Syllabus: Vans: Equipping for Overland Travel

Overland Expo : 2024

Instructor

Sean Michael, PhD

Sean.michael@usu.edu

435-881-7590

Instagram: thegeardoctor

Description

Vans offer a roomy, functional platform for travel, but are they right for overlanding? This step- by-step class walks you through selecting a van, choosing the right equipment, and designing the interior for your style of adventure travel. Hands-on demo’s will show a purpose built van to show examples of design solutions, including sleeping, galley, climate control, off-grid power, and trail handling/recovery.

Class Type

Visual aid-based presentation

Category

Set-up

Level

Intermediate

Focus

Vehicle

Class Flow 

Intro

  • Help attendees navigate the options they face when considering a van.
  • Explain the benefits and limitations that vans present for overland travel.
  • Use case study of purpose-build van to demonstrate “decision tree” of choices
  • Sean E. Michael, PhD, 2024
  • Illustrate the interior volume and examples of key products from various manufacturers to address important needs (e.g., sleeping, suspension, recovery, power generation, food storage/prep).
  • Note: We will not demonstrate driving, though the subject is briefed addressed.

Outline

  • Intro -- 1min
  • Why a Van for Overlanding? -- 2min
  • Acquiring Your Van -- 3min
  • Platforms: Comparing Makes/models -- 5min
  • How to Choose? -- 3min
  • Readying to Roam -- 12min
    1. Basic Outfitting (tires, suspension, recovery, air, repair)
    2. Beds
    3. Storage
    4. Galley (food storage/prep)
    5. Water/bath
    6. Climate Control
    7. Insulation
    8. Power (system design, solar, elec. mngt, engine/alternator factors)
    9. Privacy
  • DIY, Kits, Upfitters and Pre-built’s -- 4min
  • Design and Fabrication Considerations -- 3min
  • Where Can Vans Go? -- 5min
  • Walk Thru / Q&A -- 10min
  • Links to Resources -- 1min

Additional Info

This course was first proposed to Alison DeLapp in 2019, and was developed to address the burgeoning adventure van market. The content was derived from extensive study of this segment of vehicles, including visits to and interviews with Mercedes Sprinter brand personnel, aftermarket manufacturers, and a range of upfitters. A van has been built for this class.

In 2020, a 2016 4x4 Sprinter van was purchased to serve as the teaching platform for this class. One of the most popular van platforms, this Sprinter will help illustrate the benefits and limitations of other van models, such as Ford’s Transit and Econoline, Vanagon’s, and Delica’s. [Note: this is not intended to be a class solely about Sprinters.] The van used for teaching the class features a wide range of products from 3 dozen leading manufacturers to show different options for preparing a stock van for safe, comfortable off-highway travel. Many of these companies have already indicated they will be, or hope to be, exhibiting at Expo this year. They reflect the growing involvement of vans and van vendors at Expo.

Bio

Sean Michael, PhD is a professor of Outdoor Product Design & Development at Utah State University, and a writer and product tester in the off-road market for over two decades. His articles have appeared in ADVrider, BMW MOA, Offroad.com and other magazines. He lectures on and researches the history of vehicle-based adventure travel when not out exploring.

Materials

  • Resource Packet Hand-out (provided to all attendees)

    Living Area/Galley
  • Builder – ACME Overland
  • Bed – Flarespace
  • Galley – Equipt/National Luna 90L / Tembo Tusk side slide
  • Heater – Espar S2D2
  • Insulation – Havelock Wool
  • Screens/shower – TouRig
  • Windows/vents – Tern Overland / VanWindowsDirect / MaxxFan

    • Cab
  • Seats – Scheel-Mann Vario F
  • Seat swivels – Van Evolve / The Swivel Shop
  • Storage – Van Wife
  • Organizers – Vannebjorn Creative

    • Electrical
  • Batteries – Expion360
  • Management – REDARC / GoPower!
  • Solar – Merlin / Cascadia4x4
  • Shore charging – Imtra / Victron

    • Lighting
  • Exterior – Imtra / VisionX / Denali Electronics / sPOD
  • Interior – Imtra

    • Performance
  • Suspension – Agile Offroad RIP Kit w/ Aux. shocks
  • Tires – BFGoodrich KO2
  • Wheels – Black Rhino Midhill
  • Engine tuning – DTE Systems Pedalbox + PowerControlX

    • Armor/Recovery
  • Armor/steps – ROAMBuilt
  • Roof rack/ladder – ROAMBuilt / SprinterWorld
  • Bumper (front) – ROAMBuilt
  • Bumper (rear) – Odin Working Group/Expedition One
  • Recovery gear storage – Backwoods Adventure Mods / American Adventure Lab
  • Recovery – ARB / Factor55 / WARN/ Master Pull / Bubba Rope
  • Onboard air – Puma

    • Armor/Recovery
  • Armor/steps – ROAMBuilt / Rhino Lining
  • Roof rack/ladder – ROAMBuilt / SprinterWorld
  • Bumper (front) – ROAMBuilt / Rhino Lining
  • Bumper (rear) – Odin Working Group / Expedition One
  • Recovery – ARB / Factor55 / WARN/ Master Pull / Bubba Rope
  • Onboard air – Puma

    • Cab
  • Seats – Scheel-Mann Vario F
  • Seat swivels – Van Evolve / The Swivel Shop
  • Storage – Van Wife
  • Organizers – Vannebjorn Creative

    • Electrical
  • Batteries – Expion360
  • Management – REDARC / GoPower!
  • Solar – Merlin / Cascadia4x4
  • Shore charging – Imtra / Victron

    • Living Area/Galley
  • Bed/flares – Flarespace
  • Fridge – Equipt/National Luna 90L / Tembo Tusk side slide
  • Heater – Espar S2D2
  • Water heater – Espar
  • Insulation – Havelock Wool
  • Screens/shower – TouRig
  • Audio – Alpine / DIYVan

    • Exterior
  • Awning – Dragon Fly Tarps
  • Windows/vents – Tern Overland / VanWindowsDirect / MaxxFan

    • Lighting
  • Exterior – Imtra / VisionX / Denali Electronics
  • Interior – Imtra
  • Controls – sPOD

    • Performance
  • Engine tuning – DTE Systems Pedalbox + PowerControlX
  • Suspension – Agile Offroad RIP Kit w/ Aux. shocks
  • Tires – BFGoodrich KO2
  • Wheels – Black Rhino Midhill
  • Fuel storage – Agile Offroad / Desert Fox

    • Custom Upfitting
  • Builder: ACME Overland Limited