I Transformed a School Minibus into Dream Home with No Experience – Here’s How
Mark Anthony Dawson, an ex-Army medic who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has successfully converted a 2015 Peugeot Boxer school minibus into his dream home, complete with all the necessities, including a bed, kitchen, shower, and sofa. The £45,000 conversion, which took a year to complete, was done by Mark himself, without any prior experience. He turned to YouTube tutorials for guidance when needed.
Despite its small size, the Peugeot minibus now boasts all the mod cons required for a comfortable home on wheels. Mark’s hard work paid off when he took his creation on a five-day road trip to Scotland in October, where it performed “flawlessly.” Now, he is preparing to embark on a three-month tour of Europe, with his “posh snail” serving as his permanent home.
“It’s the best therapy that I can afford,” Mark said, referring to the horrific sights he witnessed as an army medic that left him with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). “Travelling forces you into self-realisation.” For Mark, the bus is more than just a means of transport, but a holistic way of healing himself.
Mark joined the Royal Army Medical Core at 16 and served in Iraq twice during the 2003 invasion and 2004. He was later attached to the Army Air Corps, where he served in Afghanistan in 2008/09. After suffering an injury, he was medically discharged from the military in 2014, where he was formally diagnosed with C-PTSD. Following his discharge, Mark struggled to find meaning in his life, which eventually led him to sell his house in Glossop and buy his first campervan named Tilly for £7,000.
Mark has since become a firm convert to van life, selling Tilly, occupying himself by doing firearms performances for TV and film productions, as well as working as a photographer for military charities. He knew, however, that the long-wheelbase Peugeot Boxer would be his perfect home, and he spent the next 12 months transforming it into one.
With no previous trade skills, Mark turned his hand to electrics, carpentry, and plumbing, creating a home with all the mod cons he needed. The van now has solar panels, a TV with a gaming console, a composting toilet, a full wet room, a king-size bed, a sofa, swivel seats, a dining area, a full kitchen with oven and hob, a large sink, and instant hot water heater. The van also boasts a skylight, five camera security system, two trackers, all-terrain tyres, and alloys, a diesel heater, a fridge freezer, and underslung water tanks, plus plenty of storage space.
Mark’s story is an inspiration for anyone aspiring to transform a van or bus into a dream home on wheels, as he successfully created his without any prior experience. Mark’s van life is a testament to how travel and solitude can aid in self-realisation and healing from trauma. For Mark, his posh snail is more than just a home; it represents the freedom and healing he has found through travelling.
Related Facts:
– Mark Anthony Dawson is a former Army medic who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
– He converted a 2015 Peugeot Boxer school minibus into his dream home with no prior experience, using YouTube tutorials for guidance.
– His van contains all the necessities, including a bed, kitchen, shower, and sofa, with all the mod cons, including solar panels, a full wet room, and an instant hot water heater.
Key Takeaway:
Mark’s story is a testament to how travel and solitude can aid in self-realisation and healing from trauma. For Mark, his posh snail is more than just a home; it represents the freedom and healing he has found through travelling.
Conclusion:
Mark Anthony Dawson’s successful conversion of a 2015 Peugeot Boxer school minibus into his dream home is an inspiration for anyone looking to transform a van or bus into a home on wheels. Despite having no prior experience, he created a comfortable space with all the mod cons he needed for a life on the road. Mark’s story is a testament to how travel can aid in self-realisation and healing from trauma. His posh snail represents the freedom and healing he has found through travelling.
