UHaul to Office/Home Conversion
The cost of rent and mortgages are getting out of hand. What alternatives are out there?
Is it possible to have a high quality of life with fewer possessions? How do you measure happiness?
Please help us fund this project to allow us to create a model that would free people on depending on paying expensive mortgages or rent for the rest of their lives.
“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Converting an old UHaul Truck or Ambulance into an Office for a nonprofit.
Imagine using a UHaul truck as a home or office to live in or to practice Mobile Eco-Voluntourism and to deliver food, clothing and other essentials to needy people in your community.
We determined that by purchasing a used 2009 UHaul Box Truck, we can pick up donated items and deliver them to Ko’olauloa residents in existing food pickup locations. We can also help out with delivering items for first responders or the civil defence if needed. We will be using student volunteers as well as community volunteers for this ongoing project. We would like to help the youth volunteers develop compassion for other people’s needs as they assist them since part of our program is teaching virtues and life skills for youth development. We can park the vehicle when not in use at the home of the nonprofit. Once the UHaul truck is purchased, we can immediately begin delivering needed resources to residents at least once a month or whenever needed. We will be purchasing annual subscriptions that will allow us to pick up donations from suppliers and partners on O’ahu.
We hope to park at a local farmer’s market every two weeks to provide needed supplies, especially free plant seedlings such as moringa, the “miracle tree”. One of moringa’s defining superfood characteristics is its ability to fight malnutrition. In many third world countries, the poorest people can’t afford to buy vegetables. Instead, they live off of rice or other starch-based foods because it’s cheaper and easier to feed their large families. Adding one spoonful of nutrient-rich moringa powder to flour or starches is an easy and affordable way to improve deficiencies. Many (non-governmental organizations, such as the Peace Corp, are already harnessing the power of moringa.
COVID has forced many people in our community to seek out food, clothing, computers for school, and other essential items. Our nonprofit was able to deliver repaired computers to students and a women’s shelter in our community. We could do more if we could purchase a used UHaul truck to deliver food, clothing and other items from partners to the needy in our (Title 1) Ko’olauloa community each month. The truck could double as our nonprofit’s office and as a support vehicle at farmers markets.
See how a UHaul was converted into a home.
We used an awesome program called vanspace3d.co to render a mockup of the build.
Used 17' UHaul Truck
Perhaps an ambulance could be used instead since they are
already insulated and used ambulances are relatively cheap.
They are also well built and rated highly for road safety.
Perhaps in the future, an electric box truck will become available.
That would be ideal. A Tesla Cybertruck perhaps?
Dimensions of a 17' UHaul Box Truck
Uses for a converted UHaul Truck
- use as a mobile office for a nonprofit
- use as an extra private bedroom to rent out
- use to haul donations: food, household items, computers, ewaste
- use as a bug out vehicle in case of tsunamis, fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, riots, etc.
- use as a work area to create arts and crafts
- use to demonstrate sustainability, green living at schools, stores, community events, farm fairs, farmers' markets
- rent to the film industry
- use as a digital media studio
To provide light for living space and for plants in the vertical gardens. If there is too much light in the living space, a sliding cover under the light can be closed or adjusted to dim the light.
IcyBreeze is the world’s first personal, portable air conditioner and cooler designed to keep you and your drinks cool anywhere life takes you.
Use these tools, as well as a smart power strip to remotely control devices in the UHaul.
Use a propane power system to provide pressurized water to a shower or sink inside the UHaul.
This water generator can make up to five gallons of delicious, purified water a day, pulled entirely from moisture in the air.
The doors will allow light inside the UHaul and the 2 doors will allow you to pass through bulky items. The double french doors also have windows that will provide light and a view of the exterior.
Please dispose grey water responsibly. Perhaps a recycling grey water system could be used for showering.
To display what is on the exterior every side of the UHaul on 4 55" flat screen TV's. It will make the UHaul truck without windows feel less claustrophobic.
Use plants to exchange carbon dioxide with oxygen. It also creates living art. Who knew you could grow all the food you need to survive in a UHaul truck!
Insert plants from the vertical garden and microgreens to make healthy smoothies. each day. Add frozen bananas and fruits, seeds, protein powders, and other nutritional supplements.
Feed the 5 gallons of water created from the air per day into this. Feed water into the propane system for the kitchen sink and shower. Pump water from here to irrigate the vertical gardens and microgreens.
2400Wh/1000W Power Station: Super Long Lasting 2400Wh Power Station with High Load Continous 1000W Inverter
Grow microgreens and seedlings inside the UHaul for healthy green smoothies, salads or sandwiches.
Use two 160 watt solar panels on top of UHaul to power all electrical items using the MAXOAK Power Station
Plants are essential for purifying the air and can be connected to our overall health. So if you don’t already have a plant in your home, you probably should think about adding one.
Outdoor Umbrella with Push Button Tilt and Crank, 8 Steel Ribs, to shade the Tommy Gate Porch. Use the umbrella to shade a storefront or place to relax.
Use Google Nest and IFTTT Pro to remotely turn devices on or off in the UHaul with this powerstrip to save energy and to provide needed services such as turning the air conditioner on a few minutes before you enter the UHaul.
Use this to see where your vehicle is at all times. The device and your phone will notify the instant you having engine or battery problems before taking the UHaul to a mechanic.
This artist made beautiful wooden carvings throughout this build where his art has turned his box truck into a whimsical home. The style of the van is heavily influenced by the Lord of the Rings.
YUMORE Folding Shelf Brackets 12-20”, Max Load: 330lb. Use for desks in the van and extra shelves. When you need extra space in the UHaul for bulky items, just fold them up.
UOKIER Essential Oil Diffuser 500ml Diffusers with Remote Control. Keeps a nice scent going in the UHaul.
Hang this green screen above and in front of a 55" flatscreen TVbehind your office chair so you can work remotely with a custom background. You can use it as a backdrop for zoom meetings or to take pictures of products for reviews.
Jetcoat Cool King Reflective Acrylic Roof Coating, Waterproof Elastomeric Sealant, 5 Gallon, 10 Year Protection. Use this to reflect 10-20 degrees F from the inside of the UHaul truck.
RV Roof Vent with Thermostat and Rain Sensor, Manual and Automatic Speeds 12 Volt RV Vent Fan
A spacious stealth tiny house on wheels. Simplicity and frugal living at its best.
Includes Silver Metal Airtight Lids for Meal Prep, Food Storage, Canning, Drinking, Overnight Oats, Jelly, Dry Food, Spices, Salads, Yogurt, Seeds (6 Pack). Also use for cups, storage for smoothies, green drinks, etc.
Mobile Eco-Voluntourism– a mix of both travel and volunteering. People often wonder how they can explore the world and help the less fortunate even if they don’t possess specialized skills. Use the UHaul to reach locals that need your skills.
Save money and protect the environment with these safe natural alternative household items.
We plan to purchase a 17’ 2007 UHaul Box Truck to live in or rent out, use as an office, as a bug out vehicle, to haul donations for our community and schools. We may switch to a 15’ size based to save gas, to make driving easier, and to save space in the driveway.
In the front half of the truck (living area), we plan to install:
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An offgridtrek.com system to provide electricity.
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A Hammacher Schlemmer & Co air-to-water conversion system to provide 5 gallons of clean water per day.
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A painted green screen wall for a mobile studio.
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An icybreeze.com unit to provide cool air.
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We will put most items in the storage area above the cab. (microwave oven, cooling systems, energy, etc).
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An Emperor Workstation by MWE Lab as bed and chair or a zero-gravity massage chair.
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A large TV to view computer screen, 4 ring cameras (on each side of the UHaul).
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A mini-fridge (in addition to the icebreeze.com).
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A small dresser to store clothing.
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We will use a Verizon Hum device to track the location of the vehicle and the condition of the motor.
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An LED color lighting system.
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We plan to insulate all the walls and ceiling with hemp, Merino or havelock wool.
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A small freezer or an ice making machine.
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We plan to put RoofShield Top Coat White Acrylic Reflective Elastomeric Roof Coating (12-year Limited Warranty) to reduce the heat on the roof and to prevent leaks. I might paint on the sides if it looks nice.
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The offgridteck.com system we would like to order also has solar panels that we will put on the roof.
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We really don’t need a bathroom or shower since I already have access from home and work. (maybe later)
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A food processor and blender for juicing and smoothies (from food grown in UHaul).
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We will need a small sink and small small counter space.
In the back half of truck, plant and hauling area, I plan to install:
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Microgreen plants,
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Vertical gardens for food, herbs, flowers.
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Keep empty space for hauling donations for the community such as clothing, household items, furniture, computers, etc.
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50 gallon drum and pump with timer for water.
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Use a floor to ceiling curtain between the living area and the back area to preserve cool air.
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A large sky window (with a sliding cover on the bottom to block the light) to provide light for plants.
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2 french doors with windows in the back.
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A Tommy Gate to lift heavy items and use a porch and step.
We plan to remove:
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The middle seat and back for an emergency exit.
I plan to park the UHaul flush against my house so I can access it from inside the garage which has already been converted into a bedroom which has its own bathroom.
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