Last November, Madison Pruet dropped a 2,600-word post in the Wayfarer Vans Fans Facebook group titled, “Why I’m Getting a Wayfarer Van.” His deep dive into his van journey, and why our simple, no-fuss build was the right fit, had us nodding along the whole way.

Fast forward a bit, and we had the honor of turning his 136” Ram ProMaster into a “Walter”. Since then, Madison has been out there, sharing road-tested tips, clever tricks, and lessons learned with the community. We also gave him a virtual high-five when he sold the RV-style van that had been giving him endless headaches.

With all the wisdom Madison has passed along, we figured it was time to turn the tables and learn more about him. So, we sat down for a Q&A to hear about his adventures, his van, and why his Wayfarer conversion is his favorite rig yet.

All thumbs up when Madison hits the road!

Wayfarer Vans: Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

Madison Pruet: “I live in Flower Mound, Texas, about 15 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. I trained as a musician but ended up working as a software engineer for IBM, which took me all over the world to places like Munich, Prague, England, Japan, Beijing, Sydney, Singapore and more. After retiring in 2015, I traded in international flights for road trips in an RV.

“I have a small condo in the southern Colorado mountains, where my wife and I spent our summers. These days, my wife prefers to fly to destinations, while I enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. That means most of my RVing is solo now, but we did use our rig during the COVID years to visit our grandkids in Wisconsin”.

WV: What types of adventure rigs did you have before your Wayfarer? And what were some pros and cons of each?

MP:” My first RV was a 37 foot class-A diesel pusher. My favorite thing was that I got it, but it was old, constantly breaking and a money pit.

“That was followed by a year of camping in my Prius. Prius camping was quick and easy, but my least favorite thing was cooking outside with gnats.

“Then I got the Travato, which is built on a RAM ProMaster 3500. I liked it a lot, it was comfortable and took me to many great places. But things were breaking, and I was always having to take things apart to get to the broken components. “And now I have a Wayfarer Walter. I wanted to have as few things as possible that could break.”

WV: What made you choose a Wayfarer Van?
MP: “I had known about Wayfarer Vans for years but originally thought they were too basic. I wanted a van where I could stand up and cook, and I didn’t think my wife would go without a full bathroom. So when I downsized from a Class A RV, I chose a Travato instead.

“However, after several solo trips up north, I realized I needed something simpler. The Travato had too many components that could break. On my last trip, I discovered a water leak under the bed while in Tok, Alaska. Fixing it required heavy lifting, which led to a slipped disc and severe sciatica. That was the moment I decided I never wanted to deal with that kind of repair again.

“A Wayfarer appealed to me because there are no unnecessary components, making everything accessible and easy to maintain. If something needs replacing, I can order it online and install it myself instead of waiting weeks for an RV shop.”

WV: What was the best trip you’ve taken?
MP: “I typically take a long summer trip to Alaska, and that’s always a highlight. My journey starts in Texas, with a stop at my Colorado condo before heading north on I-25. Along the way, I might visit Rocky Mountain National Park, Fort Laramie or Little Bighorn Battlefield before reaching the Canadian border at Sweetgrass, Montana.

“From there, I drive through the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, choosing either the Alaska Highway or the Cassiar Highway. Both routes are spectacular, with plenty of wildlife like bears, moose, bison, and caribou. Once I reach the Yukon, I love exploring Dawson City, which feels like stepping into the Klondike Gold Rush era.

“For the truly adventurous, there’s the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk, where you can camp on the Arctic Ocean – after 500 miles of dirt road, one way! And don’t forget to take a swim in the Arctic while you’re there.

“Crossing into Alaska, I often take the Top of the World Highway, stopping in quirky towns like Chicken, Alaska. While many travelers focus on Denali, my favorite national park is Wrangell-St. Elias, home to the historic Kennecott Mines. And no trip is complete without a visit to Valdez for a cruise in Prince William Sound or a helicopter ride onto a glacier.”

Pro tip: If you are planning a trip to Alaska, Madison is a moderator for the Facebook group “RVing to Alaska, the Original.” He helps travelers plan their trips and shares advice on preparation, destinations, and must-see spots. 

WV: What’s the biggest difference between your Wayfarer and your previous rigs?
MP: “Besides not having a bathroom? The biggest difference is peace of mind. My previous RVs had so many things that could break, requiring constant maintenance and costly shop visits. With the Wayfarer, I have everything I need, and nothing I don’t.”

WV: What’s your advice for someone choosing between a van, RV, or trailer?
MP: “Go as small as you’re comfortable with. The more components you have, the more that can break, making travel expensive and frustrating. Also, consider where you want to go. If you’re exploring remote areas, ground clearance is key. If you’re staying in campgrounds, a larger setup is fine.

“Most importantly, ask yourself: Do I really need this? In my Travato, I had a wet bath but realized I was fine without it. Less water use meant I could dry camp longer. 

“Remember that you’re getting an RV to take you places to explore, not just to live in. If you’re trying to duplicate your home setup, then why not stay home?”

Rapid-fire questions:

Favorite camping spot?
I’d have to say the best was camping on the summit overlook of the Salmon Glacier out of Hyder, Alaska  in north west British Columbia.

Most surprising item you bring on every trip?
My portable digital piano. 

Favorite meal to cook in your van?
Chicken Tortilla Soup.

What do you listen to while driving?
When in range, Sirius-XM.  When out of range, downloaded audio books from the Libby app.

WV: Where are you heading next?
MP: “I’m wrapping up my van setup and planning another trip north in mid-June. Alaska and northern Canada keep calling me back, and I’m always excited for the next adventure!”