10 Skoolie & Van Life Essentials
What essentials do you need before hitting the road in your converted school bus?
When embarking on our skoolie journey, we extensively searched the internet for 'must-have items' for a converted school bus or van life. However, the recommendations we encountered included fruit baskets, ineffective drawer magnets, and other non-essential items. While these suggestions are nice (and that fruit basket is nice to have) our curated list is centered on safety. It highlights crucial essentials that have proven invaluable for us, particularly in challenging situations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
5. Extra Blankets
Number one essential for bus life
The following is a list of products that have proven helpful. Stay tuned for my number one essential for bus life—a fantastic aspect is that it costs absolutely nothing at all.
I'm about to give a hearty knock on wood before I say this, but in our first year on the road, we've surprisingly had an easy time finding potable water while driving through the western part of the US. However, sometimes even when the sign claims "potable," we've learned it's always a good call to have a filter or some water purification method handy. Having peace of mind when it comes to water contaminants is absolutely crucial. There have been a few occasions when the supposedly "potable" water looked downright questionable.
Now, let's get down to essentials. If you're after the basics, here's what gets the job done for us.
We take an extra precaution by filtering our water once more inside the bus using a trusty Brita type water filter. If your budget allows for a little more flexibility, we'd highly recommend considering a reverse osmosis water filter. Our road-tripping pals swear by this one.
While it might not fall under the absolute necessity category, having a reverse osmosis filter would undoubtedly make our lives a breeze. We could bid farewell to the Brita filter, the RV filter, and open up a plethora of new water sources for our road adventures.
2 . Gas & Carbon Monoxide Detector
When we initially hit the road, we goofed up by only getting a carbon monoxide detector. However, given that we use propane on the bus for both our oven and stove combo, as well as our hot water heater, it turned out to be a bit of an oversight.
Fortunately, we caught on to this oversight pretty quickly and managed to snag an all-in-one detector. Waking up in the dead of night to an alarm is downright terrifying, but the peace of mind, knowing that this device is our guardian, is absolutely priceless. We opted for a wall plug-in rather than a battery-powered one, ensuring that it's always on duty, keeping us safe and sound.
If you've ever watched a YouTube video of an RV or Skoolie going up in flames, you're aware it happens in the blink of an eye. The situation can get extremely dangerous, particularly if you're parked close to another rig that catches fire. The bottom line is to be ready. These automatic fire extinguisher balls provide us with an enormous peace of mind. They autonomously detect fires and release extinguishing agents, mirroring the action of a fire extinguisher without you having to lift a finger. The best part? They're on the job even when you're away from home.
I cannot count the amount of times we’ve used this in the past year. When our car broke down, this device came to our rescue. If you plan on parking in sand or near beaches, it’s the perfect way to deflate your skoolie tires and inflate them back up after your beach adventure. For school bus tires like ours that demand a robust 120 PSI for proper inflation, it's essential to invest in an air compressor that can handle the job (we went through a few that claimed 120 PSI capability before landing on this winner). The beauty of having both functionalities in one device? It's a space-saving dream!
5. Lots of Extra Blankets
In the initial move-in phase, my mission was all about saving space and avoiding a mountain of bulky blankets. Fast forward a year, and my stance has done a complete 180 – bring them all. Whether you're on the same weather-chasing escapades as us or boldly embracing winter head-on (if so, consider us impressed), nights can get seriously chilly. Plus, you might not always have the solar-powered energy to fire up your heater. And let's not forget boondocking on public land, where generator restrictions can come into play. If you're planning on getting cozy in chilly conditions, stock up on extra blankets; you'll thank yourself later.
6. Bungee Cords & Ratchet Straps
Alright, so here's the deal – when we started bus life, we thought we had it all figured out with some drawer magnets boasting stellar Amazon reviews. Turns out, our big and hefty drawers weren't impressed. Despite giving it our all, the only things that reliably do the trick are good ol' bungee cords and, believe it or not, shower/curtain rods wedged strategically to keep those drawers in check in the hallway. Surprisingly effective! And let me tell you, I'm always on the bandwagon for lugging around ratchet straps wherever you roam. You never quite know when you might need a helping hand or two, and being prepared is always the smart move.
Ah, we've had our fair share of adventures using this tool, especially when we found ourselves stuck in a bit of mud (good times, right?). But, let me tell you, a shovel is more than just a savior in those muddy situations. It's versatile for leveling spots or bringing in dirt to absorb excess water. Opting for a folding shovel is like hitting the space-saving jackpot. Plus, we've discovered it's not just handy for digging; it also doubles as the perfect tool for clearing out ash from our tiny wood stove. Gotta love a tool that wears a lotta hats!
Similar to the fire extinguisher balls, we might be a tad biased on this one, thanks to Alan's background in firefighting and paramedics. He's quite meticulous when it comes to the first aid kit, and I happily let him take the reins on that front! Stay tuned for Alan's upcoming blog on packing the perfect first aid kit (great for hiking too!). Be the first to know by subscribing to our email updates below.
9. Motion Activated Lights, Exterior Lights, and a Good Flashlight
Countless times, we've had to venture into the night, grappling with our pesky diesel heater, firing up a generator, and tackling the myriad tasks that come hand-in-hand with bus life. Picture this: dark sky parks, utterly pitch black, and dead flashlight batteries. The Iphone flashlight can really only do so much. Ever since that memorable experience, we've made a worthwhile investment in motion-activated outdoor lights. Not only do they come to our rescue when visibility is key, but they're also a game-changer for safety. Plus, these nifty lights have treated us to some wildlife sightings around the bus, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the whole adventure. Fun times indeed!
10. Temperature & Humidity Sensor
Keep tabs on the environment in your tiny home on wheels with a temperature and humidity sensor. This is especially important to us as we travel with our two cats, so it's important to make sure they are always within a safe and comfortable temperature range. The ability to keep an eye on humidity levels is key for determining when to kick in the dehumidifier—a step we highly recommend to ward off excess moisture in your bus that can cause problems down the road. Monitoring these factors is crucial for comfort and safety, especially when traveling through diverse climates.
While this isn't an exhaustive list, these items are the "essentials" we've found to be crucial or, in some cases, real lifesavers in less-than-ideal situations—something inevitable in this adventurous lifestyle. Having all these items is undoubtedly beneficial, but the most vital asset is a "go-with-the-flow" attitude.
Here's the deal: as evident from our experiences with these items, things will go awry. Along the way, we've realized it's all about how you handle those moments, embracing them as a part of your adventure. We realize this is much easier said than done, but a go with the flow attitude will always be my number one essential.
As fellow adventurers, we're excited to share our experiences and essential tips with you. But the adventure doesn't stop here! Subscribe to our email updates below, and be the first to dive into Alan's upcoming blog on crafting the perfect first aid kit, a valuable resource for both road trippers and hikers. Stay informed, stay adventurous!
Heads up: this page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used and vetted.
