Family of Six Lives in Airstream Trailer
This Family of 6 Lives in a 31-Foot Vintage Airstream — Just Wait Till You See the Inside!
For the Longnecker family, home isn't a run-of-the-mill house with a picket-fence-enclosed backyard — it's a 220-square-foot vintage Airstream trailer with a backyard that changes as they travel the country. The tight-knit clan of six — Jonathan, Ashley, and their four kids, Adali, 12; Jett, 11; Jax, 8; and Ada, 6 — live full-time in their so-called "tiny shiny home," journeying from California to Tennessee and everywhere in between. I chatted with Jonathan and Ashley to discover more about their family's minimalist lifestyle (and their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle obsession), and man, it's making me want to invest in my very own vintage trailer.
Back in May 2015, after what they described to me as "way too many pros and cons lists," the Longneckers traded in their house (and their own personal space) for a Grand Design Reflection RV, kick-starting their new life on the road. "We thought we'd be in that forever," they told me of the roomy recreational vehicle. "There was plenty of space; the kids even had their own room with a door! However, after the first year, we just realized that it was too big and too comfortable. I mean, it had a fireplace!" Plus, paying for expensive campgrounds every night added up to quite the hefty sum, but they weren't quite ready to give up their adventurous living situation. The solution? "Boondocking," aka off-the-grid camping without hookups for water, electricity, or sewage.
Craving a major downsize, the Longneckers swapped their Grand Design RV for a 1972 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht trailer, which they painstakingly gutted and renovated for six months straight with the help of Ashley's dad. The bright silver 31-foot Airstream transformed from a dimly lit trailer with old-school carpet and oak laminate cabinets to a cozy, completely functional home with ample storage space, homey decor, double bunk beds for the kids, and even a workspace for Jonathan, who makes a living by operating his own web design company while on the road.
From left to right: Adali, Jax, Ashley, Ada, Jett, and Jonathan Longnecker standing in front of their Airstream during the holiday season.
As you may expect, living with six people in a 31-foot trailer comes with its fair share of challenges. "Cooking is a little tricky, and there are definitely days where Jonathan has trouble focusing on work," they told me. But most of their trials aren't actually in the Airstream. "They usually have to do with vehicle maintenance — we've spent a fortune in truck repairs — and deciding where we go next. There are so many options! Timing everything just right for weather and crowds can get daunting," they explained.
Nevertheless, Jonathan, Ashley, and their kiddos are pretty adept at living together in a tiny space and choose to focus on the benefits of their unique arrangement. "We get to pick where we want to live for the week. Mountains, forests, ocean views, deserts, hot springs out the back door . . . our options are endless," they told me. Sounds pretty dreamy, right?
"We've learned just how little you need and that having more doesn't make you happy."
Living together in their tiny, shiny home has taught the Longneckers a much-needed lesson about being less busy. "When we lived in a house, we were caught up in the busyness of it all. Our weekends were spent cleaning a 2,700-square-foot home, mowing the yard, and fixing things. There was never time for exploration. Being in the Airstream has given us some much-needed rest. With less house to take care of, it gives us so much more free time to do the things we love with the people we love," they said. On top of that, they now have a firm grasp on the beauty of living with less. "We've learned just how little you need and that having more doesn't make you happy. The kids really think about their purchases now. It's so great to hear them say, 'I don't need it,' when we're at a store."
The four kids enjoying a campfire in the forest of Flagstaff, AZ.
"This trip has always been about [our kids]. What better education is there than travel?"
Jonathan and Ashley's absolute favorite part about living in an Airstream isn't about their ever-changing backyard or less-busy lifestyle, though; it's about getting to spend so much time exploring with their kids right by their side. "Some people say they'll do it when they retire, but man, they are missing out on such great memories. This trip has always been about [our kids]. What better education is there than travel?"
Speaking of education, Ashley roadschools (aka homeschools) her four children as they travel, teaching them about the history of each destination along the way. "We do a lot of Junior Ranger programs, and they're constantly learning basic life skills by being around us each and every day. The older kids help the younger kids figure stuff out often. It's really a team effort, and it's growing and changing every day," the Longneckers explained. It may have taken a few years of life on the road, but Ashley and Jonathan have finally grasped the fact that "each of [their] kids learn in their own way."
The Longneckers know their way of life is unconventional — and frankly, they like it that way. "Some people give us funny looks when they see all six of us coming out of this 31-foot Airstream. They'll stop and stare and ask us, 'How in the world do you all fit in there?' That's when we show them the inside and the common response is, 'It's so roomy!'" they said. "We made sure to leave as much 'hallway' space as possible. We all have our own little areas, which is so great for the kids."
I know, I know — I'm sure you're dying to check out the interior of their home, so let's look at some photos, shall we? Ahead, catch a glimpse inside the Longnecker family's compact yet stunning Airstream (along with a few prerenovation snaps!), and be sure to keep up with their adventures on both their blog, Tiny Shiny Home, and their Instagram page. Fair warning: their cozy living room alone is enough to inspire you to ditch your current home for a tinier, shinier one.
The Living Room: Before Renovations Began
The Living Room: During Demolition
The Entire Trailer Was Completely Gutted
The Longnecker Kids Gave a Helping Hand With the Renovations
The Living Room: After Renovations
Here's Jonathan's Workstation, Complete With a Standing Desk
Plot Twist: The Living Room Table Collapses Down to Make Extra Lounging Space
And It Doubles as the Master Bedroom!
The Kitchen and Pantry: Before Renovations Began
The Kitchen and Pantry: During Renovations
The Kitchen and Pantry: During Renovations
The Kitchen and Pantry: After Renovations
There's Storage Space Above the Counters
There's Plenty of Cabinet Space For Storing Food
The Modern Sink Has a Built-In Dish Drying Station
The Bird-Shaped Hooks on the Walls Are Both Functional and Cute
A Look at the Kitchen and Living Room Together
The Kids' Room: Before Renovations
The Kids' Room: After Renovations
Double the Bunk Beds = Double the Fun
The Top Bunks Collapse to Form Makeshift Couches
So Much Under-Bed Storage Space!
There's Also Above-Bed Storage
The Bathroom: Before Renovations
The Bathroom: After Renovations
An Up-Close Look at Their Shower
The Longnecker Kids Love Their Tiny Shiny Home
This Is a Shot From Their Stay Near Lake Mead on the Colorado River
The Airstream Looks Pretty Dreamy at Golden Hour, Don't You Think?
This Sunset Snap Was Taken on Highway 1 in California
They Chose a Secluded Spot to Boondock It in Texas
Gang's All Here!
"Introverts, Unite!"
They Still Make Birthdays Special While on the Road
Adali and Ada Love Doing Crafts Together
Ashley and Jonathan Squeeze In Romantic One-on-One Moments
They Hook Up the Airstream to a Huge Pickup Truck
The Inside of Their Main Door Is Decorated With Stickers From Their Travels
Dinner Is Served!
This Could Easily Be a Postcard
Imagine Having THIS Right Outside Your Front Door
They Adventured to Mono Lake in Lee Vining, CA
The Longneckers Love a Good Hike
Here's a Cool Picture From Their Journey to Trona Pinnacles in California
Brrrr! Here's a Shot From Their Trip Up to Athabasca Glacier in Canada
They Also Made It Over to Banff in Canada
The Longneckers Are Able to Set Up Camp Anywhere — Even the Middle of a Field!
Throw Your Hands in the Air If You Love Your Airstream!
"OK, Now Let's Take a Silly One!"
They Take So Many Cool Shots of Their Home, We Couldn't Resist Including Another!
The Longneckers Still Have a Few Places on Their Travel Bucket List
Here's a Cute Shot of Jonathan and Ashley
Living in Such Closer Quarters Has Made Their Family's Bond So Much Tighter — but Lots of Patience Was Needed!
Where Will the Tiny Shiny Home Travel Next?
