Meet John. He’s a 75-year-old man who built this awesome tiny house truck for him and his wife to travel the world in.
Even better, they even use it as their primary home when in Homer, Alaska.
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75 Year Old Man’s Tiny House Truck
Images © TinyHouseGiantJourney/YouTube
Once John found the Mitsubishi 4×4 truck he wanted to use as the base of his custom-built motorhome he was able to build a tiny house onto the truck’s frame in a matter of only 4 weeks!
Images © TinyHouseGiantJourney/YouTube
How did he do it only four weeks?! It’s pretty simple…
Images © TinyHouseGiantJourney/YouTube
He’s built custom-made tiny homes on wheels more than a dozen times before.
Images © TinyHouseGiantJourney/YouTube
In fact, he and his wife have been living this way for more than 30 years! They even brought up their children this way.
Images © TinyHouseGiantJourney/YouTube
Video: 75-year-old Man’s Tiny House Truck
Learn more:
- http://tinyhousegiantjourney.com/2015/08/25/house-truck/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLqX7qbLqbU
- https://www.instagram.com/tinyhousegiantjourney/
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Alex
Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
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::tear:: a way of thinking/living that I’ll never get to take part in…
Sounds like the old guy probably has his craft down to perfection. I bet he and his wife are having a blast
Did he used fiberglass sheets for the roof? I am going to do the same, but I was told not to due to problems with leaks, and have to chalk it ever other year. My little tiny house is 6’6″ x 14’6″ x 7’4″. I will send pictures when I am done.
And was likely from someone that had never used it, ever. Used to get that a lot, from people who thought they were smarter than me, didn’t know how to do something, so figured I couldn’t either. My usual response was to go ahead and do it. Just check around a little, making it leak proof is no biggie.
I’m 74, and still plenty of color in my beard. Hehehe
I recall boats having a fibreglass shell. Sat in a dinghy made of this in the sea once. The only water came when we brought it into the boat ourselves. It can be shaped to avoid problematic corners.
I’m no building expert but it sounds nonsensical to me. It would need insulation for heat and sound. Its lightweight too.
Research on Marine materials would probably give us the answers for best use.
Well I made a fix to the roof with plywood at a slant. I also built four more THOW to boot. Just for the fun of it I made a TH to go on the pontoon platform with a 90 hp motor. I have lived in tiny house 4 months. Still working out the bugs in the set up. There is always something to do. I love to fish, But my rods would fall out of the rack on the wall . So I put on the underside of the slant roof with pvc pipes. All 21 rods fit great. Bless your heart.
How beautiful… I wonder, sometimes, what I’ll be like at 75… Now I have a goal. Except, of course, minus the beard:) Sure would like to find a man like him – what a keeper! Awesome!
Cool! So how long ’till you’re 75? I’m not (quite*) there myself age-wise, but I want to be like him when I grow up, so there’s hope for me still.
*I’m 67 but like to think of myself as 19 Celsius.
Thanks Lisa! Glad you enjoyed this one too!
I am 66 years old. Would love to find a man like him. and see the world! His wife is a lucky woman!
I am so-o-o impressed. This man thought of everything. I love it.
What a wonderful life!
Thanks Liz glad you liked it too 🙂
How wonderful to see someone older living their dream. Way too many end up too sick or too broke to enjoy their retirement. I am thrilled for them.
I’m thrilled for them too! They’re a great example. Thanks Gale!
AT LAST. One I like almost everything about. Except for the outside shower, that could easily enough have been put inside, even if it was only one of those solar heated showers and stand in a large dish tub. The bed is ‘not’ in a loft, but on the same floor as the loo, and there ‘is’ an indoor loo – I would have gone with a composting toilet probably, there are other options too; but what matters is, it is indoors. Yay. Don’t care for the stepladder entry either, looks like a disaster waiting to happen, I would prefer something that hooks on. I would say ‘much’ more thought given to the interior design than about 99% of these small rigs. For those that think a trailer is the way to go, you could do this on a trailer. All in all, this one is very, very, well designed and executed, now it if had entry from the cab it would be almost perfect. Oh, did I say?, I like it.
Glad you like it Theo! 😀
It’s so funny how people say what I’m thinking when I read these articles and watch the video. What a sweet, 75 years young man! I hope my husband can learn to use the tools his father taught him so we can live this type of dream too. I’ll bet that man has some pretty cool stories to tell! Someone could do a whole book or in-depth movie about this guy, his family and how they lived tiny all over the world. Great video.
Thanks Porcsha! Beautiful name! I agree with you, I bet he has lots of awesome stories to share. I’m happy you enjoyed this one too!
Impressive how LIVABLE everything is. What fun!
Thanks, Nanny! Sure does look like a lot of fun (and freedom!). Have a great weekend!
For shipping it across the pond my guess is that it fits in a 20 foot Conex box. You may know them as Sea, Air, Land containers. The big boxes that get lifted off trucks, put on trains, stacked on ships. the 20′ is the half length one. His truck looks about the same height and length as an Earth Cruiser, which is built on the same chassis. They specifically designed them to fit in the shipping containers. Their US shop is in Bend, OR. On my list to go visit next time I am in OR to see my sister. I am pretty sure that his truck is a lot less than the $200,000 for an Earth Cruiser.
As for access from the cab it would be tricky since the cab tilts forward for access to the engine. Not impossible, just tricky.
Great video!
Does anybody know if John has a blog on his travels in his truck?
OMG! What a wonderful video! Why did I fall off the TALENT WAGON and guys like John, definitely stayed on and are masters at what they do!!
My brief story (to be followed by a question for ANYONE)….
I have been disabled from a fractured neck, I had surgery and had 3 TRIPLE FUSIONS, 2 in my neck, 1 in my lower lumbar. (Just setting up my question, don’t pass the sympathy….pass the CHIPS!!)
SOOO, I suddenly found myself working while getting SSDI. I worked for 5 years and collected my disability. Not a great life but it kept me off the streets.
Here is the SUDDEN part. Last September, (1 year ag0) I got notified by SSDI that I am cut off, and to add insult to injury, SSDI told me that they JUST looked into my case and found that I should NOT have been getting disability checks for the past 5 years because I made too much working. HUH? $10.00 an hour….less than 35 hours a week…so ON THAT NOTE, they informed me that I OWE THEM ALL THAT MONEY BACK! $10,000.00!!! WHAT??……just like that……no more disability, All my bills suddenly could not be paid, everything went into collections except for my car.(Honestly when it all first happened, I did search out a bridge or two that I might use to jump). Cooler thinking prevailed which caused me to “go homeless”. Sure couldn’t pay the $500 a month for the room I was renting!
S0, as I said, I am still working. I decided to move out of my $500 a month ROOM I was renting in Florida and moved into my car.
Slept and worked in my car for 4 months, trying to save up enough money for an enclosed trailer, about $1500 to $2000….and I dreamt of and that I envisioned fixing up. HA! That has turned out to be funny!
I have to hide anytime I park ANYWHERE because police take notice. I have NOT been having much luck finding people to PAY, who can help me to turn this into something livable!
I have 1 solar panel on the roof, a single bed (too big) inside with a Porta Potty. Two more panels to go up on the roof this weekend I hope! Not enough power for AIR…but I should be able to run the DEHUMIDIFIER….in Florida, the humidity IS the enemy.
Charge controller and Inverter has been put on the inside wall. Battery is in there too. I guess there are fumes from the battery that I have to worry about? Can’t decide if I should buy a Solar Generator OR a “quiet” gas one, by Honda or someone. And if TSHF….would it be a smart thing to have a generator that runs on gas….GAS that probably won’t be available for PURCHASE….
Ooops, all these questions I wasn’t anticipating asking. Sorry!
My question is (I think I can conclude cause you see my drift, where I am going with this)……how do I find someone to help me. I am not asking for anything for free…it’s just that the talented and tiny home people are few and far between. I really need some help with just basic stuff! Ya know, like NOT DYING in the trailer of fumes or the heat….
WILL PAY FOR:
HELP!!!
Can’t pay a LOT….but I would NEVER expect anyone to NOT get paid! Hello, I have to get paid when I work…..simple as that. It is just I can’t find the right people or even people who are aware of the Tiny House Concept!! I get looks like I am out to lunch!! Am I?
[email protected]
🙂
Thank you for listening!!
Karen!!
Karen,
So sorry to hear about your SSDI. That really sucks. Best wishes to you, I hope you can find what you are looking for.
Ran into John & Linda in Las Cruces NM today, had to swallow my pride and flag them down while driving! It was great to meet you, your truck is awesome. Hope the Russia thing works out, you really should blog it, I’d love to follow.
Merry Christmas, from Kyle & Mara
I saw this house early one morning in the Arizona desert parked off a little dirt road overlooking fourpeaks in the Tonto National Forest.
Want to live without limits
I had read about this guy and his truck several years ago and was surprised one day when I saw it in the parking lot outside of the Rey Supermarket here in David (dah-VEED), Chiriqui, Panama. I stopped and knocked on the side of the house and had the privilege of being able to talk to him for about 15 minute.
Nice work! Hoping you both continue to enjoy the world while living in it. Always wonderful to share it with someone you love, as well as your family. Thank you for sharing this John.
Our crew has extensive experience with expedition vehicles.
Side door requires a set of stairs… and someplace to store them.
Rear door can sometimes allow dust to enter via the vacuum created by driving.
Side door allows interior access to everything in a step or two.
Rear door can have a porch and tiny roof, a nice place to plop your camp recliner during the rainy season.
4×4 is overrated. 2×4 with a locking drive axle is cheaper and easier to maintain, plus allows tighter turns. Irregardless of type, if you get stuck off-road, you probably need the military to haul you out.
Learn, practice, discover your gaps. Skills trump stuff every time.
As the video illustrates, be valuable.
Great story! I remember seeing this one before. They know how to live huh? I’ll bet their kids have great stories growing up.
God bless him….! If he’s comfortable I would guess that it is all that counts….
Absolutely!
Large Marge- I am very curious as to what kind of work exactly you do???? 🙂
Plus I’d like to hear this guy’s kids and what THEY think of growing up that way! 🙂
Four weeks to build? Hmmm…maybe he’s only forty-years old too.
Never underestimate a determined person 🙂
Nice work!
If he is going to Russia with the camper…how does he get there? Does he ship it over?
Keepyourpower — Well, in the winter I imagine he can drive it over from Alaska – he has four wheel drive after all — do not know how that truck does in extreme cold however. LOL There is nothing that can not be done if you want it badly enough.
Haha that’s the truth!!
I think the idea of this is great and he did a really good job on the build. I am not fond of where the toilet is and would probably try and figure out something different, however, they have everything they need. Think of the places you could go with this, but I agree with the person who said if you got stuck somewhere it would take the military to get you out.
My question to Karen as regards her ssdi — even on SSDI you are allowed to work under certain circumstances. There are lawyers who handle these situations and you only pay 15% of whatever award they get for you (dictated by federal law). Have you checked into this — if your doctor claims you are disabled or partially disabled then you should be able to get it. You might at least be able to get the repayment for previous payments dropped. Usually you only get into trouble with working if you are receiving SSI (supplemental Security Income) which is not Social Security Disability Insurance. You need legal representation.
Thanks Sandi!! Love when we can help each other out 🙂
I SAY MAKE EVERY BREATH OF LIFE COUNT!!! WE HAVE THE YOUNG BUILDING AND WE HAVE THE OLD BUILDING, WHAT A COMBINATION OF ENERGY AND WISDOM WORKING TOGETHER. IF WE HAD PROGRAMS WHERE THERE IS YOUTH AND OLD PEOPLE EXCHANGE, WE COULD END UP WITH SOME BANG UP JOBS!!! I SAY LET US DO IT!!! NOT EVERYONE IS HAPPY IN A MANSION; ALTHOUGH, ANY HOME CAN BE A PERSON’S MANSION. WE ARE THOUGHT TO BE INDIVIDUALS, AND THAT IS WHAT MAKE A NATION CREATIVE AND WITH ENTERPRISING THOUGHTS. THE WISDOM OF THE PAST COMBINED WITH THE ENERGY OF THE FUTURE.
This was amazing!! Would have loved to see the inside of the big one!!! Future???