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From Truck Camper to Van Life: Why I Made the Switch

Hi there! I’m Kirsten, and for the past year and a half, I’ve been transforming a 1991 Chevrolet G20 into my dream camper van to live in full-time. If you’re curious about why I ditched my old truck camper for this van, grab a snack, settle in, and let me take you through my journey. Spoiler alert: it involves a snowy winter day, a life-changing encounter, and a whole lot of dreaming about van life.

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The Dream of Van Life

Let’s rewind about ten years. Back then, van life wasn’t the social media sensation it is today. It was just starting to gain traction, but I was already hooked on the idea. The freedom of the open road, the ability to travel anywhere, and the chance to create a cozy, personalized space? Count me in. When I met my partner, we discovered a shared passion for this lifestyle and set out to make it happen.

Initially, we couldn’t find the perfect van, but we stumbled across a YouTube creator, Taylor Dasine, who lived in a truck camper on Vancouver Island. Inspired, we decided to purchase an Adventure 86 FB truck camper instead of a van. For five years, I had dreamed of van life, but I figured a truck camper would scratch that itch. We planned to live in it full-time, so we spent two and a half years renovating it to feel like home—modern, comfortable, and functional.

The Truck Camper Experience

Once the renovations were complete, we hit the road and headed straight to Vancouver Island to escape the cold Alberta winter. We lived in the truck camper for five months, and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience. Traveling full-time, seeing breathtaking new places every day, and meeting amazing people made it one of the happiest times of my life. But despite the joy, something was missing.

The truck camper had its pros and cons. The space inside was decent, with a large kitchen and a separate bed area, making it comfortable for two people. But it wasn’t a van. No matter how much I loved the lifestyle, a little voice inside me kept whispering, “I still want my own hippie van.” I had always envisioned a personal space I could decorate exactly how I wanted, and the truck camper—shared with my partner and designed with neutral colors to suit both our tastes—just didn’t fulfill that dream.

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The Turning Point

The moment that changed everything happened at a dump station while we were filling up fresh water. An older woman pulled up in a stunning camper van—possibly a Pleasure-Way—and struck up a conversation. She was living her best life, solo, traveling to warm states like Arizona for the winter. No partner, no kids—just her and her van, embracing the snowbird lifestyle. At her age, she was the embodiment of freedom and independence, and I knew that’s what I wanted for myself one day.

That encounter sparked a serious discussion with my partner. We started weighing the pros and cons of continuing life in the truck camper versus pursuing our dream of separate vans. I grabbed a notebook, listed out the reasons to make the switch, and realized the pros far outweighed the cons. We didn’t want to wait years to live the life we truly wanted, so we made the decision to sell the truck camper and go all-in on van life.

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Why the Truck Camper Had to Go

Here’s why the truck camper didn’t work for us in the long run:

1. It Wasn’t My Dream Van
   I had spent years dreaming of a van I could make my own, with vibrant colors like purple cabinets and multicolored walls. The truck camper, with its neutral grays and whites, felt like a compromise. Sharing a tiny space meant sacrificing my personal style to accommodate both our tastes, and I craved a space that was undeniably mine.

2. Lack of Independence
   The truck camper was mounted on my partner’s truck, and since I sold my Ford Focus before moving in, I had no vehicle of my own. For six months or more each year, I couldn’t drive. As someone who loves the freedom of the open road, this was a major downside. On days when I finished work early and wanted to explore Vancouver Island, go grocery shopping, or hit a hiking trail, I was stuck waiting for my partner to be free. It was a hassle, and I missed my independence.

3. The Truck Camper Was a Beast to Drive
   The truck camper was heavy—way too heavy. It exceeded the truck’s payload capacity, forcing us to drive slowly and carefully, especially on windy roads or hills. The high center of gravity made it feel like we were piloting a semi-truck, and we constantly worried about tipping over or blowing out the brakes. It was exhausting and limited where we could go, like forest service roads or under low bridges in cities like Calgary. Plus, it was a gas guzzler—$700 in fuel to travel from Vancouver to central Alberta, compared to just $300 for my van.

4. No Stealth Camping
   While we managed to boondock and park for free in parking lots or on forest roads, the truck camper stuck out like a sore thumb. Its size made stealth camping nearly impossible, and we always felt conspicuous. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it added unnecessary stress.

The Joy of Van Life

Selling the truck camper and buying my Chevrolet G20 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My van, affectionately named Tori, is light, nimble, and a breeze to drive. Navigating the same Vancouver Island roads that were a nightmare with the truck camper? No problem. Tori handles them like a champ. I’ve decked her out with purple cabinets and colorful walls, making her the hippie van of my dreams. Most importantly, she’s mine. I can drive wherever and whenever I want, reclaiming the independence I missed.

The truck camper wasn’t a mistake—it was a learning experience. It taught me that I love life on the road, that I thrive on the freedom of travel, and that I’m not built for staying still. It also showed me that truck campers, while great for weekend trips, weren’t for me long-term. If you’re considering life on the road, my advice is to try it out before making a big investment. Rent, borrow, or start small to figure out what works for you.

Final Thoughts

Switching to van life was about chasing a dream I’d held for years and refusing to settle for anything less. I’m grateful for the truck camper and the lessons it taught me, but I’m even more grateful to be living in Tori, exploring the world on my terms. If you’re curious about van life or have questions about my journey, drop them below—I’d love to chat. Thanks for joining me on this snowy winter day, and here’s to chasing your own adventures, wherever the road takes you!

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