Kate had already spent more than 20 years RVing when she built the van she loves most. Now in her 80s, she downsized to a 136-inch-wheelbase Ram ProMaster called Zip, and the smaller rig gave her more freedom, more comfort, and a stronger sense of being alive.
Her story isn’t only about a van build. It’s also about getting back on the road after serious health problems. She talks about it in the video at the end of this post from CheapRVliving.
Why the smaller van changed everything
The move from a 32-foot motorhome to a 17 1/2-foot van changed the way Kate travels. She said the big rig kept her from many of the places she wanted to visit, while the ProMaster is fun to drive instead of stressful. It also gets about 17-18 mpg, much better than the 6 mpg she saw before.
After life-threatening health problems, Kate moved into a senior apartment so she could stay warm and dry. Once her health improved, she returned to the road, stopped using her cane, reduced most of her medications, and found a wider circle of friends.
Building Zip, one mistake at a time
When Kate bought the van in 2019, it was a stripped cargo shell. She sat on the floor and thought, “What was I thinking?” Then she started building. The subfloor went in wrong twice, so she laid it a third time and ended up with a sturdy floor.
Kate wanted the van to feel open, so she ran the bed across the back. Baltic birch drawers, tongue-and-groove paneling, and careful use of the factory structure kept the layout clean without wasting space.
Simple systems that work well
Kate kept the van’s systems simple. She chose a 48-liter Engle AC/DC fridge because she doesn’t like propane refrigerators. Power comes from two 100Ah lithium iron phosphate batteries, a 2500-watt inverter she rarely uses, and one 100-watt solar panel. A solar shop told her, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and that matched her setup.
Comfort got the same practical treatment. Her twin mattress has a foam topper, and Motion Windows paired with the exhaust fan move air fast enough to cool the van without air conditioning. A flip-up table also gives her a cooking space for induction-cooked meals.
Water, toilet, and heat in a small space
Storage above the cab holds sleeping bags and an electric blanket. Her old 5-gallon water tank and tubing got slimy, so she plans to switch to a 12V rechargeable water faucet pump with smaller fresh and gray tanks.
For the bathroom, she keeps a separate container for liquid waste and uses a collapsible camping toilet with a bag and horse pellets for solid waste.
Kate also prefers a compact Kovea Cupid butane heater, which suits a small van better than larger propane-style heaters. She says fear isn’t a big part of how she travels.
Final thoughts
Zip feels personal because every part of it came from trial, patience, and need. Kate built a van that fits her life, and in the process, she found more movement, more connection, and more freedom.
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