Hey everyone, it’s Emily and Joe here from The Vantastic Life, and we entered a van selling scam! We’re coming at you from our full-time life on the road in our 144 Sprinter van. Over the last few days, we’ve been chasing trails in Richfield, Utah (if you missed that video, be sure to check it out here!), and now we’re slowly making our way to Salt Lake City with a major goal: to find a new home for our beloved van!
Winter’s First Snow Surprise 🌨️
On our way up to Salt Lake City, we woke up to a beautiful yet unexpected winter scene. After a teaser of snow while we were out riding yesterday, we didn’t expect it to actually accumulate. This morning though, everything was blanketed, reminding us that winter is officially here.
Selling the Van and Some Unexpected Snags 🚐
Our goal is to sell the van in Salt Lake City, where we have a buyer lined up to meet us. We’re also going the extra mile by getting it serviced beforehand—always nice to leave the new owner with a fresh start! However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Despite our best efforts, it seems like something unexpected is always around the corner. For instance, we discovered we needed a new strut for the front driver’s side after going in for routine servicing. Initially, they had the part in stock, but by the time we showed up, it had vanished! The replacement would have to be shipped all the way from New Jersey, potentially delaying things.
With all this back and forth, we agreed to either wait until the part arrives or give the buyer a discount so they could take care of it themselves. Flexibility is the name of the game out here!
Discovering Hidden Gems: Mountain Ranch Bike Park 🚴♂️
While staying near Salt Lake City, we found a killer little spot called Mountain Ranch Bike Park, tucked away in a neighborhood close to some BLM land. This park has it all—fun jumps, flowy trails, and a welcoming vibe. We couldn’t resist getting a few laps in, and if you’re ever in the area, it’s a must-visit!
Navigating KOA Life and Freezing Temps ❄️
We eventually headed to the KOA campground right in Salt Lake City to stay within striking distance of the Mercedes dealership, just in case any more van tweaks were needed. KOA campgrounds are always an experience of their own—urban camping at its finest!
After getting everything polished up, we ran into one last hiccup: a plumbing crisis! With temps dropping to 8°F, we woke up to find the water pipes had frozen, and our faucet’s cartridge cracked. Thankfully, being in Salt Lake City meant we could grab a replacement from Dometic’s local retailer, and soon enough, our faucet was back in action.
When Selling Takes a Turn: Scammer Alert! ⚠️
As if we hadn’t been through enough, it turned out the buyer who seemed so eager to take the van off our hands was actually a scammer. After getting the van serviced and sorted, we learned that his “check” was just a scheme to get us to refund him before the check cleared. It’s a lesson we don’t want anyone else to experience! So, if you’re selling your van (or anything of value), feel free to reach out, and we’ll gladly share some red flags to watch out for.
What’s Next?
After this rollercoaster of a week, we’re headed back to Seattle, where we’ll take another stab at selling the van. We’re hoping that a little home base stability will make the process smoother—and at least we won’t be chasing snow or frozen pipes!
Thanks so much for sticking with us through these ups and downs. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Let us know your wildest travel hiccups or any questions about van life! And if you’re enjoying the journey with us, hit that like button or consider subscribing. We appreciate the heck out of you all!
Until next time, stay adventurous and keep rolling with the punches!
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