Learn more about Bumble...
bumble is no ordinary truck
She is a real expedition truck — a strong, capable vehicle built for adventure, with a custom home on the back. Bumble is the truck Kevin and Rachael live and travel in full-time as they explore New Zealand’s mountains, rivers, small towns, and back roads.
In the Bumble books, she becomes a friendly storybook character. But in real life, Bumble is also a serious travelling machine, designed to carry everything needed for life on the road.
This page will help you get to know the real Bumble a little better.
meet The base truck
At her core, Bumble is a MAN TGM 15.290.
That means she started life as a heavy-duty truck, built to be strong, reliable, and able to handle long journeys and changing road conditions. Unlike an ordinary car or campervan, Bumble was designed to carry heavy loads and travel over rougher ground, which makes her a great base for an expedition home.
Bumble’s Truck Specs
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Make: MAN
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Model: TGM 15.290
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Engine: 6.8 litre turbo diesel
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Transmission: 12 forward and 2 reverse gear with low range transfer case (24 forward gears in total)
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Drive: Full time 4x4
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Differential Locks: x3 (centre, rear and front)
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Winch: 9000kg hydraulic
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Maximum weight: 15 tonnes
Bumble’s 4x4 drive system helps her travel on gravel roads, muddy tracks, and rough backcountry routes. Her 12-speed gearbox gives Kevin lots of control when climbing steep hills, crossing rivers, or driving carefully down mountain roads. If the trail gets really tough, she can engage her diff locks, locking her wheels together to stop them spinning in the mud. If Bumble has to climb or descend a really steep hill, she can switch to low-range gears.
Her diesel engine gives her the strength to carry her home on her back and keep going through some of New Zealand’s most remote places.
For younger readers:
Bumble is a bit like a giant, super-strong packhorse — built to carry her house, her supplies, and her people wherever the adventure leads.
Built for adventure
Bumble is much bigger and heavier than most vehicles people use for travel.
She can weigh up to 15 tonnes, which is about the same as 10 elephants. That weight gives her strength and stability, but it also means Kevin needs to drive carefully, especially on narrow roads, soft ground, and steep mountain passes.
Bumble is tall too, 4 metres high, which is very useful inside the living area, but sometimes it creates challenges — like low tree branches or campground entrances that are just a bit too small. Those real-life moments have even made their way into the Bumble books.
Because Bumble is an expedition truck, she is designed to go beyond ordinary campgrounds and highways and spend up to two weeks off-grid. She is at her happiest on scenic back roads, remote valleys, and beautiful places far from busy towns.
want to see more? tour video here
Bumble’s House
on the Back
What makes Bumble especially special is the “house” built on the back of the truck.
This is the part that turns her from a powerful vehicle into a real home on wheels.
Inside, Bumble has the things Kevin and Rachael need for everyday life:
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a full size kitchen
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a domestic sized bathroom
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a full size queen bed
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storage
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fresh water
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electricity
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space for tools, gear, and bikes
That means Bumble is not just for driving. She is also for cooking, sleeping, washing, reading, planning, and resting after a big day of adventure.
For children, that is often the most exciting part: Bumble is both a truck and a tiny home.
Powering Life
on the Road
Bumble makes much of her own electricity using solar panels on her roof.
When the sun shines, the panels collect energy and help power life inside Bumble. That electricity can be used for lights, appliances, and other important systems in the house.
This helps Bumble live more independently, especially when parked in remote places without powered campsites.
Of course, nature does not always make life easy. If snow covers the roof, or the weather stays cloudy for too long, Bumble cannot collect as much solar power. That is one reason why weather plays such an important part in life on the road — and in Bumble’s stories too.
Water on Board
Bumble carries a 700-litre fresh water tank.
That is a lot of water for a travelling home, and it helps Kevin and Rachael stay self-sufficient when they are camping away from towns. The water used for drinking, cooking, washing, and everyday life. Bumble makes sure the water is super clean and safe to drink, it is filtered on the way into the water tanks and then water runs through two more filters and a UV steriliser as it is used. There's nothing worse than a sore tummy when living on the road!
Having a large water supply means Bumble can stay in beautiful remote places for longer without needing to refill straight away.
For younger readers:
700 litres is a huge amount — about the same as 700 big bottles of juice.
Storage, Tools,
and the Garage
Bumble also has a garage area where Kenny and Rachael keep their bikes, tools, and travel gear.
This is an important part of expedition travel. When you live on the road, you need to carry not only the things that make life comfortable, but also the tools and equipment that help you fix problems, make repairs, and stay prepared.
That means Bumble is carrying a lot more than a normal vehicle. She carries:
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home supplies
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outdoor gear
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tools
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spare parts
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mountain bikes
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scooters
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travel equipment
All of that helps make life on the road possible.
Fuel for the Journey
Bumble runs on diesel, and like many large trucks, she has a healthy appetite.
She can use over 30 litres of diesel for every 100 kilometres travelled, depending on the road and conditions. Mountain roads, gravel tracks, river crossings, and strong headwinds can all make a difference.
Big adventures take energy, and for Bumble, diesel is part of what helps her reach the wild and wonderful places she loves most.
Why Bumble Matters
Bumble is more than a truck. She is a real home, a real travel companion, and the inspiration behind a growing series of children’s books.
For adults, she is an example of expedition travel, off-grid living, and full-time life on the road.
For children, she is a brave and friendly truck with big wheels, a big heart, and a love of adventure.
That mix of real-life detail and storybook magic is what makes Bumble so special.
A Truck with
Stories to Tell
Every scratch, muddy tyre, river crossing, snowy roof, and winding road adds another chapter to Bumble’s story.
She has travelled through mountain passes, across remote valleys, into tiny towns, beside lakes and rivers, and through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful places. Those real experiences are what inspire the Bumble books.
So whether you are here because you love trucks, tiny homes, overlanding, travel, children’s books, or all of the above — welcome.
We’re glad you’re here to meet Bumble.
why Bumble is
called Bumble?
Bumble started life as a bee hive service truck back in 2016. She had a flat deck on her back for carrying bee hives and pallets of honey, plus a Hi-Ab crane for lifting bee hives onto her back. Now she is retired we decided to name her Bumble as a reminder of her old life.
