Outdoor Retailer Summer 2023 was the debut of our Representative Van upfit–equipped with a bed, a desk with working space, and storage galore. This build is a product of the new Commercial Division Vandoit launched in early 2023. The Commercial Division was a natural progression for us, as we have been building vans for commercial purposes since our inception in 2017; however, we had decided to put more resources into custom camper vans once the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the camper van market skyrocketed. The industry has only grown since, and with a more streamlined production process than ever, we are able and excited to move forward with the expansion of our product. Not to mention our roots with parent company Kline Van & Specialty Rental, who—born in 1941–had developed a solution to the not-so-niche issue of traveling professionals.
The Versatile T-Track
Vandoit is known for designing and building marine grade components that easily bolt to an aluminum skeleton, also known as t-track. This track allows all Vandoit products to be modular. Because of their versatility and longevity, these modular components are a perfect transfer to a commercial design. Flexibility to adjust and change, as many commercial missions do, only provides more value to the vehicle.
The Ford Transit
Countless professionals trust the reliability of the Ford Transit, so building new commercial upfits on the Transit is a no-brainer for Vandoit. We have exclusively worked with Ford as a certified up-fitter, building on passenger chassis, and now branching into cargo–and with the well-known Transit Trail–a crew chassis.
Summer Outdoor Retailer 2023
Our presence at Outdoor Retailer Summer 2023 was that of a Silver Sponsor. With two booth locations, we showcased a LIV model, Disaster Relief/Mobile Crisis Center by the main entrance, and the newest Rep Van inside. The indoor booth depicted a stunning middle ground for our adventure and commercial divisions. This build is ideal for a traveler needing to display and store products, work remotely, and travel easily.
As a company that attends quite a few events annually, we are no stranger to the checklists, travel bookings, and natural calamity that comes from attending. While great for networking and sales, these events can be quite cumbersome logistically and financially. Thus, a vehicle up-fitted to be customizable and modular is ideal for the busy trade show representative. To see the Rep Van–and other Vandoit commercial build options–reach out to a Vandoit Sales Guru today!
“Whooooooooa! It’s huge!” Maddie June and Rob exclaim as they approach The Ark Encounter, an exhibit in Williamstown, Kentucky. The Ark, spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, was the special reason for their father-daughter trip. Six days of Rob, Maddie June and the “Midwestern Missile” (their Vandoit van) on a journey to see the Ark and make lifelong memories along the way.
Off To The Ark
The pair left early to prepare for the seven hour drive ahead from Wisconsin to Kentucky. The smooth, traffic-free sunrise drive was the perfect way to start such a magical trip! Upon arriving at The Ark, Rob and Maddie were blown away by the size of Noah’s Ark, but more so by the size of Noah’s faith. “Thinking about how much faith Noah had to have, even though everyone called him the village nut!” Rob shared. “This trip was a great opportunity for me and Maddie to have a one-on-one conversation about faith and trust in God, even when it sounds crazy. Being an adult can muddy the waters and make us lose aspects of that trust, but Maddie reminds me daily to have a childlike faith.” After spending a whole day at The Ark, they went back to the van for dinner and went to sleep.
A Special Breakfast Stop
The next morning, Rob decided it was time for another very special experience for Maddie: Waffle House. This may sound odd, but to Rob and his grandfather, Waffle House is a well-loved place to eat. Maddie’s great grandfather passed away a few years ago, so of course he wanted to share this with her. With her belly full of good food and heart with memories and laughter, they headed out to find their next stop.
Mini Vandoit Reunion
As pro vanlifer’s, Rob and Maddie made minimal plans. An impromptu phone call to friends and fellow Vandoit owners, the Raabe’s, led to their new destination. Rob called on a whim, remembering the couple and their daughter, who is around Maddie’s age lived in Kentucky. After 10 minutes of catching up, he happily invited Maddie and Rob to, in old southern hospitality fashion, “come down and stay for as long as we want!” So they hopped in the van and drove south about 3 more hours. After arriving, the Raabe’s took Rob and Maddie to Mammoth Caves; the longest underground cave system in the world! “God has really provided some incredible lifelong friends in our lives, and Brian and Beth Raabe are two of them. We talked like we had just seen each other last week, even though it had been since the Vandoit Owner’s Experience in June of 2022!”
Catalyst To A Simpler Life
About two months ago, the Nitz family had their two year van-iversary. Within these two years, they have had countless experiences and friendships they would not have otherwise had. They describe the van as “the catalyst to a simpler life.” After purchasing their mid roof DO model, they sold their house and everything in it and moved into an RV. This, combined with their new Vandoit, equipped them with everything they needed.
“Although this trip was a little while ago, it was still the best gift any father could receive. Thank you Maddie June for making me a dad, encouraging me to strengthen my faith, and being a light to the world!” – Rob Nitz
“We laugh so much more when we’re together in the van.” – Rylie Scott.
From the mouths of babes, Liz and Ryan Scott are hearing exactly what they needed to hear after packing up their Vandoit for a 22 hour drive with kids Rylie (12) and Otis (9). With almost every state and 10,000+ miles under their belt, the Scott’s are ready for a road trip on a moment’s notice. Liz, van owner for one year, shares what it is like to be a mother intentionally choosing van life for her young kids.
“When we heard Rylie say that, it was just so affirming. We’re doing something right with our kids” Liz stated. “It’s crazy to hear a 12 year old say something like that because she’s just so right.” Ryan adds.
“The ‘Inconveniences’ Bring Us Closer”
After speaking with Liz, she explains the simplicities of vanlife are overwhelming all because of what you lack. The biggest factor being a small space. Although they were all very close before joining the vanlife community, they have learned removing the conveniences of home such as many rooms, creates the environment of inclusion Liz describes. “It’s not just that mom is in the kitchen making lunch, the whole family is making lunch together.” This is of course because the main living area of the van is used for, well, everything.
“We upgraded to the van from a truck with a rooftop tent, so naturally this feels roomy in comparison.” Liz says. Now in a mid-roof DO model, the family is forced to share a schedule. This is Liz’s favorite thing about extended trips in her van because of the physical closeness. They grow, learn, and bond tighter with every mile they drive.
Vandoit Is A Vehicle– Literally And Figuratively– To Do Anything.
Well-traveled kiddos, Rylie and Otis, are homeschooled. Liz and Ryan made this decision in order to prioritize their exposure to the world and this is exactly what their Vandoit allows them to do. Along with the experiences of climate, wildlife, culture, etc. “Our family can live in a world that is much simpler,” Liz states. “The purpose of us getting a van is to eat, sleep, and see stuff. Simple as that.”
This is vanlife. Pulling into a campground at random and making a hotdog with the kids or changing routes on a whim to see a field of sunflowers along the road, is the epitome of owning a Vandoit.
The [Not So] Simple Moments
Vanlife is not without its challenges. There will be moments where the struggles are heavy and the circumstances seem against you, but “the burdens are so much lighter when we’re all together,” Liz states. “Whether we’re in the van for a day trip or for two weeks, we always come home with a perspective shift and we see clearer.”
Liz and Ryan boast about their kids as great travelers. On top of being well-behaved and well-bonded, the two are in love with the journey–not just the destination. “Once, we were on a trip with about five hours left of driving and it was dark. We were all tired, hungry, and ready to be done. Otis chimes in to say he loves driving in the dark.” Once again, from the mouths of babes, life is simple again.
“In the end, we’re doing this for our kids. The inconveniences will fade once we leave a campground and the memories will last forever.” Liz Scott
If you’ve spent any time researching the purchase of an RV, you’ve undoubtedly come across an ad or Youtube video about a camper van.
Camper vans aren’t truly new to the market (think 60s VW hippie van), but they’ve taken off in recent years. This was especially true during the height of the Covid pandemic when everyone was looking for a safe way to stay at home while itching to not be at home. Traveling the country in a van or an RV was an appealing way to get out and enjoy the world while still avoiding getting sick or spreading germs.
Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, many people who jumped on the camper van bandwagon are discovering that it’s not just a way to escape quarantine but a new way of life. And many find that their nomadic lifestyle is more sustainable in a camper van than in an RV.
So if you’re ready to launch into your own nomadic lifestyle but are unsure whether an RV or a camper van is right for you, we have a few reasons why a camper van is the way to go. (And yes, we’re a little biased. But we’re also confident that we make a pretty amazing van.)
1: Size
An obvious reason to go with a camper van is the size. A camper van is just that – a van and a class B vehicle that can still fit in a standard parking space. The Ford Transit, which is the platform Vandoit builds on, is 19.6 feet (long chassis) or 22 feet long (EL chassis) and just over 8 feet wide, compared to an RV that can be up to 41 feet long and 2 to 3 feet wider than a van.
Vans are easier to park and back up and handle more like an SUV than you might think. So when you arrive at your campsite after dark, you can roll right in with your van rather than having to maneuver a large RV into the campsite.
Many people who go the RV route opt for a pull-behind trailer or fifth wheel. These RVs come with their own logistical challenges, from hooking and unhooking from the hitch, leveling, backing into a parking spot, and storage. Not to mention that it requires another vehicle altogether to tow it. With a campervan, especially the Ford Transit, towing is your choice, not a necessity.
In fact, if you’re worried a van won’t give you enough room to store all your toys like bikes and kayaks, the Transit standard factory tow package allows you to tow those items behind the van, and you can always opt to add a Thule bike rack for easy exterior storage.
2: Offroad Capabilities
Because the camper van is smaller and has a lighter load capacity, it can go places RVs simply can’t go, like washboard roads or offroad altogether. You can travel to even more hard-to-reach destinations when you add options to your camper van, like all-terrain tires, upgraded suspension, and the Quigley QLift. So, rather than parking your RV and hiking to see the sunset from a canyon vista, why not just park at the vista?
3: Camper Van Modularity
Camper vans clearly have less interior room than RVs do – an important limitation to consider while shopping for your next adventure vehicle. But with Vandoit’s modular design, you can have all the comforts an RV offers, just in simplified form. And by modular, we mean that your kitchen, water system, and rear passenger seats aren’t permanently installed. You can move them around in the van or remove them altogether.
How many RVs allow you to move furniture like that, much less an entire system? And how many other camper vans allow you to do that at all?
4: Multifunctionality
Because of Vandoit’s modular design, your van can be truly multifunctional.
One weekend, you can install all the seats to haul the kids to basketball practice. The next, you can remove the seats, load in the outdoor gear, and lower the beds for a camping trip. And during the week, you can remove everything to haul cargo for work and construction materials for that home DIY project.
In fact, so many Vandoit owners use their vans for both pleasure and business, it made a lot of sense for Vandoit to launch a Commercial Van Division in 2023. This multifunctionality is a feature that not only sets Vandoit apart from RVs, but apart from other camper van builders, too.
5: System Simplicity
This is a HUGE one. The simplicity of camper van systems, especially water and electrical, in comparison to RV systems is a plus we can’t emphasize enough. We could go on all day about this one, but we’ll save you with a few handy bullet points instead.
In an RV, bleach and other chemicals are needed to treat the water tanks. In a camper van, bleach is still an option for a when-you-need-it cleaning job, but a good water and vinegar solution will do in the Vandoit water system.
The gray water tank in an RV has to be emptied using a multistep process, hoses, and a gray water dump site. In a Vandoit, just remove the gray water tank, dump at an appropriate site, and re-install.
RVs have black water (sewage) tanks that can be a pain to drain, not to mention a potential health hazard. Vandoit has no sewage system to deal with at all. Instead, you have the option to use a dry-flush toilet, which operates in a clean, mess-free fashion. (Think diaper genie.)
Most RVs require a water pressure regulator. Since the Vandoit water system requires no hookup, no regulator is needed. It’s a simple, self-contained system.
Winterizing (and de-winterizing) the water system in an RV is a laborious, multistep process that can take hours. It requires adding gallons of antifreeze and removing water filter cartridges, among other things. De-winterizing requires sanitizing the water lines with bleach and waiting for hours before draining and using the water system. Winterizing the water system in a campervan is often much more straightforward. In fact, winterizing the Vandoit water system involves only a handful of simple steps, depending on the model of your van.
The electrical system in an RV can be complex and confusing, especially when it stops working the way it’s supposed to. Depending on where you purchase your RV, you may not have support from the RV dealer to troubleshoot these electrical issues. The Vandoit Support Team is available to work with you to troubleshoot your issues and get your system up and running in no time. The team has even published a catalog of Knowledge Base Articles that may provide just the instruction you need to troubleshoot and resolve an issue on your own!
Unlike an RV’s electrical system, there is no need to add water to lead-acid batteries in the Vandoit electrical system. In fact, there is little maintenance to do on the batteries at all, aside from monitoring the voltage levels and making sure they stay well charged to preserve cycle life.
When setting up at a campsite, every RV requires water and electrical hookups. The Vandoit water system, on the other hand, requires no hookup, and an electrical hookup is optional. Choosing to boondock is something you can do on a whim in a Vandoit.
Nearly all RVs require propane to run the heater, water heater, and cooking implements. In a Vandoit, the Espar heater sips off of the gas tank, the water heater is electric, and cooking elements are up to you!
6: Camper Van Maintenance Cost
If you’ve spent any time RVing, you know that the number (and cost) of accessories you can (and often should) buy for maintenance, cleaning, and organization is endless. With a camper van, a much smaller number of items are needed, and in the case of purchasing from Vandoit, many of these are included with your van. That way, you can spend more of your money on the bells and whistles you really want to put in your van.
7: The Cool Factor
Let’s admit it: A van with a bumper, lift, aggressive all-terrain wheels, and floodlights just looks a whole lot cooler coming down the road than a boxy RV. And the curb appeal (pun intended) of a van can be easily enhanced with the addition of a vinyl wrap–think subtle nature scene, rather than the industry-typical stripes (the color of which you don’t get to choose) down the side of an RV.
In general, a camper van can be more stealthy and subtle than an RV. When you see a Ford Transit on the road, you can’t always tell if it’s a family’s kid-hauler, company work truck, or adventure vehicle. But when you see an RV? Well, it’s most likely an RV. For those who prefer not to be the center of attention, a nondescript Transit can be the way to go.
On the other hand, if you enjoy your vehicle being the center of attention, you can create a colorful, eye-catching wrap design that makes it impossible not to spot your van, which can be great for your company’s branding–or just for your family’s fun. It’s a lot easier to make a camper van look like you.
Try Before You Buy
The choice of your next (or first) adventure vehicle is a big one. We encourage you to do plenty of research, ask RV and camper van owners lots of questions, and try them out for yourself.
Do you ever just look at your dog and know they need to run and get its energy out? Are they so close to driving you nuts that exercise is the only option?
This is a genuine concern when traveling in our camper van with our 70-pound chocolate lab, Barry.
Hi, I am Jena Newman, and we have been traveling in our Vandoit since 2020. My husband, Derek, and I take our dog everywhere. Barry has gone with us from Quebec City, Canada, to the bottom of the Baja Peninsula. No matter where we are, his needs are always in our minds.
Camper Van Reality for Dogs
Camper vans are small. There is no room for Barry to run and chase a toy. Our job is to make a point to take him places where we can run freely and get all of his energy out. If we don’t, we pay the price.
Traveling in the van makes this easier and harder at the same time. We will sometimes be in a dog-friendly place, and using a park or beach is perfectly legal and acceptable. Then there are times when dogs are not allowed anywhere, and we must find alternatives to getting Barry exercise.
Vanlife Solutions: Dog Parks
As a dog trainer, I avoid traditional dog parks. We have worked hard with Barry to set him up for success and keep him safe. Dog parks are typically unpredictable; most trainers tell you to avoid them like the plague. But living on the road means bending my rules and going to dog parks. It may be the only way for Barry to exercise and follow the local laws.
When choosing an off-leash park, I try my best to go at less busy times, and there aren’t a lot of other dogs there. Barry is excellent with other dogs but would rather play fetch and swim than run around with other dogs anyway. We are just looking for an open space for him to run around safely.
Our favorite dog park states are California, Arizona, and Colorado! The Carmel by the Sea dog-friendly beach in California was our favorite—Barry’s first experience in the ocean.
In Sedona, Arizona, there is a fantastic Dog Park where Barry could run around and enjoy the different smells. They have done a great job of keeping it clean and well-maintained. There was a flat area at the bottom of the hill for full-out sprinting and playing fetch, and then there was another area fenced in that had more trees and foliage for Barry to explore. We went at a slow time, so Barry had the place to himself.
In Colorado, our favorite park was the Durango Off-leash dog park. If I were a dog, this is where I would want to spend most of my time! There was plenty of space to run and play fetch, and we didn’t have to be face-to-face with other dogs if we didn’t want to be. There is also access to the river to swim and chase balls in the water. There was so much space that this could be great for any dog who needs exercise.
No Dog Park? No Problem!
When we aren’t in a place with specific dog parks or secluded, we will take Barry to other controlled environments to set him up for success. This might include a baseball field that is fenced in. Or disc golf courses that aren’t busy.
Some rest stops off the highway also have designated dog running areas, which work great in a pinch. We have also used the website and app iOverlander; there is a setting to search for “Pet Services” and some dog-friendly parks.
If we are in a pickle and there isn’t a place for Barry to safely run, then we will put him on a long leash and go on a sniffari. We take Barry on a sniffing safari. We use either a 15 or 30-foot leash and follow Barry and his nose. Mental exercise is as important as physical exercise. Thirty minutes of him taking in all the smells works well at tiring him out if we can’t give him a good run.
Vanlife for Dogs: Final Thoughts
Our end goal is to camp in places that aren’t too busy, and typically this is where Barry will get most of his exercise.
We continually monitor the surrounding areas and keep him from running away or bothering other dogs and campers if they are nearby. Having a solid recall has given Barry the freedom to not always be on a leash so that we can give him the exercise he needs after a long day of driving.
Where do you exercise with your dog while on the road? Is there a place we haven’t thought of that is a safe option? Please share in the comments below.
There may be times where your Vandoit goes through a period of non-use. Whether it be bringing it out of storage, non-use due to the busyness of life, etc., we want to make sure your Vandoit and all components are working correctly. Our customer support team put this Vandoit Operational Checklist to simplify the process of running through you van’s components.
Vandoit Operational Checklist
Check under the hood for any loose connections or frayed wires (i.e. evidence of pests)
Check tires for cracks or punctures and make sure they’re inflated to the proper pressures
Make sure the backup camera is operational and all brake, turn and hazard signals are working
View the roof to make sure solar panels are clean and to inspect for any disconnected wiring or damage
Check for cracks in sealant on the roof around the MaxxAir fan and/or air conditioner; apply a new layer of sealant as needed
Open and close the awning, check for tears or holes
Check the Vandoit battery terminal cables
Check shore power plug and cord for damage
Verify the Vandoit battery system can charge while the car is running
Turn on inverter and test outlets by plugging devices in and turning them on
Test the TV and make sure audio can be heard
Check that all speakers or subwoofers are working in the stereo system
Check for sun icon and incoming amperage on the solar monitor while van is parked in the sun or through the mobile app
Check all interior and exterior lights
Test MaxxAir fan
Test air conditioner
Test Espar heater. Make sure there is at least ¼ tank of fuel in the van beforehand
Test the water system: fill the water supply can, turn on the pump, operate the sprayer and kitchen faucet. Inspect each connection for leaks.
If you have a LIV bed, make sure the bed crank raises and lowers the bed evenly
Check DO bed cargo buckles for loose bolts
If you have a gear slide, check to make sure it extends, stops, and retracts properly
Tighten all bolts in the aluminum extrusion and cabinets
Click link to download a copy of the Vandoit Operational Checklist. If you have any issues after running through the checklist, please reach out to our customer support team.
I often pass on last-minute trips. There’s too much hassle to plan a place to stay on a whim that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
With my Vandoit, I no longer have to stress over these details and can travel freely.
October 26th rolled around, and a trip appeared on my calendar. Although this was a last-minute decision, I had my Vandoit to lean on. A good friend of mine from the Charlotte, NC, area had planned a mountain biking weekend with a group from his CrossFit gym.
He rented a house in Pisgah National Forest, and we were set to have many fun-filled days of scenic riding. When all planning was said and done, we had a headcount of seven guys and only six beds. This gave me the perfect opportunity to test out my van. Also known as my bedroom on wheels.
The Journey
Having visited the Charlotte area many times before, I have learned to split the 12-hour drive staying in or around Summersville, WV.
My drive was a lot more enjoyable and relaxing because my VDI has lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Also having the strut/shock suspension upgrade with QLift makes for a more stable ride through the sometimes windy conditions of the Appalachian Mountains.
Near Beckley, WV is a place called Tamarack. I have passed through many times over the years of driving south. It offers campers a place to park overnight free and has been highlighted in the Vandoit newsletter a few times.
My plan was to stay there overnight both going south and on the way home. This would give me a chance to use my Vandoit with no shore power and test the use of the roof fans and Espar heater.
Staying in the camper lot at Tamarack proved the battery system could handle both of my roof fans running all night as well as the Espar heater. With the fans and heater running the temperature was perfect for a great night’s sleep.
Staying overnight in this lot meant bringing my Laveo Dry-Flush toilet, as there are no bathroom facilities available.
Waking refreshed, I brewed some coffee and hit the road to finish my drive down south to some of the best mountain biking in Western North Carolina.
Arrival
Pulling into the house for the weekend, I found the perfect spot to park my mobile bedroom. I hooked up my shoreline power and needed to level the van. It was time to test the low pressure air bag levelers.
What’s nice about these is they can be micro-adjusted by adding or letting out air. These leveling bags are way easier than the typical drive-on stackable blocks.
Returning Home
It was a great weekend of riding the beautiful trails of Western North Carolina. Dupont State Forest offers some of the best mountain biking trails. Now it was time to head home, again stopping halfway at Tamarack for a good night’s sleep.
Having my VDI now makes these quick trips south so much easier.
Traveling with family can be stressful at best. And it can cause division at worst.
We get it; A family of four spending the entire summer together in a standard-length, mid-roof DO model sounds ambitious. Add in a 40lb dog and the need to maintain a full-time work schedule, and we get a lot of “How do you do it?”
Well, we stay flexible.
With our Vandoit pick-up date scheduled for May 31st, we planned to spend our summer exploring with it. Outside of the must-do-event-of-the-year VOX 5 in Bentonville the next day, we had no reservations, destinations or commitments in mind. We just wanted to experience as much as possible before school and sports season called us home again.
For years, this unplanned trip approach has been called “a ramble.” We hit the road with limited plans and let the adventure come to us. While this summer trip was the longest to date, the rules remained the same. We stayed flexible and remembered that the bumps would be smoothed out.
A Van Built To Match Our Mindset
The standard length and lower roof height camper van we chose means bringing a little less, but we are willing to squeeze ourselves in if it means squeezing more out of the trip. We were upgrading from a truck with a rooftop tent, so it already felt bigger. And didn’t want to compromise on the campsites we could fit in, the roads we could get down, or those vital drive-thru coffee breaks. Plus, that smaller size helps on those not-so-wide-open streets around our southern California home.
We chose AWD, Q-lift, and suspension upgrades to keep almost any road open. The lithium batteries and solar panels maximize camp options and keep the work computers, and kids’ tablets juiced up. A DC air conditioner provides pleasant nights and a comfy pooch. A fridge, water box, and emergency toilet completed the build.
After that, the seemingly endless modularity of the DO model meant we could switch from mobile office to hotel to living room to adventure hauler at a moment’s notice.
It’s all we need, with nothing we don’t. Which works out well when you never really know what the plan is.
Flexibility Is Not Without Its Hiccups
After years of traveling this way, we’ve learned to expect the challenges, and they are many.
Busy work days can mean angrily chasing cell signals or hours spent in a random parking lot. (Next upgrade: Satellite WiFi) A rainy night might mean Charcuterie for dinner and games instead of campfires and hikes.
Four of us, plus a dog, are a lot messier than that photogenic van life on social media. And sure, getting into our bunks calls for a whole other kind of flexibility. Maybe it’s time for more yoga.
But limiting our plans, minimizing our load and keeping more options open have allowed us to maximize the places we go and the hours we spend doing it. This summer, that added up to 32 states and over 10,000 miles without plans or reservations. We spent most nights in unique places and at least one rest stop for good flexibility.
So yeah. Flexibility. Less is more. All that. It’s why we chose our van, and it’s the approach that made our most memorable trip yet possible.
Maybe we’ll see you out there. Don’t worry about where or when. We’re pretty flexible.
As I wrap up the year, I get a chance to go through the hard drives and reminisce on all the adventures we’ve had as a company. I have had the privilege of being Vandoit’s Content Creator since July of 2020. In that two and a half years, I have been to many places and met many people I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Here is a ranking of the top five places I went with a Vandoit. For more photos and videos of our journey, check out our instagram! @Vandoitco
5. Victor, Arkansas
The trip to Arkansas was a simple, but unforgettable trip. A couple of members from our marketing department, myself, BLK ELK Media, and our Lead Engineer, spent three days in November shooting with our colleague Aaron Paris from Switchback Outdoor Safety. Our trip primarily consisted of filming overlanding and the testing of our exclusive Backwoods Adventure Mods Front Scout Bumper. We also filmed a video showing hundreds of ways to organize the contents of your van to make it work for you.
4. Buena Vista, Colorado
In August, we traveled to Colorado for Overland Expo Mountain West. A few days before, we made an early stop to see our good friend and Vandoit owner, Travis Brewer. This is where we got a majority of our content for Movement is Medicine, a short documentary about Travis and his journey from serious injury to prime athlete and performer. We got to spend five days with Travis in the small town of Buena Vista camping side by side with him and his van. The views in Colorado are wicked, but parking next to Twin Lakes was especially beautiful.
3. Flagstaff, Arizona
A little earlier in 2022, I went to Flagstaff, Arizona. Me and a fellow coworker helping with content met up with a couple of sales gurus who had been at Overland Expo West. By day we were riding motocross bikes and by night lounging in dispersed camping that overlooked Sedona. We also spent some time in Coconino National Forest and spotted a few free-range cows out our van windows. This trip was part of a nine-day excursion to several states including our next location, Jackson, Wyoming.
2. Jackson, Wyoming
Getting into Jackson Wyoming immediately washed us all over with the incredible views. We spent some time in Bridger Teton National Forest and got shots of the van in action. My personal favorite thing to shoot is drone footage. This allows me to get an aerial view of our roof rack, solar panels, roofnest tent and so much more atop the van. This trip was special too because of our Sales Guru’s attendance. Vandoit highly values letting their employees grow within the company and gain more hands-on experience through trips like this. Camping for three days in Wyoming–nine days total– brought us closer together and made coming to work feel even more like family.
1. Moab, Utah
My favorite place I went to this year is somewhere I have been several times before: Moab Utah. The trip in particular I want to share with you is when I went with my dad in early October. We took time to ride our dirt bikes and relax in each other’s company; it was nice to have some one-on-one time with my dad in such a beautiful place. While we weren’t riding 4×4 trails, we attended VOX’s (Van Owner’s Experience) yearly meetup in Moab. The VOX events are always so much fun to be a part of as we get to spend time with our owners and hear all about their life with a Vandoit. The community between us and our owners is always a blast. We went on a group Mountain Biking Rides, visited Canyonland and Arches National Park, and spent hours around a campfire telling stories.
As cheesy as it sounds, I love my job. I’m blessed to have the opportunities I have in traveling and capturing these moments with my camera. I cannot wait to see what 2023 has in store for Vandoit that I get to be a part of! Stay tuned for more.
In 2018 I decided that immediately following my 55th birthday, I’d retire and explore the USA. After spending over a year examining the best way to accomplish that, I found Vandoit’s website.
Within a few days of my initial consultation with Van Guru Josh, my deposit was in. My Vandoit LIV model (with Quigley 4×4 conversion) pickup date was scheduled for February of 2020. That delivery date gave me about 9 months, while still working, to do some test trips. These trips allowed me to better judge what I did or didn’t need for full time exploration. In November of 2020, I retired from corporate America, closed on the sale of my house, and began exploring.
The knowledge I gained on my short test trips was certainly helpful. Nothing really allows you to refine the van’s systems outside of using those systems long-term. I’ve now been full-time exploring for nearly 2 years and I continually find opportunities to further refine what I carry, how I store my stuff, and how I decide where I want to explore next.
Configuration of the van
When configuring my Vandoit adventure van, I needed to address the basic functions of life. I would need to have methods to keep perishable food items, a water system, prepare food, and maintain personal hygiene. Further, I needed room for my dog Gunner (whom I lost in late 2021) and to carry the toys I would most enjoy while out exploring. This included a bicycle (and associated gear), an inflatable stand-up paddleboard, and hiking and running gear. The great part about the Vandoit adventure van is the great flexibility in setup, which allowed me to carry all of that and more.
For the perishable food items, my van build sheet included the Dometic chest style refrigerator. I designed and built a small shelf on which to mount it. This shelf is placed above the Espar heater and attached to the track system. Later I ordered a small Alpicoo l fridge, which I use in freezer mode. Both of these items are mounted using the t-track that is part of the Vandoit LIV model’s design. A bonus of the freezer and fridge locations: they become steps to access the bed, with space under the Dometic to store shoes.
For the water system, the build sheet included the Vandoit kitchen pod and water pump/heater module. The pump/heater module fits inside the kitchen pod alongside the grey water tank. The freshwater supply is strapped to the side of the pod. This makes my water system completely contained – providing the advantage of all water lines staying contained within that pod. That also means I can put the water system wherever I can make it fit within the van. I chose to install it on the slider door side, secured to the LIV model’s passenger side cabinet.
I needed an option for outdoor cooking for my propane stove. I ordered the compact kitchen from Trail Kitchens. When set up, it provides space for the stove and gives plenty of counter space for food prep. If weather or another reason prevents me from setting up my outdoor kitchen, my hot food fallback is a backpacking meal that requires only boiling water. The only cooking I do in the van is using my backpacking stove to boil water. Of course, the fridge allows me to carry other cold meal options.
The only part of the water system that is outside the kitchen pod is the shower. I hung a shower curtain across the back doors and have a hose, supplied with the water pump/heater system, that stretches to the back of the van. I hang the shower head (a garden nozzle) on a bungee cord and place a mat on the ground. This gives me a semi-private shower space. There are plenty of times that a shower in this fashion is not practical so I’ve become quite adept at the “bird bath” inside the van.
Gunner was a big dog and he needed the entire space behind the driver and passenger seats. He, his bed and bowls fit in that space. Without the modularity of the Vandoit van, the placement of my water system and fridge/freezer would not have allowed this space for him. His food and other supplies were stored with the rest of our gear in the garage’s gear slide.
There is a lot of stuff stored on the gear slide. Since it is made of t-track, there are lots of options for making sure it stays secure. My job was to fit it all in there without having to completely unload it every time I wanted to get something out. This occasionally becomes a challenge. The work to pare down this load is continuous.
The Smallest Road Possible
I’ve never really seen anything when traveling over the interstate system. When I launched, I set my travel philosophy as “The Smallest Road Possible.” I rather enjoy this philosophy. Sometimes that does mean use of the interstate, more often paved back-country highways, but most often I’m traveling on dirt or gravel roads. I download maps for offline use to my iPad or iPhone, mounted on the dash or A-Pillar.
I mostly do short term planning in detail and long-term planning broadly. My goal for the summer of 2022 was to visit western South Dakota – one that I did accomplish. I spent September exploring the Black Hills and the Badlands. I was in western Nebraska in early June and I only decided to enter Wyoming when faced with the choice of heading north into the Black Hills or west into Wyoming. How long I stayed in Wyoming would be based on what I could find to explore. I found three months’ worth of exploration!
I try to get far enough into the forest with the van to leave a web of available routes to explore. I set basecamp long enough to explore the surrounding area by alternating riding and hiking on the available Jeep and hiking trails. The bike allows me to ride the ATV trails and other Jeep roads around an area. I have scouted routes for the van by bike numerous times–sometimes I drive the scouted road, and sometimes I don’t. It depends on the purpose. I scouted a 7 mile Utah section of the Rimrocker trail by bike one day, then drove that route the following day. Another time I rode up to Hurrah Pass after turning the van around lower on the road. The risks to the van became clear as I ascended to the pass. I was glad to have turned the van around when I did, and it made for a great bicycle ride!
In June of 2021 my brother flew across the country to meet me in Oregon for the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. For a week Jeff took care of the van and Gunner – at and between basecamps. I suffered in many ways but not because I was worried about Gunner or my van. Or my brother – the van was able to carry the additional equipment for him and he easily picked up on the few steps needed to go between “camp mode” and “drive mode” with the van and Gunner. After he left, I found an amazing campsite on a small lake in the Oregon Cascades. I paddled on that small lake every day for a week!
Not all Roads are Smooth
As much as I love taking my van deep into the woods, I have found some drawbacks. I’ve crossed sections of the Northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho and Colorado. I have driven across the state of Nevada almost exclusively on dirt and gravel roads. Gunner and I explored the La Sal Mountains on a forest service road that connected to Onion Creek Road and then down to the Colorado river. The other vehicles I encountered on that road were 4x4s, side-by-sides, and motorcycles. At an uphill, off-camber switchback, the driver front tire came off the ground. The potential for rolling the van was there – I always have to consider the risks of taking my van deep in the forest (or desert), especially because I’m almost always traveling solo.
While attempting to follow the Snake River, I spent almost 5 minutes trying to present – to myself – a convincing argument to continuing on my current path. The maps showed the road diverting up a side canyon, then crossing the Wallowa Whitman National Forest / Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. I continued up this rather narrow canyon on a rocky road for about 3 miles. Those 3 miles took 30 minutes – that’s roughly running pace! My maps indicated 10 more miles of this road before it connected to an improved Forest Service Road on the other side of the forest. I had less than 2 hours of daylight and I was looking at up to 10 more miles of the current road conditions. On the drive in, about a mile before the canyon narrowed, I had spotted a suitable spot for an overnight. Evaluating the risk of not finding a campsite and having to drive through the night lost to backtracking to get a good night’s sleep. The next morning, with a fresh head, I selected an alternate route.
I was exploring the area to the west of the Green River in Utah. I saw a side path off the main road and started following it. I engaged 4wd shortly after turning. The map showed the road heading to a bend in the Green River. I got within sight of the river. At the turn of a switchback at the very upper end of the descent to the river plain when I decided to scout on foot. I parked off the main trail and walked down the switchback. About 100 yards down the trail was an off-camber, downhill, rutted and bumpy curve. It happened that a group of side by sides came up the trail. As I watched them through that section, I realized that my 10’ tall van was not a good candidate for that section of trail. No problem–Gunner and I hiked the rest of the way.
All of this risk analysis is aimed at keeping my Vandoit healthy. I wish to continue traveling this country until I am tired of it. Keeping the van healthy is the biggest challenge and one that could cut short my ability to explore. I have to consider the potential for real damage to the van and compare that to the ability to explore an area with alternate means.
Scheduled maintenance comes up frequently with lots of miles traveled. I do my own basic maintenance, and finding a place to do those tasks becomes challenging. Any work that I can’t do has to be scheduled carefully. After all, I am a full time explorer and the van becomes home. If a repair can’t be made quickly, I have to have an alternate solution in what is likely a relatively unknown town. I’m sure I’m not the only full time traveler who has these concerns.
The Journey is the Adventure
My Vandoit adventure van allows me to really explore my country. With the Quigley conversion I have confidence to get off the beaten path. Staying off-grid isn’t an issue, as my power system is well maintained by the solar panels and all of my basic needs are covered. The Vandoit systems leave me relatively stress-free to work on the day-to-day details of exploration.
I minimize my stay at any one campsite. With few exceptions – when visiting family or friends – the longest I’ve camped is 7 nights. Once I’ve explored what I can from that basecamp, I can easily move to the next whether it’s dispersed camping in the National Forest or an established campground in a National Park. I spent 2 months exploring Southeastern Utah. I also spent over 2 weeks to crossing Nevada, more than a month exploring the Olympic Peninsula, and a another month just exploring Wyoming’s Snowy Range. My Vandoit adventure van allows me to explore this great country, basecamp to basecamp.
