Bluey Van Rental – Diesel, Fully Renovated & Family-Friendly
Bluey may have a few external dings and dents, but she runs amazing. This diesel van has over $18k invested in renovations and is an affordable, family-friendly option. While not a luxury sprinter, Bluey is designed for families and offers plenty of space and comfort. She comfortably sleeps 4 and has ample room for all your gear and adventures (please note, Bluey is not for off-road use. The factory-installed bench with proper seating was the starting point for the build, making it ideal for family trips. The bench includes car seat teethers and is insurable and crash tested as opposed to other four person vans.
Our Story
Our family of 2 adults, 2 children and one dog have taken Bluey across the country multiple times, spending over 400 hours working on her renovation as we figured out what we needed along the way. Bluey may not be a $100,000 luxury van, but she’s fully functional and designed with family trips in mind.
We enjoying traveling in her for both long distances and local jaunts. The extra space is a game changer for our family. She's carried skis, kayaks, bikes including e-bikes, climbing gear and all the materials we used to build her. We've started to use her for sports tournaments even when hotel sleeping because the space for equipment and food is very helpful. On these trips I pack our electric cooler (with an ice maker!), a second dry cooler, several food bins and our camp kitchen, chair and table. I even bring the blender, crockpot and anything else to make the trip work better for our family.
If we adventure in our truck (Doron the Dodge) we usually wish we took Bluey. She's just so convenient and easy to organize so trips flow smoothly. From beach to ski vacations, she can haul gear, food, water and more. I (Jen) was unsure about van life but unwilling to spend more camping than a high end hotel so we designed a budget family van with a luxury bed, warm or cool cabin and soft sheets. The kid spaces are just that, comfortable enough but not the same as the main bed. I've been working on maximizing the kids beds over the years to insure a solid sleep. I have slept well in both spaces as an adult but it's more camping and less hotel like.
The diesel makes the van a bit smellier than gas builds but her engine is strong and reliable. I suffer from migraines so a spray of lavender mist (will be provided) usually does the trick. I have spent a small fortune on her exhaust system to make it as clean as possible. We even resealed the doors up front to insure a quiet, clean experience. I also suffer from memory loss so we've kept the design simple and intuitive. The most complicated maneuver is swiveling the chair which isn't so hard.
Bluey was built to insure we could have a quiet, clean, comfortable traveling and sleeping experience. Of course looks different for everybody as my eldest prefers to set up a tent with several sleeping pads and a loose blanket alone but we tried to ensure comfort for everyone even our pup, Sera and on rare occasions our cat, Thomas.
We've set up the van several different ways depending on how long we are staying at each destination or if we are just sleeping in the van to get to the next destination. This is why I tried to set up several different sleeping arrangements in the add-ons. If you are on a barebones budget, pack a sleeping bag and I'll throw in a pillow! Cody and I backpacked around the world on a $20 budget so we can speak your language and guide you to the cheapest spots left in our very expensive state. If you are unsure or new to van life, Bluey is your girl. She can show you just how convent a van is to family life. I can't believe I jammed a SUV full of gear for so long. This is so much better. She's a little heavier and climbing in and out is higher than an SUV but these are the things that make me feel safer in her especially on long hauls when the driving can get rowdy and your in the middle of nowhere surrounded by truckers.
Feel free to message me if you need help sourcing items not on the list. I run a ski/gear from from the basement and we take extra kids/adults outdoor Rec gear or baby gear so I likely have what you need.
Versatile & Customizable
We’ve designed Bluey to be versatile and customizable, with reasonable add-ons for easy adjustments. Whether you’re transporting bikes, kayaks, skis, or other gear, Bluey can be configured to suit your needs.
If you need something that isn’t listed, feel free to ask! As an outdoor mom and gear reviewer, I’m happy to talk about equipment and share recommendations for adventure locations.
Comfort & Convenience
I understand that traveling with kids can be both challenging and rewarding. That’s why Bluey is built for comfort and convenience. The front seats swivel to create a cozy dining area when parked.
Winter-Ready Features
For colder weather, we’ve added a Honda generator, a small electric heater, and Van Essentials insulated window coverings. We frequently use the van for skiing and have tested this setup even in the coldest storms.
Our winter kit includes:
Rescue boards
Chains
Large shovel
Flares
Salt
Additionally, we’ve installed rugs in the main changing area to easily absorb snow.
Pets
Please message us about bringing furry family members along—let us know your details! We have a cat and dog that have ridden in the van and been around our belongings. We keep the van very clean and will give you a little pet cleaning box to help keep up with the mess that comes with fur ball love.
