Adventures with Benny the Van

Let me introduce you to Jake, a guy who once lived a conventional life with a steady 9-to-5 job and a cozy apartment. One day, he stumbled upon Benny, an old van, begging for a second chance. With a bit of savings and many dreams, Jake embarked on a journey that would change his life forever. For Jake, the Van Life was calling.

Jake’s Van Life Benefits

Jake sold his apartment, minimizing his expenses and maximizing his savings. Financial freedom was within reach. With Benny, he could travel and explore at his own pace, waking up to a new view every day. From Newfoundland and Labrador’s rocky coasts to Arizona’s red deserts, from Baja Mexico to British Colombia’s Giant Redwoods and the Hida Indian Totem Poles, Jake relished the flexibility and freedom that came with life on the road.

Living in Benny taught Jake the art of minimalist living. He learned to prioritize what was essential, carrying only what he needed. This simpler lifestyle was incredibly liberating, and the stress of cluttered living faded away. With every hike, camp, and sunset viewed from his van doorway, Jake felt a deep connection with nature. The world was his backyard, and he immersed himself in the beauty surrounding him.

The van life community welcomed Jake with open arms. He met fellow travellers at campsites, shared stories around bonfires, and found a supportive network that felt like family. This community and camaraderie made his journey even more enriching.

Jake customized Benny to suit his needs. He installed solar panels for power, built a cozy sleeping space with a fold-out bed, and added shelves for his belongings. This customization turned Benny into the perfect home on wheels. Living in a smaller space also meant Jake used fewer resources and generated less waste, making his lifestyle more sustainable.

Balancing Work and Travel

Jake found the work-life balance he had always dreamed of. A remote job allowed him to work from anywhere and pursue his passions and hobbies more freely. Benny became more than just a van; it symbolized freedom, simplicity, and connection.

As Jake’s journey continued, he realized that living the van life wasn’t just about the destinations he reached; it was about the experiences he gained along the way. Benny, the Van, wasn’t just a vehicle; it was his partner in adventure, offering endless possibilities and countless stories. And so, Jake and Benny travelled on, embracing the freedom, flexibility, and joy van life brought to their lives.

Our First Vehicle with Only Two Seats

Our Camper Van

In spring 2024, my wife Linda and I purchased a 1995 20-foot-long Pleasure-Way model STW, Class B camper van. It is our first two-seater; it is almost a sports car. After finishing the planned service work and making a few modifications, our RV was ready for a test road trip. It was now October, a sunny Fall afternoon.

With her Scottish heritage, Linda affectionately calls our van the “Wee Beastie.” We were driving the “Wee Beastie” along Ontario Highway 33 when we stumbled upon Wynn Farms, an apple orchard and corn maze advertising “Pick Your Apples Here. ” We spontaneously stopped the van to take a closer look…

Wandering the Orchard
A Family Lost in the Corn Maze

The Apple Orchard

After wandering the orchard and corn maze with our dogs, Hamish and Molly, talking with others, and enjoying ourselves, we got lost in the corn maze and ended up at the farm store.

I remember the night parked in that field, with the stars shining brightly in a dark, moonless sky; this was the moment I truly understood the freedom of van life.

The freedom allows you to explore new destinations whenever the mood strikes. With no fixed destination, you can chase sunny days and star-studded nights and find the most scenic spots to park, avoiding the constraints of a traditional lifestyle.

Every sunrise can be a new adventure, and every evening brings a different view. This unbounded lifestyle is perfect for those who crave spontaneity and the thrill of the unknown.

Our Van Selection Prosses:

      • We spent time online and physically reviewing different RVs and vans. Having decided on a make and model, we started our specific search.
      • Review of maintenance history was a high priority:
      • Safety inspection to be provided by the seller.
      • Condition of body, door hinges, and windows.
      • Inspect lights, steering linkages, underbody rust, brakes, springs, and shocks.
      • Confirm that appliances, propane, electrical, and plumbing systems are working,
      • The engine and transmission were inspected for operation, cleanliness, and oil leaks.
      • Test drive before and after fluid level and condition inspections.

Essential Modifications and Customizations:

A van is not an RV. A van has two parts: the chassis and the RV coach.

      • The chassis: In my case, the Dodge Ram 3500 has a frame, axles, and a 5.2L Magnum engine. Due to the weight and height. We needed a truck maintenance shop to get some of the work done. Benson Truck in Kingston.
      • The coach: In my case, the Pleasure-Way STW upper body with the body wiring and appliances. We needed an RV dealership to do some work on the coach.
      • I was able to perform most of the work myself.

Must-have Features for Comfort, Efficiency, and Reliability

Comfort, efficiency, and reliability are key to essential modifications and customizations for van life. These are the features that we addressed:

Comfort:

      • Insulation: Proper insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside the van. We installed additional insulation over the bare steel rear wheel arches under the beds.
    •  
    • Rear bedroom
      • Bed Setup: A comfortable bed setup is crucial. The Pleasure-Way STW sleeping area can be configured as a king-size bed or two singles. We have selected the two single options and extended the base width to add sleeping comfort. We are not 25 years old anymore! This configuration now allows side access to the fuse box and the 12VDC circuit breakers.
      • Climate Control: We installed a “Fan-Tastic Fan,” replacing the roof vent. We also added a gasoline-power generator, a portable electric heater, and a propane heater.
      • Lighting: All light bulbs were replaced with LEDs from Amazon.ca, and faulty light fittings were replaced.

Efficiency:

      • Solar Panels: Installing solar panels provides a reliable power source for your electronics and appliances. However, due to the contours of our moulded roof design, we have decided not to install solar panels initially but to rely on a generator for now.
      • Water System: One of the reasons we selected the Pleasure-Way STW was the built-in water system, which includes a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, toilet, and water tanks (fresh, grey, and black). These facilities, like the tanks, are small but adequate. We are not big people. We flushed and sanitized the system before use. Some DIY van modifications do not have a built-in toilet and rely on a portable toilet.
      • Storage Solutions: We added shelves to a clothes closet, losing the ability to hang clothes but adding storage space. We utilized every inch of space with custom cabinets, under-bed storage, and door-mounted organizers.
      • Kitchen: A compact kitchen with a stove, fridge, microwave, and basic cooking utensils makes meal preparation easier. However, we had a noise problem while driving from the stove vent fan, which was due to a loose mounting bracket.

These modifications enhance comfort and make ours and will make your van life more enjoyable.

Reliability:

      • Before purchasing the Dodge RAM 3500, we had concerns about the steering drift and vibration known as the “Dodge Death Wobble.” Research with the Pleasure-Way and the online user groups, followed by an examination by Benson Truck in Kingston, confirmed that the previous owner’s replacement steering linkages, new steering box, and alignment had eliminated the “Dodge Death Wobble” as a problem.

    Spring examination Benson Trucks

      • However, the van still tended to sway at highway speeds. Benson Trucks installed additional Leaf springs on the rear springs. The extra springs lifted the van’s backend by 5cm, pushing the coach’s weight forward to reduce the sway. This modification to the original design made an incredible improvement to the drivability.
      • The tires were DOT stamped and were only 36 months old, with low mileage since installation. So, we did not replace them.
      • I have no record of the engine serpentine drive belt being replaced, so it was probably the original and is now 29 years old. The belt has been replaced, and the idler pully inspected.
      • The engine, transmission, and differential oil were flushed and replaced with synthetic oil, and the respective oil filters were also replaced. Mr. Lube, Kingston
      • The air filters have been replaced.
      • The radiator has been drained, flushed, and refilled.

Malcolm Picking and Eating an Apple
Wynn Farm Store

Conclusion:

The freedom of van life changes your outlook on life. Life in a van slows down. The freedom to be spontaneous is liberating. Yes, liking each other and appreciating your partner’s needs as you share the smaller space is essential.

I remember that sunny October day with a cool breeze blowing off Lake Ontario over the apple orchard. I can still see the faces of people happily wandering the orchard picking apples. It was an enjoyable afternoon.

At the farm store, where they sold the bounty of this year’s harvest, people looked drained of energy from an outdoor afternoon of fun and exposure to the sun and wind. They paid for their apples, pumpkins, and pies. Finally, they retreated to their cars, with parents counting their children’s heads; they did not want to lose one as they readied themselves for the hard drive home.

We reached the “Wee Beastie,” started our van’s generator, got the heater working, turned on the coffee percolator, and sat comfortably in our van front chairs. Armchairs turned to face the rear of the coach and the table while the microwave warmed two slices of farm store fresh apple crumble. We ate the warm apple crumble topped with ice cream from our van’s freezer. I had asked the farm manager if we could stay in the orchard parking field overnight, and she said yes. We were turning our dreams into a reality.

You, like Jake, can reap life’s benefits of owning a van like Benny.

Coming soon to the Explorer Club RV Newsletter. Embracing the Van Life Part 2 – The Challenges, Rewards, and Stories of Living Van Life.

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