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Robin and Wayne live in the awesome shuttle bus home he converted back in 2022. Their bus has a full recording studio, a wood stove, and plenty of other clever features that make it perfect for full-time bus life.
We had the privilege of interviewing them about what inspired them to start bus life, how long the process took, and what they love the most — and least — about living on the road. Enjoy their story in their own words below!
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Awesome Shuttle Bus w/ Recording Studio
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
About 5 years ago, Wayne was watching tiny home videos in his 1-bedroom apartment, where he paid $1,700 a month to live, and thought to himself “Why am I spending all this money living somewhere I don’t really love?”
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
He has a history in construction and fine cabinetmaking, so he thought he would just do what all the tiny homers do, but with his own take on it.
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
Wayne built our tiny home on wheels himself, with a little help from his dad with the electrical work and his mom with videoing some of the process. The big time spenders were saving money, and the time between conception and actually getting the bus.
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
He sketched and modeled multiple different interiors of the bus and went through many different models of vehicle to use as the main body, before finally finding THE rig on the Facebook marketplace of his hometown, while searching for suitable vehicles in southern and central Arizona!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
In total it took about:
5 years of planning and saving
4 months searching for a vehicle
15 days building it out, full time 8 hrs a day, rushing for ski season
And moving in Nov. 23, 2022
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
We have many unique features in this build;
Full music recording and editing set up for demo tracks and music production
Same PC used in music recording is used for streaming
Woodfired stove
Pre installed cooler/heater combo with coolant from main vehicle
Chalkboard paint exterior and the living mural featuring all the kind individuals who added their art to it.
Many misc items all around the Wander Bus, Many things are DIY or self engineered from the fire backer for the fireplace to the battery box insulation and warmer to keep our batteries at optimal temps.
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
We are currently working on earning money while traveling, but both Robin and Wayne work seasonally currently working as ski and snowboard instructors in the Tahoe area, and are able to sustain 3-5 months of travel depending on the season and work available!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
There are many ways tiny living has changed our lives, with it overall being for the better by a large margin. Even with all the challenges that come with tiny living and also living mobile, we would never go back.
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
From extra monetary freedom to the feeling of being able to be at home even when at the base of a ski hill, at pull out on a mountain road, or at a beach watching the sun set. There are also many opportunities to reduce your own carbon footprint and impact through tiny living which we always try to be conscious of!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
With our current set up, the hardest part is waking up to move the bus and making sure we have all our things tied down or stowed away before we start to move!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
We have broken a mug or two after forgetting to stow it properly before embarking on our next drive!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
The most rewarding part is owning a home and having the freedom that comes with that! It may also come with challenges, especially the tiny home kind and not to mention this one is on wheels so we have our share of issues, but we sure love the feeling of coming back to OUR home!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
If you’re considering going tiny, plan it out for a while in advance! This lifestyle can look really pretty and shiny from the outside, but if you aren’t prepared to deal with the challenges that will inevitably arise, you are going to have a tough time! Also reach out to the content creators you are watching or some smaller creators whose build you like and ask for their take on the matter. You would be surprised how many nice people are in this tiny living community and are willing to offer advice!
Images via @wanderbusbuilds
Highlights:
- Wayne came across tiny homes while he was living in a 1-bedroom apartment he didn’t love and that he was spending $1,700/month to live in!
- He started planning his rig, and spent 5 years saving up the money to purchase this awesome shuttle bus.
- Once he found the perfect bus, it took just fifteen 8-hour days for him to make it home sweet home!
- The bus has an awesome recording studio area and a chalkboard exterior where friends write all kinds of fun messages.
- Wayne and Robin work seasonal gigs so they can travel for 3 to 5 months at a time.
Learn more
Related stories
- Willow II: Her Shuttle Bus Conversion
- Traveling Musician in his $16K Shuttle Bus
- Shabby Chic Shuttle Bus Feels Like a Cozy Cottage on Wheels!
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Natalie C. McKee
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