Meet the Man Who Lives In a Porsche Cayenne
U.S. Navy veteran redefines what it means to be a Porsche enthusiast by living out of his Cayenne.
In 2021, the idea of living freely out of his 2008 Porsche Cayenne struck Harrison Schoen like lightning. After serving the country and moving to Utah, Schoen was caught in a rat race to work in order to make rent. Once his lease was up, Schoen made the decision to trade four walls and a roof for life on four wheels.
“Being in the navy and living on an aircraft carrier, I learned how to live small,” Schoen told Porsche Newsroom. “So after getting out, I moved into a two-bedroom house and before long I was living in the garage and renting out both bedrooms so that I could live for free. Even then I got tired of things still taking my attention away from just living life.”
Schoen had plans to travel abroad, though the COVID-19 crisis brought those ideas to a quick halt. Instead, though, it allowed him the time to fine-tune his Cayenne home.
“I realized how short life is,” said Schoen. “If I had the ability to travel and make a living while on the road, that’s something I should explore while I’m young and able-bodied rather than working my whole life, retiring and then trying to enjoy the world.”
View this post on Instagram
Making large changes within a small space
The first order of business for Harrison was figuring out where he was going to sleep. He removed the rear seats and built a platform to place a bed.
“The bed length comes out to about 6.5-7ft and this accommodates me at 6’5” tall,” Schoen wrote on his Instagram. “I built it to be robust, and simple while being tied down in multiple spots and able to withstand being jumped, or the car being at 45° upward or downward angles.”
Schoen made sure to mention that he chose to sleep in the car as opposed to on the roof in a tent, due to the weight and balance disruption that comes with a tent. Since the ride was already mildly compromised with a three-inch lift kit and taller, knobbier tires, Schoen didn’t want to dock anymore points for when he’s on tougher trails.
In order to improve the departure angle, Schoen removed the rear bumper. There’s also room for a portable stove in order to cook, and he’s mounted a shower on the roof.
At the beginning of his journey, his Cayenne had 124,274 miles on the clock – and he’s since racked up 32,000 traveling the United States and exploring tough trails, national parks, and sleeping under the stars.
“The navy prepared me for everything I’m doing now; living in a small space but also the solitude,” said Schoen. “I don’t get that lonely and I’ve been fortunate enough to make friends all over the country. There’s a great community of people living the ‘van life’. I’m just taking it to the next level because my Porsche allows me to get to places most people can’t reach.”
Join the Rennlist forums!
