Living Your Best Life in a Van

Living Your Best Life in a Van

“How Bob Wells Lives His Best Life in a Van.” Bob Wells lives in a refurbished van. After hitting a new low in the wake of a divorce, with no money to lean on, Bob found a new lease on life when he hit the road in his van for the last ten years, reaching celebrity status from his popular YouTube channel where he shares how-to’s and inspiration for the van-dwelling set.

How Bob Wells Lives His Best Life in a Van | American Nomads, Ep. 1

Learn more about “Independent Lens”:
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Bob Wells’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/cheaprvliving
Executive Producers
Sally Jo Fifer
Lois Vossen

Director & Producer
Ben Wu
David Usui

Cinematography
Ben Wu
David Usui

Editor
David Usui

Sound Mix
Dan McHugh

VP of Production
Royd Chung

Senior Manager, Short-Form Content
Pamela Torno

Supervising Producer
Clare Chambers

Consulting Producer
David Casey

Associate Producer
Susan Cohen

Legal Counsel
Kathleen Conkey, Law Offices of Kathleen Conkey

Production Accountant
Ameena Din

Special thanks to:

KC Colter
Carolyn Merriman
Bob Wells
Cheap RV Living (www.cheaprvliving.com)

ITVS Contributing Staff

Senior VP of Content
Jim Sommers

VP of Content
Noland Walker

VP of Marketing & Communication
Lisa Tawil

Senior Counsel Business & Legal Affairs
Noah Wald

Senior Creative Director
Louise Cousins

Senior Director of Marketing
Daniel Ross

Senior Content Manager
Aldo Mora-Blanco

Post Production Supervisor
Joanna Goldfarb

Art Director
Michael Silva

Assistant Editor
Michael Steve

AMERICAN NOMADS is a co-production of LOST & FOUND FILMS and INDEPENDENT TELEVISION SERVICE (ITVS), with funding provided by the CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (CPB)
This program was produced by LOST & FOUND FILMS, which is solely responsible for its content.
Β© 2019 Lost & Found Films, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

50 Comments

  1. fuck6ronson on July 3, 2022 at 12:28 am

    We all know Bob is the human-form of Wikipedia for the Van Life community.

  2. David Godley on July 3, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Bob this is your podcast that has inspired so many of us to become a nomad! In my belief it’s your best one! This is what gets us started.

  3. The Philippine Info Channel on July 3, 2022 at 12:40 am

    Great Video!!! I was just talking about this on my latest vlog. Awesome stuff

  4. Yeetmyburger987 on July 3, 2022 at 12:42 am

    Please and thank you

  5. Art Vandley on July 3, 2022 at 12:44 am

    "Hey Google, what is Bob Wells Estimated Net Worth?" … "$540,000" πŸ€‘

  6. Justine Brown's Bookshelf on July 3, 2022 at 12:44 am

    I’ve observed that a lot of homelessness derives from family breakdown and atomisation. Case in point. Bob is making the best of it and making lemonade from those lemons.

  7. Amy Elizabeth on July 3, 2022 at 12:45 am

    I relate to you and this life screams home to me. Nature is all I ever want to be in I don’t belong doing the city society thing. You are amazing Bob!!! Thank you for being you and also for now giving all of us the opportunity to be apart of vanlifeπŸ™

  8. Dexter Morgan on July 3, 2022 at 12:45 am

    He was amazing in Nomadland

  9. TJ J on July 3, 2022 at 12:46 am

    Now with Biden in office, gas is more than rent ..lol.

  10. #10th10thEveryear on July 3, 2022 at 12:46 am

    #10th10thEveryear also world 🌎 homelessness day as well as world 🌎 mental health day #MHintoSDG3 #MHintoEducation

  11. Running Wind Adventures on July 3, 2022 at 12:47 am

    Any recommendations if traveling with 4 Huskies? We like away from crowds but have a Chevy van not 4×4

  12. Belltown Daisy on July 3, 2022 at 12:47 am

    Love this man!

  13. iloveloureed on July 3, 2022 at 12:48 am

    King Bob πŸ‘‘πŸ’•πŸ‘‘πŸ’•πŸ‘‘

  14. Glen Lemons on July 3, 2022 at 12:50 am

    I am joining the tribe.. thanks for the the information that you provide
    Bud hope to meet you soon. I am from new York State. NOW retired.

  15. 12vLife on July 3, 2022 at 12:51 am

    Bob are you driving home later ? Nope, I’m home driving.

  16. Amy Kopecky on July 3, 2022 at 12:51 am

    I have got to share… I have been camping/living out of a Prius V and got those screens you recommend a long time ago. They fit most all vehicles, and we’re really cheap, like 5 bucks for a pair. They are still working after 3 years. Their great. I just had to buy some velcro tape after the first year, which was also only 5 something

  17. OPT50 on July 3, 2022 at 12:55 am

    I wish I could find one 0f those American Nomads driving through my area, who until American Nomads have that whole big gathering event in Arizona they may be always alone in their RV or whatever else in that order that they travel in, and might want to have somebody in whatever they travel in for company. When I watched that video of them all at that big gathering, I felt they seemed like my kind of people I’d like to be with.

  18. Steve Gardner on July 3, 2022 at 12:55 am

    Bull shit

  19. Natural_Born_Writer on July 3, 2022 at 12:56 am

    What a great service Bob provides for down and outers.

  20. Marie Holliday on July 3, 2022 at 12:56 am

    Real peace ✌

  21. David Godley on July 3, 2022 at 12:59 am

    I retired one year ago from trucking, bought a Ford Transit van and moved into it. I recently gave up my storage unit. Now I’m complete!

  22. Tanya Weller on July 3, 2022 at 12:59 am

    Yes, home is where my heart is.

  23. Ida Berrones on July 3, 2022 at 1:00 am

    Love the tremendous support he has gotten,I love this life wish I was there

  24. Joe Berry on July 3, 2022 at 1:02 am

    How can you keep your water from freezing if you don’t have the diesel heat to keep it warm

  25. Linus Persson's Gaming Channel on July 3, 2022 at 1:03 am

    He talks a lot about nature but what about the environment from a van…

  26. onlythewise1 on July 3, 2022 at 1:03 am

    its dangerous to live alone and get hurt or very sick

  27. onlythewise1 on July 3, 2022 at 1:04 am

    im alone in a house cant get out much , bloods suckers want 1,200 a month to care for me

  28. Joe Morrow on July 3, 2022 at 1:04 am

    This lifestyle is not for everyone just like a Semi Truck Driver,,,being and feeling disconnected takes a little time,,hardest thing for me,,,missing that hot shower every morning,,,but that to will pass.

  29. Vu Nguyen on July 3, 2022 at 1:05 am

    Bob, thks for your personal story. I admire your determination and your willingness to live your way. You are an inspiration.

  30. Jeric Lester on July 3, 2022 at 1:06 am

    maraming ganyan sa pinas nakakariton nga lang… sila ang mga pinoy nomads… πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

  31. Amy Kopecky on July 3, 2022 at 1:08 am

    I’m so glad too, that you make all these videos. You make me less scared of the future. And, now that I’m getting older was so scared. I’m not anymore. I’ve realized I have always lived by a lot of your principles. I too can do this, and make a difference in people’s lives. Thank you.

  32. budmangt2 on July 3, 2022 at 1:08 am

    How do you live in a Van with no job?

  33. Jeanne Marlene on July 3, 2022 at 1:11 am

    Wow you have a second channel cool πŸ‘

  34. Kevin Crozier on July 3, 2022 at 1:11 am

    I did 30 years as an over the road truck driver. I hitched across this country for years before that, back in the late 70’s/early 80’s. In the truck I only fueled up at truck stops and stayed at either rest areas or Walmarts or find me a spot out in the middle of nowhere if I could. I carried food and water with me. I had two Burton one burner stoves. And this was long before Coleman or Igloo started making the coolers that plugged in the cigarette lighter. The old cooler with the ice…lol. I loved it. I am going to be on a semi retirement in one month, but I plan on spending a lot of time off in the woods here in Illinois camping. I enjoy the freedom, the traveling and the outdoors of the nomad life. Right now, I am unable to do the traveling because of my wife’s health issues, but the camping gets me outdoors. So, all of you….stay free.

  35. NormaJean Hedlund on July 3, 2022 at 1:11 am

    Bob, I see you van is licensed as commerical. does it require a cdl?

  36. Finnian McCullough on July 3, 2022 at 1:13 am

    living in a van…….down by the river……..Matt Foley

  37. Rebecca Lamb on July 3, 2022 at 1:13 am

    Amazing man!

  38. Traveller 24β€”7 on July 3, 2022 at 1:13 am

    But what is to do … when your know … a lot ….. acteurs, will follow you Even in a used cheap van, and deliver you with there stupidness and a lot more. Year … After year … After year … even without any Welcome sign.

  39. BEASTY_B on July 3, 2022 at 1:13 am

    I’m very happy and proud of you mr. wells

  40. Anna Danielova on July 3, 2022 at 1:14 am

    I absolutely understand you❣️

  41. Debbe Jean on July 3, 2022 at 1:14 am

    Absolute truth. I was told that it was abnormal to live in a tent or van. I would rather be abnormal!

  42. Tin Star on July 3, 2022 at 1:16 am

    I’m living in a van down by the river!

  43. bikinggal1 on July 3, 2022 at 1:17 am

    If only I was an American Citizen. Canada doesn’t have anywhere to be in the winter. Hoping the borders open up soon!

  44. Yeetmyburger987 on July 3, 2022 at 1:17 am

    Im in dire need of a van. Bradenton fl . My frriend said you help people.

  45. darrenjoe watson on July 3, 2022 at 1:17 am

    Great film too πŸ˜œπŸ‘

  46. QuietStorm on July 3, 2022 at 1:17 am

    "$3000 mini vans are a dime a dozen" Hmmm…. I guess you are better off buying them by the dozen!! This made me laugh.

  47. B.B. Grenade on July 3, 2022 at 1:18 am

    I just turned 67 and now have my van. Finally. I first found Bob’s videos when I lived Hawai’i about 10 years ago give or take. As you all know Hawai’i is very expensive and I longed to have a better life. My wife passed away 4 years ago in Hawai’i and that set me free as I was her caregiver overworked underpaid not that mattered much so I moved to the mainland and to Pahrump, NV where I got to meet Bob at a HOWA Van Build. I got my van a 1995 Ford Conversion and now live full time in it. Thank You Bob for all the advice. I do run into him from time to time in town and he is always friendly and willing to say Hey How’s It Going? Bob from the bottom of my heart I Thank You for everything you have taught me.

  48. Lauren on July 3, 2022 at 1:21 am

    Does anyone know what kind of AC he was reviewing? I couldn’t find it on his channel haha

  49. Chris Mallard on July 3, 2022 at 1:21 am

    Hey Bob, a lot of people in Canada could really use your help. I’m just starting and I have a minibus 🌞 I’m good but many others are not. Homelessness is an epidemic in Canada. Be safe πŸ˜ƒπŸ¦‡

  50. Casual Film Talks on July 3, 2022 at 1:23 am

    Here after researching & writing Nomadland review

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