Here's to 5+ more years! 🍺

I appreciate the simplicity and straightforwardness of your van. It's refreshing to see that you prioritize functionality over unnecessary embellishments commonly associated with glamcamping. Your approach is honest, as you only utilize items that serve a purpose and make logical sense. It's commendable that you haven't compromised your integrity by seeking sponsorships and promoting products through fabricated reviews for things we don't actually require. While it's true that people have different preferences, there are many like-minded individuals who appreciate a minimalist and practical van build that caters to their specific needs without unnecessary complexity.

When I am about 95 years old, I should imagine I shall be still enjoying seeing Simon in his solar powered flying machine still doing his alternate lifestyle 🚀🛸

Not only do you have thousands of fans that love you, you honestly have helped so many peoples mental health that you can be proud of that. Plus you have the best dog on KZfaq.

Awwww…look at Rocko sleeping in the front window!

Still the genuine article. Hard to find KZfaqrs that don't forget their roots as they get famous. 🤘

Please keep the intro song! Enjoy hearing it again lately.

I cannot believe it has been five years. I still remember when you first posted here about stealthy living in your old minivan in a city, and how you survived a super cold winter storm. Here's to another five years of Foresty Forest and his van, and amazing videos about mountains!

What a lovely man you are Simon. Thank you for sharing your journeys with us, your videos are very enjoyable. And we're glad that you and Loui are friends, a very cute couple indeed ❤🇦🇺

Hey, Simon. I've been doing vanlife, rvlife and trucking for 21 years, 16 as a trucker. You're one if the few I can relate with, and you're one of the few who I feel is 110 % genuine about your lifestyle.. I hope to one day cross paths with you. Keep up the great work, and hopefully, I will catch you one day for coffee.

Rocko has been a great addition to all our lives 🐶

Foresty .. while you are traveling around .. make note of the places that have the most natural resources in a small area; good water, rocks, variety of trees, community, etc. (make a list) .. then look for a small piece of raw land that you can buy and own. Something with room to grow a garden, build a small house, etc. to use as home base .. low to non-existent restrictions, etc. You can always hit the road .. but having some place you can go to that you own .. is a good dimension .. just like your own transportation. Like Roco .. you will get older .. and not move so freely. 🙂

I lived for over a year in a Honda Civic hatchback and a tent. It wasn't always great, but you can put up with a lot when you are young and it's something I always remember fondly.

living close to where you work is in my opinion one of the fundamental best lifetime decisions you can make. living IN your job.. next level

Dude, my retirement plan is van life. Seems like the only affordable way to survive, and I love traveling.

I remember when you were first living in the mini van! I found your channel because I wanted to see what was the smallest thing a person could make into a home.

Rocko is an absolute machine, the epitome of what jack russell terriers are.

For every Foresty Forest who goes out and takes massive action, I guestimate 99.8% of people thinking about van life cannot commit mentally. I still watch the long distance bike videos. Have a great weekend.

You've come a long way Foresty! I still think your first build in the spaceship is one of the most impressive builds I've ever seen. Rocko is just the best too.

5 years in my VW Transporter and I’m still everyday happy I chose vanlife. No messy housemates, saving on rent, and better sleep! I work nights and snowboard days, couldn’t be better!

Practically noone is entirely self contained and off the grid. But Foresty comes close. An able man with many talents. It's been fun watching.

I remember back in the beginning you would always say Thanks for keeping me out of the factories or something like that, I was new to KZfaq and you were the one that introduced me to this whole vanlife adventure of mountain climbing and long hikes and beautiful scenery. I climbed my first mountain last summer I'll be 60 in September and it was life changing ! Standing that high above everything else in my view was something I can't describe. Thank you for introducing a 60 year old woman to a world I didn't know existed...and then there's Rocko the coolest dog to ever climb a mountain! Next winter when you come to Washington and Oregon I hope you do a meet up I would love to meet you in person and I know lots of other people would want to as well. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.

The more I watch these van life videos, the more I consider living this life. Congratulations on 5+ years, Simon.

I watch a million of these van life channels and Rocko is by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the cuttest pet out there. She's pure magic. You have a really special one.

It’s funny when I go back to your old videos I recognize all the spots in Hamilton you stayed at congratulations on 5 years.

This lifestyle has been the best decision I've made for my mental health. The community, although mostly online, is wonderful. 👍🚚

you and camping with steve have helped me so much the last few years..one person can truly make a diff....thank you

Congrats- yours is the only channel that I've been following for a long time and even after all these years I am excited each time I see a new release!

Thank you for all of the insight. Your videos are always entertaining, helpful and just plain enjoyable. Here's to another 5+ years.

My great uncle Simon lived to be 104 years old. Live long and explore life!

I was not expecting a drop at this time. Full of surprises!!❤😊

Awesome ! There’s been van life channels come and go, it seems like a grind to keep putting out content for sure. You’re one of the ones that are still around years later, that speaks volumes about your work ethic and how much you care about what you’re doing. Keep it up , it’s really great content 👍

Thanks for the shot of Rocko cozy by the stove, Simon!

You should lock your doors. Bears can open doors and climb in vehicles and actually shut themselves in the vehicle.

Simon you are truly a REMARKABLE man that explores the planet and takes us with you

I'm so glad you're still here. I value your opinion so duly noted on your recommendations. Thanks for bringing us along all this time. You're the best there is!

Half a decade of freedom 🎉

That was great, thank you. Dear little Rocco.💖

good to see you've finally got yourself a camp chair! rock on bud, looking forward to more Foresty and Rocko adventures!

I love your channel and always find comfort in it. I live in Greenwich Village, NYC, in a tiny studio apartment 8 by 23 feet, but feel I'd be perfectly comfortable in a space 1/3 that size. There's some comfort in knowing that people are nearby if I need them, but I mostly hermit at home and enjoy engaging whenever I feel the need through zoom sessions on social media. I fantasize living in a van or tiny house, but think I'd struggle with any technical issues. My needs are few but the convenience of paying rent to someone else to provide heat, water, and septic feel worth it at this point. Also, as I'm older, knowing that transport to medical is handy happens to be important for me. I have no automotive upkeep or fuel issues. It feels like the biggest struggle in van life is the hassles of mechanical issues and having to move around to find legal places to sleep. I wish they'd make zoning more accomodating to van lifers or tiny house dwellers. I don't think I'm brave enough to be alone in the woods. A tiny house or van in a tiny town with nearby walkable essentials and access to some public transport would probably be ideal for me. At this point, I've lived here so long, my rent is probably cheaper than any other alternative. At 71 my biggest hurdle is climbing 3 flights of stairs anytime I need anything from outside. Still, for now, I manage. Do you ever zoom or videochat with any of your friends?

I like these videos Simon, thanks for the variety you bring

I've followed your journey for some years now, and can say how much I've enjoyed it. Between the building, sewing, cooking ( Hi Crockpot) and the amazing video skills, you have it all. When Rocko came along, you brought a whole new dimension...we love her. The Foresty Forest intro song is just the icing on the cake, Many more years to come I hope....cheers from Australia x.

Really happy your original opening music is back.

❤ Rocco has her dad's back❤❤

Bring back the Crockpot 😅 nice to see you doing this one Simon. A great idea 🙂

This was fantastic. Thank you. May you and Rocko always be safe.😊

I appreciate your honest opinion and sharing your personal experience with living in a van. Keeping it real is why many keep watching. I’ll be 2yrs full time in May, best darn decision I made for my health and wellbeing

Love how the day picks you…and you adapt!

I think the first video of yours I ever saw was one where you spent a winter night in a Walmart parking lot back in your old van. You made dinner, played Deus Ex on your laptop and left ice cream out on the wheel for dessert. Ever since then I was hooked, and it’s been so amazing to see your adventures ever since. Thank you for sticking with it and making all this amazing content that’s gotten us all through such tough times.

5 years! I can't believe I've been following you that long. Keep going Foresty..Run Forest Run!

I know how much you dislike talking to the camera so this must have been a big deal - You nailed it, and tapped into the key, which is to talk about what you know. I hope to see more of this - You're an inspiration, keep on vannin'....!

I love your videos. I’m on a hobby farm on a dead end road and lonelier than I’d like. The information about heating was just what I needed! Rock on Foresty and Rocko!

I’ve enjoyed your content more so than any other Van life channels. One reason I think is that I see a lot of me in you, I’ve never needed a large friend base, always been pretty satisfied with my own company and a few close friends. I’ve been heading out on my own little month or two adventures here and there living out of a Subaru. I have plans on either getting a van or maybe just a truck with a bed cap . Being 54 and keeping comfortable in a Subaru is tough.😝 but I make it work for now. And Al way disappointed when I have to call off a trip and head home. You have inspired me to make the leap into full time living on the road. I’m just having a bit of hesitation on pulling the trigger. Thanks for sharing your life. You are an outstanding example for the lifestyle and as a KZfaqr.

I look for your videos everyday. So happy when “there you and Rocco are”. Makes my day! ❤

Very useful and practical. Well tested by experience. As you point out, there's room for different taste and necessities. I haven't done much of this lately and I'm 68 now. But I may come back to it when some of my responsibilities give me that freedom. I currently have a 2006 suburban with another engine and transmission, 70,000 mi on them both. I already have it set up to sleep in whenever I want to get away or can. I'm caring for my mother at the moment. In my teenage years, back in the early '70s, I had a 63 Econoline with a mattress in the back. Hippies we were. Thanks for keeping the dream alive for us. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your evening.

So happy you’re not always out there alone. You have the cubic mini to keep you warm 😂

It’s 12:30 in the morning and I just found a Forestry video ❤️ by far my favorite channel. Love to Rocko

What a nice treat, I was just going to bed & had some Foresty/Rocko time first. You did a great job going over everything, very concise and honest. You have a lot of wisdom to share. I do feel Crock Pot was snubbed, def deserved an honorable mention. 🤗

Great video Foresty. I’m sure there will be countless people to benefit from your knowledge. Rocko the muscle hampster needs a small trampoline for the days she cannot climb a 12,000 foot peak with you. Lol. Safe Travels Amigos 👊

Brilliant... yeah, I used to do a fair bit of wilderness camping in my early to mid 20s but by the time I was 30 I knew I had to settle down. I was never a hermit, I love hearing about ppl's adventures and try never to have FOMO. Your channel is totally down to earth and you would be one HELL of a wilderness education instructor or a mechanic at a van conversion place or even a top earning commercial fisherman! Seriously though, you've lived the dream for a long time now. Family life is nothing to be afraid of should you decide to go in that direction. And in BC, most cities are damned fine places to be. Best of luck!

Been watching you from basically day 1 and you have come leaps and bounds.from living in that little mini van to finally building a cozy little home,you sure are living the life and doing what you love to do. We get to see places thrue you that many have not seen or been.Keep keeping it real forest 👍

I have followed you almost from the beginning. You are an inspiration to those who are living an authentic van life or wish to live a van life. I'm very glad you added Rocko. She is a wonderful addition to your life and to the channel.

I introduced an 85 year old relative to your channel. They love following your adventures especially the amazing drone footage of so many beautiful places.

I lived out of a mini-truck camper for just-over 4 years, a long time ago, in SoCal. Working full-time in different locations, with access to many retail spaces after-hours, health club membership and rented mailbox and voice mail (before cell phones), made certain aspects easy. Being primarily an urban adventure, I got tired of being kicked out of parking spaces at 3 am and living mostly on fast- and canned food, with interior lights turned off at night for stealth. It was a fun adventure, but... I'd had enough.

I don't know why but some of my favorite videos of yours is just listening to you talk I honestly just wish this video was a little bit longer

Thanks to you, Foresty, and your pal, Rocco. ❤❤❤ Plenty of great actions initiated by you, as well as, problems solved. You're an actual MAN!!! Goodness gracious, your kind still exist. Bravo, Bravo 👏 Please never stop. ❤

I travel in a 2009 toyota prius. I swapped battery plus added 1 more agm , now I have two 50amp hour batteries and folding solar panels....works amazing!

ive done the nightmare roommates, lifelong broke renter in nyc. when SNL ran the 'van down by the river' skits was when I first wanted to do van life. to me it sounded awesome.

Nice synopsis of your journey so far. Hoping the weather cooperates for you.Take care

Great video Foresty!

Hey Foresty, something to consider; if you get a thermoelectric generator for the top of your wood stove, you can use it to recharge your batteries, which doubles the use of your heat! The heat still gets distributed into your van, so there's no 'waste' of that heat

Thanks, keep doing yr thing. Respect.

Great video Simon. Thanks for sharing your life journey.

Thanks for letting us visit with you for a bit - lovely listening to your thoughts (chatting "with" you!)🤗

I installed a Propex heater for my teardrop camper and think it out performs any diesel heater. It works similarly to your home furnace and doesn’t use that much propane. You can run it off of any size propane tank and you can refill smaller tanks yourself from 20 pound tank with a fill hose. Propex furnace will not carbon foul like diesel.

Love your van life and just love to see rocko she is so smart and precious keep doing what you are doing .

i enjoy all your videos. You are one of the best content creators out there. I can't believe I've been watching you for almost 4 years now!

“Proper ventilation or you just might be cooking your last meal” 😅☠️

Congrats. 3 year coming in July for me. Spent the first 2 years in the back of my truck canopy. Built a truck camper last summer. Nice to stand up. EcoFlow Max all-in-one power pack, 300 watts of solar, 12v 45L Engel chest fridge, butane or propane cookers, Buddy Heater used in extreme cold for short periods.

I would honestly fear being lonely more than anything else with this lifestyle. Even if I did live alone in the city, I'd always have my consistent work life with familiar people to get my social interaction time. Being on the road by myself all the time, earning a living off of filming myself on camera, I wouldn't get any social interaction or really get a chance to get to know anyone. If The Sims taught me anything: the social meter is important to your mental health.

I’ve enjoyed watching you the past few years. I always learn something new, your videography is fantastic and Sweet Rocco is a bonus. Cheers

Good to see you and Rocko , take care ❤

Regarding your struggle with sleeping during hot days, I bought an america the beautiful pass from REI, which gives you 50% off federal campsites. Most allow 14 day stays. Find three campsites that surround your work, then buy a cabin tent / inflatable mattress. I do this in CA and I spend $400-600 a month to maintain a 120k /yr job all while being 30 mins from the beach, and 2 hours from the mountains and desert. Just another option to consider.

Hello from Manitoba . ❤ Rocko .

Been following your channel since you posted 1-2 really long MTB videos per year........what a journey!!

Forestry Forest. Explaining his van. Forestry Forest.

I have been here since the fat bike packing days!!

Yay, the Foresty Forest theme song!

thank you for being brutally honest.

Simone you and Rocko are my favorite KZfaqrs. Your channel is so serene and moving! Thank you for being so genuine and giving us the gift of Rocko!

You have a great travelling companion in little Rocko. The sad thing about dogs is that they become members of your family but only live maybe 15 years at the most. I lost my dog Milo 10 days ago. He was a chihuahua and about the same size as Rocko. We slept in the same bed every night for 14 years. I wish all the best for you and little Rocko for the future and greetings from Sweden.

Thanks for all the time and amazing videos you produce!!!!!

Living big while living small. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

When I saw the first few words of the video title, my gut reaction was "oh no, Foresty is retiring from van life??". I read on and then I was fine again.

I've been watching since your viral video snagged my interest. I always enjoy your videos and admire how you live your life on your terms. Good for you!

Follow your dreams! Good for you Foresty. Great advice and ideas.

This channel needs a Van Life Brigade. Foresty is understaffed. 🍌🍌🍌

I'm only a part time van lifer. Lots of weekend trips to the mountains. Installed a diesel heater a couple years ago and absolutely love it. Been down to below zero but it was a cozy 72 in the van. Also use it during the week, I wake up in my house and hit the on button on my heater remote. When I leave for work my van is nice and warm. It even defrosts my widows!

4:52 You have these voltage sensitive relays which can be programmed to shut of the pump of the diesel heater in case the battery voltage dips below a certain set value. This shutting off the pump triggers the heater to switch off in a controlled manor and will not cause an issue in case you want to use it again or cause fouling up parts of the heater by just killing the power or letting the heater drain the battery fully... The most known chinese trading site knows the device as the A30-U3 Controller...should set you back about 10-15 dollars. I use one for the diesel heater to guard the battery power level, one for the electric element in my boiler (which comes on only if my battery is almost fully charged) They can be fully programmed at any voltage between 0 and 30 volts and can switch both on or off depending on what you are trying to control.

Hello from the Sturgeon Valley north of Edmonton. Glad all is well, I admire what you are doing.