Product Review – Testing the Adventure Wagon Interior Modular System
Waking up to the sound of rain on the roof and the heater going on, I rolled over in my sleeping bag to check the time. It was nearly 8:00 am after a late night of snowshoeing. However, I could easily sleep another hour on the spacious, comfy bed. Alas, we had waterfalls to see. This was how I woke up on the second morning of trying out the Adventure Wagon system. I was already treating the van like home.
Adventure Wagon offers a modular interior system to convert specific vans to the ultimate adjustable campervan. Read that sentence again because it has layers. The “modular interior system” includes a frame. It has electrical and custom-fitted panels as a foundation for placing the bed(s), storage, and personal goodies. The best part is that you can CHANGE it. With the reinforced L-Track, you can change the bed height when you need more space for a mountain biking adventure vs. less room for a girl’s weekend in the Columbia River Gorge. And as you might be able to guess, I tried the Adventure Wagon system for a long weekend. Doing the latter, where I got to experience the system and products in action. This blog post is dedicated to exploring the functionality of the following Adventure Wagon products.
- Modular Interior System with L-Track
- Electrical and Heating
- Moab Elevator Bed and Mattress
- Mule Bags
Overall, the system was seamless. It felt luxurious to have upholstered panels, a comfy bed, lighting, and a heater while exploring Oregon in mid-December. Adventure Wagon has the premium products of a custom build, with the flexibility to change your mind. Without getting ahead of myself, let’s get into the components.
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Who is Adventure Wagon?
In the world of campervan conversions, Adventure Wagon offers a near-custom build without the commitment of a static layout. They began as a campervan rental company but wanted to provide different van layouts based on each renter’s adventure. The owner developed a modular interior system that would allow the company to change the bed and storage to fit a couple going biking one week. Also, it has a higher single bed for two people with storage space underneath to a family going hiking the next. Maybe they need bunk beds and more seats for when driving. Not long after renting vans out, guests began to see the value of a modular system and asked about custom builds. Realizing they were sitting on gold, the company shifted to only doing the modular interior systems and associated products – sleep systems, storage, and accessories.
Adventure Wagon has a warehouse where they manufacture many products and do factory installations. I saw the machine that creates the L-Track, a guy adhering a tweed material to a recessed panel, skilled workers listening to heavy metal music (fitting) while installing the system into vans, and engineers going back and forth to test an adjusted product in a van. With a network of certified installers and a series of DIY instructions, Oregon isn’t the only location where you can get a van outfitted with the Adventure Wagon system. It’s a fascinating production that creates a premium product that was sure fun to test.
Where I Tried the Adventure Wagon System
To review the Adventure Wagon modular system up to my standards, I wanted to learn more about the product and try it out. Luckily, the Adventure Wagon Headquarters is now only two hours away from my new home in Oregon, and they offered to let me take a test.
Visiting Adventure Wagon Headquarters
First, I toured the Adventure Wagon Headquarters in southern Portland. It is where some vans were currently being built. I was mesmerized by how specifically engineered each and every product was. When every centimeter matters, Adventure Wagon makes sure every item fits like a glove. This is how I learned why the modular system can currently (as of January 2023) only work on specific vans – it’s designed to fit precisely. At the headquarters, I also saw a couple of iterations of items. You can also see how Adventure Wagon has improved its products over the years. Also, I got a sneak preview of what might be coming next.
Taking the Adventure Wagon System on the Road
I took a van on a three-night winter adventure in the Columbia River Gorge outside Portland. I have a fantastic driving record and am a skilled California driver. However, it still shocked me that they let me take a Ford Transit 2022 with a fully built-out Adventure Wagon System. During these three near-freezing nights, I understood the possibilities of the modular system and what I would want in a campervan. In this blog post, I’ll review four primary items within the Adventure Wagon ecosystem: the interior system, electrical and heating, bed with mattress, and overhead storage bags. And boy, did that heater come in handy.
At a Glance:
Interior System
- Product Info: Adventure Wagon Interior System
- Base System Generally Includes: Metal framing system, wall and ceiling insulation, and sound dampening. It also has wiring harness and outlets, lighting, fan, and installation. There are likely other nuanced items I’m missing here, so don’t quote me. Instead, reach out to Adventure Wagon for exact details and any changes to the base!
- Customization Options: Check out their van builder tool to see what customization options are available. There are some critical items to decide – where to put the overhead fan, adding bunk windows, where to put the outlets, and so much more.
- Van in My Photos: Toast Upholstery, Bamboo Ceiling, Black Anodized L-Track, and Black Hex Laminate on the Low Wall Panel. She’s a beauty!
- Upholstery Color Options: Grey Mix, Charcoal, Grey Heather, Toast, and Custom (you can choose from other colors as well!), with options to have particular panels with Bamboo, Black Hex Laminate, or Bare Wood.
- L-Track Color Options: Bare Aluminum or Black Anodized
- Install options: There are three ways to install the kit: Factory install in Portland, nationwide network of installers (which do extra custom work), and DIY install with video instructions.
Electric and Heating
- Electrical wiring is included with the interior system.
- Product Info: Heater Product Page
- Version Tried: Espar S2 D2L Van Heater
- First Impression: It kept us reliably warm while being quiet and had some fun functions on the thermostat.
Moab Elevator Bed and Mattress
- Product Inf: Moab Bed Product Page and Mattress Product Page
- Other Bed Options: Adventure Wagon also offers the Traverse Bed, which allows you to sleep sideways, or the Monk Bed, which folds down from the side of the van for one person.
- Color Options: The Moab Bed comes with a Bamboo top (what I tried) or Black Hex Laminate
- First Impression: The bed was massive for two people, and the mattress was the right amount of firmness. We definitely did not get up too early with this setup!
Mule Bags
- Product Info: Mule Bag Product Page
- Other Versions Available: They also offer the Mule Bag Mini, about half the width of the original size.
- Color Options: Black, Grey, Tan, Light Grey, Blue Grey, and Olive
- First Impression: Between the mesh pockets on the side and bottom, extra loops to hang things, and the magnetic zippered flaps, the Mule Bags were as functional as they were beautiful. What a great design to get stuff off the ground.
Product Review: Adventure Wagon’s Interior System with L-Track
The core of the Adventure Wagon is the interior system and L-Track. So, it’s a great place to start. I think people (and by people, I mean me) often forget that vans start with non-insulated metal siding, wheel wells, and sometimes seating. All the lighting and plush interiors need to be built out, and Adventure Wagon’s interior system provides a foundation for everything. The finished product of specifically fitted paneled interiors holds many secrets, including:
A-Frame
A metal frame provides the structural integrity for the L-Tracks. This allows you to place a bed at MULTIPLE heights. It fill overhead storage bags full of heavy snacks, or hang a hammock from the ceiling.
Insulation
Insulation is added behind the panels when the build is taking place, increasing the r-value of your van and dampening sounds. For our winter adventure, the insulation made for deep sleep on our chilly nights.
Electrical system
Wiring is added into the system to have lighting, outlets, a fan, and possible heating throughout the van.
L-Track
L-Track, which is Logistical Track is what airlines use (I KNEW THIS LOOKED FAMILIAR!!) to keep things in place. It’s bolted into the A-Frame. If you trust the seats on airplanes, you can trust this track.
Fitted Panels
What you see, touch, and interact with regularly, the upholstered panels are engineered to fit perfectly and save every centimeter possible.
While it fades into the background of your daily use, the interior system converts a van into a liveable campervan and allows you to change the arrangement of what you put inside. In short, it’s what makes “modular” possible. Adventure Wagon also offers three different methods of installation: (1) A factory installation in Portland, Oregon (where I visited), (2) By using one of their certified installers across the States – check this map to see the closest installer to you, (3) Or do it yourself! Adventure Wagon will send your kit to you with dozens of instructional pages.
My Experience with the Interior System
When I stopped by headquarters for a tour, I peeked inside an active van build. I could see the bright orange A-Frame, electrical wires poking out, and each odd-shaped compartment in the van wall filled with dark insulation. However, when I took the test van out, I only noticed the system’s functionality as I was not regularly thinking about what was behind the panels. I’ll cover the electrical in the next section.
Going out for an adventure in mid-December was a great way to test the insulation. While the van could not hold onto heat forever, it did better than a regular vehicle. With the heater going, we maintained a toasty, comfortable temperature. In addition to warmth, the insulation deadened sound, so we slept soundly despite any wind or people walking around the campground.
And the other thing we regularly used was the L-Track to buckle down the hatches and secure items while driving. I’m sure the L-Track would come in handy if we needed to add seating or adjust the bed, but that wasn’t necessary for a short weekend trip. I was mesmerized by the D-Rings, which use the bubble pattern of the L-Track to lock into place and have a ring to use straps or carabiners. Very necessary so that not everything comes tumbling forward you when you hit the breaks.
Favorite Features
While I’ve already started to discuss some benefits of the interior system, here are a few stand-out features from my long weekend in the van:
Tweed Fabric Upholstery and Bamboo Ceiling: The sturdy tweed upholstery in the color Toast and bamboo ceiling made the van feel homey. I loved the light color interior and the feel of the upholstery. The van I tested had Black Hex Laminate on the lower portion of the wall. It hid the outlets and any dirt.
L-Track Maneuverability: As I mentioned above, the L-Track was super handy for battening down the hatches. It has wet hanging items (from our hour at the Society Hotel and Spa) and securing larger items like the refrigerator.
Bump-Outs and Bunk Windows: The van I tested had bump-outs on each wall. It added even more space to the sides and bunk windows on both sides. While these are both additional costs to the base system, they made a difference in the perceived space, even if it’s just a few inches. Each morning, I could roll over and check the little windows to see the weather conditions before deciding to get up. Those little windows were also great for making the van feel less cave-like.
Product Review: Adventure Wagon’s Electrical and Heating
Electrical and heating are integrated into the interior system, but I decided to make a separate section for simplicity because my experience of them was a little more… intimate. Hah! And by that, I mean we used the lighting constantly to see inside the van and likely would have been miserable without the heater. The heater is an added cost, whereas the electrical is included with the interior system. However, they work together to create a comfortable retreat at the end of a cold day seeking out waterfalls or going snowshoeing by moonlight.
We had an additional battery to keep the van powered overnight, connected to the internal system’s electrical wiring. The extra battery was the Goal Zero Yeti 3000x, which seemed to recharge when we drove. We barely made a dent in the power, even after having an early evening and running the heater overnight. It was crazy. And while not manufactured by Adventure Wagon, it connects to the system well.
The heater was under the passenger seat and exhausted outside under the passenger door. Don’t worry; we didn’t need to bend down to turn the heater on — instead, a digital thermostat was added onto the vehicle’s panels at eye level, where we set the temperature and duration for the heater.
My Experience with the Electrical and Heating
Despite the scattered snow on the ground and temperatures reaching freezing at night, we were warm and toasty in the van. The first evening, we were a little hesitant to run the heater overnight or for too long, but once we noticed how it barely used any of the battery, we quickly learned how to set it for longer. There’s an infinity setting where the heater will go on and off to maintain a particular temperature – nice!!
As for lighting, there were six lights, and you could adjust the brightness of each. Due to the window tinting and cloudy days, we often used the lights to find things stored in the Mule Bags during the day. The lights are LED and also can be red, which does not attract bugs??! I never knew this and might need some on-the-ground testing this spring or summer.
We also had more outlets than we knew what to do with. I kept plugging my phone into the van as we navigated from one waterfall to the next, but we also had a couple USB wall outlets and full-on outlets on the massive battery. The USB wall outlets are included with the interior system.
Favorite Features
Without being overly technical in my description of the electrical and heating, I cannot deny the resulting comfort. Here are some highlights from this realm.
Pre-set Heater for the Night: At some point, I might stop talking about the heater, but not yet!! Setting the heater at a low, reasonable temperature for the entire night was a game changer. I slept so much better once we figured this out. Overall, the heater took the edge off and allowed us to relax in the van rather than shivering our way through every activity.
Adjustable Lighting: In this case, I mean adjustable brightness! As we got closer to bedtime, we dimmed the lights and created a sweet ambiance.
Wall Outlets: Of course, it was super nice to have USB outlets when chilling in the van.
Rear Fan: Included with the Interior System is an electrical vent with a fan. For the van we tested, the fan was located in the rear with a remote control for the settings. Having a fan is crucial in keeping the check. It’s incredible how much water two humans can evaporate during the night! While quiet, I wouldn’t call the fan ultra-quiet… but I am sensitive to fan sounds.
Product Review: Adventure Wagon’s Moab Elevator Bed and Mattress
We’re getting into the modular part of the Adventure Wagon system with the bed and mattress. With traditional campervans, your bed is built to be in the same place at all times. But with the Adventure Wagon A-frame, you can move the Moab bed up or down the L-Track, creating more or less space underneath. What’s super cool about the bed is that it has interlocking teeth that allow you to adjust the width. The bed continues to fit as you raise it toward the narrower ceiling. You can throw in bikes or add another bed underneath with the bed higher up. Or keep it lower for easy access.
While you could put your own mattress or use sleeping pads on top of the Moab Elevator Bed, Adventure Wagon also offers the custom-fit Moab Mattress. Like the bed itself, the Moab Mattress comes in three panels, which can be detached from one another. The outer fabric can also be removed and thrown in the wash. They thought of everything with this sleep system.
My Experience with the Moab Elevator Bed and Mattress
I could try the original Moab Elevator Bed or the Moab Traverse for my Adventure Wagon test. The difference is that you lay sideways on the Traverse bed. Since it was just a friend with very little gear and me, we opted for the larger Moab Elevator Bed, which was expansive!! Due to the adjustable nature of the bed, what height you set it at will change the width of the bed. We had it at hip height, which was wider than a queen bed. With our sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and honcho ponchos, it felt like one big slumber party. In addition to feeling spacious, the bed was solid and secure as we crawled around to access the Mule Bags or take in the view out the back of the van.
On top of the Moab Elevator Bed, I also tried the Moab Mattress. It’s five inches thick and far more comfortable than my inflatable mattress pads. A better comparison would be my mattress at home! The Moab Mattress was slightly firmer than my home mattress but still highly comfortable. No complaints here. If this was my van, I would find a way to secure the mattress to the bed. With so little gear on this trip, the mattress slid forward one or two times when I hit the brakes hard. And one final thing I noticed — I like the look of the bamboo, but I didn’t even really see the color because it was covered by the mattress for the weekend. But if you raised the bed, you could see the bamboo from below.
Favorite Features
Space to Sprawl: The Moab Elevator Bed was massive. We seriously had so much space. I could see the surface area reduced if you had the bed higher with Mule Bags on one side or the other.
Elevator Bed: Going up! The ability to adjust the bed height within the van allows creative arrangements for your adventures. Or easily take it out altogether and use your van to help someone move – you’ve got the option with an adjustable AND removable bed.
Clever Mattress: The mattress also had a thoughtful design with detachable panels for easy storage and a removable cover for easy washing. Having a nearly wall-to-wall bed also took the coziness to the next level.
Product Review: Adventure Wagon’s Mule Bags
And finally, the final Adventure Wagon product I wanted to dive into from this initial trip is the Mule Bags. These soft-sided overhead storage containers helped us get our gear off the ground or bed and into an area that could be zippered closed. And when you’re parked (or don’t have much stuff in them), you can leave the zippered flap open by using the magnets that are built inside. But the fun doesn’t stop there – mesh pockets with an elastic topper line on each side and along the bottom allow you to keep small items nicely organized. Also along the front and wrapping underneath were loops, where you could hang carabiners and even more things.
The Mule Bags are another example of Adventure Wagon engineering because they fit snugly into the upper corners of the van. Looking from the side of the Mule Bags, you can see the trapezoid shape instead of a straight square or rectangle. Using the L-Track to secure the bags, they can be moved around or used on either side of the van. With zippered flaps to keep things from falling out, numerous pockets, and hanging storage in mind, these are a perfect storage option for vanlifers.
My Experience of the Mule Bags
When I got to Adventure Wagon headquarters, I loaded my food and snacks directly into the front Mule Bag. The food and snacks stayed in this area for the trip, and I loved looking at my food at eye level rather than rummaging around on the ground. Perhaps it would have been smart, but we didn’t bother zipping the Mule Bags closed during most of the drive. There was about a 2-inch lip on the bottom of the bags, which kept everything in the bag, including all the food items. If the Mule Bags were packed full, I would keep the bags zipped during the day.
Clothing and pajamas migrated to the back Mule Bag, which was easier to access from on top of the bed, and it became a place for extra items or stuff that was no longer needed for the trip. We also used the mesh pockets for smaller items we didn’t want to misplace, like the remote for the overhead fan, glasses or sunglasses, chapstick, etc.
Favorite Features
Pockets Galore: The extra pockets and loops were fantastic for holding little things or hanging extra items. After a few days in the van, it’s easy to misplace items, so having these pockets was super handy.
Colorways: The olive green color with orange next to the toast upholstery interior and the bamboo ceiling was very handsome. I thought the orange would be jarring, but the bright color made it easier to see items inside the Mule Bags.
Magnetic Flap: We never drove around with the flaps closed because they were out of the way. The flaps have little magnets, so they stay rolled up when you don’t need them. So clever.
Benefits of the Overall System
While you can guess what I’m going by now, I wanted to reiterate what I found to be the most impressive benefits of the Adventure Wagon system. The most obvious benefit is the modularity and the ability to easily change the van’s arrangement. Move the bed up or down, change the placement of Mule Bags, or take everything out altogether — all you need is a few hand tools, and the choice is yours. Even during the short weekend, I started to think, “oh, this is kind of in the way,” and felt the pull to create a different arrangement. While there’s likely no perfect setup, making changes is simple in the Adventure Wagon system.
R&D on the Product
Another thing about the Adventure Wagon system is the evident research and development that goes into every product. Little things like the extra pockets and loops on the exterior of the Mule Bags, the tweed upholstery that looks great while being durable and easy to spot-clean, and the insulation and sound dampening make me believe that these products have each been seriously considered or tested by campervan people. Plus, I saw engineers refining items at headquarters, which means they are serious about functional design.
Interior
And finally, the finished interior system was seamless and lavish. Seeing the current van conversions at the headquarters with wires, insulation, and metal frame reminded me of how much goes into making the space comfortable. The van felt like we were staying in a mini apartment, which is a testament to the premium quality of the products and panels. I genuinely think Adventure Wagon is a good option if you’re looking for a custom build with flexibility or want to short-cut the DIY process with products that have been tested and fit for your van.
Drawbacks of the Overall System
The Adventure Wagon system and products worked seamlessly, but I wanted to explore some possible downsides. The system’s biggest drawback is that it’s not available for every van under the sun. Instead, every element of the Adventure Wagon system is engineered to fit specific Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit vans. After seeing the glove-like fit of every panel and product, I could see how they would need different products for every van make and model. So, unfortunately, if you already have an ancient Mitsubishi Delica with the driver on the right side, the system is incompatible. Something to consider if you’re in the market for a van. I recommend contacting Adventure Wagon to confirm which years of the Sprinter and Transit vans they can convert.
Another possible drawback is having to take a leap and make a significant investment to get the interior system in place. You could purchase individual products from Adventure Wagon, but to take full advantage of the modular system, you need to install the A-Frame and L-Tracks. That said, any van conversion will take a leap and investment, and it would likely cost less with less commitment than a custom van conversion.
And the last drawback I could think of was the lack of a few more compatible pieces that I’ve seen on crazy custom builds — think a kitchen or galley, desk or seating, shower, toilet, etc. Likely, by the time you’re reading this, Adventure Wagon will be announcing new products, so I know it’s already on their radar. This “drawback” is just an opportunity for Adventure Wagon, and I’m excited to see the clever solutions the engineers come up with and how people use them in their adventures.
Full Transparency: Adventure Wagon Test, My Opinions
Although I mentioned it, I wanted to formally disclose that I was offered to take a van out with the Adventure Wagon system to write this blog post. We decided on the number of nights together, but I decided where to go, what to do, what to write about, and how to structure this post. There was no monetary exchange. Adventure Wagon is aware that I am writing this but does not know my personal opinions beyond what I mentioned at the end of the trip. Since I do not own the van or the system, I feel slightly detached. I also don’t think I could write a detailed post without touching, feeling, and living with the system. So, while being able to take the van on an adventure may gently sway my opinions positively, it was necessary to create my own thoughts.
When experiencing the system, it was tough to untangle being blown away by the Adventure Wagon system and the features of a new 2022 van. Does this feel luxurious because the system is fantastic or because I’m in a clean van with a crazy overhead backup camera? Probably both. In the end, for this blog post, I decided to focus on the features I interacted with the most and give my honest opinion. There’s more to talk about (pull-out trays, roof rack, refrigerator, etc.), but we didn’t use them much on this winter trip.
Overall Thoughts: Adventure Wagon Modular Interior System Review
As you can tell from the photos, I had a blast trying out the Adventure Wagon with a friend. We bopped around to waterfalls with a moving home base, made lunch on the go, and slept with a view of the Gorge. I felt fortunate to try out the Adventure Wagon System and made the most of our test weekend. Before the trip, vanlife seemed like a far-away/out-of-reach concept for me… but now, I could definitely see myself rocking an Adventure Wagon setup!
As for the system itself, I was flat-out impressed. I loved the massive comfy bed, heater, integrated lighting, and Mule Bags for storage. It felt like a custom van built with every product well thought out and tested, but the flexibility to move the storage and bed around. Although I didn’t move anything this time, I’m confident I could move the bed around due to the individual mattress pads and panels. It would be fun to try out the system with a different adventure in mind – biking in the spring or summer with the mattress higher in the van – to see what it’s like to have a new arrangement.
If you’re curious about my weekend in the Columbia River Gorge, check out my related blog posts:
- Tips for Visiting the Columbia River Gorge in Winter
- Detailed Description of the Moonlit Snowshoe with Rare Earth Adventures
- What I’m wearing in many of the photos: Therm-a-Rest Honcho Ponchos (coming soon)
If you’ve made it all the way here, I’m curious, are you thinking of doing an Adventure Wagon van conversion? Maybe you have a converted van and want to read about it? I’d love to hear what brought you here and what you think of the Adventure Wagon modular system. Leave a comment!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
