Van Build (Vanessa) - August 2019-May 2020

I finally did it, I sold my house and bought a van.  She is called Vanessa.  I have such great plans for her.  Here are a few pics of the build:

Of course it couldn't be mine without an FMF sticker!

 

This is what she looked like when I bought her.

  

The first thing I did was get a trailer hitch installed and then a small middle seat installed so it can be a three-passenger van.

I also got commercial heavy-duty mats installed.  These are super comfy and cut the road noise down significantly.  I used furings and only anchored them in the van's thick braces.

 

I got a fan installed which runs off a secondary marine battery, which is also connected to an inverter.  It can charge and run small electrical appliances.  I insulated with bubble foil.

I kept the original lights and covered them.  They go on when the doors open.

I opted for curtains for privacy as I like the look.  These are blackout curtains and work wonderfully.  They also block out heat and cold from the cabin.  For a while I used a camping cot inside as my bed.

 

I decided to build a bed.

I used fence 2x4 holders.

These can stay in place if I need to take the bed apart to use the van as a van/cargo carrier.

2x4 for bed base.

A sheet of 3/4 inch plywood as the base and my old camping mattress.

Screen to keep the bugs out.

Shoe rack anchored for all my girly things and a hanging rack for my clothes.

December 2019 - Utah Ski Trip

James and I had another ski trip, Salt Lake City, Utah.  We used Vanessa and the trailer Max.  We drove from Vankleek Hill, Ontario to Salt Lake City, Utah, and back, without any issues and in total comfort.  My God Vanessa is the best.

Here we are, about to leave.  James is by far the best travel companion ever.

Interstate 80 is one of the most beautiful roads I have ever driven.  Smooth and scenic.

We took some time off to visit an indoor shooting range.  I got to try an AR15.  It was so fun.  I was both scared and excited at the same time.

 

James trying out his rifle.

 

My fist couple of rounds.  It was both exciting and scary at the same time.  What a feeling!

 

This was our Christmas Day photo.  Merry Christmas!

We stayed at the SLC KOA.  It is only 30-40 minutes to all ski hills.

View from the KOA.