Australian couple Paul Battenally and Clara Trindall, who met while working in Japan, fulfilled their dream of exploring their vast homeland by converting a 2005 Isuzu Coca-Cola truck into a spacious mobile home.
Cool choice
Despite the challenges of finding a suitable vehicle due to Battenally’s height, the couple spent 11 months and $17,500 on the conversion project, turning the unconventional choice into their ideal travel companion.
“When I bought the truck, I was living in a shared house with a bunch of friends in a coastal city in New South Wales, and so I was working on it in my free time after work,” Paul shared with Business Insider. “I’m a carpenter, so I had all the skills necessary to build it, and it wasn’t too challenging for me.”
They moved into their home on wheels in November 2021
Living in their converted Coca-Cola truck for a year, Paul Battenally and Clara Trindall saved money for their dream journey.
In January 2023, armed with approximately 40,000 Australian dollars, they embarked on their adventure on the open road.
Allocating funds wisely, the couple invested around A$17,000 in appliances, electrical work, plumbing, and fixtures, while another A$8,000 went into acquiring materials to outfit their Coca-Cola truck home.
Paul and Clara enjoy a rent-free lifestyle, sustaining themselves on a weekly budget of approximately $500 for fuel and food expenses.
Their converted Coca-Cola truck boasts a queen-sized bed, a fully-equipped kitchen featuring an oven and gas stove, along with the convenience of a compost toilet and a shower.
The truck is equipped with an exterior storage space where Paul and Clara stow their surfboards, dirt bikes, and sports equipment.
Who needs expensive SUVs?
Many of us would agree that they’re completely living the dream!
The couple stays productive
Clara, at 27 and working as a registered nurse, supplements their income by selling art.
Meanwhile, Paul engages in carpentry work whenever opportunities arise.
With a $10,000 budget set aside for diesel, the couple primarily allocate their funds for fuel and food expenses during their travels.
Insta-truck!
Their Coca-Cola truck becomes a focal point at campsites, attracting considerable attention.
Curious onlookers often express interest in taking a peek inside the unique mobile home.
The couple intends to continue living in their converted Coca-Cola truck for approximately a year, exploring different parts of Australia.
Additionally, they are considering the possibility of using it as temporary accommodation while renovating a house in 2024.
For those contemplating a similar adventure, Paul encourages them to “take the leap and just do it.”
Recently, the couple explored Double Island in the Great Barrier Reef and ventured to Tully Falls in the far north of Queensland during their travels.
The couple expresses their love for the nomadic lifestyle, relishing the ability to change locations every few days.
They find joy in waking up to nature, embracing the freedom that their mobile home lifestyle provides.
And the truck keeps running.
Remarkably, the truck continues to run smoothly, showcasing its reliability as Paul and Clara continue their adventurous journey.
Their transformed Coca-Cola truck truly epitomizes a versatile and unique mobile home, enabling Paul and Clara to embrace a life of adventure on the road.
The couple loves every moment.
Embracing their unconventional lifestyle, the couple cherishes every moment of their unique journey in the converted Coca-Cola truck.
Follow Paul and Clara on Instagram to see more of their amazing adventures!
Watch the video below to see even more of their unique home on wheels!
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