Roaming About

A Life Less Ordinary

Category: Van Living (page 1 of 15)

FOR SALE: A Beautiful 2017 Bürstner Ixeo 586 with Many Extras and Few Miles

November 8, 2026 / / 8 Comments

Escape winter in northern Europe and take your new camper south to the sun!

Bürstner Ixeo 586

Body: Fiat Ducato

Brand: Bürstner Ixeo time it 586

Year: 2017

Kilometers: ~40,000

Transmission: Manual

Length: about 6 meter including the bike rack

Maximum total weight: 3,500kg

Passenger side view
Driver side view
Front view
Rear view with bike rack and tow hitch
Heavy-duty tow hitch
Weight sticker

Extras:

  • backup camera integrated into stereo with Android Auto
  • air conditioning in the car and 220V roof air conditioner (Telair) in the camper area
  • E&P (AL-KO VT) Hydraulics jack leveling system (automatic)
  • Glide-Rite full (4 corners) air suspension with auto leveling and built-in air compressor
  • tow hitch
  • bike rack
  • Bear-Lock anti-theft transmission lock
  • HEOSafe locks on the two front doors
  • Fiamma Safe Door Frame locks on all outdoor cabinets and entrance door
  • Fiamma awning
  • Thule electric entrance step
  • automatic satellite dish
  • solar panel
  • microwave
  • TV
  • shades and screens on all windows
  • insulating screens for summer/winter
  • manuals for all the systems

Available in Belgium/Western Germany

Price: €45,900

The camper and engine are in good shape. The last oil change was done at 30,000km. There is the usual wear and tear on the imitation leather fabric on some bottom cushions but this is purely cosmetic. The vehicle comes with seat covers in the front.

Swivel seats with seat protectors
Current mileage before return trip from Germany to Belgium

There is lots of comfortable space to hang out or receive guests and the interior has a modern look, a good-sized kitchen, a large fridge, and a sizeable bathroom with a divider between the toilet and the shower to keep that area dry during bathing.

Spacious kitchen
Three-burner stove and microwave
Giant fridge with freezer compartment
Spacious bathroom
Swing-out sink, toilet, and vanity cabinet

Transform the living space from salon to bedroom in seconds! The electric lifting bed is a space saver for this compact camper, which makes the interior very spacious. We constantly receive compliments about how much bigger it looks from the inside than the outside.

Big salon and lifting bed
Lifting bed in the lowered position

This semi-integrated motorhome of less than six meters packs a punch and is available from November 10th, because we are still using it while building out another camper in Germany.

Happy travels!

Curious about a previous ten-year chapter in our nomadic lives, which includes eight years aboard a 35-foot sailboat in the tropics with dogs? Check out my compelling, inspiring, and refreshingly honest travel memoir:

Plunge – One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary

Available on Amazon and elsewhere

eBook: US$ 5.99

Paperback: US$ 13.99

Another Month of Vario Projects in Much, Germany (And Our October 2026 Expenses)

November 5, 2026 / / 29 Comments

In October, Mark and I – in the company of Maya – continued our Mercedes T2 (pre-Vario) camper build at Premiumcamper in Much, Germany. The truck is parked in front of Mirko’s workshop, where we can use his tools and expertise. Our live-in camper, Duke, is parked on the street, two minutes away by foot.

(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)

Our Vario moved into the garage for underbody work.
Mark using Mirko’s workshop
Mirko is extremely generous in letting us use his space and equipment. Sometimes we take him up on his offer to borrow the keys.

When I leave Maya at home, she gets in trouble (breaking into the trash can, spreading the contents, and eating everything “edible” or chewing through our pants pockets to reach treats) and when I take her to the Vario/T2, she is uncomfortable (and now cold) outside or in the way inside. It’s been tricky. But not nearly as tricky as all the projects we accomplished – or tried to accomplish.

Maya waits patiently, when she is allowed in our new camper.
Maya eying the trash can, which is located at doggie height
Maya got into the trash can!
Maya curled up in Duke
Maya already feels at home in our dinette area.

We sold our old alternator and the fridge and table that came with the Vario to make up a little bit for our expenses, and donated an extra 100W solar panel to Mirko, our builder.

It took many after-work hours to discuss, draw, and detail our dinette and bed area. But that job was done by mid-October. Producing the pieces of wood with the CNC machine followed.

Mirko’s drawings are taking shape.
The drawings are getting more detailed.
Tons of hours went into the design and development of our dinette/sleeping area.
The CNC machine cuts the wood and side rails for our bed system out of birch ply.
The CNC machine is cutting our furniture out of queen ply.
Making more progress with the intricate design of our living space
These pieces will become our dinette and bed.
More machine cutting for our dinette layout

Mark and I installed a fan in the ceiling of the bathroom (but we had Darius cut that first giant hole in the roof) and an air conditioning unit in the living area. Those were big projects. We also added another junction box, lights, USB-charging ports, and other electronics in our living quarters. 

Darius cuts the roof hole for the bathroom vent – our first big hole
Hello Mark!
Running a cable between two rooms, without seeing anything!
The bathroom fan is installed. The toilet still needs securing.
Our air conditioner from the US arrived!
Mark is cutting this hole in the roof – scary!
Liesbet and Mark on top of their Vario
Mirko brings us the AC on his forklift.
Installing the 12V air conditioning unit on our roof

The two water tanks needed cleaning, fittings, and connecting. And after one failed attempt, laminate siding appeared on the widened partition that separates our dinette area from the kitchen.

Connecting and testing the bottom fitting of the freshwater tanks
Fitting the water tanks in their designated area
Template to make the entrance to the living area wider
A wider entrance to the back area
Laminate was attached to the side boards in the dinette area.

During the first half of October, we also put a magnetic doorstop in the bathroom, cut a protective rubber mat to size (this would be glued to our existing chassis rails as a buffer for the extra frame rails), figured out the positions for our backup camera and grab bar, dry-fitted our bathroom sink, ran more wires, and started working on the bathroom plumbing.

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A Month of Vario Projects in Germany (And Our September 2026 Expenses)

October 5, 2026 / / 30 Comments

Vario/T2 Work in Wettenberg

In September, Mark, Maya, and I stayed another ten days at our friends Sandie and Karsten’s property in Wettenberg, Germany, to continue Vario truck maintenance.

(As always, hover over or click on the photos to read their captions.)

Greasing the 21 nipples of the truck is messy work.
Figuring out the fuses in the truck
Painting a part behind the bumper
Maya keeps an eye on the works

Projects included: sanding, taping, and painting behind the removed bumper, greasing the nipples underneath, changing oils and other fluids in the engine, replacing the fuel filters and coolant, installing an RPM gauge in the dash, dealing with air leaks, cleaning the cockpit, replacing air system gaskets, and disposing of old oil, torn-down wood, and metal pieces.

Replacing the coolant in the engine
Cleaning the cab of the truck
Adding an RPM gauge on the dash – before
Adding an RPM gauge on the dash – after
Cleaning the dusty cab of the truck

The biggest task was removing the radiator to replace the 33-year-old original belts and the alternator with a bigger one for camper charging reasons. We had to move pulleys for this job and, while the engine was taken apart, I decided to treat existing rust spots with primer and paint.

Collecting fluids from the engine
Taking the radiator out and protecting all the hoses and inlets with plastic baggies
Replacing the belts
Swapping the alternator with a new one, but keeping the pulleys
Installing the new alternator in the engine
The radiator is ready to go back in, before it rains…
Still supervising…

Breaking out the dinette area was another enormous – and sad – task. Who likes to destroy a perfectly built interior and cause damage while at it? But this had to happen as the existing space was assembled for a single person and wouldn’t work as a seating and sleeping area for two (three).

Breaking out the existing dinette area
Mark spent a couple of days in his cubby hole for the demolition works.
Tearing down the dinette
Breaking out and damaging some of the dinette area

Mark and I have had numerous layout discussions over the past months. We knew this would be the trickiest part of buying this half-built camper. How do we fit a two-person bed in a defined space that is technically too narrow?

For the longest time, we came up with ideas for an adjustable and adjusted lifting bed. But this system would take up too much space under the ceiling, so we’d lose headspace in the kitchen, or it would have to be an intricate design with a bed that had to be pulled out and converted as well as lowered down.

Because removing existing furniture was to be kept at a minimum to prevent more damage to the inside of the fiberglass box, we seemed to be out of options. We needed to keep the existing upper cabinets. My one rule of not having to make the bed before going to sleep had to be revisited no matter what. In a space that’s only 120cm wide, an always made-up 140cm bed would NOT fit.

Being able to park both campers next to each other saved us the time and hassle of having to move and commute every day. We developed a daily routine of using the bathroom at the nearby cemetery, filling a 10l jug of potable water there, taking Maya for hour-long forest walks, distributing our trash over different garbage bins around town, and cooking dinner at home.

So much to do to turn this vehicle into our next home!
Adding 10 liters of water to Duke every day, to keep us going

Once a week, we hunted down facilities to empty our cassette toilet, which would be the day to run other errands that were only possible by car. A decent grocery store – and our friends’ house to pick up packages – was only a ten-minute walk away. Our trio was quite happy in Wettenburg. 

Taking Duke somewhere to dump the grey tank, fill with fresh water, empty the cassette toilet, and get rid of the garbage
The services are hidden behind this door; we almost missed it

A highlight was the visit of our American friends Heather and Jon, who also took advantage of our communal friends’ property to do truck maintenance. The scene reminded me of past boatyard stays – hard days of work with social times in the evening – but this setting was more comfortable than a mosquito-ridden tropical boatyard without facilities.

Duke and our Vario in the good company of VermonsterRV
Heather and Jon have arrived!
Truck maintenance for our friends
Discussing a potential issue with the undercarriage
There is a lot going on in the habitat box of the Vario…

Of course, while fun, having company made the days longer and the nights shorter, which was exhausting. It was nice to share the space and be in work mode, though. We treated ourselves to one pizza dinner out together and when Sandie and Karsten returned from their camping trip, the six of us had an amazing last dinner and evening together in our “yard.”

Dinner out in Wettenberg with Heather and Jon
Seafood pizza in Wettenberg
Fabulous pasta meal, bread, and a salad with our friends
Who’s hungry?
Happy hour in the work yard

After Heather and Jon’s departure, we focused on household tasks, socializing with our hosts, and wrapping up our time on their property. Since the dinette area was now empty, we had to block the water tank, battery, and inverter with tools and parts, so nothing would slide on the ride. It was a live game of Tetris!

Tetris in the back of the habitat box, to make sure nothing slides or flips on the drive to Much
Last happy hour together – or so we thought!
An appetizer platter that turned into dinner on the last night with Sandie and Karsten

Quik Stop in Freudenberg

On our drive back to Much, where our builder Mirko’s workshop and company Premiumcamper is located, we decided to stop in Freudenberg for the weekend. It was nice to take a little break from Vario work, but we kept mulling over our potential dinette/sleeping area for hours and hours. We needed a plan before meeting Mirko on Monday.

Visit to Freudenberg
This is the closest concentration of half-timbered homes in Germany
Walking down towards the village
The church sits at the top of the hill.
A flea market was taking place in Freudenberg when we were there.
Intricate facades
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From Girl Time in Belgium to Vario Time in Germany & Our August 2026 Expenses 

September 4, 2026 / / 36 Comments

Girl time with Maya

On the last day of July, Mark left for his annual visit to Massachusetts, USA, leaving Maya and me behind in Belgium for two weeks. When you live together 24/7 with your partner, it’s nice to have some me-time once in a while. Maya and I enjoyed this special time and bonded with lots of cuddles, attention, and walks.

Mark on the train to the Brussels Airport
Maya is a bit sad at first
The goslings along our walk are getting big!

(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)

That time apart also allowed me to meet up with four different girlfriends, which allowed us to talk in Flemish and foster our relationships without any hurry. One of my friends, Rosy, had just obtained an 8-week-old puppy, Bonnie, who joined her for our day together. Maya was the perfect oma.

Meeting my long-time friend Hilde in Lokeren to catch up
Maya and Bonnie
Liesbet and Bonnie
Maya and Bonnie curled up under the table
Going for a walk with Rosy and Bonnie

I also cooked a lot, wrote a bunch, ran errands, did research, studied German, saw my parents frequently, called Mark daily, cleaned Duke’s interior, had long nights of sleep, witnessed the partial solar eclipse, visited my nephew for his twelfth birthday, and sweated a lot during more heat waves.

A healthy couscous salad for dinner
Vegetarian pasta bolognese
Another vegetarian dinner at home
A comfy spot during the partial eclipse
The partial solar eclipse seen through my dad’s welding glasses
Maya in the dimmed light
There were some hot days in August in Belgium

I finally met a famous overlanding couple when they passed through Belgium. I’d been online friends with Geneva (and her husband, Mike) from “It’s Not a Slow Car, It’s a Fast House” for at least six years, but we never managed to meet up before, despite coming close. Our morning together was a bit rushed, but it was still special. And they had brought a dissolvant product for us from the UK, which is not available in Europe. The Vario T2 remained front and center in our lives even while we were apart.

Meeting Geneva and Mike – and their two dogs – in Maldegem, Belgium
Geneva and Mike’s famous stickers seen on campers all over the world.

Another highlight for this reggae lover was watching the Wailers (yes, from Bob Marley fame) through a fence during the Fonnefeesten in Lokeren. Why through a fence during this free concert? Because, unbeknownst to everyone, event security didn’t allow dogs on the premises anymore. Two years ago, Maya joined Mark and me without any problems…

Our spot outside the fence
Watching the concert through the fence
The Wailers in Lokeren
Photo of some of the band members
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The Romantic Road in Bavaria, Germany – Medieval Towns, Castles & Surprises

August 12, 2026 / / 22 Comments

Not too many people seem to have heard of – or been to – the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) in Germany. When Mark, Maya, and I found ourselves at the southern end of it while visiting friends, it was a no-brainer that we would explore the area during our four days off. We actually had six days left before we needed to be back in Belgium, but the drive itself took two.

One of the Romantic Street signs
That way to the Romantic Road!

After little research and talking to Sabine and Michael in Murnau am Staffelsee, I created a short-list of the seven towns along this route that sounded most appealing. As always, we never researched much ahead of time or looked at photos. Actually, Mark had no idea whatsoever where we were going or how long we’d stay. So, the surprise and wow-factor were genuine for both of us.

The most picturesque view in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Schongau

Our first stop was only an hour or so away from our friends, whom we left in the afternoon. It was a quick drive and an easy, short visit since the town was small and we were camped at a free parking lot on the edge of the town walls.

(As always, click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)

Our parking spot for the night in Schongau
Walking outside the wall in Schongau
Entering this small town via one of the gates
A colorful downtown
The center of town had the best concentration of historic buildings.
Reflection of the colorful downtown

Landsberg am Lech

The following morning, a short drive and a lucky break secured us the last spot on a free parking lot about 15 minutes by foot from the historic center.

Approaching the city center of Landsberg am Lech
I liked the canal through town
Colorful buildings here as well

Once we crossed the bridge into the heart of Landsberg am Lech, we were drawn to the watery ways and the colorful buildings. We splurged on a pastry while taking in the market area and its surrounding structures and gates.

Bavarian church with its typical dome
Market square with some elegant buildings
The heart of Landsberg am Lech
Interesting-looking tower on the outskirts of town

Harburg Castle

On this trip, I wanted to visit one castle. Harburg it would be!

Approaching Harburg Castle by camper

To our surprise, the dedicated RV parking spots alongside the popular river were open, so we doubled back and picked a spot. After our lunch with a view, we crossed into town and climbed a narrow trail towards the top of the hill. There, Harburg Castle awaited.

Our RV-dedicated parking spot in Harburg
View of Harburg from where we were parked
Harburg Castle – our destination by foot
Map of the Romantic Street

We paid our entrance fees, which I thought included access to the interior spaces. Maya was allowed on the grounds and – understandably – not inside the buildings. We could work around that, taking turns.

Hiking towards the castle
Entrance gate to Harburg Castle
On the grounds of Harburg Castle
Maya is standing guard!

But our tickets only allowed us to visit the exterior areas. For the rooms, towers, and walkways, a guided tour was required. Unfortunately, we just missed the 2pm tour, and exploring the grounds took less than an hour, so I didn’t get my inside-the-castle look.

Within the castle walls
Part of Harburg Castle
View over the river and the bridge we’d crossed earlier
The walls had a covered walkway, but it was only accessible on a guided tour.
Leaving the medieval castle through the gate

The actual village of Harburg looked cozy and picturesque as well, but we decided to move on since we didn’t have much time for this driving route and needed some relaxation as well.

Crossing the cute bridge into and out of Harburg town
View of Harburg from the bridge
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WANTED: 4×4 Mercedes Vario

May 1, 2026 / / 30 Comments

Readers of this blog probably know that Mark and I have been looking for a very specific van as our new home on wheels. With this vehicle, we hope to explore Europe and beyond – Asia, Africa, and the Middle East when safe again.

A 4×4 Vario in Germany

This next stage of our lives requires a robust, reliable, fixable, durable, and yet comfortable camper. That’s why we are looking for a 4×4 Mercedes Vario, as it ticks all those boxes. The living area and the cab are connected, the engine is almost bulletproof, and these vehicles are known to be resilient. The 4WD part is non-negotiable for us (there are plenty of 2WD versions available) as we plan to venture off the beaten path and know the importance of high clearance and four-wheel drive from our previous overlanding experiences.

But… this particular vehicle is extremely popular and difficult to come by and that’s why I am asking for help. If you know of anyone who might be thinking about selling their Vario or you have one for sale yourself, please get in touch.

Mark and I are interested in just the empty van (to build out ourselves/with a company) or in one that’s already converted into a camper.

The Vario we checked out in Pichilemu, Chile
This is the Vario we put all our hopes on, eight months ago in Chile

You might remember that we have been looking for this type of Vario for a long time. I’d say for almost an entire year. First the research, then pursuing a few options in Chile (which all failed), and then in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Another Vario we checked out in Chile
Scrutinizing this Vario near Santiago, Chile
Mark inspects the grey 4×4 Vario
We had hoped to switch from one camper into the next while in Chile and concluding our three-year overland adventure in South America.

We have followed leads in Peru, Chile, Bahrein, Dubai, Germany (we just returned from a 12-hour drive to check one out that has too many issues and rust), and the Netherlands. It has taken a lot of time, effort, focus, and energy and we are running out of steam… Soon, we will need a different plan and approach.

We made a very long drive to check out this Vario in Germany. This company has one 4WD version and three 2WD ones!
Close-up of the most recent Vario we had put our hopes on.
Checking the engine of the German Vario van

Thank you for sharing our quest and spreading the word, especially if you are a fellow overlander or someone who knows these kinds of vehicles or owners.

This is how our future camper would look like. This is NOT a 4WD version, though.

Happy May!

Our Crazy Mercedes Vario Idea in Chile – A Waste of Time?

November 27, 2025 / / 30 Comments

Warning: This is a summarized yet long story about what we have really been doing the last four months.

I’m trying to remember when this crazy idea first emerged. At least six months ago, Mark was researching campers in Europe, since we thought/think this will be our new overlanding location. He must have stumbled upon a Mercedes Vario campervan, thought it looked cool and roomy, remembered our German friends Sabine and Michael having one, and focused his research on the 4×4 kind, only to discover that in Europe you need a special driver’s license for this “more truck than van” vehicle, prices wavered around a steep US$100,000, and there are many rules regarding registration, yearly inspections, insurance, and so on.

Driver’s side view of a Vario

It seemed like the Vario idea dead-ended right there. But on June 3rd (I checked my diary), an available 4×4 Vario appeared on the South America Overlanding Facebook page. There were only two problems: it was for sale in Peru with Peruvian plates and it was not converted yet. We inquired at a shop in Uruguay — the only place in South America we knew about — about how much it would cost to build out a van. More research followed and from the moment we realized that a vehicle can only leave Peru if it is owned by a Peruvian resident and that a new build would cost close to US$90,000, the idea was discarded again.

(As always, click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)

The 4WD Vario in Peru
The owner had bought insulation, but never installed it.
The empty van in Peru
The Peru van came with some gear
He also bought fans to build out this van.

Fast forward to sometime in August when Mark discovered that Chile had imported hundreds of 4WD Vario vans from Europe to use in the mines as passenger transportation vehicles. Another problem arose: these vans had been well used and came with a bus door instead of a passenger door. Replacing that with an RV door would prove almost impossible, let alone dealing with the paperwork, the language, and other crazy logistics.

Bus door
Closed bus door
The bus door from inside

Soon after, Mark had a revelation. For months, he’d known about a Vario van that had been built out by a Chilean and had been for sale for a couple of years. It was located along the Chilean coast, four hours south of Santiago, but he hadn’t been interested because the camper section was poorly built and unattractive.

His revelation was this: it had a normal door and two seats in the cab, it was already registered as a camper (as opposed to a company vehicle), and becoming the owner of a new vehicle in Chile was straightforward and popular. It’s why many new overlanders buy a car or camper in Santiago to start their South American overland travels. Why not buy this crappy camper, gut it, and rebuild the living space from scratch?

Passenger side view of the Pichilemu Vario camper – with a normal door

By then, we had found out that there was a company in Santiago — Suzie Santiago CTW — that built out vans for a much better rate — but inferior quality — than the expensive shop in Uruguay. More research and communications followed with companies regarding the build and the paperwork. So many months of work and focus went into this pursuit! It’s pretty much all we did during our five weeks in Paraguay. We even drew up the perfect layout. Fun!

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For Sale in South America: A Fully Contained and Well-Maintained Truck Camper

August 22, 2025 / / 36 Comments

Start your self-catered South American adventure now! All you need to embark on this trip of a lifetime is a plane ticket and your personal belongings. 🙂

Bella in Chile

Mark, Maya, and I are wrapping up our three-year journey on the South American continent and are looking for a couple or small family that will enjoy our truck camper Bella as much as we have. If you know of anyone interested in an overland adventure with the perfect set-up for this part of the world, please let them know about our vehicle or share this post with them. We are very happy to answer any questions.

Thirsty Bella in Peru

Here are the details of our rig and a bunch of photos.

FOR SALE:

Fully Equipped Truck Camper – Ford F350 + Lance 830

This camper is set up for fulltime off-grid living and the vehicle is the perfect transportation to explore South America and beyond.

Price: $47,500 USD

Location: Argentina/Chile/Paraguay

Available: Now.

We speak English, Dutch, and some French and Spanish.

Registered/titled in the United States, easy transfer to any nationality via visitor.us.

You can also use a poder to travel while waiting for official US registration/title.

Camper and truck are meticulously maintained to provide care-free travel. Clean title/no accidents.

Likely one of the best equipped vehicles in South America with the lowest miles.

The cow décor brings smiles and laughs to the locals and allowed us to meet some great people along the way by giving them something to ask us about. We loved it and enjoyed making people smile during our travels. That said, the cow spots are stickers and can be removed if they are not your thing.

The camper can be removed from the truck to allow for exploration with just the truck.

Truck camper, passenger side with an awning and side entrance door
Truck camper, driver side with newly-painted ladder and jacks
Separating our camper and truck for cleaning purposes

Truck details:

  • Currently ~72000 miles.
  • 2016 F350 with 6.2L gas engine (385hp) and 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine/transmission combination is extremely reliable.
  • Front seating for 3, or 2 with a center console.
  • Extended cab with a back seat suitable for children and/or pets. Adults will be cramped. Seating for 3.
  • 35-gallon (132 liter) fuel tank.
  • Short truck bed (6’ ¾”) so it has a shorter wheelbase, which makes it easy to turn and maneuver.
  • 4WD with in-cab switch on demand.
  • Front hubs auto and manual lock.
  • 4WD High and Low.
  • Rear differential lock.
  • Flex-fuel compatible so no issues with high ethanol fuel in Brazil.
  • Power windows/locks. Windows in back doors are manual. Rear window in back is glass and electric.
  • Running boards along the entire cab.
  • Tablet mount on dash with wired USB-C cable.
  • Dash cam.
  • Moo horn (crucial safety equipment).
  • 3M security film on truck windows to prevent them from breaking (easily).
  • We are the 2nd owner.
  • Oil change every 5k miles with full synthetic.
  • Air filter changed every 20k miles.
  • Coolant changed at 40k.
  • Transmission oil changed at 70k.
  • Transfer case oil changed at 40k.
  • Spark plugs replaced at 60k.
  • Front brake pads replaced at 48k.
  • Rear brake pads replaced at 64k.
  • All oil and filters are Motorcraft/Ford.
  • Front tires replaced at 55k and rear tires replaced at 58k. AT tires with plenty of tread left.
  • Vair portable air compressor.
  • New truck battery 4/2024.
  • Heavy duty tow strap.
  • Titled in Massachusetts (US) and can be fully transferred to anyone (not just US residents) via visitor.us.
  • Spare parts: Oil filters, belt, ignition coils, front and rear brake pads, caliper pins.
  • Full set of tools with imperial and metric sockets, 3 torque wrenches, oil filter wrench.
  • Tools for electrical repairs.
  • OBD-II reader for Forscan Ford specific computer diagnostic software.
  • Full Ford workshop manual in PDF.
  • Truck is stock beyond the addition of Timbrens to help the rear suspension and Bilstein shocks all around.
  • Torklift camper tiedowns mounted to the frame of the truck for camper attachment.
  • Driven up to 15,500ft with no engine issues.
  • Total vehicle height with camper is 10.6ft (~3.2m).
  • 5-gallon jerrycan for extra fuel
Front seats F350
Back seats F350
F350 Info Sticker
F350 Payload Sticker
F350 VIN Sticker

Camper:

  • 2008 Lance 830. Very rare side-door entry truck camper. Roomiest floor plan for a truck camper this size.
  • Aluminum frame structure.
  • We are the second owners.
  • Outfitted specifically for off-grid travel in South America.
  • Standing height inside is about 6’ 3” (1.9m). I am 6’ 1” and fit comfortably.
  • Queen-size bed with 2” memory foam on top of spring mattress.
  • Dinette area for 4 people that converts to a smaller bed.
  • Wet bath with Separett Tiny composting toilet, wet shower and sink.
  • Kitchen with 2-burner stove, large and deep sink, 12V oven, and 12V Isotherm compressor refrigerator.
  • Water filtration system with .5-micron filter to allow for drinking tank water.
  • 4 large awning-style windows with shades and screens.
  • All windows and hatches have mosquito/bug screens.
  • 2 ceiling fans. MaxxFan above the bed (in/out) and Fantastic fan in bathroom (out).
  • LED lights throughout.
  • Permanently mounted Starlink wired to 12V with on/off switch. Mounted inside the camper in a ceiling skylight.
  • Permanently mounted router for use with Starlink. Gl-MT3000.
  • Large manual full-length awning on side of camper.
  • Outside LED lights on 3 sides of the camper.
  • USB charging ports.
  • Single 20lb US propane tank.
  • 2 heaters (propane). 1 forced air heater for when it’s really cold; also keeps tanks and plumbing from freezing. 1 catalytic heater that uses no electricity and is great for above freezing situations.
  • Gas grill with quick disconnect to use main tank for gas. No camping bottles needed.
  • 1 large outside storage compartment.
  • 48 gallons of fresh water. We added an additional 18-gallon tank to the standard 30 gallons. Plumbed together.
  • 17-gallon grey water tank.
  • 6-gallon hot water tank.
  • No black tank. Storage space now as that tank was removed when we installed the Separett.
  • Outside shower with hot/cold water.
  • 4 electrical jacks with remote control to take camper off the truck.
  • 400 Watts of solar panels mounted on the roof.
  • Victron 100/30 MPPT solar controller.
  • Victron Smart Shunt battery monitor.
  • Victron Orion XS 50A DC-DC charger. Charges from truck alternator.
  • Camper is wired for 120V. Can charge battery from a 120V power source (35A). A local transformer would allow you to plug into 220V outlets. We rarely had the need to plug-in for power because of solar and truck charging systems.
  • 500W pure sine wave inverter.
  • Single 272Ah lithium battery with Bluetooth management/monitoring.
  • Keyless entry on the door with a keypad (or key).
  • Fastgun turnbuckles to secure camper to the truck.
  • Camper connects to trailer plug of truck for all camper driving lights.
  • Camper connects via separate large Anderson style plug for DC-DC charging.
  • Tablet mounted on wall as permanent battery monitor connected to all Victron equipment.
  • Electric chainsaw to cut branches and small trees.
  • Spare parts for lots of things like electrical work, plumbing, caulk, repair tape, etc. Spare water pump. Spare water filters.
  • Lots of normal camping and household gear. Plates, pots, pans, glasses, outdoor chairs, bedding, snorkel gear, 12V vacuum, 2 camping tables, etc…..
Floorplan Lance 830
Tank monitor
Dinette
Compressor fridge
Queen-size bed
Camper interior view towards the front
Camper interior view towards the back
Bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink, and medicine cabinet

Once you get used to maneuvering, the camper can be taken off the truck in about 10-15 minutes. It takes about 20-30 minutes to put it back on.

This flexibility offers the best of both worlds: you can leave the camper safe in a campground and take the truck anywhere you could imagine. For us, this combination of truck and camper is ideal for South America and we would not have done it any differently.

Kitchen
Kitchen with open cabinets
Compressor fridge, 12V oven, grill, cabinets, sliding pantry to the right
Two-burner stove, deep sink, and big cabinets
Electronics under dinette bench
Camper roof with solar panels and vents

Original brochure: lancecamper.com/docs/2008-brochure.pdf

Video walkthrough: https://youtu.be/M-IlN4qigWk?si=YWeQ0TZigW7BUOXL

We have posted regularly on this blog if you’re interested in the full history of our overland travels thus far.

It is time for new adventures – for the new owners, for the camper, and for us.

Curious about a previous ten-year chapter in our nomadic lives, which includes eight years aboard a 35-foot sailboat in the tropics with dogs, check out my compelling, inspiring, and refreshingly honest travel memoir:

Plunge – One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary

Available on Amazon and elsewhere

eBook: US$ 5.99

Paperback: US$ 13.99

Paraguay – The Underdog of South America (Part 1: First Impressions and Jesuit Missions)

June 28, 2025 / / 31 Comments

Paraguay is a country often skipped by overlanders and tourists alike. With no world-famous attractions and sandwiched between popular Brazil and Argentina, it remains overlooked. But after traveling through increasingly expensive countries, Mark and I were more than ready for a change. Paraguay promised affordability, authenticity, and, according to our friends — sushi!

Southern Paraguay contains most of the country’s attractions.
Paraguay in South America
Map Overview Paraguay

Encarnación: Entering Paraguay

We crossed into Encarnación on May 11th without any issues — unless you count Mark knocking over the customs officer’s mate cup. That moment confirmed a fun fact: in Paraguay, mate is served cold, unlike in Argentina. Another surprise? The now soaked and hand-written vehicle permit had to be recreated.

(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)

Crossing the international bridge between Posadas, Argentina and Encarnacion, Paraguay
Welcome to Paraguay!
Filling out the car permit for a second time
Paraguayan license plate

The city gave us a place to run long-delayed errands, save on gas prices, and visit a grocery store that had many items we couldn’t find or afford for a year. We loaded up, grabbed BBQ from a Sunday street stand, and sat by the river feeling like we’d finally entered another budget-travel paradise.

Our first meal in Paraguay is take-out asado
A friendly face and friendly prices at the gas station
Well-stocked grocery store Super Seis
Celebrating our arrival with a drink
Our first (free) boondocking spot in Paraguay
Sunset over the river

But reality hit that night: loud motorcycles, thumping music, and little chance of sleep reminded us that we were still very much in Latin America.

Waterfront boardwalk
The main beach in Encarnacion
Old warehouse
Old silo
Lifeguard station on the main beach
A pretty river beach in Encarnacion
Beach sign with the skyline of Posadas in Argentina in the background

Life on the Waterfront (and a Sushi Dream)

Knowing Paraguay would be cheaper than Argentina or Chile, we’d saved up chores and repairs. In Encarnación, we tackled a camper ladder repaint, installed a mirror, and found transmission parts — choosing to do the work ourselves to save $400 in labor. The waterfront became our “work station.”

A new mirror
Picking up and installing our freshly painted ladder

Despite the chaos, one night stood out: Mark and I finally went out for cocktails and indulged in a sushi boat at Hiroshima, a Japanese restaurant. We hadn’t felt that luxurious in years.

Cocktail time!
The Japanese restaurant in Encarnacion
Sushi for dinner!
A pretty and tasty sushi boat

Jesuit Mission #1: San Cosme and Damián

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A Surprising Side Trip to Santiago, the Capital of Chile

May 1, 2024 / / 35 Comments

As overlanders, Mark and I are not city people. Being camped in nature without any human presence or noises is our happy place. Yet, the three of us spent a full two weeks in Santiago de Chile, a capital city of 7 million! This was our all-time “stationary” boondocking record after a year and a half in South America. Jardin, Colombia, is now the runner-up at nine nights. What happened?

Country of Chile with its capital, Santiago
Location of Santiago de Chile

Well, this lifestyle is full of surprises. Bad ones and good ones. It had been a while since fate smiled down upon us, but Santiago – which is expensive and not even an interesting tourist destination – ticked some of our required boxes. With ease. We were quite happy there. Read on to learn why…

Group shot in the park
(Photo courtesy of Richie Gubler)

Why back to Chile?

If you’ve been following our blog, you might have noticed that some hardships were encountered in Northern Argentina. Nothing disastrous, really, but after getting tired of similar issues in Peru and Bolivia, mostly regarding loose, aggressive dogs, dusty and dirty surroundings, and third-world living conditions, we had hoped for a reprieve of those in Argentina, especially after finding cleanliness and modernity in Northern Chile. When not finding that quite yet, we opted to return to Chile for a bit.

Another consideration was Maya’s international health certificate we obtained in Chile, the end of February. It was valid for sixty days, allowing free entries and exits for our dog between Argentina and Chile until the end of April. We figured we’d take advantage of that permit again, three weeks before it expired.

But the most important reason for our little sojourn back into Chile was truck maintenance. Imported parts are much cheaper there than in Argentina, as we realized when buying our first set of two new tires in Iquique a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, we didn’t purchase four at the time.

That being said, we chose Santiago to replace the other two tires, install a new battery, and do another oil change. Yeah, our expense report for April won’t be pretty again…

Our Providencia neighborhood in Santiago by night
(Photo courtesy of Richie Gubler)

Our fantastic camping spot

The biggest surprise that greeted us in Santiago was the place we opted to wild camp at, based on reviews in iOverlander. It was easy to see why every overlander seemed to flock here!

Our camping spot for two weeks!
Lots of company for Thirsty Bella!
Gathering more water in the park (Thank you, John, for the bags!)
Adding four more gallons at a time

(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)

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