Living full time in a box truck

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by mttstate, Apr 5, 2026 at 2:19 PM.

  1. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    I second the uhaul truck idea. The lower deck height makes entry exit easier and also iis lower clerance needed for trees
    I did a few months boondocking last winter after retiring, and if i were to create something more than my van, i would outfit a cargo trailer.....
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Maneuverability. It is easier to drive in traffic. With the shorter box, you can actually park in two small parking spots without overhang, 22 foot box will have overhang.
     
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  4. mttstate

    mttstate Bobtail Member

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    im hoping to be around 100k all in. I can do some of it, but I’d rather have the work paid out and just do maintenance, but I have been designing the box myself.
     
  5. mttstate

    mttstate Bobtail Member

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    Got ya, I was going off of 2 parking spaces being 36ft long. I’ll have to look into overall length again. I’m located in the pnw.
    It’s sounding like you can really feel each additional 2 feet in the maneuverability department.
    Thanks!
     
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  6. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    This guy got school bus and did lots of the work himself. You can go back in his videos he explains buying the school bus and getting the registration switched to RV. It took him about 1 year and he run on solar power when parked. He just got more engine work done to hopefully fix an overheating problem it had from day one.
     
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  7. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    With that kind of budget, why a box truck ? Myself i would be inclined to go sprinter or bus. Altough a curtainside would be interesting box truck with sleeper over cab for cold
     
  8. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I used to dream of doing the “van life” or some version of it. However, after doing OTR work pretty much straight through for about the past nine years or so now, I can say with absolute certainty that when I get off of the truck, one day, I will very much be a homebody lol I’ll get on an airplane and go somewhere, but I am not gonna go live in a van and drive around the country.

    I think a lot of people out there dream of doing what you’re considering doing and then find out it’s not really for them or they can’t do it for more than a few months at a time.
     
  9. mttstate

    mttstate Bobtail Member

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    So the box can outlive the chassis and can be transferred, basically a custom “super c” I have an old sprinter currently that is on its last legs.
     
  10. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    That makes some u-hauls tough as I'm betting the chassis is custom to their desires.
     
  11. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    You'd be better off just buying a sprinter van rv.

    The "box" isn't going to transfer to a new chassis with ease. Odds are you'll end up breaking the fixtures and it will end up costing as much as the intial build.
     
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