Van Life is not what I expected…

I've made my feelings about the over the top "Overlanding" scene no secret, and upset quite a few people in the process. But instead of taking offense, the guys at @GritOverland decided to have some fun with it and challenged me to try it for myself! Grit builds some of the highest quality overland and camping vans on the market, and they aren't afraid to get a little rough with them on the trail either. And to show that Grit is all about having the best products on the market, they come outfitted with @YankumRopes@YankumRopes fairleads and recovery gear on them! So of course, Alan came along to add extra shenanigans to my experience, and drove the van we stayed in on the trail run. I could have taken the van on the entire run with Alan, but chose to drive my pickup because for one, I very much prefer to have my own vehicle with me, and two, we both had to leave really early on the third day to make it to some other commitments.
Overall we both had a lot of fun, and definitely have a new view on the van life scene, and I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the Grit crew for the invite and hospitality on the run!
If you want to learn more about the cream of the crop when it comes to overland vans, check them out at gritoverland.com
Be sure to check out our Patreon project where we use whatever it brings in in a month as our budget to help someone the following month! I was never a fan of the Patreon idea until I realized that I can use it to help others instead of myself, so I created the Patreon Project where we can all combine our efforts to make a real difference in people's lives and make the world a better place! For as little as a dollar a month you can join the group of awesome people already on board and be vote to help steer the ship along the way!
www.patreon.com/user?u=67485120
Get your Cascade Heavy Rescue merchandise at
www.cascadeheavyrescue.com/shop
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• Toyota Gets Stuck 11 M...
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#vanlife #camping #outdoors #mountains #nature #friends #business #travel #viral #youtube #video #vlog #viralvideo

[@adamschwartzberg5238]

Waiting for Alan to roll the grocery cart.

[@thelonewrangler1008]

This comment doesn't have enough likes😂

[@YankumRopes]

Lol 🤦🏼‍♂️ I should just start a channel of rolling rigs…

[@davestevens4263]

He good ! They installed lockers before they went in .

[@terrancegrant5573]

Alan redeemed himself ..... or maybe it was because Casey is around ...... alan rolls when he offraods with othe youtubers but not with Casey

[@evelynnewman1972]

Yes indeed!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@bmorg7244]

sure, the vans are nice. i don't think anyone would argue that point. But for $200 grand they had better be damn nice! I can go on an awful lot of adventures in my old jeep and tent for waaay less than that.

[@notthatgreatgaming9140]

but will you be as comfortable?

[@edzimdahl1158]

Yuppers, I've done a sleeping bag and a tarp on the bike, topper or slide in camper on pickups, travel trailers, minimotorhome, motor homes, last one was a 33foot, and think and enjoy whatever I throw in the jeep is best and most fun

[@edzimdahl1158]

​@@notthatgreatgaming9140yes

[@dubious6718]

200 grand and no proper shower..

[@terryhayward7905]

You could always buy an all wheel drive used van for a few thousand, and build it yourself, OK it would not be as high end, but a fun project with a few nights in the forest at the end of it :)

[@richardthomas1743]

HEY! Good morning Casey! I love the opening with the Van crossing the stream and getting air! Lets do this , hell yeah! 👍

[@Bryanja81]

Casey tells Alan he should have went faster down the hill and I hear a nervous laugh coming from the back. 😂😂

[@bripslag]

I'd be laughing nervously too if had just learned that the guy driving my $200K van had a reputation for looking at the bottom of his SUV the hard way, lol.

[@YankumRopes]

Casey, that was fun 😎

[@CaseyLaDelle]

“The Adventures Of Alan And Casey” would be a dangerous channel!

[@stevenhoffmann9373]

The adventures of Casey and (insert nane), are always interesting to say the least. I.e. Casey and Grumpy, Casey and Alan, Casey and Nate, Casey and the Old Timers Car Club!

[@wink9970]

Thanks for taking us along. Too old for sleeping on the ground too broke for Grit but the video is priced just right. No root beer was consumed during the viewing.

[@EnufIsTooMuch]

Fun video but when I saw Riley making her preparations and telling her daddy he needs a new truck, gotta' admit I full on thought the whole family was going! You truly do have a lovely family :)

[@bripslag]

To be fair, I once traded in a Jeep Wrangler because it needed an oil change. 🤣 (Not really the reason, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.)

[@markfleming9073]

Must be a fantastic experience to be able to do this miles away from anywhere great footage fantastic area to camp absolutely awesome content

[@michaelbratton3319]

Anyone else thinking if you want that amount of comfort GO STAY IN A HOTEL?except Casey he's just having a laugh in the freebie van,because it was offered?Good video again from BIGMICK IN THE UK 🇬🇧

[@muppetpaster]

Never understood the whole "glamping"vibe....Either stay at home or take a hotel, indeed.

[@silentepsilon888]

but there is no hotel at the top of that mountain peak, so now you have to make a choice. with van life you can have both, the 'hotel' and the view.

[@Grits_and_Glamour]

Casey is now in the big leagues……coordinating with other cameras as to “ not get in their shot” 💪💪

[@stephanie09.11]

This has to be one of the more entertaining/fun videos yet! I laughed so much at the shenanigans.

[@gsettlemyre]

Alan: hey Casey want to go over landing in some really nice vans? It will be fun they said. Casey: sure why not! 12 miles of walking later to park and retrieve his truck just to get some cool video footage to make this amazing video for us. Casey : it was actually fun at their expense Alan: totally?

[@bripslag]

I love seeing Alan join up with you, Casey. He seems all reserved, but then you discover he's got a bit of a wild streak hiding inside a good guy persona. I also really admire how well he takes all the ribbing he's gotten about his rollovers.

[@marinemike01]

To be fair your wife is the best looking roadside assistance I have ever seen. 😂😂

[@justnotg00d]

Best looking and the fastest !

[@legogummybear5]

Not really appropriate. Maybe re-think what is important. The majority of us have great respect for "your wife" and the mother of your child.

[@BixRivers.]

@@legogummybear5calm down. Casey isn’t uptight about it.

[@danpayan9468]

39 yrs I say yes

[@DB-yj3qc]

I agree with that response, with regards and respect to your wife and you, Casey.

[@ginaallen3797]

You and Alan have the most awesome adventures together, so i vote for more please. What cool rigs you got to experience. Of course not for everyone but for some, pretty freaking nice. Thanks for Sharing. Peace Out.

[@terrancegrant5573]

This whole video is freaking hilarious..... alan and casey are like 2 teens who got a bit to much freedom during summer vacation Lets commend alan ..he didnt roll it 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@christopher9626]

OMG.........this Mercedes van build STARTS at $192,000... They werent kidding about the prices at all. Phenomenal builds, but wow! I'm like Casey. Grab the xterra and gear and head out. Very fun video, guys! *Edited to be more specific in my comment*

[@MistDaemon]

There are actually cheaper versions listed on their web page, the lowest is around $160k, they show 3 different levels, the lower two seem to be Fords and the top is a Mercedes.

[@FJB8885]

From what I saw here those vans are versatile and obviously can get through mud surprisingly well. I'm very impressed with the performance shown here. They look bigger inside then I expected. 👍🇺🇸

[@George-dy3pt]

Not near worth over 200k

[@FJB8885]

@@George-dy3pt That's a good chunk of $. If people have the money and will pay that, good for them.

[@BitBuhkit]

@@George-dy3pt To you and me, no. But to each their own!

[@phatdaddy1955]

Great trip, it appears, and spectacular scenery. Thanks for takin us along!

[@jilbertb]

Never go shopping hungry! 😂 Thanks Casey!

[@GrumpyForester]

Loved this video, Casey. Riley is my hero ("you need a new truck" 🤣). It was great watching all of these wildly expensive lumbering vehicles tensely and excitingly navigating the same old roads I drove for several years with a Ford Escape Hybrid AWD as part of my daily work life. My opinion (and mine alone, with no affiliate code available) is that you were still right in your past videos about overlanding Glamping, even though you have been tempted in this video...and, to confess, I have been tempted, too, because they are REALLY cool.

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

Trail riding in a Hilton hotel room. Nice of them to invite you along for a luxury camping trip. The only thing missing was room service. They know you give honest reviews and will be happy that you approve of their builds. Now you have experienced how the Barrett-Jackson type people go trail riding and camping. You never know what Casey will be doing next.

[@nigelcanuck5943]

Having Alan with you is an adventure on its own. Not something available to the average joe, but cool to see the possibilities out there.

[@JoeWoolley-rf5fq]

Buy a short used class C motorhome no slide . Weld a 4x4 kit from U joint and still have $125 k to spend for accessories and camping . Great concept but too yuppie for me . But great educational video. Thanks Casey 👍👍👍

[@notthatgreatgaming9140]

when i click on a video, and the first ten seconds has an airborn sprinter van, im in. fuckin SENT it... lols

[@sorenmelchior]

Alan might consider a Starlink mobile system if he is off grid enough and needs consistent connectivity. And as for Root beer, I prefer Virgil’s to Weinharts. Great video and great content by the way, though vanlife seems a bit more “glamping” than camping, not that there is anything wrong with that.

[@doreengardner2849]

This indeed, was fun to watch! Good job!!!👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@davesnotheretv]

Those are nice vans and when I hit the powerball I'll be able to afford one.

[@DB-yj3qc]

No joke, then I would still pass it up for a personal choice build. Not that it's not nice or topnotch. If I was setting with "power-ball" money.... it would be a "classic drivetrain" 4 WD without most computer controls, solar systems, for simple maintenance requirements.

[@johnkirby6547]

Glad you guy's had a fun time Very beautiful view from the top of that peak❤ Thanks for sharing 👍

[@EatCarbs]

I'd love to get one of those vans.. I bet it would be a lot of fun to travel around. Thanks for the video.

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video,thumbs up, a lot of fun

[@jkbrown5496]

I just watched Yankum ropes rescue the Farm Rescue combine over at the Laura Farms channel. Not a Casey rescue, but the combine was pretty deep in the Nebraska mud. But the whole operation seemed safer with the Yankum rope.

[@mh-im2kq]

What a wild trip.. such fun. Nice having Alan along

[@patrickvanhoesen9425]

The owner looked excited he had all wheel drive. Lmao. He'll learn eventually that all wheel drive just means all wheel stuck. Ha

[@anthonyjohnson100]

1 wheel drive.

[@tamo9520]

I absolutely LUV Alan's laugh!

[@TomRhu-tp8ip]

Thanks Casey! Reminds me of our little Chinook camper of my younger days and trips to alaska!❤

[@55VickyV]

I had a van in the early 1980s that had a stove but no oven and a toilet. There was a bed over the front and the table made into a bed. Three of us spent several weeks living in it while we toured from Victoria BC to the south western states. Lots of fun!

[@joelyons4010]

I miss living in Oregon so much I live over on coast for 19 years you are doing a great job keep up the great work

[@sgttombailes3380]

I LOVED my old Ford Conversion Vans back in the '70's and '80's. I camped all over Fla and the N. Ga. mountains. SO Much Fun.. And our Van Clubs traveled all over to camp and trout fish etal..

[@edwinschlee8374]

That is a very nice van! They didn't make vans like that when I was younger! You have gone places that are hard to get to without ant o=problems. Great video Casey and Alam!

[@charlesowens9784]

Thanks. For the video watching from Reno NV

[@paulbrowne1665]

We do this in the UK love it and at 67 years young can't beat it Nice one Casey

[@jamesbigham9036]

This was definitely a fun video you two guys are crazy. I agree those are some nice vans for sure

[@douglasbrooker5834]

It's nice that you bring us along a variety video show topics. Your presentation is entertaining and informative.

[@desmondriddler6909]

you reminded me of when 4 of us missed the a ferry back to Germany . would havee been ok if we had Camping gear and a truck like yours ,but we had to sleep in an Austin Mini Clubman . 3 in the back 1 across the front seat. . happy camping . always fun to watch what you get up to

[@echohunter4199]

Too much fun! I retired from the Army in 2009 and my wife chose to retire here in San Antonio but I still carry my Bi-Mart card and have dad in Klamath Falls checks for my number on Tuesdays now and then, lol.

[@pumpdump4476]

Casey, I totally agree with you about not spending a bunch of money to have fun (my camper/ toy hauler is an OLD horse trailer w/living quarters) but when it's on somebody else's money OH heck yeah I'll have fun! And you get to break it and they get to PAY😂

[@muppetpaster]

Never liked the idea of me breaking and someone else paying....To me that's a no go attitude.

[@dailesperry8256]

That looks like so much fun and like how you guys packed for camping

[@albertorozco5981]

Looks like you guys are having a blast. You both needed some off time. 👍👍👍

[@lynabercrombie7139]

Such a beautiful area

[@TumbleweedRancher]

I have friends that bought a used base van and outfited it themselves. Took them about a year, then they took a year off and drove it to Patagonia in Argentina from Portland. Not as fancy as these, but very functional. They still use it for camping trips.

[@livinglifeontheedge4261]

I lived what has become known as vanlife back in the 70's in a Ford econoline van with a turtle top painted purple with yellow happy feet. Traveled across the country in it. Total cost was like under $2000 for the van and the trip cost.....A mom van, a cooler, a tent and an ebike is what works for me today. A bit more expensive setup because I have a nice eBike that is worth more than the van. I think Alan hit it on the head when he said "cult" which is fueled by "influencers" . If you have it flaunt it I guess.....

[@George-dy3pt]

Exactly my uncle had the same as you but a chevy! We went everywhere and was comfortable! But it was in the 90s not as good as the 70s but still fun!

[@chrishumphreys7774]

That was pretty cool. But I'm along with you on the whole camping and there's certain vehicles for certain things that's why you pull your Jeep behind your camper lol

[@dubious6718]

or a camper behind the Jeep.

[@wesman7837]

​@@dubious6718I guess you could pull a pop-up tent trailer behind your jeep unless your jeep is one of the bigger ones with the V-8 and air bags, but most of them have such a short wheelbase that it would be scary as hell to tow with! Most of the short wheelbase ones are scary hell just at freeway speeds by themselves, they are squirrelly as hell!

[@poisonpony1]

Cool video. Got to check out the vans. As well as meeting some potential new customers. Great video

[@geraldshane125]

That multi tool was a gift fun to play with and cane in handy twice.

[@firstchoicephoto]

I LOVE MY VAN!!! I use my van so much more than people use their RV's. Built mine myself and it has everything a house has including a bathroom.

[@1942rejw]

I loved this video too, I especially loved your "seriousness".

[@stewartelliott3938]

Beautiful road side assistance 😊

[@gregburke8163]

I think you should compare these vans to the 'Earth Cruiser' made in Bend Or. Built from the ground up as a true off road solution that will go places these vans could only dream of.

[@ocean_hummer]

This was off-road "glamping" at its finest! Back in the 60s my folks piled all five of us kids into an 8-foot, cab-over camper and we thought that was high end! 😅

[@brandons9398]

What an awesome van, I should say, Overlanding vehicle! That thing is really something I was very impressed. And you guys totally bust me up.😂

[@landrover827]

These are awesome! So glad Grit invited you out. I’m very interested in these vans.

[@psg6314]

My uncle has 73 Chevy 4x4 van long wheel base on 33s and we camp in it ever deer hunting season it's on a suburban frame 2 in lift great video keep up the good work God bless from GA stay safe

[@bobtucker8875]

Wow this was great 👍 content. Boy oh boy sure wish I could afford one of those 😉. Very nice guys, thanks for sharing 🤠.

[@davep4610]

Great video !!

[@billclisham8668]

YIKES! I just looked at their website and these vans start at $187,000 dollars ! My tent and sleeping bag just started looking MUCH better.

[@JanelleVocate-Ames]

YAY!!!

[@JanelleVocate-Ames]

Mornin' CASEY!!!

[@carschmn]

16:29 love how Casey is up for anything

[@jimswan7623]

Casey’s parting greeting “I’ll tow u later!” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@charlietoner]

He didn’t blur out “Pop-tarts!” Lol

[@carolrice2063]

Wingamm Oasis 540 is what I will be looking at for and the Grit does look good

[@lizp1559]

Well it would be fun to get stuck knowing you guys are around!!

[@tammysimons4916]

Thanks for another great video Casey! Thanks Alan for inviting Casey along. If I had that kind of money to spend and liked camping, I would definitely consider one of those vans.

[@jamestorrence9340]

Agreed. That root beer which shall remain nameless is excellent. My only complaint about the brand is that the bottles are too small.

[@larryfoxen9236]

the ecoflow fridge is a luxury item for camping

[@CaseyLaDelle]

Correct

[@rhondasweeney7271]

Awesome information for people that have a lot of money. We normal people have tents and sleeping bags. Plus a cooler for our food. Thank you for showing us what the good life can be. But the fun is with your family, not with what you have.😊

[@Johnsky-rd7ci]

The guy in the maroon sprinter will likely need to do some serious front end work before long. The Ford E series based Sportsmobiles strike a considerably better balance than the sprinter type units. More than comfortable enough, while being more robust, and far more capable off highway.

[@dougdean3134]

Entertaining episode for sure

[@jackboyer9010]

Sweet ride! Wish we could afford it.

[@GrandBB50]

jump box Schumacher SL-1317 1000A peak 500A cranking amps Great unit.

[@ExploringCanadaInfo]

Jump packs are life! 🔥

[@SPMech1]

WOW..........what a awesome adventure ! ! ! ! ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DieCastoms]

12:00 Headlights on but no tail lights on is a case of misconceptions involving DayTime Running Lights. Meaning .. their daytime running lights are lighting the way for them, so they do not bother touching the headlight switch. The lights are on, they don't realize that the DTRL *ONLY* turn on headlight bulbs, not parking lights or tail lights.

[@CaseyLaDelle]

Then explain how they turned the high beams on…

[@DieCastoms]

@@CaseyLaDelle this is something i see far too often around my home in Eastern Georgia, I'm not at all saying you're wrong, I'm saying so many people just don't realize that the daytime running lights don't control the parking/trail lights on many cars. In your case, of they had high beams on but nothing else, they have bad wiring, modified wiring, or aftermarket lights. Love your videos. Love that you went into this van event with an open mind. Love that you engage with your viewers too! thanks for responding!

[@OliverKrystal]

2:52 .... With the lift on the back she can just make any parking spot bigger! Also .... Alan's a cool chap just standing there with his keys out.

[@deandennis2838]

It would make it out. But not without the help of a sand anchor and several loops of winch rope.

[@frotobaggins7169]

While they may be reliable the opposite is also true, when they do break, are you going to be able to field fix it? To each his own.

[@danielharrah9984]

I'm really glad you did this video. I felt like you were missing the point of overland. It's all about middle ground. Not a rock crawler and not an RV but a very capable off road rig that's really comfortable for a month or two on the road. Love it and definitely wish I could afford one of those fancy rigs

[@tommurray2653]

Consider a pk of T-P in case there is a shortage in camp Tom up in Canada in the Maritimes at the NB-NS border

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

Those things are way more capable than I thought. I still prefer our 4Runner for Overlanding and off-roading. Maybe not as fancy or luxurious but With a fridge solar panels and a nice awning tent it is pretty cozy. Will get a small travel trailer as a base with air/heat and all the fun stuff these have. Think that is the best of both worlds...

[@donwilliams3626]

Adventure +++! A big part of the fun is how you get there.

[@AJNpa80]

Great attention to detail trying to keep it authentic, getting into the character of the people you recover, or at least I hope that's what this was...

[@nerdgarage]

There's a HUGE difference between weekend camping and overlanding. However I agree with your original sentiment that all that fancy stuff in those big rigs is not necessary, even for proper overlanding. Some of that stuff IS if not strictly required, then at least not a 'luxury'. Such as a rooftop tent. But when you end up with something that falls just short of a fully outfitted rock-crawling RV --- it's a bit over the top.

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@fredshwiller4703]

I have looked at the vans like this and they are really nice. I prefer motorcycle back country camping. Next summer I'm going to do some bike packing.

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

That had to be so much fun. Always rad to be asked to test stuff out! Wait these high tech fandagnled vans don't come with a built in wifi booster? Dang cell reception moving is key. Well done Casey! All the rain we got up in Portland also added some awesome coverage on Mt Hood!! Almost snow season!!

[@sjaakvaag]

You have a realy nice overland box that you can ty to your truck.

[@alanseys95]

Casey and Alan it looked like Y'all had to much fun. Alan I wish I could get some recovery gear. Oh Alan you have the same name as me and Alan I wish you and Casey to come to western North Carolina the foot hills of the Smokey Mountains

[@1988texasaggie]

12:00 - No taillights - In Texas our vehicles are required to get a yearly safety inspection. As part of that, they check all of the lights...which requires them to turn off the automatic headlight feature. The inspection station doesn't typically turn these back on once the inspection is over. So, the driver drives away and at some point later they find themselves driving at night...with their automatic headlights turned off. 'Unfortunately', their Daytime Running Lights (DRL) do still provide some illumination which gives the driver the impression that their headlights are working properly. However, the DRL are not linked to the DRLs, so the driver runs around with dim headlights and no taillights. So, while you assume taillights are off for nefarious reasons, here in Texas I assume they are off because of a recent state inspection.

[@johnhancock7063]

"Alan and Casey not prepared" , I remember Casey and Ben @406 garage not being prepared, common denominator: Casey lmao 🤣😂🤣 and I love it

[@HMXDave]

I've bush camped for 30+ years. Camp with a gal: much preparedness, nutrition and variety. Camp with the boys: coffee, beer, huge bucket o chicken (two XL pizzas also works)...breaky, lunch, and supper for 3 days! No refrigeration required.

[@Psalmist374DKR]

Been a minute since I was in Ray's... Looks good Used to live on Foss