About me — Tussy Van

Camping? That's me.

I've been traveling in my own van since 2020 — but I basically went camping absorbed with mother's milk. For me, it was never just a hobby that I chose at some point: it's been in me since I was a child. I'm camping ❤️ - and the van simply gave wheels to this feeling.

Why actually “Tussy”?

When I wanted to create my Instagram and a Gmail address, “Tussi” with i had long since been taken. So I quickly made a "y" from this — Tussy. What I only realized later: There is also a Y in my real last name. For as long as I can remember, I have said “…with Ypsilon, not with i!” whenever I go to the authorities. The fact that my Van name now needs exactly the same explanation was the sign for me: The Y remains. You can read the whole story behind the name here →

Makeup - and then checked the oil level

Yes, I'm wearing makeup. I love cosmetics and see no reason to give up my femininity at the campsite barrier. For many people, this is a contradiction: If you wear mascara, you can't screw, can you? But. I check the oil level, repair my van and explain the self-sufficient on-board technology - and I like to do it with perfect eyeliner. I made my favorite trademark out of the swear word “Tussi”: If someone says “Tussy is standing over there with her van” on the parking lot, everyone immediately knows who they mean - and it's no longer derogatory.

Three T4s, one passion

It all started with a silver VW T4 Caravelle from 1998 with a VR6 engine - my first self-built camper. A real all-rounder: slept sideways in the back, there was still room for friends on spontaneous trips with me - six weeks from Cologne across Europe, from Italy to the Polish Baltic Sea, the entire time with only four courses because the fifth one had said goodbye at Lake Constance. After just one year and a disastrous visit to the workshop, the VR6 engine was unfortunately a total loss. Give up? Never. What followed the red one — and finally my faithful companion today: the blue one, royal blue and covered all over with yellow VW stickers. So colorful that children wave in parking lots and even customs officials smile has brought me to van life - free, honest and a bit cheeky.

🚌 Short profile:

My T4 trip: silver VR6 (1998) → the red → the blue
Biggest trip: 6 weeks Cologne → Italy → Polish Baltic Sea - with only four gears
Current: "the blue one" - VW T4, royal blue with yellow VW stickers
Expansion: everything yourself - cross-bed, mobile water station, Dry separation toilet
Motto: Use the clichés, play with them, break them up

And now? One size larger.

As much as I love my blue one - after countless nights in "Tetris on Wheels" I've decided: I want to go big. I'm currently getting my truck driver's license and dream of owning my own expedition vehicle with headroom and a real kitchen. I don't know exactly what will happen next - and that's exactly what I'm taking you with me on. You can read the starting signal here →

Say hello!