Have you ever dreamed of leaving everything to live on the road, behind the wheel of a house on wheels? If the idea has crossed your mind, wait until you discover the incredible project of Clayton and Teresa, a senior Canadian couple. They didn't just set up a small caravan or ordinary camper van. No, they saw things in a big way, very big! Their mobile home is actually an 18-wheel semi-trailer, which they transformed into a veritable palace on wheels. Prepare to be amazed by this extraordinary achievement and to take an inspiring journey alongside these two big-hearted adventurers.
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Clayton and Teresa aren't the type to take on a project on a whim. They have been harboring this somewhat crazy dream of living on the road in a redeveloped asphalt juggernaut for 32 years now. Teresa does not hide her love for wide open spaces and long journeys: “I like driving, moving forward and looking at the countryside,” she confides. As for Clayton, he always saw the big picture. Passionate about mechanics and vehicles of all kinds, he explains: “I have a jet ski, a motorcycle, another electric bike. I tell myself that if you want to think big, you might as well think very big. This is as big as it gets.” And the least we can say is that their titanic project keeps all its promises!
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Clayton and Teresa's mobile home. The first year was entirely dedicated to giving new life to the truck that would tow their future cozy nest. Then, Clayton found the perfect trailer to make their dream come true. During the 4 to 5 years that followed, he set about developing it at his own pace, alternating between efforts and moments of respite. A long-term effort that took almost half a decade to achieve the expected result. But for this passionate couple, every minute invested in this extraordinary project was worth it.
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You're probably wondering how Clayton and Teresa finance their unusual lifestyle? The answer is simple: by taking full advantage of their well-deserved retirement. Both over 65, they receive the Canadian old age pension. An income that they supplement thanks to aid intended for low-income people. Their secret to living happily and simply? Enjoy every present moment. “My plan for the future is to live as long as I can,” Clayton sums up philosophically. And that's exactly what they do, traveling the roads of their country in their incredible home on wheels. Because to finance this extraordinary project, the couple still invested between 200,000 and 250,000 dollars!
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Now that you know the history of this extraordinary project, it is time to discover this house on wheels like no other. Hold on tight, because the numbers are dizzying! Their asphalt behemoth measures 74 feet long (more than 22 meters) and stands 14.5 feet high (around 4.40 meters). But that's not all, because this road giant also weighs a whopping 80,000 pounds (over 36 tons) and can carry an additional 20,000 pounds (around 9 tons). Despite its extraordinary dimensions, this mobile home is equipped like a real camper van, with a sink, a water reserve, a cozy bed and all the necessary comfort. Enough to facilitate the administrative procedures for the registration and insurance of this new type of car.
But this rolling palace wouldn't be complete without a space dedicated to Clayton's passions. Because the gentleman is a fan of mechanics and motor sports! The hold of this semi-trailer like no other proudly houses its gleaming Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, fresh from the factories in 2022. This car on two wheels is ready to take the couple on new adventures as soon as they make a stop on the road. And to complete this dream garage, we also find a Sea-Doo jet-ski, also stored dry in the trailer. But that's not all, because Clayton has space for all his tools to maintain his toys, all powered by a powerful 50 kilowatt battery. Something to see coming on long journeys!
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You will have understood, Clayton and Teresa did not do things by halves to furnish their house on wheels. And this is confirmed when we discover the kitchen of this asphalt juggernaut. Here, there is no room for wild camping and frugal meals! The couple installed a huge refrigerator worthy of a traditional house, complete with a freezer to store frozen products. But that's not all, because there is also a microwave, an air fryer and two induction hobs for cooking delicious meals. Clayton, who is a cordon bleu chef in his spare time, particularly appreciates the large work surfaces which allow him to give free rein to his culinary creativity. Something to delight Teresa during their long journeys on the North American roads.
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After filling up on energy in the kitchen, it's time to relax in the dining room of this incredible house on wheels. To furnish this space, Clayton and Teresa found two theater seats which they completely renovated. A long-term job which includes the complete sanding of the seats, but which was worth it as the result is stunning. But the centerpiece of this dining area undoubtedly remains the bright red sofa, as fluffy as it is flamboyant. “He says that with this red and fluffy, he gets out of the box he's been in for 70 years,” laughs Teresa about this bold choice, which reflects her companion's colorful personality. And for cool evenings, there's nothing like a good fire in the pellet stove which proudly sits in the dining room. Something to warm bodies and hearts after a long day on the road.
But this converted semi-trailer wouldn't be complete without an area dedicated to entertainment. This is done with the multimedia room which serves as a real home cinema. Here, we find a huge 75-inch screen, accompanied by powerful speakers for a sound experience worthy of a dark room. Enough to spend memorable evenings in front of Netflix, all with an Internet connection provided by Starlink. But this media room isn't just for watching movies. This is also where Clayton and Teresa edit videos for their YouTube channel, simply titled “Nomad Monster”. A good name for this asphalt juggernaut that swallows up the miles!
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You're probably wondering where the couple stores all their things in this extraordinary house on wheels? The answer lies upstairs, where Clayton and Teresa have created a thoughtful storage space. There is notably an antique Singer sewing machine, a relic of a bygone era. But the centerpiece of this area remains the dressing room, which runs the entire length of the trailer. A generous space, perhaps even a little too much for Teresa's taste: “Big mistake because I have too much. I admit it publicly. It’s really a lesson that I don’t need as much,” she confides with humor. But that storage space isn't the only benefit of this mobile home, which also includes a separate toilet, shower room and even a full-size washer and dryer. Enough to make life on board easier, without compromising on comfort.
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When you enter the room of this converted semi-trailer, you almost forget that you are in a house on wheels. And for good reason, Clayton and Teresa have done everything possible to make this space look more like a permanent residence than a travel trailer. Here, there is removable furniture and plenty of storage space, allowing the couple to store their personal belongings without taking up space. The king-size bed sits proudly in the middle of the room, the promise of cozy nights after a long day on the road. And to complete it all, the room is equipped with its own television, for quiet series evenings before joining the arms of Morpheus.
As you will have understood, Clayton and Teresa's mobile home is much more than a simple converted camper van. It is a true palace on wheels, designed down to the smallest detail to offer all the comfort of a traditional residence. And the surprises don't stop there, because at the rear of the trailer there is also a comfortable living room equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator and a freezer. The highlight of the show? The rear wall which opens onto a terrace, offering a breathtaking view of the landscapes crossed. Enough to fully enjoy the great outdoors and nature, while savoring the joy of slowing down the pace. “Everything is going slower. I've read 35 books since we left home. I’m getting more used to it,” confides Teresa, who is enjoying this new life alongside Clayton. Because beyond the incredible transformation of their house on wheels, it is a true story of love and complicity that this endearing couple tells us. So, are you ready to hit the road alongside them?
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