In this YouTube van tour, we’re exploring Clare’s amazing campervan! She spent over a year planning every tiny detail, and now she lives and travels in it all the time. The van is like a tiny house on wheels—it has a kitchen, toilet, shower, office, and bed, all packed into a vehicle that’s just 6 meters long!
Clare introduces herself by saying, “I’m Clare, I’m 64 years old, and I live full-time in my van. It’s a Fiat Ducato Maxi 2016 turbo diesel. I live completely off the grid with solar power and a lithium system. My van even has a name—it’s called the Mouse House.”
“I used to have a house with a mortgage, and as an artist, you know income can be low. So, I thought having a small, beautiful place I own outright would make me happier than a big house with empty rooms, a mortgage, and lots of upkeep.
I sold the house, got rid of the mortgage, bought an empty van, and had people help me design it just the way I wanted. I needed it to be beautiful and artistic. I wanted to love it every time I walked in, and I do.”
“I spent about a year learning about tiny houses and van builds. I took ideas from them to create my own design.”
For solo women travelers like me, safety in a van is a big concern. Is it safe? Will I be okay? A smart tip is to make sure you can move quickly from the back to the driver’s seat to drive off if needed. If you’re parked in a place that seems unsafe, don’t set up your awning; just be ready to leave quickly.”
