Sprinter Van Solar Panel Installation: Easy and Affordable
Van Solar Panel Installation Trying to find the best solar panels for a van conversion can seem overwhelming. There are so many options and deciding what is best for you might feel like a challenge in the beginning. After doing much research, we share our solution for an affordable Sprinter van solar panel installation. It’s … Read More
Campervan Fan: Maxx Air Fan Install
Since we’re newbies to van building, there are going to be a lot of firsts. We tried to put off this first as long as we could, but the day finally came for us to do what we’ve been dreading – cutting a hole in our BRAND NEW van. If you want to install a … Read More
Sprinter Van Floor Build + DIY Van Floor Insulation
This week the van build gets real. We start our first major project on a beautiful day in Truckee, CA – the Sprinter van floor build! With absolutely no carpentry skills, and after doing A LOT of research, we’re quite happy with our result. The van subfloor is rock solid and there’s no more “slip … Read More
Roof Rail Installation on Sprinter Van
Today’s project is another quick and easy one. Since our Sprinter didn’t come with roof rails already installed, we walk through our roof rail installation step-by-step, including the rails we ordered, tools we use, and what we learned at the end of the video. Have any questions? Ask in the comments section below! To view … Read More
Sprinter Van Gas Engine vs Diesel – the Best Choice for Your Van Build
Without question, Mercedes 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel is popular among van builders & 4WD has been the go-to for adventure van builds. But, aside from a handful of years where Mercedes offered a 4 cylinder diesel option, it’s also been the only choice for several years. This begs a question: Now that Mercedes offers a … Read More
Our First DIY Van Build Project – Applying Sound Deadener to our Sprinter
We’ve reached the starting line at last! It’s van build DAY 1 and we’re tackling our first project of many to come. To kick things off, we’re dipping our toe in the water by taking on what could possibly be the easiest project of our entire build: Installing Kilmat Sound Deadener. Our Goal is simple: … Read More
Our Mercedes Sprinter Van Build Layout
Since we purchased a new Mercedes Sprinter 170 to convert into our new van home, we’ve been working long hours on our van build layout. After we briefly discuss our van build requirements, we head to the van to tape out the layout and give a pre-build van tour. While we’ve built two Land Cruisers … Read More
We Bought a Van! Our New Tiny House on Wheels
Right now, we thought we’d be somewhere in Siberia, driving our Land Cruiser Troopy east for Mongolia and the Stans. But like almost everyone, this year hasn’t exactly gone as planned. With the coronavirus serving up an unexpected fork in the road, we now find ourselves back in the US on a very different sort … Read More
Four Friends, a VW Syncro, and an Off-Road Adventure to Cocaine Flats
We continue to enjoy exploring Truckee and the surrounding area as we wait to head back to our Troopy in Argentina. We take our first overnight trip since we got here to the Nevada Desert with our friends, Christian and Persephone. We first met them at an Overland Expo 11 years ago, where they … Read More
Quarantine Day in the Life: From Global Travel to Backyard Adventure
Since our last vlog, we left our tiny cabin in the woods near Yosemite to spend the summer at a friend’s house in beautiful Truckee, California – only 10 miles from Lake Tahoe. After our motorcycle trip to Alaska ended in 2016, we stayed in Truckee and instantly fell in love. A beautiful mountain town, … Read More
Overland Life Interrupted – From Life on the Road to a Tiny Cabin in the Woods
In our 4th Vlog on Youtube, we share our quarantine routine. Two weeks ago we were living life on the road as we traveled across South America in our Land Cruiser, Maggie. Then the coronavirus forced us to abandon van life and retreat to the U.S. Now we find ourselves quarantined in a tiny … Read More
Overlanding South America During a Pandemic: Evacuate or Stay?
Heading north for Bolivia, we’re faced with the Coronavirus’ rapid advance into South America. Episode 3 covers a stressful week where we’re forced to make a difficult choice. With borders closing, quarantines going into effect, and flights being canceled, we can either try to ride out the pandemic in Argentina or abandon our overland travels, … Read More
After 24 Years of Travel, We’re FINALLY Starting a Vlog!
Travel has been our lifestyle for the past 24 years. Now, 5 years into our current trip, we’re FINALLY starting a travel vlog! In our first vlog, we take the opportunity to explain a little bit about us – how me met, our past travels, and where the road might lead. We hope you’ll join … Read More
Drive the World: Guyana’s Carnivorous Potholes
Potholes, Potholes, Everywhere Shortly after returning from Africa in 2008, Sheri and I visited my parents in N.C. One night we went out to dinner and on our way back my mom warned me to drive carefully as there was a pothole a couple of blocks ahead. “Please take care. Ahead there’s a pothole on … Read More
Drive the World: Southern Africa
A Self Drive Safari Through Southern Africa This week’s post introduces our new video series – ‘Drive the World,’ which aims to convey what it’s like to explore the world overland. To kick things off, our first video features Southern Africa. Using footage shot during Maggie’s first 100 days, we offer a fast forward overview … Read More