We had the opportunity to attend the final Adventure Van Expo of the year in San Juan Capistrano. The crisp fall weather set the perfect scene for a few enjoyable hours exploring adventure vans, meeting diverse vendors and builders, and gaining insight into what suits our needs. Being there, we were impressed with the creativity and inspiration fueled by the spirit of wanderlust.

We are definitely leaning towards a shorter wheelbase. While the Sprinter 170 offers comfort, the shorter wheelbase provides easier maneuverability and greater convenience. An adventure van is exactly what we want, and we look forward to renting and experiencing one soon. Also, we have determined we want a bathroom in the van. 😀

What did we learn today? People have different priorities when it comes to adventure vans. For some, having a built-in toilet is essential. How much gear you want to travel with and the comforts inside the van must also be carefully considered. How do you plan to use the van? Will it be for weekend trips or full-time travel? Talking through these questions with your builder will help determine the size of the van you need and which features to include.

Many manufacturers are shifting toward all-electric builds. This means that aside from the fuel in the tank used to power the heater, all your electricity needs will be met by a battery system that is charged through solar panels, your alternator, and shore power connections. The amount of energy you require depends on how long you plan to “boondock” or stay off the grid. Water management is another key factor—how much fresh water, gray water (used water), and black water (waste) you store in the van will impact the overall GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR is the maximum safe weight the manufacturer specifies for the fully loaded vehicle, including the van itself, fuel, water, passengers, installed equipment, and cargo. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider the weight of all your gear and features.

Carrying all that weight means you also need to think about where you’re taking it. If you plan to travel off highways, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle can handle those conditions. This includes having tires, shocks, and suspension designed to keep you stable and on track, helping you reach your destination safely.

With all these things in We are definitely leaning towards a shorter wheelbase. While the Sprinter 170 offers comfort, the shorter wheelbase provides easier maneuverability and greater convenience. An adventure van is exactly what we want, and we look forward to renting and experiencing one soon. Also, we have determined we want a bathroom in the van. 😀

去參觀房車博覽會

我們有幸參加了在聖胡安卡皮斯特拉諾舉辦的本年度最後一場探險房車博覽會。秋高氣爽，天氣宜人，我們度過了幾個小時，探索探險房車，結識了形形色色的供應商和製造商，並深入了解了哪些房車符合我們的需求。在那裡，我們被旅行精神所激發的創造力和靈感所震撼。

我們今天學到了什麼？對於探險麵包車來說，人們的優先考慮因素各不相同。有些人認為內置衛生間至關重要。此外，你還必須仔細考慮要攜帶多少裝備以及車內的舒適度。你打算如何使用這輛麵包車？是週末旅行還是全職旅行？與你的建造者討論這些問題將有助於確定你需要的麵包車尺寸以及需要包含哪些功能。

許多製造商正在轉向全電動化。這意味著，除了油箱中用於驅動加熱器的燃油外，您的所有電力需求都將由電池系統滿足，該系統透過太陽能電池板、交流發電機和岸電連接進行充電。您所需的電量取決於您計劃在野外露營或脫離電網的時間。水管理是另一個關鍵因素—您在貨車中儲存多少淡水、灰水（廢水）和黑水（廢水）將影響整體車輛總重量 (GVWR)。 GVWR 是製造商為滿載車輛指定的最大安全重量，包括貨車本身、燃油、水、乘客、已安裝的設備和貨物。因此，仔細考慮所有裝備和功能的重量至關重要。

承載如此重的車輛意味著您還需要考慮將其運送到何處。如果您打算非高速公路行駛，請務必確保您的車輛能夠應對這些路況。這包括配備輪胎、避震器和懸架，以確保車輛穩定行駛，並保持在正確的軌道上，以幫助您安全抵達目的地。

考慮到所有這些因素，我們絕對傾向於更短的軸距。雖然Sprinter 170提供了舒適性，但較短的軸距帶來了更佳的操控性和便利性。探險房車正是我們想要的，我們期待很快能租到並體驗一下。另外，我們已經決定要在房車裡加個浴室了。 😀