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Having rebuilt and over-the-top-modified a few vans myself, I can tell you: It’s a lot of fun.

But it’s also a lot of work!  And even with my home shop, I sometimes wonder if I’ve gotten in over my head.  So what do you do if you want to configure your own van and save a few bucks, but it’s your first time trying it, and you don’t have a shop full of tools?  Well now, there’s an answer for you – behold!

 

I gotta be honest with you, this is the coolest new idea I’ve seen in the vanlife space in a good while.  Winnebago has partnered with Adventure Wagon to put out a kinda-DIY, kinda already-done van that checks all the right boxes for those who couldn’t necessarily start from scratch.  Winnebago takes an empty cargo van, insulates it (which is a royal PITA to do yourself), adds windows, finishes up the inside walls (another super annoying festival of irregular cuts), and installs pull-tested L-track at regular intervals throughout the van.

The L-track is spaced at the proper intervals for you to install equipment from Adventure Wagon, and Winnebago includes several standard modules with the base van.  The modules include a bed, an extra belted passenger seat, a galley/countertop, a toilet/seat, a mounted Dometic cooler, and an EcoFlow power station.

But the best thing about this – if you’re someone like me – is that you can build your own interior modules if you wanted to.  The big advantage here is that you’d be working on just a bite-sized chunk of the build.  You wouldn’t have to worry about how to mount it to the van (just use the track), or how to fit it in around interior walls or plumbing lines (because there are none!).  At the end of the day, the vehicle is qualified and sold as an RV, just as it is, so you won’t worry about having to explain to your insurance agent exactly what it is you’ve done.

The Cool Stuff

There’s a lot of cool stuff to go over here, so it’s probably best just to watch the video.  But if you want my short list of what’s cool, here you go:

  • Windows pre-installed, so you don’t have to worry about sealing that mess up or cutting the metal body of the van.
  • Apart from the windows and the vent fan, there are NO holes cut into the van that I could find.  The envelope remains intact.
  • No black tank.  No grey tank.  No fresh tank.  No plumbing underneath to worry about freezing.
  • Small but functional self-contained system for potable water and washing.
  • Cassette (Porta-Potti) convenience if you’re going stealth.
  • L-Track is sturdy enough to safely mount additional passenger seats.
  • All modules are completely removable.  You could load pallets inside this thing if you want!
  • Ecoflow Delta Pro power station is also removable and portable – so you can take it to where you need power.
  • Additional equipment available from Adventure Wagon includes slide-out tray. (You know I’m thinking bikes…)
  • L-Track gives you the capability to mount just about anything you can think of – securely – inside the van.
  • Clean up would be super easy.  Literally – you could clean it with a leaf blower.

 

Currently, the Winnebago + Adventure wagon is sold on the 170 inch wheel base Sprinter, and is available in either 2WD or 4WD.  But I have to imagine there would be demand for this on the shorter wheel base Sprinter or Transit platforms.  Winnebago hasn’t committed to any of those yet, however.

Cheers!