Home mortgages are always on the rise, so a man named Jason decided to build himself a studio apartment on wheels in order to avoid housing-related debt. Jason used to live in a large house with five roommates before deciding to go to graduate school for urban planning. He knew that this mid-career change would require him to live in large cities with high living costs, so he devised a plan to avoid the exorbitant rents.
Jason desired to live in a discreet mobile home where he could feel safe. Fortunately, he found a suitable vehicle on Craiglist: an old 2004 Ford E-350 box truck. The van measures 15 feet long and 8 feet wide. Even better, it already had a pass-through from the cab to the back, giving him a nice loft space.
Jason built the majority of the structure himself and hired a friend to handle the design and some of the more intricate parts. Basically, he wanted a mobile apartment that looked like a work truck on the outside and could be parked anywhere. Jason moved into the mobile van, dubbed the “Stealth Studio,” at the start of 2021.
So far, he has enjoyed it because it allows him to live the urban lifestyle without paying exorbitant rent. Jason will usually park for four to seven days at a time and bike or take public transportation around the city. He doesn’t drive the van on a regular basis, so the truck’s slightly lower gas mileage isn’t a deal breaker.
A 12-gallon fuel tank is mounted under the back of the truck, which Jason uses as a heater. The van is powered by 500 watts of solar power and lithium batteries with a capacity of 420 amp hours. When he’s in the mountains, a window allows him to get some natural light and enjoy the view outside. Jason designed the window to look like a vent because the vehicle is intended for stealthy urban living.
A cargo door made of recycled roll-up door panels is located at the back of the truck. It can be brought down and converted into a patio or garage with the push of a button, providing Jason with some extra storage space. A 44-gallon gray water tank on the passenger side of the truck is protected by skin and spray foam. Jason has 55 gallons of freshwater on board, which should last 10 to 14 days.
The 125-square-foot Stealth Studio includes a loft area with a full-size mattress. There’s also an air vent and built-in storage for his clothes and other belongings. He also installed a cool rock climb set up instead of a ladder to get up to the loft. Upper cabinets with an ebony stain, which contrasts nicely with the white walls, are located above the couch.
Under his bed, he keeps his dress shirts, sport coats, and footwear in a pull-out closet with a shoe rack. Jason also hid his gadgets, cables, and electronics in a separate box near the loft area to keep them out of the way. Jason enjoys cooking, so he designed his kitchen with plenty of counter space and easy access to his most-used appliances. He also has a small refrigerator, microwave, induction cooktop, and a large sink.