This trip has been a concept of mine for about a year now. I was inspired to do a road trip out of a love for driving, and a desire to learn more about the geography and culture of the United States. I originally planned to do this route with some friends, but they bailed out early in the planning phase so it quickly became a solo endeavor. One of my goals for this trip was to be able to use my car in as many ways as possible. In this case, that means living out of the car with as many amenities as it will accommodate.
My vehicle and house on wheels is a 2004 Honda Accord v6 sedan with a starting mileage of 150,000. Interior modifications include the removal of the rear seats to accommodate a custom bed that fits in the rear trunk passthrough. Additionally, I’ve removed the passenger seat for additional storage space. Exterior modifications include the addition of a roof box for storage, an 8 gallon pressurized water tank (for showering/dishes), and a hitch mounted cargo rack to support a 48 gallon cargo box (kitchen equipment). I have also installed auxiliary pod lights on the front of the vehicle to provide flood light in low visibility conditions.
Some additional equipment I carry includes a 300 watt electric generator which charges off of the car’s 12 volt plug. Various automotive tools as well as 1 quart of oil and 1 quart transmission fluid. And a Yeti Tundra 35 cooler with performance ice packs for cold food storage.
Moving to the back of the car, the kitchen setup is pretty straightforward and consists of a 2-burner propane stove, various cookware and utensils, a folding roll-top camp table, some dry food storage, and a plastic tub for washing dishes.
