From Dream to Drive: A Father-Daughter Journey into Van Life

What happens when your child keeps asking for the same dream—year after year—and one day, you finally say yes?

In this heartwarming story, we’re spotlighting one of our incredible clients who took a leap of faith with his daughter, Ava, into full-time van life. What started as a week-long vacation planted a seed that grew into a lifestyle filled with sunsets, shared meals, and unforgettable memories.

We had the honor of building their custom stealth van—complete with bunks, a convertible workspace, and thoughtful touches to support their daily life on the road. But what truly makes this build special is the story it carries.

Below, they share their honest reflections, favorite tools, daily routines, and lessons from living tiny—together.

What inspired you to choose full-time van life, especially as parent?

It was something my daughter brought up after we tried it for a week on vacation. I dismissed it cause she was 9, but every year, a few times a year she asked. Guess the real question was: did I want to live with the regret of not doing it when she seemed to want it as well?

Was there a specific moment when you decided to make the leap?

When she was 12, I was faced with waiting until high-school, when hanging with dad isn’t as cool or taking a shot that she knew herself. I was hesitant because nomad living felt so right to me and was nervous it was the reason she wanted it. Even after the leap I was nervous because you don’t know what you don’t know, but still proud of myself for being willing to find out.

Ava: When I was 9 I had a dream of getting a van with my dad and traveling the world together, obviously we can’t van across the world, but we’ll see as much as we can. I knew then I wanted this.

What does a typical day look like for you both in the van?

Honestly just like it would in a home, just closer. We wake up. I hit the gym. She’s getting ready. I start work and she hits school. After we’re both done she’s typically training for basketball or practicing dancing. The difference is where we stay can change with our mood and preference. We usually chase sunsets. Evenings are usually game nights or Gilmore Girls if the bugs are out. We spent little time in our house and thats what our experience has been, we’re spending most of our time out in the world.

What do you think your daughter is learning from this lifestyle that she wouldn’t in a traditional home?

Mostly responsibility, planning and perspective.

Responsibility: You have to track things well and attack things right away. In a traditional home things can be left out, smells can be fixed quickly with an open window, or left for someone else behind a closed door. In the van things are put away right away, have to be cleaned immediately.

Planning: You do one thing. When you’re eating its a kitchen, when you’re doing work, it’s an office. When you’re having game night, it’s a living room, Planning before you sit down and enjoy has to be done (I’m also learning this one too).

Perspective: We have lived in 3200 sqft, 1200ft and now the van. We have certainly had more, but we’ve never done more together. We work together more, share more and I thought we were close but it’s forced us to become closer. Right now she seems to love it but it’ll either be a great college essay or great conversation in therapy. I currently think we’re on the right side of it.

Can you describe your van build and how it supports your day-to-day routine?

We wanted everything we had in our traditional home. The only thing we weren’t able to fit was the washer and dryer. VIPS set us up with a bunk bed system along the far wall. Indoor/outdoor cooking capabilities, and a long bench with dining table so we can enjoy work and meals together. Our TV was at the front of the van but tucked because we don’t use it as much. Everything else is storage. Love the way VIPS used the space, feels open and comfortable. The stealth pocket door helps with keeping the heat down and allows us to park anywhere without issues. The sky light still gives us that natural lighting I crave so much. Even at night it’s nice to feel connected to the outside world. We fight over whose bed is more comfortable and start all over again. If I have work to do I’ll do it in the cab while she sleeps.

Are there any sacrifices you’ve made that have been harder than expected?

Drive thru: We don’t fit anymore so late night food on the road is tough at times, unless we want to make our own. But sometimes you just want a Big Mac. 

Are there any tools, apps, or habits that make your life easier on the road?

All the time:

• Having a routine. Much more daily checks in the van than traditional living.

• Verizon “Jet Pack” wi-fi - we use the Orbic Unlimited plan. We went with the mobile cause then when we’re away from the van we have access to it too.

• Mini vacuum DUST, DUST AND MORE DUST. This is so great for daily use especially all the nooks, and after a beach day

• 100ft green extension cord - great for plug-ins on the go. We initially bought a 25ft but we’ve had to use all 100ft multiple times.

• RV water filters - VIPS put a water filter inside the build but this also filters the water into our tank. 

• Magnetic Bug Net - This is a little on the expensive side but its incredibly easy and the warranty is lifetime. Bugs don’t get in with the magnet clips and it’s a great way to get shade with the sliding door open.

• Pan set - this nesting set works great, easy to clean and the removable handles are a game changer for cooking and storing. We tried two others and this was the best fit that also felt like a good size.

• “Drying Rack” - this has become our counter space. Allows us to drain water into the sink while cooking but turns the sink into more counter space.

• Toiletry Bags - we keep these stocked and use them daily. Doesn’t matter if we’re in the van, at a friends or campsite we can grab go, and the hook allows for us to have access to everything we need in a neat space.

• Broom - pretty sure it’s a kids toy but was inexpensive, great space saver and works for the daily cleaning.

Apps: iOverlander, All Trails, Waze. 

In the crunch: 

• Portable Air Compressor/power bank - We have had to use it multiple times. Make sure to get something with a higher PSI capacity than your van tires so it doesn’t struggle)

• Portable Jumper Cables/Power bank - We’ve used it more for our projector on movie nights, but we have used it to help a few other people. Knock on wood we don’t need this one any time soon.

• External Screen - If you don’t have CarPlay this is an inexpensive work around. This is a must for long trips for us. Controls music and calls, but also lets us see the directions on a bigger screen.

• First Aid Kit

What mistakes did you make early on that others could learn from?

Don’t use a knife to defrost a freezer (turn it off and let it melt, it’ll save you $1700), Secure everything before you take off or you’ll find it all over the place. Make sure there’s nothing in your sink before you #2 cause you’re going to want to wash your hands after.

What do you miss most (if anything) about stationary life?

Having friends over, it takes much more coordination and logistics than before.

Ava: Seems silly but more space. Sometimes you just want to dance without having to go outside. Not flushing for real. Trust me pee powder is important but it’s annoying to have to do when you’re used to flushing.

Do you see this as a long-term lifestyle or a season of life?

Long term for me. I have ambitions to stay a month in every continental. I’m prepared for it to be a season of life for my daughter but she’s taken to it the way she thought she would. Very thankful for the time we’ve been able to get and going to enjoy as much of it as possible. Already planning Van 2.0 though.

This journey is a beautiful reminder that van life isn’t just about wheels and woodwork—it’s about saying yes to connection, adventure, and the unknown. For this father and daughter, the road has brought them closer, taught them lessons no classroom could, and turned a childhood dream into real life.

We’re honored to have played a part in their story.

If you're dreaming about your own mobile lifestyle—whether for business or adventure—we’d love to help bring it to life.

And if you'd like to be featured in an upcoming story, reply or reach out—we’re always looking for more inspiring van life journeys to share.