How can I make money with my van?

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

I've thought about a YouTube channel...not sure if people actually make money on Youtube anymore, though.

I've thought about starting a delivery service, but I'm only 5'2'' and I can't lift 50 pounds. I've tried delivery apps, and they all require you to lift 50 pounds.

I'm getting desperate. I don't want to sell my van, but due to a disability, I'm no longer able to make a living doing what I went to college for. (Long story...), and I don't know if I'll be able to make the payments.

I keep thinking I need to trade it in for a car, so I can drive for Uber or Lyft or Veyo. But, I don't want to sell it, because I just love it....

Anybody have luck making money with their van?

Ideas?

If you have a skill people usually go somewhere to get, such as cutting hair, grooming pets, bookkeeping, massage, something most people want and need but might not have time to go out and do it, a van makes for a good mobile business site. A certain segment of the population is willing to pay a bit more or go with someone new if the service comes to them.

It seems most hauling/moving gigs also require someone who can muscle heavy or bulky items, but maybe there's something that needs to go from one place to another without heavy loading unloading duties? Pillow delivery? Something that would not fit in a car and needs the capacity of a van but wouldn't require heavy lifting. Try offering just the driving and delivery service without the loading / unloading and see if anyone can use that.

Perhaps a "Running Valet" type of business. Picking up ordered groceries, dry cleaning, packages, dropping things off. You get the idea. I actually know of a couple folks making an OK living doing this with just a van (and some additional insurance). Make sure you get a business license if you try it,

Good luck to you!

Around Xmas time UPS hires driver helpers who just do the leg (and lifting) work. Maybe you could find someone who could do the physical part while you just did the driving and the routing, organization,etc. Or turn your van into an ice cream van?

Look at task rabbit.com. I'm just tired a laborer to help me move. They do all the marketing; you control your rate and if you're good you'll probably pick up some business

I had a neighbor once who did something in the hotel business working from home (which, I can't remember for sure, but it might have been an RV). I think he functioned as the call center for a small-ish property -- did reservations and/or customer service. Sorry I can't be more specific!

There may be other call-center-type jobs that you could do from home (whether "home" is a van or a house). Hard and underpaid work, I'm sure, but work.

Dumb question, but, you're sure you can't Uber with a van?

Good luck!

For some of these jobs you may need to have commercial license on the Van & insurance likewise. Then possibly a small business license etc depending on what you are wanting to do. If you can just stick with "quid pro quo" jobs for individuals as money under the table you may pick up some side money. But be very careful with this kind of income.

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

Click to expand...

I suggest expanding the question to a more generalized, how can I increase my income? Focusing on how your skills could be utilized online will allow you to live/work anywhere. It can allow more time flexibility. It may be more accommodating of disabilities.

With a little creativity and a bit of technology, many jobs that were traditionally done in person, can now be done online. I've seen online book keeping, personal training, tutoring, photography, personal assistant, customer support... Or go the freelancer route and start your own business.

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

I've thought about a YouTube channel...not sure if people actually make money on Youtube anymore, though.

I've thought about starting a delivery service, but I'm only 5'2'' and I can't lift 50 pounds. I've tried delivery apps, and they all require you to lift 50 pounds.

I'm getting desperate. I don't want to sell my van, but due to a disability, I'm no longer able to make a living doing what I went to college for. (Long story...), and I don't know if I'll be able to make the payments.

I keep thinking I need to trade it in for a car, so I can drive for Uber or Lyft or Veyo. But, I don't want to sell it, because I just love it....

Anybody have luck making money with their van?

Ideas?

Click to expand...

I been struggling to figure out what I want to do as well.. So know that you are NOT alone in trying to figure it all out. I would say stay clear from Uber or Lyft. From what I been hearing they are starting to become less profitable for the drivers. More so now than ever with the higher gas prices. Look for online jobs like customer service ie chat support, or even call center work I heard they can be done from a van if you have the right setup and they don't require a landline or wired internet connection.

Also online jobs can be a great option, many pay less than actually going to a job location. Think outside the box.. literally, get out of your van and walk your community and drive to other places. States have different minium wage. Washington I believe is $15 bucks now? Texas has no state taxes but they have property taxes that are VERY high so van life in Texas might be a great opportunity. Me I work at an overnight big box store stocking shelves. They are well known for hiring ALL types of people with different mobility limitations and pairing them in the best positions. cleaning ie sweeping the floors and driving the power scrubber could be a path to be making $14.50 an hour (13bucks an hour but with 1.50 overnight pay) Plus discount on items like food and personal supplies already needed for life anyways.

Hotels are another great option! Night audit is a very simple job, however I would suggest going more upscale than budget given the pay be better and the clientele be less... crazy. Plus in a pinch, ie extreme hot days perhaps you could seek out renting a room in the same hotel they might offer a discount or if the manager was your friend even a comp'ed room.

If you thought about delivery I would suggest you look into dominos pizza. I been noticing more and more they have their OWN dominos cars now so if you were a delivery driver for them you might be making more in tips without having to pay for gas? Not sure how that all works out and each location might be different..

If it was me I would say look for two jobs. 1 job for a job for RIGHT NOW ie big box store or a night auditor hotel cause they are always desperate for work and THEN work on searching for a more longer term job. Which when I was a night auditor I had A LOT of free time on my hands. Granted I had to work and do the books but usually during the week I would have 2-4 hours of time to myself so I could have used that time to job search and apply to some places. Gotta be careful about if they track what your searching on their computer but if you got your smart phone you can search and research that way as well. Plus having a notepaid where you can take notes from your research on your phone to review and help in your efforts can pay off greatly.

Finding a GOOD job can be very difficult that is what I went simple because I knew they were always hiring but the location might change slightly depending on their current needs. Happy job hunting, and best of luck. I always hate job hunting it is always the hardest time feeling so rejected and worried about money.

Is your van just a van, or is it a conversion? If it's a passenger van then I would look into the possibility of driving for a shuttle service doing airport pick-up and drop-off.

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

I keep thinking I need to trade it in for a car, so I can drive for Uber or Lyft or Veyo.

Click to expand...

Will you be living in the van?

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

...

I've thought about starting a delivery service, but I'm only 5'2'' and I can't lift 50 pounds. I've tried delivery apps, and they all require you to lift 50 pounds.

Click to expand...

Maybe medical delivery driver ? Deliver prescriptions, samples to/from doctor's offices and labs, etc... I don't recall those folks having to lift 50 lbs. Could be worth looking into.

Check with local courier services. Maybe they could use you fir small package delivery

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

I've thought about a YouTube channel...not sure if people actually make money on Youtube anymore, though.

I've thought about starting a delivery service, but I'm only 5'2'' and I can't lift 50 pounds. I've tried delivery apps, and they all require you to lift 50 pounds.

I'm getting desperate. I don't want to sell my van, but due to a disability, I'm no longer able to make a living doing what I went to college for. (Long story...), and I don't know if I'll be able to make the payments.

I keep thinking I need to trade it in for a car, so I can drive for Uber or Lyft or Veyo. But, I don't want to sell it, because I just love it....

Anybody have luck making money with their van?

Ideas?

Click to expand...

Citizen Shipper. You can deliver pets etc. You bid on it. Check it out.

You could do what I do, I got hooked up with a medical outfit here in Michigan and drive patients all over the state to their appointments. You have to be able to carry a walker or wheelchair in the back. I make out pretty good.

With the cost of repairs or replacement for vehicles as well as the cost of fuel being so high at present I'm suggest you figure out some things out can make and sell while on the road.

But one good place to look for free advice is the counselor at a community college. They can assess your current skills, take into account you physical limitations and help you transition into new work. Somethings might only need a short course you can take online.

There are always food service gigs and it is pretty quick to apply for and get a food handlers permit. Working special events as temporary staff is one job. That can lead to quite a lot of work camping jobs.

I would second those who said remote jobs, mainly so as not to put great mileage on your van and allow it to last you longer.

There are lots of websites out there offering all kinds of sit-down/computer jobs. One that I always tell people about is - the US passed a law some time ago that all movies (etc.) had to have closed-captioning, so there is a big call for this, typing what you hear. The rates start off rather low, but with practice they will keep increasing. I have seen $75 an hour, I assume that would be live typing, such as for news.

Giggles said:

I need to figure out a way to make a living with my van. Can anyone recommend something?

I've thought about a YouTube channel...not sure if people actually make money on Youtube anymore, though.

I've thought about starting a delivery service, but I'm only 5'2'' and I can't lift 50 pounds. I've tried delivery apps, and they all require you to lift 50 pounds.

I'm getting desperate. I don't want to sell my van, but due to a disability, I'm no longer able to make a living doing what I went to college for. (Long story...), and I don't know if I'll be able to make the payments.

I keep thinking I need to trade it in for a car, so I can drive for Uber or Lyft or Veyo. But, I don't want to sell it, because I just love it....

Anybody have luck making money with their van?

Ideas?

Click to expand...

.
The GCWR of our ExpeditionVehicle is around 50,000# (twenty-five ton).
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Until about four years ago, until I whacked that off and mounted a gooseneck ball, it had a fifth-wheel hitch.
We moved trailers for folks without a tow vehicle.
Twenty to hook, twenty to drop, two bucks a mile, a dollar a minute for fussing with burnt bulbs and low tires, hundred-fifty minimum, tips and lunch encouraged.
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Our rig still has the bumper-pull hitch...

As long as you can maintain internet access have you considered remote customer-service positions?

Some people do well around here driving the Amish around if it's a passenger van.