**Hitting the road has never been as stylish as it is with FENIX cabinets in these campervans**

(See original article [here](https://www.fenixforinteriors-na.com/en-us/commercial-inspiration/design-stories/texino))

Get outside. Never have those words been truer than in the year 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic restricted movement across the world. Fortunately for those who are consumed by wanderlust, there is Texino, a Los Angeles-based company that builds, sells, and rents campervans. Texino’s website boldly states, “We build thoughtful, innovative products intended to help more people get outside.”

Of course, the advantage of having a campervan is that it offers you a hybrid experience – you can enjoy all the perks of nature while having the mobility to get around more quickly (and have a roof over your head for those not-so-great weather days).

To ensure the “inside” experience matches the outside experience, Texino turned to FENIX™ innovative materials for interior design.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/40457/1618358271-screen-shot-2021-04-13-at-4-57-36-pm.png)

Texino uses FENIX NTM in Grigio Efeso, Bianco Malè, Grigio Bromo, and Verde Comodoro for the facing of the cabinets in various models of its campervans. It is paired with marine ply and stainless steel to complete the look. 

“We create custom campervans, which need to be both durable and functional,” they said. “We’ve found that the FENIX provides us with great color options and is more durable than other competitive options.”

FENIX materials are highly resistant to scratches, abrasion, dry heat, acid-based solvents and household reagents, making it a preferred material for the high-demand rental campervans as well.

Campervan Cabinets by Texino

Pop-tops are one of the brilliant quirks of camper designs – in the search to get as much packed into as little as possible, the pop-top has proven itself as one of the most effective solutions over and over. That said, pop-tops can have some downsides too. 

Here’s everything you need to know about them.

**Pop-tops give you lots more room**

This is the most obvious point, but it’s worth reiterating that they do actually work. If you need some more internal room – perhaps if you’re tall or a little claustrophobic – being able to stand up in your van makes a big difference.

It also helps when you’re hanging out with friends. Having the extra headroom means that you don’t have to feel cramped when sitting inside the van. 

**Pop-tops let you keep a low profile**

One of the main desires when investing in a campervan is the ability to be mobile whenever you need to be. While you’re always going to be more mobile in a non-pop-top, low-roof van, the difference in mobility is the extra minute or so it takes to drop the pop-top and lock it.

In real world use, being able to have a low roof means that you have the option to go into dense, urban areas without being limited by your van size. Not to mention that you can always keep the roof down when you want to stay stealthy.

**Extra beds?**

When you’re on the road, you’re either looking for the solitude of being on the road alone or looking for the company of travelling with friends. When you’re after the latter, you often have to compromise on mobility by travelling in a bigger van. Most pop-tops, however, allow you to fit an extra bed in the top section when the top is up. So you can actually house more people than you’d expect while also being able to easily drop the roof when you need to get going.

**Be aware of climate**

Now, for all of the benefits of having a pop-top roof, you need to be aware of some of their limitations. Most sides that fill the space between the roof and the body of your van are simple canvas. This is great because it’s lightweight and easily collapsible, but it can also be a poor insulator. The same goes for the roof itself; for the sake of being lightweight, many pop-tops have a plastic or fiberglass roof – which means they also don’t keep heat in very well.

If you’re planning to adventure during the Summer or in areas with generally-warm climates, this is likely a benefit. You get some natural ventilation, and you’re not worrying about keeping warm at night. But if you anticipate cold weather, bring extra blankets - as you likely would pop-top or not!

**Pop-tops can let a lot of sound through**

This is another point that could be a benefit or a drawback. Because the sides are canvas, you’re not going to get any sound dampening when you have the top up. This means that sleeping in a noisy area with the top up is particularly challenging.

If you’re boondocking, this is great! You don’t need to worry about all the noises of the city and the sounds of nearby wildlife are likely quite pleasant.

**Follow the safety instructions**

We have to note that, as with anything in a campervan, it’s important to always follow the safety instructions, and the same is definitely true with the pop-top. Never drive with the pop-top up, always make sure that the pop-top is fully raised to be securely locked into place, don’t allow anyone under the age of 18 to operate the pop-top, and never leave any unattended children inside of the pop-top. 


**Choose the right van option for you**

At Texino, we use [SCA pop-tops](https://rre-global.com/sca/) in our camper conversions. Their thermal insulation balanced with lightweight construction makes for a perfect extension to the vehicle. They’re flame retardant, easy-to-use and cosy - with velour interior.

Take a look at the [Switchback](https://texino.com/build/14779488/) model, which sleeps four with its double murphy bed and pop-top with memory foam mattress. The [Tango](https://texino.com/build/14779530/) model is designed with both space and function in mind, and the pop-top provides just that, with space for an extra camper!

If you’re looking for more gear and storage capacity as well as the benefits of a pop-top, you have to check out our [Clipper](https://texino.com/build/15633872/) model.

On a surf trip or when kicking back in the desert, a pop-top’s probably your best bet. See what's available for your next adventure [here](https://www.texino.com/book/).

Everything You Need to Know About Pop-Tops

**Your COVID-19 vaccine could be in the back of a van**

Texino’s outfitted camper vans bring COVID-19 testing and vaccines to you.

See the full article [here](https://www.fastcompany.com/90620999/your-covid-vaccine-could-be-in-the-back-of-a-van).

Vaccinations are ramping up across the country. And while many people will get their appointments at pharmacies, hospitals, or convention centers, one particular location comes to you.

Camper van company Texino has created custom vans that are outfitted to act as mobile COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites. And while Texino typically outfits Mercedes vans into custom campers, this time the company had a different client: the healthcare industry. The vans are designed to make testing and vaccination more flexible and accessible.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/40457/1617320294-screen-shot-2021-04-01-at-4-38-02-pm.png)

The process began after testing company Curative approached Texino last summer to build a van for mobile testing, according to Texino founder Nick Devane. The company ordered a few more, and soon additional orders were coming in from other companies. Texino started building them out for vaccine deployment last October.

There are two types of vans, one for dispersing COVID-19 tests and one for vaccines. Essentially, each company commissions Texino to design and convert the vans depending on their needs. From the outside, the vans look more or less like a typical Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Not so much on the inside.

Rather than designing a van for outdoor enthusiasts and would-be nomads, as it usually does, Texino created these vans to be clean and efficient workspaces for healthcare workers. Devane, who had previously launched a [food startup](https://www.fastcompany.com/40457426/wework-for-chefs-how-one-co-working-incubator-fuels-food-innovation), says he leaned on his experience in the food industry to meet the standards, comparing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments [(CLIA) requirements](https://www.cdc.gov/clia/law-regulations.html), which created quality standards for lab testing, to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. That meant doing away with the cooktops and showers you’d use during a cross-country drive and outfitting the vans with stainless steel and laminated marine wood, which he says is easy to disinfect, and custom storage for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Design also takes healthcare workflow into consideration. Texino added off-grid air conditioning and heat, enabled Wi-Fi, and created space for four to five people to work inside, depending on whether it’s used for testing or vaccinations. The vans developed for vaccine deployment also have small refrigerators and increased electrical power (to keep those fridges running). Each van can administer up to 1,000 tests in a 12-hour period, according to the company, though requests for testing labs have declined in favor of vaccine vans, which act like mobile offices to quickly distribute vaccines and/or support vaccination sites, like the Hansen Dam site in Los Angeles.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/40457/1617320567-screen-shot-2021-04-01-at-4-42-34-pm.png)

The design of the testing van in particular shows how much the science has changed over the past year. When Texino first started producing the vans, it was thought that the virus could be transmitted through hard surfaces. So to avoid any physical contact, Texino made the vans airtight, and installed a two-way speaker system for patients to communicate with healthcare workers. The administrator drops the test through a stainless steel chute, the patient grabs it from the outside of the vehicle and self-administers a COVID-19 test, then drops the completed test in another chute in the back of the vehicle. It’s the pandemic version of what you might see at a bank drive-through. Though we now know the virus is mainly spread through airborne particles, the design has stayed the same.

![](https://www.datocms-assets.com/40457/1617321110-screen-shot-2021-04-01-at-4-51-38-pm.png)

The biggest challenge was scaling the Texino supply chain, according to Devane: Building out over 100 camper vans in a matter of months required a new space, staffing, and training. “It was much larger than what we’re used to doing,” he says of the project, which is based out of the company’s offices in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.

So far, his pivot is working. There are 105 vans working with four testing and vaccine providers in California, Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida, and New Mexico. And the interest isn’t slowing down: Devane says he’s in talks with about 15 other companies to create custom vans.

In the Press... Fast Company

Today’s RV appliances typically consume a lot of power, and campervans carry many of them for maximum comfort on the road. Air conditioners, fridges, water heaters and stoves are only a few of the high-draw appliances we work with. In order to power these devices using lead acid chemistry, we would need massive banks of heavy batteries. Instead, we’ve decided to move entirely to lithium batteries. 

**So why lithium?**

Our primary reason for the switch is energy density.  Lead-acid chemistry includes flooded cell, GEL, and AGM batteries. Conventional lead-acid batteries don't cut it for the demanding devices in an RV. They have very low energy density.  Lead-acid applications provide only 20-50% of usable energy, which means a 100 amp-hour battery ends up only having 20 to 50 amp-hours available for use. Only significantly over-rating the system will achieve the necessary power. Additionally, as a lead-acid battery is discharged its voltage slowly decays. Thus, the system has to compensate with a higher amp draw to produce the same power over time. As the battery dies, the amperage increases until its voltage is no longer sustainable and the battery is considered dead. Finally, flooded cell batteries, which are easily damaged by vibration and shock, must be installed upright. 

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, on the other hand, can be discharged to 100% without structural harm. To sweeten the deal, a lithium chemistry battery has a longer lifespan and can be discharged over twice as many times as a lead-acid battery. They also contain integrated circuits that prevent complete discharge. Lithium has a higher voltage instance over its discharge life, staying above 13 volts for most of its charge span. This provides consistent power and more efficiency across the battery’s range. Appliances such as overlanding fridges, stoves, and lights will be less taxed by a more efficient system. Lithium batteries can be mounted in any position and are unfazed by vibrations and most shocks (important for your vanlife travels!)

Lithium Iron Phosphate also weighs only about a third of a comparable lead-acid battery, with over twice the energy density. When you add all of these qualities up, it's the obvious choice for overlanding or individuals looking to boondock. More energy can be stored for less weight and space and will last much longer under harsher conditions. The only drawback to lithium batteries is their inability to provide high amp draws. Most batteries have a limit of 100a continuous draw, which can be mitigated by installing several batteries in parallel. A system's total "continuous draw" is the sum of all the batteries’ limits when run in parallel. For instance, two 100a capable batteries running together would allow a pulse of 200a without issues. The term "cold-cranking amps," used in flooded cells, indicates how much pulse power can be drawn from the battery. A single 100ah lithium battery has 100 cold-cranking amps or 100CCA. This means that lead-acid batteries are still best for engine systems and starters, which often require 750 cranking amps or higher to start. 

For those indispensable appliances that ensure comfort and convenience in our camper vans, Texino is going lithium all the way.

Why We Use Lithium Batteries in Our Campervan Conversions

Many of us are still stuck inside - whether due to local restrictions, personal choice, or a lack of work-life balance. In any case, whatever state you live in, things certainly aren’t ‘back to normal’ yet, and options are limited when it comes to activities and outings.
 
So long as travel is permitted, what remains constant is our access to nature. At the beginning of the pandemic last year, many people across the globe took full advantage of nature’s benefits, picking up new hobbies; from foraging, to hiking, to nature photography. 
 
A year on, with people working from home, the lines between work and play have blurred and many find themselves working into the evening and during weekends - and feeling they have less time to spend outdoors. The [mental health effects](https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/) have been devastating.
 
Texino calls for a ‘return to nature!’ The novelty of those initial new hobbies and of forging new patterns doesn’t have to wear thin, and though we are working through tough times, setting aside time outside is vital.
 
**Reconnecting**
 
There’s never been a better time to reconnect with nature. That hike - that trail - that beach - that dusty track - is practically calling your name!
 
Despite the ‘social options’ available to us through technology (FaceTime, Zoom, messaging, etc), you’ll have heard that “we’ve never been so disconnected”. This has become a cliché simply because, in this case, it’s true. Many of us have retreated into our shells, into our work, and into the fear that has in part started to rule our lives; so much so that it can feel as though we’ve lost parts of ourselves. The sense of disconnection is not only a social one but, on another level, it has to do with how we relate to and place ourselves within the world. 
 
Nature gives us perspective. It is easy to forget that the sun shines and ants crawl, and that we’re each a part of a larger whole, when we’re cooped up inside, doom-scrolling, and occasionally watching funny videos of cats on the internet (that’s not a ‘break’ 🧐).
 
Reconnecting with nature gives you the opportunity to unplug and take stock. And you don’t *have* to be by yourself! The good thing about time outside is that, for many states, you’re allowed to spend it with a buddy or group of friends (but check local restrictions).
 
**Nature’s benefits**
 
There are [proven](https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uop-rwn021220.php) mental health benefits of [spending time in nature](https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/). Now, we’re not saying that just going outside is a cure-all - certainly not. Mental illness is a complex beast not always cured by a dandelion or a mountainside (and we of course believe in access to professional therapy for all). BUT, these things - exercise, sunlight, a new perspective - can certainly put a spring in your step if you’ve been feeling a little disconnected and cooped-up.
 
Physical activity has been linked to [improved wellbeing](https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise) for many years now, and [recent studies](https://www.sharp.com/health-news/5-ways-being-outdoors-can-make-you-healthier-and-happier.cfm) have shown the power of time outside for reducing blood pressure. And while international travel can sometimes be a stressor (think airplane queues), spending time in the nature that’s on our doorsteps is a stress-relieving alternative. We won’t even get started on the fact that you need vitamin D to be a healthy, happy individual. Basically: the benefits are plenty!
 
**So what do we do about it?**
 
Our thoughts?
 
Take that annual leave. You deserve it. After a tumultuous year for business, lots of people report feelings of obligation towards their respective workplaces. They feel they should work harder and longer hours. 
 
Well, we’re here to tell you, you’re not a machine! However startling it may sound, from time to time, you. need. a. break. Workplace stress and [burnout](https://blog.vantagecircle.com/employee-burnout/) leads to a lack of motivation and loss of productivity. 
 
So, with sunnier days ahead, now’s the time.
 
**Traveling**
 
Traveling during a pandemic might feel a little daunting. Where will I sleep? Where will I eat?
 
Certainly, it’s worth avoiding places experiencing major outbreaks, even if you’re planning to spend the majority of your time outdoors.
 
But what’s the ultimate travelling experience, fit for all the chaos of a pandemic?
 
#Campervans.
 
When you rent out one of Texino’s vans, you get the works: kettle, coffee grinder and pour over, cups, bowls, plates, silverware, pot and pan, colander, olive oil, salt, pepper, toilet paper, soap, sponge, camp chairs, playing cards. You just need to bring yourself (and maybe some food, clothes, and good hiking boots…?). 
 
If you’re a weekend warrior looking for only the essentials and room to bring your gear (boards, bikes, you name it), you could try the [Tango](https://www.texino.com/build/14779530/).
 
Or if you’re looking for a spacious 5-berth with a shower and induction stove for a family trip, check out our [Clipper](https://www.texino.com/build/15633872/).
 
Whatever your needs, we’ve got the van for you. Simply pick it up from our location in Silverlake or request a drop-off, and we’ll see what we can do!
 
We’re [Covid-safe](https://www.texino.com/build/15633872/) too, and all vans are cleaned thoroughly before pick-up. When road-tripping in one of our builds, you needn’t worry about where you’ll eat next and whether it’ll be safe to do so - simply park up beach-side and get something cooking (we’ve got a list of road-trip recipes on our [blog](https://texino.com/about/blog/), too).
 
We’d recommend a trip to [Joshua Tree](https://www.texino.com/trips/14779309/). This is nature at its finest.
 
Joshua Tree boasts an abundance of campgrounds, trails, climbing boulders, and, when it gets dark, more stars in the sky than you’ve ever seen. It’s recognized as an International Dark Sky Park and offers many visitors the chance to see the Milky Way for the first time in their lives.
 
Once you’ve spanned the 319,598 hectares of Joshua Tree (OK, probably a little unrealistic) with its many [trails](https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/joshua-tree-national-park), you might want a snippet of the man-made. You could check out Salvation Mountain, a man-made mountain covered in roughly half a million gallons of paint, or the eco-themed, desert-set sculpture garden of East Jesus.
 
Reconnect on this back-to-nature retreat: wiggle your toes in the sand, soak up the sun, embrace the breeze, and forget your troubles - just for a moment.
 
But what you really have to do on this trip of a lifetime is look up at the stars at night and breathe in that open country air. Nothing feels quite so good in your lungs. 
 
Find your next adventure van [here](https://www.texino.com/book/).

Find Your Freedom

Remember the show ‘How It’s Made?’

If so, you might have *some* idea about the inner workings of CNC machines. If not, or if you’d just like to find out more about CNC machining (and how we utilize it here at Texino) let’s get into it.

First of all, welcome to the Garage! Check out some of our [van builds](https://texino.com/build/) to get a sense of our interiors and what we use CNC for. Now to the nitty-gritty…

**A brief history**

A fairly recent addition to the manufacturing world, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a high-precision, computer controlled technique for cutting material and general fabrication.

CNC machines are electro-mechanical devices capable of manipulating tools around axes (that’s the plural of axis, not woodchuck axes). They were first developed in the 1940s, and back then they relied on ‘punched tape,’ which is a data storage technique that any coders out there will recognize! Essentially, holes were manually punched into a data card and put into a system that then interprets the data. Functionality at this point was seriously limited.

By now, technology has advanced significantly, and CNC machining is the most effective way engineers and creators can generate a physical part from a computer design. With the help of new design programs, it’s no longer necessary to write complicated code to tell the machines what to do. Instead, you can take a 3D model - say, of a custom dinette for one of our campers - and automatically generate codes that drive the machine to cut out all the parts for it. Parts which can then be easily assembled by trained professionals.

**Why CNC wins**

It differs from 3D printing in that CNC machining is what’s known as a subtractive process, where material is removed from a material, while 3D printing is an additive process - functioning instead by ‘creating’ material. 

There are manual alternatives to CNC machining - like using lathes, for example - but, as you can imagine, they are nowhere near as precise, and you aren’t guaranteed to get the same, highly-accurate results each time. Not to mention the time and labor saved!

**How we use CNC machining**

We use CNC machining with our campervan builds by designing parts on a computer, assembling into 3D form, and producing the ‘path’ for the CNC machine to cut it out from high-quality materials. These machines can cut anything from ply to steel - it’s just a case of using different ‘tools.’ Think of the CNC machine as the extra strong, hyper-accurate laborer, capable of utilizing whichever tool works best for the material.

This is just one of the techniques we’re proud to make best use of, and part of why our van builds come out so beautifully, if we do say so ourselves. Why not take our match-making [quiz](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9HFWB9J), so you can fall in love with the Texino Campervan Build that’s perfect for you?

If you’d like to know more about our fabrication techniques, or are interested in our builds, feel free to [get in touch](https://texino.com/contact/). 

What is CNC Machining?

If you’ve got a [two-burner stove](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzYxMDcwMjE3MzgxNjQ=/) (as many living or travelling in vans will) or even a one-burner or camping stove, you might think you’re going to be restricted when it comes to recipes. We’re here to debunk the myth!

Here are four delicious recipes to try on the road (although, maybe not literally while on the road… definitely not):

**Ramen**

This is THE perfect one-pot meal. The great thing about ramen is you can adjust it according to your favourite ingredients or dietary preferences. Easily swap out pork for a veggie alternative, or bean sprouts for sweetcorn, for example. If you’re keeping fresh ingredients to a minimum, ramen adjusts easily to canned and dried goods that are always good to have in your cupboard anyway (like dried mushrooms, canned sweetcorn, and tofu). Now we’re cooking with [gas](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0OTM4ODY5ODAxOTM=/)!

For a quick recipe, build your base first. Our tips: fry in sesame oil, don’t forget the miso (lots) and stock cube, and definitely never skip the dried shiitakes. Use ready-to-wok noodles and sprinkle with spring onion and chopped chilli, and maybe even add an egg if your diet allows. For a jammy egg: 7 minutes from when the boiling starts, then soak it in cold water before peeling.

Time to tuck in - got your chopsticks at the ready? These nifty [Primus](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0ODIxOTAwNDkzNzc=/) ones fold away super easily. Eat straight from the [pan](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0OTUwMjAzOTI1NDU=/) for less washing up (ideal when van-lifing) - we won’t tell!


**Pancakes**

You’re sitting looking out at the next hike spot, [coffee](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0OTUwMjA1ODkxNTM=/) in hand. You need some fuel for the day. Grab your favourite frying pan - check out this [Solid Teknics cast iron skillet](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzYxMzAzNzExOTkxNTY=/) - and get cookin’! Pancakes are a perfect and versatile road trip breakfast. 

We probably don’t need to tell you how to make pancakes, but here’s a fab, fluffy [recipe](https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/fluffyamericanpancak_74828).

Choose your fighter: blueberries and cream or lemon and sugar? Go wild with a bit of maple syrup or chocolate drizzle. Then dig in: this perfectly crafted [fork and spoon](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzYxOTY2Njc5NDEwNDQ=/) set will never let you down.


**Nachos**

This one’s an excellent campfire recipe - and, whenever sharing is allowed, it’ll be your go-to for hazy summer nights with pals. You can cook this on one of these above-ground [Snow Peak fireplaces](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzYxMDU0MTk0NDg1MDA=/) or use this [grill bridge](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzYxMDU0MTk0NDg1MDA=/) over your campfire. Check out this [recipe](https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/campfire-nachos/). The secret is in the layers; you can never have too many layers of cheese in a nacho mountain.

Then serve up for friends and family to enjoy (try this [stainless steel tableware set](https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/campfire-nachos/)). Simple as that!

**One-Pot Pasta**

You really can’t go wrong with a classic one-pot pasta (and no that’s not a challenge!). We recommend giving this [spicy, creamy cajun chicken pasta](https://www.budgetbytes.com/one-pot-creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta/) a go. Veggie? No worries, swap for Gardein.

The best thing about this one is that you’ll almost always have all the ingredients on hand for a great one-pot pasta. If it’s not spicy cajun chicken, try tomato, mushroom, and spinach. Add sundried tomatoes for a flavour kick. 

Good utensils will change your life, so swap out for this [chopping board and knife set](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0OTUwMjA1MjM2MTc=/) (the knife packs away neatly into the chopping board when not in use!) and this sturdy, [heat resistant kitchen spoon](https://texino.com/camp-store/Z2lkOi8vc2hvcGlmeS9Qcm9kdWN0LzQ0OTUwMjA4MTg1Mjk=/). Your recipes will taste that much better when you’re equipped to make them without hassle!

We hope you enjoy making these recipes on your next road trip - and don’t forget to take a look at our [Camp Store](https://texino.com/camp-store/) for everything you’ll need on the road.

4 Recipes for Your Next Road Trip

How this Chinatown camper company turned their vans into vaccine distribution vehicles

(see the original article: https://abc7.com/camping-van-camper-texino/10330652/)

One camping company in Chinatown is turning their vans into mobile testing and vaccine sites amid the pandemic.

<iframe width="100%" height="267" src="https://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=10330651" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

CHINATOWN (KABC) -- From vacations to vaccines, Texino Founder and CEO Nick Devane has you covered.

In July, his camping van company was approached with the idea to build camper vans fully equipped for mobile testing.

"What started out as one, turned into five and then 10. And then so far, we've actually built about 90 testing vans," said Devane.

And as vaccines started to receive FDA approval, the functionality of the vans started to grow.

"As we got into the fall, we added the ability to distribute the vaccine to those vehicles as well," said Devane.

Once the van is completed, it's given to one of four companies helping with vaccine distribution and testing.

"I think the beauty of the vans is the ability to hit a lot of different places quickly," he said.

Devane said they're completing about two of these vans per day.

And though it's busy in the Texino warehouse now, it looked very different at the start of the pandemic.

"The first six weeks of the pandemic almost no one was going camping. We actually had to let go or furlough most of our staff. And we sold all of our vehicles just to stay in business," he said.

But thanks to a camping boom in April, they started to get busy again.

"Suddenly, everybody wanted to buy a van or rent a van. We were fully booked through the summer," Devane said.

Devane said many small business owners can relate to the struggle the pandemic has caused. But he's happy to be in a place where he's able to give back.

"Compared to our normal work it has been really awesome to be impactful and feel like we're doing something about the pandemic," he said.

In the Press... Eyewitness News ABC7

Why a Sprinter?

When looking for a foundation to build on, we wanted the van to match the care and effort we put into our builds; that means reliability, high quality, and style. And since we're a small company, we wanted to focus on one brand. We looked at all the van companies and Mercedes fit the bill perfectly. We believe they have the best engineering and style between the van manufacturers.

They also offered all the options we wanted. The Metris (smaller van) is the largest in it's class and the only RWD. RWD has many advantages over FWD when fully loaded. And the Sprinters are the only full size cargo vans with 4x4 straight from the factory. On top of all that, the new generation of Sprinters (2019+) can have all the luxuries of a Mercedes car: lumbar heated seats, radar guided cruise control, 10-inch infotainment system, etc.

Texino