From City Life to Van Life: Lauren, Mollie, and Miso’s Transit Conversion
“We wanted a life that was more about experiences and less about expenses.”
Lauren and Mollie, a dynamic couple from New York City, took a leap of faith when they decided to trade their city apartment for a life on the road. With their dog Miso in tow, they embraced full-time van life, transitioning from a DIY build to a professionally crafted Ford Transit by Contravans in Denver. We got to interview them after they spent a few weeks in their new van.
1. What inspired you to pursue van life?
“We were living in New York City and, especially during the pandemic, we got really into camping. We both grew up spending time outdoors with our families. As restrictions eased, we found ourselves camping nearly every weekend. But that meant sitting in hours of traffic just to get to nature. After a while, it just didn’t make sense to pay expensive New York rent while trying to leave all the time. My parents had a van. They weren’t full-time, but they absolutely loved it. They suggested we consider getting one ourselves. At first, we thought about moving somewhere like Philadelphia or another East Coast city, but then we realized—why not just live on the road? We had remote jobs at the time, so it seemed possible. Eventually, we took the plunge, bought a used Ram Promaster in 2022, and moved into it full-time.”
2. Why did you switch from a Ram ProMaster to a Ford Transit?
“Our first van was great in many ways. As we got deeper into van life, we realized we wanted certain upgrades. The biggest factor was all-wheel drive. The Promaster didn’t have that, and we knew that if we wanted to explore more places—especially in winter conditions—we’d need a more capable vehicle. The Ford Transit also had more interior height which made it feel much roomier inside. The 148-inch wheelbase gave us enough space while still keeping the van under 20 feet in total length. That was important to us because many national parks and campgrounds have restrictions on vehicles over 20 feet. In the end, the Transit just offered everything we needed for our lifestyle.”
3. Why did you choose Contravans?
“I was reading articles, Googling different options, and looking at customer reviews. We needed a quick turnaround, which eliminated a lot of companies right away—some builders had year-long wait times. I found them from seeing a used van of theirs for sale on thevancamper.com and really liked the quality and look. Contravans stood out because they were willing to customize every part of the build to fit our needs. Once we started talking with Kurt and the team, we felt really confident that they were the right choice.”
4. What van customizations were most important to you?
“Since we had already lived in a van, we knew exactly what we wanted to improve. Some key changes we made:
5. What challenges did you face during your van life journey?
“The first six months in a van were definitely a learning curve. Our first summer was spent on the East Coast, where it was humid and rainy, and our van didn’t have an awning yet. There was one week where everything seemed to go wrong—we lost a solar panel while driving, I broke my ankle, the toilet overflowed, and we discovered a leak in our sink—all in four days. It was brutal! And beyond the practical challenges, living in a small space with another person full-time was an adjustment. We had to learn how to communicate better and find ways to give each other space, even in 80 square feet.”
6. How has van life affected your relationship?
“It definitely tested us at times, but it also brought us closer together. When you live in a van, you have to be intentional about communication and problem-solving. There were moments where we just needed to walk away from each other for a bit, but over time, we figured out how to make it work. We also started meeting other van lifers and traveling with friends, which made everything feel more sustainable. Having a community really changed the experience for us.”
7. What’s next for you and your van life journey?
“We don’t have a set end date for van life—we’re just going to keep going until something tells us to stop. Right now, we plan to stay in the desert for the winter, then head up the Pacific Northwest for spring, and into Montana and Michigan for summer. We really want to explore more of the northern U.S. and visit places like Glacier National Park. Yosemite is also at the top of my bucket list.”
8. Any future upgrades for your van?
“The biggest upgrade we’re considering is getting the van lifted. Now that we have all-wheel drive, the main thing limiting us from certain places is ground clearance. Contravans offers a Trail Conversion, so that might be something we look into down the road.”
9. What advice would you give to others considering van life?
“Be flexible and patient—things will go wrong, and that’s just part of it. Every task in a van takes a little longer; whether it’s doing the dishes, finding a place to park, or fixing something that breaks. But the freedom and experiences you gain from this lifestyle are completely worth it. If you’re thinking about it, just go for it—you’ll figure it out as you go.”
Whether parked in the desert with friends or exploring new landscapes, Lauren, Mollie, and Miso have embraced van life fully. “Wherever we park is home,” they say, and with their new Contravans build, they’re more comfortable than ever.
Thanks, Lauren, for taking the time to chat with us, and best wishes out on the road ahead for you three!
Visit here to see a quick video tour of Lauren and Mollie’s van.
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