There are many new products on the automotive market today. A motorhome based on GAZelle for long-term movement on a hard surface and a family of 4 people also belongs here. Everything is simple and reliable inside the cabin, you can install security systems.

Appearance of a camper based on GAZelle

A drawing of a motorhome based on a Gazelle with dimensions

The conversion time will depend on the availability of materials and the skill of the master:

1. First you need to take the seats out of the passenger compartment, remove the old trim.
2. All metal elements are treated with an anti-rust solution.
3. The walls and ceiling are insulated with foamed polyethylene, the floor is covered with sheets of plywood, the wiring is laid under the sheathing.
4. Without leaving the body, the furniture frame is welded, checking the installation with a level. Then they complete the work outside the car, clean everything and bring it back into the cabin.
5. Carpet gluing window openings and ceiling panels.
6. The salon is sheathed and fitted with mezzanine slats, furniture frames.
7. The front seats are equipped with a swivel mechanism using the front hub from the VAZ.
8. Furniture is installed on a frame, lighting is connected, a sink pump is installed, mezzanines are sheathed, and the interior is improved.
9. For cooking, you can equip a gas stove with one burner.
10. Instead of self-made furniture, an option with a ready-made set is possible. Furniture is reinforced with corners and screws, carefully secured so that it does not get loose along the way.

Do not forget that all these self-made car transformations must be registered with the ROE, before that they receive a resolution from the traffic police technical department and a document from the relevant organization. Re-equipment can cost up to 25,000 rubles. A ready-made motorhome based on a 4x4 gazelle costs 1,800,000 rubles.

Read also

Various modifications of the GAZ-3302 car

You can find out how to register a motorhome with the traffic police in the video.

RV interior decoration

A properly designed interior on wheels will help you set off on a long journey and get pleasure from home comfort:

1. Color - it is better to stick to a single range of light or dark tones, more suitable for small spaces.
2. Fireproof, not very hot materials are used for finishing: Euro lining, MDF, well impregnated special formulations tree.
3. For furnishing, it is worth using multifunctional folding furniture, compartment partitions.
4. Achieve a compact organization of storage areas will help successfully built-in open shelves and drawers.

The owners' fantasy, tips borrowed from the Internet, will help you create a stylish and comfortable camper-camper based on a gazelle yourself.

TRAVEL AND RELAX WITH COMFORT

At the sight of a car for traveling, I have an irresistible desire to rush somewhere into unknown distances, away from boring traffic jams and human fuss.

It was this feeling that I recently experienced in Nizhny Novgorod when I met a camper model 3259. Such a mobile home, developed by AvtoLIK, costs 580 thousand rubles. The base for it was the serial all-metal "Gazelle" GAZ-2705, so according to the generally accepted classification it belongs to the category of converted standard vans.

The transformation of a truck into a camper begins with the fact that the standard metal roof is cut off, and instead of it a high plastic roof is mounted, which allows you to stand inside at full height (ZR, 2002, No. 8). To compensate for increased rolls rear axle provide anti-roll bar. Another important improvement - on the ZMZ-406 engine, the carburetor is replaced with an injection system, which significantly improves fuel efficiency. Windows are cut into the side - the same as on the “Gazelle” minibus; a large transparent Webasto hatch (aka emergency exit) is installed in the ceiling, behind it on the roof is the Sunden air conditioner. The last visible difference is the original front bumper, "Kengurin" and fog lights.

The interior is covered with additional noise and heat insulation, thick plywood covered with linoleum is laid on the corrugated metal floor, the walls and ceiling are sheathed decorative panels... A common drawback of all converted vans is the small width of the cabin in the upper part: after all, the sides converge at the top and the higher they are built up, the smaller the distance between them. Well, the room is ready, it remains to arrange the furniture.

On the left in front is a kind of compartment: two sofas and a table between them form a dining area during the day, and at night they turn into a one and a half double bed (1900x900 mm). Another foldable shelf (2150x860 mm) - it is located high enough so that you can rest on it during the day without disturbing those sitting below. Behind the compartment is a wardrobe and a Porta Potti dry closet. True, in the latter it will be convenient only for children - the height of the room is only 1500 mm, and again there is a shelf on top.

On the starboard side, just behind the entrance door, there is a narrow table, under which there are a Kullman thermoelectric refrigerator and a Supra video player. A little higher - a television console with a compact liquid crystal monitor "Nova" and a control unit for household electrical systems. Further - a two-burner stove "Ariston" with a hood and a pair of five-liter gas cylinders below. In the stern itself there is a sink with water supply by an electric pump from a 25-liter tank. The drain from the sink is open (directly to the ground), so before traveling to Europe, you will have to install a container to collect dirty water - there it is a mandatory requirement. An additional 75 Ah battery and a 12–220 V voltage converter with a capacity of 900 kW are installed to power numerous consumers in the parking lot.

There are also changes in the driver's cab. First of all, the original panel of modern design attracts attention. It houses a high-class audio system "Sony" with four speakers. The passenger seat is installed on a swivel platform and is slightly offset to the center, so that on the go you can turn in any direction, looking at the surrounding beauty. Or you can move to the salon: the cabin is connected to it by a wide passage.

And so we found a suitable clearing, stretched out a shed attached to the starboard side with the playful name "marquise", put a table and chairs in its shade - a set of folding furniture was very conveniently attached to the car. We made a fire, got skewers, meat, glasses (in the sense of a cup) and, well, test this very auto camper in real field conditions ...

Meet this guy's name is Igor Khrisanov. He is from Nizhny Novgorod and has long dreamed of creating his own mobile home. He is the founder of PODzilla, a company that produces RVs based on Gazelle or Sable cars. He bought himself the very first, produced by his own company, a motorhome for 399,000 rubles and the most affordable all-wheel drive chassis Sobol for a share of 600,000 rubles.

He travels in this motorhome all over Russia as soon as there is at least some free time.

"RV is a completely different level of freedom and satisfaction with your life." - says Igor.

“At first, a long time ago, we remodeled vans and drove them. Then we were taken by the idea of \u200b\u200bbuilding a mobile home, so that, as for ourselves, it would be reliable and inexpensive. "

There is no way to see what they prefer in Russia - the market has not yet been formed. RVs in Russia today are mostly junk from Europe. There are only a few new motorhomes of imported production, but no Russian ones.

We discussed for a long time what a real Russian motorhome should be. Here's our conclusion:
In Russia, a motorhome needs a durable, warm, versatile: a simple, reliable design and, most importantly, inexpensive.

How to combine these qualities, and even so that people like it, is a real challenge.
We began to solve all the issues in order:
1. First question about Russian roads. Strength. Where is the weak point in motorhomes? The answer is in the joints and seams, it can flow there, but at the joints imported equipment on the next Russian bump can develop, and it happens.

So you need to get rid of the joints. We make a one-piece monocoque, no seams - no leaks and no weak points, simple and reliable design.

2. Second question: warmth. It's warm in Europe. But in Russia, no. The main heat loss occurs through the windshield and metal in the frame and body. Metal also provides cold bridges and condensation. Condensation will cause the Motorhome to become damp, and mold and rot will form over time. Even the timber frame gives off condensation under the inner lining.

This means we are building an all-weather capsule and an insulated composite frame without cold bridges.
3. Third question: versatility. Thanks to its shape and fasteners, the autonomous vehicle capsule can be easily installed on both Russian and imported trucks.

The choice of chassis is great: Gazelle, Gazelle Next, Sable, Valdai, UAZ - these are Russian, and from imported: Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato, Renault Master, Peugeot, Citroen, Volkswagen, Mercedes And that's not all. You can even put it on a platform trailer and pull it with a light car.
And here's another bonus: the chassis can be used separately and only occupied by the motorhome during travel.
For dessert, the most important thing! A motorhome for Russia should be inexpensive! Various economical configurations allow the use of inexpensive new, rental or used chassis.

A mobile home is a type of transport that is both housing and a means of transportation. This kind of housing gained its popularity at the beginning of the last century.

By standards, a mobile home should accommodate eight people. Each tenant has his own sleeping place, there is also a small kitchen. Other amenities and equipment may vary from model to model, but in most cases there are also:

In more expensive models there is a bathroom, consisting of (often replacing a chair, which gives several additional meters of free space), a washbasin and a shower. Sometimes mobile homes are equipped with showers.

Note! In a motorhome, the driver's and passenger's seats are movable, as a result of which, during parking, they turn into an addition to the living space. At the tail end, there is often a separate room with U-shaped furniture.

History

Mass production mobile homes was launched in the last century, although some historians believe there were earlier homemade counterparts. They were small vans equipped to accommodate people (mainly herders).

The first mobile home mounted on a conventional car chassis was introduced in 1938 by Jennings.

Varieties of mobile homes

There are several classifications of motorhomes. So, according to the design features, they are distinguished:

Depending on their purpose, they are divided into:

• those that are used as long-term / permanent housing;
• those that are used for travel.

In the first case, more comfortable conditions take place, while often moving structures are extremely rarely divided into their own living space and a cabin.

Categories

Let's take a closer look at each of the categories.

C-class

Small houses for short trips. Usually made on the basis of SUVs, so at night the cabin can be in a double bed (if desired).

B-class

The only difference between it and the C-class is the berth - it is stationary and located at the tail of the vehicle. It is very popular among young couples (at least in America).

A-class

Such houses, outwardly similar to a regular bus, are the most comfortable and, therefore, the most expensive. They are built on the basis of trucks, so from the point of view transport classification they are categorized as "C".

They are distinguished by a large windshield, a fixed driver's seat and retractable partitions that form different zones and separate berths. Moreover, such structures are autonomous, equipped with a generator, have gas and a large supply of water.

Several additional categories can be distinguished.

About the name

The term "motorhome" (another name is "camper") often means a car caravan.

Note! Campers are called B- and C-class trailers, while mobile homes are exclusively A-class models.

It is also worth noting that in some countries, without exception, motorhomes are called vinebago.

It will take a lot of effort and time, as well as the appropriate equipment, to turn a car into a mobile home.

Note! First, you should study this issue from the point of view of legislation. Self-made RVs are perceived differently by different registering organizations, and it will be frustrating if transport ends up being illegal.

Stage 1. First, the number of residents is determined and, based on this, a vehicle and internal "filling" are selected. A detailed design plan is drawn up - this can be done on paper, but it is better to use a computer.

Stage 2. Next, the car body is cleaned. If dents have been identified, they are removed and the peeling paint is peeled off. Several windows (if there were none) in the case are equipped for lighting and fresh air supply.

Step 3. Cut vents and valves for gas supply. All areas of "bare" metal are coated with a primer to protect against corrosion and aggressive environmental influences.

Stage 4. The house is finished with heat-insulating material.

Note! To do this, you need to use exclusively high-quality materials, it is extremely undesirable to save money. In addition, the material from which the hardware (metal fasteners) is made should be similar to the metal of the car body - this is for additional protection against rusting.

Stage 5. The interior of the motorhome is finished.

• carpet covering;
• moisture resistant plywood.

Thick panels with stuffed strips for furniture installation are inserted into the side walls. It is characteristic that at first it is better to align the ceiling, and only after that move on to the walls.

Step 6. After installing the furniture, you should take care of the water supply. To do this, you can install several canisters of water under the sink and install small pumps. In addition, large tanks can be installed - for example, for taking a shower.

Note! Do not forget about waste water - another tank is installed for this. A regular garden structure can be used as a toilet.

Step 7. For cooking and heating, as noted earlier, it is better to use propane gas. The balloon is located in the lower part of the body, as well as an additional vent for ventilation. This can be explained quite simply: the weight of propane is greater than that of air, therefore, in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent unfortunate consequences.

Stage 8. It remains only to take care of the power supply. The best option is a powerful rechargeable battery equipped with an external charging outlet.

Mobile home from an old trailer

Our trailer-trailer costs about 500,000 rubles. The amount is impressive, so if there is an opportunity to purchase an old one car trailer, then you can build a small motorhome with your own hands. This will require:

• trailer (always with a strong chassis);
• wooden elements (slats, bars, wagon boards);
• plywood;
• metal profile (for the roof);
• fittings made in the same style;
• a set of appropriate tools.

Manufacturing technology

Such a motorhome will be a trailer with a rear end. By the way, it is better to make the bed for the entire width of the structure - this way it will connect the side walls and thereby increase the rigidity. The bay window will be manufactured later and equipped with an individual unit. The door is installed in the Dutch type - it will consist of two halves.

Stage 1. The trailer is disassembled, the chassis is thoroughly cleaned and covered with anti-corrosion paint. A frame is constructed from pine boards, props are cut in the appropriate places.

Stage 2. A frame is constructed from slats with a section of 2x2 cm, an oak strip with a section of 3x3 cm is additionally installed in each corner. From above, the frame is tied with a horizontal strip.

It is advisable to use lining of various thicknesses:

• for side walls - 6 mm;
• for front and back - 19 mm.

Note! For thermal insulation, you can lay the lining in two layers.

Stage 3. The floor is covered with plywood sheets. For the roof, poplar beams are used - they are screwed along the frame with a step of 30 cm. Plywood is fixed on the beams, on top of which a moisture-resistant material and a metal profile of a small section are spread.

Stage 4. There will be only one window in the body (if the door is not taken into account) - in the upper part of the back wall. It is desirable to make the window in the form of a bay window.

The door lock in such structures is located at the bottom, but you can put another one - additional - at the top. In addition, the door is equipped with a small casement window.

Stage 5. It is recommended to equip a table that can be pulled out from under the bed (as was once the case in Great Britain trains). For this, special lockers are formed under the bed. By the way, the lower space can also be used as a sleeping place.

In addition, shelves and a removable staircase are built from wood.

Letter of the law

No additional permission is required if the motorhome dimensions do not exceed:

• 400 cm high;
• 255 cm wide;
• 100 cm in length (excluding the part that does not protrude beyond the trailer).

If the dimensions are larger, then the motorhome is transported according to special rules (flashing lights, escort, etc.). Of course, this only applies to trailers.

Business organization on mobile homes

You can organize your own business on the construction of motorhomes. There are four options for developing such a business.

Option number 1. Manufacturing of houses for sale for summer holidays or residence in the country. This will not require serious material costs, since the houses will be of a simplified design - for example, without insulation.

Option number 2. Rent out mobile homes. It is relative new business, but for everything new you can take very expensively. The number of motorhomes in this case is growing as the customer base grows.

Option number 3. Making mobile eateries or convenience stores.

Option number 4, it is the most interesting. It consists in the creation of a car park and its further use as a hotel. The main thing here is to divide the trailers into budget, premium and middle class.

For a more detailed acquaintance with the construction technology, check out the thematic video.

Video - DIY home on wheels

Travel in comfort, spend the night wherever the night falls. How is this possible? There is a solution - a mobile home.

They are not cheap. But you can save money by building a mobile house yourself.

Drawing

Large dwellings are made from buses or vans, but such transport is too expensive. There are two really affordable "budget" options, a motorhome from:

• old minibus "Gazelle";
• trailer with a sturdy chassis.

First thing:

• buy wheels;
• chart the design.

What to consider when drawing up a drawing so that the house is comfortable and livable.

Lighting

Required:

• accumulator battery;
• charger;
• wiring;
• control Panel.

When making a diagram, do not forget about the external connector for charging the battery from the mains. Think about the wiring in advance.

Heating

Can be used autonomous heater interior, but better - a battery, a gas cylinder. Gas is also needed for cooking, refrigeration equipment. Electric refrigerators and stoves are not recommended as they increase energy consumption too much.

You will have to hire a specialist to install the gas supply hoses. We recommend that you also have a professional electricity supplier.

Ventilation

Consider where the vents will be. If gas is to be used, one of them must be done below, near the propane cylinder.

Water, kitchen, bathroom

Include in the project a sink, portable mini-dry closet, shower, water pump. The water tanks can be hidden under the sink.

It is better to send drainage water into a regular bucket under the body through a hose laid through the floor.

Furniture

It should be practical, compact. Folding bed, pull-out table, sofas are attached to the walls for safety while driving. It is mounted on strips nailed to the walls.

Windows, door

A caravan from a trailer must not be built higher or wider than the car.

Construction takes place in several stages, has its own subtleties.

Gazelle mobile home

Converting an old van into a new RV begins with the body stripping. Remove extra seats, standard upholstery. Make holes for windows, ventilation, gas supply valves:

• The body is primed from the inside. The floor, walls, ceiling are covered with heat-insulating material.
• The living area is finished with moisture-resistant plywood or carpet. Start from the ceiling, go to the walls, and end with the floor.
• The next stage is electrification and gasification.

Install a kitchen with water tanks, a bathroom, furniture. The motorhome is ready.

Mobile home from a trailer

The floor, walls, ceiling, roof of the house are built from scratch. Strip the chassis, cover with anti-corrosion paint. Then the "foundation" is mounted:

• cover the frame with thick plywood;
• enclose the outer edge of the floor around the perimeter with a bar;
• drill holes in the frame, plywood, timber;
• bolt everything together.

Then place the joists on the floor, and place thermal insulation between them. Glass wool will do. Cover it with a layer of plywood on top. The floor will be warm.

Build walls from timber or lining. Make the front and back walls thicker, the side ones thinner. Remember the openings for windows, ventilation, recharging battery, valves for gas supply.

Build a roof like this:

• install the rafters;
• sheathe with plywood;
• cover on top with a moisture-resistant material, a metal profile;
• attach the drain.

Decorate the outside with external cladding. Inside, you need to lay electrical wiring, make thermal insulation of the walls, close the fiberboard. Cover the motorhome outside and inside with primer and paint. Seal the threaded holes, cover with a second coat of paint to reliably protect the wood. Install windows with a door.

The house is ready, it remains to remember that it is still a trailer. Add headlights and fenders to it.

The construction of a motorhome requires a rich set of tools and materials. The main thing is skillful hands, time, effort.

Outside the window - autumn rain, but it would seem that only yesterday there were hot days! So ... ... A picturesque coastline, smooth water, blue sky and green grass. The Autoreview expert group is taking sun baths on the roof of a car with AR-TEST numbers and contemplating peacefully the motor ship passing by ... Tests are underway. This time we tested a "house on wheels" - a camper based on a Gazelle, developed by the Moscow firm Motohata and built by Vika at the Kurgan Bus Plant.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION: LOADING SANDWICHES

Our main task this time was to assess the degree of comfort with which one can “have fun” in nature, having at our disposal such a mobile home. The test method we have chosen has been tested long ago - a picnic on the shore of a reservoir ...

The joy of such a responsible and intense work was overshadowed only by the ossified habit of the testers - to get in everywhere with their measuring equipment. Of course with a carrier residential module, "One and a half" Gazelle, we were perfectly familiar and did not hope to get fundamentally new results, but still ... Therefore, we connected an electronic fuel meter to the fuel system of the car: why the hell is not kidding, suddenly we learn something new?

The next morning, the car's refrigerator was loaded with a fair share of sandwiches and “fizzy”, 95 liters of drinking water was poured into a special tank, and we set off along the traditional route: 70 km around the city, about 190 km along the highway. But at the same time they made a small detour - namely, they drove to the bank of the Moscow-Volga canal ...

In the meantime, Gazelle-Motohata travels through the streets of Moscow, we will tell you what kind of car it is and what it is intended for.

WHAT IS A MOTORKHAT?

Many people still have the opinion that a camper is just a box of beds mounted on the chassis of a small truck. This is not surprising: until recently, there were no such cars in our country (unless, of course, counting homemade products and single samples brought from abroad).

In contrast to our country, "camp" tourism is well developed abroad. There are several dozen companies in Germany alone that build such "huts"! Moreover, these are mobile homes in the full sense of the word: they have everything necessary for a more or less autonomous existence. It would be naive to think that such complex structures are cheap. Of course not. Who buys campers?

It turns out that practically no one: these cars are mostly rented. Spent a vacation on wheels - and gave the car back to the company. A logical question: is it really possible to rent a camper in our country? Not yet, alas. But sooner or later this time will come; besides, it is possible that there are people and organizations that are already able to buy such a "house on wheels" today ...

Therefore, the Russian-Swiss company Motohata decided to “start from scratch” and enter the Russian market with its original model. The stake was initially placed on domestic chassis and foreign equipment. Let us explain why. Firstly, a traveler who breaks down somewhere in Tmutarakan has a hundred chances against one that spare parts for the Gazelle will be found - while Ford or Volkswagen will have to be dragged in tow to the nearest large city for a long time and sadly ... Foreign equipment (stove, toilet and so on) was also chosen for a reason:

He was the first!

This drawing was published in the February 1972 issue of the Tekhnika - Youth magazine ... No way, the car is built on the basis of an all-wheel drive UAZ? Without a doubt, the "mobile home" Safari, which was built by the Italian company Area, is the very first branded camper on a domestic chassis!

Today, a quarter of a century after construction, the camper looks quite modern (and the UAZ, by the way, has not changed much ...). Here, three people could sleep in the living module, and the alcove above the cockpit served as a luggage rack. There are two water tanks: a 20-liter ("technical") next to the toilet and an 80-liter ("drinking") under the floor. Such a supply of drinking water was not provided by chance: the Italians traveled 30 thousand kilometers across Africa on Safari!

1. Kitchen; 2. Refrigerator; 3. Toilet and shower; 4. Wardrobe; 5. Water tank; 6. Luke; 7. Sofa bed; 8. Table; 9. Bookcase (not shown); 10. Luggage compartment

the rear view was slightly lengthened, and a new model "gas" diffuser was installed on the engine fan to avoid overheating (the fact is that we tested the first model of Motohata, built more than a year ago). Plus, there is an 80-liter fuel tank instead of the standard one, this is due to the layout features.

The body of Motohata is built according to a typical "bus" technology: square pipes are very neatly sheathed with duralumin. Body insulation - 40mm foam; the inner panels are covered with "aircraft" washable film. Despite the fact that the body and the cab are connected by a passage, the body is fixed to the frame separately; the alcove hanging over the roof of the cab does not lie on it, as it seems at first glance, but is fixed on the longitudinal consoles of the body.

A small detail: according to the chief designer Vicki Vladimir Kolotygin, the deviation in the place of installation of the Gazelle cab during factory assembly reaches 10 mm (!) - therefore the body was put on the frame three times, adjusting the landing dimensions. And the "funnel" - the decorative connection of the alcove with the roof of the cab - has to be adjusted for each Gazelle individually ...

The body itself, according to Vicki, weighs 460 kg, and full mass with equipment, filled tanks and four riders on board - 3200 kg: there is still some margin up to a rated carrying capacity of 3500 kg.

As for the "filling", the maximum possible autonomy was laid in Motohatu, which is not so relevant for Western European campers. But ergonomic standards remained European: without this, comfort and safety cannot be achieved.

Motohata has already equipped the Urals and GAZ-66 for foreigners traveling in the Altai Mountains, and therefore knows very well that, say, the Thetford toilet differs significantly in reliability from the IL airplane toilet.

A LITTLE ABOUT DESIGN

The chassis has hardly undergone any changes;

On the right in the direction of the car - the kitchen block, on the left - "coupe"

Some results of measurements carried out by the expert group Autoreview *

Test conditions:

Mileage before the start of the test 11,700 km

Air temperature + 20 ° С, no precipitation The length of the city route is 70 km

The length of the main route is 187 km

"The tests were carried out using a professional measuring complex NAMI

If desired, the "coupe" is transformed into another bed

It combines devices and switches for the electrical system of the passenger compartment, a water level sensor in the tanks, pump control, etc.

Heater control panel and timer

Refrigerator Electrolux (refrigerator compartment volume - 92 l, freezer compartment - 12 l)

Wardrobe. There are even hangers "hangers"

WE EAT, EAT, EAT ...

“Do you remember when we tested the Gazelle with a loaded isothermal van? - asked one of us, having driven Motohata for half an hour. - Here - the same sensations. No difference, even insulting! "

So it is: stability, acceleration and braking dynamics remained typically "gazelle" (as, incidentally, the familiar little things like the twitching arrow of the toggle gauge).

The most ordinary kitchen: gas stove, sink with cold and hot water, table ...

And the trash can

We tried to raise the center of gravity by loading one expert into the bed above the cabin ... We did not notice any changes in handling and stability - and when asked to go downstairs and get down to business, a colleague launched into lengthy discussions about the merits of rest on the upper tier, clearly not wanting to get off there ...

But we would not advise future travelers to sleep upstairs while driving: in the event of an emergency braking or an accident, there is a greater likelihood of injury here.

Taking into account the soft suspension of the Gazelle, we note that there is even less shaking and vibrations in the cabin than in the cab. In short, in the "driving" plan - a Gazelle like a Gazelle, without any special deviations.

We also noted that all the elements of the living module are well fitted - therefore, when driving, they behave "calmly" without creating unnecessary noise.

ARRIVED! LET'S GO SWIMMING?

The owners and passengers of the Zhiguli parked under the trees on the bank of the canal looked at Motohata with undisguised surprise: what a miracle, they say, has arrived! The girls, whom we invited to come into our house and appreciate its charm, were clearly frightened - but the over-aged aunts, who were celebrating someone's birthday on the shore, threw them into the trailer with a joyful crowd, groaning and admiring ... Yes, there is something to see there!

First, the "compartment": two sofas and a table. This table turns over and turns into a wide couch (another double bed, as we mentioned, is located in an alcove - above the cockpit).

Secondly, wardrobes and lockers, including a wardrobe. One of us began to count them: 16 lockable containers, excluding the refrigerator.

Thirdly, the kitchen block: a long stainless steel table, a stove with two burners, a sink with cold and hot water. Just like in an apartment ...

You can also shower outside ...

Toilet paper is stored in a special slot. Just below the toilet - tank full indicator

Clean, tidy and no smell: this is how they take out the toilet tank

Fourth, the plumbing block: washbasin, shower and dry closet. Strongly, you will not say anything!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

After swimming a lot, taking a shower and having lunch, we decided to move on to exploring the camper. Of course, one could mention some minor flaws (for example, the film, which is pasted over the interior, has bubbled in some places, and the shower floor has too little slope - because of this, the water stays there for a long time). But let's not forget that this is still the first instance ...

Let's start with the salon. Since the residential module requires considerable energy costs, an additional 105 Ah battery was installed here. There is also an external connector to which a 220 V network can be connected.

Heating - gas, German company Truma. Its work can be programmed using the remote control: for example, during sleep, the system maintains a temperature of + 10 ° С, you get up - in the car it is already + 18 ° С, went for a walk - on board + 5 ° С, and by the time Trumatic returns, it raises the temperature to + 18 ° C. By the way, all the tanks of the car are also heated.

The two-burner stove also runs on gas. The gas is ignited with the help of a piezoelectric element (no matches!), And in case of a sudden breakdown of the flame, the piezoelectric element, after cooling down, shuts off the gas supply after 4-5 seconds. Well, let's check it out! We blew out the flames - and for sure, after a few seconds, the hiss of gas stopped.

Even the refrigerator works here in the electro-gas mode! (However, power is also possible from a 12 or 220 V network)

We found the gas cylinders themselves behind a door on the right side of the body. These are two standard containers where the reducer can be swapped from one cylinder to another. According to the developers, "the degree of gas autonomy" is 10 days in winter.

On the left side of the car, behind the same hatch, there is a device that we, frankly, saw for the first time. We take it by the handle, take it out ... You can’t say for anything that this is just a toilet cistern! In the toilet itself, next to the toilet, there is an indicator: as soon as the tank is full, the green sector in the window changes to red. It is enough to open the lid and drain the liquid into the sewer - and not a stench will flow from the tank, but something more decent. The fact is that 200 g of a special liquid that decomposes waste is initially poured into the tank (the jars with this liquid are right here in the niche). With a crew of four, the tank must be emptied by pouring a new portion of liquid every 4-5 days.

1. Compartment for two gas cylinders; 2. Water tank cover; 3. Openings for air intake and exhaust gases of the water boiler and the electric gas system of the refrigerator

What is it flowing there? Nothing special: we drain the used water from the tank

Batteries are recharged from the 220 V connector and the refrigerator can work

Pure water, as we have already mentioned, is stored in a 95-liter plastic tank, and used water is drained into a 90-liter tank located in the "stern". Emptying is simple: just open the drain under the body.

How did this whole story end? Back in Moscow, we sat down with a data table and a calculator to calculate what the future travelers would spend on fuel (recall that our car had a standard ZMZ-402 engine running on 92nd gasoline). We did not find anything terrible: the consumption of about 17.5 l / 100 km in the city and about 15.5 l / 100 km on the highway is quite divine. Moreover: the flow rate turned out to be less than the "average statistical" obtained when testing cargo Gazelles (see AR No. 5, 24, 1995 and No. 2, 1996). We explain this by the fact that the Gazelle trucks were loaded "to the maximum", while Motohata with passengers was lighter.

According to our calculations, if the owner of Motohata refills his car on the outskirts of Moscow and goes with his family to the Crimea, he will have to refuel somewhere near Kursk - there will be enough gasoline for about 480 km.

Visitors to the current Moscow Motor Show, seeing the Gazelle-Motohata, asked the same question: "How much does it cost?" And when they heard the answer, they left disappointed ... A gasoline Motohata costs exactly $ 52,000, a variant with a Peugeot diesel engine (it is installed by the Technoservice studio in Nizhny Novgorod) is $ 7,000 more expensive.

Time for a massive "attack" of campers on russian market has not come yet. There are two reasons for this: you cannot rent a camper yet, and travel along our routes is full of surprises ... What will be the demand for cars of this class? Time will tell..

F. Lapshin G. Borisov
Photo by F. Lapshin

A motorhome on wheels, and even equipped with your own hands, is the dream of many lovers of auto travel and outdoor activities. It provides its owner with amazing freedom when traveling, freeing him from the need to look for and book a hotel, purchase tickets, pack suitcases, etc. In addition, your own motorhome makes it easy to travel even big family, including pets - for this it is necessary to use the appropriate furniture, usually transformable.

When a caravan on wheels first appeared on the road, it is quite difficult to answer. The first such experience was implemented by the Jennings company back in the 38th year of the last century, although self-made models of motorhomes appeared much earlier. All motorhomes on wheels can be equipped with almost all the necessary attributes of a familiar and comfortable life - bathroom, shower, gas stove, full berth, which are present even in the smallest motorhomes, which are often based on the budget gazelle in Russia.

Depending on what type of motorhome on wheels belongs to, it can be:

• trailed;
• van;
• combined.

A fairly common practice at the present time is the hand-made conversion of a suitable vehicle, the same domestic gazelle, into comfortable motorhomes for travel. But before making a motorhome on wheels with your own hands, you need to determine the main purpose of the conversion - long or short-term residence in the motorhome, as well as select or make the appropriate furniture.

RV classes

According to the generally accepted classification, all motorhomes on wheels are divided into three main classes:

Attention! Any "A" class motorhome made on the basis of a bus or a truck, according to the transport classification, requires the driver to have a "C" category license.

Speaking about the classification of motorhome trailers, the following concepts should be highlighted:

Trailer tent

A homemade motorhome on wheels does not have to be expensive and difficult to make, especially if it is used relatively rarely and for a small number of people. Some types of motorhomes do not even require furniture and are used as a sleeping place. In order to independently make a caravan trailer, you will need to make some effort and a sufficient amount of time.

The main "power" element of such a motorhome is a frame, which can be purchased ready-made, or assemble it yourself, which requires skill and certain technical knowledge. When self-manufacturing, special attention should be paid to anti-corrosion treatment of all steel elements of the future motorhome.

The frame, mounted on the chassis prepared for the motorhome, can be either steel or wood. When creating it, the main attention should be paid to the quality of the connection of parts, since when such a motorhome trailer moves, the entire structure will be subjected to serious dynamic and vibration loads. Inside such a motorhome, you can arrange a fairly comfortable sleeping place, and at the time of rest stops, the motorhome structure unfolds, and a tent is quickly set up on top. Such a motorhome on wheels, the photo of which is presented below, is optimal for short trips and simple outdoor recreation.

Another option for the device of such a trailer can be seen in the video:

How to make a motorhome on wheels with your own hands

In order to make a motorhome on wheels with your own hands, you can use any minibus, truck, or even a bus. In order to create it, you will need to make a lot of effort, time, and be ready for a fairly serious material investment, which will then more than pay off comfortably when traveling in your own motorhome.

The process of converting a standard gazelle into a motorhome on wheels will certainly be accompanied by a number of works that are mandatory:

In the event that a mobile home trailer is created for the purpose of long journeys, it is advisable to provide for the presence of a good audio-video system and satellite TV... If financial possibilities permit, it will be good option installation of solar panels, which will extend the life of the generator.

Attention! In most cases, re-equipment of a vehicle into a caravan trailer requires that all "alterations" be legalized in advance in order to avoid legal problems in the future.

Internal work

Many lovers of travel with comfort are interested in the question of how much a motorhome on wheels in Russia costs, but having learned the cost of the finished version, they prefer to create a motorhome with their own hands. And this makes sense, since making a motorhome on wheels from a gazelle with their own hands is within the power of any person who is ready to make a certain amount of effort and spend his time on it.

The first thing that needs to be done inside the cabin of the future motorhome on wheels is to dismantle the partition located behind the passenger seats. If it is bolted, there will be no problems; if a welded joint is used, a grinder is required. After dismantling, the interior should be completely freed from the interior trim. In parallel with this, it is worth checking metal parts for the presence of foci of corrosion. Take measures to eliminate them, bearing in mind that it will be much more difficult to disassemble a finished motorhome.

Before proceeding with the insulation and interior decoration of the motorhome, you should carefully consider the water and power supply system, since it is better to hide all pipes and electrical cables under the casing to avoid accidental damage. After that, a motorhome on wheels based on a gazelle requires serious insulation. In addition to special materials with vibration and thermal insulation characteristics, you can use basalt mineral wool or extruded polystyrene foam for a motorhome.

An important point in the interior and exterior of a motorhome on wheels is the protective treatment of the material used. Thus, additional metal elements outside the motorhome must have a high-quality anti-corrosion treatment. Internal cladding elements are usually made of wood. For their treatment, it is recommended to use a special fire-retardant impregnation, which will prevent the spread of the flame, will not allow the formation of fungus, which may simply be impossible to get rid of.

Certain ideas for creating your own project can be "borrowed" from the manufacturers of such houses by watching the following video:

Gas and electrical equipment

Any motorhome on wheels - a Mercedes or a gazelle - requires special attention in terms of electricity and gas supply. Do not naively believe that without proper education, you can perform high-quality electrical wiring and install the appropriate equipment in a motorhome. The same applies to gas equipment.

For example, few people know that for a gas cylinder in any motorhome, it is necessary to "allocate" a separate closed area, in the lower part of which there should be openings that communicate with the outside atmosphere. This will allow propane, which is heavier than air, to escape from the RV, if it leaks, and will not cause poisoning or fire in the passenger compartment.

An important point for a motorhome is the correct calculation of the battery capacity. To ensure maximum autonomy, the daily energy consumption of all devices in the motorhome should be summed up. The resulting value in watts will need to be divided by 12 (V), resulting in a value in ampere-hours (Ah) - it is this value that is indicated on the battery and allows you to judge its power. So, when the energy consumption in a motorhome is 50-60 Ah / day, it is optimal to purchase a battery of 120-150 Ah... Such a motorhome on wheels will be able to operate autonomously for two days. It is advisable to provide an external outlet for recharging the battery of the motorhome in parking lots.

Furniture

Despite the fact that at present it will not be a problem to buy ready-made furniture for a motorhome, according to reviews, it is not able to satisfy all the needs of car owners, especially those who create a motorhome on wheels according to their own drawings. therefore the best option becomes either her self-production, or an individual order for furniture production.

In most cases, making your own furniture is more optimal for a motorhome. Since for a small motorhome, for example, based on a standard gazelle or UAZ, not so much furniture is required, and it does not differ in particular complexity, at this stage of work you can save money. For the proper level of comfort in a motorhome, as a rule, the following furniture structures are made:

• dining table, to save space in a small motorhome it is better to use a folding option;
• kitchen table with sink and work surface;
• open shelves or drawers located under the ceiling of the motorhome;
• if you have a toilet in a motorhome on wheels, you will need to make a partition with a door.

When a KamAZ or a bus is taken as a base for a motorhome, the amount of furniture listed above increases. When making a motorhome on wheels with your own hands, to facilitate the task of determining the type and quantity of furniture, you can use special computer programs, or draw a detailed plan for the future layout of the motorhome on paper, where you can clearly indicate not only the type of furniture, but also its location.

How the most expensive mobile home can be made out can be seen in the photo - clearly visible how sophisticated and comfortable interior decoration can be.

When building a house on wheels with your own hands, you should pay attention to the quality of materials. So, for furniture it is advisable to use moisture-resistant materials that are resistant to the effects of household chemicals, since cleaning in any type of motorhome - from a bus, a trailer or a gazelle - will have to be done quite often.

Traveling without leaving home comfort and warmth - real dream... Fortunately, quite feasible. A mobile home will help in its implementation (photo). Many Europeans and nearly one in four Americans have these all-inclusive vans.

The mobile home has everything: beds, sofas, a compact kitchen, built-in lockers and other amenities (photo). Some even manage to carry a TV and other equipment with them. A mobile home not only allows you to feel comfortable while traveling, but also gives you the opportunity to save a lot. No need to rent hotel rooms, paying exorbitant prices.

DIY mobile home

Let's try to figure out how to build a house on wheels with our own hands, for example, from an ordinary gazelle or a small trailer (photo). First, you should draw a plan for the internal arrangement vehicle... Calculate where you can arrange sleeping places, where to put a folding table, and where to equip built-in wardrobes for clothes, dishes and other things.

Since we equip a mobile home in a small area (in the cabin of a gazelle), we will have to do with a minimum set of amenities. It is better to make the most of the folding furniture. Tables and transforming beds, which are securely attached to the walls, will help out a lot. If necessary, they can be unfolded and folded, put into wall panels or turned into chairs (photo). All these points need to be carefully considered.

At the same time, a mobile home should have everything you need to feel comfortable traveling: a bedroom, a kitchen, a place to relax. After allocating space for furniture and basic amenities, it is imperative to include space for communications in the plan, which is impossible to do without. This is a ventilation system, heating (if you plan to travel in the fall or even winter), electricity.

Heating and ventilation

Gas can be used for heating. It can also be used for cooking, if there is a place for a small kitchen in the cabin of the motorhome. Do not forget, you need to be very careful with a gas cylinder! Be sure to take care of fire safety.

In connection with the question of gas, the topic of ventilation immediately arises. Even if there is no kitchen, the house still needs to provide fresh air. For this purpose, existing windows can be used, but it is imperative to make several ventilation holes as well. If you are going to use gas to heat your future mobile home, one vent should be located fairly low, almost at floor level.

Electricity and lighting

So that it is not dark in the mobile home in the evenings and you can use any electrical appliances, it is advisable to supply electricity. To do this, you need a charger, a battery, wires and a control panel for this entire system.

Bathroom, kitchen and shower

In a small gazelle salon (photo) it is hardly possible to equip a shower, but a small kitchen corner and a mini-size dry closet can be provided.

Without these basic amenities, travel is unlikely to be comfortable enough. If you purchased a large trailer (photo) and decided to completely re-equip it, then it is quite possible to put a small shower in it.

This entire economy will require water. It can be stored in plastic bins, but space will need to be allocated for them. Pumps are required to supply water to a sink or shower. Waste water should be collected in a container under the body. A hose from the washbasin and shower is supplied to it. Do not forget that during the trip, some tanks will need to be periodically replenished with clean water, and the container under the body will need to be emptied in time.

Re-equipment of a gazelle under a motorhome

Before placing all the described communications and furniture in the gazelle, do not forget to first prepare the salon itself. The inner "stuffing" made of metal must be coated with a primer. It will act as a protective layer against rust and moisture. Then the walls and floor of the cabin must be covered with thermal insulation material. A cheap option for wall and floor finishing is plywood. More expensive materials can be used if desired.

Then you can start installing gas equipment and connecting electricity. If you have no experience with gas equipment, it is better to turn to professionals. The final stage of converting a gazelle into a motorhome is the installation of tanks that will store water, a bathroom and, of course, furniture.

When creating your mobile home, you have to work hard. But the result is definitely worth it: now you can travel around cities and countries with your small but cozy home.

This car was on display at the Caravanex show in Sokolniki, and everyone who saw it from afar noted the cool two-tone paint job. And coming closer, they were surprised: this is a Gazelle! Recognizing a serial all-metal van in a red-and-white handsome man is not easy. But still, the main thing in it is not the appearance, but the inner filling.

The history of the creation of this machine is interesting. She was born as an ordinary white van Next, after which, by order of the Russian company GT-Camp, she went to Germany to the enterprise of the well-known "car builder", the company Reimo. First, the Germans made a project, according to which they then built this van-house. The project, by the way, was transferred back to the GT-Camp, and in the future, similar machines will be assembled on order at the company's plant in Khimki near Moscow. So what did Germany do with the Gazelle?

The canopy can be pulled out from the starboard side, securing it with special clamps. A folding step of an original design leads inside - in it you can store, for example, outdoor shoes. While this footrest can be folded back manually (it is inconvenient to lift it while inside), but the developers promise to provide it with an electric drive.

The salon is designed to accommodate four people and is thought out to the smallest detail. Immediately upon entering, wide soft armchairs and a folding table draw attention to themselves. The driver's seat, as well as a two-seater passenger sofa in the parking lot, can be turned against the direction of travel, creating an atmosphere of a wardroom. When it’s time to go to bed, the seats can be easily folded into two single beds that can be up to two meters long.

Another berth for two (176x140 cm) is organized in the rear of the body on a special platform. Under it is a voluminous trunk with compartments for small belongings. In the central part of the cabin, along the starboard side, there is a kitchen counter with a sink and a gas stove, and opposite it is a bathroom with a toilet and shower. At the same time, at organized parking lots it is possible to use external water and gas connections: terminals are provided on the sides.

Toilet, washbasin and shower - all in one room

There are also such nice little things as contour LED lighting and a TV set that can be pushed out on the bracket. Not without an air conditioner with air conditioning and heater. The walls are also additionally insulated, which makes it possible to operate the motorhome all year round.

Climate control panel on one of the walls

The car did not endure technical changes; a standard Cummins ISF is located under the hood. But the main thing is that the total mass has not changed, which, like that of the progenitor, is 3.5 tons, and a person with category B rights can get behind the wheel.

Large trunk located directly under the bed

As for the cost, since such a technique is created exclusively for a specific customer, then the final price depends on his needs and the size of his wallet. This Next-caravan was estimated at almost three million rubles. Quite a few, but imported competitors are even more expensive.

Conclusion for connection to gas infrastructure

By the way, at the Caravanex exhibition there were other interesting motorhomes and caravans, both more expensive and quite budgetary. My story about them is in the next publications.