4 avis
(5)Mark P.
5juin 2024
Lisa S.
5juin 2024
My recent weeklong trip in the “Simplicity” Van to try out Van Life living “on my own” could not have been better! The van itself is much better than pictured - and comes with many extra convenient amenities installed by the owner. From my first upon arrival “test drive” (my biggest hurdle, but easy after all), followed by Ervin’s detailed “new to me” instructions, and a wonderful week on Kerr Lake, VA with my bike and inflatable kayak, the experience was fantastic and everything I had hoped for!
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As a single woman, I appreciated that the van was outfitted with a combination of optional privacy curtains, and insulated sun privacy screens that could be used or not - plus a button in the front console that locked ALL locks from the inside at once. The weather during the trip ranged from hot, almost 90 degree days (including a severe thunderstorm) to pleasant days in the 70’s to 80’s - so I was able to try out the AC cooling/& ventilation systems of the van. Had electric & water hookups just the last 4 days. My favorite was boondocking with the back windows open, the Fantastic Fan on, and smaller front and back interior fans on as needed. Particularly great was the magnetic Rolef Bug Screen over the side van door space! So easy to get in and out! Plus it let air and sunlight in!
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For my van life TEST - I needed to try out everything and did! There was an opt. back table that sets up in-between sofa/bed seats - but I used it only once due to always keeping my bedding setup in place. (A push of a button automatically folds down the seats into a bed.) A small table made by the owner can be set up between the van front seats, passenger seat turned backwards, complete with a footrest was great for using the Laptop. Another small table under the TV held my iPhone, glasses, etc. at night. The TV did not have internet at my campground, but the DVD player worked great! Suggest having a wireless speaker to play music throughout the van from your iPhone!
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Other features:
Kitchen included a small, but adequate, sink (opt. wooden cutting board insert), a nicely powered microwave oven, and 2 burner gas stove which worked well once I figured out how to use it! Nice to have if needed - though I mostly used a kitchen setup on the picnic table. A huge Refrigerator (5.2 Cu. Ft.) for a van RV - very cold and spacious, with a freezer cold enough for my Mint Chip ice cream! Easily stored food for a week - and the Pantry pull-out shelves held lots of dry goods.
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Bathroom (small toilet & sink) - although tight, it was handy to have for nighttime trips to the bathroom - used the campground bathrooms during the day. Did not use the shower, as the campground showers worked fine for me. Should have used the van’s Outdoor Shower for the hot days though!!
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Useful Extras: hooks on various walls, lightweight drying dowel assembly over the bed, optional black-out back window curtains, and a phone holder on the dashboard for navigation. Patio light available too outside the van door, as well as an Awning. (I did not need to use at my shady sites) Leveling blocks also provided. Most useful item - the owner’s Pen Flashlight! Used it all the time to check battery power, to operate bed controls, and to monitor AC temperatures - indispensable! Don’t leave home without it!
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A great trip - with lots of biking, walking, swimming and kayaking. Also I learned how to empty the black and gray water tanks at the end, which was easy and on my to-do list! Much to think about for Van Life next steps!
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By the way, Ervin, “Simplicity’s” owner, was wonderful - always very communicative and easy to work with, taking time to thoroughly explain and demonstrate all the the van’s features and systems. I recommend copying out his detailed information about the van that he will email you, and using it as a manual/reference during your camping trip. Happy Camping! - you can’t go wrong with “Simplicity!”
-
As a single woman, I appreciated that the van was outfitted with a combination of optional privacy curtains, and insulated sun privacy screens that could be used or not - plus a button in the front console that locked ALL locks from the inside at once. The weather during the trip ranged from hot, almost 90 degree days (including a severe thunderstorm) to pleasant days in the 70’s to 80’s - so I was able to try out the AC cooling/& ventilation systems of the van. Had electric & water hookups just the last 4 days. My favorite was boondocking with the back windows open, the Fantastic Fan on, and smaller front and back interior fans on as needed. Particularly great was the magnetic Rolef Bug Screen over the side van door space! So easy to get in and out! Plus it let air and sunlight in!
-
For my van life TEST - I needed to try out everything and did! There was an opt. back table that sets up in-between sofa/bed seats - but I used it only once due to always keeping my bedding setup in place. (A push of a button automatically folds down the seats into a bed.) A small table made by the owner can be set up between the van front seats, passenger seat turned backwards, complete with a footrest was great for using the Laptop. Another small table under the TV held my iPhone, glasses, etc. at night. The TV did not have internet at my campground, but the DVD player worked great! Suggest having a wireless speaker to play music throughout the van from your iPhone!
-
Other features:
Kitchen included a small, but adequate, sink (opt. wooden cutting board insert), a nicely powered microwave oven, and 2 burner gas stove which worked well once I figured out how to use it! Nice to have if needed - though I mostly used a kitchen setup on the picnic table. A huge Refrigerator (5.2 Cu. Ft.) for a van RV - very cold and spacious, with a freezer cold enough for my Mint Chip ice cream! Easily stored food for a week - and the Pantry pull-out shelves held lots of dry goods.
-
Bathroom (small toilet & sink) - although tight, it was handy to have for nighttime trips to the bathroom - used the campground bathrooms during the day. Did not use the shower, as the campground showers worked fine for me. Should have used the van’s Outdoor Shower for the hot days though!!
-
Useful Extras: hooks on various walls, lightweight drying dowel assembly over the bed, optional black-out back window curtains, and a phone holder on the dashboard for navigation. Patio light available too outside the van door, as well as an Awning. (I did not need to use at my shady sites) Leveling blocks also provided. Most useful item - the owner’s Pen Flashlight! Used it all the time to check battery power, to operate bed controls, and to monitor AC temperatures - indispensable! Don’t leave home without it!
-
A great trip - with lots of biking, walking, swimming and kayaking. Also I learned how to empty the black and gray water tanks at the end, which was easy and on my to-do list! Much to think about for Van Life next steps!
-
By the way, Ervin, “Simplicity’s” owner, was wonderful - always very communicative and easy to work with, taking time to thoroughly explain and demonstrate all the the van’s features and systems. I recommend copying out his detailed information about the van that he will email you, and using it as a manual/reference during your camping trip. Happy Camping! - you can’t go wrong with “Simplicity!”
13 Photos soumise(s) par Lisa S.
Douglas G.
5avril 2024
Ervin gave a very thorough briefing on the van and its operation. Oddly enough, both our car battery and the van's battery chose the same day to die, which put us far behind our scheduled departure, but that wasn't Ervin's fault, and he was nice enough to offer us a discount for our delay. This was our first experience with a Class B RV, and it was very pleasant for the most part. Driving the van was much easier and less stressful than driving a larger RV! We did several nights at campgrounds, and several nights dry camping. The propane heater functioned well, as did the inverter and solar panel system. We didn't make use of the air conditioner. The propane stove was excellent. Don't count on hot water for this particular RV; Ervin told us it was problematic, and he was right. Campground showers to the rescue! The refrigerator/freezer is huge (for an RV) and very cold, and the microwave worked well, too.
Sean D.
0novembre 2023
Ervin Stutzman canceled the booking 4 days before departure. This is an automated posting.
Kimberly S.
5octobre 2023
We had a great experience in Ervin’s Roadtrek Simplicity. This was mainly due to the time and detail Ervin spent going over each system in the van, a simply priceless orientation that gave us the knowledge needed to truly enjoy our adventure stress free! We took her south to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and hiked over 30 miles total. Over the course of 6 nights, we camped at 4 separate campgrounds, each with full hookups for the van. With a good understanding of the power systems, the shore power at night, sunny days, and miles of mountain driving between each camp, we rarely depleted the battery AT ALL! The van is extremely easy to hook up and unhook at camp. Our favorite part was just being able to stop along the way, at the most convenient or stunning locations and enjoy a meal with all the comforts of home. This was a safe and gentle intro to van life, and would absolutely rent from Ervin again and would love to try boondocking as our next step.
9 Photos soumise(s) par Kimberly S.
Michael T.
5juillet 2023
Ervin has made this Roadtrek a very special B class with more valuable options then I came name. The 400 watts of solar let us be off the grid for several days without a problem. The Promaster drives great and we received 17-to 20 mpg driving easy. Ervin's explanation of all the features was perfect and we had zero problems. he also had a place to leave our truck and the pickup location was easy. We stayed at Loft Mountain campground off the Skyline drive between Waynesboro and Elkton, VA. in record high temperatures and had no problems and didn't even run the AC. The campground was $30.00 per night and the spaces were paved and the bathroom were very nice. There was no power or water at the site. We love the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge parkway and if you rent this B class you should take the time to check it out. Top 10 road in the USA.
4 Photos soumise(s) par Michael T.