Outside Van and Adventure Van Expo host opportunities for adventurists to experience van life

One of the largest events in the Adventure Van Expo series, Hood River, Oregon, was prefaced this year by an open house at Outside Van’s headquarters in Portland on Thursday, June 15th.

Completed vans stood on sale and ready for delivery

Plenty of product and SWAG was given away

Some may equate the ascent of adventure vans to a cottage industry of upfitted, off-road vans with galley kitchens and a sleeping area akin to Volkswagen Westfalia campers. Now Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vans are being converted in a manner more similar to RV manufacturers, albeit with some overlanding capabilities. The open house at Outside Van was to herald their new 150,000 square foot production facility, not ordinarily open to the public.

Outside Van’s marketing and creative director Brian Jagodnik informed us that within this massive structure, Sprinters are built to model specifications, then shipped to dealers for delivery to end users. Boutique or custom van builds are created in a separate 50,000 square foot building, where anything that can be imagined is brought to fruition, according to Jagodnik.

Production lines inside the building spoke volumes for Outside Van’s capabilities

Suppliers like BFGoodrich were on hand to answer questions

Filling the parking lot in front of the building were displays from JL Audio, Lithionics, Roam Rest, Adrenaline Vans, Backwoods Adventure Mods, Rigid Industries, Garmin, Campervan HQ, Rux, Flarespace, BreadWinner Cycles, Dometic and BFGoodrich. With plenty of food, refreshments and a DJ to provide entertainment, the afternoon event was a great way to celebrate van life.

Another Outside Van resource, Dometic, had their products on display

Portland-based bicycle manufacturer Bread Winner, an Outside Van supporter

The Adventure Van Expo series hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville returned to Hood River, Oregon, at the Hood River Fairgrounds on June 17-18, in what has become a mecca for adventure vans and van life followers.

One of the unique aspects of the Fairgrounds is that while they have showers, bathrooms, electrical hookups and waste water disposal on site, camping is not allowed except when an event such as Adventure Van Expo is taking place. Despite this restriction, over 200 vans camped at the Fairgrounds.

A new ‘boutique’ build from Outside Van, with an Oregon Design Company wrap

Besides unusual finishes on the cabinets, this build was tailored to a bike rider’s needs

Among the exhibitors this year were: Adrenline Vans LLC, Adventure Wagon, Airstream, Backwoods Adventure Mods, Buena Vista Van Co., Cake e-Bikes, Campervan HQs, Canyon Adventure Vans, CAtuned Off-Road, Coastal Mountain Vanworks, Dave & Matt Vans, Dragon Fly Tarps, Elementum Adventure Vehicles, esparparts.com, Excursion Van Rentals, Flarespace, Flatline Van Company, GoCode Overland–BooWagon, Grit Overland, Guzzle H2O, Imtra, Inhabit Design Works, Joule Adventures, Legacy Ford, Limitless Van, Lithionics, Lost Hiway Customs, Matrix Integrated, Momentum Vans, Nomadic Cooling Co., Nomadik Customs, Northwest Conversions, Off Grid Solutions PDX, Orion Vans, Ötzi Adventure Gear, Outside Van, OVP Overland Van Project, Owl Vans, PopRak, Quigley 4X4, R + G, Radio Vans, Rigwell, Roam Rest, Roost Vans, Rover Vans, RRE, Rux, Skyliner Gear, Soundskins, Spark Adventures, Stayrede AG, S3 Maritime – West Coast Insulation & Waterjet, Stōd Gear, Storyteller Overland, Swell Van Company, Sync Vans, Tembo Tusk, Terrawagen, The Adventure Portal, Timberline, Tiny Watts Power Solutions, Trailside Table, Travel Loo, Truevan, Van Craft, Van Wife Components, VanEquipped, VanEssential, Vanlife Collective, Vanlife Trader, Vanmade Gear, Wonder Vans and Yolo Family Vans.

Unlike the previous year when an Expo staff member suffered from heat exhaustion, most vendors had ample supplies of cold water or beverages to hand out to their guests. In some displays there were areas where you could get out of the sun, sit and relax, a welcome respite from the warm weather.

Adrenaline Vans brought watermelons, one way to beat the heat

Stayrede AG’s VersaTie aluminum tracks can be had in colors with optional end caps

New products were in abundance, just as there were many suppliers that had not exhibited previously at this event. Among those that caught our eye included Stayrede AG’s VersaTie aluminum tracks with arrowhead end caps in a variety of colors.

Guzzle H2O’s Stealth 2×10 off-grid system has a filter to eliminate sediment and particulates, and a carbon block filter that absorbs chlorine, chemicals and contaminants for great-tasting water. The final stage, LED Ultraviolet C purification, inactivates 99% of bacteria, protozoa and viruses, resulting in drinkable water. Low power use, low maintenance costs and replaceable filters make it a winner.

Guzzle H2O’s Stealth 2X10 three-stage water filtration system is off-grid tested

Lithionics fireproof enclosures on all their lithium batteries are one of many safeguards

While lithium batteries can be a concern, Lithionics organic Lithium-ion iron phosphate chemistry is paired with internal shut down technology to prevent flames or explosions. The NeverDie battery management monitors each cell to ensure safe operation, with Underwriters Laboratory validation.

Clackamas, Oregon’s Vanmade Gear produces window shades and replacement shower doors like this one, made of marine-grade fabric which zippers up or down for entry, provides access to storage without taking up space, and installs using automotive-grade velcro on the frame rails.

Rux, a new concept in gear storage, is collapsible, weather proof, and modular. An all-in-one system, it allows you to organize, pack, move and retrieve your gear. Using a tri-fold, easy access lid, to the base RUX Bags or Pockets can be added, with secure lash points and reinforced carry straps.

Vanmade Gear’s replacement shower door zippers up or down, and installs using Velcro

RUX has developed an ingenious collapsible storage system

The Garage Lounge Storage System from Canyon Adventure Vans is a portable lounge seating area that slides in and anchors to the cargo tie downs, with no squeaks, rattles, shifting or bouncing. The straps can be easily removed to free up the entire garage.

RRE Global, a distributor with a plethora of European products, had this SofaBOX in their stand. Folding up inside the aluminum storage box, it provides another seating option for your campsite. Using one of their storage boxes as a table, your dining area can be set up in minutes.

Arvada, Colorado’s Rigwell had what may become the most copied product we encountered. Voodoo, an interior ladder, mounts inside your high roof Sprinter van (other variants to come), providing secure roof access. If you have boxes with valuable gear on top, this eliminates exterior ladders that thieves would use. Think about it.

Canyon Adventure Vans made the trip from Southern California for the Hood River show

Garage Lounge Storage System sets up in minutes, and can be removed just as quickly

Adventure vans have been built on innovation. Much of the development occurs while living and traveling in these vans. Unlike other types of RVs with ample space for a wet bath, complete galley and even a washer and dryer, the configuration of Class B vans limits the amenities. Yet with each iteration by these talented builders and suppliers, they find new ways of bundling more goodness into the same space. The possibilities are endless, like the trails ahead.

SofaBOX, a collapsible sofa in a container, available from RRE Global

OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible vehicle-based adventure travel and outdoors adventure