Why I RV Off the Grid

Van Living with Kalen Thorien
Kalen Thorien and her two dogs walk away from a TMC Sanctuary Class B RV.

Professional skier, adventure-seeker, motorcycle enthusiast and all-around go-getter Kalen Thorien is going off the grid. And the best way to do that? Van life. Watch to discover how RVing has given her freedom and comfort as she chases million dollar views across the country.

What’s your favorite part about van living?

I'm at that point in my life where I want to be off the grid, be away and really get deep in the wilderness. I think one of the best parts about van living is that you can get into some sporty places, especially with a rig like this. Vans are really good option for the more adventurous folk. I want to go to really cool, off the grid places, so a van is perfect for me.

What does being off the grid allow you to do?

I get to disconnect. The act of disconnecting allows me to be myself again and find fulfillment in what we're rooted in, you know, the basics of life (instead of finding joy from a "like" or a "direct message" that gives you that little thrill). This is pure, real and has substance. Being out here will live with you for the rest of your life—a "like" disappears.

What do you like about the TMC Sanctuary?

First and foremost I love its solar and power capability. I mean, you can run almost eight hours of AC with this van, which is unheard of. AC alone is a luxury in my mind. There's a lot of other amenities. The electric awning is great, I used to have to open my old one with a screwdriver through each pinhole because it was broken so badly. It took forever to set it up. This van takes nearly two seconds to set up.

What do you think is the biggest benefit of RV living?

RV living puts you exactly where you want to be for each activity. For example, I don't have to wake up in the morning and drive two or three hours to go hiking, fishing or skiing. In a van or RV, you're exactly where you want to be at all times. And so for me, especially sometimes if I'm feeling lazy, it gets rid of any excuse to not go out and do something. I'm already right there and that's really the best part about living on the road.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into van life?

If you're looking to get into living on the road, I definitely recommend doing your research. There's always a few key things that you should have, like good gear and the right rig. You want to make sure that the machine itself is good, has good sets of tires, etc. Invest in a few good products and that will make your life a lot easier. I also highly recommend going online and researching people living on the road. Figure out what's worked for them and find the little things that can make a big difference.

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