Built for Adventure: Part 3
04/17/2025 10:37AM ● By Haley Watkins
Photo courtesy of Bran Happell.
Steamboat Springs locals are always ready for adventure – and these three in particular have homes to prove it. Sharing a desire for freedom and a strong call to the outdoors, MJ LaBenne, Joel Roscamp and Bran Happell and each built their dream home – on wheels. They’re ready for anything, at any time, and they showed Steamboat Magazine around. Take a look inside Bran Happell's van.
Bran Happell: I moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 2018 about a year and a half before I started my van journey. During that time, I spent most of my free hours exploring Colorado and other parts of the West. I had always loved tiny homes and had been obsessed with the idea of a small house on wheels. I was fortunate to have a remote software job at the time, which made the idea of van life not only possible but incredibly appealing.
SM: What was the build process like?
BH: When I bought the van in March 2020, Covid lockdowns gave me plenty of time to focus on the build. With hardware stores open and not much else to do, I dove into planning and building. The van was previously owned by an electrician company, so I had to remove metal shelving before tackling insulation, flooring and solar installation. The process took longer than expected and by the time lockdowns eased, the van was only partially complete. That summer, I lived in the half-built van during road trips. This experience was invaluable; I learned what amenities were truly necessary for life on the road and got inspiration from other van-lifers I met along the way. In December 2020, after an accident during a winter storm, I found a sublet in Steamboat Springs while the van was being repaired. Once it was ready, my brother flew out to help me finish the build, adding benches, a closet, a kitchen and storage shelves. By summer, the van was fully equipped, and I spent the next year living in it, often visiting Steamboat.
SM: What’s an important feature in your van?
BH: Trash storage, while not the most glamorous feature, has been one of the most important aspects of my van. I installed a hole in the cabinet under my sink that connects to a hanging trash can. This makes it easy to dispose of trash while cooking or even while driving. For larger amounts of trash, I use a waterproof tarp bag attached to the ladder on the back of the van. This keeps odors out of the living space and provides extra storage for longer trips. Another key feature is the access to the garage area under the bed. A flap allows me to reach this storage space from inside the van, which is great for carrying long items like boards, kayaks or raft oars. It’s also incredibly convenient for accessing extra storage without having to go outside.
SM: Where have you traveled?
BH: When I first started van life, I imagined constantly road-tripping and visiting iconic national parks. While I’ve enjoyed many breathtaking places, my favorite experiences have been in smaller, less expected locations. For instance, I’ve spent several summers in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, rock climbing and connecting with the community there. Staying in one place for extended periods, especially with friends, has been far more fulfilling than constantly moving for me. Living in a van has deepened my connection to the natural world. There’s nothing like waking up, opening the van door, and being greeted by an incredible view. Spending so much time outside, often without Wi-Fi or cell service, has allowed me to focus on simple joys like reading, connecting with others and enjoying campfires. I’ve also become more attuned to natural rhythms, like the phases of the moon, which I sometimes overlook when living in a house.
SM: Any challenges you’ve faced?
BH: At first, I was hesitant to take the van on rough roads, but over time, I’ve tackled some challenging terrain, like Buff Pass and sketchy river put-ins. The most difficult drives, however, have been during snowstorms. One particularly harrowing trip was from Fort Collins to Steamboat, where visibility was almost zero, and I had to drive with chains at 20 mph. Another time, I had to cross four snowy mountain passes to return to Steamboat from Crested Butte.
SM: What else?
BH: Van life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it’s not without its challenges. I’ve run out of diesel on a mountain pass, gotten stuck in snowstorms, dealt with accidents, and faced the dreaded midnight knock at certain camping spots. Despite these difficulties, living in the van has given me immense confidence in myself. Being prepared with tools like jumper packs, tire chains and recovery tracks is important, but staying calm and trusting yourself to find solutions is even more critical.
Steamboat Springs locals are always ready for adventure – and these three in particular have homes to prove it. Sharing a desire for freedom and a strong call to the outdoors, MJ LaBenne, Joel Roscamp and Bran Happell and each built their dream home – on wheels. They’re ready for anything, at any time, and they showed Steamboat Magazine around. Take a look inside Bran Happell's van.
BRAN HAPPELL
Steamboat Magazine: What inspired you to pursue van/camper life?Bran Happell: I moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 2018 about a year and a half before I started my van journey. During that time, I spent most of my free hours exploring Colorado and other parts of the West. I had always loved tiny homes and had been obsessed with the idea of a small house on wheels. I was fortunate to have a remote software job at the time, which made the idea of van life not only possible but incredibly appealing.
SM: What was the build process like?
BH: When I bought the van in March 2020, Covid lockdowns gave me plenty of time to focus on the build. With hardware stores open and not much else to do, I dove into planning and building. The van was previously owned by an electrician company, so I had to remove metal shelving before tackling insulation, flooring and solar installation. The process took longer than expected and by the time lockdowns eased, the van was only partially complete. That summer, I lived in the half-built van during road trips. This experience was invaluable; I learned what amenities were truly necessary for life on the road and got inspiration from other van-lifers I met along the way. In December 2020, after an accident during a winter storm, I found a sublet in Steamboat Springs while the van was being repaired. Once it was ready, my brother flew out to help me finish the build, adding benches, a closet, a kitchen and storage shelves. By summer, the van was fully equipped, and I spent the next year living in it, often visiting Steamboat.
SM: What’s an important feature in your van?
BH: Trash storage, while not the most glamorous feature, has been one of the most important aspects of my van. I installed a hole in the cabinet under my sink that connects to a hanging trash can. This makes it easy to dispose of trash while cooking or even while driving. For larger amounts of trash, I use a waterproof tarp bag attached to the ladder on the back of the van. This keeps odors out of the living space and provides extra storage for longer trips. Another key feature is the access to the garage area under the bed. A flap allows me to reach this storage space from inside the van, which is great for carrying long items like boards, kayaks or raft oars. It’s also incredibly convenient for accessing extra storage without having to go outside.
SM: Where have you traveled?
BH: When I first started van life, I imagined constantly road-tripping and visiting iconic national parks. While I’ve enjoyed many breathtaking places, my favorite experiences have been in smaller, less expected locations. For instance, I’ve spent several summers in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, rock climbing and connecting with the community there. Staying in one place for extended periods, especially with friends, has been far more fulfilling than constantly moving for me. Living in a van has deepened my connection to the natural world. There’s nothing like waking up, opening the van door, and being greeted by an incredible view. Spending so much time outside, often without Wi-Fi or cell service, has allowed me to focus on simple joys like reading, connecting with others and enjoying campfires. I’ve also become more attuned to natural rhythms, like the phases of the moon, which I sometimes overlook when living in a house.
SM: Any challenges you’ve faced?
BH: At first, I was hesitant to take the van on rough roads, but over time, I’ve tackled some challenging terrain, like Buff Pass and sketchy river put-ins. The most difficult drives, however, have been during snowstorms. One particularly harrowing trip was from Fort Collins to Steamboat, where visibility was almost zero, and I had to drive with chains at 20 mph. Another time, I had to cross four snowy mountain passes to return to Steamboat from Crested Butte.
SM: What else?
BH: Van life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it’s not without its challenges. I’ve run out of diesel on a mountain pass, gotten stuck in snowstorms, dealt with accidents, and faced the dreaded midnight knock at certain camping spots. Despite these difficulties, living in the van has given me immense confidence in myself. Being prepared with tools like jumper packs, tire chains and recovery tracks is important, but staying calm and trusting yourself to find solutions is even more critical.