Three Days to Quartzsite: Five Lessons Learned

It took me three solid days to drive from South Alabama to Quartzsite, Arizona, and let me tell you, the open road can teach you a lot in a short amount of time.

I spent two nights camped out at Walmart parking lots along I-10, which gave me a real taste of what our Sprinter Van can do—and what it still needs. By the time I arrived in Quartzsite, I’d picked up five important lessons I want to share with you.

A 24-Hour Surveillance System Is a Must

With all the music and video equipment we carry, security is huge. Every time I hopped out of the van, I felt a little anxious about leaving my gear behind.

Having a full-time camera system, one that’s always filming and saving the footage, would give me the peace of mind I need on the road. Of course, it also means I need a solid power source to keep it running around the clock.

Luckily, this install will happen in a matter of days.

We Need AC Power—ASAP

Since our Sprinter was originally sold as a high-end passenger van, it didn’t come with an integrated AC system or extra batteries. That might work if you’re just chauffeuring friends around, but it’s not enough for our content creation gear, camera equipment, and soon-to-be-installed surveillance system.

So far, this trip made it painfully clear that we need a real power solution so we can live, work, and create without worrying about draining the van’s basic battery. Soon we’ll be installing 540 Amp Hours of lithium batteries with Battle Born and Sin City Overland.

The system will be able to receive charge with solar, trickle charge from the van, and 120 plug charging from an outlet at an RV park, home, or generator.

A Sustainable Heating System Would Be Amazing

Sleeping in a passenger van is doable, but waking up to near-freezing temperatures can be a rude surprise. Sure, I have a 0-degree-rated blanket for overnight, but morning hours can still be rough. Running the van’s engine all night isn’t a great option—it wastes fuel, causes unnecessary emissions build up, and keeps the exterior lights on, which isn’t exactly stealthy.

If we add an AC system with enough battery capacity, we can power a small heater and make those frosty mornings a lot more bearable.

The Internet’s Oddities Are Real

You know those strange stories you see online? Turns out, some of them are 100% real. At one point, I pulled up to a diesel pump and saw three neat stacks of coins sitting on top of it. I remembered a video I’d seen warning about random coins and decided to just leave them there.

After I went inside for a drink, I heard one of the clerks ask, “Do we have something to tell him?” while another peeked at the security monitor. I have no clue what they were planning or what those coins were for, and honestly, I’m fine never finding out.

Taking More Pee Breaks Is Worth It

In the old days, I’d push through a six-hour stretch without stopping. Now, I’ve embraced the fact that comfort is king. With our new Boxio composting toilet, I can pull over at a rest area (or anywhere safe), take a quick bathroom break, and be back on the highway in three minutes. That means less stress, no hunting for rest stops, and way fewer frantic searches for the next gas station bathroom.

By the time I made it to Quartzsite, I’d been reminded of how important it is to set the van up the right way. We’ve already done a lot of work—like installing the RV sofa bed and adding Reflectix to the windows—but there’s still a ways to go.

Now it’s time for the real upgrades: a strong AC system, a 24/7 surveillance setup, and a reliable heating option. The desert sun here in Quartzsite is shining, and it’s a good reminder of why we’re pushing so hard to make this Sprinter the perfect mix of home, workspace, and music venue on wheels.

We’ll be partnering with Sin City Overland soon, and I can’t wait to see how these new additions help us fully embrace our Drivin’ and Vibin’ adventure. Stay tuned for more updates—we’ve only just begun!