threerivers
New member
Posting again with updated photos and the story of “Boyd”…
If you're looking to take the road less traveled, get a sprinter. If you're looking to keep going when the road ends, this is your rig!
There is nothing worse than driving for hours into the middle of nowhere only to find a camp already set up. This happened too often for us so my wife and I set out to find a way that we could go where others don't/won't/can't.
When we were first shopping for a van and it seemed like everything pointed to a Sportsmobile. So we bought one, aaaannndd sold it after our first three week trip. I get why they are popular but, for us at least, all the features (fresh water, grey water, pumps, sinks, stoves, RV hookups, pop-top, etc.) took up valuable storage space and added weight. Worst of all, they resulted in us spending more time inside the van instead of outside in nature. Instead, we chose to build something custom — focused on what really matters when you’re deep in the backcountry: storage for gear, food, and water; reliable power; and a bed that can handle two adults plus two big dogs after a long day outside.
We loved the E350 EB so we bought a gutted version that had been a passenger vehicle on a TX military base (minimal use, no snow, always maintained). We had a 4x4 conversion completed by Timberline out of Colorado. The build was designed by us and completed by a local companies; FullTilt, PB Campervans, etc. Final touches were handled personally (the curtains remain the only thing my wife has ever / will ever sew).
We've spent weeks in…
Specs & Features Chassis & Conversion:
Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Serious adventurers only, please. If you know, you know.
If you're looking to take the road less traveled, get a sprinter. If you're looking to keep going when the road ends, this is your rig!
There is nothing worse than driving for hours into the middle of nowhere only to find a camp already set up. This happened too often for us so my wife and I set out to find a way that we could go where others don't/won't/can't.
When we were first shopping for a van and it seemed like everything pointed to a Sportsmobile. So we bought one, aaaannndd sold it after our first three week trip. I get why they are popular but, for us at least, all the features (fresh water, grey water, pumps, sinks, stoves, RV hookups, pop-top, etc.) took up valuable storage space and added weight. Worst of all, they resulted in us spending more time inside the van instead of outside in nature. Instead, we chose to build something custom — focused on what really matters when you’re deep in the backcountry: storage for gear, food, and water; reliable power; and a bed that can handle two adults plus two big dogs after a long day outside.
We loved the E350 EB so we bought a gutted version that had been a passenger vehicle on a TX military base (minimal use, no snow, always maintained). We had a 4x4 conversion completed by Timberline out of Colorado. The build was designed by us and completed by a local companies; FullTilt, PB Campervans, etc. Final touches were handled personally (the curtains remain the only thing my wife has ever / will ever sew).
We've spent weeks in…
- Idaho camping along rivers or literally on beaches where we could step out of the van and be touching the water.
- Montana… camping along a mountaintop airstrip where we got to watch a herd of horses graze in the middle of the runway.
- Colorado… comfortable in sub-zero winters discovering frozen waterfalls twenty feet tall
- California… camping along the ocean spending entire days surfing
- Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas… camping, hunting, swimming, paddleboarding, surfing, rain, snow, sun, -30F below, +105F above, lakes, rivers, mountains, desserts, wild horses, elk, bears, bighorn sheep, weekend trips, month long trips, meetups with friends, moments that are just ours.
Specs & Features Chassis & Conversion:
- 2010 Ford E350 Super Duty
- V10 Triton Engine
- Timberline 4x4 Conversion Kit
- VIN: 1FTSS3ES0ADA06891
- Professional Interior Build:
- Went the extra mile with rubber matting installed on all floors/walls for better sound, 3M thinsulate insulation everywhere, additional foam board insulation under floor, extra anchoring on everything (nothing coming loose!), interior & exterior under-bed drawers, secret storage lockers under mattress (over wheel wells), the list goes on and on… we’ve camped in 90degF summers and below 0degF winters and been comfortable in both!
- Odometer: 84,550
- 2 x 200W Renogy Solar Panels
- Redarc BCDC1250D (solar & alternator charging)
- 700W Inverter (expandable)
- Lithium House Batteries
- Upgraded 225A High-Output Alternator (charges house batteries efficiently—even at idle)
- Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller
- Flat-mount (high performance) Starlink 'mounted to roof rack, hardwired to inverter, flip a switch and your online'
- Upgraded dash display providing CarPlay (android) & ApplePlay (iPhone); includes a backup camera
- Massive full width bed – sleeps 2 comfortably (plus 2 large dogs)
- Passenger seat with full rear facing swivel
- Webasto Heater
- (2) x Isotherm Cruise Elegance DC fridges (2.3 cu ft each); both have a small freezer for cocktail ice (for at camp)
- Recessed LED Lighting
- MaxxFan 7500 (with remote)
- Fully insulated with Noico & Thinsulate
- DC TV with built-in DVD player (yes, you could stream with the starlink but sometimes its fun to have a throwback)
- 12v charge at rear wall (bed headboard) for charging phones while you sleep
- 110v outlet installed at counter for ease of use
- smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed so you can rest easy
- Wall mounted switches for inverter, Starlink, heater, interior/exterior lights, and a remote for the fan,
- Tons of smart, accessible storage (honestly, more than you'll need)
- Aluminess Rear Bumper with swing-outs (spare tire + utility box); bumper has locking storage built-in
- Aluminess Roof Rack & Ladder
- Aluminess Swing-Out Utility Box
- 4 x Rotopax 4-gallon fuel tanks (mounted to roof rack for ready access)
- 4 x Rotopax 2-gallon water tanks (mounted to roof rack for ready access)
- Newer (plenty of tread left) all-terrain tires
- Side mounted & exterior mounted Baja-design rock lights for exterior lighting
- Roof rack still has available storage space behind fuel/water/starlink (enough for a gun case or gear); also has storage in front of solar (enough for a gun case or gear)
- Minor exterior brush scratches (cosmetic only—could buff out or rhino-line it for a rugged look)
Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Serious adventurers only, please. If you know, you know.
