I downsized . . . again. Crazy, I know, but hear me out!
It all started just over a year ago as I was preparing to head out for my 3rd winter traveling full-time. The previous year had been a lot. I traveled for over nine months and had only been back in Minnesota for two. One of my two rabbits, Peter, died because he'd gone into GI Stasis and emergency vets that could admit exotics weren't accepting walk-ins. On top of all of this, I was tired of the limitations of a 30-foot Class C. Needless to say, I wasn't as enthusiastic as I had been in past years.
Fast forward four months and the itch for change, for something smaller, had only grown. I wanted a van. I had certain parameters that had to be met, however, and I just didn't see something the size I wanted aligning with my needs.
For me, there are two things that are deal breakers with vans:
either no toilet or you have to do a compost toilet (no, just no. I'm not the type of person who can deal with that)
wasted space because of the bed. Either you have to reset your bed into a booth every day (SO not happening) or there's a cubby, aka wasted space, beneath. In addition, traveling with a bunny, even a geriatric one who mostly eat, sleeps, & poops all day, demands a good amount of floor space for him to live. Between these two things, the usual van set up wasn't an option for me.
I was caught between what I wanted and what I needed.
Then…serendipity! At a lovely Harvest Host location in the middle of nowhere Louisiana, I saw it: a van with what I thought was a sewage port! (I was wrong, but not completely). RV/van people are really awesome and, since I’ve spent over three years being one of them, I knew that most were more than happy to share their experiences with their rig and give a tour. The van couple were exactly that sort. When I approached them they were an absolute joy. They told me no, the van didn't have a black tank but what it did have was pretty awesome: a cassette toilet. Basically it was a little sewage suitcase that could be popped out a side compartment and wheeled (yes, wheeled!) to dump into any dump station or non-pit toilet (the chemicals would mess with the natural biodegrading).
My first issue? Now a non-issue.
it only got more perfect when they took me inside. I fell in love. Okay, that might be an overstatement, but truly, it was like they had me in mind when they designed it. Why you ask? Oh no big deal, Just something called a HYDROLIC BED!! This van – the Revel 4x4 – had something very similar to my current set-up. In the back, instead of a booth or stationary bed, there was a “garage" space with a bed that raised and lowered, allowing for a surprisingly large (for a van) storage area. (a.k.a. bunny space!)
The moment I parted ways with the van couple my mind was made up: I was going to get that van. (Well, not THAT van but you know what I mean). Not one to delay after a decision was made, I called my parents (who, as usual were supportive and positive in their response, but I think they are used to my somewhat wild ideas at this point) and told them I was coming home to save up and sell the RV.
6 months later…. I'm home in Minnesota, Benjamin & I are settled into my parents house, and the RV has been maintenanced and sits empty in the driveway. My original plan was to sell the RV in the spring, when people were looking, but I didn't get any bites. I watched the market for my van, I saw prices go up and occasionally go down, but I bided my time…bided?...bade my time?... I waited. I knew how much I was willing to pay but I also knew that there are better times to buy and I was in no rush. As with so many things, timing is everything.
It happened while I was in Portland, visiting one of my best friends. I hopped onto the RV sales website and put in my usual search, expecting the usual result. I nearly dropped my phone when I realized what I was seeing: they had dropped the price by over twenty thousand on a used one with low miles that was the exact year I was looking for! Only issue was It was located in Idaho Falls. But that was a problem for future Amy. I immediately expressed my interest in a trade.
Within 20 minutes I got a call: “I see you're interested in the 2021 Revel.” You better believe it! While watching my friend's child in gymnastics I talked specs, by the time we arrived back at her house we were talking logistics & trade-in value, and by dinner I had put down money and agreed to drive my RV the 20 hours from Minnesota to middle of nowhere Idaho for my new van.
I walked into their kitchen and told my friend & her husband, “I think I just bought a van . . . in Idaho.”
Five days later I was leaving home, taking Tallulah on our final adventure together.
So, yeah, I now have a van . . . and I think I love it.
Comments