Living the Van Life

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Living the Van Life I aim to give you guys who are interested in this way of life some insight on what makes life easier while living in a van.

05/17/2026

Stealth Camping In a Sprinter? - Living The Van Life
In this episode, I take van life into the city and try something completely different — stealth camping in Austin, Texas.

Parking overnight in an urban environment comes with its own challenges, so I break down how I approach stealth camping — from choosing the right location and staying low profile, to blending in and avoiding unwanted attention.

Instead of cooking in the van, I head to a nearby park and fire up my pullout kitchen to cook one of my go-to meals — steak and eggs — keeping things simple, efficient, and still low-key.

During the day, I get out and explore Austin, checking out the city, finding places to walk and hike, and taking in a different side of van life before heading back into stealth mode for the night.

Van life in the city is a completely different experience — part strategy, part adventure.

This is Van Life Texas – Episode 4

02/09/2026

New Mexico Backcountry Overland - Living The Van Life

02/05/2026

Join along a van life adventure through eastern Arizona as I discover the largest copper mine in North America, the intriguing mining town of Clifton Arizona and a beautiful drive up The Devils Highway, aka Route 666 - US Route 191. The day is finished off with a massive set of thunderstorms. From there, I travel to Shiprock New Mexico for some spectacular aerial footage of the monument.

01/24/2026

This is a throwback video I recently dug out of my archives from a trip to Montrose, Colorado for VanWild, an off-road van life event hosted by Adrenaline HQ in the San Juan Mountains.

Along with a small group of close friends, we took our 4x4 Sprinter vans up one of Colorado’s most famous and challenging mountain passes — Imogene Pass.

At over 13,000 feet in elevation, Imogene Pass is one of the highest drivable passes in Colorado and a legendary route for off-road vehicles, overlanders, and 4x4 camper vans. The trail features steep climbs, loose rock, narrow shelf roads, tight switchbacks, and technical obstacles that push both drivers and vehicles to their limits.

Climbing a high-alpine mountain pass in a full-size Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 is no small task. This climb required careful wheel placement, constant spotting, and teamwork as a group to safely guide these heavy vans all the way to the summit.

What made this experience special wasn’t just the terrain or the altitude — it was the friendships, trust, and community that made the entire climb possible.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you rediscover.

Thanks for watching.

— Chad

01/21/2026

Embark on an outdoor adventure as I delve into a solo camp & cook experience nestled in the Cascade Mountains, embracing the exciting world of van life and overlanding. Join me in my trusty Volkswagen Vanagon as I navigate through the scenic landscapes, working around the fire ban with a smart propane fire pit setup.

Immerse yourself in the peaceful sounds of nature, with ASMR-like crackling firewood and bubbling dutch oven dishes. Discover the art of outdoor cooking as I prepare hearty meals in the Dutch oven, showcasing culinary skills amidst the tranquil wilderness.

This immersive video not only blends adventure and relaxation but also offers a glimpse into the van life culture, where the calm of the outdoors meets the creativity of gourmet cooking. Escape the daily grind and unwind in the embrace of nature's beauty. Whether you're a camping enthusiast, a food lover, or intrigued by the world of van life and overlanding, this silent ASMR camp & cook experience is sure to engage your senses and leave you eager for your own wilderness getaway. Don't miss this opportunity to explore solo travel, outdoor exploration, the joys of van life, and the satisfying flavors of a Dutch oven feast. Join me now for an enriching adventure in the stunning Cascade Mountains!

01/20/2026

All the Stars

01/16/2026

Overlanding The Borderlands _ Living The Van Life

Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Bio-Based: https://bit.ly/3NaQNGv

Discount Code: Chad5OFF

Join me on a unique and unscripted journey as I venture through the rugged borderlands of Arizona and into New Mexico’s Bootheel in my 4x4 van. This vlogumentary is a little different from my usual overlanding adventures. I didn’t set out to explore the border, but curiosity led me to some intriguing discoveries about this evolving landscape. Expect breathtaking desert scenery, off-road trails, and a bit of campfire cooking under dramatic stormy skies. While I’m keeping things neutral and focusing on the real-life experience, you’ll get a genuine look at what’s happening along the borderlands—no politics, just the raw journey. Whether you’re into van life, overlanding, or the beauty of the desert, there’s something here for you. So come along for the ride and let’s explore together.

Follow me:
Van Life Instagram:
/ livingthevanlife

Personal Instagram:
/ chad_derosa

The gear I use while Living The Van Life:

Battle Born Off-Grid Battery System:
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Battle Born GC2 LiFePo4 Batteries: https://bit.ly/3t24Gaj
Victron Inverter/Charger: https://bit.ly/3eTNuif
Victron Distributor: https://bit.ly/3vjPuqu
Victron Solar Controller: https://bit.ly/3t0YLCm
Secondary Alternator: https://bit.ly/32XIFPc
Wakespeed Alternator Regulator: https://bit.ly/3xGeUkf
Battle Born Batteries Affiliate Link: http://battlebornbatteries.com?afmc=L...

FlareSpace Flares:
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Full Flare/Bed Package: https://bit.ly/3nCAQYH

Agile Offroad Lift, Suspension, Skid Plates
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Agile Offroad RIP Kit: https://shorturl.at/fnrFK
Agile Offroad Rear Locker: https://shorturl.at/tHZ09
Rear Diff Skid Plate: https://bit.ly/3nxtHcb
Engine Skid Plate: https://shorturl.at/cyBG9

Wheels & Tires:
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Agile Offroad: https://shorturl.at/amvx8
285/70r17 BFGoodrich KO2 All Terrain Tires: https://bit.ly/3xx91ph
ARB Air Compressor: https://amzn.to/3u4QOgB

Off-Road Recovery Gear:
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Warn Winch: https://amzn.to/3dZ6rkc
Sn**ch Block: https://amzn.to/3dZcqFu
8’ Tree Saver: https://amzn.to/3u1clXu
MaxTrax Recovery Boards: https://amzn.to/2PvqcGw

Off-Road Lighting:
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Baja Designs LP9 Pro LED: https://amzn.to/3gRG5lV
Baja Designs XL Pro LED: https://amzn.to/3nwxcQ1
Rigid Industries Scene Lights: https://amzn.to/3FuSckW

Camp Fire & Cooking Equipment:
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NEW: Matthew Paul Ankou Knife: https://www.mpknives.com
Chef Knife: https://amzn.to/3F3jYDy
Esee 5 Surival Knife: https://amzn.to/3fnQSkQ
Solo Stove Ranger - Portable Fire Pit: https://amzn.to/36JD28f
Lodge Dutch Oven Tripod: https://amzn.to/3gnqgjy
8" Dutch Oven: https://amzn.to/3ilGFH7
Cooking Gloves: https://amzn.to/2BXdIjU
Jetboil Cooking System: https://amzn.to/2TH3yrF
Bottle Top Propane Stove: https://amzn.to/2SS82P0
Solo Stove Titan - Twig Stove: https://amzn.to/3cbYAeZ
Solo Stove Pot 1800: https://amzn.to/3gxNioK

Forestry Tools:
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Trayvax Trek Field Knife - 10% Coupon Code: VANLIFE - https://bit.ly/2BpqaJh
Esee 5 Surival Knife: https://amzn.to/3fnQSkQ
Schrade SCHF9 Camp Knife: https://amzn.to/2Mwr7Ru
21" Folding Saw: https://amzn.to/2RQjFmO
Campcraft Canvas Sheath: https://amzn.to/2T4aJMr
Gransfors Bruk Hand Hatchet: https://amzn.to/2SFqLMg
Hults Bruk Akka Foresters Axe: https://amzn.to/2tQx6LD
BareBones Living - Japanese Nata Tool: https://bit.ly/2yHBXRL

OLight Flashlights: 10% off Coupon Code : VanLife
https://olight.idevaffiliate.com/idev...

Winter Van Equipment:
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5KW 12V Diesel Heater: https://amzn.to/2OSFrGC

My Camera Gear
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Canon EOS R5 Camera: https://amzn.to/3t8czLq
Canon EOS RCamera (Backup): https://amzn.to/3u1dUVm
Canon RF 24-105 f/4L Lens: https://amzn.to/3e30UJa
Rode VideoMic Pro Plus: https://amzn.to/2PfKTjC
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Drone: https://amzn.to/3nuaBnc

01/15/2026

An ATLAS Transfer Case by in a Sprinter Van? How to turn your Sprinter into the ultimate off-roading tiny home...

01/14/2026

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