Living in a Tour Van: A Quick Guide
Hey there! If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a tour van, I’ve got quite a tale to share. For about two years, my home was bouncing between different hotels and spending tons of time in a 16-seater van. And believe me, it was awesome!
The company I worked for was super cool about letting us do our thing with the van. As long as we showed up for the gigs on time, we were pretty much allowed to roam as we pleased. We just had to cover any additional gas costs if we strayed too far. The crew I was with loved being on the road and was totally on board with my knack for mapping out loads of pit stops at quirky roadside sights.
Living in a tour van isn’t all fun and games, though. It can get tiring pretty fast, and there’s a little survival kit you’ll want to put together.
Firstly, bring along some medicine for motion sickness, like Dramamine. Riding in a van isn’t as smooth as a car, so even if you typically don’t get nauseated, be prepared. A few doses of Dramamine helped me through those first bumpy weeks on tour.
Other handy items to have in your bag are some Pepto-Bismol, ginger snacks, and ginger ale (ginger is great for soothing upset stomachs). Oh, and don’t forget some saltine crackers!
Next, let’s resolve the pillow dilemma. Yes, you need one, but which type? Many prefer those handy, travel-sized neck pillows, but honestly, I liked having my regular, full-sized pillow. Sure, it was a bit bulky to lug around, but it was worth it for those times when I had the entire backseat to stretch out.
Entertainment on the go is crucial. Pack your phone with plenty of music, but make sure it’s offline accessible. You’ll be everyone’s favorite if you have a solid Spotify playlist or some entertaining podcasts.
Reading helps while away the hours – I almost bought a Kindle or iPad for convenience but stuck with good old paperbacks in the end. Movies on the laptop were a lifesaver too. You’ll find that everyone sort of retreats into their own little world during these long drives, not out of rudeness, but necessity.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to pack additional headphones, charger cables, and a car charger. You’ll thank me when you’re settled in for an 8-hour drive, believe me.
Touring in a van turned out to be an incredible experience, really on par with working on a cruise ship. I genuinely miss those roadside pit stops and van-life adventures!