On the Road to On the Road

After months of deliberation about the perfect adventure vehicle, we placed our order for a 4X4 Mercedes Sprinter 170 Cargo Van. When I say deliberation, I really mean it. Numerous lists, pros/cons worksheets, discussions about our desired destinations, possibilities about weather, terrain, ground clearance, fuel economy, cost, warranty, build-out, where to pee and every consideration in between was hashed and rehashed. The gap between the cost of a 2X4 and a 4X4 narrowed and our decision was made.  

When deciding to purchase an RV/adventure vehicle, you must have a clear understanding of your intentions. Are you looking for luxury on the road? A stealthy vehicle that flies under the radar (and parks wherever it pleases)? One that can go off-road into the wilderness? One that powers all of your electronics, large-screen televisions and stores your off-road toys? These are the questions you already know the answers to when you start, but it helps to clearly detail them - and do your best to be realistic. Oh, it helps if you discuss them with your significant other as well...

We want to go to as many national parks, wilderness spots, remote beaches and as many low-key, beautiful places as we can. I simply MUST see the Aurora Borealis in Alaska (or northern Canada - I’m not picky). We also like the idea of building it out ourselves to suit our specific needs.

Here is a synopsis of our critical factors:

• Reliable. We want a diesel engine that will go, and go, and go.
• Drivability & Comfort. We drove some beautiful, smallish RVs that were not too large and had all the comforts of home, but they were just too cumbersome and felt, well, like an RV. Considering the hours on the road, we want to be comfortable and to drive with ease.
• Safety. This somewhat relates to drivability and comfort, but the Sprinter offers an Active Safety Package option that makes driving so very nice, namely the blind-spot detection, lane keep assist, and collision prevention assist.
• Stealthy. We want to be able to pull over to sleep with little or no evidence that it is a recreational vehicle. Yes, Sir, just a regular cargo van parked in a hotel lot, on the side of the road, at a rest area. Nothing to see here…
• Big enough to fit a queen or king sized bed lengthwise (my guy is tall, so widthwise placement is not an option).
• Few restrictions. We want it to get us where we want to go - back roads, forest service roads, small campgrounds, dispersed camping (we learned they call it boondocking), ALASKA!!!! Rain, snow, mud, rough roads - no restrictions, no excuses. We go where we want to go.
• Basic creature comforts. Colonials would call it the “necessary,” but really, I just pee a lot and my partner likes to shower. So yeah. Also room for a small kitchen because we like to make our own food and of course, some storage.
• Cost. When weighing all of the other factors, the Mercedes Sprinter is also a cost-effective choice for a DIY. There are companies that will outfit a Sprinter for you, but wow, it’s super expensive. Given the durability, reliability and stealth factors, 60K is palatable and includes a strong warranty (good for peace of mind).
• Experience. This one is important to me. I can’t wait to build our traveling home with my incredible guy. We work really well together (even if it’s mostly him teaching me how to do stuff) and doing a project like this together is going to be so much fun.

Now we wait for 6 months. This is probably the biggest challenge of all!

When we begin our build-out and start our adventures, I plan to blog about our adventures. Will you help me name the blog? Here are some preliminary ideas, but I am open to anything.

Happy Trails

Life is an Adventure

Away we Go

Choose Adventure

And because our 2 minpins will be with us:

Happy Tails

Tails of Adventure

HELP! :)