Let's be clear: Traveling by van is accessible to 👏everyone👏. But as a woman, it's only natural that there are more, even different, concerns than a man can have. And they're all legitimate. You're not alone wondering whether you'll be able to find a safe spot to spend the night, how to avoid attracting attention, what to do about nightime pee(s)...and the most common one of all: Will I be able to do it? If you didn't know, the Vanpackers team includes women who regularly travel alone in their converted minivans! So today, we're sharing our top tips with you, with the invaluable help of our solo female Vanpackers community.
Choosing the right sleeping spot
The first thing to do to feel safe is to choose the right place to spend the night. Do you want to sleep in a campsite or go boondocking?
Boondocking : an outdoor activity that involves camping in a converted vehicle in places not intended for this purpose.
If you choose a campground, there's nothing to worry about. You'll generally be safe and well looked after. If you choose option 2, here are my tips for sleeping soundly.
- Park your vehicle in reverse. This way, you'll be able to leave quickly if a problem arises.
- Trust your gut feeling. If you've found THE dream sleep spot, but your little inner voice tells you something's wrong, listen to it and move on to your next spot.
- Always have a plan B, C, D... Because you don't want to start looking for a place to spend the night again once it's dark and you're tired. Probably the most important thing, as I experienced one night when I had to go to plan H on my list😅
- Get to your spot before it gets dark. Go scout! Just because a place is marked as accessible in an application doesn't mean it will always be accessible when you get there. Once you've done your bit, you can enjoy the rest of the day in a park, and come back when it's dark.
- Read the comments before you go. As mentioned in the previous point, a sleeping spot can be identified as "open" in an app, but if it doesn't have a recent comment (say, more than a year old), then don't rely 100% on it to sleep there (see tip #3😉). Bonus point if there are photos listed.
The famous apps...
A number of popular apps can be very useful for finding places to spend the night, take a shower, empty grey/black water, and so on. But because they're so popular, the spots listed on them can often be very busy, especially during the high season. The surge in popularity of van travel in recent years has also had the effect of "burning the spots", as we say. So, if you want to help reverse the trend, we invite you to use your good judgment and move on if you come across a spot that's already full. Our favorites: iOverlander and Park4night.
Little things you can do
Once you've found the perfect spot, it's time to get ready for bed! We've put out a call to our solo female travelers on our social media, and here are the tips shared by our community for feeling safe.
- Put masculine-looking shoes outside the van.
- Travel with a dog. And if that's not possible, have a recording of the dog barking to scare off unwanted guests.
- Install a motion detector that activates a light outside the van.
- Don't leave anything lying around the vehicle that announces that a woman is inside. Some people even suggest leaving a yellow construction bib on the dashboard, given the widespread association of these jobs with the male gender.
- Keep your keys and cell phone charged, always at hand.
- Set off the car alarm if you feel a persistent unwanted presence.
- Keep the driver's seat clear of all objects, ready to be used in case of a quick getaway.
- Share your itinerary, or at least the outline of it, with someone you trust. Also, avoid posting your exact location on your social networks. If you wish to do so, wait until the next day, when you've left your sleeping spot.
Vanpackers conversion kit extras
Some solo female Vanpackers have mentioned how safe they feel in their vehicle thanks to the configuration of our minivan kit, particularly in the kitchen. Indeed, the separation made by the kitchen module provides a physical barrier with the tailgate, avoiding having your head directly under the rear window. Also pretty practical when you want to sleep with your trunk open on hot summer nights!Another advantage highlighted by the community is the accessibility of the cooler from inside the van, without having to dismantle the bed or get out of the vehicle (and attract attention😉). Tips? Put your dishes or other items needed to prepare your breakfast within easy reach in the van. In the morning, all you have to do is reach in and grab what you need from your cooler, without leaving the comfort of your cozy bed. What's more, our kit has been specially designed to be used in single OR double bed mode. This means you can install a single bed and have more living space in the van. Click here for a preview.
Must-have accessories
Over the years, the list of things I carry with me when I go on solo road trips has been refined, so I thought I'd share it with you! I'm also adding the accessories suggested by our community🙂
- A female urinal. If you have a toilet inside your van, no problem! Otherwise, you'll need to think about how you're going to deal with natural urges when you decide to spend the night in a public parking lot, for example. If you're the type of person who needs to go to the toilet as soon as you wake up, then I suggest you try the female urinal! It's simple to use, discreet and takes up very little space in your vehicle. There are various models on the market, but this one has been tested and approved by an experienced Vanpackers.
- WeatherTech ultra-blackout curtains. These are without doubt the best curtains you'll find on the market! Even after years of use, they're still as good as new. The set includes 8 panels for all the van's windows, each with a black side and a reflective side, to keep the heat out of the vehicle. I especially like them for their ultra-blackout properties, letting no light through. Practical when you want to be discreet🤫My tip: I only use the front window and windshield panels when I'm at a campsite or a friend's house. When I want to go incognito, I opt instead for the towel hanging behind the front seats, for greater discretion.
- Pepper spray. Be careful though, it has to be handled with great care, especially in a confined area...like a van!
- A portable battery. Not only does it allow me to keep my cell phone charged at all times, but I can also plug in a small fan (handy when the nights are very hot and keep the windows wide open is not an option), and above all, my electric cooler. That way, I know my food will stay cool at all times. If you don't have an electric cooler, then a smaller battery is more than enough for your cell phone.
A final word from a woman who has (very) often traveled alone with her Vanpackers minivan for several years: LET’S GO! You're not alone, there are plenty of other women out there who, like you, went through these same questions before taking the plunge! I'm convinced that if you asked them for their best advice, they'd tell you the same thing, without hesitation. And if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact us! We're here for you🙂
