Truck Tour — Fostering Adventure

Volvo Exp Truck Tour

Our Off-Grid Home Away From Home

Below is a photo tour of our adventure truck. For a more in depth look at the truck’s features, see the projects page here.

Click any thumbnail to see full size image, and scroll through the photos.

Concept drawing by Warren.

Here's the truck with the new front bumper, the 2020 summer Covid project.

The back of the truck with the motorcycle under the new cover.

The chassis cab custom ordered from Volvo Canada.

The bare platform onto which we could build our overland vehicle.

The special hydraulically driven front hubs with the Hutchinson military wheels.

Truck cab area before our additions.

The front cab area with additions of centre table, dash pod and dash table/foot rest.

Sleeper bunk converted to a pass through cushion.

The pass through door for warmer winter driving.

This door connects to a tunnel leading to the living quarters in the back. Great for crappy weather, or when there's trouble outside and you want to leave. We don't have to go outside.

The finished interior decor upgrade.

This shows the bookcase and new table which raises and lowers by power.

Cushion redo so we can open the base without removing all the cushions like before.

Loads of storage underneath.

All overhead cabinets have removable bins to hold supplies in place.

The tech cabinet we designed which holds the control board, TV, computers etc.

We recently upgraded the shelves in this cabinet to drawers to better hold the small items we use on a regular basis.

We decided to do away with the unsightly original control board and made a new one that’s more functional and appealing.

New backsplash was part of the remodel.

The kitchen area and the door to the bedroom which can be shut to block sound from the fridge and Air Con.

New induction cooktop to replace the junk installed by the builder.

All the drawers got a new divider system to hold everything in place.

All china is surrounded in foam rubber.

Since this was done we've had to replace all the dishes as they all started cracking from a manufacturing defect.

Wine bottle drawer, although we don't carry any alcohol.

Full washer/dryer for total off-grid living.

The all important coffee cabinet.

A full shower stall is located on the passenger side of the truck.

The hallway to the king size bed chamber.

A full toilet room is located on the driver's side of the truck.

The toilet is a composting style one, so no water is needed and no black tank dumping has to be done.

Windows all about, as well as a skylight opening hatch, all with shades and bug screens.

We have a king size memory foam mattress with storage above and on each side at the mattress level.

Beside the headboard on each side is a unit for holding a water bottle, tissue box and has charging for phones as well as 120v plug.

The bedroom also has a television with Apple TV for streaming.

The shower stall from the bedroom side. The angle cut aids in getting on and off the bed.

The water and utilities bay for hookup if available.

Four massive Lion batteries and two 4000watt inverters for 120V power.

Hot water tank (left) and wifi hub, solar regulator, transfer switch and world charger for overseas (far right).

Recently upgraded fresh water supply system with redundant pumps and proper manifold valving.

We installed a sliding tray for easier storage accessibility, and also storage under the tray. The tray can hold 800 pounds of gear.

On the passenger side it has a unit to hold the lawn chairs and other things.

Pulled out it allows easy access to other equipment.

The top holds hoses, and large electrical cords.

Since the bumper step is almost 3 feet off the ground, we added a swing down helper step to make it easier to use.

Stationary tire Inflation system (STIS) control box.

Left front STIS hose bay deployment.

Left rear hose bay with hoses inflating the rear tires.

The cavernous and waterproof storage box that makes up the structure of the lift platform assembly.

The lift platform has a storage box that can hold a propane fire pit and tank as well as other things.

We can also carry two 20 litre fuel cans for the motorcycle.

A rare glimpse of the yet unused platform lift in virgin condition.

In winter we can fold the platform up when not using the motorcycle.

The platform is also used to lower the two 350 pound spare tires.

The platform design allows us to also tow a car at the same time as carrying the bike, if we want.

The lift platform can lift a 600 pound (260kg) motorcycle with ease.

The front wheel of the motocycle is held firmly in the wheel mount.

Both front and back wheel of the bike is secured in the mount.

The lift storage box can be accessed easily with the bike in place.

The bike cover is secured to the platform and reduces dust infiltration.

When stored, the platform is well up above head level, as long as you are not over 6' tall.

The rear camera mount above the bike is adjustable for length. Long for when the bike is carried, short for when it’s not.

Next… The Main Build