Homeless lady given free “ugly” abandoned trailer, but wait till you see what she made of it

I’ve always dreamed of owning a camper – but maybe not in the way Mama V did.

This incredible woman is receiving applause across social media for her amazing project of taking an old, worn-out camper and transforming it into a cozy, welcoming home.

And when you see the inside, you’ll understand why it’s impossible not to be impressed…

In recent years, the interest in homesteading and a self-sufficient lifestyle, often off the grid, has grown. Perhaps it was during the pandemic, when we all learned how vulnerable our usually secure society can be, that the idea of a simpler, more independent life became so appealing.

Add to that the rising inflation that has hit so many people, and it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for alternative, more affordable, and simpler living options.

Who is Mama V?

This is where Mama V comes in – a strong, inspiring woman who grew tired of the fast-paced life in the city. According to herself, she is a mother of three. Her eldest child lives in Michigan, while her two sons are both in the military and reside in different locations.

Struggling with severe anxiety and a rough past, the Alabama native decided to make a radical change. Rather than continuing to live in the hustle and bustle of the city, she moved into an old mini school bus.

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This marked the start of a six-year-long journey, where she traveled all over the U.S. – from coast to coast, and from Key West to Copper Harbor.

In 2022, Mama V took it a step further and decided to settle into a tiny house in the Ouachita Mountains and woods of Arkansas, choosing to live off the grid – completely away from the convenience of city life. It was her way of finding peace and freedom she had longed for.

Mama V started building her cozy log cabin, one step at a time, all while living in her RV for a while. But here’s the twist — she wasn’t doing it alone. Along for the ride were her growing furry crew: multiple cats and two dogs.

Possum Run Homestead

Along the way, she built a shed, an animal area, a chicken coop, and a rabbit hutch. She experienced both on-grid and off-grid living, even managing without water at times. It’s been quite the journey for her!

But as her four-legged family expanded, the bus she was living in was starting to feel a little… tight.

Mama V knew it was time for more space, but the big question was: where could she find it, and what could she afford? Little did she know, her journey was about to get even more creative…

A thoughtful neighbor came to the rescue with an amazing offer: an old camping trailer that had been collecting dust in his yard for years. Rather than selling it or letting it sit there, he gave it to Mama V.

Mama V details her incredible journey on Instagram and YouTube, allowing her followers to tag along every step of the way. In one of her videos, she revealed her new vintage trailer, expressing how eager she was to dive in and make it her own.

”He’s a friend and neighbor who is a very very kind and helpful person and he got ahold of me one day last week and he says ‘Hey, I’m trying to get rid of some stuff that’s been just sitting around the place’”, Mama V shared.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, she eagerly accepted this generous gift and couldn’t wait to put it to good use.

An ugly camper that was falling apart

“She’s ugly, but she’s mine!” Mama V said, referring to her new trailer.

Just by looking at the first pictures of the old camper, it’s clear that Mama V had a lot of work ahead of her.

The camper is a NuWa model from the early 1980s, known for its durability and quality construction during that era. According to Mama V, it was probably used as a hunting camper before it was abandoned.

”It had some major little issues,” as she put it.

Renovating a semi-old camper takes time, but transforming a nearly wrecked one in the middle of the woods? That’s something I could never pull off!

Luckily, the camper was structurally sound and leak-free. It just needed a deep clean and some renovations – and Mama V quickly realized she could use a little help. She called on her friends, Jayme and Kevin, for assistance.

Kevin expertly hitched the trailer to his truck and carefully positioned it on its new plot, while Jayme took charge of the cleaning, asking for plenty of room to work her magic.

Next, it was time for Mama V to head into town for groceries and other essentials to turn the trailer into a cozy home. Fortunately, the camper came with a fridge, microwave, and stove, so she didn’t have to worry about those things.

While Mama V was in town, Jayme worked tirelessly to clean up the trailer. At least 1,000 dead wasps were sucked up by the vacuum, and Jayme scrubbed and scrubbed until everything gleamed. After that, it was up to Mama V to decorate and settle into her new home.

At first glance, based on pictures and an initial inspection, Mama V had expected the camper to be a total wreck (I would have thought the same, to be honest). But it turned out the old trailer held a few pleasant surprises.

The nice suprise

It had two full propane tanks, a panel to monitor utility usage, a pullout couch, a full kitchen, two twin beds, a bathroom with a tub and shower, and plenty of storage space. Even the animals seemed to love their new home!

The trailer wasn’t meant to be Mama V’s permanent home in the woods; it was always intended to be a temporary setup while she worked on building her own tiny cabin. And from her latest updates, it’s clear that her dream is well on its way.

”I have always been a determined person. And that has come out more in me since I’ve been here on the homestead,” she says. 

Mama V’s tiny world, known as Possum Run Homestead, is truly coming together.

But none of this would have been possible without the help and encouragement from all of her family, friends, and those who’ve become family along the way.

Mama V’s lifestyle is a beautiful testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and friendship.

It proves that no dream is too small to come true, especially when you have the support of those who believe in you. From transforming an old camper into a cozy home to building a cabin in the woods, Mama V is showing us all that with a little help and a lot of heart, anything is possible.

So, why not share this inspiring woman’s journey on Facebook?

Let’s spread the word so that more people can be motivated to chase their own dreams, no matter how big or small. You never know who might be inspired to take their own leap into the unknown!