By converting his everyday vehicle into a mobile camping setup that lets him travel across Europe to explore new rock-climbing sites, Vitali (IG: Vitze) shows how a simple off-grid set-up can turn an ordinary car into a flexible basecamp for life outdoors.
Beyond the Urban (BTU) catches up with him to learn more about his hybrid living space and what self-sufficiency looks like once he drives out into nature for months at a time.
Van life quick facts: Vitali compact off-grid setup
| Name | Vitali (IG: vitze1010101) |
| Location of Interview | Chulilla, Valencia, Spain – moderate autumn climate |
| Setup | Converted VW Caddy |
| Size & Layout | Private vehicle + rooftop tent |
| Timeline | Under six months |
| Budget vs Final | Planned €5000 – final €4800 |
| Estimated Total Setup Cost | Approx. €4,800 |
| Investment Level | Low, with optional upgrades |
| DIY vs Professional | Mostly DIY conversion |
| Power | Jackery Explorer 1000 + 100W solar panel, GOOLOO Jump Starter, second car battery |
| Water | Portable water tanks |
| Heating/Cooling | Vevor portable fridge, heated blanket |
| Connectivity | Starlink WiFi router |
| Monthly Costs | Approx. €500/month (WiFi, fuel, food, misc.) |
| Favourite Detail | Rooftop tent setup |
The backstory: how Vitali began his van life journey
Vitali is a rock-climbing enthusiast who would happily spend most of his life outdoors. For now, he splits his time between an apartment in Germany and his easily converted VW Caddy, which becomes home whenever he decides to hit the road for weeks or months at a time.
“I originally thought about investing in a camper van, but realistically I live in an apartment in Bruchsal, Germany, and there aren’t the appropriate parking facilities there. I also need a vehicle when I’m in the city, and driving a camper to the supermarket isn’t always ideal.”
In the city, the Caddy is simply his everyday car and can carry up to seven people. But with a well-practised setup routine, he can be packed and out the door towards the mountains within a couple of hours. For someone whose travel plans depend on climbing conditions, that freedom is everything
A minimalist mindset for practical, low-cost van life
A fully built camper van is a major commitment. For Vitali, the simpler option made more sense: turn the car he already owned into a practical, lightweight home-on-wheels.
“In the beginning I used to sleep in the van, but the humidity is one of the worst issues and everything inside is seriously damp by sunrise. There’s also the issue of not being able to crack open a window unless you’d like to be completely infested with bugs.”
Sleeping inside the van was only comfortable for short weekends. A heater or dehumidifier might have helped, but both consume power he couldn’t justify off-grid. Instead of adding complexity, he redesigned the entire sleep setup.
Making a home on the road: how he built a simple, functional setup
The breakthrough was upgrading to a rooftop tent blackout-lined, hydraulic-assisted, and extremely quick to open or close. It sleeps two comfortably and gives him a dry, ventilated space to rest.
He also carries a heated blanket for cold nights, charged via a small power bank.
Inside the van remains intentionally minimal: just enough space to cook, store gear, and move around without clutter. “If I can’t set it up in minutes, I don’t want it,” he says.
There’s always room to upgrade but too many comforts slow him down. In bad weather, the experience becomes more about waiting out a storm, making his setup better suited to drier climbing regions.
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Set-up cost breakdown: what a €4,800 off-grid van life build looks like
Below is a compact summary of what Vitali’s full off-grid vehicle setup costs, based on realistic EU market prices.
| Category | Cost | What’s Included |
| Vehicle & Sleeping | €2,200 | Rooftop tent (€1,700), roof bars (€250), interior setup (€250) |
| Power System | €1,630 | Jackery 1000 (€1,000), 100W panel (€300), jump starter (€110), spare battery (€220) |
| Gear | €460 | Fridge (€220), heated blanket (€100), cookset (€60), table/chairs (€80) |
| Connectivity | €490 | Starlink kit (€460), accessories (€30) |
Total Estimated Setup Cost: ~ €4,800
A highly achievable figure for a minimalist off-grid lifestyle that supports months of travel each year.
Power sources: how he stays fully off-grid on the road
Vitali uses a combination of portable systems to stay self-sufficient:
- Jackery Explorer 1000 to power his fridge and devices
- Jackery SolarSaga 100W panel for daytime charging
- Vehicle charging whenever he drives
- Mains charging at homes or campsites
- GOOLOO GT4000S Jump Starter as a backup and emergency starter
- Second car battery wired to an inverter for contingency power
Water & Sanitation: how he manages daily life without built-in plumbing
With no built-in bathroom or plumbing, Vitali carries water tanks for drinking, washing, and basic hygiene. He typically showers at waterfalls or lakes, using biodegradable soap. When needed, he heads to a campsite for facilities.
“This is essentially a travelling campsite rather than a camper van,” he says. “Since I spend most of my days outside, it doesn’t really affect me.”
Staying online with Starlink during van life travel
He relies on Starlink for connectivity, which draws around 40W per hour from the Jackery.
Costs:
- €40/month when at home
- €70/month when travelling
Short outages can occur under trees or thick clouds, but the system is near-perfect once parked.
The ability to pause and resume the subscription makes it ideal for seasonal adventures.
This Set-Ups Pros & Cons
Pros
- No special parking permits needed
- Everyday car doubles as camping setup
- Very fast setup and pack-down
- Comfortable rooftop sleeping
- Multiple power sources for security
- Cost-effective hybrid off-grid lifestyle
Cons
- No sanitation system
- Van interior not ideal for long stays
- High humidity if sleeping inside the van
BTU Elite Badges
Core Badge: Simplicity
Turning an everyday vehicle into a mobile campsite provides city practicality with immediate access to nature.
Elite Badge: Budget Ninja
A full setup under €5,000 with monthly running costs around €500 makes this lifestyle surprisingly achievable.
What Vitali’s lightweight van life setup teaches us
For Vitali, time outdoors matters far more than comforts inside a van. His “van life lite” approach works because it’s fast, simple, and incredibly mobile. He can explore climbing areas across Europe without worrying about campsite reservations or heavy camper builds.
A smart combination of portable power, lightweight gear, and a minimalist mindset lets him stay off-grid for weeks or months at a time then return home to Bruchsal effortlessly. With low running costs and a small footprint, his setup is not only functional but a blueprint for anyone looking to start their own off-grid journey.
