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Josh and Emily spent over two years and $80,000 building Aurora the Adventure Bus — a custom high-roof bus conversion tiny home that took them from camping out of a pickup truck to full-time mobile living across North America, including a trip to Alaska during the pandemic. Today they have a 38-acre Idaho homestead where they are working on their next project: a semi-truck conversion.
The Exterior: A Raised-Roof Bus with Serious Presence
The raised roof is the first thing you notice. Josh and Emily cut the original bus roof off and built a custom high-roof extension, which gives them full standing headroom throughout the interior — a game-changer for livability compared to standard-height bus conversions.
Inside: A Self-Built Home That Rivals Luxury RVs
The interior is where the two years of labor really show. The couple did all the work themselves, and the level of finish — from the wood accents to the custom cabinetry to the thoughtful layout — rivals builds costing two or three times as much.
The Kitchen
The kitchen features compact appliances, wooden accents, custom shelving, and a well-organized spice rack — all the essentials for cooking real meals on the road. It is a functional space that does not feel cramped, thanks to the extra headroom from the raised roof.
Sleeping and Storage
Video Tour and Interview
Watch the full tour and interview with Josh and Emily on Mobile Dwellings:
Full Build Timelapse: 2 Years Start to Finish
This timelapse shows the entire build process from bare bus to finished tiny home:
Highlights
- Custom high-roof bus conversion built by the couple over 2+ years
- Total build cost: $80,000
- Raised roof provides full standing headroom throughout
- Traveled to Alaska during the pandemic while working remotely
- Now settled on a 38-acre Idaho homestead
- Currently working on a semi-truck conversion as their next project
- Wood-finished interior with custom cabinetry and organized kitchen
- Full bathroom and sleeping area
Learn More
- Tour and interview on Mobile Dwellings
- The Hard Way YouTube Channel
- Aurora the Adventure Bus links
- The Hard Way Website
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Alex
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Curious, might I ask how much did it run to buy 38 acres? Love the design of your bus!