About
In the sprawling world of travel vlogging, the van Stralen family and their media brand, Epic Family Road Trip (EFRT), have carved a distinct and enduring niche. They are a Canadian family of five who, in 2015, traded a life of conventional success—built on a multinational franchise empire—for a perpetual global journey guided by a simple but powerful motto: “Work, Play, Care.” This is not a story of aimless wandering, but of a deliberate, multi-generational pivot into a fully-fledged digital media enterprise. Documenting their evolution from a domestic RV trip to rugged international overlanding, the van Stralens have cultivated a dedicated following of over 280,000 subscribers on YouTube, built on a foundation of high-production storytelling, authentic hardship, and an unwavering family bond.
Epic Family Road Trip: History and Growth
The Epic Family Road Trip story begins long before the first video was uploaded. Peter van Stralen Sr., the family patriarch, was a highly successful entrepreneur. Alongside his brothers, he founded Sunshine Grounds Care, a lawn care business that they methodically grew into The Grounds Guys, a multinational franchise eventually acquired by The Dwyer Group, now known as Neighborly. It was during this period of intense business-building that the family forged their core values.
In 2015, Peter and his wife Carol made the radical decision to sell their home in Ontario and nearly all their possessions to embark on a full-time journey with their three children: Caroline, Peter Jr., and Dan. The decision was solidified by a stark catalyst: while the family was on the road, their stationary home was burglarized, reinforcing their commitment to a nomadic life. Their YouTube channel, first established on February 14, 2012—three years before their journey officially began—became the canvas for this new chapter.
The family’s mode of travel evolved with their ambition. An initial trip in a standard RV soon gave way to more capable, off-road-outfitted Jeep Wranglers as they sought access to more remote and challenging destinations. This technical progression mirrored their philosophical one. A mission trip to Haiti, where they helped deliver and install solar light kits in a remote village, profoundly shaped their “CARE” principle—an acronym for Create A Remarkable Experience. Another defining moment occurred in New Zealand around 2018, when they joined a massive volunteer effort at Farewell Spit to rescue over 120 stranded pilot whales, an event that became a cornerstone of their public narrative.
Their resilience was tested again in 2019 when, while hiking in Yosemite National Park, Peter Jr. experienced diabetic ketoacidosis, leading to a life-threatening medical emergency and a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. This event, which they overcame as a family in a remote setting, became a proof to their adaptability and strength.
Epic Family Road Trip: Content and Style
The EFRT channel’s narrative arc has organically mirrored the family’s own life stages. Early content was defined by the unique dynamic of raising three teenagers on the road, exploring the challenges and triumphs of a family of five living in close quarters across continents. The production is characterized by a serialized, episodic format, such as “EFRT S9 EP17,” that chronicles their journey in near real-time.
As the children matured into young adults and began their own adventures, the channel’s focus underwent a deliberate and crucial thematic shift. Peter and Carol embraced their new status, with recent videos explicitly tagged #EmptyNestTravel and #coupleswhotravel. This strategic pivot has allowed them to retain their long-term audience while appealing to a new demographic of older adventurers. Their current series documents an extended overland expedition through Europe in a custom Rossmönster truck camper, exploring the cultural and natural wonders of Scandinavia. The content delves into the history of locations like the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and the ancient Stave Churches of Lom, all while navigating the logistical complexities of international overland travel along routes like Norway’s famed Kystriksveien Scenic Route.
How Epic Family Road Trip Makes Money
Peter van Stralen Sr.’s business acumen is evident in the well-organized and diversified enterprise built around the EFRT brand. Far from being a simple ad-supported vlog, it is a multi-faceted commercial operation. A key strategy is the use of branded redirect domains—efrtstore.com and efrtcoffee.com—which present a professional front and provide platform independence.
The family operates the EFRT Store, a merchandise line hosted on the Creator Spring platform, selling branded apparel and accessories. They also have a co-branded coffee line, EFRT Coffee, in partnership with Expedition Joe Coffee, a U.S. military veteran- and Native American-owned business. This partnership includes custom blends like the “WORK-PLAY-CARE ADVENTURE ROAST.”
Direct community support is channeled through Patreon, where approximately 251 patrons contribute an estimated monthly income of between $201 and $2,000. Sponsorships, referred to as “Friends of EFRT,” form a curated network of non-competing brands. This portfolio includes vehicle outfitter ROSSMÖNSTER, safety provider Global Rescue, navigation app onX Offroad, communications company Midland Radio, and parts supplier OK4WD. This strategic selection creates a powerful narrative of a well-equipped and supported journey, enhancing authenticity. The business is further supported by an extensive list of affiliate partnerships, often providing their audience with discount codes for gear from brands like KC Hilites (“EPIC FAMILY”) and Cabin Depot (“EFRT”).
Perhaps the most significant business evolution is the expansion into the “van Stralen creator network.” As the children grew, they launched their own channels, which are actively cross-promoted by the main EFRT channel. Peter Jr.’s channel, “Adventure Guys” (@adventureguysofficial), focuses on solo motorcycle and sailing adventures. Daniel’s channel, “Dan van Stralen” (@danvanstralen), caters to the homesteading and self-sufficiency audience from the family’s off-grid cabin. Daughter Caroline and her husband Matthew Kimberly also operate a channel under the handle @CarolinevSKimberly. This deliberate brand extension diversifies their content portfolio and captures more specialized viewer interests.
Epic Family Road Trip's Collaborations
The van Stralens are deeply embedded and respected within the North American overlanding community. They are regular presenters and exhibitors at premier industry events like the Overland Expo, where they connect with fans and partners. Their credibility is bolstered by collaborations with other top-tier creators. They have undertaken joint expeditions with Brad and his family from the popular Trail Recon channel, including a documented trip through Anza-Borrego State Park. A strong professional relationship exists with Expedition Overland (XO), one of the genre’s most prominent brands; Peter Jr. has appeared as a guest on the Expedition Overland podcast, and the families have a collegial rapport.
Epic Family Road Trip: Public Reception
An exhaustive review of the family’s digital footprint reveals a public image devoid of feuds, scandals, or significant negative community sentiment. Their brand is characterized by an exceptionally positive and aspirational tone. However, they have not shied away from documenting profound personal hardships. These events are consistently framed as tests of their resilience and have become integral to their authentic narrative. Beyond Peter Jr.’s medical emergency, the family has openly discussed the emotional toll of their cousin Calvin’s unexpected death, a topic covered with raw vulnerability on Dan’s channel. This willingness to share grief and struggle alongside adventure has added a deeply human and relatable layer to their content.
Epic Family Road Trip: Philanthropy
The “CARE” component of the family’s motto is demonstrated through direct action. Their philanthropic work is a core part of their story, most notably highlighted by two key experiences. Their mission trip to Haiti to provide solar lighting to a remote village is cited as a foundational event that shaped their worldview. In New Zealand, their hands-on involvement in the successful rescue of over 120 beached pilot whales showcased their commitment to leaving the places they visit “a little better than we found them.” This dedication to service was formally recognized in 2022 when the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) honored the van Stralen family with an Impact Award for their inspirational content and positive contributions to the off-road community.
Epic Family Road Trip Today
The Epic Family Road Trip has transcended the category of a simple travel vlog. It is the chronicle of a family that successfully leveraged deep business experience to pivot into a new life, transforming personal passion into a sustainable, multi-generational media brand. Today, as Peter and Carol van Stralen navigate the fjords of Norway as “empty nesters,” they continue to prove that the end of one chapter is simply the start of another. Their journey stands as a carefully documented, globally-minded strong example in brand-building, storytelling, and, above all, the relentless pursuit of a life well-lived.