Getting Started - Alaska and Points North: Tips and Tales from the Road - page 2

Thus, our dream machine, an extended E250 Ford Van with a pop-top roof. This means the
roof profile is just like a normal van. We can fit into a garage. But with a push from inside,
the roof floats up into the air - hard fibreglass top with canvas sides. Screened windows zip
open so there is lots of light.
We bought the van as a stripped contractor's model then had a local company customize it
to our own design. At 22 feet in length there is plenty of room - double bed, fridge, cook
top, sink, water tank and grey tank, port-a-potty and tons of storage. The passenger's seat
swivels around to face the back.
Tokeeplifesimple weleave thebedmadeupanduseasmall foldingtable toeat/work/play
games indoor or out. The screened windows on the pop-top offer incredible air circulation
and there is a double bunk up top for when the grandchildren arrive someday .
The van has a hitch on the back into which we fit a big box which the manufacturer de-
scribes as a “wheel-less trailer.” Basically, it is just a big box for outdoor stuff like chairs,
the barbeque, extra gas tank etc. It swings away when the door is opened. The shower pulls
out from the back door, with the storage box providing privacy on one side, the open back
door the other side. If there are people around, we clip on a small tarp for privacy.
Dual golf cart batteries power the fridge and lights. When we are stationery, they are good
for 3-4 days with a solar panel dripping power back into the system. As soon as we start up
the van, the batteries recharge. We keep our power needs modest - no hot tubs in our little
home. Larger RVs with hot water showers, air conditioners, microwaves and such have
greater power needs. They often carry gas-powered generators for managing their power
needs when they are away from power hook-ups.
The van is an 8 cylinder 2WD with a slip differential that redistributes the power if a wheel
slips. It has big tires and lots of clearance so there is nowhere we can't go - so far anyway.
We follow gravel tracks and the logging roads to nowhere and back. We've been in some
horrible conditions with slick gumbo mud on steep grades and the van has just chugged on
up and away. I trust it.
With the dream machine delivered last week of June, we loaded up and hit the highway to
the sound of Willie Nelson warbling On the Road Again. You think I am making this up
but I'm not. We have t he CD and we bellow along.