Living Full-Time in a Cayenne Takes a Special Strength

Taking a Bold Step

After leaving the navy, Harrison Schoen took a right turn in life more befitting a character from a Kerouac novel than a disciplined serviceman. 

Eighteen months of working menial jobs to pay the rent left him feeling aimless. Seeking adventure and the thrills he felt at sea, he decided not to buy the typical Volkswagen Vanagon, but instead buy a newer, albeit high-mileage, Porsche Cayenne and begin a new chapter on the road.

A Poetic Soul

Part artist and part philosopher, Schoen realized there was more to hife life than paying bills and ensuring some modicum of material comfort. In fact, comfort wasn't terribly high on his list of priorities. Schoen's time in the military helped him realize the impermanence of things and urged him, quietly at first, to attempt something daring.

He'd learned enough about himself during his time in the service that he could, with some accuracy, determine how to squeeze the most juice from life's lemon. A low threshold for boredom and a desire to see more of the world were the things which made him feel he was living—truly living. So, after some time spent downsizing, economizing, and living nearly rent-free, he felt he had developed the thick skin and level head needed to embark on a challenging journey—one in which he would spend most of his nights sleeping in the back of an SUV. 

Undeterred by the Virus

In the true spirit of carpe diem, Schoen was not fazed by the global pandemic putting a dent in his plans. Though his initial goal was to make it to Thailand, COVID-19 forced him to realize the limitations placed on him—and how few there actually were. 

“I realized how short life is, and 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,” the twenty-four-year-old declared. 

The Right Preparation

His 124,000-mile Cayenne S needed some work if he was to depend on it in a way no other Cayenne owner had leaned on theirs. 

To make it handle challenging terrain, Schoen added a 3-inch lift kit, tubular upper control arms, new poly-bushed lower front control arms, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in knobby 33 X 12.5-inch off-road tires. He also added a roof rack to mount a storage box, awning, and spotlights. For more clearance, he removed the rear bumper.

To keep the number of potential sleeping sites high and his center of gravity low, he devised a nice sleeping arrangement inside the car rather than opt for a roof tent. Why? Roof tents limit drivers to designated campsites, and they also raise the center of gravity—a setback for off-roading.

Exploring the West

Since May, he's put over 20,000 miles on the Cayenne S and garnered a sizable social media following with his great stills shot along the West Coast. 

He has driven some of the most challenging trails in the western states and is aiming to visit every National Park in the US. With some time, he'll even reach Alaska.

To keep tabs on this intrepid young man's journeys, you can watch the motivating clips on his rapidly growing YouTube channel.

>>Join the conversation about this well-driven Cayenne right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!