The Joy of Tiny House Living. Chris Schapdick

man, that’s perfect,” because when I used to travel with vans selling merchandise, we would rent box trucks and sometimes sleep in them. We’d put a mattress or a big stack of T-shirts and sweatshirts on the floor and then sleep on it, so it was full-circle perfect. Deek went on to be instrumental as the co-creator and builder on this joint project.

       Chris: How long have you been living in this rather luxurious interior here in your box truck?

      Alex: It’s almost a year.

      Alex Eaves (right), the owner of the Reuse box truck tiny house.

       Chris: What’s the most surprising thing that you didn’t anticipate that you found out during this year?

      Alex: That the number one adjective people use when they come in here is “spacious.”

       Chris: Reuse is important to you. For your box truck, you used mostly, if not all, repurposed materials, correct?

      Alex: Yes, everything in here is pre-owned, used, upcycled, or repurposed, except for the caulking, the spray foam in the corners and around that glass door, the rubberized paint in the bathroom, and a few specialty screws. I created a documentary on the subject of reuse, which you can find at www.reusedocumentary.com. We’re also in the process of making a documentary about the truck.

      Front view of Alex’s box truck conversion.

      Alex Eaves’ box truck floor plan.

       Chris: There are clear advantages to using repurposed materials that immediately come to mind. But what’s the downside, if any, of using repurposed materials?

      Alex: Acquiring some specific items can be difficult. For the most part, for this box truck, it worked out just fine, but just a couple things, like the ³/₈" (1cm)–thick plywood that is on the ceiling, were tough, since we ran out. And sometimes there are too many options. When people heard what we were doing, they were like, “Come to the house, check out this antique wood I have.” All cool little things that could have been in here that we turned down.

       Chris: In a nutshell, it can slow the build process down if you’re relying on finding, sourcing, and acquiring some of these materials.

      Alex: Yeah, but I think that’s what makes it fun, too. If you want it done ASAP, then reuse may not be for you. If you’re in it for the adventure and making this your own custom house, then it’s totally for you. And we spent next to nothing. Almost everything you’re looking at was free.

      Rear view of Alex’s box truck conversion.

       Chris: In terms of choosing a box truck, is there anything you would have done differently? A bigger box truck, a smaller box truck?

      Alex: I do get jealous when I see the bigger box trucks on the road. Overall, this is the perfect one for me, though, because it fits in a regular parking space. It makes getting around a lot easier.

       Chris: Everyone always wants to know where you can park something like this. What’s your advice for finding a suitable spot, whether it’s for a tiny house or a box truck or whatever it happens to be?

      Alex: Barter is a good option. I’ve got an agreement with my sister. She’s currently redoing a house in Massachusetts, and that’s where I park for the majority of the time. I’m kind of watching the house while they’re living elsewhere. And then also when I’m on the road, I’ll cook you dinner one night in exchange for a place to park. Box truck chili.

      Repurposed doesn’t mean uncomfortable. This nice interior doesn’t feel small or cramped.

      Desk working area in the back of the Reuse box truck. That’s a nice, big window.