Building a life on the road, one mile at a time
When you ask Silvia and Carlos what van life means to them, their answer is simple:
"For us, motorhome life is not about escaping routine, it’s about building a new one every day."
Together with their dog Cloe, they are the people behind UNPALODEVIDA, a project where they document their life travelling and living full-time in a motorhome.
Silvia is from Spain, Carlos from Chile. Their shared dream is big: they are currently preparing one of the biggest adventures of their lives, crossing the entire American continent in their motorhome and sharing the journey with their growing community online.
Their home on wheels is more than just a vehicle. It’s their house, their office and their refuge.
Their home on wheels
Silvia and Carlos travel in a 2005 Ford Transit Challenger, a factory-built motorhome that they’ve gradually adapted themselves to support long-term travel.
Over time they’ve transformed it into a fully self-sufficient home:
-
Solar panels for energy
-
An electrical system with auxiliary battery and inverter
-
A two-burner kitchen
-
A fridge
-
An outdoor shower with hot water
-
Smart storage solutions to live comfortably on the road for years
“It’s more than a motorhome,” they say.
“It’s our home and our most important project.”
Van life is not a weekend escape
For Silvia and Carlos, van life is not a short getaway or a hobby. It’s their everyday life.
They live in their motorhome full-time, and their plan is to travel through the Americas for at least five years.
Along the way they document the journey as digital content creators, sharing both the inspiring and the practical sides of life on the road.
Their motorhome is where everything happens: filming, editing, working and living.
“It’s our recording studio, our office and our home — everything is connected.”
The freedom of the road
Ask them what they love most about van life and the answer comes quickly.
Freedom.
Waking up every morning somewhere new.
Sometimes with the ocean outside the door, sometimes surrounded by mountains or desert landscapes.
And maybe the most important thing of all: feeling that time belongs to you again.
The reality behind the dream
But van life is not always as romantic as it looks on Instagram.
“The hardest part is the uncertainty,” they explain.
Breakdowns. Weather. Bureaucracy. Borders. Logistics.
Nothing is completely predictable when you live on the road.
But that’s also part of the beauty of it.
“It forces you to grow and adapt.”
A place that stole their hearts
During their travels, one place left a particularly strong impression on them: Gran Canaria.
“It’s a place where nature still feels wild,” they say.
“You can fall asleep next to the ocean and wake up the next morning surrounded by misty mountains.”
For slow travellers, places like this become something special.
Life on the road (with a bit of protection)
Living full-time in a vehicle means your gear gets tested every day.
Silvia and Carlos use Cult Surfing Indie Brown front seat covers, which fit perfectly with the interior of their motorhome and add a warm, authentic look to the cabin.
But aesthetics weren’t the only reason they chose them.
“We spend many hours driving, often getting into the van with wet clothes, sand or dust,” they explain.
“We needed something durable and practical, but also something that fits our style.”
After thousands of kilometres, they say the covers are still holding up perfectly.
“They don’t move, they don’t deform and they protect the original seats in real travel conditions — heat, humidity, salt air and daily use.”
Building a new routine every day
For Silvia and Carlos, van life is not about running away from something.
It’s about building something new.
A different rhythm.
A different way of living.
And a different relationship with time.
As they prepare for their journey across the Americas, one thing is certain:
Their home on wheels will take them far.
And Cloe will be riding shotgun the whole way.
Follow them for more adventures