Tours
Family buys school bus and turns it into beautiful off-grid home so they can enjoy more freedom
When you walk in, you'd never guess it was a school bus. It's incredible what they did to it!
Cherie Gozon
05.26.23

Luke, Rachel, and their tiny family have no regrets living in a tiny home.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

They had little knowledge of what living on a bus might be like, so they jumped in and took the challenge.

Tiny home living suited their family of five with their children Charlotte and Abraham and their dog Baxter.

They converted a school bus into a completely off-the-grid home so they could enjoy traveling around the country without leaving their home.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Their home is equipped with 900-watt solar panels and four batteries that power their entire home.

They stowed two water gallons (60 and 40 gallons) under their loft staircase and bed for their water supply and a 5-gallon propane RV water heater for their hot water.

Luke and Rachel did all these themselves, and they did incredible work with this conversion.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Once you step inside, you’ll forget you’re inside a bus.

Luke shared that he raised the bus’s roof to 20 inches so they have more headspace and make it feel more homey than the usual mobile home.

And they achieved that look, especially with the addition of the wooden ceiling and frames!

The first thing that welcomes you when you hop in is their kitchen.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Rachel used to bake, so she ensured the kitchen had ample space for all their cooking.

They did not skimp on storage, too, and even said they have more than enough for their kitchen utensils and cookware, so they used the remaining cabinet space for their other stuff.

Further inside is their dining and living area facing each other.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Their dining table can be folded down, and the chairs are stackable, so they can easily stow them away if they need more space.

Another space-saving feature is their couch which can be opened into a bed and has additional storage underneath.

Their bathroom has all the essential fixtures they need.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

They have a shower with a little tub for their kids, a sink, and a vanity.

For the toilet, they opted for a composting toilet since they don’t want to carry a black tank with them and deal with sewage.

At least they only have to deal with gray water, for which they have a 93-gallon tank.

You might expect a big bedroom since there are five of them on the road, but you’d be surprised how they utilized the small space.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

It’s like a double-deck bed where their kids sleep on the lower bunk with a foldable cot and a blackout curtain to block light while they nap.

Luke and Rachel sleep on the top bunk with a double bed that’s perfect for them.

One noticeable feature is how their loft bed isn’t too high, giving more headroom for them to sit up.

Life on the road has challenges, but their family enjoyed its rewards more.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Rachel can simply work from everywhere, but Luke carries around his tools so he could work on odd jobs wherever they stop, and it’s been great for him so far.

In total, the couple guesses that tiny their home on wheels cost them about $30K, which is a great deal lower than your typical residence!

The biggest reward for them is their children growing up and experiencing all these beautiful things while on the road.

Some parents might find this too daunting, but the couple love how Charlotte and Abraham adapted well.

YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Living Big in a Tiny House

Their children experience a life full of adventure and see everything first-hand.

That’s a parenting win for them!

Get a peek at their bus-turned-home in the video below!

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