Thomas Kendrick
Electrical Systems Specialist
Thomas has been living in a self-converted Ford Transit since 2022. He specialises in electrical systems — solar, battery banks, DC-DC charging, and inverters — and has tested over 30 power stations and 50+ solar panels in real UK conditions. He has a background in electronics and writes our power and electrical guides.
Articles by Thomas Kendrick (141)
How Much Does Van Life Cost UK - Complete Monthly Breakdown 2026
How Much Does Van Life Cost UK - Complete Monthly Breakdown 2026 is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 140 days of rain annually.
Peak District Van Life - Hidden Gem Camping Spots
Peak District Van Life - Hidden Gem Camping Spots is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 150 days of rain annually.
Isle of Wight Van Life - Island Living Guide
Isle of Wight Van Life - Island Living Guide is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 155 days of rain annually.
Winter Van Life Packing List - 20 UK Essentials
Winter Van Life Packing List - 20 UK Essentials is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 170 days of rain annually.
Frost Prevention for Campervans UK - Complete Guide
Frost Prevention for Campervans UK - Complete Guide is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 146 days of rain annually.
Best Power Inverters for Van Life UK
Best Power Inverters for Van Life UK is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 150 days of rain annually.
Portable vs Permanent Solar for Van Life UK
Portable vs Permanent Solar for Van Life UK is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 168 days of rain annually.
How to Install a Shower in Your Van UK
How to Install a Shower in Your Van UK is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 143 days of rain annually.
Best Compact Fridge Freezers Under £50 UK
Best Compact Fridge Freezers Under £50 UK is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 157 days of rain annually.
Best Amazon UK Van Life Products - 20 Essentials Ranked
Best Amazon UK Van Life Products - 20 Essentials Ranked is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Space constraints: Your campervan is typically 4m long.
Best Camping Hacks for Van Life UK - Amazon Finds
Best Camping Hacks for Van Life UK - Amazon Finds is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Space constraints: Your campervan is typically 5m long.
Bank Holiday Van Life UK - 8 Days on the Road
Bank Holiday Van Life UK - 8 Days on the Road is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 168 days of rain annually.
Where to Shower in Your Van UK Campervan Showers Guide
Where to Shower in Your Van UK Campervan Showers Guide is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 180 days of rain annually.
Where to Wash Your Clothes in a Van UK Campervan Guide
Where to Wash Your Clothes in a Van UK Campervan Guide is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 162 days of rain annually.
Renault Trafic Budget Build
The Renault Trafic is one of the most popular base vehicles for UK campervan conversions, and for good reason. It offers a sweet spot between size and driveability that the larger Relay/Boxer vans cannot match, while providing significantly more space than a Transit Connect or Berlingo.
Peugeot Boxer Width Benefits
The Peugeot Boxer (and its sister vans, the Fiat Ducato and Citroen Relay) are the widest panel vans available in the UK without going to a heavy goods vehicle. The internal width of 2.
Best Van Life Storage Solutions UK Campervan Organisation Guide
Best Van Life Storage Solutions UK Campervan Organisation Guide is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 169 days of rain annually.
Transit Connect Micro-Camper
The Ford Transit Connect is the UK's best-selling small van, and for good reason. It drives like a car, fits in standard parking spaces, returns 50+ mpg, and costs a fraction of the larger vans.
Armaflex vs Celotex (UK Damp)
meta_description: "Armaflex vs Celotex insulation for campervan conversions in the UK. Thermal performance, condensation management, cost, installation ease, and which suits UK damp conditions.
Vapor Barrier Guide
Every UK van conversion should include a proper vapour barrier. Without one, the warm, moist air inside your van will pass through the insulation and condense on the cold metal panels, leading to rust, mould, and rotting wood within 12-24 months.
Wheel Arch Insulation — How to Do It Properly in a UK Van
Wheel arches are one of the biggest sources of heat loss, road noise, and condensation in a campervan conversion. The metal is thin, it is directly exposed to the outside air and road spray, and the wheel itself generates heat, noise, and vibration that transfers straight into the living space.
SWB Fixed Bed Layouts
Short wheelbase vans — the Ford Transit Custom SWB, Renault Trafic L1, VW Transporter SWB, and Mercedes Vito Compact — offer car-like handling and fit in standard parking spaces, but their 2. 5-2.
Secret Storage Compartments
Maximising storage is a constant challenge in campervan conversions. Secret compartments offer dual benefits: they keep valuables out of sight (reducing theft risk) and use otherwise wasted space.
Brecon Beacons Dark Skies
The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated Wales's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013. With minimal light pollution and vast upland areas, it is one of the best places in the UK for stargazing from your campervan.
Privacy Glass vs Window Tinting
Privacy is a key concern for campervan living. Factory privacy glass and aftermarket window tinting both offer screening, heat rejection, and security benefits — but they are very different products.
Security Grilles for Vents
Most campervan security focuses on doors, windows, and steering locks. But roof vents are an often-overlooked entry point.
Welsh Castles Campervan Tour
Wales has more castles per square mile than any country in Europe. This 7-day route visits 10 of the best, with van-friendly parking at each stop.
Heating Lithium Batteries in Winter
LiFePO4 batteries cannot be charged below 0°C. Charging below freezing damages the cells permanently.
Gower Peninsula Wild Camping Spots
The Gower Peninsula was the UK's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With 38 miles of coastline, sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs, it is a top destination for campervan wild camping.
Isle of Skye Campervan Spots Guide
Skye is the most popular island in Scotland for van life. Here is the guide to the best spots, parking, and practicalities.
Food Grade Hoses for Campervan Water Systems
Not all hose is created equal. Using non-food-grade hose in your campervan water system can leach chemicals into your drinking water.
Cornwall Coast Van Guide
Cornwall is the UK's most popular campervan destination outside Scotland — and for good reason. Over 400 miles of coastline, 300 beaches, pasty shops on every corner, and a microclimate that's genuinely warmer and sunnier than the rest of Britain.
Thetford Porta Potti Review
The Thetford Porta Potti is the UK's best-selling portable cassette toilet. It is simple, reliable, and available at every camping shop in the country.
Van Life Health UK Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Road
Van Life Health UK Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Road is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 166 days of rain annually.
Propex and Morco Instant Gas Water Heaters for Campervans
Instant gas water heaters give you hot water on demand. They're perfect for van life — lightweight, compact, and efficient.
Hot Water Accumulators for Campervans: How They Work
A hot water accumulator stores heated water for instant use. It's like having a hot water tank — but smaller and more efficient.
Best Van Life Tools UK Essential Toolkit for Conversions
Best Van Life Tools UK Essential Toolkit for Conversions is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 159 days of rain annually.
Public Pool Showering Hacks
Public swimming pools are a shower goldmine for van lifers. Most have clean, hot showers included in the entry fee.
Yorkshire Dales Campervan Routes
The Yorkshire Dales have some of the best van life roads in England. Here are four routes that work well in a campervan.
Best Anti-Freeze for Vans
Two types of antifreeze matter in van life: coolant for the engine and water system antifreeze for the plumbing. Use ethylene glycol-based coolant (blue, red, or pink depending on type).
New Forest Van Life Guide
The New Forest is 220 square miles of ancient woodland, heathland, and wild ponies. It is one of the best national parks for van life in the UK — if you know the rules.
Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel Cookware
Choosing cookware for your van kitchen matters. Cast iron and stainless steel are the two best options.
12v Kettles vs Gas Kettles
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. Which is better for van life — a 12v electric kettle or boiling water on the gas hob?
Aeropress vs Moka Pot — Best Coffee for UK Van Life
Coffee ranks high on the list of van life quality-of-life issues. A bad brew on a cold, damp morning in a Cumbrian layby can set the tone for the entire day.
Canning and Preserving Food in a Campervan
Canning and preserving lets you store food without a fridge. It's perfect for van life — shelf-stable, lightweight, and space-efficient.
Zero Waste Shopping for Van Life: A Practical Guide
Living in a van means limited space for waste. Zero waste shopping reduces the rubbish you carry and the plastic you use.
Cotswolds Laybys for Campervan Overnight Stops
The Cotswolds are beautiful but restrictive for van life — most of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is private land with strict parking rules. Here are the laybys that work.
Managing Food Waste in a Campervan
Food waste in a small space goes bad fast. Here is how to manage, reduce, and dispose of food waste properly while living in a UK campervan.
Best Collapsible Sinks for Van Life
Not every van has a plumbed sink. Collapsible sinks are the alternative.
Best Van Sinks: Bowl Sizes and Options for Campervans
A sink is essential for van life — washing up, cleaning vegetables, and brushing teeth. But space is limited.
Pedal Box Locks for Campervans
A pedal box lock is a simple security device that covers the pedals, preventing the thief from pressing the brake or clutch (automatic) or all pedals (manual). The lock is a steel box that fits over the pedal area.
Van Life Showers UK Mobile Shower Systems Compared
Van Life Showers UK Mobile Shower Systems Compared is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 176 days of rain annually.
Wheel Clamps for Campervans
Wheel clamps are the most visible van security device. A bright yellow clamp around your wheel tells thieves your van is not an easy target.
Thatcham Category 1 Alarms
Thatcham Categories are a UK security rating system. Category 1 is the highest standard for vehicle alarms and immobilisers.
Ring Doorbells for Van Security
A Ring or similar smart doorbell is a surprisingly effective van security device. Mount the doorbell on the outside of your van (near the side door).
GPS Geofencing for Van Security: How to Set It Up
GPS geofencing creates a virtual boundary around your van. If the van moves outside that boundary, you get an alert.
Giants Causeway Campervan Parking
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. The Giants Causeway is Northern Ireland's top attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
European Cover and Green Cards
Since Brexit, UK drivers heading to Europe need additional paperwork. What is a Green Card?
Contents Cover Limits for Vans
Your campervan insurance covers the vehicle. Your personal belongings inside need separate cover.
Breakdown Cover Add-Ons: What's Actually Worth Paying For
Standard breakdown cover gets you home. But van lifers need more than that.
No Claims Bonus Protection for Campervans
No Claims Bonus protection lets you make claims without losing your accumulated discount. Here is the honest take for campervan owners.
What Modifications You Must Declare to Your Insurer
When you modify a campervan, you change its risk profile. Insurers need to know about modifications — but which ones?
AA vs RAC vs Green Flag for Vans
Breakdown cover is essential for van life. Here is how the big three compare for campervans.
European Breakdown Recovery
Breaking down in a European country is stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. European recovery cover is essential.
Relay Recovery vs Vehicle Trailer
Breakdown cover terms can be confusing. Here is what relay recovery and vehicle trailer actually mean.
Best Dummy CCTV Cameras
A dummy CCTV camera is one of the cheapest and most effective deterrents for van security. Most van theft is opportunistic.
Best Flashlights and Torches for Vans
A good torch is essential in van life — for walking the dog at night, finding things under the bed, and emergencies. - Rechargeable LED torch: USB-C rechargeable.
Pepper Spray & Self-Defence UK Law for Van Lifers
Pepper spray is illegal in the UK. Full stop.
Fuel Economy Tracking
Fuel is the single biggest variable cost in van life. A Transit Custom that does 35mpg vs one that does 30mpg saves you £500-800 per year in diesel.
Isle of Wight Ferries for Campervans
The Isle of Wight is a popular van life destination. Two ferry operators serve the island.
Powering a Home Office from a Campervan
Working from the road is the dream, but a laptop, monitor, and router draw more power than you think. Here is how to size your electrical system for a full home office in a UK campervan.
Van Ergonomics: How to Avoid Back Pain on Long Drives
Van seats weren't designed for long-distance comfort. They're flat, unsupportive, and force you into a posture that wrecks your back.
Digital Nomad Visas from the UK
Since Brexit, UK citizens can stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days in any 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you need a visa.
UK Mail Forwarding Services for Van Lifers
Without a fixed address, you still need to receive mail. Mail forwarding services solve this.
MOT and Tax Reminders for Van Life
Forgetting your MOT or vehicle tax is easy when living on the road. Here is how to stay on top of it.
Digital Document Storage for Van Life
Losing documents on the road is a nightmare. Digital backups ensure you always have copies.
How to Value a DIY Campervan Conversion
Selling a self-built campervan is tricky. There's no Blue Book value for conversions.
Exporting a Van from the UK
Taking your UK-registered campervan to Europe permanently requires more than just driving there. Here is the process.
Van Life Morning Routine UK Productive Days on the Road
Van Life Morning Routine UK Productive Days on the Road is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 147 days of rain annually.
Warranty on Used Campervans
Buying a used campervan is a big purchase. A warranty gives peace of mind but comes with exclusions.
CAZ Clean Air Zones Map UK
Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are spreading across UK cities. Here is the complete map.
Retro-Fitting Diesel Particulate Filters
A retro-fitted DPF can make an older diesel campervan compliant with ULEZ and Clean Air Zones — but it is not simple. Does It Work?
UK Van Scrappage Schemes: Do They Exist and Are They Worth It?
With ULEZ expanding and Clean Air Zones popping up across the UK, many van owners are looking at scrappage schemes. But do they exist for vans?
Bath and Bristol CAZ Guides for Campervans
Two of the South Wests most popular cities for van life — Bath and Bristol — both have Clean Air Zones. Here is how to navigate them in a campervan without getting fined.
Birmingham Clean Air Zone Guide
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone covers the city centre inside the A4540 ring road. Enter your registration on the Gov.
Northern Ireland Forest Parks for Vans
Northern Ireland has excellent forest parks with dedicated campervan parking and family-friendly facilities. - Tollymore Forest Park (County Down): 630 hectares.
Dealing with Bad Weather Blues
UK van life means rain. Lots of it.
Burnout and Rest Days
Van life is not a holiday. Constant driving, new places, and the admin of daily life can lead to burnout.
Resistance Band Workouts
Staying fit in a van is harder than in a house. You have no gym, no space for a bench or dumbbells, and the weather often makes outdoor exercise unappealing.
Calisthenics Parks for Van Fitness
Calisthenics parks (outdoor gyms) are appearing across UK parks. They offer pull-up bars, dip stations, and other bodyweight equipment — all free.
Hiking the UK 3 Peaks from a Campervan
The National Three Peaks Challenge — Ben Nevis (1,345m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Snowdon (1,085m) — in 24 hours. A campervan is the best way to do it.
Gym Memberships for Van Life Showers
Gym showers are the most reliable way to stay clean in van life. PureGym offers the best nationwide coverage.
UK Dog Laws for Livestock
If you walk your dog in the countryside, you must understand the laws around livestock. Always have a lead and whistle in your pocket.
Dog Showers and Mud Blasters for Vans
Van life with a dog is wonderful — until they jump in after a muddy walk. A dog shower solution is essential.
Cat Harness Training for Van Life
Many van lifers travel with cats. Harness training allows your cat to explore outside safely.
Vets on the Road: Veterinary Care for Travelling Pets
Travelling with pets in a campervan is rewarding — but vet care on the road is different from at home. Here's how to keep your pets healthy while van lifing.
Best UK Mountain Biking Van Trails
A campervan is the ultimate mountain bike base camp. Park near the trailhead, ride all day, sleep in the car park.
Emergency Cash Stashes for Van Life
Cards can fail. ATMs can be broken.
Haunted UK Castles Campervan Route
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. A road trip visiting the UK's most haunted castles — with van parking tips for each one.
Breakdown Safety on Motorways
Breaking down on a motorway in a campervan is stressful. Here is the safety protocol.
Best Resistance Bands for Van Life
Resistance bands are the best fitness equipment for van life. They take no space, weigh nothing, and give a full-body workout.
Best Hand Sanitizers for Van Life
You cannot always wash your hands in a van. Hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
Condensation Management
Condensation is the single biggest annoyance of van life in the UK. Every van gets it — the windows stream with water, bedding feels damp, and if you ignore it, mould grows in your cupboards and behind your plywood panels.
Drying Wet Gear in Vans
Drying wet gear in a van is a constant battle in UK winter. That damp towel, those soggy walking boots, the waterproof jacket that's soaked through — they all release moisture into your van's air, which then condenses on your windows and seeps into your bedding.
UK Winter Sun Routes & Isles of Scilly
Winter van life does not mean shivering in Scotland. The UK has winter sun — you just go to the right places.
Finding Shade in UK Forests
When the mercury rises, a metal box on wheels becomes uninhabitable. Forests provide natural air conditioning.
Summer Festivals from Your Van
Your campervan is the ultimate festival accommodation. No tent, no muddy sleeping bag, no walking back to camp in the dark.
UK Lighthouse Tour by Campervan
A lighthouse tour is one of the best UK van life road trips. Here is a route hitting the most spectacular lighthouses, with overnight parking at each.
Meeting Other Van Families: Campsites and Communities
Van life with kids can be isolating. Meeting other van families makes it easier.
Emergency Contacts Protocol
When something goes wrong on the road, knowing who to call saves precious minutes. - 111 Online (111.
Wheelchair Accessible Campervan Conversions
Van life should be accessible to everyone. - Door width: Minimum 800mm for wheelchair access.
Blue Badge Parking Rules for Campervans
The Blue Badge scheme gives disabled parking concessions. Here is how it works with a campervan.
Hand Controls for Driving: Adaptive Equipment for Disabled Van Lifers
Driving a campervan with hand controls is entirely possible. Many disabled van lifers use adaptive equipment to drive safely and legally.
Accessible Toilets Map for Van Life
For van lifers with disabilities, finding accessible toilets on the road is essential. Changing Places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets, with a hoist, changing bench, and space for a carer.
Accessible National Trust Sites
The National Trust offers a search filter for accessibility on their website. Here are some of the most accessible sites.
Exploring Abandoned UK Places Safely
Abandoned sites across the UK are fascinating to explore, but come with risks. Trespassing is a civil (not criminal) offence in England and Wales — unless the site is a protected building, military site, or railway.
Van Life Budget 10k UK Campervan Build Under 10000
Van Life Budget 10k UK Campervan Build Under 10000 is not just a nice-to-have -- it is essential for comfortable, stress-free van life in the UK. - Weather realities: The UK gets 175 days of rain annually.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is the most popular wild camping destination in Scotland — and the most restricted. The Loch Lomond Byelaws (officially the "Camping Management Byelaws") were introduced in 2017 to tackle antisocial behaviour and environmental damage, and they've been updated since.
Peak District Gate Closures: What Van Lifers Need to Know
The Peak District is one of the UK's most popular national parks. But gate closures and parking restrictions can catch van lifers out.
Snowdonia Permit Areas for Wild Camping
Wild camping in Snowdonia is complicated — some areas require permits, others are banned, and some are tolerated. Here is the breakdown.
Cornwall Beach Parking Guide for Campervans
Cornwall has the best beaches in the UK. It also has the strictest parking enforcement.
Norfolk Seaside Laybys for Vans
Norfolk's coast has numerous laybys that are popular with van lifers for overnight stops. - Holkham Beach layby: Large layby on the A149.
Dorset Chesil Beach Campervan Guide
Chesil Beach is an 18-mile shingle beach on the Dorset coast, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It is one of the most dramatic coastal features in the UK.
Scottish Machair: The Best Wild Camping Spots
Machair is the low-lying grassy coastline found on the west coast of Scotland. It's flat, fertile, and beautiful — and it's one of the best places in the UK for wild camping.
Northumberland Beaches Campervan Guide
Northumberland has the best beaches in England — vast, quiet, and mostly free from the crowds that plague Cornwall and Devon. Here is the campervan guide.
NC500 Budget Breakdown for Campervans
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland's most famous road trip. Here is what it actually costs in a campervan.
Forestry England Permits for Van Life
Forestry England manages 1,500+ forests across England. Many have dedicated campervan parking areas.
Thetford Forest Campervan Spots
Thetford Forest is 18,730 hectares of pine plantation in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is the largest lowland pine forest in Britain — and a surprisingly good van life destination.
Kielder Water and Forest
Kielder is England's largest man-made lake and surrounding forest. It is also Europe's largest Dark Sky Park.
New Forest Pannage Season Guide
Every autumn, pigs are released into the New Forest to eat acorns. This is pannage — a 1,000-year-old tradition and a unique sight for van lifers.
London ULEZ and Campervans Guide
Since August 2023, the ULEZ expanded to cover all 32 London boroughs. If you drive a campervan in London, you need to understand the rules.
Edinburgh Fringe Campervan Parking Guide
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August is the world's largest arts festival. Taking a campervan is the smart move — hotels cost £300/night.
Bath Park and Ride for Campervan Overnight Stays
Bath is one of the most visited cities in the UK for van life, but it has strict parking rules, a Clean Air Zone, and expensive city centre parking. The Park & Ride sites are the best solution.
Bristol Harbourside for Campervans
Bristol Harbourside is a lively waterfront area with restaurants, street art, and boat trips. Parking a campervan here takes planning.
SearchforSites vs Park4Night
Both apps help find overnight spots, but they serve different purposes. Use both.
UK Trespass Laws for Van Lifers Explained
Trespass is one of the most misunderstood areas of UK law. Here is what applies to van life.
Dealing with Landowners
Whether you wild camp in Scotland or discreetly overnight in England, how you interact with landowners matters. The right to roam gives you access to most uncultivated land.
How to Avoid No-Overnight-Parking Fines in the UK
No-overnight-parking fines are one of the biggest frustrations for van lifers. Councils, landowners, and private companies issue them regularly.
Pub Parking Schemes & Brit Stops for Van Life
Sleeping in a pub car park is a classic UK van life hack. Here is the guide to pub parking schemes, Brit Stops, and how to do it right.
Farm Camping with Campspace UK
Campspace is a platform connecting van lifers with farmers who let you camp on their land. Here is the honest review.
Winter Gate Closures Guide
Many forest roads, mountain passes, and countryside gates close for winter. Getting caught behind a locked gate is a common van life problem.