Origin Stories and Design Criteria

By Squido

Welcome to PBSLifeLab. This is a creative outlet for a Poodle, a Bunny, and a Squid. We are not associated with the Public Broadcast System, but we think that whole world would be a nicer place if everyone still watched Mr. Rogers when they were in PreK/Kindergarten.

This whole thing started with a challenge. The Bunny and I have a number of adventures that we would like to go on. We are outdoorsy people who enjoy getting to different places and enjoying being in those environments. Mostly on foot with The Poodle, who enjoys a good sniff just about anywhere too. But also on bicycle or...dare I say a motorcycle?

So, if you want to travel from place to place, and go on mini adventures hiking/biking/riding, what is the best platform to accomplish that task? We're familiar with coaches and travel trailers.

We've had this travel trailer for almost 20 years, and it does a fine job of being a mobile cabin. But setting it up, tearing it down, and moving it are tasks that take time and that would be a drag on the mini adventures one might be doing if you were moving daily. Also, this travel trailer can't haul a motorcycle.

So the first thing to do is make a list of criteria.

1. Must be easy to drive/move, even on a daily basis.

2. Must carry at least a Poodle, a Bunny, and a Squid.

3. Have the ability (with reconfiguration) to carry 4 people and 2 dogs.

4. Have the ability (with reconfiguration) to carry a motorcycle INSIDE

   1. Be able to still have one person sleep with a motorcycle inside.

The second thing you do is look for pre-existing versions of what you are looking for. In the A & C class of motorhomes, there were options but the Bunny felt that driving a coach or a really long "body off" conversion was almost as bad a hauling a trailer. This left Class B to fulfill the # 1 design goal and unfortunately, there just aren't any premade versions, and custom builds cost an arm and a leg.

So the third thing you do is start looking for a van. This van in particular.

The foundation of the PBSLifeLab is a 2015 Ford Transit 250. It is an extended wheelbase/high roof model with the older 3.7 liter normally aspirated V6. I'm sure I will regret not having the 3.6 Ecoboost Turbo while climbing the occasional hill, but I'll probably have no regrets while doing engine maintenance. Simpler=Better, at least in this regard.

If you look carefully, you can see how this van lived the first 83K of it's life. It was a delivery van.....of sorts. But not Amazonian in nature, as is usually the case. With taxes and tabs, it was just under $29K. This was 2024 and used car prices, particularly for vans were still kind of nutso post Covid.