Well we just completed a two week trip through British Columbia and Eastern/Central Oregon. We put about 2,000 miles on the Interstate and came away with only a few minor items needing attention. The van performed flawlessly - and we couldn't be happier with this Interstate. Our FAVORITE by far.
Punch List to fix or improve:
Ceiling Fan air cabin noise -
discussed before
Fusion Unit - rip out with a hammer,
or install a power kill-switch as before
Toilet Paper receptacle replace -
see photo
Hope you enjoy the photos and I hope this helps stimulate each of you to call in sick, or just quit your job, and get out on the road. I can tell you the Canadian's are so happy to see you, perhaps you might consider a trip way North?
The trip plan was for my wife to get North to BC to scout out upcoming ski adventures and enjoy the scenery (you see, my wife of ten years, is from Duluth Minnesota, so North/and cool to chilly temps is how she's wired) and for us to tour BC areas by motorcycle using our ASI as a base camp. No Gusto dog on this trip allowed us to enjoy a dynamic and flexible journey. Maybe find a hotel if the weather dumped rain on us (it did) or we just found a place we'd like to hang out longer and not worry about hitting a deer/bear/moose at twilight.
The ferry system in BC is a true joy to utilize, especially with motorcycles. The system is no-charge to all, and you meet some enjoyable local characters along the way while waiting for the ferry or underway across a body of water.
(Just a quick note - we did hit "SNOW" in Jasper ... unexpected road covered with 6"+ of white powdery SNOW)
We worked our way through part of BC shown on the map, then eventually headed South to discover lovely, quaint Joseph Oregon (Wollowa Mtn Range), rode our motorcycles through Hells Canyo and later through La Grande, Pendleton, Ukiah, and to Hood River for breakfast at Broder Ost.
Purchase Angst:
When I read online someone
anguishing about whether to buy an ASI or any adventure travel machine (Cirrus Aircraft etc) I am reminded (as they calculate the acquisition cost, depreciation, cost of ownership blah blah blah) ... how often potential buyers miss the point. These Interstate units are meant for creating memories - tools to enhance our personal relationships with family and friends, or to explore our planet and create new experiences.
Whether it's a pickup with a rooftop tent, an ASI or some other unit in the marketplace - I'm reminded we all need to travel more. Explore more. And get outside more. Our ASI's have allowed us remarkable flexibility and offer substantial utility for our personal use. YMMV
Sure an Interstate will cost more than many/most competitive units in the market. But when considering total cost of ownership, make sure you "put a $$ value" on experiences shared and relationships strengthened with your passengers as you explore new environments together. And yes, I mean put a value on those personal experiences.
Just because it's difficult to quantify doesn't mean it doesn't have value.
Finally, from a resale standpoint, I've already discussed our ROI for previously owned ASI units. It costs us pennies per mile to trade up each year. And truthfully, considering the 4wd units costs us nothing to utilize each year. Because of the limited supply and strong secondary market demand. Sure there are cheaper Class B units out there, there are more comfortable and larger B+, or C units out there, there are other 4wd B vans out there with better departure angles and more rugged looking. But for our needs, and possibly your needs, the ASI is perfect! Elegant, versatile, practical, cost effective considering resale, safe with 4wd, and very comfortable on the road and while parked. It's the right product, with the right design being offered to the right (expanding) demographic.
I know it sounds like an AS pitch. But that's not my intended message. I've been equally critical of AS in the past when build quality or the 2017 Fusion fiasco started.
How about this take-away? Let's all GET OUT THERE a bit more this year eh?
Let's all plan one-extra-trip and stop believing we'll all live forever. We can buy groceries along the way, just walk out to your adventure machine, start it up and drive away from the minutia of home
Hope the photos are not too boring ... they're just meant to inspire you a bit
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