In our last post, we shared some of the reasons why the trailer was becoming a bit cumbersome and why the move to a van was welcomed. Well, some of you already think we are crazy for going smaller but here are the reasons why (in no particular order):
- Better fuel economy
- Easier to drive, maneuver, and park
- More options to moochdock. Sometimes our tiny travel trailer was still too big to park in driveways or city streets while visiting friends and family
- More inconspicuous than a bright red travel trailer
- Stealthier for boondocking in urban places. We don’t do this often but we did boondocks in LA
- Better technology options (lithium ion batteries, under the hood “generator”, solar, etc.)
- Cassette toilet. Yup, that’s where the poo goes. There are some many more options to empty our “black tank” now
- We can fit in just about any normal parking spot and any camping spot. To save a few bucks, we get tent sites instead of RV spots at campgrounds. So easy to fit just about anywhere!
- 6 year transferable warranty
Ok, enough of the why we switched and now more of the here’s what we switched to. Everyone, meet Ellie!!! Ellie is a Hymer Aktiv 1.0 Class B RV (camper van) on a Dodge Promaster 2500 chassis. As you can imagine, she has all of the comforts of home and then some in a sweet small package.
Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon
For those folks that want all of the specs, here you go!
So, what do you think? Doesn’t she kind of look like a little ugly elephant. Get it…? Ellie…