A family of 5 with a baby on the way lives and travels part-time in a converted sprinter van. Here's how they make the small space work.

Joey HaddenMay 27, 2021, 01:25 IST

The Sanchez family lives part-time in a converted sprinter van. Here's a look inside their life.beboldlittleones/Instagram

Michael and Rachel Sanchez and live and travel part-time in a converted van with their three kids and a baby on the way.
The couple gave Insider a look inside the tiny home on wheels, which has queen bunks and seats six.
Rachel told Insider that she thinks van life has helped her kids value minimalism and the outdoors.

Many people dream of waking up to these views. One Utah-based family made that dream a reality by downsizing and moving into a van part-time.

The Sanchez family wakes up to various views across the country. beboldlittleones/Instagram

That's how the Sanchez family starts every day on the road. After purchasing a van in March 2020, Rachel and Michael found ways to make it work for their big family.

Michael, Rachel, and their girls in their van. beboldlittleones/Instagram

While the Sanchezes only live in the van part-time, they spend more time in it than they do at their home base in Utah.

Rachel sits on the top bunk with her youngest daughter, Remina. beboldlittleones/Instagram

A look inside the van shows how the Sanchezes use bench seating to create a living room-style area in the small space.

bide-by-side views of the van from different angles show the interior layout. beboldlittleones/Instagram

In the back, the Sanchezes adjusted the lofted bed area to fit queen bunk beds that sleep the whole family. There's no bathroom, so they stow a portable toilet under the bed.

Photos show how they transformed the van's sleeping areas with storage underneath. beboldlittleones/Instagram

In the back, the Sanchezes adjusted the lofted bed area to fit queen bunk beds that sleep the whole family. There's no bathroom, so they stow a portable toilet under the bed.

Rachel and Michael even added a customized mural that wraps around the outside of the vehicle.

The Sanchez family at Grand Teton National Park. beboldlittleones/Instagram

When they live in the van, the Sanchez sisters share a drawer for toys and art supplies, and Rachel said the adjustment to minimalism has changed her daughters' values for the better.

The Sanchez sisters hang out in the van on Christmas Eve in 2020. beboldlittleones/Instagram

When they live in the van, the Sanchez sisters share a drawer for toys and art supplies, and Rachel said the adjustment to minimalism has changed her daughters' values for the better.

While Lilliana, the family's oldest child, is learning responsibility in her new life on the road, her younger sister, Remina, likely has no concept of home outside of nature.

The Sanchez sisters snacking inside and outside of the van. beboldlittleones/Instagram

While Lilliana, the family's oldest child, is learning responsibility in her new life on the road, her younger sister, Remina, likely has no concept of home outside of nature.

After taking in their view of the day, the Sanchez family has breakfast and heads outside to explore and learn.

The Sanchez family cooks outside. beboldlittleones/Instagram

Then, it's back to the van for lunch and Remina's nap before more outdoor activities.

The Sanchez family eats and enjoys the view from their van. beboldlittleones/Instagram

Some of their adventures include hiking and swimming, Rachel said.

The kids like to swim in hot springs, Rachel said. beboldlittleones/Instagram

Every night is a movie night after dinnertime thanks to a projector in the van's bottom bunk.

The Sanchez family watches a movie before bed. beboldlittleones/Instagram

The next day, it's time for to do it all again - but this time, with a different view. The family may open their doors to see anything from canyons to bull moose in their ever-changing backyard.

The Sanchez family sometimes wakes up to moose in the morning. beboldlittleones/Instagram

The next day, it's time for to do it all again - but this time, with a different view. The family may open their doors to see anything from canyons to bull moose in their ever-changing backyard.

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A family of 5 with a baby on the way lives and travels part-time in a converted sprinter van. Here's how they make the small space work.

Many people dream of waking up to these views. One Utah-based family made that dream a reality by downsizing and moving into a van part-time.

That's how the Sanchez family starts every day on the road. After purchasing a van in March 2020, Rachel and Michael found ways to make it work for their big family.

While the Sanchezes only live in the van part-time, they spend more time in it than they do at their home base in Utah.

A look inside the van shows how the Sanchezes use bench seating to create a living room-style area in the small space.

In the back, the Sanchezes adjusted the lofted bed area to fit queen bunk beds that sleep the whole family. There's no bathroom, so they stow a portable toilet under the bed.

Rachel and Michael even added a customized mural that wraps around the outside of the vehicle.

When they live in the van, the Sanchez sisters share a drawer for toys and art supplies, and Rachel said the adjustment to minimalism has changed her daughters' values for the better.

While Lilliana, the family's oldest child, is learning responsibility in her new life on the road, her younger sister, Remina, likely has no concept of home outside of nature.

After taking in their view of the day, the Sanchez family has breakfast and heads outside to explore and learn.

Then, it's back to the van for lunch and Remina's nap before more outdoor activities.

Some of their adventures include hiking and swimming, Rachel said.

Every night is a movie night after dinnertime thanks to a projector in the van's bottom bunk.

The next day, it's time for to do it all again - but this time, with a different view. The family may open their doors to see anything from canyons to bull moose in their ever-changing backyard.