Meet the couple who turned an Amazon van into their dream home

The savvy duo who created their own tiny home

Meet Hope and Manny Hernandez, the intrepid couple who spent three months turning an Amazon delivery van into their very own tiny home on wheels. With only 95 square feet of space to work with, the couple had to get creative to turn this uninspiring truck into the travel-ready house of their dreams. Read on to see inside this amazing renovation…

The first 'Beer Run Bus'

The Beer Run Bus, as the van is affectionately known, was not the couple’s first foray into the world of compact home construction. Hope and Manny first decided to try tiny living back in April of 2021, abandoning their 1,200-square-foot Florida apartment in favour of a 187-square-foot shuttle bus, which they converted themselves. This was the original Beer Run Bus, which the couple used to travel the US, stopping to visit breweries in Nashville, Chicago and New Orleans.

Hankering for freedom

After ten months on the road, the couple decided to head back to Florida and open a bubble tea shop, so they sold the Beer Run Bus and moved into an apartment. The lifestyle shift wouldn’t last, however. Hope and Manny quickly discovered that they missed their nomadic lifestyle and that they were ready for their next renovation project: the Beer Run Bus, Season Two.

The Amazon delivery van

In October of 2022, the couple found an Amazon delivery van for sale at a Ford dealership in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for $49,000 (£39k). Happy to make the switch from a bus to a van because of the improved gas mileage and easier parking in big cities, Hope and Manny sealed the deal, and immediately launched into renovating the van into the high-end, luxury camper of their dreams.

A luxury renovation

The couple decided not to set a budget for the project, opting instead to focus on the quality of their materials and appliances in the hope of avoiding future system issues. “We knew we wanted to go full-on, high-end in every area, regardless of the price,” the pair told lovePROPERTY. And they sure did! With an ultimate conversion cost of $35,000 (£27k), the final manufacturer's suggested retail price (MRSP) of the completed van is an impressive $150,000 (£117k).

Japandi-inspired interiors

Inspired by the elegant and soothingly simplistic Japandi style, the couple opted for a scaled-back interior design to prevent the small space from looking cluttered. With custom sage green cabinetry, simple white walls and light wood flooring, countertops and ceiling slatting, the interior of the van feels bright and spacious.

Storage hacks galore

To maximise the limited space, the van boasts plenty of unique and clever storage hacks that help minimise clutter. The couple added plenty of custom features, including hidden compartments, a slide-out pantry and a pull-out bed, all neatly concealed behind the sleek cabinetry. Each cabinet is also fitted with a special locking latch to prevent the doors from banging open and shut while the van is moving.

Custom-built bench

For example, this chic bench hides not one but two secret purposes. The custom build is upholstered in marine-grade, diamond stitch leather and makes a comfortable seat complete with two seatbelts for when the bus is in motion. However, the top of the seat also lifts up to reveal a storage compartment below, perfect for clothes or bedding.

A secret bed

Speaking of bedding, the bench’s third function is that of a pull-out single bed, specially designed for Manny’s 10-year-old son, who is planning on joining the couple for at least part of their next adventure. "I spent about 10 days building him his area," Manny told Insider. The bed is only about five feet in length, making it the perfect fit for both the tiny van and a little boy.

Swivel seating

More seating is provided up at the front of the van, where the passenger seat, upholstered to match the bench, has been adapted to swivel around to face the back of the van. This makes the whole space feel larger and more open and obviously provides an additional comfortable seat for things like mealtimes. When the van is on the move again, the seat can swivel back to face the front and lock safely into place.

Custom cabinets

When asked which of the van’s impressive features they were most proud of, the couple responded that the custom cabinets hold a special place in their hearts. By designing the cabinets himself, Manny was able to engineer them specifically to suit the couple’s needs, including a host of crafty secret features. For example, under the largest of the six kitchen drawers is a hidden chamber, not visible from the cabinet’s exterior. Apparently, it’s a great place for hiding secret snacks.

Creative kitchen solutions

But the clever kitchen hacks don’t end with the cabinets. The couple also installed a bi-folding glass panel which slides out over the stove top, enabling it to serve as additional counter space when the burners aren’t in use. Just above the stove, built into a gap between the window and the van’s interior wall, the couple has installed a tiny spice rack, specially designed with raised edges to prevent items from jostling around while the van is in motion.

Slide-out pantry

For larger items, the kitchen also hides a secret slide-out pantry, inspired by the one Hope and Manny built for their previous bus. Tall and shallow, the pantry provides easy access to toiletries, paper goods, snacks and other pantry staples, which sit nestled in raised shelving units to prevent them rattling around while in transit.

Dinette & master bedroom

A cosy dinette takes up the back of the bus, with bench seating three-quarters of the way around a central table, which is mounted on a swivel. When cranked down, the table can be lowered to the level of the benches, which together make up a queen-size bed. The bench cushions double as a mattress and a final cushion for the tabletop can be pulled out of storage as needed.

Even more storage

Beneath the dinette, another custom-built storage unit opens up to reveal a 30-gallon freshwater tank. The top step leading up to the dinette is also a small storage compartment, connected to a larger one which can be accessed from the back of the van. “You can’t rush perfection,” the couple said of the time-consuming process of building out the van’s many secret storage areas.

What about a bathroom?

"What about bathroom facilities?" you may ask. The couple found that they hardly ever used the shower in their last bus, so for the new van, they opted to save on space by installing an outdoor shower instead, which is mainly for the dogs, as the couple prefer to use gym facilities. The non-negotiable toilet, however, is cleverly concealed within a cabinet below one of the kitchen countertops, with a sink directly opposite.

High-tech electrical systems

Another high-end feature of which the couple is particularly proud, the van’s electrical system is strong enough to power all of their appliances, including the air-conditioning. “Most RVs need a generator for an AC,” the couple explained. Another benefit to life on the road is wildly reduced electric bills. Hope and Manny anticipate their living costs will be cut in half now that they’ve started living in the van full-time.

What's next?

So what’s next for this adventurous duo? Hope and Manny are planning a road trip to Baja, Mexico and then up to California where they have been commissioned to create another custom build for a client. In addition to their own renovations – as documented on their YouTube channel – the couple have successfully established a booming bus-conversion business. They have created a total of 10 tiny homes to date, with three more on the books for 2023.

A bus of your own

Feeling inspired to build your own van or bus-based tiny home? Hope and Manny have plenty of advice to share. Their first tip: “Start by getting the vehicle! If that means trading in your current car and having to drive a half-converted van as your daily driver to afford it, who cares? One step at a time.” The couple’s website, beerrunbus.com, also offers lots of helpful info for DIY-ers, or you could simply book their services.

"Pure freedom"

While life on the road may not be for everyone, Hope and Manny are convinced it’s the best path for them. “Living on the road isn't fun and easy every day,” they confessed. “Things break, vehicles need maintenance. It's inevitable, but it's worth it to us.” When asked what they love most about their nomadic lifestyle, the answer was simple: “The ability to drive and live anywhere in the US in pure freedom." And it's not just the US they visit in their freewheeling home. Recently the couple drove south and spent three weeks in Baja, Mexico.