A really tiny house

[Tammy]

http://blogdescalada.com/volkswagen-lanca-van-com-trailer-retratil-para-publico-outdoor/

I feel like I could live in this full time.
It looks like a van, easy to drive and park and doesn't advertise to strangers that valuables are stored inside like an RV does. It opens up so one can stand in it, and theres comfortable seating. The only thing missing is a bathroom. But the idea of hauling one's waste around always bothers me ... Could I live without my own shower and toilet? Hmmm ...

[catherine]

Very unique! I'm reminded of the book Walden on Wheels, in which the author lived in a van in the college parking lot so he could graduate debt free. He bought his van used for under $2k I believe--but I'm sure he would drool at this one!

[ToomuchStuff]

VW supposably is going to come out with a retro microbus, like they did the bug a few years ago. (saw it on a car site a while back) Since this was a model of them, back then, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a factory option. (camper van)

[Gardenarian]

Neat! I couldn't live in that full time, tho.
The bathroom seems to be the main problem with so many small houses.

This is one of my favorite books on small homes: Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts: And Whatever the Heck Else We Could Squeeze in Here (http://www.amazon.com/Humble-Simple-Cottages-Ramshackle-Retreats/dp/0762771461)

[Spartana]

Too cute! I wonder what it costs as VW vans are always uber expensive. It would be a nice way to do a road trip without having to deal with an RV but having many of the RV amenities. Good for roaming long term, but wouldn't want to live in it forever. I assume for bathroom and shower you would park it at a regular campsite (no need to pay for a premium and expensive RV site) and use their bathroom and showers. Or you could bring a port a potty and, umm..., deal with the contents yourself, and a solar shower to shower under or shower at a gym or wherever. Cooking and storage, if you need either, would be difficult too but doable. I think for me, I would treat this as basicly an extended van that I could travel in, stay at campsites, and do very limited boondocking (free no amenities camping). I travelled in a van with my 2 big dogs for several months a few years back and it was challenging to put it mildly :-)! With this extended van it would have been much better. Although, the cheapskate in me would probably just get one of those small pop up tent trailers that are inexpensive, easy and light weight to tow, and have mega amounts of room once fully opened. Still no bathroom though in most. And you don't even need a big truck to tow them: http://www.campingblogger.net/gear/a-%e2%80%98smart%e2%80%99-pop-up-tent-trailer.html

and for the homeless wanna-be in all of us: http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/06/camper-kart-kevin-cyr-1.jpg

[Packy]

For what that fast-depreciating van would cost, you could buy a larger-but-still-tiny house, in many locales. Plus, living in a vehicle subjects you to increased risks. I would say that it was designed as a dual-purpose vehicle for the outdoorsy tourist, for say, traversing the AlCan Highway, during the summer, and hauling the kids around, at home. But, it's interesting.

[shadowmoss]

http://www.cheaprvliving.com/

That is a website/blog about folks who live in vans an small rv's full time. There are articles on how to handle most all of the mundane details (like poo and other necessary but usually unmentionable items). The short story, if it is what you want to do, or is financially necessary, a way will be found to live in a van and even be happy while doing so.

And, heck, just 'cause I really like her blog, here is a woman who lives full time in her Prius. I don't feel much other than envy for her lifestyle:
http://www.thegoodluckduck.com/

I aspire to this lifestyle once the debt is paid off and I know I can sustain the small costs to live this way.

EDITED TO ADD:
Just found another van-dwelling link that looks good. Obviously this is where my interest currntly lies:
http://vandwellers.org/

[Float On]

Lloyd's new book http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.com/2014/03/tiny-homes-on-move-being-printed-right.html is being printed right now. Tiny Homes on the Move.

[Spartana]

Thanks for posting those blogs you guys - I love to read about how others live on the open road in a small van or camper (or boat or tent or cave - remember that guy who lived in a cave in Utah and had a book written about him - "No Cash Man" or something like that?). I'm a little too much of a homebody who likes my few creature comforts (flush toilet and hot showers and cold beer!) too much to do anything like that permanently, but a year or so would be great.

[Yarrow]

That is interesting and cool for those that would want to do it. I prefer living in my tiny cottage with plumbing and heat, myself. :)

[shadowmoss]

Here is my current favorite:
http://leisurevans.com/unity/index.html

Unfortunately, it has a pricetag to go with the awesomeness.

[Spartana]

Here is my current favorite:
http://leisurevans.com/unity/index.html

Unfortunately, it has a pricetag to go with the awesomeness.Cute! Just a "tad" pricy for me though (I could live a life of luxury for many years on that amount). But then I'm currently trying to channel my inner Gary (Simply GIB) and do the biking thing for travel (don't ask how that went so far as I'm sure you can hear my screams from here :-)!) so everything seems uber expensive to me now in comparison. The good thing is that the Leisure Vans are probably way better on gas then a big RV, and easier to drive and park too. I'm starting to get sticker shock over fuel prices again (hovering at around $4.35 and up her in Calif) so the idea of RVing is less appealing to me (wasn't too appealing in the first place although I think it would be really cool and fun to try it for awhile). Once you add in the cost of the RV, the insurance, nightly camping fees (can be high unless boondocking), and now fuel it would be really prohibitive. However I think if someone bought an inexpensive RV (NOT a Leisure Van :-)!) and parked it in a monthly RV Park or boon docked it could be a really inexpensive way to travel long term and also to live in different areas of the country. Those Snowbirds probably have the right ideas. Of course you can't beat a $4/night hiker/biker campground and no fuel cost to pedal except all the Hostess Twinkies you MUST consume everyday :-)!