How to Stay Safe as a Solo Female Van Lifer: Must-Know Tips & Gear

Stay Safe on the Road: Solo Female Van Life Gear & Tips That Actually Help

So you’re thinking of hitting the road solo in a van, or maybe you’re already deep into your van conversion, with a screwdriver in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. Either way, welcome.  This is the blog I wish existed when I first Googled “can I live in a van as a solo female and be safe?”

I’m going to break down all the practical things I’ve done to feel safer in my self-converted van. This is honest, road-tested advice from one solo female living in a van to another.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I genuinely use and love.

Internal Locks on Every Door

My van has five doors: two in the cab, two at the back, and the sliding side door. I’ve fitted internal locks on all of them — because I don’t care how safe a park-up seems, peace of mind is priceless.

• Side door: I used two heavy-duty brass hook-and-eye locks — these ones right here. Super easy to install, cheap and they’ve worked perfectly on my sliding van door. They’re technically not locks, but they deadbolt the door from the inside really well.
• Cab doors: I installed Milenco Internal Cab Door Locks and love them. They’re pricey new (over £100), but I got mine secondhand for £72. They operate by manual key, but they’re solid, easy to use, and the covers are even paintable — mine are a lovely cream now instead of that ugly original grey.
• Back doors: This install freaked me out a bit. You have to unscrew parts of the top door mechanism to add plates and clip them in place with a spring lock. It’s simple, but I had the fear I’d break something. Thankfully I didn’t! I used the Twowinds Anti-Theft Lock — well worth the £27.

All internal locks are on when I’m inside the van for the night, and off when I’m driving in case I ever need to escape quickly.

Blackout Setup = Stealth Mode

When it’s dark and the lights are on, I black out everything. Curtains pulled, insulating window covers up, cab door closed. No one can see in, and from the outside, it just looks like a parked van.

• Window covers: I made mine using insulation roll sewn between black waterproof fabric (outside) and calico (inside). Attached with cheap suction cups. They’re mould-resistant and work ridiculously well.
• Curtains: Normal fabric I liked + blackout curtain liner. 99% light blocked. Paired with window covers = full stealth.

I’m more relaxed about all the window covers in the absolute middle of nowhere, but in public or urban places, full stealth mode makes me feel far safer. No one can see into the van, and no one can see who or if anyone is actually in it.

Cameras: Blink, and You’ll Miss ‘Em

I have Blink cameras mounted on all four sides. The honest truth? I rarely use them. They need a solid Wi-Fi connection and charged batteries. But they’re brilliant in a pinch if I hear something outside — I can check without opening a curtain and drawing attention.

P.S. They’re usually on a massive discount during Black Friday or Prime Day, so if you’re thinking about getting some, keep an eye out for those deals!

Door to the Cab? Non-Negotiable

I don’t know how people do van life without internal access to the cab. A tiny crawl-through “just in case” hole in the wall? No thank you. If someone’s trying to get in the van, I don’t want to be trapped.

Having a proper interior door means:

• I can drive off in seconds if I need to
• I don’t have to go outside when it’s raining
• I feel 100x safer every night

This is genuinely one of my top solo female van life safety tips, or just general campervan safety tips. It’s mad to me so many builds are done without them. But please please please add one to yours. It really doesn’t take up space if you design it in the right way with your layout!

Keep Your Keys in the Same Spot

Seriously. Always. You don’t want to be panicking in the dark trying to remember where you put them. Find a spot, stick to it.

Night Checklist and Take-Off Checklist

Create a simple list for two key moments; for example, mine are below:

Night Lock-Up:

• All internal locks on
• Van lock activated
• Gas hob off
• Inverter off
• Keys in usual place
• Curtains and window covers up
• Handbrake on

Take-Off Ready:

• Internal locks off
• Loose stuff secured
• Nothing breakable on counters
• Handbrake off
• Mirrors clear

Do it every time and it becomes second nature.

Have Something for Just-in-Case

A personal alarm. Pepper spray (where legal). A torch that doubles as a weapon. I’m not saying you’ll ever need it — hopefully neither of us ever will! But I’d rather have it and never use it than not have it and need it.

Park Smart

Whenever possible, park so you can drive out forward. Reversing in a panic = recipe for disaster. That said, I’ve definitely sacrificed an easy escape for a pretty view once or twice!

Let Someone Track You

I use Life360 so my family always knows where I am. My mother dearest has a mild case of helicopter parenting… and unfortunately has me for a daughter (sorry mum!). I also have a satellite tracker with SOS and 2-way messaging for off-grid hikes; so if I vanish into the mountains (hopefully not!), someone can still find me.

Don’t Be Too Friendly to Strangers

If you’re extroverted then this will be much, much harder I imagine — but as an introvert, I find it simple to be friendly and polite, but not reveal much; i.e. avoid saying things like “aye, I live in a van and it’s parked over there“.

People likely have no bad intentions, but it only takes one, or even someone overhearing, for things to go wrong. So just keep your wits about you, and don’t divulge too much to strangers.

Optional Extras

I don’t personally do these, but a few other solo female van lifers swear by them:

• Put out two camping chairs to make it look like you’re not alone
• Keep two visible seats in the cab (I ditched one for my paddleboard… priorities)

If you’re here after Googling “the woman who lived in a van” or some random film about women living in vans and ended up on a solo female van life blog — welcome! I hope this gave you some helpful info, or maybe just entertained you for a few.

If you’re here after deciding solo female van life is the way to go (yeooo good woman yourself <3), then I hope this eased any nerves about safety when it comes to living in a van, especially as a woman alone. Hopefully these tips helped you feel more prepared, and a bit more confident. You’ll be exploring in your own wee home on wheels soon enough if not already!

You’re not just a woman who lives in a van. You’re the woman who lives in a van — safely, smartly, and fully in charge of your own story. Just as it should be.

Got questions or want to share your own tips? Drop a comment or message me on socials.

And remember: you’ve got this.

Lauren xxx

Handy van life safety kit list: what I use

• Van side door internal safety locks
• Internal Van Cab Door Locks — this is the Thule one as mine is unavailable. Check ebay though, that’s where I got mine ‘used’ but new for cheaper!
• Van Rear Door Internal Lock — if this one is unavailable, there are many others practically identical at similar price. Just make sure that this fits your van model!
• Insulation roll for window covers — much cheaper than buying pre-made ones
• Black waterproof fabric for window covers — make sure it’s waterproof to prevent mould
• Cream cotton fabric for inside of covers — cheaper and prettier than using black fabric on inside too
• Window suction cups for covers
• Van curtain fabric
• Van curtain blackout fabric
• Van security cameras
• Womens safety alarm
• Satellite communicator