First time reader here - another early stage NJ van build bud just switched me on to you guys. I’m thinking you can answer a question we both are struggling with…..
Who do you insure your DIY van build with? So far we are finding dead ends in NJ.
Hi there, glad to have you “along for the ride!” We tried to go to progressive directly and we’re told they would not insure. However, the agent we talked with gave us the name of ASE insurance agency, elisha@aseinsuranceagency.com- thru agreed to insure at our declared build out value. Hope this helps!
We are/were! There for nearly 20 years. Both of my girls went to Columbia High. After we left the “rat race” headed out in the van we bid it a fond farewell. Still many dear friends there. We now have a home in Ithaca NY.
Hi there - first time commenter here. Having stumbled upon Substack and then your blog only about a month ago, I’ve been drinking in your long adventure practically in one big gulp and I just caught up to “live” today with your most recent post. As a lover of both words and travel your blog hit the sweet spot for me and I simply have to give kudos where kudos are due. I’ve so enjoyed getting a glimpse of your many adventures but more so you sharing with honesty and vulnerability the impact of your journey on you as a person.
Also in our early 50’s, my wife and I are in the dreaming phase of what our future adventures will be. Ours is likely to be of the slow travel international country hopping variety rather than your van life situation, but it seems the process to get there will need to be the same: dream, decide, plan, plan some more, prepare, leap, execute, adjust, and enjoy.
Your stories were deeply inspiring and a reminder that you can make stuff happen if you really want it badly enough. So, thank you!
Sadly, my binging is over, so now I guess I just have to sit back and impatiently wait for your next post...😉
Joshua, I am so moved by your kind words. I started writing these journal entries mostly as a way to capture feelings and moments for myself- I knew what we were undertaking would be transformative on so many levels. That said, I have been surprised and honored to have so many people - both friends and strangers- are reading what I have written and connecting to it. Yes, I have been honest and vulnerable; wrote this way because I wanted to be able revisit my writing and for it to capture the memory authentically. The more I write, the more I realize how important it has been to this experience. The journal is, itself, a character in this story. I hope you will keep reading. I take comfort, as I craft these entries, that there is someone reading, connecting, feeling things, and smiling. Warmly, Amie
I'm looking forward to the next jacking upgrade that will use a MEMS level and microprocessor to one-button level the van. Loved all the details and pictures! ;-)
Yep that would be a fun project! One approach could be to combine both lifting the low corners and compressing the high ones. Something like eight servos with jacks/screws, keep it electric and avoid the hydraulic pump & lines. I would prefer to have 2 corners down 4" and the other 2 up 4" versus lifting 8".
Vendors like EQ Systems sell automatic hydraulic leveling systems... starting at $4k. Our four scissor jacks were $180 total, and each is rated for 9500 lb. No doubt this rating is only for vertical loads. I couldn't find lateral load specs, and the installation instructions "use only on level ground" were not so helpful.
Unfortunately the campsites that require leveling are almost always on sloped ground - never simply four level patches at different elevations. My main concern is lateral stability on extreme slopes that both create higher lateral loads and require greater jack extension. Gulp!
For highly sloped sites, we have been driving up onto stacks of rubber mats at the lowest tires, chocks uphill, set e-brake and have AWD in park. The jacks are used for final level tuning by partially unloading the suspension with the hope tires/wheels take some of the lateral load - and provide a more controlled landing if a jack collapses.
Good points! We considered both hydraulic actuators with spring retraction for leveling and also an auto filtration back flush timed to the shower pump power on/off cycles since media efficiency probably decreases more linearly with number of showers versus flow volume.
Hi there, thanks for the great note. We have a nature’s head composting toilet which we love (yes, it’s possible to love a toilet!) and it works well for us. It is in our “wet bath” shower. We are currently in NM (City of Rocks) and we have also hit the chilly windy streak- had a dusting of snow in Big Bend, crazy wind at Aguirre Springs and below freezing night temps with wind here. Thankful for our Webasto heater. Good luck with the build out of the Promaster! Not sure you have seen it, but here is a quick vid of our rig build. https://youtu.be/7o9m01HKQsY
First time reader here - another early stage NJ van build bud just switched me on to you guys. I’m thinking you can answer a question we both are struggling with…..
Who do you insure your DIY van build with? So far we are finding dead ends in NJ.
Hoping you can help!
Thanks!!
Hi there, glad to have you “along for the ride!” We tried to go to progressive directly and we’re told they would not insure. However, the agent we talked with gave us the name of ASE insurance agency, elisha@aseinsuranceagency.com- thru agreed to insure at our declared build out value. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much…. This is very helpful. I’ll give them a call!
PS - I believe you guys are from Maplewood… my wife grew up there…!
We are/were! There for nearly 20 years. Both of my girls went to Columbia High. After we left the “rat race” headed out in the van we bid it a fond farewell. Still many dear friends there. We now have a home in Ithaca NY.
I have great memories of Maplewood. When my wife and I first met we used to bike in South mountain all the time before the “trail wars”.
Ithaca is beautiful!
Hi there - first time commenter here. Having stumbled upon Substack and then your blog only about a month ago, I’ve been drinking in your long adventure practically in one big gulp and I just caught up to “live” today with your most recent post. As a lover of both words and travel your blog hit the sweet spot for me and I simply have to give kudos where kudos are due. I’ve so enjoyed getting a glimpse of your many adventures but more so you sharing with honesty and vulnerability the impact of your journey on you as a person.
Also in our early 50’s, my wife and I are in the dreaming phase of what our future adventures will be. Ours is likely to be of the slow travel international country hopping variety rather than your van life situation, but it seems the process to get there will need to be the same: dream, decide, plan, plan some more, prepare, leap, execute, adjust, and enjoy.
Your stories were deeply inspiring and a reminder that you can make stuff happen if you really want it badly enough. So, thank you!
Sadly, my binging is over, so now I guess I just have to sit back and impatiently wait for your next post...😉
Joshua, I am so moved by your kind words. I started writing these journal entries mostly as a way to capture feelings and moments for myself- I knew what we were undertaking would be transformative on so many levels. That said, I have been surprised and honored to have so many people - both friends and strangers- are reading what I have written and connecting to it. Yes, I have been honest and vulnerable; wrote this way because I wanted to be able revisit my writing and for it to capture the memory authentically. The more I write, the more I realize how important it has been to this experience. The journal is, itself, a character in this story. I hope you will keep reading. I take comfort, as I craft these entries, that there is someone reading, connecting, feeling things, and smiling. Warmly, Amie
I'm looking forward to the next jacking upgrade that will use a MEMS level and microprocessor to one-button level the van. Loved all the details and pictures! ;-)
Yep that would be a fun project! One approach could be to combine both lifting the low corners and compressing the high ones. Something like eight servos with jacks/screws, keep it electric and avoid the hydraulic pump & lines. I would prefer to have 2 corners down 4" and the other 2 up 4" versus lifting 8".
Vendors like EQ Systems sell automatic hydraulic leveling systems... starting at $4k. Our four scissor jacks were $180 total, and each is rated for 9500 lb. No doubt this rating is only for vertical loads. I couldn't find lateral load specs, and the installation instructions "use only on level ground" were not so helpful.
Unfortunately the campsites that require leveling are almost always on sloped ground - never simply four level patches at different elevations. My main concern is lateral stability on extreme slopes that both create higher lateral loads and require greater jack extension. Gulp!
For highly sloped sites, we have been driving up onto stacks of rubber mats at the lowest tires, chocks uphill, set e-brake and have AWD in park. The jacks are used for final level tuning by partially unloading the suspension with the hope tires/wheels take some of the lateral load - and provide a more controlled landing if a jack collapses.
Great job Tom. That engineering degree really helps with the troubleshooting.
He really IS McGyver!
Only Tom. I was thinking what about the ARC support jack crosslink arrangement for leveling and pew tried lines for the water filters?
Good points! We considered both hydraulic actuators with spring retraction for leveling and also an auto filtration back flush timed to the shower pump power on/off cycles since media efficiency probably decreases more linearly with number of showers versus flow volume.
Love reading the post and all your doing. We travel full time in a toyhauler. It’s almost been a year on the road.
I actually really want that side step for our RAM250. And the filter ideas have me thinking
While parked this winter we did put in an OGO compost toilet.
Works great so far
We love it
And no no smells.
We are in Quartzsite Arizona still soaking up the sun. Very windy and actually very chilly this year.
Eventually may head to New Mexico.
Then up to the north west
Safe travels to you three ~
Hi there, thanks for the great note. We have a nature’s head composting toilet which we love (yes, it’s possible to love a toilet!) and it works well for us. It is in our “wet bath” shower. We are currently in NM (City of Rocks) and we have also hit the chilly windy streak- had a dusting of snow in Big Bend, crazy wind at Aguirre Springs and below freezing night temps with wind here. Thankful for our Webasto heater. Good luck with the build out of the Promaster! Not sure you have seen it, but here is a quick vid of our rig build. https://youtu.be/7o9m01HKQsY
PS we stayed in Kofa just outside Quartzite and loved. Awesome mountain biking. Pics in our insta: @we_two_van_dreamers