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Marc & Jen (and their cat, Starla) from Box Truck Tessa are an adventurous couple who decided to sell their home, downsize their stuff, and try something new.
They wanted to re-design their lives according to what was most important to them: skiing, hiking, traveling, making music, and being self-employed. So they decided that a box truck would be the best way to accomplish that.
Marc & Jen’s Box Truck Tiny House
Image © Exploring Alternatives
Tessa the box truck has 3 sources of heat: a Cub wood stove by Cubic Mini Wood Stoves, an Espar diesel heater, and an electric heater for times when they are plugged into shore power.
Image © Exploring Alternatives
They have a kitchen with a 2-burner propane stove, a double sink with a 12-volt pump, and they have three 5- gallon water jugs. They prefer using water jugs that they can keep inside because it means they don’t have to worry about an exterior water tank freezing during the winter. They also have a Dometic fridge by the door so it doubles as a seat.
Image © Exploring Alternatives
They have a permanent Queen-sized bed so no making and unmaking the bed every day! Solar power batteries are under the bed as well.
They bought a Nature’s Head toilet for the van but have had mixed results with it, they say. Without a large water tank, they rely on campgrounds and gyms for showers.
Image © Exploring Alternatives
For ventilation, they have two windows that open, as well as a Fan-Tastic Fan installed on the rear wall of the truck to avoid cutting a hole in the roof of the truck.
Image © Exploring Alternatives
Marc & Jen have driven across Canada in Box Truck Tessa 3 times, and they’ve lived in Walmart parking lots, at the bottom of a ski hill, in driveways and in campgrounds; and after exploring many parts of Canada, they fell in love with Squamish, BC where there are loads of outdoor activities at their doorstep, and lots of work opportunities as well.
Jen’s goal is to work as much as possible online. She has a de-cluttering blog and professional organizing business called Clear Your Life, and she also works a combination of VR (virtual assistant) and online professional development jobs, and supplements with part time work in the service industry. Marc earns a full-time living as a professional musician through his performances in BC and around Canada, as well as with his albums and custom songs.
Now that they’ve settled into one place, they’ve transitioned to a home on wheels that has a little more space for them to work and record music. You can take a peek at it on Instagram here.
VIDEO: 2 Years Living in a Box Truck Tiny Home Conversion – Tour and Interview
Additional Information
- Box Truck Tour on YouTube
- Box Truck Tessa on Instagram
- Marc Charron Music
- Clear Your Life Blog
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