CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELVES?
We are Dan and Lou, Virgo and Pisces for the astrology lovers, O negative and A positive for the vampire readers, who are often underrepresented.
Dan grew up in the small country town of Maffra on a horse farm, which is where we live now while we build the truck house (big love and thanks to his Mum for taking us in and allowing these shenanigans to take place). I was born in Geelong, however was lucky enough to grow up across Australia with my parents moving interstate a few times, which kept things interesting and gave me a taste for the transient life.
Our worlds collided in the coastal Victorian town of Torquay. Dan was finishing his carpentry apprenticeship and I was in my final year of University studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts. Once we were both qualified, we bought a Troopy and lived on the road, travelling Australia for nearly 2 years. I highly recommend this as the ultimate relationship test; everything is stripped raw, no comfort zones, no showers all while living in a small space together. Prisoners get more space and they have it to themselves. You will soon find out if your relationship will work and hopefully have the time of your life if you both come out alive!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRUCK PROJECT, THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR TRUCK?
We found the truck in Toowoomba QLD owned by a man named Steve. It was within our budget, costing about $14,000, sometimes to get a good deal you’ve got to go the distance so we flew up from Victoria. He was a knowledgeable and friendly man who we spent time with while in Toowoomba. Steve used the truck for his tree mulching business, however previously the truck was used as a fire fighting truck and, in an interesting coincidence, our Troop carrier was also an ex-fire service vehicle.
ARE YOU BUILDING THE TRUCK YOURSELVES?
We are doing the build ourselves, and by we, at this stage it’s mostly Dan. So far, I am just filling my phone with screen shots, choosing colours and keeping team morale high. I don’t want to sell my TA skills short though, it takes great patience to hold a tape measure still. We are outsourcing specific jobs; currently the truck is in town at the Hilly’s – the upholsterer’s house. Our friend Henry, also known as DJ Horse, has been a huge help with the engineering process and keeps us on our toes with vigilant online trolling skills. We’re also very fortunate that Dan holds dual trades in both Carpentry and Fitting & Turning.