The van is awesome, and I will get to that in a bit. But the person behind it all is really what made the experience what it was. From start to finish, interacting with Korey was a pleasure. He helped me navigate problems (my trip was sort of last-minute) and did whatever he could to really live up to his mission - which is to get more people into the outdoors. I appreciate the sincerity and the humanity with which he conducts his business.General comments:
- The van is brand new. It performed flawlessly, even in below-freezing conditions.
- The warm water (both kitchen and shower) are incredibly useful.
- There were a TON of thoughtful little details that Korey had added to the van. For example, a JBL speaker which made the drive much more pleasant (I finished a whole audio book with it). A USB-to-USB-C converter (for charging while driving). Labels where necessary. A small portable heater. Cookware, utensils, and everything else provided, even paper towels.
- There is a large power reserve. I charged my devices all night long and still had plenty of energy to spare in the morning.
- It's a beautiful vehicle and really stands out: both it's sleek external look and the well-designed interior (faux plants !!). I had several amazed strangers comment positively on the van, to which I unfortunately had to reply that I had rented it and not built it out myself.
- The bed and linens were clean and very comfortable. If you are going to be in snowy winter conditions, I recommend you also bring a sleeping bag (I did, and was happy for it).Safety:
- The van has many safety features including a backup camera as well as a light-up alert every time a car passes the van's blind spot. These made driving the van feel much more comfortable.
- I needed snow chains for a portion of my trip. They hadn't arrived yet by the time I had to leave, so Korey suggested I buy some for the van and that he would reimburse the cost. Just another example of the professional character with which he conducts the business. Interestingly, I also used the snow chains to help another driver who had gotten stuck in the snow, so a lot of good came of it!
- I felt safe driving this van on both smaller roads and the highway. I do recommend slower speeds, of course, and sticking to the rule of leaving 6-7 cars in front of you as it takes a little longer to stop. It is still remarkably responsive though, for its size.This was my first #vanlife experience and I enjoyed it a lot. I credit Korey with making my trip to Mammoth/Eastern Sierras possible, and I look forward to renting from him again in the future.