the birth of "OTIS" the van

We named our van, OTIS, because OTHERS THINK IT'S STUPID!!!

We purchased a 2018 Silver Ram Promaster Highroof 159" Extended. This just means that at the time it was the tallest and longest Promaster you could purchase. I figured if I was going to sell my house and everything in it, I wanted the most space I could get.

Unfortunately, the Ram Dealers in St. Louis had no desire to sell us a van. We tried, I promise. Ray then decided to start searching all

over to get the van we wanted. We finally found a dealer and salesman in Winston-Salem, NC. He had what we wanted, at the price we were willing to pay. Ray flew off to NC and drove our new home back to St, Louis.

Although we had the van, we weren't exactly ready to start working on it. Ray was still working, and we weren't settled on a floorplan yet. We had changed our minds on what we wanted to do a million times.

We went ahead and made some large purchases. He knew what solar/electrical system we wanted, and we knew that was going to be our biggest expense of the build. Better to buy that while we are both still working! We also purchased our Dometic fridge, MaxxAir fans (2), and a window that would be going into the slider door.

Throughout 2018 and 2019, Ray would complete some projects during the time he had available. He installed the solar panels, ran the electrical wiring: we run both 12v (think cigarette lighter) and 120 (basic house current).

FINALLY!!! It was time to cut the first hole in the van! Talk about nerve-racking!!!! Measure a million times, cut once! Cause one chance is all you get! I am so thankful Ray is patient and meticulous. He cut the 2 holes in the roof for our fans. Got those installed, and was ready to tackle the window that would be placed into the slider door.

Windows are completely subjective. Some people want no windows at all, especially if they want to be "stealthy" and do a lot of urban boondocking. Some people want ALL windows! They want the light and all the views as they boondock out in nature.

I guess we are somewhere in between. We already have 2 windows in the back doors, and with our floorplan, we really didn't have much room for other windows aside from the slider door. So far, we have no regrets!

As usual Ray did his homework! He found the best-for-us window, and installed it beautifully! We absolutely love this window, and would choose it again.

On April 1, 2019, Ray gave his notice at work. We knew that in order to finish the projects that needed to happen in the house (to get ready to sell it), and also build out the van, he needed to treat this as his FT job or we'd never get on the road. Once the house projects were finished, he went gang busters on the van. The floor went in, cabinets were made (yes, he made, not bought). He found a way to put an adjustable bed frame in the van. He worked hours everyday to accomplish what is now our beautiful home on wheels.

Please don't think I am a slacker! I was still working fulltime, but I would help Ray whenever he asked. I am a good "holder" and a fairly good "sander" and "painter." Other than that, I didn't need to be apart of this project. Oh, I did help stuff insulation in the walls!

One thing you might find sweet about our build is that before we put the walls up, I asked my friends and bible study ladies to come write prayers and/or scriptures on our walls to bless our new little home. It was such a sweet evening! And knowing that our van is covered in scripture and prayer is such a salve to my soul!

Well, 2020 come in like a vengeance!!! I finally left my job at the end of January 2020. And Ray worked tirelessly to finish up the van.