Australian builder Rob Scott creates one-of-a-kind tiny houses built onto antique truck chassis using recycled materials and natural timber. Dissatisfied with toxic prefab granny flats common in Australia, Scott developed his studio trucks as romantic, non-toxic alternatives that combine portable foundations with handcrafted living spaces. His daughter now uses one as her bedroom.
Builder Profile
- Builder: Rob Scott
- Location: Australia
- Base: Antique/vintage trucks
- Materials: Recycled materials, natural timber
- Purpose: Non-toxic granny flats, studios, bedrooms
- Units Built: Four completed, more planned
Studio Truck Exterior
Gallery of Rob Scott’s Builds
Why Trucks Instead of Trailers
While investigating portable bases for his builds, Scott discovered that old trucks cost half as much as custom trailers while providing both foundation and mobility. The vintage trucks add romantic character that prefab options lack, and their drivetrains allow relocation when needed.
Lessons from Studio Truck Builds
- Old Trucks Cost Less Than Trailers: Vintage vehicles provide affordable mobile foundations
- Natural Materials Create Healthy Spaces: Timber and recycled materials avoid prefab toxicity
- Romantic Design Has Value: Character and craftsmanship make spaces lovely to inhabit
- Mobility Comes Built-In: Driveable bases eliminate need for tow vehicles
- Family Uses Evolve: Builds intended as studios become children’s bedrooms
Learn More
Related Housetrucks
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Alex
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It is like a modern version of the gypsy wagon. It is – IMO -way cool. If one could tow a small car behind it, it would be a great way to tour the country. 🙂
I love it! I do see it more as something you’d leave in one place for the most part (like a tiny house on a trailer) because it looks very tall and heavy so it likely won’t be much fun to go cross country in. Not very efficient either. But perfect if you have to move 1-2 times a year or so.
Actually Alex, in New Zealand we have lots of these trucks doing just that, travelling from place to place. And, if you saw some of the roads that they travel over, well lets just say you might wet yourself. ; )
They refer to themselves as Gypsies, and do craft fairs and the like. And yes, it is not uncommon for them to tow a small car behind as well.
lol Paul!! This man is a genius! Love these
Love it!
Me too!
Are those too tall to actually drive on the highway? I believe the height limit is about 13 1/2′. I was thinking about building something on the back of my pickup — take the box off and build a flatbed first. Would have to keep it roadworthy, though.
Yeah I believe these are too tall for highway and most roads… If I had one I’d just keep it on the property.
Check this out, you can build a Vardo for the back of your truck using these plans: https://tinyhousetalk.com/go/vardo/
Hi,
these house trucks are under the legal height limit for Australia. they are about 4.2m hight
Oh, cool, I didn’t know that. Thanks, Rob!
legal height w/o permit is 13′ 9″…and from what I saw these are darn close…and you also need a trucker’s gps for traveling because you get heights included in your route planning…though all interstate highway bridges are at least 16’…happy traveling
Kathleen they look taller than 13 1/2′. I know some bridges are even shorter and the Tumbleweed style tiny houses on trailers have a hard time getting underneath. But I’m sure you can get them to where you want by avoiding certain areas.
Too tall for the road, but cool.
That’s true!
The detail to the windows etc. is STUNNING!!! I also LOVE how even though the bed is a loft bed, it has a sort of staircase rather than a ladder which could pose a dilemna to some of us “older” folks!!! even if I could not live f/t in a tiny house, I would like one 4 vaca & for when the power goes out in the Northeast, it would be a great alternative/emergency shelter!!!
Glad you like it Jeannie! I think the craftsmanship and style on it is pretty amazing. These would be so great for that in addition to a little guest house / emergency shelter.
PS- if I had one of these & sold it, I’d cry too!!!
Yeah, they’re too cool to sell, just give to friends and family maybe!! They do have many..
This is my kinda design guy – I especially love the hidden/recessed porch. Awesome.
Glad you liked the porch, it’s one of my favorite parts too. Thanks, Jenn!
BEAUTIFUL!! The attention to detail – the wonderful stained glass windows – room to sit up in the loft bedroom – just superb! Wish he was closer – would love to rent one to see how they feel. Gives me some great ideas, tho! Shorter would be better for the road, but would sure ruin the greatness of the loft! Awesome job! Bed and breakfast idea sounds like a good one….
-Kat
I think they’re perfect… So beautiful. Thanks Kat!
Really BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! I would have cried to loose one of these also. Very creative!!!
Thanks Faye!
Beautiful eye Rob!
Always a fan, Rob, since I saw these for the first time several years ago. If you can stand people for very long, a bed and breakfast would be a great idea (just make sure they can’t be driven off the lot). They are certainly beautiful!
For me he’s captured the essence, the style, the tradition of housetrucking. These images represent the very best examples one could see. They are inspiring and simply glorious!
Congratulations Rob Scott and
thankyou for sharing them…
Keith Levy
Thanks, Keith, couldn’t have said it better. Glad you enjoyed looking!
I have added some images of the latest studio truck at http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio_trucks/
This one has more built in furniture and again is under 4.2m in height so no worries for moving it on the road (however they are not meant for touring). It also has a pot bellie stove and we have had the warmest winter ever living in it (five of us). When we cook we have the windows open and clothes almost off as it heats up so well, though our winters are not snow filled. We are living in the truck while doing kitchen and living room renovations in our house and still use our house for clothes storage and bathrooom. We all love being in the truck and have had a party with 12 people in it! I love small spaces now and wonder how being back in our house will be….thanks for all the kind comments, regards Rob.
Thanks so much for the update Rob. If there’s anything I can do for you guys just let me know. Glad you are loving your small space.
Wow these are amazing. Beautifully realised spaces.
I am in the early stages of planning for building my own tiny home on a trailer (I think) and am so happy to see it happening in Australia, feels like I am the only one! Still sifting through laws and council rules to work out the best approach. Any advice?
WOW! This is awesome! I love the stained glass windows and the woodwork. I want one!!!
Glad you liked it, Jo!
This gives me so many ideas. I like the idea of the campers that slide into the back of a pickup, but I would make one that would fold out on all sides and look like a small cottage. It would be self supported so you could take the truck if you needed to. Thanks for the ideas, Brian
Thanks, Brian, cool idea!
I agree with Alex that Brian has a really cool idea. It would be neat to see some drawings of how it would or could look like.
I’d love to see that, too!
I am ready to live in that…now!!
Wow!! I would love it!!
Haha- I feel the same way, John. If that were something that was available around here.. Or even if i’d have to travel.. I wouldn’t think too hard about it!!
My family (2 adults and 3 kids) lived in a school bus for about 6 months when I was a kid, we and used it for traveling and “camping” for many years before and after it. It was very functional, quite comfortable, and I have many fond memories of The Bus. But never did it have the beauty and class of your lovely, lovely trucks!
I hope it’s ok – do tell me if it’s not – I posted some of the pictures on Pinterest, and I included this link on every posting: https://www.tinyhousetalk.com/tiny-truck-houses-by-rob-scott/
If it’s not OK let me know and I’ll take it down. Just that… such care and craftsmanship is an inspiration and joy to see!
OMG! I ADORE your stained glass windows!! How well do they travel? Bumps, rough weather, etc while driving? Have you had to replace any panes? Your houses are absolutely AMAZING! I can’t WAIT to start building my own, and yours gave me some beautiful ideas, I am SO sharing this on FB!
Hi Ione,
the stained glass would not travel well and would need glass or perspex on each side to secure it if touring. These truck houses are for parking or some moving around your own property or driving to your next location to live. They are light hearted joyful structures, beautiful small spaces for bedrooms, studios or offices or full tiny houses, more like an alternative, green “granny flat” as we call them in Australia. Good luck with yours
Talk about your trailer trash. Rob, with your talent, your expertise and your fabulous attention to detail, imagine what you could create putting this onto a solid small house frame, whether mobile or permanent, loose the truck.
these trucks put me in mind of Tiny Texas Homes with the lovely stained glass windows and the re-used wooden windows and doors and galvanised iron.
Absolutely beautiful! The joy you experience from your acts of creativity are reflected in the finished work, and is shared by all who see them.
Wonder if some clever person–you know who you are!!!!—could use the “pop up” idea to take the sides and roof down for road travel? If the top part is “only” the loft this would not be needed while traveling and could be made of canvas and skeeter netting with a canvas or other more solid material roof; would keep the elements out while traveling; lower the profile and the weight.
Interesting and beautiful!!!!!
Have you thought about REDESIGNING the “Granny Flats” for people who couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to use these? As a handicapped person I know climbing in and out would be impossible but the CONCEPT and design is very nice and useable if done a bit differently—like on a flat surface! Something you could tow to a house for the short or longer term use of a family caring for Granny or Granny coming to help the new mom etc. Or for a caretaker not related who would rather have their own living quarters or where you don’t have spare room for someone but need help. Post-disaster cabins. ETC!!!!!!!
Hey, wondering if you make these commercially? Would be interested in a price!
I wish my parents would have had a few of these sitting in OUR BACK YARD!!!! How awesome that you have the skills and patience (and vision) to build these. NICE WORK!
That is really nice work.
Awesome. I like the porch feature. Hope more people consider the truck camper more.
Love the external corrugated panels and that wonderful bay window! No need for lights during the daytime and exceptional for watching sunsets.
What I like most is the easy access to the sleeping area. Most of us who are over 70, a steep climb up is not the best solution. Good job!!
I LOVE this mans’s aesthetics. Beautiful.
AWESOME! These are gorgeous and look well built.
Looks like he tows one truck with the other.
The beauty of a truck is that they’re shiftable. Westward facing windows too hot for an afternoon nap? – Flip the truck. Does your single plant (the orchid’ need more daylight hours? – Flip the truck. Want the longer sublight in the winter? – Flip the truck. This hit me because we spent a number of years on a U.S. Forest forest fire lookout & always moved the babies & their tote beds around the catwalk to take advantage of the shade. This where tiny “mobile” homes have the advantage.
OMG, I love these! They are so beautifully done, and have such a warm, cozy feel. I could live in them. What beautiful craftsmanship and design.
Beautifully Done!
Well, the truck is kind of ugly (not my taste), but the rest of it is beautiful!
Look how far the “Tiny House” movement, now MARKET, has come in 8 short years! It’s gone from only DIY without really knowing what you’re doing because no one had heard of it before to now having professional builders, actually getting insurance on them, and now being able to get legal loans! Oh and the most amazing part – tiny house cottage villages are now popping up throughout the world! I love being a part of this movement and I am eager to get my dream tiny house started!
But the best part of the Tiny House movement is the fact that many people still build their own tiny house plus there are many workshops around the US (and I’m guessing other countries as well) where you can learn how to build your own tiny house! The fact that there are choices in this movement which can be tailored to each person’s unique needs is what makes this such a great way of life….
Hi rob what a fabulous thing too do thanks for shareing . Too bring new life too old trucks its awsome good luck all the best ?
I am currently working on my own THOW truck build, (a 1997 E350 box truck) How can I contact Rob for questions about build?
Hi Eric — you can contact him through Flikr here >>> https://www.flickr.com/people/studio_trucks/