I spent £1,340 on my first work-from-van setup. Portable monitor, laptop stand, wireless keyboard, mouse, portable SSD, cable management system, desk lamp, premium laptop sleeve. It looked professional in photos.
I used the portable monitor exactly four times in six months before I sold it for £180.
The laptop stand created worse posture than just using the laptop on the table. The wireless keyboard’s batteries died constantly. The desk lamp drained my battery faster than my actual work. The cable management was pointless in a van where everything moves.
Real cost of useful equipment: About £420. Money wasted on things I thought I needed: £920.
After three years of trying to get a decent setup, I know exactly what’s essential versus what’s YouTube-influenced nonsense. I’ve worked through Scottish winters with no heating (laptop died from cold). I’ve worked through heatwaves (laptop overheated, lost two hours of work). I’ve blown my inverter. I’ve run my battery flat during a Zoom call.
Understanding the essentials of a work from van setup can significantly enhance your productivity and comfort while working remotely.
This isn’t another article showing you a beautiful desk setup with dual monitors and perfect lighting. This is the reality of working from a van in the UK — what actually works when you’re parked in a lay-by with patchy signal, 40% battery, and a deadline in three hours.
I’ll tell you what equipment is genuinely essential, what power setup you actually need (not the theoretical perfect system), and where to work when your van is too cold, too hot, or too depressing.
Let’s get into it.
My Work-From-Van Evolution: Three Setups, Three Lessons
Setup 1: The Instagram Dream (£1,340)
What I bought:
- 15.6″ portable monitor: £240
- Laptop stand (aluminum): £45
- Wireless keyboard: £60
- Wireless mouse: £35
- 1TB portable SSD: £120
- USB-C dock: £85
- Cable management kit: £25
- LED desk lamp: £40
- Laptop sleeve: £35
- External webcam: £55
- Blue Yeti microphone: £110
- Boom arm for mic: £35
- Second laptop battery: £180
- Laptop cooling pad: £55
- Ergonomic seat cushion: £40
- Noise-cancelling headphones: £280
Total: £1,440
What I actually used regularly:
- Laptop (already owned)
- Noise-cancelling headphones: £280
- SSD: £120
Total useful: £400
Money wasted: £1,040
What went wrong:
The portable monitor was heavy, needed separate power, took up precious desk space, and created glare issues. Within a month, I realized the laptop screen alone was fine.
The laptop stand elevated the screen but then I needed external keyboard/mouse. This meant more devices, more batteries to charge, more things to store, worse ergonomics hunching over to type.
The Blue Yeti microphone sounded amazing but was massive, needed boom arm, and my laptop’s built-in mic was fine for Zoom calls. Nobody cared about audio quality that much.
The desk lamp drew 8W (0.7A at 12V) continuously. Sounds small until you realize that’s 16Ah per day just for lighting. My battery was 110Ah. The lamp consumed 15% of daily capacity for marginal benefit.
What I learned: You don’t need a “professional setup.” You need a functional one.
Setup 2: The Overcorrection (Just a Laptop)
What I had:
- Laptop: Already owned
- Phone for hotspot: Already owned
- Nothing else
Cost: £0 (used what I had)
What I thought: The first setup was overkill. Let’s go minimal.
Reality after 3 months:
Neck pain from hunching over laptop on table for 6-8 hours daily. Developed persistent stiffness that lasted weeks.
Eye strain from small laptop screen (13.3″). Ended work days with headaches.
Audio issues on calls. Laptop speakers are quiet. Built-in mic picks up background noise (wind, traffic, van creaks).
No backup storage when laptop had issue. Lost a day’s work when laptop froze and hadn’t saved.
Cost of mistake:
- Physiotherapy for neck: £180 (3 sessions)
- Lost work time: Estimate 8 hours = £200 at my rates
Total: £380 in problems from going too minimal
What I learned: There’s a minimum functional setup. Going below it costs more in problems than the equipment would’ve cost.
Setup 3: Actually Right (Current Setup – £780)
What I have:
- Dell Latitude 14″ laptop (2020 model, bought used): £420
- Bose QC35 II headphones (bought used): £120
- 1TB SSD external drive: £80
- Simple tablet/laptop holder (adjustable angle): £18
- USB power bank (20,000mAh): £35
- Phone mount for calls: £8
- Laptop cooling stand (passive, no fan): £12
- Basic wireless mouse: £15
- External phone battery pack: £25
- Backup USB charging cables: £12
- Small LED puck lights (battery, for evening): £18
- Laptop screen protector (reduces glare): £8
- Microfiber cloths (screen cleaning): £6
Total: £777 (call it £780)
Been using: 18 months, still perfect
What works:
Laptop holder (£18) angles screen to eye level but I still use built-in keyboard. No separate keyboard needed. Solves neck pain for minimal cost.
Headphones are essential. Block out van noise (rain, wind, traffic). Laptop speakers are rubbish. Mic is good enough for calls.
SSD backup saves work hourly (automated). When laptop died, I lost nothing. £80 well spent.
USB power bank charges laptop when main battery is low. Got me through several deadlines when I couldn’t charge from van battery.
Passive cooling stand is just an aluminum plate with raised sections for airflow. No power draw, keeps laptop cool, costs £12.
Puck lights (£18) are battery-powered LED lights that stick anywhere. Use them for evening work without draining van battery. Each lasts 4-5 hours, batteries last weeks.
Everything else: Either already owned or not needed.
What I learned: The sweet spot is £500-800 for work equipment. Below that, you create problems. Above that, you buy things you won’t use.
Laptop Choice: What Actually Matters
After using three laptops over three years in vans, here’s what matters:
Battery Life (Most Important)
Minimum acceptable: 6 hours real-world use
Good: 8-10 hours
Excellent: 12+ hours
Why it matters:
Van power is limited. If your laptop only lasts 3-4 hours, you’re constantly charging it, draining your van battery, or unable to work.
My Dell Latitude: 8-9 hours of actual work (Word, browser, Zoom). This means I can work a full day on laptop battery alone if van battery is depleted.
Testing battery life:
Ignore manufacturer claims. They test at 50% brightness with minimal load. Real battery life is 60-70% of claimed.
Dell claims 12 hours. Reality: 8-9 hours of my actual work.
Power Consumption
Check laptop wattage:
Most laptops: 45-65W (charging)
High-performance laptops: 85-150W (charging)
Gaming laptops: 150-300W (don’t even consider these)
Why it matters:
Your inverter must handle the wattage. A 300W inverter can’t charge a 150W laptop reliably.
My laptop: 45W charger. My inverter: 300W (pure sine wave). Works perfectly.
Screen Size vs Portability
13-14 inches: Best for vans (portable, adequate screen)
15-16 inches: Workable but bulkier
17+ inches: Too big for van work
My experience:
Started with 13.3″ (too small, eye strain). Upgraded to 14″ (perfect). Tried friend’s 15.6″ (noticeably heavier, doesn’t fit on small van tables well).
Sweet spot: 14 inches
Build Quality
Van life is harsh on laptops:
- Temperature swings (-5°C to 35°C)
- Humidity and condensation
- Vibration while driving
- Limited space (more likely to knock/drop)
Business laptops > Consumer laptops
Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook: Built tougher, better keyboards, more reliable.
MacBooks: Premium but fragile. I’ve seen three crack screens from van movement. Expensive repairs.
My recommendation: Used business laptop (2-3 years old) from eBay. £300-500 gets you excellent quality. Save money, get tougher build.
Operating System
Windows: Most compatible, most repair options
MacOS: Premium, less repairable, expensive
Linux: Lightweight, free, requires tech knowledge
I use Windows. Widest compatibility, easiest repairs, most software options.
Storage
Minimum: 256GB SSD
Recommended: 512GB SSD
SSD (not HDD) is essential. HDDs fail from van vibration. SSDs are solid-state, much more reliable.
Cloud storage helps. I use Google Drive (100GB, £1.59/month) for automatic backup.
RAM
Minimum: 8GB
Recommended: 16GB
More RAM = smoother multitasking. Video calls + documents + browser + Spotify = 8GB minimum.
My laptop: 16GB. Comfortable for everything I do.
Ports
Essential:
- USB-A ports (3+)
- USB-C (charging + data)
- HDMI (if you use external monitor)
- Headphone jack
- SD card reader (nice to have)
More ports = less need for dongles/hubs = fewer things to lose/break.
What Doesn’t Matter
- Touchscreen (gimmick, drains battery faster)
- 4K screen (unnecessary, kills battery)
- Dedicated graphics (unless you’re editing video)
- RGB lighting (why?)
- Ultra-thin design (more fragile)
The Portable Monitor Debate: Do You Need One?
Short answer: Probably not.
Long answer:
I Spent £240 on Portable Monitor
Asus MB16AC, 15.6″, 1080p, USB-C powered
Used it: 4 times in 6 months
Why I bought it:
YouTube videos showed “productivity” setups with dual screens. I thought more screen space = more productive.
Reality:
- Takes up space: Van tables are small. Laptop + monitor = no room for notebook, coffee, or anything else.
- Power consumption: USB-C powered monitors draw 5-8W constantly. That’s 120-192Wh per day (10-16Ah). Significant drain.
- Setup/packdown: Every time I moved van, I had to disconnect monitor, pack it, secure it. Then reverse at next spot. 5-10 minutes each time.
- Glare issues: Van windows create reflections. Monitor was almost unusable in bright conditions.
- Weight: 800g extra to carry, store, protect.
- Ergonomics: Having second screen to the side created worse neck posture than just using laptop.
When I actually used it:
- Complex spreadsheet work (2 times)
- Video editing (1 time)
- Showing presentation to client (1 time)
Not worth £240 for 4 uses.
Sold it on eBay for £180. Loss: £60 + shipping
When Portable Monitors Make Sense
You might want one if:
- You’re video editing daily (need timeline + preview)
- You’re coding (need code + documentation)
- You’re designing (need multiple windows constantly)
- You have large van with permanent desk setup
You don’t need one if:
- You’re writing (I write, one screen is plenty)
- You’re doing basic office work (documents, email, spreadsheets)
- Your van table is small
- You move frequently
Most van workers don’t need one.
Alternative: Tablet as Second Screen
Cheaper option: iPad or Android tablet as second display
Apps: Duet Display, Sidecar (Mac), Space Desk (free)
Pros:
- Tablet has other uses (reading, entertainment)
- Lower power draw
- Wireless connection option
- More portable
Cons:
- Smaller screen than portable monitor
- Requires software setup
- Can be laggy
Cost: £150-400 (if buying tablet specifically for this)
My verdict: Still not worth it for most people. Just use laptop screen.
Power Setup: What You Actually Need
This is critical. Without power, you can’t work.
My Power System
Components:
- 110Ah AGM leisure battery: £140
- 200W solar panel: £180
- MPPT charge controller (20A): £85
- 300W pure sine wave inverter: £65
- Battery monitor: £35
- Cabling/fuses/connectors: £45
Total: £550
Powers:
- Laptop charging (45W × 2-3 hours/day = 135Wh = 11Ah)
- Phone charging (10W × 2 hours/day = 20Wh = 1.7Ah)
- LED lights (10W × 4 hours = 40Wh = 3.3Ah)
- Fridge (40W average, but cycling = ~15Ah/day)
- Laptop fan when needed (5W × 2 hours = 10Wh = 0.8Ah)
Total daily draw: ~32Ah
Battery capacity: 110Ah (usable ~55Ah at 50% discharge)
Days without sun: 1.7 days (55Ah ÷ 32Ah)
Solar generation: 200W panel generates 40-80Ah daily in summer, 15-30Ah in winter
Reality:
Summer: Never run low. Surplus power.
Winter: Close to limits on cloudy days. Occasionally need to drive to charge battery.
Would I change anything?
Yes: Upgrade to 200Ah battery (£280). Would give 3-4 days without sun. Better buffer for UK’s grey weather.
Minimum Power Setup for Laptop Work
If you’re on tight budget:
- 110Ah leisure battery: £140
- 100W solar panel: £90
- PWM charge controller: £25
- 150W modified sine inverter: £25
Total: £280
Limitations:
- Less solar generation (need sunshine)
- Modified sine wave less efficient (some laptops don’t like it)
- Smaller buffer (can’t work multiple days without sun)
But it works for basic laptop charging if you’re careful about power usage.
What About Generators?
I don’t use one.
Pros:
- Reliable power regardless of sun
- Can charge battery quickly
- Can run high-draw devices
Cons:
- Loud (antisocial at wild camping spots)
- Heavy (10-20kg)
- Requires fuel (cost + storage)
- Maintenance needed
- Smell (petrol/diesel fumes)
Cost:
- Quiet inverter generator: £300-600
- Fuel: £10-20/month
Who needs generator:
People working from van full-time in winter who can’t compromise on power availability. Or those parking at sites where generator use is acceptable.
Most people: Solar + battery is sufficient and silent.
Power Banks: The Backup Solution
I have: Anker PowerCore 20,000mAh (74Wh)
Cost: £35
Laptop charges: 1.5 times (Dell 45Wh battery × 1.5 = 67.5Wh)
Why it’s brilliant:
When van battery is low and I have deadline, power bank charges laptop while I work. This has saved me multiple times.
Usage: Maybe 10-15 times per year when I’ve misjudged power availability.
Worth every penny.
Charging Laptop: Inverter vs DC-DC
Inverter method (what I use):
- 12V battery → Inverter → 240V → Laptop charger → Laptop
- Efficiency: ~80% (20% lost in conversions)
DC-DC method:
- 12V battery → DC-DC converter → Laptop voltage → Laptop
- Efficiency: ~90%
DC-DC is more efficient but requires laptop-specific voltage converter (£30-60) and compatibility checking.
I use inverter because:
- Charges laptop, phone, and other devices
- More flexible
- Already had inverter for other purposes
If you’re only charging laptop: DC-DC more efficient, worth considering.
Internet: The Make-or-Break Factor
You can have perfect laptop setup but without internet, you can’t work.
My Internet Setup
Primary: Unlimited 4G data SIM (Three network)
Cost: £25/month (Smarty)
Speed: 15-30Mbps typically
Works: 85% of locations
Backup: EE PAYG SIM
Cost: £15 top-up lasts 2-3 months
Use: When Three has no signal
Total cost: ~£30/month
Coverage Reality
No network is 100% coverage.
Three: Good in cities/towns, patchy in rural areas
EE: Best rural coverage, expensive
O2: Middle ground
Vodafone: Similar to O2
My experience:
Scottish Highlands: EE essential (Three useless)
Cities: All networks fine
Coastal areas: Variable (Three often good)
Welsh mountains: EE best, still patchy
Having two networks (different operators) increases coverage to ~95% of locations.
Signal Boosters
Didn’t buy one because:
- Expensive (£200-400)
- Takes up space
- Requires roof-mounted antenna
- Doesn’t work with no signal (just amplifies weak signal)
Friends who have them: Report 20-40% improvement in weak signal areas. Not game-changing.
If you’re full-time remote worker in rural areas: Probably worth it. For me (mix of rural/urban), not necessary.
When There’s No Signal
Options:
- Drive somewhere with signal (most common solution)
- Use café/pub WiFi (buy coffee, use their internet)
- Library (free WiFi, quiet, warm)
- McDonald’s (reliable WiFi, free, open long hours)
- Campsite (if you’re staying there, usually has WiFi)
Reality check:
I work from non-van locations about 20% of time. Coffee shops, libraries, friends’ houses, campsites. Sometimes van just isn’t the right workspace.
Don’t force it. If signal is rubbish, lighting is bad, or it’s too cold, find better location.
Workspace Setup: Where to Actually Work
Inside Van
My desk: Fold-down table, 50cm × 40cm when open
Laptop position: Elevated on simple stand (£18), eye level when sitting
Seating: Van bench seat with cushion, or swivel driver seat
Lighting:
- Daytime: Natural light through windows
- Evening: Battery LED puck lights (£18 for 3)
Climate:
- Summer: Fine (open windows for breeze)
- Winter: Diesel heater running (costs ~£1/day fuel)
Noise:
- Quiet locations: Headphones optional
- Noisy locations: Noise-cancelling headphones essential
Reality:
Van workspace is functional but not comfortable for 8+ hour days. I do 4-6 hours in van, then move to café or library for afternoon.
Posture issues:
Even with laptop stand, van seating isn’t ergonomic. Develop neck/shoulder stiffness if working full days in van regularly.
Solution: Mix van work with proper desk work at libraries/cafés.
Outside Van (Weather Dependent)
Summer only: Fold-out table and chair outside van
Pros:
- More space
- Better posture (proper camping chair)
- Natural light
- Fresh air
Cons:
- Weather dependent
- Insects
- People see you (less stealth)
- Screen glare in bright sun
I do this: Maybe 30-40 days per year when weather is perfect (15-25°C, dry, not windy, not too bright).
Alternative Workspaces
Libraries (my favorite):
- Free
- Quiet
- WiFi
- Warm/cool
- Toilets
- Professional atmosphere
- Power sockets
I work from libraries: 2-3 days per week. Get van membership (need permanent address) and use as office.
Cafés:
- Cost: £3-5/day (coffee + snack)
- WiFi usually good
- Can be loud
- Time limits (some places)
- Social atmosphere (can be distracting or motivating)
Coworking spaces:
- Professional workspace
- Fast internet
- Meetings rooms
- Networking opportunities
- Cost: £50-200/month
I considered coworking but £100/month is steep when libraries are free and cafés are £15-20/week.
Friends’ houses:
- Free
- Comfortable
- Reliable internet
- Social breaks
- Contribute somehow (bring wine, cook dinner, etc.)
I work from friends’: Maybe 1-2 days per month. Good for intensive deadline work.
Power Consumption: Real Numbers
I measured everything with power meter over 2 weeks:
Laptop (Dell Latitude 14″)
Working (no charging): 15-25W (1.3-2.1A at 12V)
Charging: 45W (3.75A at 12V via inverter)
Sleep mode: 2-5W
Off: 0W
Daily usage:
- 6 hours working (not charging): 15W × 6 = 90Wh = 7.5Ah
- 2 hours charging: 45W × 2 = 90Wh = 7.5Ah via inverter (÷ 0.8 efficiency = 9.4Ah)
- Total: 16.9Ah/day
Phone (Charging)
Charging: 10W (0.8A at 12V)
Time: 1.5 hours/day
Daily: 15Wh = 1.25Ah
Headphones (Charging)
Charging: 5W (0.4A at 12V)
Time: 2 hours/week
Daily average: 1.4Wh = 0.12Ah (negligible)
LED Lights (Evening Work)
3× LED puck lights: 3W total
Time: 3 hours/evening (winter, when dark early)
Daily (winter): 9Wh = 0.75Ah
Total Daily Draw (Work Only)
Summer: ~18Ah (no lights needed)
Winter: ~19Ah (includes lights)
This is manageable with 110Ah battery + 200W solar.
But add fridge (15Ah), diesel heater fan (5Ah winter), phone usage (2Ah), and total daily draw is 40-45Ah.
The Work-From-Van Reality Check
What YouTube Doesn’t Show
The uncomfortable truth:
- Posture suffers: Even best van setup isn’t as ergonomic as proper desk
- Eye strain: Laptop screens in vans create more eye fatigue (reflections, position, lighting)
- Productivity drops: Van distractions (weather, people, view) reduce focus
- Cold winters are miserable: Hands get cold, laptop slow, heating costs money
- Hot summers are worse: Laptop overheats, you sweat, screen washes out in sun
- Internet fails: At crucial moments, signal drops
- Power anxiety: Constantly monitoring battery levels
- No separation: Work-life balance harder when workspace = living space
My actual productivity:
Van workspace: 70-80% of office productivity
Library/café: 90-95% of office productivity
Friend’s house: 100% productivity
I now work:
- 50% from van (when weather is good, location has signal, power is fine)
- 30% from libraries (consistent workspace)
- 20% from cafés/friends’ houses
Pure van working is romantic idea but mixed locations is better reality.
When Van Working Actually Works Well
Best scenarios:
- Short work sessions (2-4 hours)
- Writing/creative work (less screen-intensive)
- Asynchronous work (can pause for conditions)
- Summer months (comfortable temperature)
- Parked in good location (signal, level, quiet)
Worst scenarios:
- Video calls (battery drain, connection issues, background noise)
- Deadline-intensive work (stress + van limitations = bad)
- Winter evenings (cold, dark, limited power)
- Complex tasks requiring focus (van has too many distractions)
Budget Breakdown: Three Work Setups
Minimal Work Setup (£450)
For: Occasional remote work, weekend work, light laptop use
Equipment:
- Used laptop (3-4 years old): £300
- USB power bank: £35
- Basic headphones: £25
- External backup drive: £60
- Charging cables: £12
- Laptop sleeve: £18
Power:
- 100Ah battery: £140
- 100W solar: £90
- PWM controller: £25
- 150W inverter: £25
Total: £730
Limitations:
- No extended work sessions
- Basic power buffer
- No backup equipment
Standard Work Setup (£1,200)
For: Regular remote work, full days occasionally
Equipment:
- Good used laptop (2-3 years): £450
- Quality headphones: £120
- 1TB backup drive: £80
- Power bank: £35
- Laptop stand: £18
- Wireless mouse: £15
- Screen protector: £8
- Microfiber cloths: £6
- LED lights: £18
- Carrying case: £25
Power:
- 110Ah battery: £140
- 200W solar: £180
- MPPT controller: £85
- 300W inverter: £65
- Battery monitor: £35
- Cabling: £45
Internet:
- Two SIM cards: £0 upfront
- Monthly: £30
Total setup: £1,325 (round to £1,200 excluding monthly costs)
This is what I have. Works well for full-time remote work.
Premium Work Setup (£2,500+)
For: Full-time professional remote work, no compromises
Equipment:
- New/nearly-new laptop: £800-1,200
- Premium headphones: £280
- Portable monitor: £240
- Ergonomic setup: £100
- Full backup system: £200
- Professional peripherals: £150
Power:
- 200Ah lithium battery: £900
- 400W solar: £400
- 30A MPPT: £120
- 1000W inverter: £180
- Professional monitoring: £80
- Installation: £300
Internet:
- Signal booster: £300
- Premium data plans: £50/month
Coworking:
- Monthly membership: £100/month
Total: £3,800 setup + £150/month running
Who needs this:
Full-time remote workers earning £40k+ where work reliability is critical. The investment pays for itself in professional capability.
Most van workers don’t need this. Standard setup works fine.
Common Mistakes and Costs
Mistake 1: Buying Portable Monitor (Me)
Cost: £240
Used: 4 times
Sold for: £180
Loss: £60 + shipping
Mistake 2: Wrong Laptop (Friend)
Bought: Gaming laptop (powerful but power-hungry)
Cost: £1,200
Problem: 150W charger, 2-hour battery life
Solution: Sold for £800, bought business laptop for £450
Loss: £350
Mistake 3: Modified Sine Wave Inverter (Me)
First inverter: £18 modified sine wave
Problem: Laptop charger buzzed loudly, charged slowly, eventually killed charger
Replacement charger: £45
Replacement pure sine inverter: £65
Total cost: £128 vs £65 if I’d bought right initially
Mistake 4: Undersized Battery (Friend)
Initial: 75Ah battery
Problem: Couldn’t work full day without depleting battery
Upgrade: 110Ah battery (£140) + fitting (2 hours)
Should’ve just bought 110Ah initially
Mistake 5: No Backup Storage (Me)
Cost: £0 (didn’t buy backup drive)
Result: Laptop water damage, lost 2 days work
Re-doing work cost: 2 days = £400 at my rates
Backup drive costs: £80
Lost £320 by not spending £80
Mistake 6: Cheap Headphones (Me)
Bought: £12 Amazon basics headphones
Lasted: 3 months (broke)
Bought: Another pair £15
Lasted: 2 months
Eventually bought: Bose QC35 II (used) £120
Lasted: 2+ years, still perfect
Total spent on cheap ones: £27 over 5 months
Should’ve bought quality from start
Ergonomics: The Uncomfortable Truth
After 3 years, I’ve developed:
- Neck stiffness (from laptop height)
- Shoulder tension (from hunching)
- Lower back issues (from van seating)
- Eye strain (from screen position)
The fixes:
- Laptop stand (£18): Raises screen to eye level. Massive difference.
- External mouse (£15): Reduces shoulder strain vs trackpad.
- Posture breaks: Every 45 minutes, stand up, stretch, walk. Essential.
- Mix locations: 3-4 hours in van max, then move to proper desk (library/café).
- Physiotherapy: £180 for 3 sessions taught me proper stretches and posture corrections.
Reality: Van working will cause ergonomic issues unless you’re careful. Budget for physio.
The Honest Assessment After 3 Years
Total spent on work setup over 3 years:
- Equipment: £1,120 (including mistakes)
- Physio for posture issues: £180
- Power system upgrades: £380
- Coworking/café costs: £1,560 (£40/month average)
- Internet: £1,080 (£30/month)
Total: £4,320 over 3 years = £120/month
Compared to office:
- Office rent: £0 (work from home/van)
- Commuting: £0 (saved)
- Office clothes: £0 (saved)
- Lunch out: Minimal (cook in van)
Net financial position: Saved £400-600/month vs office working + commuting + office wardrobe
But:
- Productivity slightly lower (5-10%)
- More physical strain (ergonomics)
- More complexity (power, internet, finding workspace)
- Less separation (work-life balance harder)
Worth it?
Financially: Yes, saving significant money
Lifestyle: Yes, freedom to work anywhere
Professionally: Mostly yes, with compromises
Physically: No, ergonomics are worse
Would I do it again? Yes, but with better expectations and more use of libraries/cafés from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I really work full-time from a van?
Yes. I do it. But it’s not as comfortable as YouTube suggests. Mix van working with libraries/cafés for best results.
Q: What’s the minimum power setup?
110Ah battery + 100W solar + inverter = ~£280. This works for basic laptop charging if you’re careful about power usage.
Q: Do I need portable monitor?
Probably not. I wasted £240 on one. Used it 4 times. Laptop screen is fine for most work.
Q: How do I handle video calls?
Headphones with mic (essential), stable internet (find reliable spot), background (plain wall or outside). Park before call to avoid movement. Warm up van first in winter (cold breath visible on camera).
Q: What about internet reliability?
Get two SIM cards (different networks). Covers 95% of locations. For critical calls, use café/library with known good WiFi.
Q: Can I use gaming laptop?
No. Power consumption too high (100-200W). Battery life too short (2-3 hours). Get business laptop instead.
Q: What if my battery dies mid-work?
USB power bank is backup. Charges laptop 1-2 times. Has saved me multiple times during deadlines.
Q: How do you stay focused?
Harder than office. Set timer (45 min work, 15 min break). Use headphones (blocks distractions). Work in libraries when serious focus needed.
Q: What about phone calls?
Find quiet spot. Use headphones with mic. Car parks, quiet streets, fields all work. Don’t make calls from noisy locations (clients notice).
Q: Winter working – how cold is too cold?
Below 5°C, laptop is cold to touch, typing is uncomfortable. Run heater for 30 min before work. Below 0°C, laptop can refuse to charge. Warm it up first.
Q: Summer working – how hot is too hot?
Above 28°C, laptop overheats. Park in shade. Use cooling stand. Work early morning or evening. Sometimes use café for air conditioning.
Q: How do you separate work and life?
Hard. Van is bedroom, office, kitchen, everything. Set work hours (9am-5pm). “Close” laptop at end of day. Sometimes walk away from van for evening.
Q: What about insurance for work equipment?
Check van insurance covers equipment. Mine covers £500 of equipment. Laptop worth £420 so covered. For expensive kit, get specific insurance.
Q: Can two people work from one van?
Possible but tight. Need quiet time for calls (take turns). Need enough power (double laptop charging). Need table space (only one can work at van table). Most couples take turns or one uses café.
Equipment Checklist: What You Actually Need
Essential (Don’t Skip)
- [ ] Laptop with 6+ hours battery life
- [ ] Good headphones (blocks noise, decent mic)
- [ ] External backup drive (1TB minimum)
- [ ] USB power bank (20,000mAh+)
- [ ] Charging cables (including backups)
- [ ] 110Ah+ battery in van
- [ ] 100W+ solar panel
- [ ] Pure sine wave inverter
- [ ] Two SIM cards (different networks)
Cost: £600-800
Highly Recommended
- [ ] Laptop stand (adjustable angle)
- [ ] External mouse
- [ ] Screen protector (anti-glare)
- [ ] LED task lights (battery powered)
- [ ] Laptop cooling stand (passive)
- [ ] Microfiber screen cloth
- [ ] Surge protector
- [ ] Phone mount (for calls)
Additional cost: £80-120
Nice to Have
- [ ] Wireless keyboard
- [ ] Second monitor (if you genuinely need it)
- [ ] Tablet (backup device)
- [ ] External webcam
- [ ] Better microphone
Additional cost: £150-400
Skip (Waste of Money)
- ❌ Fancy laptop stands (>£40)
- ❌ USB hubs with 10+ ports
- ❌ Monitor arms
- ❌ Desk lamps (battery drain)
- ❌ Wrist rests
- ❌ Gaming peripherals
- ❌ Cable management systems
The Bottom Line
Realistic work-from-van setup costs: £700-1,200
That includes:
- Laptop (used but good): £300-500
- Essential peripherals: £150-250
- Power system: £250-450
Monthly running costs: £30-50
- Internet: £25-30
- Café work sessions: £15-20
- Equipment replacement fund: £10
It’s cheaper than renting office/coworking (£100-200/month) but requires compromises on comfort and ergonomics.
The reality:
- Van working is functional, not perfect
- Mix van work with libraries/cafés for best results
- Portable monitors are usually unnecessary
- Power management is critical
- Internet can be unreliable
- Ergonomics will suffer unless careful
After £4,320 spent over 3 years, I can say: van working is viable but YouTube oversells the comfort. It’s a tool for location independence, not a replacement for proper office ergonomics.
Build what you’ll actually use, not what looks good on Instagram. Test basic setup first, upgrade if needed, avoid equipment you “might” use.
Now stop reading and go work from your van. You’ll learn more in one week of actual work than from any guide.