Long before the modern tiny house movement, there were the famous housetrucks of the 1970s. These mobile homes were popular in both the United States and New Zealand. When James came across one, he had to have it—even though it no longer ran.
Because the truck is now stationary, James and his partner Lucy have created a lovely outdoor living area to extend their space. It includes an exterior shower attached to the truck, a separate glass “bathhouse” with a large bathtub that waters plants, and a patio area around a wood stove for entertaining. Their setup demonstrates how a vintage housetruck can anchor a creative homestead.
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Vintage New Zealand Housetruck Given New Life
The exterior shows the classic housetruck aesthetic that made these vehicles so appealing in their era. James acquired this piece of tiny house history for just $500, then had it moved into place while working for a trucking company.
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Original 1970s Cabinetry Preserved
The interior features original cabinetry from the 1970s build—a testament to the quality craftsmanship of that era. Preserving these vintage elements maintains the housetruck’s historical character while providing functional storage.
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Wood Stove for Efficient Heating
A wood stove provides efficient heating for the compact interior space. In small dwellings like housetrucks, a single heat source can easily warm the entire living area.
Images via Tiny Home Tours
Video Tour
Watch the full tour from Tiny Home Tours to see the housetruck, glass bathhouse, and garden homestead:
Design Details
- Type: 1970s Housetruck (stationary)
- Location: New Zealand
- Acquisition Cost: $500
- Original Features: Vintage cabinetry preserved
- Heating: Interior wood stove, outdoor patio wood stove
- Outdoor Additions: Exterior shower, glass bathhouse with bathtub, garden patio
- Greywater System: Bathtub water irrigates garden plants
- Residents: James and Lucy
- Future Plans: Building a larger two-bedroom housetruck
Lessons from This Housetruck Homestead
James and Lucy’s setup offers valuable insights for creative small-space living:
- Non-running vehicles can still make great homes — A stationary housetruck eliminates mechanical maintenance while preserving the unique living space
- Outdoor additions expand limited interior space — The external shower, bathhouse, and patio effectively multiply their living area without modifying the original structure
- Glass bathhouses serve multiple purposes — The reclaimed-glass greenhouse provides bathing space while the greywater irrigates plants
- Vintage housetrucks offer affordable entry points — At $500, this housetruck cost far less than a new tiny house build
- Original craftsmanship is worth preserving — The 1970s cabinetry adds character that new construction can’t replicate
- Patio wood stoves extend outdoor living seasons — An outdoor heating source creates usable entertaining space in cooler weather
- Connections help with moving challenges — James’s trucking company connections solved the transportation problem for the non-running vehicle
Learn More
- Follow Lucy on Instagram
- Follow Lucy’s Gardening on Instagram
- Follow James on Instagram
- Watch the Full Tour on Tiny Home Tours
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Alex
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Once again, an example of saving and restoring a bit of history for the rest of us to enjoy. I appreciate you for that. All the design and work you’ve done is wonderful!