INSANE VAN LIFE - Trapped, Freezing & Out of Supplies // S01E05

[@KombiLife]

👍Thumbs up if you enjoy this extra-long special episode 💬Q&A - LEAVE A COMMENT / QUESTIONS (we will answer it in next Thursday's video) ▶ *NEXT EPISODE:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17VnKWBp990qNk 💞 Please support our unique series by joining the Kombi Crew, we will have to stop uploading soon without viewer support, thanks 🙏 www.patreon.com/join/kombilife

[@vandamonium1731]

with all that solar and battery how come you havent got an invertor and a small backup electric fan heater

[@vipercoil630]

Compliments to Tamara's narration skills. Ben, she's giving you a run for the money in that department.

[@KombiLife]

This girl has so many skills - just wait and see 😍

[@impossible1]

Long time subscriber but haven't followed along in years. With that said, this series is great. You two have great chemistry and if Tamara puts up with you through this calamity, I think you've found a winner. I'm locked in for the rest of this series.

[@KombiLife]

wohoo - So happy to have you back with us for this adventure!

[@brianasamuels]

What a great gal in Tamara you have found Ben! Hold on tight! But not too tight to scare her away! I found my awesome gal 42 years ago and I can tell you that whatever you will go through good or bad, doing it together in gratitude and respect will deliver the most delight life!

[@KombiLife]

Thanks Brian 🙂

[@0HARE]

Really, what an adventure. Your ingenuity and resourcefulness are amazing. Tamara is such a gem. Wishing you well.

[@KombiLife]

Cheers mate! ☺️

[@VQSeries]

What a trip, ty for at least sharing as always, the good and the bad!

[@KombiLife]

You bet

[@ZenMysticStudio]

You guys are just glowing! Ben, It seems I have followed your expoits forever and I think it's the happiest I've ever seen you. She's a keeper. :) I'm looking forward to all your future adventures together.

[@KombiLife]

Great to hear, it's the happiest I've ever been. Given the context of this video, I think that says quite a lot :)

[@ZenMysticStudio]

@@KombiLife It really does. When it's all going to hell and you can look at each other still smile, that speaks volume. Just the way you two look at each other makes me smile. So much love in those smiles.

[@NoOverhead]

Dude...she is an absolute badass. What a fun binge watch. Safe travels, friend!

[@KombiLife]

Happy to hear you are enjoying the series.

[@codym4586]

Maybe I didn't see the earlier videos but why did you decide to drive all the way in the middle of nowhere knowing it would be almost impossible to get supplies and food?? Didn't I see you in a small town and a stranger helped. Why not stay in town, I'm sure you can find somewhere to park or at least get a humble accommodation. Hats off to Tamara!!!

[@KombiLife]

Great question, one that a few people have now asked and which we will discuss in next week’s Q&A 😀

[@petra7322]

Tamara is the best thing ever happened to you, love her upbeat personality, keep on filming, great series although you are stuck in the desert💕

[@KombiLife]

Thank you!

[@NigelMarston]

"Is this the vanlife you were hoping for?" "I still wouldn't trade it for anything else" That there makes you the richest man on earth, Ben.

[@KombiLife]

It sure does.

[@RocketDog73]

Thank goodness that Ben did not subject us to his manscaping 😂

[@KombiLife]

that's a story for next time 🤣

[@RocketDog73]

😂

[@alisamehmal7234]

😂​@@KombiLife

[@raktoda707]

Prayers and strength to you all

[@williamoorejr]

Good to see your story all in one vid. You guys have got your story telling to perfection. Think that Tamara's having a good influence on production too. We are still at 120 degrees here and only dream of frost on the windows. So see ya later -n waiting on the next episode.

[@KombiLife]

Cheers Bill, stay cool my friend 💞

[@johudson6765]

Thank you for another awesome watch… I love the authenticity and raw van life living! You guys seem so good together and are making being stuck in the desert seem very appealing.. even .. Romantic despite the extreme cold! And let’s not forget the gorgeous Alaska… love the adventure … great filming and staying in the moment and enjoying …is truly inspirational! Om Shanti 🙏🥰🌞🌺

[@KombiLife]

So happy to hear that you see all of that, thanks for your comment and for sharing the experience with us

[@johudson6765]

@@KombiLife 😊🚌🙏🌟😍

[@lyfandeth]

You are not alone in your decision to buy refurbished parts. There is a common school of thought, that the aftermarket new parts for old cars are all junk compared to the original OEM. And that your best source of replacement parts may often be low-mileage used parts from a junk yard, if you can find them. You would think new beats worn almost every time, but I went through two "rebuilt" or "remanufactured" alternators in year each. Then over ten years on a low mileage OEM from a junkyard. Life is confusing these days.

[@MarcusTDM]

It’s great watching you guys. Kombi life videos just keep getting better and better.

[@KombiLife]

Cheers Marcus

[@cuocsonglangnoigogang]

Your video courageously portrays the challenges of being stranded in a desert without supplies in Season 1, Episode 5. The resourcefulness and perseverance shown in navigating this harsh environment are truly inspiring, creating a compelling and gripping narrative. And I am Floating Village Life

[@KombiLife]

Thank you 😀

[@matta5534]

I love seeing how awesome your chemistry is with one and other! I wish yall the best of luck from Ohio, USA ✌️❤

[@KombiLife]

Thanks!

[@stevenausten-davies141]

Your smiles make me smile, long may it continue…

[@KombiLife]

Ah thanks Steven

[@davidnash8586]

Great watch and I love to hear the laughter !

[@KombiLife]

Laughter is after all the best medicine 😍

[@iamthecatalyst.]

Couldn’t help but laugh at ur spot-on impression of Ben 😂

[@KombiLife]

😏

[@allenrousseau5668]

Yep, that freezer is probably working intermittently because it is so cold at night. I've had similar issues with ref/frzrs going below freezing temps. But I'm not sleeping in the same temps! Stay warm! God bless! AL from CT

[@KombiLife]

Ah I see. Thanks for solving the mystery.

[@wendywilson9760]

I love my diesel heater even more now❤

[@pauldusa]

I’m been van camping straight for 16 months at age 69 in Pa USA. I’ve done 9 and 12 F degrees. Welcome to the new economy

[@KombiLife]

Yeah it’s not much fun when it’s that cold in your bed is it. 😅

[@JRs-Garage]

Man this adventure reminds me of when you got stuck with the capito engine break downs 🤪😜😝in South America With Vws I’ve learned that you only buy the absolute best replacement parts you can get ,it always pays off 🤓in the long run ! Ps I got my 36 mm socket on Amazon😂😂

[@nxiong7074]

That was amazing with the audio behind the video in the beggining! I don't think that was Ben but Tamara 😊

[@Caroline_T]

You guys make it look easy 😂. Honestly! Great attitudes, good sports. Adventures are what makes life so fun and reminds us we’re alive!

[@KombiLife]

Cheers Caroline.

[@roberthardy2013]

A hammer,or a hammer and a solid steel block either side of the top bit on the shaft and belt it - the vibration and resistance will jar it loose. Done this a good few times before.

[@KombiLife]

thanks for the tip

[@COSMLOOP]

More cooking and workout clips!! Such a fun vibe. More videos!!!! Plzzz

[@KombiLife]

glad you enjoyed the vid

[@COSMLOOP]

@@KombiLife I miss the lax film / editing style you had in Mexico years ago when you met your friend flo! I’ve loved watching the journey but I miss the free feeling those videos gave! Super great vibes that part of the series was 🔥

[@wytties3399]

best video for me because it was longer and less preview🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@KombiLife]

😁😁 thanks for the feedback

[@stuartmays]

@kombi life, Im definitely not trying to 1 up you this reminds me of my very 1st vanr trip,I went to the isle of skye in the 1st week of February and mother nature handed my arse to me good and proper. Thankfully the charity shops were open and I bought some winter clothes to keep me going. Fait play mate.

[@KombiLife]

all part of the fun, isn't it Stuart 😄

[@stuartmays]

@@KombiLife Absolutely mate, lessons were learned.

[@hc9582]

Great series, enjoying the videos. Also love seeing your relationship thriving through all of that. Quick question out of curiosity, what’s Tamara doing for work? I’m at where Ben’s making dinner and washing dishes. (PS that’s how my Balkan husband got me while dating 😅 still does the cooking but seems to have forgotten the cleaning part 🤣)

[@KombiLife]

Thanks for the comment, we will answer your question in next week's Q&A video for you.

[@hc9582]

@@KombiLife awesome, thanks guys!

[@donstravelsandrants.]

So good to watch. 👍😊🇮🇪

[@KombiLife]

Cheers mate

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Wonderful content you guys.

[@KombiLife]

Ah thanks so much, we appreciate you saying so.

[@roykale9141]

Thanks

[@KombiLife]

No problem

[@jestubbs69]

Bro, I have the right tool… At home. I’ve 2&3 versions of some tools bought in the field for this very reason. Happy travels. 👊🤙

[@KombiLife]

haha you know! Happy Travels James

[@DavidVermaak-n6r]

Loved this episode. I am beginning to think you are enjoying the desert too much. Obviously you are having a great time. That lunch looked delicious. An idea for those cold, cold nights. What if you could have a tent like garage to cover your Kombi. Would that not help with keeping some ice of the panels & windows. I live in sunny South Africa, so don't have experience in the icy northern hemisphere in winter. Have a brilliant day. Dave

[@KombiLife]

Cheers Dave - interesting suggestion. We also don't have a lot of experience with this as we normally visit warmer places or try to travel in better seasons.

[@ronaroamsdeniseandsonny3545]

Best sleeping position in the cold is flat on your back coz it's the largest surface area to be in contact with bottom blanket.... not curled up on your side .... try it you'll be surprised how quick you feel warm

[@KombiLife]

good tip!

[@jennywilliamson3787]

@@KombiLife and also try putting additional blankets underneath you.

[@roberthardy2013]

I once had similar frost like covering on my old Morris ! It was the rime of the Ancient Marina (SORRY). You will look back on this as a great adventure while telling your kids it was MUCH worse than the videos suggest !

[@doncrescas]

The steering assembly got brexited 😮

[@lyfandeth]

Marisa & Roberto! I was wondering if perhaps you were having the new parts sent by rail, addressed to "First blue Kombi on the left, after..." 😊

[@s.wvazim6517]

Bro just motivated me to get up and do fitness

[@KombiLife]

ha ha nice one

[@icascone]

OMG CUSTOM!! I am familiar with Italian beurocracy (my country of birth) and there are times where I've had to restrain myself!!

[@KombiLife]

urgh I know right

[@superman_69703]

@@KombiLife you would have been better getting on a Ryanair flight and getting it to bring back yourself

[@robsadventures4653]

So love your channel but you know that❤

[@KombiLife]

thanks Rob

[@JohnWCR]

Thanks for sharing this journey. It’s hard enough getting parts for these vehicles in normal situations but nothing about your journey as normal. I’ll follow you on Instagram so I know the end of the story. You’re always an inspiration value never give up when it comes to owning a VW.

[@KombiLife]

Thanks John ☺️

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Just as good on the second watch too :)

[@KombiLife]

Thanks for the support Kev

[@rickstevens1479]

Embrace the cold ....better than heat ...I think , I'm sitting under the AC because it was 118° this week ...so cold looks pretty good ..😂. Keep up the good shows ...Look up Northern California heat wave..😊

[@KombiLife]

Wouldn’t mind a heat wave after these cold temps 🥶

[@CritterSitterofCary]

the common denominator is you 😅😂😅😅😅😅😅

[@mattJsy1]

Greetings from Jersey 🇯🇪

[@KombiLife]

👋

[@versedi]

It didn't felt like 2 weeks watching the video :D

[@zedlicious]

This is my worst nightmare. 😮

[@redtill1]

A chick who works out & looks after themselves........ She's a keeper

[@jonny8597]

You're handling it great! Were you not tempted to get a room in the town?

[@KombiLife]

That’s a great question and one which we may discuss for our Q & A next week

[@jonny8597]

@@KombiLife I look forward to it

[@minister6667]

Amazing video, I'm from Spain and those winters can be tough! My one question is why you parked so far away from an urban centre when you knew you were breaking down?

[@KombiLife]

we will answer this for you in next weeks Q&A video, thanks for the question

[@williamfield2052]

Curious as im planning a van trip to Spain. You mentioned you where stuck in the desert for over 4 weeks. Would it not have been possible to get the van towed out to a city and fixed asap?

[@KombiLife]

Thanks for your question. We will answer it in Next weeks q&a

[@jimmyjames215]

❄️

[@RayneCollects]

Such a stark difference from the recent video released for the Kombi Crew. :D lol

[@KombiLife]

Perks of being part of the Kombi Crew 😉

[@kastmodder]

I do like camping, but being stuck for weeks under those circumstances would drive me nuts. I would be bored and angry too much im afraid. Respect.

[@KombiLife]

When life gives you lemons… etc 😊

[@MillCreekSilverJewelry]

👍👍👍

[@KombiLife]

Cheers

[@michaelcaton9358]

Perhaps park up in town. One flies home to get part, gets back the next day… fixed?

[@KombiLife]

we will answer your question in the next video Q&A, thanks Michael

[@michaelcaton9358]

@@KombiLife sorry to sound like a smart arse…. But you definitely got quite stuck…

[@ktmcc4360]

You guys are bit giddy on the honeymoon phase. If trials like this bring you closer it might be a good match. Time will tell. The road is a Brutal mistress. Ben's track record is looking up for now!

[@KombiLife]

I’ve got pretty high hopes for Tamara and I 😀

[@oldgadfly8398]

Nice episode. Spanish customs rejected a steering box? How odd.

[@KombiLife]

oh, and it get's worse, you will see - thanks for tuning in

[@oldgadfly8398]

@@KombiLife I'll be sure to tune in for the next one. Good cliff hanger ;)

[@christothegreat1]

Ho-Lee Jeebus, Ben! Is there no way to improve Kombi reliability before setting out thru the desert?!

[@KombiLife]

We spent weeks worth of maintenance to ensure the Kombi was serviced and ready for a big trip - you can see this in episode 3. Unfortunately sometimes things just break down no matter how hard you try to prevent it! THE KOMBI LIFE INITIATION TEST // S01E03 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaPYmqurhZ1gbqM

[@christothegreat1]

@@KombiLife nice. With a 50 yr old Kombi, are there easy to get new steering racks compatible with the rare OEM part, like the Subaru engine was?

[@KombiLife]

I dont' think so - we looked at upgrading the whole steering system when we first built the Kombi - although that was mainly suspension I guess. It get's complicated compared to an engine swap

[@paxwallace8324]

Well I followed you in South America and stopped when you stopped after your breakup 🤷 Just Curious nice to see Alaska

[@KombiLife]

Nice to see you back. 😊

[@MillCreekSilverJewelry]

First comment 🎉❤

[@KombiLife]

thanks for tuning in for your Thursday fix of Kombi Life 👍

[@MillCreekSilverJewelry]

@@KombiLife watched you for years first introduction in the van life before everybody else. You inspired me to live in a van so glad to see you back on the road ben!!!!!!

[@steinarbrevikknudsen1546]

There was enough water there...at least for washing and cooking.

[@KombiLife]

We later found out the river is unfortunately quite polluted

[@alisamehmal7234]

❤🇨🇦

[@Jeff-x3k3z]

Another great video... You are blessed with the coolest chick ever...😉👍👍

[@KombiLife]

Thanks for the love! We do make a good team! 😁

[@dudeleboski2692]

Why did Spanish customs return the item?

[@KombiLife]

Some mismatch between the invoice name (billing address) and the delivery name. Or in other words, BREXIT

[@SV_Aroo]

....and they sent the part back!!! I'm sure you'll fill us in on how this happened. Another 4 weeks!!! Tamara is a total sweetheart, you know you owe her big time. Love the Kombi, but at some point...

[@KombiLife]

That’s right, we will go through this in the next episode

[@KombiLife]

So blessed to have her company, she's a superstar 😍

[@windsurfingatmeerwijck]

You can do Dramatic and all, but why not installed a diesel heater.. Just in case..

[@KombiLife]

We have one, it runs on petrol, which we were out of.

[@redtill1]

Surely to god you carry a water purifier??

[@KombiLife]

Yes we have a UV water filter.

[@RafaelH-e8y]

Why on earth would the customs reject a steering box?!? Life and people are so strange sometimes...

[@KombiLife]

right!

[@ixfxi]

Lesson not learned from south america? haha neeeeeeeeeever take apart a car unless you are prepared with tools and parts, and even then have some additional contingency plans to have help/resources nearby just in case. :-P

[@KombiLife]

Good advice.

[@petra7322]

Is Tamara the one???

[@KombiLife]

💯

[@calxtra5361]

I dont understand why u parked in a desert away from everything needed for supplies

[@KombiLife]

We will answer your comment in next weeks Q&A

[@nishnet8882]

Why aren’t you carrying the right tools. Do u learn nothing??

[@KombiLife]

We try and carry what we can but unfortunately we don’t have the weight capacity nor the space to carry all our tools! (Otherwise we would be pulling a garage with us 😅)

[@prk5339]

How do you not have a propper tool set after so many year?

[@KombiLife]

I have a full tool box, but I can’t have an entire garage, some tools have to stay at home.

[@aaronr.9644]

Spanish customs rejected the part? Why did it go through customs? Is that because of Brexit?

[@KombiLife]

Mostly yes.

[@The2wanderers]

Oh, no. Brexit makes your life worse yet again, adding customs problems that wouldn't have existed a few years ago. Great to see how cheerful you both remain despite the cold.

[@KombiLife]

I know right 🙄, thank you.

[@seamusobrien2675]

Your combi life is such a disaster, makes me feel great chaft about my life. cheers

[@KombiLife]

happy to spread some positivity. ✌️