A retired couple spent 5 years and $180k converting a dilapidated semitrailer into a 'monster' mobile home with a library, spiral staircase, and hot tub. Take a look inside.

Joshua ZitserMar 21, 2023, 23:25 IST

Clayton and Theresa Balabanov converted a semitruck into the "Nomad Monster Home."Clayton Balabanov

Clayton Balabanov spent $180k converting a dilapidated truck and a used trailer into a spacious RV.
It took five years to transform the semitruck, which he and his wife now live in full time.

Clayton Balabanov and his wife, Theresa, wanted to hit the road when they retired, but couldn't find a mobile home to buy that would fit their requirements.

Clayton Balabanov

So the couple decided to build their own. Their plan was to convert a used semitruck into a spacious and sustainable home-on-wheels.

Clayton Balabanov

Five years ago Balabanov bought a 'real mess' of a truck and started work on it. He also bought a trailer on eBay.

Clayton Balabanov

It took a great deal of time and effort to transform the semitrailer into a liveable space, not least because the couple did most of the work themselves.

Clayton Balabanov

It also didn't come cheap. Balabanov estimates that it cost around $180,000.

Clayton Balabanov

The couple started making the truck more homely by adding a seating area and kitchenette.

Clayton Balabanov

They then began work on the trailer, which involved building a space-saving spiral staircase.

Clayton Balabanov

The couple built a full kitchen because they're too old to survive on beans on toast, Balabanov joked.

Clayton Balabanov

Balabanov also built a 'movie theatre' inside the trailer. The couple uses Starlink to access streaming services.

Clayton Balabanov

Theresa Balabanov spends a lot of time reading in the library room.

Clayton Balabanov

The semitrailer also has a hot tub installed.

Clayton Balabanov

The couple have cooked for friends and hosted them in their dining room.

Clayton Balabanov

But it's not all been plain sailing, with many things going wrong on their maiden voyage.

Nomad Monster/YouTube

Balabanov said he maybe regrets spending so much time working on the truck.

Nomad Monster/YouTube

He would advise anyone thinking of doing the same to be less ambitious than he was.

Clayton Balabanov

But the couple says they are thrilled to be traveling the continent in their 'Nomad Monster' home.

Nomad Monster/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaGOGRCLe2s

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A retired couple spent 5 years and $180k converting a dilapidated semitrailer into a 'monster' mobile home with a library, spiral staircase, and hot tub. Take a look inside.

Clayton Balabanov and his wife, Theresa, wanted to hit the road when they retired, but couldn't find a mobile home to buy that would fit their requirements.

So the couple decided to build their own. Their plan was to convert a used semitruck into a spacious and sustainable home-on-wheels.

Five years ago Balabanov bought a 'real mess' of a truck and started work on it. He also bought a trailer on eBay.

It took a great deal of time and effort to transform the semitrailer into a liveable space, not least because the couple did most of the work themselves.

It also didn't come cheap. Balabanov estimates that it cost around $180,000.

The couple started making the truck more homely by adding a seating area and kitchenette.

They then began work on the trailer, which involved building a space-saving spiral staircase.

The couple built a full kitchen because they're too old to survive on beans on toast, Balabanov joked.

Balabanov also built a 'movie theatre' inside the trailer. The couple uses Starlink to access streaming services.

Theresa Balabanov spends a lot of time reading in the library room.

The semitrailer also has a hot tub installed.

The couple have cooked for friends and hosted them in their dining room.

But it's not all been plain sailing, with many things going wrong on their maiden voyage.

Balabanov said he maybe regrets spending so much time working on the truck.

He would advise anyone thinking of doing the same to be less ambitious than he was.

But the couple says they are thrilled to be traveling the continent in their 'Nomad Monster' home.