Starting our Ford Transit Van Build… (ok, Journey)

Brad here! Ok, so you’ve heard Lesley and I talking about our #cargovanlife for… well, almost a full year now! And I’m finally excited to say that we’ve just made our first purchase towards actually beginning our build out. Whenever I have had a free evening I spent it watching youtube videos, reading blog posts from Isabelle… Continue reading Starting our Ford Transit Van Build… (ok, Journey)

  • Author: Brad
  • November 30, 2021
Home  »  Ford Transit Van Build   »   Starting our Ford Transit Van Build… (ok, Journey)
Ford Transit Joshua Tree CA - Online Pilates Classes
Ford Transit Joshua Tree CA - Online Pilates Classes

Brad here!

Ok, so you’ve heard Lesley and I talking about our #cargovanlife for… well, almost a full year now! And I’m finally excited to say that we’ve just made our first purchase towards actually beginning our build out. Whenever I have had a free evening I spent it watching youtube videos, reading blog posts from Isabelle and Antoine at FarOutRide.com, and generally conceptualizing what the heck we’re going to do with this beast – how we’ll be turning it into a Pilates tour van so we can bring a reformer with us when we drive around the country.

I’ll be documenting our Ford Transit Van build-out – although not quite as meticulously as other blogs out there. Along with planting and growing cacti, this van build is going to be my hobby for the next… year? Two?

meet rbg

We’ve dubbed him/her Rosebud Globetrotter, or RBG for short. (Obviously inspired by Schitt’s Creek and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.) RBG is a 2020 Ford Transit 350 Cargo High Roof Extended van. This thing is 23 feet long and 9 feet high! After a long time friend of mine lamented about how he wished he’d gotten the largest option after converting his Sprinter, we decided to go big or don’t go at all.

rbg in joshua tree ca pre build may 2021 online pilates classes
RBG in Joshua Tree, CA (pre-build, 2021)

We shopped for nearly four months last year before deciding that we just couldn’t trust anything used. The thought of having a bent frame or some other damage that would haunt us forever kept me up at night. So, we rolled it off the lot with 18 miles.

The day after that we threw off the training wheels and drove RBG clear across the country, from Las Vegas to Philadelphia. It was a heck of a trip and we took all three dogs with us. Covid changed our normal process… instead of hunting out fun restaurants and stopping at friends’ houses along the way we simply blasted across the country as fast as we could. Seriously, we made the drive back from Philly to LV in 55 hours. As you can guess, Lesley and I trade off driving.

The FIRST PURCHASE

Well… we’ve had a full year of conceptualizing, and we’re about to head across the country again, so I thought I’d better get my ish together and start insulating the van. But, step one had to be sound proofing. It’s actually incredibly loud when you have an entirely empty cargo van and you’re barreling down the highway.

If you have any interest at all we’re using Kilmat Butyl Car Sound Deadening Mat. After a good squeaky cleaning/degreasing, we’ll apply the Kilmat as layer number one!

What Did We Get Ourselves Into??

With about a million different options and theories on what order to do this build out and how to do it, I thought I’d share our process. I always love a good behind-the-scenes, so we thought we’d include you on this voyage with us.

We hope to see you as we drive around North America, but at the very least you can stay tuned in to the blog!

lesley logan brad crowell the dogs online pilates classes
Lesley Logan, Brad Crowell & the dogs
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6 comments

    1. Hey Lee, so glad you dig it! We thought it was so fun 😀 Stay tuned, I’ve been working on the van some more this week and have all of Saturday blocked off for primer and insulation!

    1. Christine, we absolutely will do that!! Can’t wait to see your lavender fields!

    1. Thanks for tuning in, Ida! I think it’s going to take a year or so, but I can’t wait to see it Return To Life! (pun intended… haha)

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bfcm opc pop up | Online Pilates Classes

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL

THE CALM BETWEEN THE STORMS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

What Storms you ask? Well, Thanksgiving (USA) just happened and we’re kicking off the big Holiday Season right away. Let’s use this week’s Mat & Reformer classes to connect to our breath, center from the powerhouse, and find a little calm.

On the Reformer, we’ll be working to make Running more than that exercise you do to stretch your calves. And on the Mat well alter some of our traditional breathing patterns for a calming challenge!

You won’t need any special props, just your fabulous, Deep-Breathing selves!

See you in class,

Tami

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

THE BOSS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

In the states its the week of Thanksgiving which means a lot of things to do and little time for you. And whether you live in the states or not I wanted to give everyone an excuse to leave any room so they can "meet with the boss" aka take class!

And you are the boss! The meeting is with you, your practice and OPC! Tell people The Boss called. They'll let you go and they'll totally understand that 30 min is a legit time to talk to The Boss.

The prop needed on the Mat: Pillows or a bolster or ball. I'm thinking about things you might have in any bedroom to take a call.

Reformer: if you happen to have access to a Reformer this week YAY! The Reformer is going to be the boss. The sounds it makes, the way it feels, its got feedback for ya!

See ya in class,

xx~LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pillows or a bolster or ball and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

TINSEL AND TEASERS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week we’ll focus on Teaser because we can! It’s hard! And when in need a pretty great party trick.

The end of the year brings lots of parties you want to go to, some you have to go to and some you wish you could get out of.

Let this workout be and excuse for not going to a party or as a prep for the party trick you might just need!

Props: On the Mat and Reformer a theraband for your Tinsel!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

SLEIGH THE DAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Sleigh or Slay? This time of year we say both!

Reflecting on the year and recognizing all of the work we put into our practice hopefully feels like we slayed the year!! Now we are getting ready for the holidays and heading into a new year so we can sleigh and get it done!

This week I want you to feel like you can do your very best with each exercise! Meet your body where it is, have fun and dont judge how it goes! There are always those exercises you aren’t sure about, but today you just have to go into it saying, I WILL SLEIGH this one! Lets do this!!

No props needed for these classes!

See you in class,

Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

HORSES HORSES HORSES

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

If you are a lover of the Reformer chances are you have little love for the Horseback. I don't blame you. It's not that fun. If you're on the Mat you probably have no idea what this means…

And that's ok! Horseback is like a seated Teaser but harder!

On both the Mat and Reformer we will be playing with how to connect to this exercise, prepare for it and find a Horse that works for us!

Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

JINGLE BELL ROCK

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

There are some Rocking Moves in Pilates! This whole month we’ll be getting our Jingle On as we use each piece of equipment to prepare for and expand on those rolling & rocking postures. Bring that holiday spirit, let's rock!

Mat - no props needed
Reformer - Reformer Box and Pole
Cadillac - no props needed
Chair - no props needed

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

Super STAR

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Did you know that a Superstar has definitions surrounding it that call out words like “prime attraction”, “prominent”, and “public appeal”?

I’m laughing as I write this description because this month’s theme is about the exercise STAR and I think these words are usually disassociated with that exercise! LOL!!!

If you hate doing Star, never wanted to try Star, or have no idea what Star is - these workouts are for YOU!!
If you love Star - I’d love to know why, but also - these workouts are for YOU!!

Throughout the Pilates method there aren’t many exercises where the side body is the main attraction, which is interesting because we need to use our side body to do some of the first exercises we learn. Rolling exercises, Roll Up, and Push Up/Planking - all need to call on your side body muscles to help you do the exercises.

Our focus this month is side body work to help you not only be a SuperSTAR and try STAR, but to help you connect to these muscles to do all the other exercises.

Let’s have FUN this month and forget about the stigma STAR may or may not have :)

Equipment needed:

Reformer = the box

Cadillac = no props needed!

Chair = no props needed, but you might want a yoga block to prop up your pedal

Mat = no props needed!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋