Solo female lives in army van conversion - stealth tiny home

Heather takes us on a tour of her incredible van conversion (which used to be an army base van)! The outside is stealthy, but the inside is "super girlie," and that's the way she likes it! She did the entire build-out, with the help of her father, for just $28k.
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CREDITS
PRODUCED & HOSTED BY:
Jenna Kausal
VIDEOGRAPHY BY:
Matt Alexander
aerialexcellence.us/
EDITOR:
Sarita Darlington Winey
www.saritadw.com
TITLE MUSIC:
Kate Steinway - "Tiny Home"
iTunes:flyt.it/THGJtinyhomeitunes?ID=
Spotify: flyt.it/THGJtinyhomespotify?ID=
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ADDITIONAL MUSIC: www.epidemicsound.com/
OPENING MONTAGE DRONE SHOT: Jonathan Benabed
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY OWNERS
________________________
0:00 Intro
1:04 Meet Joy!
1:37 Life Before Going Tiny
2:14 Trying a Nomadic Lifestyle
2:32 Finding the Van
2:58 Box Truck Build
3:53 Rig and Build Costs
4:14 Let the Outside Tour Begin!
5:00 Solar, Batteries, and AC Oh My!
5:34 Back of the Rig
7:05 Welcome to the Inside!
7:54 Unusable Space Turned Shoe Self
8:29 Compost & Pantry
9:31 Safety For Traveling Alone
10:31 Second Hand Items
10:52 Playful Kitchen Design
11:28 Internet For Work
12:00 Camping Stove
12:38 Bedroom Breakdown
13:36 Collapsible Work Desk
14:14 Unique Fridge Location
14:27 Hideaway Composting Toilet
14:51 Feeling Safe on the Road
15:18 What’s Next For Heather and Joy?
15:37 Outro
#boxtruckliving #stealthtinyhouse #vanlife

[@hazelem1266]

We are seniors and we are part time van lifers. One time at a park we met this lady of similar age with two little dogs. As soon as she arrived, she set out her table, two chairs and a pair of large old hiking boots and two coffee mugs on the table. She also had a cap and large gloves on the dash. I thought it was very smart.

[@Lilo-A]

I’ve been trying to decide about tiny house living, but I needed it to be portable. This is an outstanding solution. And the cost for her was amazing.

[@meridethhendry5733]

I love your tiny home. Very well planned. It’s so cool that you got to work with your folks to make your dream come true. Love it!

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻 Building my dream home with my dad AND mom (my mom used power tools for the first time in her life 🥹) was nothing short of life changing. ❤️

[@tynitahaines4012]

I love this vehicle... the decorations are so me. And I definitely like how she disguises her van with the blue paint.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!! The decorations were out of my comfort zone at the time but now are also SO me 🎉❤

[@joyt458]

The staging of the dash and the exterior is a brilliant safety feature

[@shiralleehaggart72]

Your van is lovely Heather. Although the outside has a Masculine look the colour of your van outside compliments the colour of the roof. The inside is cosy especially your bed/lounge area. I like the colours you have chosen as well. Enjoy your journey in this lovely van and stay safe xx

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support!!! ❤️🙏🏻

[@DawnOldham]

What a free spirit! For those who don't need a close knit community, this looks like an adventurous life! I'm sure she has plenty of great stories to tell! 😊

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Hi there!! It might surprise a lot of people, but the van-life community is super close and supportive. There are *huge* van gatherings where we connect with amazing people, then we break off and travel around in smaller groups between gatherings. The culture is beyond inspiring out here 🤗

[@supersteveize]

That's a very nice van build. You and your dad did a wonderful job and a great conversion. I really wanted to acquire one of those but I couldn't find one at the time and ended up buying a camper van with a few feet longer and over 6 ft of headroom. Is that the 6. 5 turbo diesel engine in that? I don't think the military had anything built like that with a gas engine. If it is the 6. 5 diesel they have a few issues that you can make better with a few retrofits. The newer ones like the one you have the better engine block. I really don't want to alarm you but the 6. 5 is a very good motor with a few modifications. It gets very good fuel mileage which it was designed for. I'm really sorry if I alarmed you but I hope you get better acquainted with the engine because it'll save you tons of money and grief on the road and keep you from getting taken advantage of by Shady mechanics or people that you really don't know what they're doing.

[@moongold9025]

What a cozy and functional van home. Love it! How nice go have been able to build Joy with your family. I wish you all the best and safe travels! 🧡

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you for the kind wishes and words!!!! 🧡🙏🏻

[@shirleyashanti3031]

This is quite lovely and cozy. The composter is a great idea. Have fun in your adventures. Thanks for sharing your tiny home. 💕

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you for your kind words! The composter is a GAME CHANGER. It keeps scraps out of my trash can (and prevents critters from sniffing their way to my house 🐭)!

[@dewuknowHIM]

Love love love her build..esp...how "disguised" her toilet is... GREAT IDEA !

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Hehehe, gotta hide the toilet!! 💩

[@LewisDBear]

I have a 2010 same van from the Air Force flightline. We have traveled in it for 6 years.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Heck yeah- maybe I’ll see ya out there!!

[@EfficientRVer]

​@@heatherkuhnheim2493 Box Van Dee also has basically the same box van, I forget which model year, from an Air Force base. I'm the guy who removed its pocket door in order to extend her flooring over the step well, add folding stairs that store in the stepwell under the floor, and replaced the pocket door with a conventional door. Well, almost conventional. The door is split into a main upper door, and a small lower door to lock up the stair-stowage compartment, so that the stairs can be kept extended at camp, while still allowing the door into the living space to be locked. All while providing no path for mice or people to worm their way in, lol. It was a bit of an exercise in mechanical design to figure out how to make it all work, fit, and provide flooring all the way to the door so she'd stop having her chair leg dump her into the step well. Videos of the door/floor/stair changes we made in July 2021 are on the Box Van Dee channel. A very recent tour of her rig is on her friend's channel, Van Life Voyages.

[@tmcbgrrl0074]

I also bought the exact same style van from an auction. I painted it black and turned it into a coffee truck! Now it's a great money-maker and I'm self-employed 🙂

[@alanrobisonPD1960]

Love your channel, you do such a good job tracking down these tiny home owners. It’s good to see people willing to try anything, some by necessity others by adventure. Keep up your great work, greetings from Southern California, this is Alan

[@Paul.Douglas]

I'm seeing a lot of lady vanners lately. This is a lovely, well thought out build! The fact you built it with your parents is absolutely precious. You have a great background to do your zoom meetings with. Picturesque and well decorated. I do believe that was an Air Force van because of the color. We ran those on the flightline, so I kind of "lived" in one for many years.

[@Ranbuowsatrawarriar]

Wow Jenna. Your channel is GROWING 💗 Congrats on your hard work

[@DahliaC2011]

Wow Amazing I love the layout ❤ such a beautiful interior! Strong Lady, brought me lots of joy!❤❤❤

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

Very good practical advice all around! Even for non-tiny house lovers. Nice job!

[@larrybell4599]

You have built a very unique and cozy home.

[@cathylynnpietranton]

We Really love her (Joy) Thanks Genna for sharing her story. Wishing her many safe and lovely adventures.❤

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you for the kind wishes!!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@CaptEoNinja83]

Such excellent planning with the solar panels, your security precautions for the outside and the dashboard, the sprayer Life Hack, and the mini-composter for your fruits and veggie trash! I just love all of this!!

[@behappy2435]

I like your choice and build, it’s spacious and you have everything you need. Thank you for the KZbin tour.

[@carolinelewiscarrie2514]

Beautiful and amazing home, and what a lovely person she is!!! My only suggestion would be having some kind of back support when she's sitting at her desk (although I know it might be tricky to think of sthing, cos she's sitting on a bench-type thing). But yeah, as the daughter of a physiotherapist, I just wanted to suggest having back support when you're on those Zoom calls. All the best for all your future amazing travels!!!😊

[@cindyharvey8729]

It was so awesome to find this video! I just purchased a 1995 6.5 diesel van just like it to convert to a camper.

[@harriethunter8910]

Warm greetings from Australia. Love your van and great idea with the blokes stuff in the front. Safe travels.

[@ribbleslipscomb5171]

You have everything you need. You and your dad did a fantastic job. May all your travels be amazing. ❤❤

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you so much!!! I’ve never been more proud to do anything else in my life. Building with my dad, and having this video to document the story, is life changing to say the least! 😌❤️

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

I love this episode. Joy and Heather seem awesome.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Haha, thanks Scott!! I appreciate the kind words!!! 🙏🏻

[@spilltheteewitheliz]

Loveeeee this!!! I have one of these I currently use for my business but I can't wait to build it out now when I retire it. ❤

[@jimmymalone3494]

I enjoyed video' I love your tiny home thank you for sharing with us.I hope you have a great week.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you! I hope you have a great week too! 😊

[@jimmymalone3494]

Thank you.@@heatherkuhnheim2493

[@bonnies9861]

You have got THE BEST attitude/outlook on life!! You will go far in life because of it - as you already have! Enjoy every moment of every day ~ sending you light, love, peace, joy and abundance always. I love you.

[@arroyobaby38]

Smart idea with the staging of the masculine items 👍🏽 Love your home! BEAUTIFUL!!!❤

[@karenb1627]

Very efficient, beautiful space.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

With the price of houses and mortgages on the climb, alternative abodes appears to be common at the moment. Not to mention, this post modern life is making folks rethink their lifestyles and seek out what's truly important.

[@jerriem364]

I love her truck build well thought out. Bless you in your beautiful Joy❤😊

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you so much!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@allie1953]

I don't tend to focus on van videos as much but this set up really works.

[@Scrambler85]

Flash back to the 80's with valley speak 😊

[@chelu4u]

Time with Mom and Dad is always cherry on top❤

[@crystolayce]

Excellent. Very informative. Really like the rig and build.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you! 🙏🏻🌟

[@splashesin8]

Love this Heather! Well planned. 😊

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@lynnspencer7032]

Great journey with your home

[@NKBobcat]

Beautiful!!!! I like showers and toilets in the builds but you made it yours and its great!

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! And there’s no shower, but I do have a toilet!! 💩

[@NKBobcat]

@@heatherkuhnheim2493 I wish you the best of luck with your home, It's beautiful!

[@aliciakon6521]

​@@heatherkuhnheim2493I was wondering how you dealt with showers... and how you deal with goings to the garage to deal with mechanical issues? Thanks for the inspiration! Wonderful ❤ Keep following your intuition😊

[@jimblue39]

You have a neat little home, lots of luck to you. I lived in the Bay area for 34 years (Petaluma), love it and still miss it. Take care.😊

[@scubatrucker6806]

Great build ❤❤. Great idea leaving manly items around to give the illusion of a man around awesome.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏻🌟

[@dawncornwall6268]

The curtains give it away. Put up some ugly metal security sheet for parking and a super sketchy logo on the door - crime scene cleanup.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

I only have the curtains exposed when I’m in a cozy spot. When I’m parked in town, I have silver reflectix in the windows 👍🏻

[@angeladawn805]

9:20 Just had to pause to comment on the composting unit. Congratulations and well done 😊 you have to be the only vanlifer I've seen who enhances their environment. I've seen so many who chuck their crap (fecal and daily detritus) into plastic bags, and dump in bins or dumpsters along the way - out of sight out of mind. ( one woman said that her human waste goes in sturdy courier bags, as they don't leak) as it's no different from dumping babies diapers 😮

[@anthonymangino5074]

Wow, awesome work

[@tinamccall3916]

Love the interior 💕

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@cindysandbeck2447]

Wonderful home, always memories of making it. And you, so beautiful, be careful, and most of all, have FUN ❤️. God bless you 🙏❤️

[@jothkell9173]

i have a Chevy hicube! I did a double take when I saw this one. very similar format with the side door. my truck was an air force vehicle in the 90s for moving 463L pallets

[@Kick_Rocks]

I use a men’s safety vest in my box truck. It helps create the stealth vibe. I have a 14 ft. Box truck. Nice build!

[@robertwhite9898]

Cool looking ! Very custom

[@josephkasprzyk4758]

Glad tiny things are enjoyable!!

[@laReidy]

😂 at first I thought you had a toilet in your pantry 😅 Seriously though great build and I bet your Dad is so proud xxx

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Hahaha, you’re not the first 😂 And my dad is SO proud 🥹❤

[@martadavidson3223]

She's awesome...and so is her place

[@crystalsharadin9772]

This is awesome! I also relate to her so much. 🖤🖤

[@user-op2is7tk3k]

I love your tiny home great job!! Enjoy your freedom.👍

[@eyeshalfwayopeneyeshalfway2603]

Love the compost too!

[@emmahardesty4330]

Great, smart, beautiful home. Well thought-out, not girly; just elegant, comfortable, practical. Best wishes---

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! Elegant is a fun word to describe Joy 😌💜

[@basarank1]

Very cool! So much upspeak.

[@austinjames2721]

I bet that was an old Air Force van. We called them bread vans. We used them mainly on the flight line to carry people and tool boxes out to the aircraft we needed to work on. I bet it likes being in your hands much more😂

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Hahaha, whoever’s hand had her last took VERY good care of her!!! And from what I’ve learned, these vans were used on Air Force and Army bases 🤗

[@L0U1SE]

Love it!

[@kerimabrown5404]

You did an amazing job!!

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!!!🎉

[@AlisonProctor-fq4kt]

Charming abode and how marvelous your Dad helped you with it. If I were only 15 years younger, I’d sell my little farm house and build a van home.

[@Blackxs93]

Love your home

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@Blackxs93]

@@heatherkuhnheim2493 Your Welcome

[@elib7311]

Free Range Kids-PERFECT way to describe our childhoods! Those forts we all made helped me be able to create an outside cat-run, so never doubt that kids playing equals kids learning.

[@abikeesclerosada]

the girl is smart, some things to make life safer, well tought, congrats

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!! 🎉

[@anns8370]

So impressive. ❤

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻🌟

[@lindamarie6574]

Great home, cute dog!

[@janeysiegrist5061]

This is just perfect

[@lindamcmahon3577]

Luv your tiny house looks nice n cosy enjoy every minute. Peace n Luv ✌️ thank you for sharing

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! ❤🙏🏻

[@joanneganon7157]

I love the idea of a secure feeling, good thinking. A mans Hat here mans gloves there great idea. You and your Dad did an amazing Job🎉. Thanks Jenna 😊! JO JO IN VT 💞

[@Brenda-es3gw]

Hat is a very clever idea! Beautiful home. 🚌

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@sarahr9181]

Beautiful build, heather!! I’m so envious of your life lol!! Stay well!!

[@karenk100]

Best of luck,on yr travels.

[@einzgeisha]

Love this plan and layout! interested to know what the auction site was! Thank you for sharing your home with us.

[@arielchattoforasteros5550]

Hi ma'am have a good day can you be my frien is it okay to you ma'am 😊

[@evaa-w5399]

I'd use the spooky Halloween camera protector, so if people go up to the van at night, they'll think it's haunted. For protection

[@rebeccarothfuss-ym3gs]

Very smart about outside color and putting male type items on the dashboard. Nice build!❤😊

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@unleashedsky]

LOVE this home. i also love her sweater!!! I WANT BOTH! lol

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Lol!! I found it at a thrift shop (the sweater, not the van 😂). Thanks for the kind words!!! 🎉

[@Joakim759]

Bra video och fint byggt,jag har själv en 2014 Citroen jumper 5,4 lång👍🙂

[@donnabacon4681]

Very nice and pretty! I live the "masculine" outside, girlie inside. Makes great sense. Enjoy!

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@tracyhull7936]

You have a lovely home😊

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you so much!!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@bumblebee_mrs]

Loved this video and the van, I hope Heather finds a loving partner to compliment her life.

[@source5729]

The PERFECT size! 👌🏼 (needs bug screens)

[@Kitinstravelandfoodtrip]

Wow, Joy is wonderful 🎉😊.

[@cyndib3587]

Doing solo female travel smartly! Definitely listen to your gut! Btw, batteries should be within 1 months age of each other. CBreaze on the road with teen Dghtr then solo for 10 yrs! Now off grid acreage! Roots planted. 😉

[@shamrockgirl6595]

Staging the front is smart! ❤

[@celestepalm6949]

Very smart to have that fearsome terror around to protect you.

[@duanelawrence78]

Very nice God bless you sister!!✌️🇺🇲

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! Bless you as well!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@LotusPoet]

The (homemade?) hammock chair swinging on its stand, with her sitting in it reading, was my favorite scene. I'd like to know how she made it (the hammock part). Nice job.

[@mscarlarn]

Cool rig.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!! 🤗

[@susanmboudreau]

I love everything about this space the size the set up the decorations it looks so cozy and comfortable and functional beautifully done. Congratulations.

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@lisettegarvin5030]

So cute!

[@terrymedina7893]

Wow just beautiful 👍🏽 you make look so easy 🤭 stay safe 👏🏽

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@Zeldagirl64]

Good watch ❤

[@lomeli14217]

That crazy I've seen a same looking van exactly like hers in south san Francisco on airport Blvd for years iam sure it's not the same one since she said she got it in a auction.

[@deek.8131]

She's got great values 🐮- nice to see!

[@tiffanysithole3242]

Looks amazing. I did not see the shower though so how do you bath?

[@imcharmed4evr]

Love the outdoor swing chair! How do u shower and do laundry 🧺? Smart thinking on the staged dashboard.

[@ekdaufin1485]

Love Stella! ❤❤

[@heatherkuhnheim2493]

She’s the best 🥰

[@davidbaron6647]

Very Nice

[@arturoalcantar2669]

VERY VERY KOOL RIG...GREAT VIDEO,,...ONLY ONE THING THO...I DON;T BELIEVE IT'S 10 WIDE..I'M GONNA SAY 6...THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@darlalazzari]

Wait, I love the spray bottle. So one with soap and water and one with just water?