Retired couple sells VW Kombi, transforms van into a home on wheels powered by solar energy, embraces minimalist living, crosses Brazil in a motorhome, changes its route according to the wind, and today aims to reach Ushuaia.

In 2020, after one of his ten grandchildren discovered videos of motorhome trips on the internet, the retired veterinarian Renato Cardoso Machado, 72 years old, and the administrator Lucia Moreira MachadoThe couple, aged 68, decided to slow down. The plan was clear from the start: to transform retirement into a road trip, with a mobile home capable of crossing Brazil at their own pace.

At the end of 2024, after years traveling the country in a high-roof VW Kombi nicknamed Kathita, the couple sold their first vehicle and completed the conversion of a van that previously served as the family’s rustic furniture store. Now, the Kathita II It became the couple’s new motorhome. Equipped with solar power and ready for the next big goal on the itinerary: arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina, soon.

From a fixed job to life on wheels.

Before hitting the road, Renato built a career as a veterinarian and civil servant, while Lúcia worked in administration.

Life has always been marked by hard work and set schedules. Today, their busy lives are reduced to… Pack your bags and decide on your next destination..

The idea of ​​traveling in a motorhome started within the family itself, when the grandson showed videos of people living on the road.

Renato went to research models and decided that he needed basic comfort inside the vehicle, with a high ceiling and a bathroom.

He found the ideal VW Kombi in Santa Catarina and designed, piece by piece, what would be the couple’s first home on wheels.

Kathita’s debut was in the Serra Catarinense region, the starting point for a routine that soon spread to other states.

Since then, the motorhome has taken Renato and Lúcia through cities of Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná itself., always with the same spirit: travel slowly, enjoy the scenery and collect stories.

At first, the four children thought it was all just a crazy idea. The family had never been in the habit of camping, and the change seemed radical.

Over time, however, Motorhome trips have become a source of pride.Today, children and grandchildren are excited about each new adventure and want to join their grandparents on their next trips.

What is the Kathita II motorhome like inside?

With the sale of the first Kombi at the end of 2024, to a buyer from Campinas, in São Paulo, came the next step: adapting the van that was located in the old rustic furniture store.

The result was Kathita II, a compact, solar-powered motorhome designed for everyday life on the road..

On the ceiling, the couple installed Solar panels that generate energy for household appliances..

Inside the van, there’s an improvised double bed, TV, mini-fridge, stove, sink, and cabinets with locks to withstand the swaying of the journey. Everything was planned to fit into a small space without sacrificing the essentials.

The bathroom was also adapted: it has a shower and sink, as well as a toilet with a compartment for chemical products.

This system helps to It prevents bad smells and allows for the disposal of waste in public restrooms.…without compromising the comfort of daily life. A gas water heater ensures hot water for showering, powered by a 13-kilogram cylinder.

Behind every detail lies the same principle: the motorhome needs to be… self-sufficient enough to handle long stretches of road., with minimal reliance on external structures, without sacrificing the practicality of a small house.

Minimalism, water conservation, and road trip routines

Renato and Lúcia’s suitcases contain only the essentials. A few clothes, a few accessories, toiletries, and nothing excessive.

The food is bought at the supermarket and prepared right there in the motorhome’s kitchen. Over time, the couple learned that Living with less means enjoying every moment more..

The limited water tank also redefined their habits. The couple began to better manage their showers, dishes, and cleaning, always remembering that the motorhome’s capacity is finite.

According to Lúcia, the learning process was natural: Life on the road teaches you firsthand how to save water and energy..

When planning trips, there’s an initial itinerary, but nothing is set in stone.

If the weather changes, the route changes too. The motorhome allows them to decide. spend more or less time in each place, leave earlier or arrive later.without the pressure of having already bought a plane ticket or booked a hotel.

For the couple, this flexibility has become the greatest luxury of retirement. As Lúcia summarizes, traveling in a motorhome is the The freedom to follow where the wind blows and transform any place into a destination.from a bustling beach to a tranquil inland area by the roadside.

Safety first in motorhome life.

Before each trip, Renato takes care of the motorhome’s maintenance, paying attention to tires, brakes, and mechanical parts. The rule is clear: travel, preferably, only during the day..

When night falls, they look for parking spots at gas stations considered reliable or at campsites prepared to receive travelers.

The couple also seeks information from local residents about safety conditions, suitable parking spots, and places to avoid..

The children’s contact information is always kept close at hand, ready to be activated in case of any emergency on the road.

There is another important rule: during the journey, do not move around inside the motorhome. Bathroom, kitchen, and internal movement are reserved for stops, precisely to avoid risks and possible traffic violations.

In their daily routine, the couple wakes up, uses the bathroom, prepares breakfast, and usually does stretching exercises outside the vehicle.

With so many new experiences, the two say that They end up sleeping more in the motorhome than at home., resting from the pleasant exhaustion of adventures.

Motorhome as a new lifestyle and a dream trip to Ushuaia

Living in a motorhome has become a A new lifestyle for Renato and Lúcia.…far beyond simply a different way of traveling.

The road brought new habits, a different way of looking at consumption, and more direct contact with the natural landscapes along the way.

The couple adopted a truly minimalist concept: giving up the superfluous and keeping only what is essential. This applies to everything from clothes to everyday objects.

In return, they gained more time to Enjoy the natural beauty and good conversations with people you meet along the way..

Another consequence of traveling is the friendships that arise at gas stations, campsites, and parking lots.

Traveling by motorhome creates a kind of informal community, where drivers exchange tips, help each other, and share road trip stories.

For those who dream of the same experience, Renato is straightforward: You can’t wait for the perfect car or ideal conditions to get started..

According to him, it’s possible to adapt a smaller vehicle, install a rooftop tent, and start shorter routes, always with planning and attention to safety.

The important thing is not to let fear win.

With the Kathita II ready and retirement reorganized around travel, the next big milestone is already on the map: arriving in Ushuaia by motorhome, NThe southernmost tip of the continent, crowning a life project that began in 2020 and continues, literally, as the wind decides.

And you, would you consider selling your car, reducing your luggage, and transforming your routine into a journey of traveling in a motorhome through Brazil and even to Ushuaia?