TJ Gaskill standing in front of a converted van
Living without life’s little luxuries might sound like an adventure, but for most, it’s a hard pass. Imagine swapping your morning routine and comfortable bed for a converted van, parked in a Walmart lot. That’s exactly what skateboarder and filmmaker TJ Gaskill did for two years. This experience not only broadened his horizons but also led him to a new venture: converting vans for fellow skateboarders and other adventure seekers. We caught up with TJ to discuss his life on the road, his van conversion business, and whether he’d ever install a stripper pole in a van.
How did your van living journey begin?
I bought a used van for about $3,000. It was partially converted, with just a bed, really. I moved in and began buying tools to improve it, working on it in the Home Depot parking lot. It was a chaotic time, but I lived in that van for almost two years.
Where did you typically park your van?
I would find foreclosed houses on Zillow and park nearby. No one ever bothered me. I’d often stay in places like the Hollywood Hills or Beverly Hills. I even thought about parking by the Ferris Bueller house but never did.
I’ve heard about some crazy bathroom stories from van life. Have you ever had to use a bag?
Definitely. In my first van, I couldn’t afford an RV toilet. A couple of times, I woke up in the middle of the night and had to use a trash bag on the floor.
How long does the smell linger in that situation?
It was an immediate “get it out of the van” moment. I wasn’t going back to sleep with a bag of that in the van.
Sounds like an interesting start to the morning.
Yeah, it doesn’t get much better.
I’ve heard Walmart and Planet Fitness are essential for van life. Was that your experience?
I had an LA Fitness membership. I’d park close by so I could shower in the morning. I’d use the sauna, sweat, and then shower—that’s how I started my days. I had the membership for two years and never even worked out. Walmart was a last resort for parking, and even then, not all of them allow it.
What makes the ideal parking spot?
I look for other vans—not necessarily ones people are living in—but if I see a van like mine, I’ll park next to it to blend in. A well-lit parking lot is also key. It feels less sketchy under a light. My top rule was: take care of bathroom needs before you park, because once those window covers are on, you’re not going outside.
Are there any van life stereotypes you dislike or disagree with?
Yeah, everyone hates on it, but I’m not a Pinterest van lifer. For me, it’s about building things, and vans just happen to be a fun thing to build. I lived in my van before “van life” was even a thing, back in 2017. Now, it’s a whole different scene. That stereotype annoys me. I’m trying to build more rugged, military-style stuff that appeals to a different crowd, although the “van life” people do have money.
TJ Gaskill standing near a converted van in a city setting
Do you think growing up in Florida makes you more open to alternative lifestyles?
Maybe there’s something in the water. It’s funny; you’d think that’s why, but I just don’t know anything else. I like to think it’s because I don’t give a fuck. Some of my Florida homies won’t even sleep on a floor, but I’ve always been down. I’ve changed as I’ve gotten older too. I used to hate the beach, and now I love it, same with camping. It’s a skate mentality; you just roll with it. Evan Smith and the No Hotels guys probably influenced that too. They’d give you shit for staying in a hotel. It’s not serious, but it’s funny.
How many times have you driven from Florida to California?
Probably about 20 times. I’ve done that drive solo maybe five times. There’s something therapeutic about the open road; it’s almost meditative. Everyone else hates it, but I’ve learned to enjoy it. I love the freedom of being able to pull over, relax, and sleep whenever I want.
Did you grow up working on cars, given your proximity to Daytona and its car culture?
No, I never built anything until I bought my first van in 2017. My dad wasn’t handy; the only thing he built growing up was a skate box in my driveway. I think I’m drawn to it because it’s like skating where I’m learning something new. There were some kids in high school who were into cars, but I wasn’t, though I do love tinkering and modifying things. I’m not really a “car guy” with spinner rims.
A view of a van with its doors open
Is your plan to make van conversions your full-time job?
Not really, honestly. I’d rather just film and skate, but it happened. I started doing it in my garage for fun, to make some extra money, because there isn’t much money in skateboarding, and it just snowballed. Now it’s at a point where I can’t go back, given the scale of the business. I have three guys working for me now. It’s a real business, not just a hobby anymore.
Any notable skate van build-outs you’ve done?
Yeah, I built the Primitive van. They wanted secure storage for their camera gear and generators. I built a pull-out tray for the generators, a locking cabinet for the camera gear and lights, and a top shelf to fit their boards. I blocked out all the windows to prevent break-ins. I did the same for the Vans van, with the idea of security and no windows in the back. The Vans van was broken into in SF, but they couldn’t get into the back where all the gear was.
Have you had any outlandish, “Pimp My Ride”-type requests?
Matt Bennett suggested I put a urinal in a van – not a toilet, but a urinal that drains out under the van. He was pretty serious about it.
Have you ever been asked to make secret compartments for smuggling?
No, but my last customer did ask for a gun safe. I didn’t make it, for the record.
Would you include a stripper pole in a build if someone asked?
[Laughs] Yeah, we’ve talked about it. I’m down for it. If anyone out there wants one, let me know.Have you heard of govdeals.com? Any temptation to buy a plane and fix it up?
Yeah, I use that site, but I don’t have room for a plane [laughs]. My friend is into that and keeps sending me stuff, but I haven’t bought anything yet. He also has a license for government auctions where you bid on vehicles in person, without touching them. You can get good deals that way. My truck right now is from an auction; it’s a retired AT&T work truck I got super cheap.
A van with its side door open
Tell me about the people you hired. Are they friends or specialized carpenters?
My friend Isaac helped me when I was working in my garage. I had two vans to build for people and asked him if he knew how to work with tools, and he did, so that’s how it started. He and my friend Billy helped me build the shop and now I have a couple of guys working for me that I didn’t know before. It’s pretty crazy managing people; that’s probably the worst part about all of this.
Do people ask you to fix a bunch of things now? Are you the local mechanic?
I get calls for all sorts of random stuff [laughs]. My friend’s ex-wife asked me to fix her moldy car that had a water leak. I was like, “I will not touch that.” But, everyone knows I have a shop. People also ask to borrow my vans to move: “Hey, I have to move, can I borrow a van?” It’s hard to find a place to work on stuff out here, so a lot of my friends come by the shop to work on their projects. It’s kind of a free space after hours. Matt Bennett comes by all the time and messes around, and Tyson Peterson was working on some cabinets. It’s great to have a space where everyone can come and work on projects.
The interior of a converted van
Do you think more skaters and filmers should have a trade as a backup plan?
Zion Wright’s dad told me yesterday: “You gotta have more than one fishing pole out there because you don’t know which one’s going to catch the bigger fish.” I thought that was cool, but I think having a hobby is important for your sanity. Some people can skate forever and be happy, but having something else helps balance my mind.
Does this job make you appreciate skating and filming more?
Absolutely. To be honest, I’d rather be skating, so it does make me appreciate it more. Life’s short, and the memories you make with your friends while skating are irreplaceable. I learned that after a bad head injury a couple of years ago. I was bombing a parking garage with Kyle Walker in Oklahoma and got knocked out. I was in the hospital for a while and down for about eight months. It was close, so after that, I realized I need to spend more time with family and connect with everyone. Life is precious.
Words by: Ben Komins
Photos by: Anthony Acosta
