Miles in the Mirror
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The Story Behind the Story

After a year living in my camper named "The Betty", I've decided to take those adventures and make it a lifestyle.   From the first day of the journey to the launch of my business I've kept a journal here at "Miles in the Mirror".
If you want to go back to the beginning, click the link below and it'll bring you to day one.

Putting It All Together

Sportsmobile 4x4 Camper Van for Sale!

7/6/2016

21 Comments

 

2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4x4 Camper Van

​Hello fellow adventures. Recently I've been making some changes to the business. Into The Wild had originally started as a Sportsmobile rental company in the spring of 2015. The rentals have been going great and I truly enjoyed helping people to explore this amazing country! To continue the growth of the business I have decided to enter into the design and production of my own adventure rigs. Currently I am building and selling custom off road campers and will begin building custom vans in the near future. With that being said "Thor the Van" is up for sale. If you or anyone you know is interested feel free to contact me! I'm going to miss this beast!
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This is a 2003 Ford E350 4x4 Sportsmobile EB (extended body).  This rig has the workhorse Triton V10 6.8 liter engine which offers great power for cruising over mountain passes and the low end torque for off roading.  The 4x4 conversion was installed by Agile Off Road out of California at 86,000 miles.  This system uses the F-series HD independent suspension.   The independent suspension offers a better ride both on and off highway than a solid axel conversion.  The ground clearance and articulation of the system is bar none. 
The interior has been converted by Sportsmobile with a voyager high top and the EB70 floor plan.  This floor plan is the walk through style which offers more room in the van.  My favorite thing about this floor plan is when not using the van to camp, you can carry a full sheet of plywood no problem.  The high top is great with the extra storage it provides.  It also allows you to stand up in the rear at any time without having to pop up the roof. 
There is sleeping for 3 and seating for 5(with seatbelts).  The conversion comes with a 2 burner propane stove, freshwater sink w/12 gallon tank and a 3.5 cubic foot fridge/freezer (electric).  There are two deep cycle house batteries that are topped off with a 200w solar system and digital controller.  Even with snow on the panels or rainy days, the solar keeps the batteries full.  The batteries are also charge of the engine when driving.
This vehicle was used for my business as a rental unit in the 2015 season and a few weeks in 2016.  The fact that I would send this van out with customers to explore the Rockies and beyond the maintenance had to be above and beyond.    This van was never repaired, it was maintained.  A breakdown with a customer would potentially ruin a trip and also be a costly recovery and repair for me.  It was simply not an option.   During its time as a rental it never left me or a customer stranded.  If any mechanical component was showing wear or a possibility of failure it was replaced.    The majority of maintenance was performed by a Ford dealership or by Peak to Peak truck repair in Silverthorne, CO.  Peak to Peak had contracts with many of the local mining companies to have their 4x4 work vans serviced.  After a rental the van was deep cleaned.  Typically I would spend around 4 hours cleaning the van after each outing.  
The reason I am selling this awesome rig is to fund additional projects for the company.   Over the next year I will begin producing off road teardrop campers and 4x4 camper van conversions.  I also hope to have van rentals available again by the spring of 2017.
This style van and engine is no longer produced.  It has made the sale of this vehicle even harder.   The V10 engine is a coveted motor that can easily reach 3000,000 plus miles and has a much better track record the 6.0 diesel option.  When they stopped producing the E series and the V10, Sportsmobile purchased any remaining units form Ford for conversions.
 
Below is specs of the van and some of the major maintenance and upgrades.  I’m sure I missed somethings so let me know if you have any questions.    I have all receipts for maintenance and upgrades.
Interior
Seating for 5
Sleeping for 3
Driver and passenger seats swivel to face the rear
2 burner propane stove
3.5 cuft electric Fridge/Freezer
Sink with 12 gallons of freshwater
Propane ducted forced air heater
12v and 110 power w/shore power
Tons of storage
 
Exterior
Aluminess bumpers front and rear installed at 86,000 miles
Large Aluminess storage box w/Yakima rack
Aluminess Full size spare tire carrier
2” receiver hitch front and rear
ARB 8 foot side awning
Fox 2.0 custom tuned suspension and steering dampener
200w solar panel with digital charge controller
2 deep cycle house batteries
285/75/R16 BGF Goodrich A/T and full size spare
 
Maintenance
2016
Fox suspension just rebuilt by Agile Off Road with an upgraded tune.
New fuel filter
New air filter
Oil Change at 105,000 (Motorcraft)
Tires Rotated/Balanced
Rear Rotors and Pads replaced with upgraded Ford HD parts
New Rear axle seals and bearings
 
2015
4/25/2015 – oil change
5/6/2015 – Alignment
6/1/2015 – oil change
6/29/2015- New Battery Isolater (Blue Sea) new wiring, and new battery
8/15/2015 – oil change
9/2/2015 – New Starter, New Alternator, Balance/Rotate, Alignment, air filter
 
Upgrades-
The van was converted to 4x4 by Agile Off Road in 2015 at 86,000 miles and Aluminess bumpers installed at the same time.  Cost of the conversion and bumpers $16,785.08 not including wheels and tires. (have receipts).
In the spring of 2015 Boulder Off Road Vans installed a 20,000 BTU gas furnace, an larger Aluminess storage box, and a 8’ ARB side awning.  The cost of these upgrades was $4,285.00 (have receipts).
In the spring of 2016 Agile Off Road rebuilt and upgraded the Fox 2.0 suspension system.  The upgrade helped with handling both on and off road.
21 Comments

The Boreas XT is Ready to Roll

5/31/2016

4 Comments

 
I'm excited to announce that Into The Wild has officially entered the Overland retail market!  The Boreas XT teardrop trailer is officially up for sale and ready to roll!  Below is a write up on the off road trailer and plenty of pictures!!

Off-Road and Off-the-Grid Basecamp

Designed and built by Into The Wild Expeditions in Colorado, the Boreas XT trailer is a true off-road and off-the-grid camper.  With independent suspension and 17 inches of ground clearance the only limit to this trailer is the vehicle towing it.  On board water, 100 watts of solar power, and sleeping for two makes Colorado’s backcountry easily accessible.
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The Boreas XT is completely turnkey.  The galley kitchen comes fully equipped with a Dometic 12v fridge/freezer, sink, and two burner stove.  The solar kit will keep your deep cycle AGM battery topped off during extended off-the-grid adventures.   Bring all your gear and accessories with ample storage in the cabin and kitchen cabinets. With a dry weight of just over 1600 pounds and electric brakes it is easily towed by any sized vehicle.

Want your own custom trailer? Give us a call or email and we can discuss custom options.
The trailer pictured is available for sale at $15,900.

​For more info on the company site click Into The Wild!!

​Exterior
•Frame is sealed steel tubing – no drilling into the frame so no risk of water intrusion and rust
•Frame built by certified welder
•2 coats each of industrial primer and paint
•Timbren Axle-Less 2,000lb HD independent suspension
•Full sized spare
•Electric Brakes
•.040” Anodized Aluminum exterior sheeting
•3/4” treated plywood base coated with industrial sealant
•Multi Axis hitch coupler (rotates on all axis)
•Rear leveling jacks
•7 point plug
•Front jack with wheel
•All LED lighting with reverse lights
•Aluminum fenders coated with heavy duty bed liner
•2 Exterior LED porch lights
Interior Cabin
  • Two full sized doors with windows and screens
  • Overhead “stargazer” window
  • Sleeping space is 54"W x 76"L
  • Fan-Tastic Fan with 3 speeds and reverse
  • LED lighting
  • 12v/USB power source with battery monitoring gauge
  • Oversized Birch storage cabinets
  • Alder ceiling/wall panels
  • 4” Foam bed
  • Fully insulated
​Galley Kitchen
  • Pull out SMEV 2 burner propane stove with glass top
  • Pull out SMEV sink with glass top
  • Pull out Dometic CFX-35US 12v/110 Electric Cooler Refrigerator/Freezer
  • 10 gallons of onboard freshwater with self-priming pump.
  • 11lbs of onboard propane
  • All pull out accessories mounted on 500lb sliders with lock in/lock out options
  • LED lights
  • 12v/USB power source with battery gauge
  • Birch cabinets with shelf
  • Formica counter top
  • Alder ceiling/wall panels
​Construction
  • Cabin is built on ¾” treated plywood with industrial sealant
  • Base of cabin is bolted to mounting tabs on the frame – No drilling into the frame
  • Stick framed with 2x2 studs on 12” centers and wood decking screws
  • All joints reinforced with hurricane clips for increased durability
  • Roof trusses are 2x3 studs on 12” cnters with ability to add a roof rack or tent
  • Sheeted with ¼” plywood walls and 3/8” plywood roof
  • Exterior is sheeted in .040 Anodized Aluminum (will not oxidize)
​Electrical
  • 12v power system with Blue Sea fuse panel
  • 100w Renogy Solar panel with charge controller
  • Deep Cycle Battery AGM Solar Energy Storage 12V 55AH
  • Interior and Exterior LED lighting
​Specifications
•Body – 5’ x 9’
•Length – 13’6”
•Width – 89” fender to fender
•Height - 6’4”
•Weight – 1,640lbs dry
•Tires – 31x10.5 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2s
•Wheels – Steal 15x8, 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern (Jeep pattern)
•Frame – 2”x2” 3/16” steel tubing
4 Comments

The Boreas XT Off Road Teardrop

5/9/2016

2 Comments

 

​I wanted to drop a quick line on the construction of the teardrop trailer.   With nearly 6 months of design and fabrication it's almost done!

​The trailer is named after the pass I lived on in Breckenridge, CO.  The Boreas Pass Road was originally a railway from Denver to Breck.   The old railway was know for its treacherous and windy path.  In 63 miles of track there were 435 curves.  The longest straight section was 1.6 miles.

​I will put together a more in depth write up on the build shortly.  The trailer should be complete in the next week or so and will be ready for sale!

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