There are a multitude of reasons why Vandoit builds on passenger vans. One of the major reasons is safety. The passenger van is equipped with factory seating and side curtain airbags. The passenger van comes with everything to keep you and your family safe.
We’re excited we take you through our recommended kitchen and storage module layouts. We have recommended setups for one modules, two modules and three modules to fit everyone’s needs. With that being said let’s jump into it!
Vandoit provides the framing and the components, but you provide the vibe. With endless mounting possibilities, vandoit is the friend to the tinkerer and the DIYer.
When I told my pregnant wife I wanted to leave her and our two-year-old daughter to drive around in a van for two weeks, I expected to hear, “Are you crazy?!”
Instead, she gave me the go-ahead because she knew it would be a rare opportunity and an experience that would help me in my new career as a Sales Guru at Vandoit. I just had to promise to call or FaceTime at every opportunity and send lots of pictures. (I still owe her a trip of her own.)
Overland West Expo 2022
Our trip started with a long, arduous drive from Blue Springs, Missouri, to Flagstaff, Arizona, for the Overland West Expo. We drove 15 hours in one day to minimize time away from our families.
Chris (another Sales Guru) and I each drove a van, and we met some other team members in Arizona for the show.
This was my first exposure to the overlanding community, and I could write a separate story on my four-day experience there. (In summary: lots of dust, awesome people with great stories, and “camping” vehicles worth more than my house).
Fantastic Shots in Amazing Spots
After the show, we picked up Austin and Marcus–Vandoit Marketing team members–from the airport. From there, Chris and I had the task of driving them to cool spots across Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado so they could take sweet pictures of the vans.
Austin and Marcus provided artistic talent with their camera and drone skills, while Chris and I got to drive the camper vans all around the Mountain West and occasionally pose for pictures.
The End of the World
Our first stop was The End of the World in Arizona. We drove 30 miles up a mountain on dirt, gravel, and rocks. At the summit, we experienced a view like no other. We were sitting on a plateau in a tall pine forest with a view of a vast valley full of craggy, volcanic rock and sandstone.
We rode dirt bikes on the rolling dirt roads all around us, flew the drone for incredible shots you’ll see on the Vandoit Instagram and TikTok, and cooked some tasty hot dogs for dinner on my Coleman camp stove.
Moab: Chasing Vacation Views
The next day we drove to Moab, Utah. At the Overland West show, Chris had struck up a conversation with an overlanding enthusiast who owns some property there. Chris’s personality and enthusiasm for overlanding were enough for him to invite us to camp and shoot photo and video content on his beautiful property along the Colorado River in Moab. He even offered us a hot shower in the campground they were renovating along the river.
I did my duty and parked the camper van perfectly for the guys to do their camera magic. Then I hiked up a couple of slot canyons on the property. On this solo adventure, I reflected on my fortunes. I hated my previous job. Now, I’m on a work trip with views I would typically chase on vacations.
Bonneville Salt Flats
We woke up in the morning with our sights set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah (and a pit stop in Salt Lake City for some In-N-Out Burgers).
We spent the bulk of that day riding dirt bikes and taking pictures. I sat in the van for a while to do some work. Selling vans is even more fun when you are sitting in one on what looks like the surface of an unknown planet!
We left with sunburns, salty skin, and unbreakable smiles. Using iOverlander, we found a nearby campsite with a fantastic view of the next sunrise.
Fremont Ridge
Fremont Ridge in Wyoming was our next stop. We arrived, and a road greeted us we weren’t sure we should be traveling on. So we put our vans’ all-wheel drive, Qlift, and suspension upgrades to the test and conquered the obstacles with no issues other than some white knuckles.
We were rewarded with more unbelievable views, cooked hot dogs, and soaked in the beauty.
Jackson Hole: Not a Sick Bear
The next day, we gathered ourselves and some supplies in Jackson, Wyoming. Chris and I did some work from Roadhouse Brewing Co. (Sorry, boss! The coffee shop was closed–we promise!)
Our campground for the night was at the base of Shadow Mountain. This spot provided an unobstructed view of the Grand Tetons. We drove up the mountain a bit for some more views and pictures.
We hoped to find a more isolated campsite but ended up staying in the lower campground with some neighbors. In the middle of the night, I learned the effects of having hot dogs for dinner too many days in a row. (Apparently, four is the magic number).
I was sleeping in the Roof Nest rooftop tent and could not get down in time–my dinner was now down the side of the van. Austin was almost asleep inside the camper van beneath me and had to ask if a bear was outside. He was relieved to hear that I was the sick bear.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Our morning view of the Tetons was spoiled by rain, so we headed northeast with the destination of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Along the way, we encountered a snowstorm in June!
This was especially wild to me, considering we were in the desert just a few days before. The campsite we hoped for was closed due to the snow, so we traveled down the mountain, then back up to another spot we found using iOverlander.
The pines blocked our view of the mountains but gifted us with seclusion. We were incredibly excited when we found bear droppings and the bare bones of what we believe was once a deer. That night in the Roof Nest tent, I was constantly wondering if the noises I heard were wind or a hungry bear.
Back to Civilization
The next day we drove to Denver and cleaned our salt, dust, mud, and mustiness out of the camper vans. It took the four of us only about an hour to return the two vans to trade show quality.
We transitioned back to civilization by parking in the driveway of one of Chris’s relatives for the night. We arrived during a neighborhood block party and enjoyed pizza, beer, and tons of questions about what we were doing and what we were driving.
We left the camper vans in airport parking for some coworkers to pick up for a trade show in Denver the next week, and we headed home with some fantastic stories and sunburns.
No Regrets
When I returned home, I got to change every diaper for a week to make up for the lost time. I missed my family dearly, and some days it was tough to be away from them. However, I look back with no regrets.
These pictures and memories are irreplaceable. I built great friendships with some guys I barely knew before. I learned things about Vandoit vans that I would have never known without using them in the elements and climates we encountered. I could do my job from the back of a van with views of mountains, valleys, and deserts. The cherry on top was when I saw my first moose!
When clips of our trip are on the Vandoit Instagram or TikTok, I eagerly show my wife and daughter. Then it triggers a memory of that fantastic journey. I finished the trip knowing, confidently, that the camper van was the easiest way to see the most beautiful parts of our country.
Our Vandoit adventure van builds keep adventure simple. There is tons of storage and endless places to mount gear. Every component is marine-grade and very durable.
After a major injury in college soccer, Travis was told by his doctor that it was unlikely that he would ever be able to play sports again. He was motivated to prove him wrong.
After college Travis pursued a career in commercial real estate. Even though it provided him with financial success and stability, it didn’t bring him joy.
This episode highlights Marshall Mosher, owner of Vestigo, a company that bridges the gap between outdoor teambuilding and virtual reality. When he’s not traveling across the country for work, he’s hitting the slopes, rapids, or skies with his endless amount of extreme sports gear and adrenaline.
In early July, my husband, Scott, and I became the proud new owners of a Vandoit adventure van! To get our feet wet in “Van Life,” we decided to pack up our new Vandoit and head south from our home in Buffalo, New York, to one of our favorite places.
The US National Whitewater Center (USNWWC) in Charlotte, N.C., is a mecca for rafters, hikers, mountain bikers, zip-liners, kayakers and climbers. We call it “Disney World for adults.” Since 2001, USNWWC has been creating opportunities for people to get together outdoors. The Center’s primary feature is the world’s largest and most complex recirculating artificial whitewater river. The river channels were designed by three-time Olympian and World Cup Slalom Kayak Champion Scott Shipley.
Driving almost 3,000 miles from Buffalo to Charlotte was a pleasure in the camper van. My husband, Scott, loved the lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Our exterior lights came in handy while driving to and setting up our campsite.
The site had an electrical hookup for shore power, so we just plugged in, unfolded the bed leaf, and got the coffee ready for the morning. The adventure van made the campsite setup so simple that we just started a campfire and relaxed until bedtime.
Sleeping was always more comfortable than tent camping, even on the warmer nights, using our two MaxxAir roof vent fans–one bringing air in and the other exhausting. (We have no regrets about not getting the rooftop air conditioner.)
On a cooler night, we put the fans on a lower setting and ran the Espar heater, which kept sleeping temps very comfortable. We really enjoyed sleeping in our Vandoit; it was very comfortable and relaxing.
We have been visiting the Charlotte area for more than a decade, and this trip was easier because there was more room for our stuff and Scott’s mountain biking gear.
Yoga Flow Fest
We visited USNWWC the weekend of September 17, 2022, for the fourth annual Yoga Flow Fest, which offers over 40 yoga classes, vendors, and live music. And it did not disappoint! Our day started bright and early with a morning stretching practice and Fall Equinox meditation. I quickly headed into the forest for a peaceful slow flow amongst the fragrant Carolina pines.
Mid-day, we made our way to the River’s Edge restaurant at the Whitewater Center, which offered some outdoor shade to enjoy anything from fresh, healthy lunch options to a juicy burger and fries. (I chose the former–a refreshing Greek power bowl to refuel.)
The vendor shopping experience provided some retail therapy while we digested our delicious lunch. I purchased a couple of funky bracelets and sampled some free Kombucha. Then it was time for Arm Balance and inversions, where I was mostly an observer.
The highlight of the festival was an evening Glow Yoga practice, where everyone donned headphones and glow bracelets, and the lights were dimmed. It was more of a dance party than a true yoga practice. But it was a truly celebratory experience!
Camping in Chorlotte, N.C.
Although Charlotte is not known for its camping, we found a little slice of heaven at the McDowell Nature Preserve Campground–small in size but huge in amenities. This mostly undeveloped nature preserve in Mecklenburg County offered numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors.
The campground is the gateway to over 1,300 miles of trails surrounding the serene Lake Wylie, a nature center featuring live animals and a gift shop. The 56 reservable campsites range from primitive to RV pads with full hookups. Private, impeccably maintained restrooms and showers made this a spot we will surely return to!
Heading Home
Heading home was sad, with the exception of our halfway stop in Summersville Lake, W. Va. The Battle Run Campground provides first-come, first-served site rentals with gorgeous lake views. However, the bathrooms left much to be desired, but one night was doable. Note to self: We will definitely bring our Laveo dry flush toilet on our next trip.
We love traveling in our Vandoit so much! We already have the next trips planned! In the fall, Scott is planning a mountain bike excursion to Brevard, N.C., and will be using the van to haul two other friends, their bikes and gear to different trailheads for riding.
We’ll head back to Brevard in the Vandoit a few weeks after that to spend Thanksgiving with friends. We are also planning a two-week trip to Florida in January. When we’re home in Buffalo, Scott uses our Vandoit as his daily driver and mountain bike hauler for local riding.
To summarize this Van Life journey: sunny, warm weather, yoga galore, and traveling with my best friend–what could be better?
Who do you think of when you think about van life? Do you think of a van down by the river? Hippie playing their guitar in the van? With over 500 successful van deliveries, we have found that is actually the 1% minority.
Check out this highlight from a Vandoit content trip! We spend a few days riding dirt bikes and gathering pictures and videos. Not much better than spending an evening on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
✕
Up to one year 0% interest
On select units
Applies for 1 year on our in house lease purchase program. Interest will apply at 2 points over New York prime after one year.
May be used in combination with or in lieu of other incentives
Minimum down payment will be required based on credit, price and other factors.
With approved credit.
“Travel On Us” All National Parks, all access free pass (1 year) may apply…ask your representative for details.