Introducing Megan, Jordan, and their remarkable “Perpetual Adventure Machine” – I’ve come across various names for campers, but this one truly stands out. Before delving into the specifics of this compact home on wheels, allow me to provide you with more information about this couple.
Megan and Jordan, like many others who embrace a mobile lifestyle, possess an insatiable thirst for adventure. After tying the knot, they embarked on a journey to conquer the Appalachian Trail. However, upon completing this feat and returning to the comforts of their home, their yearning for adventure only intensified. Their solution? To transition into a full-time residence within a compact home on wheels.
You may be wondering, why did they choose to convert a toy hauler trailer? Well, in the case of this couple, the primary reason was their desire for more space compared to what a camper van could offer, especially considering they travel with two German Shepherds. They also considered converting a bus, but found it to be too restrictive as it required towing another vehicle for enhanced mobility.
Opting for a Discovery all-aluminum trailer, Megan and Jordan were drawn to its lightweight nature and extended lifespan in comparison to steel models. Additionally, they custom-ordered the trailer to accommodate more headroom inside. The standard height of this model is 6.5 feet (180 centimeters), but they requested it to be 8.5 feet (259 centimeters) tall.
It’s worth noting that the only components of this rig that aren’t constructed from aluminum are the axles and hitch, which are made from steel. By the way, this rig weighs approximately 6,500 lb. (2,948 kg) when dry and measures 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length.
The couple managed to find this unit at a cost of around $10,000 (€9,307). After creating 12 CAD designs, they settled on one and began constructing their tiny home on wheels. In the end, the conversion set them back approximately $20,000 (€18,557), resulting in a total cost of $30,000 (€27,836). This is an incredible deal, as it is significantly less than what specialized van conversion companies typically charge.
To tow this mobile home, Megan and Jordan rely on a Ford F-350 pickup truck equipped with a diesel engine. They mention that it achieves around 9.6 MPG (29 L/100km) when traversing mountainous terrains.
Before exploring the feature-packed interior, let me provide you with more information regarding the exterior details of this rig. At the front, the couple installed a window – it’s actually a house window, although it turned out to be less than ideal. During heavy rainfall while driving, water tends to leak inside.
On the sides, you’ll notice house windows as well. Thankfully, they do not allow water to seep through even when driving in the rain, and the couple hasn’t encountered any other issues with them.
Megan and Jordan equipped the trailer with 360-degree lighting, meaning there is an LED light on each of the rig’s five walls. Additionally, on the roof, you’ll find eight 230 W solar panels, providing a remarkable total capacity of 1,840 W.
And lastly, at the back, the pair installed a spare tire and a swing-away rack that holds a mini-split. However, the most exciting aspect here is that the entire rear wall can be folded down. There are several advantages to this arrangement.
Firstly, it allows for quick ventilation of the interior. Secondly, you can relax in bed or work at the table while enjoying the stunning views. Lastly, when the wall is flipped down, it serves as a platform, providing the perfect spot to set up a table and enjoy a meal.
Image: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny House Giant Journey
Now, let’s enter the interior. The inside of this trailer is more spacious compared to camper vans – specifically, this trailer offers 150 square feet (14 square meters) of interior space. Additionally, it is also easier to construct since the trailer has straight lines instead of curved ones, as seen in vans.
The kitchen is the first area you will encounter when you enter through the entrance on the passenger side. In terms of design, Megan and Jordan opted for a rustic log cabin aesthetic, with wood adorning every surface, including the walls, ceiling, and cabinets. They specifically used fence slats for the walls, pallet wood for the doors, and barnwood for the countertops.
The kitchen is located in the V-shaped area at the front of the trailer. It is designed to fit into the V shape and features two large overhead cabinets, a deep stainless steel sink, a dual-burner induction stove, a compact flip-down oven, a fridge, a separate 5.2-cubic-foot (147-liter) chest freezer, as well as various cabinets and drawers.
To complement the interior theme, the couple hung various cast iron cookware on the wall. Of course, they do not travel with them hanging, but it is a nice touch they add whenever they are stationary. This shows their dedication to the theme – adding and removing the cookware whenever they stop and go.
Image: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny House Giant Journey
Adjacent to the fridge and freezer, you will discover the bathroom. I appreciate that Megan and Jordan incorporated a beautiful sliding door made from barnwood and parts of an old picnic table. Inside, there is a shower with copper piping and a custom-made composting toilet. They chose to build their own since the composting toilets available for purchase are often expensive, costing over $1,000 (€928). They managed to make it for just $50 (€46).
Opposite the bathroom, these two adventurers created a utility room – a surprising addition given the available space. It is quite simple, featuring one essential amenity to have on board a camper: a clothes washer. However, they can only use it when they are connected to shore power, as it consumes a significant amount of battery power.
Next, you will find a spacious closet that holds all of the couple’s clothing, as well as various equipment, tools, cushions, medicine, and more. Interestingly, the closet is constructed using fence slats and has painters’ canvases as front panels. This solution not only saved money but also reduced weight.
In the realm of compact living, Megan and Jordan’s creation stands out as a remarkable achievement. Their ingenuity and resourcefulness are evident in every corner of this unique dwelling. Tucked away discreetly within the confines of a closet lies a sophisticated 24 V electrical system. This impressive setup boasts an inverter and 560 Ah lithium batteries, meticulously assembled by the duo themselves. Despite lacking prior expertise, they fearlessly embarked on the task and succeeded admirably, saving a substantial sum in the process.
Moving on to the living space, the final portion of this abode resides at the rear of the trailer. Here, a generously-sized couch takes center stage, accompanied by a swivel table on one side and an expansive countertop on the other. Adjacent to these features, a wood-burning stove exudes both warmth and practicality. Its top surface doubles as a cooking area, while corrugated metal panels serve as effective heat shields. To ensure ample warmth, the couple even installed a diesel heater in the kitchen.
While Megan and Jordan opted against using a door to separate the living room from the rest of the interior, they employed clever techniques to create distinct zones. For instance, a 14-inch (35-centimeter) step greets visitors as they enter the living room, concealing two massive drawers measuring eight feet (2.4 meters) in length. Additionally, the walls in this area are constructed from fence slats, albeit with a unique sanding and painting technique that sets them apart from the kitchen.
On the aforementioned countertop, an essential tool resides – a 3D printer, which serves as the couple’s primary source of income while on the road. Beneath the surface, cabinets house an assortment of useful tools, ensuring convenience and efficiency.
The couch itself boasts a clever design that allows for versatility. With a simple adjustment, it can transform into an L-shaped configuration or extend into a full-size bed by pulling out three extensions. This provides a comfortable sleeping space for guests.
Above the living area lies the main bedroom, cleverly designed as an elevator bed. Rather than investing in a commercially available electric model, Megan and Jordan took matters into their own hands, constructing a manually operated elevator bed. Utilizing constant force springs and L-Traks, they achieved a customizable height that leaves ample room underneath. This ingenious solution allows one person to rest on the bed while the other comfortably sits beneath the table.
In conclusion, Megan and Jordan’s tiny home build is a testament to their remarkable skills and creativity. The result is a visually stunning and highly functional living space. By taking on many of the construction tasks themselves, they managed to keep costs to a minimum. Without a doubt, this trailer conversion ranks among the finest I have ever seen.
According to the Source autoevolution.com