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A couple quit their jobs and used their savings to transform a firetruck into a luxury RV for a yearslong Pan-American Highway adventure with their kids. Take a look inside.
A couple quit their jobs and used their savings to transform a firetruck into a luxury RV for a yearslong Pan-American Highway adventure with their kids. Take a look inside.
Joshua ZitserJan 16, 2024, 12:08 IST
Jasper Luijten and Suzan Huppertz with their kids Isa and Eva in front of "Fire Rosie."@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
Jasper Luijten and Suzan Huppertz quit their jobs to drive the Pan-American Highway with their kids.
They bought a 1990 Mercedes L1113 firetruck and paid to have it transformed.
Jasper Luijten, who used to work as an HR director for Koch Industries in Bangkok, Thailand, and his wife, Suzan Huppertz, a podiatrist, left their well-paying jobs to embark on a yearslong family adventure.
Last April, the couple began traveling along the Pan-American Highway, which begins in Alaska and reaches through to Argentina, with their daughters Isa, 6, and Eva, 3.
And they're doing it in an impressive vehicle: an old firetruck they had transformed into a mobile home for the family.
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Jasper Luijten and Suzan Huppertz left their jobs to travel the Pan-American Highway with their children.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
While still living in Thailand, they bought an old firetruck online that was listed for sale in Berlin.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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They commissioned someone in the Netherlands to convert the vehicle for them.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
They discussed changes online from abroad.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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They wanted to preserve certain original features, such as the firetruck's searchlight.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
However, some changes were necessary, including modifying the cabin.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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An artist hand-painted the exterior, instantly giving it a new lease of life.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
But the inside of the cabin remains red, at least for the time being.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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The kitchen is compact but serves its purpose.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
It also includes a unique item they brought along from Thailand.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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A dining table and a U-shaped couch provide a comfortable space for eating meals together.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
The table conveniently folds down to make room for the bed.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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To save space, they built bunk beds for the children.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
The designer added a personal touch to the kids' beds.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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The space only feels cramped when the weather is bad or there's work being done inside.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
As for how much it cost them to buy and transform the firetruck... they're not saying.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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The truck needed a name. The children decided to call it 'Fire Rosie.'
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
Currently on the road, the children receive homeschooling while traveling.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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They have already explored various major landmarks, with a year and a half left to go on their trip.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
Luijten said leaving the corporate world for their on-the-road adventure hasn't changed him.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
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Quitting their jobs, however, meant a loss of income, leading to them relying on their savings.
@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram
Their advice: think about how much you really want to do this before you start.
Jasper Luijten and Suzan Huppertz with their kids Isa and Eva in front of "Fire Rosie."@fire_rosie_on_tour/Instagram