Life is what you make it. So when Jeff Duke realized he didn’t like dressing up in a suit and going into work everyday as an investment banker, he quit his job to live in a remodeled U-Haul van instead.
Photos via Dylan Magaster, Youtube
Jeff now lives the dream in his van “Lucy” and can travel and surf on the regular. To make a living the former banker started Lifestyle Over Luxury, an environmentally-friendly clothing brand for men and women.
The apparel is made with eco-friendly materials like bamboo and organic cotton, and with every sale the company gives back by cleaning up a bag of trash off beaches in British Columbia.
He has two 100-watt solar panels, a 185 amp-hour battery, and an inverter to power everything like his laptop, phone, and cameras.
The van’s exterior was revamped with his company’s logo and added roof racks. He also installed wooden framing in the back windows to look like portal windows on sailboats.
Jeff keeps surfing and snowboarding gear in the back under the bed. A grill pulls out for barbecuing, and a drop-down table on the door can be used for extra cooking space.
A bug screen was also added to keep insects out of the back while he’s cooking. It simply rolls down as needed, and when he’s done the screen can be rolled back up and secured with shoelaces.
The interior was rebuilt with wood siding, a wooden shelving area, and a wooden partition to separate the seats up-front and living area in the back.
The van also has mood lighting, a counter with a sink, and lots of hidden storage space. Jeff gives us a full tour in this video from Dylan Magaster:
Thanks to Dylan Magaster for the documentary. If you liked this video, check out This Bartender Who Quit His Job To Travel In A Converted School Bus
