The First Step - Choosing a Van.
The ins and outs of which van we chose and why, as well as, our priorities for our build layout.
Let’s begin our introductions to our van - Ursa Minor! In September of 2019 we purchased a granite 2019 Ram Promaster from a local dealer. After exploring the used van market we elected to purchase a brand new van. Given our limited knowledge of mechanics, we had too many concerns about effective maintenance and engine quality with vans in the used market to commit to something pre-owned. Despite the planning and research we had already invested to this point, I would still consider our purchase an impulse buy fueled by external forces. We had been feeling the urgency to purchase a van, largely due to purchase envy directed at our close friends who had just purchased their own 2019 Ram Promaster. FOMO is real my friends! Ultimately we were thankful for the push and the envy. Sometimes you just need a kick in the butt to get the ball rolling.
URSA MINOR (little bear) or the little dipper is a constellation most famous for containing the North Star (Polaris).
Our 2019 Ram Promaster is the 159” wheelbase, high roof model, empty cargo van. It also came with a factory class 5 hitch. The dealership we purchased the van through has a van conversion service which we utilized to have 2 x CR Laurence 10x33 sliding windows installed where the bed would be, 2 x t-vent windows installed along the sliding door and along the drivers side wall, and 2 x swivel seats installed. The dealership also upgraded our stock wheels to BF Goodrich TA K02 (stock size) 225/75R16 All-Terrain tires. Ultimately we were thankful to not have to cut more holes into the van!
Our van cost $39,781. This number includes the cost of windows and swivel seats and their installation as well as the wheel upgrades. There was much negotiation involved in this process! We highly recommend always trying to negotiate no matter where or who you are purchasing the van from. We are under no delusions that this was a cheap purchase. This way, for this cost is not how it HAS to be done. We are fortunate enough to be in a financial situation where this made sense for us and our timeline, as well as, aligned with our purchase criteria.
We have spent countless hours watching van tours on YouTube and we know that we are not alone in that. There is a reason that a channels van tour video is often their most watched video. We have seen just about every iteration of van layouts that exist online and have used this cache of content to determine what type of layout would work best for our life. We have two dogs that will be joining us for full time road travel and we also love to spend as much time outdoors both relaxing and adventuring. This vehicle is meant to facilitate those activities for us. We prioritized gear storage space, space for the dogs, and comfort in our layout plan. This includes a visually open sort of layout in the front for comfort and living, a large ‘garage’ storage space for bikes, and plenty of power. Our biggest sacrifice in our plan was access to a toilet and a shower - both of which we excluded completely from the build. We are currently considering an outdoor shower alternative. If you’ve been following along you know we are ¾ of the way done with our build at this time and so far the layout is working fantastically. Keep an eye out in the future for resources about our layout!
I would like to reiterate that you do not need to buy a brand new van in order to “do” #vanlife “correctly”.
The sheer number of quotations in that phrase tells you that there is not a singular, best way to do any aspect of this. There is no right and wrong way, there is just YOUR way - if you have the urge to try this lifestyle. Use what you have or what you can find within your budget - van, materials, skills. Do not be discouraged by the $20,000 builds and the $100,000 4x4 sprinter vans. The van is the least important part IMO. The van facilitates the fun and the other aspects of this lifestyle that many of us prioritize - adventure, experiences over things, minimalism, paying off debt, Living. There is also no “right” reason to decide to try van life. It does not have to be motivated by exploration and adventure to be an option for you.
I would go so far as to say get off of social media or unfollow those popular hashtags that make you feel like what you are doing or wanting to do is less than or ‘wrong’. Follow the people living this lifestyle the way you want to be doing it. Diversify your #vanlife vision. “Vanlife” does not have a uniform look, a uniform community, or a uniform ‘way’ no matter what social media makes it look like. And let’s be real, social media makes it look white and expensive AF and I realize that visually we, as a couple, add to that narrative. But I hope through our words and our actions that we can help rewrite the popular narrative around this nomadic lifestyle and uplift the diversity in both the community and the opportunity surrounding alternative living. A nomadic lifestyle has been around long before Instagram made it popular and the iterations of this lifestyle are ever evolving and expanding. Make it your own!