The Stealth Studio Is an Ingenious Tiny Apartment on Wheels Hidden Inside a Box Truck

Most van lifers want to go out into the wilderness and explore less traveled paths. But then there are people like Jason. Jason simply wanted to avoid paying the increasingly larger urban living costs. He used to live in Fort Collins, Colorado, in a large house with five roommates, but he felt like doing something different.

And his solution was owning an apartment on wheels. He had a clear mission: to have a stealthy and safe vehicle to live in. Jason found a box truck on Craigslist that already had a pass-through installed and ended up buying it.

What we have here is a 2004 Ford E-350 box truck. Its box measures 15 feet (4.6 meters) in length and 8 feet (2.4 meters) in width, extending over the driver's cab. The vehicle sports a 6.8-liter V10 engine, which Jason claims achieves 7-10 mpg (34 – 33 L/100k m). Jason doesn't drive the vehicle much, so he doesn't use a lot of fuel.

Looking at the rig from the outside, you can't tell at all that somebody is living in it full-time. On the left side of the box, there's a window. Of course, windows are a clear indicator that this isn't an ordinary box truck. That's why Jason added a screen that makes it look just like a vent. Moreover, it can be lifted, and the window behind It can also be opened while the screen is closed. It's such a simple solution that really does the job.

To add to the camper's stealthy look, Jason put a construction vest under the windshield in the driver's cabin, indicating that the vehicle is used solely for work.

Jason made some modifications to add some extra features. On the driver's side, toward the rear, you'll notice a box that houses the 12-gallon (45-liter) fuel tank connected to the heater. Furthermore, another side compartment integrates the 44-gallon (167-liter) grey water tank, insulated to operate in all four seasons. Jason says this tank lasts him for about 10 to 14 days.

On the roof, 500 W solar panels are connected to an electrical setup with 420 Ah batteries. Also, his rig is too high for anyone to notice the solar panels and figure out it's a camper.

The original rig used to have a roll-up door at the rear, but it didn't make sense to keep the system as it would've taken a lot of space. Instead, Jason repurposed the door by creating a platform out of it. It can be lowered down and serve as a patio, where Jason can enjoy a coffee. He even used it as a stage, inviting friends to play on it.

Once you lower the rear door, you reveal the spacious garage – that's where Jason stores a bunch of stuff, including a bike. By the way, the back door's latches are electronic, so Jason can press a button and lock them, preventing anyone from opening it from the outside.

Even though this rig might look a bit rough from the outside, the interior couldn't be more different. You'll have to enter the cabin and pass through a small sliding door to get inside. The interior measures 125 square feet (almost 12 square meters) - it's a bit compact, but Jason devised the layout to be as comfortable as possible.

The loft bed is located just above the pass-through door – it features a full-size mattress, and Jason added some baskets nearby to store his clothes. Jason uses climbing holds to get in bed instead of a ladder. A downside of the bedroom is that there's no window around, so Jason fitted some LED strips. What also could've worked nicely is a skylight on the ceiling.

Near the door, you'll discover a closet that houses a 55–gallon (208-liter) freshwater drum, which lasts him up to two and a half weeks. Nearby, there's what Jason describes as the "electronics cabinet." It features a stereo system, a Wi-Fi extender, and a cell signal booster.

On the other side, there's a pull-out closet where Jason stores his shirts. Right beside, you'll find the electrical system neatly tucked behind the wall, with a small access door hidden in the climbing wall.

The kitchen is quite large, considering the amount of space. Jason says he cooks a lot, so he wanted to integrate lots of counter space and easy access to appliances. He even describes the kitchen as an upgrade compared to what he had before.

It features a tiny fridge, a spacious countertop, a microwave, a portable induction cooktop, and a deep sink. Regarding storage, he uses large overhead cabinets, which run along the ceiling on both sides of the interior.

Opposite the kitchen, you'll discover a couch. It's large enough to seat at least a couple of people, and it might be even enough to sleep a shorter person.

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On the same side, there's a massive desk, something you rarely see in a camper. Even Jason says he might've gone too big with it, but he enjoys having lots of space to work. Under one part of the desk, Jason housed a small A/C, which comes in useful during the hotter days, even though it uses quite a bit of power.

And lastly, there's the bathroom. The large size of the box truck allowed Jason to fit in a spacious wet bathroom, complete with a composting toilet and a shower.

All in all, this is a great rig that perfectly fits Jason's needs. His tiny apartment on wheels allows him to not only save lots of money but also be flexible regarding where he can park and live. The stealthiness of the camper means that he won't have to worry about his safety or have people come knocking and telling him he's not allowed to stay in certain places.