6 Months in Our Self-Converted Van: What We Love And Hate About Our Ford Transit 350 HD Build

We spent 6-months living full-time in our self-converted Ford Transit Van. We drove 20,000 miles from Colorado to Alaska visiting 29 National Parks and experienced the many highs and lows of van life.

In this blog post we are going to outline the many pros and cons of our van build, really highlighting the things we love and the things we hated about our van build.

The blog post will follow this video, so make sure to watch this video!

Building out our Ford Transit 350 HD (named Clifford for obvious reasons) was much harder and took much longer than we expected it to be.

We thought the process was going to take 3-ish months but it took well over 5-months of working every single day to get the build finished.

Interested in our van build series? Here’s the link to the entire playlist on YouTube for your viewing and educational purposes.

Pathfinder Perimeter Lights

We absolutely love out Pathfinder Perimeter Lights from Backwoods Adventure Mods. We placed 4 Pathfinder – Surface Mount Pod Pair on our AVC Rig Roof Rack. One on the driver side, one on the passenger side, and two facing backwards.

While you could always add more lights, we think the 4 do a great job of illuminating the surroundings when we are driving down dark roads or if we hear a bump in the night.

Want your own pair of Pathfinder Perimeter Lights? Check out https://backwoodsadventuremods.com/ and use our discount code for 10% off any order: KatieAndJoeOnTheGo

Thule Telescoping Ladder

After hearing horror stories of people climbing on the roof of people’s vans whilst they are sleeping, we knew having a permanently mounted ladder on our van was a definite no-go for us.

A lot of people recommended the Thule Van Ladder, a 8.5 Foot Extension – Telescoping Ladder that’s easy to set-up and compact enough to have with your.

Here’s the issue, the exterior sheet metal on a van is relatively weak. So when the ladder is laid against it in the right spot, it can dent it. We know how a few small (but noticeable) dents on the upper section of our van.

If this is not an issue for you, then the Thule Van Ladder is the perfect solution for getting on top of your van.

If we had to do it again, we’d probably get a rear mounted ladder that we could also attach a spare tire to. Something like this.

Rooftop Deck

We had grand plans for our rooftop deck that never happened. Yoga, Picnics, Wine Tasting, and so much more!

Why? Well, Katie is afraid of heights and we were constantly struggling with mosquitoes for most of our trip.

Could we have used our Thermacell (seriously, the best Mosquito repeller we found) and enjoyed our roof top just a little more? Sure. Absolutely.

While we did not use our Rooftop deck as much as we thought we would, our AVC Rig Roof Rack was the perfect solution for mounting our solar panels, lights, and more.

Solar Panels

We installed two 100 Watt 12v Solar Panels from Rich Solar and have had absolutely no issues with them.

They were super easy to install and easily connected into our electrical system through the Parallel Connectors. Want more Van Build Electrical System content? Check out the few videos we made on YouTube (here).

Internet

Our entire internet system is from MobileMustHave.com and at the time of purchase was the perfect solution to our internet needs.

We have a Pepwave MAX Transit Duo Pro Dual Modem paired with a Parsec Husky Pro 7 Antenna. It was part of one of their packages and cost us a whopping $1700.

We could have gone with Starlink but did not like how power hungry it’s AC power needs were going to be. Between the mixed reviews of the system and our dislike for Elon, we decided to go a different route.

90% of the time, we had an internet connection. The only time when we did not was when we were in super remote locations (like the Alaska highway).

Would we recommend it? Yes, absolutely. Especially knowing that we could plug in separate internet systems into it (like Starlink) to create an even stronger connection.

MobileMustHave.com is the GO TO website for all your mobile wifi needs, seriously. It’s basically all they do and they are constantly working with large brands like AT&T, Verizon, and more to find better internet solutions for life on the road.

T-Mobile is about to launch a new system focused on RV/Van Lifers called AWAY™ that pairs their cellular towers with with their 5G Wi-Fi Gateway (basically a wireless router). Want more information? Check it out here.

Flatline Van Co Nudge Bar

When we bought our Ford Transit we knew a nudge bar was a necessity. There is so much wildlife in Colorado and on our road trip to all US National Parks.

This nudge bar gives enough protection to our Ford Transit that hopefully if we crossed paths with furry creatures, it would not be a complete lost.

The best part of this Nudge Bar by Backwoods Adventure Mods is that it allows us to keep all of our safety sensors (adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and more).

Want your own Nudge Bar for your Ford Transit? Check out https://backwoodsadventuremods.com/ and use our discount code for 10% off any order: KatieAndJoeOnTheGo

Pathfinder Prowlr 9″ LED Driving Lights

What do you attach to a Nudge Bar? Obviously, two 9″ LED Driving Lights from Pathfinder. Yep, the same company that makes the Pathfinder Perimeter Lights on our roof rack and the nudge bar.

Before we tell you more, you need to understand that THESE LED LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT! It’s wild how they can metaphorically turn the lights on in the middle of the night.

This is super helpful when we were driving down dirt roads in the middle of the night looking for BLM camping spots.

In a world where we have more money, we’d put a few more of these lights on the van. They are a little pricey but we are so happy to be able to harness the power of the sun in the middle of the night.

Want your own Pathfinder Prowlr 9″ LED Driving Lights for your Ford Transit? Check out https://backwoodsadventuremods.com/ and use our discount code for 10% off any order: KatieAndJoeOnTheGo

Ford Adventure Prep Package Factory Windows

When we built our Ford Transit, the Transit Trail was a rumor floating around the internet. What was available was the Transit Adventure Prep Package.

What’s included in the Transit Adventure Prep Package? A lot! Especially things that we wanted on our van build, like Extended Range Fuel Tank, Dual AGM Batteries, and a keyless entry keypad.

What we did not want were the factory windows on the two rear doors and the passenger side sliding door. Why don’t we like these windows? Simply enough, they don’t open.

They are large, they let in a lot of sunshine and the eyes of people who we don’t want to be able to look into our van.

Could we have them tinted, sure. Would we much rather have the ability to open them and get some airflow into the van? Absolutely.

Flarespace makes a pair of rear door windows for Ford Transit Vans and this is what we would have loved to installed (and still might install). Nomadic Supply carries them and a few other options for the Ford Transit (as well as the Sprinter and Promaster platform).

DIY Bench Cushions

If you did not know, Katie is an arts & crafts guru. If she get’s an idea, she runs with it. Sometimes we don’t know where she goes for a day or two, but then will reemerge with a bench cushion that she created herself.

Arctic Tern Window

Our Arctic Tern Window has been one of the best buys of our van build. It’s a little more expensive than similar windows but the build quality is so much better. Having the bug screen and night shade built into a single window is valuable.

We purchased the 450x610mm window for a 35-44mm Wall Thickness and have had no issues with it. We would loved to have a few more of these (especially towards the rear of the van).

Signs & Decor from Etsy

We love Etsy! It’s full of handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts. When we were building out our van we knew we needed to hang up some art but nothign seemed right, UNTIL we were browsing Etsy and found the US National Park Travel Map (Below) and the “Welcome to our Adventure” placard (above).

They were the perfect pieces to hang in our van to tie the whole thing together. Seriously, we even made a few videos on TikTok about the pieces! Check them out here.

Ford Adventure Prep Package Factory Swivel Seats

This is once again something that came with Ford’s Adventure Prep Package for the Ford Transit. While it sounds great on paper, we were never able to test them out in person due to no Ford Transit vans were sitting on dealer lots with this package.

We don’t know if they exist but we’d love a Swivel Seat for our Ford Transit that allows us to swivel the seat without having to open the front doors.

Snow, rain, bugs, and so much more can get into the van during that few moments it’s opened. It would be nice if the entire things could be done without having to open up any doors.

Vancillary DIY Headliner Shelf

We are SO Happy with how well our Vancillary Shelf installation came out. As you know, storage space is so important in a van build and this give us the biggest shelf in the entire van with very little work.

With the 8020 Aluminum Lip we are able to hang a GoPro/Camera set-up, curtains, and so much more. We are pretty excited for that as we’ve never seen anyone else do it on an overhead shelf kit before.

Do you want 10% off your entire order? Use code KatieAndJoeOnTheGo at https://vancillary.com/

Custom Storage Bench

We love our bench in our van because it gives us so much extra storage space, while also giving us a place to seat.

We designed this to hold our larger items like backpacks, shoes, and anything else that you could think of.

We’ve seen builds where people don’t make good use of the space under that bench and we never understood why. Where else in your van build our you going to find a 3′ by 1.5′ completely protected area?

Kitchen Layout and Design

We wanted our kitchen layout to be as simple as possible. We chose a large slab of butcher block from Lowes as our base and installed a black kitchen sink from IKEA, here is a very similar one from Amazon. If you want to complete the set, here’s what faucet we used.

We decided to use a 2-Burner Induction Cooktop from Duxtop and realized after it was too late that it’s too big and a 1-Burner would have been a much smarter move, so make sure to learn from our mistakes.

Lack of Drawers in Kitchen (Hate)

We bought a bunch of plastic totes from IKEA and thought they were going to be strong enough to keep our cabinet organized but what we figured out was that they were too weak to do that.

We wish we installed drawers in the kitchen to make it easier to have access to anything that we need without having to completely remove everything and search through the bins.

We added something like this roller drawer system to the other side of the kitchen cabinet and it seems to work much better, we will most likely add this (2 Tier Basket Drawer Organizer) to the kitchen.

Also, please don’t judge us by the extremely toxic bug spray chilling next to our pots and pans.

Laveo Dry Flush Toilet

What can we say about the Laveo Dry Flush that we have not already said? It’s the absolute best thing that we bought for our van.

It gives us piece of mind in so many ways.

Do we have to walk through a convince store with a pee and poop jug? No.
Do we have to worry about poop maggots? No.
Do we have to worry about pee sloshing around in our van? No.
Do we have to clean out a box full of poop, wood chips, and maggots? No.

The Laveo Dry Flush toilet is the perfect toilet solution for van life. It’s a little more expensive than other options but there’s a reason.

Shower and Full Wet Bath

Did we need a shower and full wet bath? Looking back on it, no. Did we think we were going to show every single day, and not be gross van lifers? Yes.

The enclosure is built like a champ, It’s strong and most importantly waterproof. While we did not shower everyday (or ever in the van), we did use it as a catch all for anything that was wet.

I’m talking about the tend we brought to Katmai National Park that ended up hanging up in our van for the better part of 6-weeks after that trip.

We were in constant humid conditions and the tent decided to stay as moist as possible for the remaining length of our trip.

Planet Fitness Membership

We had a Planet Fitness Membership while living in Michigan and it was great. For the most part they had exactly what we wanted and they were located nearby.

We kept that membership when we moved back to Colorado and into the van because we knew Planet Fitness was going to be the key to having clean showers on our trip.

Honestly, a Planet Fitness Membership is a must have for any van lifers. Do you want to join for $1 down? Check out this link!

FRP Wall Paneling

When sealed well, FRP Wall Paneling is basically waterproof. It’s a giant sheet of plastic made for bathrooms.

What nobody mentioned was that when it gets really hot, it gives off a very toxic smell. Most people don’t let their house get to 90* so I’m sure this never became an issue for them.

Unfortunately, in the van it became an issue. Would we use it again? Absolutely, we are more afraid of water all over our van floor, seeping into our electronic cabinets, then we are of a little toxic smell when it get’s super hot outside.

If you are going to use it, make sure to wear eye protection and a chemical respirator.

Metal Backsplash

This was a super fun and easy addition to our van build, we bought a 2′ x 3′ piece of sheet metal and attached it using marine adhesive.

We used a lot of Marine adhesive throughout the entire build because it stops squeaks from the wood on metal.

We now collect magnets from our travels and have a place to keep them!

Storage

We have so much storage in our Ford Transit camper van and we are so happy that we prioritized it in our build. Why? Because we need storage to put all of our stuff.

Could we have packed less? Sure. Are we happy that have enough storage for everything? Absolutely.

The secret to keeping our clothes organized in our overhead cabinets? These fantastic packing cubes from Amazon.

Bump-out Lighting

The 12v lights that we have in our ceiling are also the same that our in our bump-outs. They run off DC power and are super easy to connect to our electrical system.

We connected the lights to a 12v switch that allows next to the bed that allows us dim them lights and turn them off.

Bungee Cord Bedside Shelf

Remember when I was said how much Katie loves Arts & Crafts? Seriously, it’s a few paragraphs up. Well, we were in-between projects in the van build and Katie needed a moment to flex her skills and built a bedside shelf made out of a scrap piece of wood and a bungee cord.

No Bug Screen on side door (Hate)

We’ve mentioned a few times in this blog post that mosquitoes are the worst and we hate them. We elected to not install a bug screen on our Ford Transit and honestly don’t know why.

We still might add a bug screen (something like this) paired with bug screens for the front doors.

The only issue with bug screens is while you keep bugs out, there are larger animals that can find their way in (like bears) or when you go to close the sliding passenger door, all those bugs are now stuck between the screen and the inside of the door.

Solution, add Thermacell to the mix. Hopefully it will stop the bugs from getting that close to the net.

Dometic RTX 2000

We are both very light sleepers. If it’s too hot, we don’t sleep. If it’s too bright, we don’t sleep. If it’s too loud, we don’t sleep.

The Dometic RTX 2000 Air Conditioner solves a few of those issues. It blows cold, really cold. We’ve got it down to 63* and it’s fantastic!

There are few lights on it but nothing a piece of black tape can’t handle.

It’s not too loud, but if you’re looking for that peaceful breeze from the forest or rain drops from a storm, you won’t be hearing that.

What about the suck on the battery system? It’s honestly not as bad as we thought it would be. 8-hours of the Dometic RTX 2000 Air Conditioner running takes roughly 20% of our 540Ah of our battery system. But with a good solar set-up, long day of driving DC-DC, or shore power you can easily recoup that battery loss.

If you go this route, make sure to purchase the necessary 12v Wiring Kit from Dometic. If you don’t use it, you’ll warranty will be voided. I don’t make the rules.

Air Conditioner Location

We mentioned this a bit in the above paragraph but we are picky sleepers and love when it’s cold. We placed our Dometic RTX 2000 directly above our bed and have no regrets outside of the lights are very bright on the control panel.

Side note, why would they Dometic do that? Nobody likes bright LED lights on anything, put them on an auto-dim system so we don’t have to add a piece of black tape to cover them. Tangent over.

We thought about installing the Dometic RTX 2000 more towards the front of the van, where we’d be working but instead installed a MaxxAir Fan.

This works really well with the Arctic Tern Window as it pulls air through it and outside of the van creating some much needed air circulation.

Isotherm Cruise 130 Fridge with Freezer

One of the most expensive items in our entire van build was our Isotherm Cruise 130 Fridge with Freezer and we’ve not had a great experience with it.

There is no way to set an exact temperature, instead there is a dial with 1 to 7 on it. I don’t know about you, but I want our groceries to be stored at 40*F and not whatever that is equates to on a scale of 1 to 7. 3.6? 4.2? Who knows.

From the very beginning, we’ve not be overly excited about this fridge even though people raved about it. We had to replace one of the electrical boards before we even added it to our van build.

To mount it to a cabinet, you have to screw through the side walls into the wood. Which, seems super inefficient. Why not sell a bracket?

Also, it’s not big enough for a pint of ice cream. Why include a freezer if it’s not big enough for a pint of ice cream.

The shelves are super flimsy and if you add too much to them, they fall from the channels that support them and everything just drops to the bottom of the fridge.

For a fridge/freezer that is for van builds, you would hope they would make the shelves a little more secure? Give me a solid mounting point and a stiff enough shelf to not worry about having to fix this everytime we go off a curb or off-road.

What would we have done instead? We would have gone with something like the Dometic CFX3 95 Dual Zone Powered Cooler.

It’s roughly the same capacity, it has a phone app to control the temperature, and the dual storage compartments have independent temperature control to allow for simultaneous cooling and freezing.

Which means, ice cream.

While there are other refrigerator options like the Dometic CRX 1080S which mimics our Isotherm, we would be more interested in something like the Dometic CoolMatic CD20 20L Drawer Refrigerator (below) as it allows for less movement of food items but obviously has a lot of issues with how tall items can be.

Building Bed East to West

While there are many ways to build a bed, we think we built ours wrong. Instead of building the bed east to west (driver side to passenger side), we would have instead built it north to south (front of the van to back of the van).

We aren’t that tall (5’10” and 5’7″) so on paper we fit perfectly east to west (especially with how well we engineered our bump outs), here’s a video of exactly how we framed out our Ford Transit.

We did not take into consideration was that we sleep in really weird postions. Arms over our heads, sprawled out like starfishes, toes pointed, you get the idea.

If we changed the bed layout to North to South and figured out a different layout for the kitchen and storage. It would be a very different looking van interior, but we’d probably get better sleep.

Modular Bed with Pass-Through

While this was originally designed with the sole purpose of putting a motorcycle into the van when shipping it to Europe, that most likely won’t happen.

Was it still a fantastic thought? Absolutely. For one reason, we are able to remove the cover and access our entire garage without getting out of the van and opening the rear doors.

Our “garage” area of our van was full of 6 Storage Bins that contained extra clothing, food storage, tools, supplies, backpacks, and basically anything else that you can think of.

Last fall we went to the Overland Expo: MTN West for some client work and it started raining really hard on us. So hard that we walked into the RackAttack tent and Katie entered into a competition for a rooftop tent.

Well, she won it.

Because we were so smart with the design of our van, we were able to slide the behemoth of a rooftop tent from Roofnest directly inside.

We don’t have a vehicle to install a Roofnest to so ultimately we had to sell it. Which is pretty sad because they are really cool.

Complex Water System

Alright, let’s get this straight. Our water system performed exactly how we designed it to work. We had a massive 37 Gallon tank, we had a water heater, we had PEX-A running through the entire van, we spent a lot of time designing and building this system.

Now, did we over engineer it? Yes.

We never turned on the water heater and we never took a shower. Which means our 37 gallon tank which was originally designed to last about a week, lasted us a month.

Is there a downside? Yes and no. To our water system? No. To us, yes.

When we went to New York City for a production shoot, we did not realize the temperature in Colorado (where we left the van) was going to drop so dramatically.

Did we have water in the system? Yes.

Did that water freeze and explode our water filter? Yes.

Could this have been avoided? Yes.

Moral of this very long story, the water system was over engineered but worked perfectly for our original intentions. Did we make a mistake and leave water in the system when it got really cold? Yes.

What would we have done differently? Remember when Katie won that fantastic roof top tent from a few paragraphs above? Well, she also won a fantastic water system for Vans and Overlanding vehicles.

Dometic now makes a 2.9 Gallon Water Jug and an electronic water faucet that work perfectly together.

We’ve had this small system in our sink for the past few months with absolutely no issue. It’s super easy to fill-up, it’s easy to clean, and it’s about the perfect size for a few days off-grid.

If we had to build another van/truck for overlanding, we’d buy 2 or 3 of these and have them mounted under the sink. We could quickly switch between the tanks when was becomes empty.

We’ve learned a lot of things in our van build but the biggest one is the at simple solutions are the best.

AUTO-VOX Rear View Mirror

If you bought a 2022 Ford Transit, you did not get an electronic back-up mirror. If you bought a 2023 Ford Transit, you got one.

It’s a pretty big headache because it’s quite the expense to get the OEM Rear View mirror replaced with the electronic version.

As a solution, we purchased an electronic Rear View Mirror from AUTO-VOX off of Amazon.

It was a little finicky to install but with the help of Andrew at Rex Overland we were able to get it up and running.

It’s been a fantastic addition to our van because the dash cam records everything in front of the van and rear works as a parking monitor. If someone would try to touch my motorcycle on the back of the van, the camera would start to record.

A small investment but a lot of peace of mind. We’d 100% suggest buying the AUTO-VOX Rear View Mirror for any van build.

Overbuilt Everything

Depending on how you look at it, this is a pro more than it’s a con.

What does “Overbuilt” even mean? Well as an example, it means instead of 1/2″ Birch Plywood to build cabinets, we used 3/4″ Birch Plywood. It’s stronger, which is great, but it’s also much heavier and much more expensive.

Could we have removed 500 lbs from our entire van build by switching from wood and going for extruded aluminum? Easily.

Could we have swapped our 37 gallon fresh water tank for 2 of the Dometic Water Jugs? Absolutely.

Did we need the 50+ bottles of the Loctite PL Marine Adhesive? Probably not, but we were so afraid of squeaks in our van build that we did not want to risk it.

With more practice and skills, we would have trusted the materials more and not have to rely on heavier materials and more of them.

Would we rather have a van that’s overbuilt? Absolutely. We bought Ford Transit 350 HD knowing we are going to have a heavy van build, so we knew it would be able to take everything that we threw at it.

Van? Truck? Trailer? Did we choose the right vehicle?

Like everything in life, it really depends. When we were out on the road we noticed (and quickly became jealous) of a lot of vehicles that were more capable than ours.

They were able to climb the dirt roads with much less of a struggle than ours and were ultimately able to get to the views that we could only dream of.

Pros of a van build:

Compact and Maneuverable: Easier to drive and park, especially in urban areas and tight spaces.
Integrated Living Space: Everything is contained within one vehicle, making it convenient and efficient.
Fuel Efficiency: Generally, vans have better fuel efficiency compared to trucks towing trailers.
Stealth Camping: Vans can be less conspicuous, allowing for stealth camping in urban or restricted areas.
Accessibility: Direct access to the living area from the driver’s seat, useful for quick stops and bad weather.

Cons of a van build:

Space Limitations: Vans have limited living and storage space, which can be a challenge for longer trips or larger families.
Customization Constraints: Less flexibility in terms of layout and amenities compared to a trailer.
Single Unit: If the van breaks down, your entire living space is out of commission.
Ventilation and Insulation: It can be harder to achieve good ventilation and insulation in a smaller, more confined space.

Truck And Hard Sided Camper

An overlanding build like the F350 Tremor and Scout Kenai was all over our trip. A truck with an in-bed camper makes a lot of sense for many reasons.

Pros of a Truck and a Hard Sided Camper:

You can buy/sell truck bed campers depending on what you are into that time. We are pretty stuck with our van and how we’ve built it out.
Versatility: Trucks with in-bed campers can handle off-road and rough terrain better than most vans, offering more camping location options.
Detachable Camper: The camper can be removed when not in use, allowing the truck to be used separately for errands or day trips.
Compact Setup: Easier to drive and park compared to a truck towing a trailer, with better maneuverability.
Amenities: Many in-bed campers come equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas, providing home-like comforts.
Higher Ground Clearance: Trucks generally have higher ground clearance than vans, making them suitable for off-road adventures.

Cons of a truck and hard sided camper:

They are much taller than our van build (Which is already almost 10.5′ tall) making trees and tunnels a much bigger concern.
Weight and Balance: The added weight of the camper can affect the truck’s handling, fuel efficiency, and overall balance.
Living Space: Limited living and storage space compared to a larger trailer or motorhome.
Setup and Removal: Removing and reattaching the camper can be time-consuming and require additional equipment.
You’ve got to get out of your truck to get into your camper. Bad weather is a big concern, but we are always thinking about an emergency. If you needed to, how quickly could you be driving your vehicle out of a campsite.
Cost: Quality truck campers can be expensive, and the combined cost of the truck and camper can be high.
Accessibility: Getting in and out of the camper can be less convenient compared to a van build, especially for frequent use.
Much less storage than what we’ve got in the van.

Truck and Soft Sided Camper

What about a pop-up bed camper like the Four Wheel Camper? Here are a few pros in our mind:

They are barely taller than the roof of a truck, so low-hanging trees and tunnels become a lot less of an issue.
You can buy them completely built-out or as just walls, allowing you to customize it as you see fit.
They are a lot let conspicuous as they look like a normal truck topper. If you need to sleep in an area that’s not to happy about campers, you could use sleep on the floor without too much of an issue.

Here are the cons of a truck and soft sided camper:

They are not as weatherproof as a hardshell camper because the material that expands is basically tent canvas. Horror stories of snow getting stuck in the canvas and when you collapse them they drip everywhere.
Not as safe as a hard sided option, a knife (or bear) could easily get into the canvas.
Extremely loud during windstorms.
Less strength on top to carry solar panels, A/C units, etc.

Vehicle with Tow-Behind Camper

This was also high on our consideration list because it allows for a lot more livability with your set-up.

Pro:

Separate Living and Driving Spaces: The trailer can be unhitched, allowing the truck to be used separately for errands or day trips.
More Space: Trailers generally offer more living space and storage, making them more comfortable for longer stays.
Customization Options: More flexibility in terms of layout and amenities, with a wide range of trailer sizes and configurations.
Home-Like Amenities: Trailers often come with full kitchens, bathrooms, and more home-like features.
Modularity: Easier to upgrade or replace the trailer or truck separately as needed.

Cons:

Maneuverability: Larger size and additional length can make driving and parking more challenging, especially in urban or tight areas.
Fuel Efficiency: Typically lower fuel efficiency due to the extra weight and drag of the trailer.
Cost: Potentially higher initial cost for both a truck and a trailer compared to a single van build.
Setup and Breakdown: Takes more time to set up and break down camp, especially when moving frequently.
Storage and Maintenance: Additional storage space needed for the trailer when not in use, and potentially more maintenance requirements for two separate units.

Truck or SUV with a Rooftop Tent

Pros:

Versatility: Trucks and SUVs can handle off-road and rough terrain better than most vans, offering more camping location options.
Quick Setup: Many rooftop tents are designed for quick setup and takedown, making it easy to get on the road quickly. Compared to a van though, it can’t compete.
Mobility: Easier to drive and park compared to a larger vehicle or a vehicle towing a trailer.
Space Utilization: Using the roof for sleeping quarters frees up interior space for storage and other uses.

Cons:

Weather Exposure: Rooftop tents are more exposed to weather conditions like wind, rain, and cold temperatures.
Comfort: Less comfortable compared to a fully equipped van build, with limited amenities like kitchen or bathroom facilities.
Accessibility: Climbing up and down to the tent can be inconvenient, especially for frequent bathroom trips at night.
Security: Less secure than a van, as the tent and gear are more exposed to potential theft.
Limited Space: Less overall living and storage space compared to a van build, which can be challenging for longer trips or larger groups.

Wow, what a wild tangent we just went on. Did we come up with a solution to what is the best vehicle for overlanding/van life? We did not.

But, we gave a bunch of pros and cons on what to think about when buying/building out a van and truck and why you should really consider what sort of adventure you are looking to get into.

Tripod Falling Over

This is a bit of a joke but honestly, not a huge fan of our tripod slowly falling over in the middle of the frame.

The issue is that our vlogging set-up is pretty robust. A Canon R5 with a Canon RF 15-35 2.8 L lens and a DJI Mic set-up being completely supported by the JOBY GorillaPod 5k.

Woo in the Frame

This little girl could not be out of frame for more than a few minutes. She knows that she is 100% the star of the video.

Lack of off-road capability

See this wash outside of Kenai National Park, Alaska? This was the most challenging campsite we took Clifford. From here, it looks relatively flat.

In reality, the long overhang of our Ford Transit + the motorcycle rack made this very difficult. We dragged and scratched the underside of the van multiple times as we drove to this lovely campsite.

This was pretty well covered in the “Van? Trailer? Did we choose the right vehicle” section above, go check it out.

Vehicle Jump Starter

Remember when we killed our van’s battery in Alaska, twice, in a week? Well we sure do. The first time we were able to flag someone down to come help us out.

The second time? A couple (also in a Ford Transit) handed us a NOCO Boost X GBX75 Jump Starter. Now, don’t let the name confuse you. This is a portable lithium batter with positive/negative clamps on it that you can jump start your battery.

There are a few different sizes dependent on the size of your engine. Our Ford Transit how a 3.5L Gas Engine so would have been fine with the GBX45 (which can handle a 6.5L Gas Engine and a 4L Diesel Engine.

We ended up buying a GBX75 which is strong enough for a 8.5L Gas / 6.5L Diesel Engine. Why? Because Joey wants a Ram 2500 Rebel Cummins one of these days, so future proofing ourselves.

In conclusion: If we had to build a van again, this is what we would do.

This (like many questions in this blog post) is extremely complex. We absolutely love our van build; Clifford is strong, long, and very capable.

We could have built a simpler van, we could have bought an AWD Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, we could have bought a truck, we could have gone the truck and trailer route, the “what ifs” of our van build could fill a book (or at least a very long blog post).

We built out our Ford Transit to do the one task of being able to take us to all drivable US National Parks and so far we’ve had absolutely no issues.

When we are done with this massive road trip, then what? We don’t actually know.

We might keep Clifford for when we are in the US and need a vehicle but our sights are set for international travel.

In the meantime, keep watching us and our channel. I’m sure we will have more thoughts on what’s next once we get closer to the end of this roadtrip.