Some rig relationships are just meant to be. Just ask Lyndsay Strange, the gregarious founder of Party Beach Ski Camps in Oregon. Her modified Airbus B-190 on a 1995 Ford E350 turns heads when it weaves up and over the Cascades, a nod to a golden era of air-brushed decals and the rise of the RV. Dubbed Woody, Strange's camper van splits time between the mountains and the coast, and has never turned down an opportunity to explore new territory. Take a trip with this good time on wheels as part of the HEST Rigs We Dig series—you'll be glad you did.
Location:Columbia River Gorge, Pacific Northwest
Make & Model: Airstream B-190 Van on a 1995 Ford E350
Nickname: Woody
Bed dimensions: 78” long, 50" wide (at narrowest), and 25" high
HEST products: Dually S60
Is this your daily driver or getaway car?
What do you like most about your rig?
On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? How did you navigate gear storage needs into your rig set up?
My van is unique to most campers or truck setups as it’s friggin' huge and has ample storage. It's basically an RV, completely built out, with a flushing toilet, a shower, a hot water heater, an oven, 4 burner propane cook top and a refrigerator. Some challenging aspects are winter camping and skiing related activities. Things can get wet from snowmelt, so this is where I need to figure out my system better. For now, it’s mostly for summer stuff (even though I also ski in the summer).
Any custom details?
I love my vanity plates: “W00DY”. I also added solar panels a couple years ago that allow me to use my refrigerator without ever worrying about running out of power.
Coolest place you’ve taken your rig to?
I love everywhere I take it: the Oregon coast is a favorite, wild camping above Hood River, Assateague Island, Flathead Lake in Montana, the Utah Desert, my friends’ driveways. A goal would be to drive it down to Baja and possibly leave it there as my crash pad on a future piece of land that I acquire.
Any projects in the pipeline to get your rig even more adventure ready?
I just replaced the shocks so that adds some smoothness to my ride. I’d love to get it vinyl wrapped or a new paint job, but also the classic silver Airstream look is pretty cool. Also, I still have the old carpet flooring that I need to rip out and put in vinyl wood floors or rubber gym floor tiles.Biggest challenge in your build out?
Tips for others looking to do the same to their vehicle?
Vintage camper vans are so nostalgic and have such a special place in my heart. I understand there are advantages to newer setups or truck campers where you can drive away from the camper at your site and you have more 4x4 capability, however, vintage camper vans can tend to be a lot less expensive than the new setups like Sprinter vans and truck toppers.
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