**Recap**: After a challenging few weeks in Big Bend, I found myself dealing with the reality of van life—frozen pipes, a broken diesel heater, and a crimped exhaust pipe. In this post, I’ll share how I managed to fix everything (with some help from the van life community), the importance of getting organized, and how Tucson became the perfect place to reset and plan the road ahead.
Doing the After Math
Tucson was a welcome change. After Big Bend’s freezing temperatures, the warm desert air was a relief, and I was able to catch my breath. I spent the days hiking, reflecting, and getting mentally ready for the next leg of the journey. The scenery here has a way of helping you reset—it’s quiet, open, and peaceful, offering the perfect space to regroup and plan for the road ahead.
Fix-It Mode Activated
Once I got to Tucson, I dove straight into van repairs. The first major issue to tackle was the broken diesel heater. After hours of research and watching countless repair videos, I was unsure if I could even manage the replacement. But I lucked out and found a free refurbished unit, which made all the difference. Installing it was a bit tricky, but after some trial and error, I finally got it running. There’s nothing like the feeling of warmth after dealing with cold nights on the trail.
Replacing the Diesel Heater
One of the bigger projects I tackled this winter was replacing the diesel heater in my Winnebago Revel. After several cold nights and a whole lot of troubleshooting, it was clear the original unit was toast. I’d never replaced one before, and honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could pull it off without professional help.
After researching different options and scouring van life forums, I managed to track down a free refurbished unit—huge win. The install itself wasn’t exactly plug-and-play. There were plenty of moments where I had parts scattered everywhere, wondering if I was in over my head. Accessing the heater under the van, disconnecting the fuel line, routing the wires—none of it was especially fun in the moment, but with some patience (and a few curse words), I got it done.
When it finally fired up and started blowing warm air again, it was one of those van life victories that feels way bigger than it looks from the outside. After dealing with freezing pipes in Big Bend, just having reliable heat again made the van feel like home. It’s one of those repairs that reminds you how much you can figure out if you take it one step at a time—and how satisfying it is to get something working with your own hands.
Crimped Exhaust Pipe – Rookie Move:
Of course, I wasn’t done yet. On a steep, narrow dirt road, I made a rookie mistake and crimped the diesel exhaust pipe on a sharp turn. It wasn’t a huge disaster, but it definitely added to the list of things to fix. Once again, the van life Facebook group proved invaluable. After a lot of advice and some hands-on work, I managed to get the muffler back in place and relocated the exhaust pipe a bit higher to prevent it from happening again. It wasn’t an easy fix, but I’m learning as I go.
Oil Change Zen:
After the chaos of the exhaust pipe repair, the oil change felt like a small but much-needed win. It was straightforward and easy—a nice break from the more complicated stuff. Taking care of it myself gave me a little sense of accomplishment and a reminder that I can handle the basics just fine.
Making Space Within
During all of these repairs, I also took some time to reorganize the inside of the van. Living in a small space, things can quickly become cluttered, so I knew I needed to find ways to make it more efficient. A bit of reorganization has already made the van feel more spacious and manageable. It’s one of those small changes that makes a big difference when living on the road.
Nata’s Photoshoot
Finding True North: People are the Magnet
What really made this winter in Tucson stand out were the people. From meeting up with family for a hike, college grad photoshoots, as well as another lifestyle shoot with my friend, Natalia. I met new friends to hike and explore with, and one especially generous friend, Janet, who provided a great place to park my van, catch up on photo edits, and recharge. Having that kind of support made a big difference. It’s a good reminder that while the road is full of challenges, the people you meet along the way can make it all a lot better!
On the New Garnet Trail Loop
Julie overlooking Tucson at Windy Point, Mt. Lemmon Road, Tucson, AZ
Mt. Wrightson via Old Baldy Trail
Julie at the Pontatoc Mine at Pontatoc Ridge, Tucson, AZ