YouTube is littered with videos showcasing RV renovations and custom builds, although most of those clips focus on camper vans, motorhomes, and Airstreams. It isn’t that often that we come across one that highlights a more standard travel trailer, even though those models offer similar opportunities for renovations. That’s precisely what you’ll find in the video above, which takes us on a tour of a classic Jayco Jay Flight that has been completely updated inside. Best of all, the entire makeover cost less than $10,000, including adding solar panels and 600W of lithium house batteries.
The 29-foot Jay Flight belongs to Jared and Kayla, a pair of professional musicians who travel the country in their RV. The couple met while in college and got married during the pandemic when they discovered they could earn a living teaching music online. This freed them up to live and work from anywhere, which spurred the idea of purchasing a camper and becoming full-time nomads.
After living in the travel trailer for a few months, the couple decided to make a few upgrades to create a home that meets their specific needs. The results are pretty spectacular, with an interior that looks nothing like the original model. A fresh coat of paint creates a brighter environment, and changes to the floorplan—like removing a built-in couch and dinette—have dramatically opened up the space. Photos taken throughout the renovation process help illustrate how just a few changes can significantly alter the RV’s interior, providing more useable space and room to move about.
Other upgrades include adding new countertops and sinks to the kitchen and bathroom, adding a propane stove and oven, and replacing a boxspring mattress with a more comfortable memory foam option. The couple also updated the furniture and retrofitted the rear bunkhouse area to include storage for their instruments. The aforementioned solar panel/house battery installation also provided more energy independence when camping off-grid.
For anyone looking to do a similar upgrade to their own RV, there are plenty of ideas and tips to take from the video. Jared and Kayla did most of the work themselves, which obviously saved a lot of money. That said, their $10k budget went a long way, and the interior of the Jay Flight looks like something that costs a lot more than it actually did.
Check out the full video above to see just how far a little creativity, ingenuity, and elbow grease can go. This tiny home on wheels looks great and should inspire others looking to renovate their travel trailer.
Thanks to Tiny Home Tours for sharing Jared and Kayla’s story.