This article was originally published in Pine Magazine. Pine is a Yama publication featuring people, places and products that will ignite your inner adventurer.
You used to pack for a weekend in twenty minutes and be out the door by five on Friday.
These days, Friday at five looks a little different. Car seats, a white noise machine, three outfit changes per kid per day (minimum), and a snack bag bigger than your old backpack. You traded the two-person tent for a four-person one, and somehow it feels smaller. Then there was that one trip. You rolled in late to a downpour and pitched the tent by headlamp while the kids watched from the car. The toddler fought sleep for an hour. At midnight, you took a foot to the ribs. Two adults lay in the dark, quietly wondering whose idea this was.
But the next morning, the kids spent three hours in the creek, filled their pockets with rocks that absolutely could not be left behind, and were already asking about the next trip before the tent was even down. Not to mention how well they slept that night. So no, you’re not giving it up. You just need it to be easier. That’s what the right adventure van is for: less to pack and set up, and more time (and comfort) for the part you actually came for.
There are more creek days ahead. The only question now is: which Yama Van gets your crew there?
After years of conversations with parents at exactly this stage, a clear pattern has emerged: most families land in either the Teton01N or the Gear Bus™. Families with one or two kids usually choose the Teton01N. Three or more kids, or a particularly heavy gear load? That’s often the Gear Bus™. Here’s how the two compare:
Best for you if: you’ve got a smaller crew and want to take the comforts of home on the road.
It’s a Saturday in July and you’re camped on Okanagan Lake. Your oldest has been in the water since nine, but the toddler needs a nap. Last summer, that meant a losing battle in a sweltering tent. This summer, you leave your partner on lifeguard duty and head to the van. Sandy feet get a rinse at the washdown station, and ten minutes later, they’re out cold on the seat-bed.
That’s the Teton01N. Two sleep zones mean naps wherever you’re parked. When everyone’s up, the seat-bed converts back into an ISOFIX-compatible rear seat, the kids buckle in, and you’re off to your next adventure. With kids, plans can change by the hour. The Teton01N is built to bend with them, so the day at the lake doesn’t have to end when nap time starts.
Seats4
Sleeps3+
Wheelbase144"
Featured Highlights
Large chest-height fridge
Two sleeping areas
Most popular Yama model
4-season capability
The Teton01N is built with premium insulation and our signature 21k BTU hydronic system, delivering cabin air, on-demand hot water, and radiant in-floor warmth. Yes, you can take it skiing. You can take it out for spring break, larch season, and every long weekend in between, too.
Off-grid capability
The Teton01N runs on an 11.8kWh lithium power system, with enough capacity for two weeks off-grid with typical use and driving, no hookups required. When you’re off-grid, 200W rooftop solar and a high-output 280A secondary alternator keep you charged. A 30A shore input tops you up when you’re back on grid.
All-terrain capability
Every Yama Van is built to handle whatever’s between you and where you’re going. With custom-tuned suspension and all-terrain wheels and tires, your ride stays stable, controlled, and comfortable on everything from the highway to the forest service road that leads to the good campsite.
Optimized gear storage
A family’s worth of gear adds up fast. With 85 ft³ of dedicated gear storage in the rear garage, you’ll have enough room for your bikes, skis, and whatever else your weekend demands. And if that’s not enough, there are options to add more storage on the rear doors or roof rack.
Comfortable living space
Two comfortable sleep zones (including a lower seat-bed for the little ones), a proper off-grid kitchen with a 90L fridge, and space to hang out on rainy days. These aren’t compromises. They’re the reason families trade the tent for something that makes getting outside easier.
Water & washroom
The outdoor washdown station handles sandy kids and muddy dogs, so the mess stays outside. If you’d rather clean up inside, say on a chilly fall morning, an interior shower is an available upgrade. And with a cassette toilet as standard, there are no more midnight outhouse runs with a toddler.
Best for you if: you’ve got a big crew, a big gear load, or both.
It’s February, and the tournament’s in Golden. You’ve got your two kids, three teammates whose parents owe you one, and five hockey bags that smell exactly how you’d expect. Next weekend, the extra seats stay in the garage, the galley and skis go in, and you’re back in Golden. Just your crew at Kicking Horse this time, with hot chocolate in the parking lot between runs.
The Gear Bus™ is built for weekends like these. Up to 10 removable, ISOFIX-compatible seats and a fully modular interior mean you can set it up for whatever the weekend demands, then change it again for the next one. Hockey bags, golf bags, bikes, skis, SUPs: if your family plays it, it fits. And between weekends, it’s just as handy for school drop-offs and the practice carpool.
Seats4-10
Sleeps2-4
Wheelbase144"
Featured Highlights
Modular seating
Murphy bed
Expansive gear storage
Minimalist by design
4-season capability
The Gear Bus™ is built with premium insulation and a 7500 BTU diesel air heater for efficient, reliable heat all year round. Whether it’s early-morning ice time in January or a frosty shoulder-season campsite, the crew stays warm.
Off-grid capability
The Gear Bus™ runs on a 4kWh lithium power system and 3kVA inverter charger, giving you up to a week off-grid with typical use and regular driving. A 30A DC-DC charger tops you up while you drive, and shore power has you covered when you’re parked. If you want even more time off-grid, rooftop solar is available as an upgrade.
All-terrain capability
The Gear Bus™ comes standard with our Stop the Sway suspension package. Upgraded FOX suspension reduces highway sway and keeps the ride stable under load, even when the load is a whole crew and all their gear. And with all-terrain wheels and tires, the gravel road out to the lake is fair game.
Optimized gear storage
This is where the Gear Bus™ earns its name. We know you’re not a one-sport family, so over 100 ft³ of open, configurable gear space makes room for hockey bags, bikes, skis, bins, and whatever else the season calls for. T-track, L-track, and MOLLE panels let you mount gear exactly where you want it, and removable aluminum cabinets give you extra storage when you need it and space when you don’t.
Modular living space
Up to 10 removable seats let you haul the whole team or clear the cabin entirely. At bedtime, the Murphy bed folds down for sideways sleeping, and an optional pop-top adds room for more. Add the optional modular galley, and meals and snacks are covered on the road, too.
Water & washroom
The Gear Bus™ is our most minimalist build, so there’s no bathroom on board. The optional galley includes a self-contained, jug-based water system for washing hands, doing dishes, and brushing teeth. It won’t give you a full shower, but it covers the essentials.
One last thing: the scenes above are just examples. Either van will get you there. The difference is in how you want to arrive. You can ski in your Teton01N or take your Gear Bus™ to the lake. The van you choose says more about how you like to live than where you’re going and what exactly you’re doing.
Whichever you choose, it’s built to be yours. Every Yama Van starts from the same strong foundation, but no two are exactly alike. Add the upgrades that fit your routine (Starlink, for example, is a popular pick for parents who want to sneak in a work call from the campsite or send grandma a photo from the lake), and choose custom finishings that give it some personality.
Still not sure which one fits your crew? That’s what we’re here for. Choosing the right adventure van is a big decision, and our team has had this conversation more times than we can count. We’re happy to have it with you, too. Start the conversation and let’s get your crew back to the creek.
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