Long van journeys are a normal part of modern life. You might be a self-employed handyman who’s regularly out on the road completing jobs. Or you might be retired and traveling the world in a campervan. The potential scenarios are endless. The thing that matters the most while you’re driving your van, no matter the brand or model, is that you’re comfortable. This way, you get to experience fewer aches and pains while your hands are on the wheel. Plus, you can reduce your stress levels and potentially drive for longer than you usually would — but don’t forget to take breaks in between!
So, if you’ve recently been feeling uncomfortable and tense while driving your van during long journeys, it’s time to fix this problem. How? By following the tips and tricks below that are designed specifically for van drivers around the world, whether you’re based in the US or Europe.
Use Seat Covers
The first tip for today is to use seat covers. Like most van owners, you probably drive a Ford Transit (or another similar model). If this is true, then you should buy some Transit Custom seat covers. The leather material is great for all-round comfort, and you’ll feel much more immersed in your seat while your eyes are on the road.
It’s also worth mentioning that van seat covers are great for protecting your upholstery from signs of fading. If you’re someone who lives in a sunny country or city, then this is definitely worth remembering, as van seats get a lot of exposure to the sun if you spend a lot of time on the road.
Keep the Interior Tidy
If you have empty soda cans, plastic bags, and lots of other random items scattered around your van, it’s going to make it impossible for you to relax while driving. Knowing this, it’s important that you keep the interior as tidy as possible. By cleaning up once or twice a week, the interior of your van will remain spotless. What more could you ask for?
Change the Angle of Your Seat to Anywhere Between 100 and 110 Degrees
Do you suffer from back pain and other posture issues while driving your van? You’re not alone.
According to Spinal Backrack, 30–60% of drivers suffer from back pain as a result of driving. This isn’t good, which is why you should be looking to fix this issue as quickly as possible.
One of the best ways to stop back pain during long journeys is by simply changing your seat angle to anywhere from 100 to 110 degrees — simple. The reason for this is because it’ll put significantly less pressure on your back as you’re no longer sitting at a perpendicular 90 degrees. Give it a try and see if it works for you. Fingers crossed, it will.
Take Plenty of Breaks
If your van journey is particularly long, make sure to take fifteen-minute breaks every two hours. During breaks, you should walk around, stretch, and reenergize so that you can return to the road feeling better. If you need to, you can even take longer breaks, such as thirty to forty minutes, if you’re feeling particularly tired.
Make it Cozy
Inside your van, there are so many ways that you can make it cozier. Here are just a few ideas for you to try:
- Add some photos of your friends and family
- Install LED lights so that you can change the light and tone of your van’s interior while you’re driving
- Attach an air freshener to the rear-view mirror
You should find that doing these sorts of things really helps to make you more comfortable while you’re behind the wheel.
Listen to Podcasts or Music
Listening to podcasts or music while driving is another great way to make yourself more comfortable. If your van doesn’t have a digital audio system in place, make sure it does. This way, you’ll be able to connect your smartphone to it and put on any podcast or music album that you feel like listening to.
Pro tip: Before any long van journey, take a second to pick out the podcast or album that you want to listen to while driving. This will give you something to look forward to, while making the journey much less boring than it usually is.
Have fun and remember to always drive safely!