1st Road Test Trip - Wyoming, here we come !

What a treat this trip was ! The van did great, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming was absolutely gorgeous. Photo highlights from the trip here
 
Yeah, yeah, we know: proud as a clam ! But what's the juice on the Good, the Bad and the Ugly ?

 The Ugly: van tipping !
 
Got a bit of a scare driving on highway 287 between Rawlins and Lander. 60MPH+ winds. The highway was closed to "Light and tall vehicles". A few miles past that sign... a semi pulling 2 trailers was laying on its side !
Stock pic: a common sight in Wyoming. Sleeping giants !
 
I felt okay in the current state of the build. Thanks to the low center of gravity, in the temporary absence of the solar roof, and to the 300lbs battery on the rear axle. But several times the Transit lurched toward the edge of the lane. It had sails ! 😨
How not to drive in Wyoming on a windy day 💀
 
A good lesson. Had the solar roof system been installed, that drive would not have been possible that day. Another foot of height and over 200lbs on the roof, would have been too much. I like tipping cows, but not my van 😅

So, I am reconsidering a couple of things to move weight even lower down, and develop a lighter solar roof system.
 
 The Bad !
 
Well, the Transit's basic driver seat is not really designed for long trips. Arms get tired fast. Need a left armrest and better support. 
 
This said, the only issue that really stood out was the rattling noises when driving on dirt roads with washboards.
They came primarily from the sink cabinet. Makes sense. It's the only one that is not bolted or clamped down, as it slides to reveal the shower and the toilet. I will have to find a way to easily but properly clamp it down for travel.

Any Good ?
 
Pretty much everything else about the build ! The bed elevator, electricals, garage trays, dining area, pantry, drawers, floor... you name it. No breakdown, no deafening rattles, no surprises.

And the convenience... am hooked ! Can get the bed ready or put away in seconds. Food always ready in the fridge, and water is right there. Am never going back to sleeping in the back of a Ford Explorer, pitching up the tent at night or cutting a hike short to find a hotel 😅
 
Actually, I was not fully honest about The Bad. Another negative is the 10s of add'l ideas this test run gave me to facilitate life on board even more:
  • Install a large monitor & laptop table  behind the driver seat for photo editing
  • Add curtains / blinds on cab windows + windshield for photo editing
  • Integrate a laptop table in the sliding door for the passenger
  • Connect the engine block heater to the 110V system for starts in harsh weather
  • Glue plastic mirrors to the back of the windshield shades
  • Install holds for storing the mountain bike paniers on the cargo doors
  • Bug screens for the cargo & sliding doors
  • Design a shoe dryer attachment that mounts on the garage fan's grille
  • Etc
Might get to it in another lifetime... 😅
 
____________________________________ 

 
 
 

Comments

Post a Comment