Reason to own an Interstate

[Glamper1]

new owner
No regrets
But would love to hear your reason and new ways to use the AI.
I dont think ill ever boondock
But I dont really care for RV Parks.
I guess that so far I like owning more than using.
Im sure this will change with the weather.

[Protagonist]

These reasons apply to all Sprinter-based B-vans, not just Interstates…
1 - Small enough to use it in place of a daily driver if necessary, at least for non-extended models. I've driven mine to work on several occasions, and it's my vehicle of choice for any out-of-town trip regardless of destination, such as when I drove to Ocean Springs, MS for a Christmas party and drove back the same day.
2 - It's the most comfortable vehicle I've ever driven, the only one that doesn't leave me with leg cramps after a few hours behind the wheel. Other owners might say that the ride in the rear sofa is atrocious, but at least in the driver's seat it's perfect!
3 - You can park it at home and don't need to rent storage for it.
4 - Eighteen miles to the gallon!

This one is all Airstream…
5 - It finds admirers wherever it goes, making it a great way to meet people in a new campground. Not as good a conversation starter as a cute baby or pet, but requires a lot less maintenance than a baby or pet, too.

[xrvr]

What Pro said. I regret each camping trip selling mi Interstate years ago. Easily the most versatile camping combo I ever owned. The pros far outweighed the cons. If I had the money, I would own one now. We used ours as a rolling motel room as well as a vacation camper. Longest trip was two weeks, cramped but still comfortable. Peace, Jim

[karenjude]

My input is B van based too. ( I had a B190 not an Interstate)

- tailgating ( football games, kids soccer games, concerts etc)
- long drives ( can easily pull off and nap as needed)
- girls weekends away
- long drives with picnic lunches
- sag wagon for friends doing long bike trips, River kayak trips etc
- quick weekend or overnight trips
- day at the beach

You indicated that you don't like RV parks but have you tried state or national parks? We generally don't camp in RV parks either as we like a more natural setting. Some have limited hookups ( elec and water) but I got pretty proficient at going without hookups too - local trips and practice helped with that.

Hope that helps!

[Mjgman]

We have had a B van for several years now starting with a four winds Ventura and then the interstate two years ago.. We have had so much fun and so many memories that I get a smile on my face just thinking about our trips... I've taken ours to remote locations as well as New York City, Boston and Philadelphia just to name a few.. In my opinion they just can't be beat for versatility and ease of use...

[fmr.capt.evi]

For a couple of our full timing years, our only motorized vehicle was a Roadtrek...I remember how nice it was to have my own restroom with me wherever I went.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

These reasons apply to all Sprinter-based B-vans, not just Interstates…
1 - Small enough to use it in place of a daily driver if necessary, at least for non-extended models. I've driven mine to work on several occasions, …

5 - It finds admirers wherever it goes, making it a great way to meet people in a new campground. ...

Yeah, and if you take it to work, be sure to budget an extra 30 minutes on each end of your day for the inevitable public show-and-tell. Been there, done that.

[avanti]

In almost a decade of B-van ownership, we have NEVER stayed in a commercial campground. Once you get the hang of using State & National Park & National Forest campgrounds, you can travel almost anywhere in great comfort and convenience, and seeing historic and scenic sites that most of the traveling public overlook.

[terryV]

Yeah, all that, AND it looks really cool parked in your driveway.

[AWCHIEF]

The only negative I can see is, you pull into you camping spot, get all set up, and then discover you have forgotten to bring milk and bread. You do not drag a toad. It is 10 miles to the closest grocery store. Do you break camp or try to hitch a ride to the store?

[Glamper1]

Thank you all.
I enjoyed reading all of your posts.
I hope more chime in.
Now that I am married to my Interstate,
its nice to focus on the good.
looks like I need to get a state park app for my smart phone and ipad.
Thanks again.
Best,

Ben

[avanti]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

The only negative I can see is, you pull into you camping spot, get all set up, and then discover you have forgotten to bring milk and bread. You do not drag a toad. It is 10 miles to the closest grocery store. Do you break camp or try to hitch a ride to the store?

Except that, unless you are of the pink flamingo or chili-pepper festoon light persuasion, breaking camp takes, like, three minutes.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

The only negative I can see is, you pull into you camping spot, get all set up, and then discover you have forgotten to bring milk and bread. You do not drag a toad. It is 10 miles to the closest grocery store. Do you break camp or try to hitch a ride to the store?

I drag a toad. It's only 3500 pounds GVWR, and only costs me 1 mile per gallon to tow it. Based on my calculations, that means it only cost me about 1¢ per mile to bring a toad (which is my daily driver when I'm not towing it).

And for those who don't want to drag a toad, there's always the possibility of putting a bike rack on the back, or putting a Vespa scooter on a hitch-mounted rack. Before I traded in my SUV on a toad, I carried a bike with me, with a couple of baskets on the back that were big enough to put a paper bag of groceries in each.

So having to break camp to make a grocery run is only a problem if you want it to be a problem.

[m.hony]

I don't always care for privately owned RV parks, either, but I love state and federal park campgrounds with lakes, fire pits, and grills-

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I don't always care for privately owned RV parks, either, but I love state and federal park campgrounds with lakes, fire pits, and grills-

Then you'll also like Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

[Boxster1971]

Our Interstate is truly a multi-purpose vehicle. We lived in it for three months this summer on a trip to Alaska. When home it gets used to haul the groceries or take 6-8 people out to see the sites. Last week I used it to haul a sectional couch to my daughter. I placed a plywood floor made for my old Ford van over the lounge bed protected by several old blankets. I didn't get a photo of the couch loaded, but here is a shot with load area empty.



- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Our Interstate is truly a multi-purpose vehicle. .... I placed a plywood floor made for my old Ford van over the lounge bed protected by several old blankets. I didn't get a photo of the couch loaded, but here is a shot with load area empty.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

We will be building such a platform as well, possibly to haul landscaping elements. I've always said that I'd never drive a vehicle that can't swallow a four by eight sheet of plywood with ease. Now I have two of them (the other is a minivan).

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Then you'll also like Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

Yep. Love 'em.

[Lily&Me]

What's not to love....that's all I have to say.

Approaching 8 years of ownership, 155,000+ miles, and couldn't love it more.


Maggie

[nesoutlook]

Just taking the baby to the beach early in the morning. Parallel parked along the beach with an ocean view. Keurig coffee maker brewing fresh coffee. Reading the local paper. Nice. This would not be possible with a larger RV.


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