Kirk Williams’s journey has been “full of obstacles.” Before creating his custom home, he dedicated 10 years to researching exactly how to put together the right van to make travel more accessible. The details ranged from which chassis to use for international travel to the engine to which light switch would best suit the limited dexterity in his hands and fingers. Kirk’s van, named Spock, helps provide its owner with the freedom to continue to travel with independence that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
A Way of Life
Kirk’s concern after he broke his neck was that he could no longer explore nature and see the world, but his van has helped him travel all over the United States (including Alaska), as well as to Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. His van is customized with the right tools to help him eat, sleep, use the bathroom, and drive more independently. He calls Spock his “freedom pod.” Kirk enjoys exploring remote campsites, off the beaten path, where his van can take him. “My life is easy within the van; it’s once I get outside that things get complicated!”
Kirk has also found many ways to help others. He has teamed up with Walkabout Foundation to help raise money to send wheelchairs over to Kenya and Venezuela. Follow him and learn more about his adventures on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/impact.overland.
Specs for Spock
The foundation is a 2017 Ford Transit medium-roof, 148-inch wheelbase van with a Quigley 4×4 conversion. Kirk chose this because the 3.5-liter twin turbo gas motor (or Ecoboost) is the best for US and international travel, as a diesel motor does not run on low-sulfur diesel. He needed a decent amount of headroom space within the van, but it also had to fit inside a high-roof shipping container to send internationally. The Quigley 4×4 conversion was most necessary, as getting stuck is more than a slight inconvenience. “I can’t just walk down the trail to go find help or dig myself out of the sand.” For more risky endeavors, Kirk tends to bring some companions along for extra security.
The lift that helps get Kirk and his chair into the van is a SuperArm lift. The platformless lift takes up much less space and can be lowered on any terrain. Inside, the van focuses solely on functionality: a sink with open space underneath, drawers to bring items closer, a higher-mounted fridge to allow two-hand grabs for heavier items, and a bed at the exact height for easy self-transfer. A fold-down induction cooktop provides space for the larger driver’s seat; it folds down while Kirk is driving and gets put back up when he parks the van for camping.
When it comes to driving Spock, there is a right-angle hand-control system. This system includes a lever to the left of the steering wheel that, pushed toward the floor, starts the throttle; it applies the brakes when moved toward the dashboard. The steering wheel has a tri-pin knob that holds Erik’s right wrist since he cannot grip.
“Thanks to my home on wheels, I am able to experience more than I’d have ever thought possible.”
Read more on Kirk and Spock in Rolling Homes by Lloyd Kahn.
