2022 - Van Year in Review - How much did you use your van?

1413 Views 28 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Brandon, 23 h ago

bradoemba

Discussion Starter · #1 · 16 d ago

November 2021 I took possession of my 2020 AWD 250 Long-High. Converted by Adventure Wagon with their Moab bed, Mule bags, Espar heater, Smartfloor with 2 extra seats. So 2022 was my first year with a done adventure van at the ready. I used it a bunch, even while still working full time, but wish I had used it a lot more. Traveled to MOAB, Telluride, Jackson Hole plus all over the PNW. Being a spreadsheet geek, I logged my trips and wanted to share with the group and see how their year went! Early fall I was at 26 nights and a friend told me "Just 10 more nights and you'll be at 10% of the year in the van." I didn't make it as life got in the way this fall, but it's my goal for 2023. Here it is...

28 nights - Mostly just me, a few nights with spouse/friend

14 Boondock - no facilities of any kind
8 Residence - driveway, hotel parking lot - access to some facilities
6 Campground - access to pit toilets, water. Occassionally shower and flush toilets. No RV parks.

4 nights on loan (kids and friends)

2 Residence
2 Campground

I didn't track the dozens of day trips skiing and mountain biking that were greatly enhanced by having the big, tall van with all the amenities to haul gear, people, get changed, make coffee, lunch, etc. Just a game changer of decadent comfort every time I use it. (One feels quite superior in the ski hill parking lot, sitting inside making coffee while the guy next to you who just pulled up in his SUV is getting his gear on in 20 mph winds and snow blowing sideways.) The AdWag kit has allowed me to move every thing around a handful of times, and even take everything out to make runs to the dump, move furniture, bring the kid to college, etc.

As we know, the van is never finished. I've added the front VC lift, AT tires for summer and dedicated snows for winter (on painted OEM wheels), Viair compressor, low-tech water jug and manual pump, fold down wall shelf w/storage, sliding tray with bike and ski rack, Flatline roof rack, back door ladder with Lolo bike hooks, Backwoods bumper with crazy bright lights. Best mod - Custom quilted window shades made by my 80 year old mom! Continued refinement to continue...

Hope you all had a great 2022 in your Transit and may 2023 be even better!

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cycle61

· Premium Member

Joined Oct 5, 2021

·

300 Posts

Bought the van empty June 30th, went metal tent camping 4th of July weekend. 3 nights.

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Added a bed platform in July and took it on a couple work trips, staying at RV parks instead of hotels. 8 nights.

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Put in the windows, MaxxFan, and a bugwall and the wife headed out on a 6 week August/September road trip to see family. Call it 50 nights.

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Basecamp for an early season Hood climb in November. 1 night.

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Camping weekend in December just before they closed Cascade Lake Hwy for the season. 1 night.

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New Year's road trip to Idaho and Montana. Eight nights.

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And as above, lots of day trips made much more comfortable by having the van to return to at the end of a day of skiing, etc. 15k miles since purchase. I have absolutely no regrets.

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