Built from a lifetime

One founder. One standard. One place for everything van life.

Community - Gear - Connect - Knowledge

About OnlyVansLife

People who love vans, vanlife, overlanding, camping, travel, and quality gear should never have to figure everything out alone.

For founder Shaw, vans were never a trend. They were part of life from the beginning. His story goes back to the 1970s, watching his dad build out vans in the garage during the original era of van slams, custom interiors, bold paint, road culture, and true hands-on craftsmanship.

Shaw served 30 years as a career firefighter in Pierce County, Washington, retiring in 2023 as a Captain/Public Information Officer. OnlyVansLife grew from that place: a need to reconnect with people and create something that helps others navigate the road, their vans, and their lives with more confidence.

What you can do here

• Van Intelligence — repair guides and troubleshooting
• The Spots — campsites, meetups, and member-favorite locations
• Marketplace — vans, parts, and gear within the community
• Community Forum — questions and answers from real van lifers
• Videos — builds, tours, and maintenance walkthroughs