountered is a young man who lives out of his Model X on Long Island. There are also other people who do extended travel out of their Teslas, utilizing YMCAs and 24-hour fitness centers for personal hygiene stops along the way.

Enjoy the trip! I think Tesla camping is very comfortable. I stay in the back of my Model 3 on alternating nights on long trips and really enjoy the flexibility and freedom that it offers.

 

[FormationLap]

Good luck! Interested to hear what challenges you encounter.

 

[andaconda]

I think I might have waited for the ID.Buzz to be generally available...! That would make a neat Westphalia-style conversion.

I loved my VW Campmobile! Life was good in the early '70's

 

[nate704]

Do you work? What is your income source? Rich parents?

 

[mbdionio]

it would be good if you can vlog your EV camping adventure.

 

[nate704]

@Kuroneko
Not sure your "disagree" thing since OP said ask questions, and I just did that.

 

[threeputts]

You’re definitely not the only person full-timing in a Tesla. We have one person in our Superchargers Visited competition who is currently nomadic in a Model S 70D with a stripped and converted interior. I’ve also met several other Tesla-lifers at Superchargers. One of the more memorable folks I’ve encountered is a young man who lives out of his Model X on Long Island. There are also other people who do extended travel out of their Teslas, utilizing YMCAs and 24-hour fitness centers for personal hygiene stops along the way.

Enjoy the trip! I think Tesla camping is very comfortable. I stay in the back of my Model 3 on alternating nights on long trips and really enjoy the flexibility and freedom that it offers.

Where do you typically sleep in your 3? RV parks? Rest areas? Walmart lots?

 

[Big Earl]

It depends - highway rest areas, remote areas, sometimes at or near a Supercharger. I haven't done a campground or a Walmart yet.

 

[Geech72]

Head north til you hit highway 17, east til you hit Charleston, and go immediately to Lewis bbq. Then go back for 2nds tomorrow; the Wednesday special is smoked prime rib it'll change your life.

 

[FatherTo1]

I think this experiment can work for an individual but where do you plan to shower? What is the plan after 2.5 months? What do you plan to see in your travels?

We have an acquaintance that tried to do the van life with their two kids. They bought a van and tricked it out with solar panels. Once they hit the road they encountered all sorts of trouble and reliability of the solar panels and ended up spending more time in hotels because it was hard for four people to live, study, and work out of a van.

 

[ThomasD]

Are you going to live in your car during the winter?

 

[norazi]

I would probably want a mini trailer at the minimum (numcamp 320 or scamp 13) if I was doing this just to have access to toilet/shower.

 

[Big Earl]

I would probably want a mini trailer at the minimum (numcamp 320 or scamp 13) if I was doing this just to have access to toilet/shower.

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For this particular lifestyle, a trailer seems like a liability. Significantly lower driving range, less maneuverable in cities, limited/restricted parking options, where to keep it if you don't want to tow it around on a particular day, etc. The added facilities of a shower and toilet are nice, but in my travels, I've had no problem meeting those needs. Between inexpensive 24/7 gym memberships and convenience stores, toilet facilities aren't particularly difficult to find.

If, on the other hand, you wanted to venture off into the wilderness and spend time at camp grounds and on public land, a trailer is probably a good way to go.

 

[Chomlee]

On a different but similar note, I am an RVer, and I happened to see a prototype Winnebago conversion van EV. It was really interesting with a range of about 100 miles. I see these becoming very popular in the next 10 years. only Issue is on cross country trips, it would be very difficult for these larger vehicles to get the range necessary to go from one place to the next.

 

[nate704]

On a different but similar note, I am an RVer, and I happened to see a prototype Winnebago conversion van EV. It was really interesting with a range of about 100 miles. I see these becoming very popular in the next 10 years. only Issue is on cross country trips, it would be very difficult for these larger vehicles to get the range necessary to go from one place to the next.

Tesla will start delivering Tesla Semi this year, so cross country travel will not be an issue in the future.

 

[mdsco]

Following!! I've done a bunch of longer road trips in my 3 and am planning an extended 3+ week road trip in my Y once it arrives (hopefully next month)

Have you considered getting some kind of tent or shelter as place to hang out in? I bought the Kelty Backroadz shelter (Kelty Backroads Shelter | REI Co-op) since it apparently is much easier for one person to put up/down than some of the other popular SUV-attachable tents. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet obviously, but it's sitting in a pile with the rest of my Y accessories patiently waiting for delivery