Trolley car RV conversion; an incredible studio apartment on wheels

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, you have to check out Erik’s incredible creation: Squally the Trolley, a meticulously converted vintage trolley turned into a gorgeous, livable space.

Erik’s journey wasn’t easy, but the result is a testament to his vision, creativity, and dedication. He initially looked for a bus, but then he spotted the trolley on Craigslist and had to laugh. “How silly is that?” he thought. But he went to take a look. He ended up making an offer, they accepted, and just like that, Squally the Trolley became his.

Erik admits he thought the build would be relatively straightforward. He was wrong. Everything mechanical needed attention, repair, or replacement. There was a point where he questioned if it was all worth it.

The demolition process was extensive. Tires were off, axles were apart, windows were on the ground, body panels were exposed, the roof was half disassembled, and the floor was gone. It was mandatory to remove it all. Behind the walls, there was rot, mushrooms, and other growth. It took Erik six years of seasonal work to complete the project, working about six months out of the year.

One of the most impressive aspects of Squally is Erik’s commitment to using recycled, salvaged, and found materials. He dislikes the “throw-away” culture of modern building and actively seeks out materials that others discard.

If he sees a piece of wood he likes on a job site, he’ll set it aside, de-nail it after work, and bring it home. In fact, most of the materials in Squally were found for free.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved in transforming Squally:

• Initial cost of the trolley: $9,000
• Interior build-out: Approximately $32,000
• Motor and mechanics: Around $16,000

That brings the total to about $57,000. Erik is thrilled with how it turned out and wouldn’t change a thing.

Here are some key facts about Squally:

• Chassis: 1994 P3500.
• Length: 25 feet.
• Weight: A little over 13,500 pounds.

Erik loves the trolley’s “swoopy doop windows” and the quality of its original construction. It’s mostly metal and wood, with very little plastic.

The roof is fiberglass, which was challenging to work with due to its brittleness. He has four solar panels that provide 400 watts of power, three roof vents, and an exhaust port for his fireplace.

The front windows each have their own windshield wiper. Their movements aren’t synchronized, which creates a comical effect, except for one satisfying uniform stroke every 15 minutes.

Under the hood, Erik converted the original 454 engine to a Gen 4 LS, which now pushes over 550 horsepower. It cruises comfortably at 75 mph. Erik calls Squally a “hot rod, for sure.” The new engine also improved fuel efficiency, more than doubling it from 4 mpg to over 10 mpg.

Erik added a few creative touches under the hood, including a storage area for extra fluids. The original wiring was a mess, with no diagrams and corroded terminals, so he had to rewire everything.

Erik replaced the original driver’s seat with a 1920s theater seat. It’s cozy and has built-in armrests. He even added a modified seatbelt. He found the seat in an antique store. People’s reactions at gas stations are always amusing. He embraces the “trolley conductor” persona and enjoys ringing the bell for kids that wave at him as he drives by.

Squally has a side dump exhaust and an outdoor shower with on-demand hot water. A water fill leads to a 40-gallon tank.

The driver’s side reveals some of the trolley’s imperfections. Erik compares its construction to carnival equipment, noting that it was built to look cool, but the construction quality is questionable. The body seams were simply butted up against each other, so he had to drill out the rivets, reseal the panels, and reassemble them. Unlike buses and RVs designed to be dry, the trolley wasn’t designed to withstand the elements.

Its ground clearance is surprisingly good, and Erik added airbags to the suspension to make it even better. The front door and entrance area required extensive restoration, with boxed steel doors faced with reclaimed barn wood and antique door handles with working locks.

Inside the trolley car RV conversion

Erik primarily used materials from the early 1900s or late 1800s. A modified radio houses the light switches, and behind it are the diesel heater, water filters, and circuit breakers.

The galley is made almost entirely from found objects. The perimeter is from a bed frame, and the sink came from an old vanity set. There’s a three-burner stove with an oven that came out of a sailboat, and a light from an old Pullman rail cart, converted from kerosene to electric. A Dometic fridge provides refrigeration. The vertical cabinets have soft-close features.

For heat, there’s a supplemental propane fireplace, but Erik primarily uses the diesel air heater.

The chandeliers are definitely over-the-top, and he’s here for it. At first, they swung when the trolley was in motion, so Erik fixed them in place using lamp stems.

The dining area is designed to feel like it grew there organically. Erik used reclaimed materials like flooring, cabinet pieces, table leaves, and a cranberry box. It was specifically designed for a 6’2″ friend. The table converts into a bed using a French cleat mounting system.

Erik has trunks and cabinets for clothes storage, including under-bed storage on tracks. There’s also a small closet area.

Erik needed a dedicated space for making art. He modified a scroll-top desk, replacing wood with aluminum and cedar to reduce weight. Clasps and bungee cords secure items during travel. He even has a pencil cup on a peg.

The desk houses the electrical systems, including AC power systems, a DC to DC charger, and a Steampunk-inspired grounding cable using a broken oxy-acetylene regulator. There are two 100-amp-hour lithium batteries and an AC to DC converter for charging when solar is limited. A 12V system powers the fridge, lighting, and phone charging.

Erik transformed an old trolley into a home. It took a lot of time and money. But the results are amazing.

What do you think of his creation?  Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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