How difficult do you think it is to travel with your family in a tiny home on wheels? Initially, I thought it was nearly impossible. However, after writing about many families who live and travel in mobile homes, I am convinced that this lifestyle is not only doable, but enjoyable. Today, I am taking a look at a DIY RV that accommodates a family of four.
Managing a family can be difficult, whether you live in a conventional home or a mobile home. But with the right RV setup, like this family, you can have unforgettable adventures with your loved ones.
Here are Chad and Janelle and their two children. At the time the introductory video was filmed, the two children were three and five years old, which makes them five and seven today.
Chad and Janelle built “Evangelina,” their Ford Transit camper, to travel part-time with their kids. They wanted to explore the United States and show their kids more than just the local attractions. I’m sure the kids will remember these trips for a lifetime – it’s something not many young kids get to enjoy.
Construction and DIY skills are generally considered to be masculine. When we see a couple who have built a camper, most of us expect the man to do most of the work. Well, in this family's case, Janelle is the “Do it yourself mom” crew: hand-built everything you see in the van. Before we take a look inside, let me tell you more about the outside of the van.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
The couple didn’t add many exterior accessories, so at first glance, you probably wouldn’t think anyone was living inside. This vehicle is ideal for stealth camping; it looks just like another standard passenger van.
Chad and Janelle wanted to take their rig on some light off-road trails and beef up its looks, so they installed Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. The truck also gets dual tires (two tires instead of one on each side) in the back, which increases its payload.
Finally, going up to the roof, you will discover two solar panels with a total capacity of 400 W and a Maxxair fan.
Now, let's get to the interesting part: the interior. Open the door and you'll be greeted by a spacious and beautiful living space. It looks so good I never would have thought it was built by an individual (and not a professional conversion company).
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
In terms of aesthetics, the family opted for a bright design with light green furniture and a slatted wood ceiling. You'll also notice that the interior has an open layout, meaning the cockpit isn't separated from the living space.
You'll find the deck bathroom right in front of the entry. Chad and Janelle gave it a distinctive aesthetic by creating a large arched entryway and adding peel-and-stick stone tiles.
You’ll notice the arched motif in several other places throughout the van, not just the bathroom. The couple created arches for the side window frames, and even the passage under the bed that leads to the garage is arched.
The bathroom boasts a shower with a curtain to keep water from splashing outside, a Thetford portable toilet, and three stalls with a window behind them. Oddly enough, they opted for a spray bidet as a showerhead, which uses less water than a standard showerhead. Additionally, a Maxxair exhaust fan near the door helps remove moisture, fumes, and odors from the kitchen.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
Next up is the galley, located on the driver's side of the interior. It features a decent-sized white epoxy-coated countertop, a two-burner stove, a deep sink with a rose gold faucet, a small fridge/freezer, and a backsplash made from the same tiles as the bathroom exterior.
For storage, you can use two wall cabinets, a cabinet under the sink, a hanging bar and a large pull-out pantry.
Opposite the kitchen, you will find a simple seating area consisting of a long bench. This is where the two children sleep. To transform the sofa into a single bed, all you have to do is pull out an extension of the frame and rearrange the cushions. In addition, the space under the sofa can be used as storage space.
Chad and Janelle opted for a fixed bedroom to eliminate the hassle of disassembling and reassembling it like a convertible bed. The bedroom boasts a queen-size mattress, four wall cabinets, and an overhead shelf.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Tiny Home Tours
You will notice that the bed is quite high. The family chose this configuration to use all the space under the bed as a garage. You will find the utility systems on the sides, while the space in the center is perfect for storing larger items.
The power system is on the right. Its highlights are two 100Ah BattleBorn batteries, fuse boxes, a DC-DC charger, a 2,000W inverter/charger and charge controllers connected to the solar panels on top of the van. Of course, like any other camper, this system can also be charged via shore power.
On the opposite side you will find a propane tank and a 30-gallon (113-liter) fresh water tank connected to a water pump and electric water heater.
All in all, this stealthy tiny house on wheels is perfect for family getaways. It’s superb, offers enough space for all occupants, and truly looks and feels like a home.
