Trusting Yourself on the Road: Safety, Weather, Courage & Community in Women’s Vanlife

Our latest Adventure Together call brought such powerful stories, practical wisdom, and fresh energy—especially from our new members. This community continues to show that vanlife isn’t just about miles traveled. It’s about learning, courage, instinct, and the support we offer each other along the way.

Here’s a look at what we explored together:

Trusting Your Instincts: Handling “The Knock”

One member shared an important moment: she received “the knock” for the first time in over 10 years. Because she had prepared and trusted her instincts, she handled the situation calmly and confidently.

Her setup made all the difference. She had:

• Parked in a well-lit area

• Positioned her van for a quick and easy exit

• Kept her doors locked

• Known exactly where her safety tools were

• Chosen a spot that gave her visibility

This sparked an empowering conversation on how preparation + gut instinct = confidence.

Best practice when you get “the knock”:

• Do NOT open your door.

• Speak through a cracked window only if necessary.

• You can ask the officer or security person to stand in front of your vehicle so you can see them clearly—and so your dash cam (if you have one) captures the interaction.

• Always be prepared to drive away immediately if something feels off.

And yes—rehearse this scenario in your head. It helps your body know what to do when adrenaline kicks in.

Parking, Motion Lights & Safety Cameras

After discussing the knock, the group got into practical tools and strategies for feeling safe overnight:

• Motion-activated exterior lights

• Dashcams that record while parked

• Outdoor safety cameras such as the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera

• Indoor cameras like Kasa, which are especially helpful for monitoring pets

• Mixed reviews also came up around temperature monitors like Waggle, with some noting accuracy issues and the need for Wi-Fi. It sparked a great conversation around choosing tech that fits your setup and comfort level.

  Power Options That Keep You Safe

Several members shared the power solutions they use on the road:

• Jackery Explorer 2000 – dependable, strong, straightforward.

• EcoFlow systems – powerful and flexible.

Some also prefer keeping a small gas or diesel backup generator for emergencies, especially in extreme weather.

Weight Limits, Weather & How Your Van Handles

We had a powerful discussion about how weight affects safety—and how dramatically a van’s handling can change.

One member described feeling a “huge difference” when driving heavy—especially heading into a strong headwind.

Here’s what we emphasized:

• Every van has a specific payload limit.
  You can find yours on the driver’s side door jamb.

• Going over that limit strains your suspension, engine, and brakes.

• Weight dramatically affects stability in wind.

• If the weather looks rough and you’re carrying a lot of weight, consider:

  • traveling with half a tank of water,

  • keeping tanks empty until you reach your destination, or

  • reducing heavy gear.

If you’re unsure, you can always stop at a roadside truck scale to check your weight.

Celebrating Kim’s First Big Trip

We took a moment to cheer on something worth celebrating—Kim’s very first vanlife trip.

She faced all the things that often stop people before they even begin:

• Bad weather

• Long miles

• New systems

• Being alone

• Parking lots that didn’t feel right

• Nerves (yes, totally normal)

And still… she trusted her instincts.

She moved when something felt off.
She stayed when something felt right.
She tested out a mix of overnights—Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and even family.

It was a long trip, with all kinds of weather and moments that stretched her.

And she did it anyway.

Way to go, Kim. Truly.
This is what courage looks like.
This is what women’s vanlife is all about.

A Community Rooted in Support

The heart of this call—and this group—is the reminder that none of us are doing this alone. Each story shared becomes a light for the next woman navigating her own version of courage, preparation, and possibility.

Keep trusting your instincts.
Keep learning your van.
Keep showing up—exactly as you are.

Adventure Together,

Amy & Marcy