Making a mobile home with your own hands is not a very difficult task for any master. The design, in the course of construction, will be improved and because of this, the production time may be delayed. To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to think over the interior design in advance, to get rid of unsuitable elements. This approach is important when retrofitting small vehicles when assembling a mobile home, for example from an old trailer.

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.

Motorhome device

By standards 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).

Theardrop camper - cottage on a trailer

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, therefore, from the point of view of transport classification, they belong to category "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, all motorhomes, without exception, 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 tenants is determined and, based on this, the vehicle and internal "filling". 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 tank 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, so 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 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 out 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.

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. The body will have only one window (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

RV construction can be organized own business... 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. He's 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

TOP 10 best motorhomes

	A photo	Name	Rating	Price
Top 5 best motorhomes
#1			⭐ 100 / 100
#2			⭐ 99 / 100
#3			⭐ 98 / 100 3 - voices
#4		POSSL ROADCRUISER	⭐ 96 / 100 4 - voices
#5		Motorhome KAMAZ 43118	⭐ 90 / 100 2 - voices
Top 5 best houses Fleetwood on wheels
#1		Fleetwood RV Jamboree Sport	⭐ 100 / 100 1 - voice
#2		Fleetwood RV Tioga Ranger DSL	⭐ 99 / 100
#3		Fleetwood rv storm	⭐ 98 / 100
#4		Fleetwood rv bounder	⭐ 97 / 100 1 - voice
#5		Fleetwood RV Discovery	⭐ 96 / 100 3 - voices

This real palace on wheels is based on MAN. The length of the motorhome is almost 9.5 meters, which requires unconditional skills from the driver to drive cars of this class. Everything here is subordinated to the main thing - the maximum comfort of passengers. The interior is designed in the style of luxury yachts - the elegant narrow doors of the numerous cabinets suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather upholstery of the sofas and armchairs in the living area. Each lamp, each, even the smallest, interior detail (curtains, for example) fills the space with luxury and splendor.

Specifications:

• most luxury home on wheels;
• spacious bathroom;
• average price: 23,602,000 rubles.

The base of the camper was created on the basis of a cargo Fiat Ducato , as a result of which the car has good handling and stability on the road - the windage of the camper does not exceed the permissible values \u200b\u200bfor this chassis. A spacious and bright mobile home for four people. Light enters not only through the side windows (all have curtain systems installed, including windshield), but also through a transparent hatch located in the front of the camper. Expensive and sophisticated interior decoration emphasizes inner spaceand the swivel seats of the driver and passenger make the living room huge due to the integration with the cockpit.

Specifications:

• better comfort;
• country of origin: Germany;
• average price: 13,367,000 rubles.

The motorhome is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 316 CDI and has all the capabilities of this reliable and trouble-free vehicle. And if from the outside the integrated camper does not stand out in any way, it can easily get lost in city traffic, then inside it is a real compact house for 4 people. One drop-down bed is located above the driver's seat and the other two are at the back of the house, behind the toilet and shower. It is noteworthy that these two beds can be transformed into one huge one for the greatest comfort.

Specifications:

• unique body protection;
• large luggage compartment;
• country of origin: Germany;
• average price: 9 176 188 rub.

If you decide to make your own motorhome, you will need some basic knowledge, tools, a lot of patience and even more free time. And, of course, a reliable vehicle for building a camper.

In this article, there are some photos of a home on wheels, built by yourself on the base volkswagen car... Most of the advice can be applied when building motorhomes based on other vehicles.

Read the next point before you start!

IMPORTANT! Before starting to create a camper with your own hands, it is necessary to legalize the implementation of such a procedure. In this case, you can prevent various difficulties of a legal nature. The rules differ depending on the country, so we cannot publish uniform recommendations on this matter.

The first steps

Do-it-yourself mobile home construction consists of the following steps:

• Outdoor work
• Internal work
• Water supply works
• Gas and electricity
• Furniture
• Other

If the van is operated by only two people, there will be really a lot of space. If you plan to travel 3 or more people, you need to think over the number of seats. Remember to equip seats with appropriate seat belts.

How many sleeping places do you need? One of the options is arranging a bunk bed for children. If you have enough space under the roof, you can make a "drop-down" bed.

At this stage, you should have a clear plan. further action... Sure, you can improvise, but it's much easier to have a well thought out plan on paper.

Outdoor work

The first thing to do when preparing your base vehicle is to thoroughly clean the inside of the car.

At this stage, you also need to think about the shape of the body as a whole. It's time to deal with body damage, rust. Local or complete car painting will help.

Typically, vans do not have windows, so you might consider installing them. They are needed to provide fresh air and sunlight inside the RV. Windows come in different shapes and sizes, the choice depends on your preferences and body characteristics.

During the construction of a mobile home, you will have to make several holes in the body of the car. These are openings for ventilation, gas outlet (in case of a leak), exhaust gases heater, water fillers, etc. Some of them can be done later, but it is much easier to resolve the issue now if you know exactly where they will be.

Remember to apply a primer wherever bare metal appears to prevent corrosion.

Build your own motorhome the right way!

Internal work

The van will most likely have a bulkhead behind the front seats. Some partitions are fixed with screws, others are welded to the body. "Bulgarian" will help to solve the problem.

Remember to use protective equipment... Sparks can leave nasty stains on glass that cannot be removed.

The fun begins. The insulating layer is very important as it will protect your camper from outside noise and temperature. There are many materials that can be used. The choice is entirely up to you.

In this case, we used armaflex material... It should be cut into pieces and glued. The main point is moisture protection. If the insulation material does not protect against moisture ingress, it should not be used.

It is necessary to prepare insulation material, lightweight and waterproof plywood, and soft and flexible carpet.

Thicker plywood should be used for the side covers, since furniture will be installed on them in the future.

Use a wide temperature range adhesive or sealant to secure the insulation and carpet to the sidewalls. Because the camper van will be exposed to both freezing temperatures and the hot summer sun. Heating operation will also affect. In the case of using low-quality glue, the work will have to be redone after a while.

Where to begin? Start covering the RV from the roof to the flooring. First, we mount the insulation and cladding layers on the ceiling, then move on to the side panels.

Use wooden planks on the floor to provide enough insulation space. The battens are fixed to the floor with a suitable sealant. Then a layer of insulation is laid, after which it must be covered with plywood. Plywood is fixed with sealant or screws.

Remember the water supply, as well as the need for electrical cables and gas pipes. Wires and hoses can be routed through insulation or under plywood covers if you already know where all the fixtures will be installed.

Water supply works

A mobile home must have a cold running water supply. For this, two water canisters are installed under the sink. A submersible pump supplies water to the tap.

If you need warm water, an extra sink or shower, the system will be more complex. Large water tanks can be installed elsewhere, for example, under the van. Hoses will be needed to connect the entire system.

When you make a motorhome yourself, you are only limited by your imagination.

Don't forget about waste water. You can install a suitable tank under the vehicle or run a hose through the floor to drain water into a portable tank or bucket.

Remember, used water smells bad in summer and freezes in winter. Therefore, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible, so a bucket may be the perfect solution.

How about a toilet? You can install one of the handy portable toilets.

Gas and electricity

IMPORTANT! Gas hoses and electrical wiring must be installed by qualified personnel only! If incorrectly installed, they can pose a serious hazard. Build a RV yourself, but don't put other people at risk.

Propane in the camper can be used for cooking, heating, as well as connecting the refrigerator. You can do without it by using an electric stove and refrigerator, and autonomous heater Webasto.

The gas cylinder must be stored in a separate place with holes in the bottom. Why should there be holes at the bottom? Because propane is heavier than air, so it will always go down.

It is even possible to make a valve to connect a gas stove outside the vehicle for future cooking outside of the van.

Again, build the camper correctly for your own safety!

Electricity required to start all 12V-rated devices. The system consists of a battery, charger / converter, control panel and many wires.

Don't forget the external connector for charging battery motorhomes from a regular power supply (110V or 220V). You can also use it at home by charging the battery during winter storage.

In order to determine how much battery capacity you need, you will have to perform simple calculations. Let's say you would use the following:

• Halogen lamps: 2 × 20W 2 hours a day \u003d 80 Wh
• Refrigerator: 45W 12 hours a day \u003d 540 Wh

The total power consumption is 620 Wh per day. Now divide 620 Wh by 12V and you get 52Ah. This is your daily power consumption. Typically, a 100Ah battery will last about two days of battery life.

Make calculations based on the energy consumers you use. This will help you get the average daily electricity consumption figures.

Gas and electricity are very important issues to consider when building a camper. If you plan to operate a motorhome for traveling far from civilization, autonomy should be maximized. Take your time, think carefully and calculate everything.

Furniture

In this matter, you are also not limited. You can safely realize your dreams. Furniture can be made and installed in different ways.

Sometimes quite suitable furniture is found at various disassembly, we advise you to search. Quite good offers sometimes appear at online auctions, and furniture is sometimes sold at an affordable price.

You can also design everything from scratch. Some firms sell ready-to-install parts covered with veneer. You just have to apply varnish (if necessary) and install the furniture. You can also contact a professional who will help you in this matter.

Perhaps there are very few people who would not like to travel and at the same time spend the night at home without using the services of hotels or hotels. Many will say that this is impossible and every trip is accompanied by a hotel room. Nevertheless, there is a solution - a motorhome or a motorhome. You've probably seen such movable structures in foreign films. And this is not strange, because, say, in America, according to statistics, every 3 residents have a home on wheels.

Such a house is not only convenient and comfortable, but also saves a lot, since the question of finding a home disappears. You can talk about the advantages of a motorhome for a long time, and there are really a lot of them. However, there is one drawback - a car-home on wheels is not a cheap pleasure. But if you have patience and hard work, there is a way out - to build a mobile home on wheels with your own hands.

The main need for such a house is travel, which you can safely send with your family and even small children. The motorhome is also useful for business trips; you don't have to look for hotels, book rooms, collect luggage and carry it with you.

The main thing is that the driver is experienced, with good driving experience and, of course, with a positive attitude towards this type of transport.

Mobile home: what you need for comfort

Although the house will be in the form of mobile housing, this does not mean that it should not be comfortable and satisfy the minimum needs of the owners.

Home lighting

To supply light to a mobile home you will need:

• rechargeable battery;
• charger;
• wiring system for subsequent wiring;
• panel for controlling the supply of electricity.

Heating for home

Several types of heaters can be used to heat a home, it can be stand-alone view and a gas cylinder. It is preferable to use gas, since in addition to heat, it will provide an opportunity for cooking.

If you have chosen heating with gas, then here you will have to seek the help of a specialist. Of course, building everything with your own hands from start to finish is commendable, but you should remember about the safety of passengers.

Air (ventilation) for home

Many car owners dream of their own motorhome on wheels so that they can easily travel with their family to various places. But a family cannot always afford to buy a motorhome, so many people make it themselves. To do this, you need a little:

But, in addition to this, you should have a high-quality, and most importantly, reliable vehicle that can accommodate a motorhome on wheels.

So what should you do? Before you create a camper with your own hands, you should visit a legal consultation. Such modernization of the car requires legalization. There are different requirements for each country.

The first step is a do-it-yourself camper

The whole process of creating such a structure can be conditionally divided into several stages:

• outdoor work;
• execution of internal works;
• provision of water supply for the camper;
• supply and connection of gasification and electricity systems;
• placement of furniture;
• small work.

After that, you can travel by camper at any free time.

Number of seats

As an example of creating a camper, let's take a regular average van. If the van will be operated by only two people, there will be plenty of space. If the family has more people, then it is necessary to think over the additional number of places. Remember that all seats must be secured with seat belts.

Determine in advance how many beds your mobile home will have. There is a very good option for increasing them. Set up bunk beds inside. You can also make a bed that will "fall out" from under the roof. This will help save space on the camper.

At this stage of planning, you should have a clear plan of the internal structure. Of course, you can make your own adjustments during installation, but the basis must be thought out to the smallest detail.

Outdoor work

First of all, take care of the cleanliness of the inside of the campsite. The area should not contain dirt, dust, significant defects. This will be the key to a successful motorhome formation.

You should also plan out the form in general terms. In addition to the outline, you can sketch on paper.

The bodywork rarely has windows, which is disastrous for camper travel. Plan where best to install windows for the best view. In addition, they will open access to the flow of fresh air and allow the sun's rays to penetrate, which will create additional lighting. Windows can be chosen from completely different shapes, types and structures. Everything will depend solely on your preferences, as well as the characteristics of the bodywork.

Additional holes in the body

When creating a camper with your own hands, do not forget to make some holes:

• to remove gas in the event of a leak;
• for ventilation;
• for output from the heater;
• for water fillers.

Of course, you can do some of them after the camper is created, but this can already be much more problematic. It's best to do everything at once and in advance. But this should be done only when you are sure that these holes will be located in those places.

Areas with exposed metal should be immediately primed to prevent corrosion.

Internal work

How to equip a camper inside? With your own hands, you should create partitions between the front seats and the main body of the body. But if you wish, you can not do them. The installation of the partition is also different. It can be fixed with screws or welded to the body itself. If necessary, use a grinder at this stage.

When operating a grinder, do not forget about safety measures. Work with it carefully, especially if you are using the tool for the first time. Remember to wear safety glasses over your eyes and make sure the circle is securely fastened. Also, in the process of working with the grinder, sparks will fly, which, if they hit the glass, will create defects. Therefore, take care in advance to securely close it.

Insulation

The insulation layer for a mini camper is very important. The temperature inside, as well as sound insulation, will depend on its quality and correct installation. Presented on the market a large number of materials from various companies. Their choice will be exclusively individual, based on the characteristics of the environment, financial situation, body type.

The insulation should be cut into small pieces and carefully glued on. The main feature and the main one is protection against moisture ingress. If the insulation layer does not cope with its immediate duty, remove it.

Prepare in advance for hull plating:

Use a thick layer of plywood on the side covers. This is done so that it can support the weight of the furniture that will be mounted directly on it.

The side walls must be coated with glue that can withstand a wide range of different temperatures. Use it to glue the insulation to the side walls. Glue for different temperatures is used because the van will be used in different conditions: in severe frosts and in the scorching summer sun. Heating is additionally arranged. If the glue does not have all the necessary properties, then the sealant and coating will simply disappear.

Camper trim

The cladding of the motorhome begins from the roof itself to the floor covering. First of all, we install the insulating and cladding layer and only after that we smoothly move on to If you will equip exclusively a winter camper, then the sealant layer should be increased and additionally compacted.

To provide sufficient insulation space, use wooden planks that are mounted to the floor. Fasteners must be made with a special sealant suitable for the coating. After that, a layer of insulation is laid, and then they are covered with plywood. The plywood itself is attached with screws or sealant. Do not forget about the place of laying water supply, gas cables and electrical cables.

Water supply

A prerequisite for the water supply of a mobile home is that it must have a running water supply. To do this, place a couple of canisters of water under the sink. Installed pump will produce the required flow of water to the tap.

If desired, the camper can also be provided with hot water. This will be useful if you want to place a shower. This requires placing large tanks of water under the vehicle body. To connect the heating system, you will need to purchase and install additional hoses.

Don't forget about waste water. They can be withdrawn using a hose placed in the floor, or water can be drained into a portable tank. The container should be emptied as soon as possible, since in summer it will go from it and in winter it will simply freeze. You can also install a toilet.

Gasification and electricity

The installation of the hose for gas and electrics must be entrusted exclusively to qualified specialists. At the slightest mistake self installation it can be disastrous.

A propane tank can be used for cooking. You can do without it by replacing the container with an ordinary electric stove. Store the container in a separate place.

The electric power system of the camper consists of a charger, a battery, a control panel and a wiring system.

Gas and electricity in a camper-trailer is very important. In the case of going to nature far outside the city, the autonomy of both systems should be at the maximum level.

Furniture

If you wish, you can use absolutely any furniture you like. You can buy new furniture items or design and make it yourself.

Almost everyone who has a camper leaves extremely positive reviews. You can create more than just a small family caravan. It is also quite possible to make huge offroad campers... The choice is yours!

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, its own motorhome makes it easy to travel even with a large family, including pets - for this you need to use the appropriate furniture , as a rule, transforming.

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 - a bathroom, a shower, a gas stove, a full-fledged sleeping place, which are present even in the smallest motorhomes, which are often based on a budget gazelle in Russia.

Depending on what type of caravan 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 you make 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 manufacture the appropriate furniture.

Motorhome - comfort categories

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

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

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

House trailer tent - comfort and simplicity

A homemade motorhome on wheels does not have to be expensive and difficult to manufacture, 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 will require 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 stops for rest, the design of the motorhome unfolds, and a tent is quickly installed 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 viewed 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, freight car 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 a good audio-video system and satellite TV. If financial possibilities permit, it would be a good option to install solar panels, which will extend the generator's service life.

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 - how much does a motorhome on wheels cost in Russia, but having learned the cost of a ready-made option, 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 the metal parts for corrosion foci. 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 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 should be entrusted to professionals

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 a 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, if 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 can operate autonomously for two days. It is advisable to provide an external outlet for recharging the battery of the motorhome in parking lots.

Caravan furniture on wheels

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 requests of car owners, in particular, those who create a motorhome on wheels according to their own drawings. Therefore, the best option is either its independent 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:

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.

Some travelers and outdoor enthusiasts prefer DIY caravans to ready-made ones. The choice is explained not only by the lower cost of home-made structures - you can think over the layout and equip the interior as you wish. Before you build a home on wheels with your own hands, you should learn more about the process of making motorhomes, decide which option is better: a cottage-trailer or a camper.

Original motorhome

The device of a motorhome and a caravan

Regardless of the type, the motorhome should have minimal amenities: sleeping places for each traveler and an area for cooking and eating.

In addition, inside a minibus or trailer there may be:

• washbasin;
• gas stove connected to the cylinder;
• shelves, lockers and other storage systems.

RVs designed for long journeys usually have a bathroom with a small shower.

Making a motorhome for yourself, with your own hands, you can provide for the presence of a bathroom and everything else that may be required on a trip.

DIY motorhome making

A home on wheels with their own hands is made on the basis of a van or trailer. Buses are suitable for this purpose - a spacious cabin, a high roof make it a good contender for remodeling.

Before converting a trailer or van, find out the conditions for registering caravans with a traffic police.

Motorhome bus

The construction of a mobile home consists of several stages:

• drafting a project;
• carrying out external and internal work;
• communication device;
• placement of furniture.

First of all, you need to decide what to take as a basis: a trailer or a van. The first option is more labor-intensive - the van already has walls and a roof, and in the trailer they will need to be built independently.

DIY motorhome based on a car

To create a mobile home, use a car or, for example, old bus... A vehicle for conversion into a house is chosen based on financial capabilities and the number of people who will live inside the building.

Depending on the number of residents, they think over the design of the mobile home, as well as its content. To make it easier to work, make a plan.

Truck van based motorhome

Before making a motorhome, you need to stock up on the materials and tools necessary for work:

• grinder;
• car paint;
• screwdriver;
• welding machine;
• thermal insulation;
• materials for finishing (plastic panels, lining or other);
• moisture resistant plywood;
• carpet;
• fasteners (screws, nails, dowels);
• polyurethane foam;
• primer;
• paint brushes;
• sealant;
• metal brush.

Outdoor work

When the drawing is ready, the design is thought out, they proceed to external work. Required:

1. Clean the car body from rust and other damage. If paint has come off the surfaces, clean it off.
2. Make several holes in the van for the windows, if they were not there initially. At the same time, cut out ventilation holes.
3. Determine the location and cut openings for the exhaust outlet, drain holes and other communications.
4. Cover cut areas, areas where paint has been removed with a primer to prevent rust formation. Wait until it is completely dry.
5. Paint the exterior of the van.

RV based van

Internal work

If you plan to separate the cab from the living compartment. Then the partition is mounted either with the help of fasteners, or the metal frame is welded to the body with a welding machine.

First, the body is covered with heat-insulating material. Any insulation designed for residential premises is suitable. To fix the material on the walls, ceiling, use hardware made of the same metal as the body - this technique will help protect the car from rust.

If the selected insulation does not tolerate contact with water, it will be necessary to additionally lay waterproofing.

Insert windows. Move on to wall decoration. We choose moisture resistant plywood for cladding. The sheets must be quite thick to withstand a serious load - they will subsequently be used for attaching cabinets, shelves, and furniture.

Work starts from the ceiling. Having fixed the sheets there, they sheathe the walls. Further, a wooden beam with a thickness of the height of the heat-insulating material is attached to the floor, insulation plates are laid between them. The floor is covered with plywood, fastened to the timber with self-tapping screws.

The salon, in which the kitchen is located, and the shower and toilet should be separated using a frame partition.

Plywood can be painted, varnished, or carpeted. The latter option also serves as additional thermal insulation. A special glue is used to fix the carpet.

The next step is the device of communications in accordance with a pre-drawn scheme: electricity, heating and ventilation. The cable, water and gas pipes are laid either over the inner lining, or they are mounted simultaneously with the installation of the insulation inside, making holes for the outlet of communications.

Furniture

RV furniture is selected individually. The necessary furnishings include:

• table with a bench for the dining area;
• bed or folding sofa;
• hinged shelves and lockers for storing supplies, clothes, bedding;
• washing.

Since the furniture is subject to increased stress during the movement of a mobile home, it must be of high quality, strong, have reliable fittings and a minimum of moving elements. Make sure that the cabinet door will not open during a sudden turn and the contents will not spill over the cabin.

All furniture must be firmly fixed, it is desirable that it be fixed at two points: on the floor and on the wall.

Interior solutions in a motorhome

DIY motorhome from a trailer

Making a mobile home from a trailer is more difficult than remodeling a car. In this case, you will need to build the base of the floor, walls, roof from scratch.

For the construction of a camper, single-axle trailers are most often chosen that can withstand a load of up to 1 ton. Therefore, it is necessary to select materials for the frame, taking into account the weight of the future structure.

A camper trailer is erected using a frame:

• metal;
• wood;
• sandwich panels.

The most affordable and relatively light material for making a house on a trailer is wood. It is easier to work with and does not require special tools to connect the elements.

DIY vintage camper trailer

Frame

To make the frame you will need:

• timber 50 * 50 mm;
• moisture resistant plywood 10 mm for walls;
• plywood 12 mm thick for the floor;
• fasteners (screws);
• screwdriver;
• drying oil, brush;
• galvanized corners;
• jigsaw;
• metal profile for the roof;
• galvanized steel (for external cladding);
• silicone sealant;
• insulation.

A preliminary drawing of the future caravan is drawn up, only after that the purchase of building materials for the manufacture of the facade and roof of the house on wheels is carried out.

The minimum parameters of the motorhome are 230 * 160 cm. The height of the building is from two meters. With this size, inside the living compartment, you can organize 2 berths, a dining area and a sink. If there is a need to equip a full-fledged housing with everything necessary, then the size should be increased by 2-3 times.

RV trailer manufacturing process

Work order

1. Remove the side from the trailer.
2. They clean the chassis, paint it with an anti-corrosion compound.
3. If there is a sufficiently strong base, the logs and the lower frame of the frame are fixed directly on it, if it is absent, then the frame is welded from a metal pipe 50 * 25 mm.
4. The lower strapping is carried out from a bar of 50 * 50. The side elements are connected to each other using lags. Lags are placed at a distance of every 20 cm. Metal corners are used to connect them to the timber.
5. Cover the wooden elements with linseed oil in 2 layers.
6. Insulation plates are placed in the space between the lags.
7. The base is covered with 12 mm plywood, fixing it with self-tapping screws.
8. Go to the frame racks. The beam is connected to the lower strapping using corners and self-tapping screws. After that, the upper strapping is performed.
9. Cover the entire structure with linseed oil.
10. In places where, according to the plan, windows should be located, beams and racks are installed from a bar.
11. Sheathing begins with inside... Plywood is attached to galvanized screws every 25 cm along the perimeter of the sheet.
12. Grind the inner surfaces using a grinder. Cover with varnish.
13. Outside, the sheets are treated with linseed oil.
14. Insulation is laid in the cavities between the frame racks, the frame is sheathed with sheets of 10 mm plywood, which are pre-coated with linseed oil on both sides.
15. The door is made of timber and plywood sheets. The door is installed on galvanized hinges.
16. Insert windows. A simple solution is Plexiglas sheets.
17. A self-made mobile home is sheathed with sheets of galvanized steel. Self-tapping screws are used as fasteners, they are screwed around the perimeter at a distance of every 10 cm. The corners of the trailer are sheathed with a corner.
18. The joints of the sheets with each other and the corners are treated with a sealant to prevent water from entering the structure.
19. It remains to make the roof and roof. It is necessary to cover it with corrugated board, fix the sheets on galvanized screws.

Internal layout

The walls, ceiling and floor are already sheathed, so all that remains is to paint or varnish them. If the size of the building allows, the shower and the bathroom are equipped with a separate room. A frame partition is erected, a door is hung. All the remaining space is divided into zones: a sleeping area, a recreation and eating area, a kitchen. You will need to install sockets for electrical appliances, it is important not to forget about high-quality ventilation for a mobile home.

Furniture

To save space, transformable furniture is installed inside the trailer. For example, they do it on their own or purchase a folding table, a sofa bed. In the upper part of the walls, shelves are mounted in which things, kitchen utensils, and clothes will be stored.

Useful little things

What else is worth knowing before you start making a mobile home:

1. For the outer sheathing of the frame of a trailed motorhome, you can use not only galvanized steel, but also a professional sheet.
2. If you cannot organize the ventilation system, you can cut small holes in the doors and close them with a mosquito net. If there are opening windows for ventilation, then this is not required.
3. In order for the mobile home to serve for a long time, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the casing, paint the metal if necessary.

The process of creating a mobile home on your own is quite laborious, it requires financial investments, a waste of time and effort. Therefore, proceed with it with complete confidence that you will be able to independently develop a project and bring it to life.

Many car owners dream of their own motorhome on wheels so that they can easily travel with their family to various places. But a family cannot always afford to buy a motorhome, so many people make it themselves. To do this, you need a little:

But, in addition to this, you should have a high-quality, and most importantly, reliable vehicle that can accommodate a motorhome on wheels.

So what should you do? Before you create a camper with your own hands, you should visit a legal consultation. Such modernization of the car requires legalization. There are different requirements for each country.

The first step is a do-it-yourself camper

The whole process of creating such a structure can be conditionally divided into several stages:

• outdoor work;
• execution of internal works;
• provision of water supply for the camper;
• supply and connection of gasification and electricity systems;
• placement of furniture;
• small work.

After that, you can travel by camper at any free time.

Number of seats

As an example of creating a camper, let's take a regular average van. If the van will be operated by only two people, there will be plenty of space. If the family has more people, then it is necessary to think over the additional number of places. Remember that all seats must be secured with seat belts.

Determine in advance how many beds your mobile home will have. There is a very good option for increasing them. Set up bunk beds inside. You can also make a bed that will "fall out" from under the roof. This will help save space on the camper.

At this stage of planning, you should have a clear plan of the internal structure. Of course, you can make your own adjustments during installation, but the basis must be thought out to the smallest detail.

Outdoor work

First of all, take care of the cleanliness of the inside of the campsite. The area should not contain dirt, dust, significant defects. This will be the key to a successful motorhome formation.

You should also plan out the form in general terms. In addition to the outline, you can sketch on paper.

The bodywork rarely has windows, which is disastrous for camper travel. Plan where best to install windows for the best view. In addition, they will open access to the flow of fresh air and allow the sun's rays to penetrate, which will create additional lighting. Windows can be chosen from completely different shapes, types and structures. Everything will depend solely on your preferences, as well as the characteristics of the bodywork.

Additional holes in the body

When creating a camper with your own hands, do not forget to make some holes:

• to remove gas in the event of a leak;
• for ventilation;
• for output from the heater;
• for water fillers.

Of course, you can do some of them after the camper is created, but this can already be much more problematic. It's best to do everything at once and in advance. But this should be done only when you are sure that these holes will be located in those places.

Areas with exposed metal should be immediately primed to prevent corrosion.

Internal work

How to equip a camper inside? With your own hands, you should create partitions between the front seats and the main body of the body. But if you wish, you can not do them. The installation of the partition is also different. It can be fixed with screws or welded to the body itself. If necessary, use a grinder at this stage.

When operating a grinder, do not forget about safety measures. Work with it carefully, especially if you are using the tool for the first time. Remember to wear safety glasses over your eyes and make sure the circle is securely fastened. Also, in the process of working with the grinder, sparks will fly, which, if they hit the glass, will create defects. Therefore, take care in advance to securely close it.

Insulation

The insulation layer for a mini camper is very important. The temperature inside, as well as sound insulation, will depend on its quality and correct installation. A large number of materials from various companies are presented on the market. Their choice will be exclusively individual, based on the characteristics of the environment, financial situation, body type.

The insulation should be cut into small pieces and carefully glued on. The main feature and the main one is protection against moisture ingress. If the insulation layer does not cope with its immediate duty, remove it.

Prepare in advance for hull plating:

Use a thick layer of plywood on the side covers. This is done so that it can support the weight of the furniture that will be mounted directly on it.

The side walls must be coated with glue that can withstand a wide range of different temperatures. Use it to glue the insulation to the side walls. Glue for different temperatures is used because the van will be used in different conditions: in severe frosts and in the scorching summer sun. Heating is additionally arranged. If the glue does not have all the necessary properties, then the sealant and coating will simply disappear.

Camper trim

The cladding of the motorhome begins from the roof itself to the floor covering. First of all, we install the insulating and cladding layer and only after that we smoothly move on to If you will equip exclusively a winter camper, then the sealant layer should be increased and additionally compacted.

To provide sufficient insulation space, use wooden planks that are mounted to the floor. Fasteners must be made with a special sealant suitable for the coating. After that, a layer of insulation is laid, and then they are covered with plywood. The plywood itself is attached with screws or sealant. Do not forget about the place of laying water supply, gas cables and electrical cables.

Water supply

A prerequisite for the water supply of a mobile home is that it must have a running water supply. To do this, place a couple of canisters of water under the sink. The installed pump will produce the required flow of water to the tap.

If desired, a camper can be provided and hot water... This will be useful if you want to place a shower. This requires placing large tanks of water under the vehicle body. To connect the heating system, you will need to purchase and install additional hoses.

Don't forget about waste water. They can be withdrawn using a hose placed in the floor, or water can be drained into a portable tank. The container should be emptied as soon as possible, since in summer it will go from it and in winter it will simply freeze. You can also install a toilet.

Gasification and electricity

The installation of the hose for gas and electrics must be entrusted exclusively to qualified specialists. With the slightest mistake in self-installation, this can lead to a disastrous outcome.

A propane tank can be used for cooking. You can do without it by replacing the container with an ordinary electric stove. Store the container in a separate place.

The power system of the camper consists of a charger, a battery, a control panel and a wiring system.

Gas and electricity in a camper-trailer is very important. In the case of going to nature far outside the city, the autonomy of both systems should be at the maximum level.

Furniture

If you wish, you can use absolutely any furniture you like. You can buy new furniture items or design and make it yourself.

Almost everyone who has a camper leaves extremely positive reviews. You can create more than just a small family caravan. It is also quite possible to make huge off-road campers. The choice is yours!