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 RV, 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, a mobile home should accommodate eight people. Each tenant has its own sleeping place, there is still small kitchen... Other amenities and equipment may vary depending on the specific 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, when parked, they turn into an addition to the living space. At the tail end there is often a separate room with U-shaped furniture.
History
Serial production of mobile homes began in the last century, although some historians believe there were earlier homemade counterparts. They were small vans equipped to accommodate people (mainly cattle breeders).
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 refers to an automobile 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 selected 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 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 primed to protect against corrosion and aggressive impact environment.
Stage 4. The house is finished with heat-insulating material.
Note! To do this, you need to use exclusively quality materials, it is highly undesirable to save. 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. Finishing off inner surface motorhomes.
- 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- for this, another tank is installed. 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, so in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent unfortunate consequences.
Stage 8. All that remains is to take care of the power supply. The best option- 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 sturdy 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. 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. 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 one - 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
In the construction of motorhomes, it is possible to organize 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. This is a relatively new business, and everything new can be very expensive. 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
| 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 built on the basis of 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. Interior interior designed in the style of luxury yachts - the elegant narrow doors of the numerous lockers suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather trim sofas and armchairs in the seating 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 the Fiat Ducato truck, 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 for this chassis. A spacious and bright mobile home for four people. Light enters not only through the side windows (all have curtain systems, including those on the windshield), but also through the transparent sunroof located in the front of the camper. Expensive and refined interior decoration accentuates the interior space, and the swivel seats for the driver and passenger make the living room simply 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 car in management. And if the outside of 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 for the greatest comfort can be transformed into one huge one.
Specifications:
- unique body protection;
- large luggage compartment;
- country of origin: Germany;
- Average price: 9 176 188 rub.
Mobile home projects have already been presented in the previous articles of our site. This same cottage on wheels conventionally divided into three parts - a supporting platform, a frame and a roof. The load-bearing platform is a ready-made vehicle part with a reinforced frame, springs and other necessary elements. The frame of the mobile house is also made of metal. The frame was covered with processed wooden planks.
In the process of mounting a metal frame, it is necessary to take into account such points as the internal and external equipment of the house, namely, where it will be located, a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and sink, a toilet with a shower. Therefore, it is very important, before starting work on the manufacture of such a caravan, to scrupulously think over every corner and every detail of the future home.
Sheathed with siding consists of three layers, where the outer and inner ones are made of wood, and between them is a heater with wind, hydro and vapor barrier. The roof of the house is arranged in the same way, which makes it possible to maintain a comfortable temperature for life inside the house, both on cold and hot days. The tree, treated and protected, will last more than a dozen years, but thanks to modern means caring for wooden surfaces does not require significant effort and investment.
Due to the fact that the mobile home is equipped with solar panels, its residents are independent from the centralized power supply, which is extremely important in suburban conditions.
Particular attention needs to be paid. In many ways, the comfort of living in a house depends on the competent installation of windows (both on the ceiling surface of the house and in the wall).
In a compact mobile home every detail is multifunctional. The couches simultaneously became chests for clothes and other things necessary in everyday life, the folding table is successfully masked on the surface of the wall, numerous shelves under the ceiling also made it possible to place a large number of objects and even a mirror is fixed on the wall, on a movable folding leg.
A mobile home on wheels is a great way to always have a roof over your head for people on duty or at the behest of the heart who are constantly moving from place to place. And if in our country they are practically not common, then America and Europe have been using campings for a long time and with pleasure. The bulk of such structures have a rectangular shape and a flat or streamlined roof. However, there are companies that prefer to build real mobile homes, more like compact summer cottages rather than vans.
Mobile Home Sweet Pea Tiny House
Sweet peas or peas - this is the name of this campsite in the form wooden house designed by the US architectural firm PAD Tiny Houses.
This specific project designed for a single woman who dreams of a husband and a child. Since the customer is constantly on the road, she needed a compact and comfortable mobile home, with an eye on the accommodation of two adults and a child. Gina received from the firm technical documentation and detailed instructions for assembling a house kit from a bar and a board, according to frame technology... The assembly technology was calculated in such a way that self-construction at home did not give her any trouble. The area of the house is about 13 m², not counting the second light on which there is a double bed for adults, it can be reached by a sliding wooden staircase.
On the first level, there are all the units necessary for a comfortable existence: a full-fledged kitchen, a bathroom, storage systems and shelving.
Also in entrance area there is a sofa under the window, which will later be used as a sleeping place for a child.
The bathroom has a shower stall with a deep tray in which it will be possible to bathe a child, like in a bathtub.
If in our interiors now there is a dominance of plastic and composite, then Americans, on the contrary, prefer natural materials... The facade, all interior decoration in the house and furniture are made of wood. Natural light for most of the day is provided by glazed double doors and windows, not only in the walls, but also in the roof and gable.
To build such a house, you will need a two-axle trailer with a length of about five meters and a carrying capacity of about 3.5 tons. The house itself, depending on the type of decoration and functionality, weighs about three tons.
Mobile home Ostara
French architects from Baluchon also specialize in compact mobile homes and prefer natural materials. For their house, designed by Ostara, they used wood for the frame and cladding, and as a heat insulator, sheep wool, cotton; hemp and flax for sealing.
As in the previous project - the classic form with gable roof and a second light. The first level is reserved for the kitchen, living room and bathroom, on the second there is a bedroom.
Wooden house ik on wheels. Already at first glance, it looks more like an ordinary country house, which for some reason has wheels. In reality, this is a wonderful project of a practical mobile home, and the most interesting thing is hidden inside. Let's see what the designers will surprise us with this time.
This house is called Monarch Tiny Homes. Designed and built to reflect the growing popularity of miniature homes. I think it's worth starting a review with its most interesting feature. Already habitually miniature houses offered by eminent design groups cost quite a lot of money. But this project was initially focused on the construction of a mobile home with full functionality and at an affordable price.
Even a well-designed home doesn't have to cost a fortune, so Monarch Tiny Homes will only cost you $ 22,000 in the base package, which includes the body and essential interior elements. A complete set with equipment and design delights will cost $ 47,000, which is still less than we are used to seeing in such situations.
When creating the house, the emphasis was on constructive safety. Even considering the presence of an attic as part of the living space, the house remains solid and reliable. It is installed on a standard wheeled platform and is designed for towing by ordinary light vehicles. The art of engineering is manifested in the selection of materials and the layout of the structure in such a way that it is strong, warm and durable at the same time. Mostly wood is used, for thermal insulation already proven SIP panels are used.
Now about the pleasant. This is actually a mobile "Cabin in the Woods" - you can't call it any other way. This experience is facilitated by the magnificent appearance and interior layout... What is just the decision to use the attic for sleeping place and wooden stairs.
The inside of the house is very spacious, although this is not noticeable from the outside. It can accommodate everything you need for a comfortable life. Appliances, and outside a set of equipment for an autonomous existence.
By the way, the house is in every way consistent with the principles of environmental friendliness. This is the use of fiberboards, and solid wood, and even recycled plastic. The main advice from the creators of the house is to use solar panels instead of diesel generators, so as not to deviate from the principles of an eco-house.
Making your own camper is not too difficult a task for experienced master... But the timing of such a construction can be very delayed due to the constant improvement of the design. In order not to get into such a situation, you should think over the interior in advance, abandoning obviously unnecessary elements. This is especially important when equipping small cars, for example, when creating a home on wheels from a GAZelle with your own hands.
A mobile home has undeniable advantages - comfort, coziness and mobility. Moscow is a bustling city from which you sometimes want to leave. Trailer owners do not have to look for a place to sleep, and travel becomes very economical. If earlier it was not possible to use this original housing, you should first familiarize yourself with their classification.
Types of motorhomes and their classification
When choosing the type of future mobile housing, you can be guided by its division by:
- mind - there are trailed, van or caravans combined with a car;
- class - there are three comfort classes of motorhomes;
- type of trailer - there are trailers-trailers, hybrid and fifth-wheel trailers.
If with trailed view mobile home everything is clear, the difference between a van and a combined caravan is not immediately visible. In the first embodiment, the living space is located in the van of the car and is separated from the driver's seat.
This option is suitable when traveling together, when no one stays in the "house" during the travels. Thanks to this design, it is possible to fit more functional furniture using a blank front wall.
Motorhomes converted from GAZelles or minibuses are exactly combined.
The comfort class can be called conditional. Thus, class “A” mobile homes include spacious trailers made on the chassis of large trucks. Outwardly, they resemble a bus, they can have folding structures, but inside they do not differ in functionality from a small apartment.
It should be borne in mind that the driver must have a category "C" license to drive this vehicle.
There is much less space in it, but it is still convenient to travel in them. What is important - you can drive such a car with a category B license if the weight of the car or total weight a car with a trailer does not exceed 3.5 tons.
Class "C" indicates the simplest motorhomes. It could be small trailer or a minibus converted into a camper. There is no separate sleeping place - its function is performed by folding sofas or armchairs. But by equipping such a mini camper with a roof rack, a folding canopy and a set of camping furniture, you can get a comfortable stay with a minimum of costs.
Such construction trailers are also called hybrid trailers to distinguish them from simple trailers. Separately, it is necessary to note the Fiveswil trailers, the shape of which is designed for use in conjunction with pickups. Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the length of the entire caravan, because part of the trailer hangs over the body of the car.
Mistakes when building mobile homes with your own hands
The prices for mobile homes are noticeably biting. Not surprisingly, the desire of the skilled heads of families to save the budget and do everything yourself. It is important to be wise and learn from other people's mistakes:
- you should not do everything from scrap materials - you will have to live in the house for at least a week and you want to spend your vacation in comfort;
- serious revision of the body, heating system, wiring will be required - you cannot do without the skills of an auto mechanic;
- if you still managed to fit the shower and toilet, do not forget about the drain tank - pouring dirty water onto the asphalt or lawn is extremely unethical;
- it is better not to forget to make a connector for connecting 220V at camping sites, well, and a converter for 12V from a car battery.
Making a trailer in-house
If difficulties do not frighten, and the desire for action is unstoppable, you can try your hand at building a house. And to remake a GAZelle or build a trailer-trailer from scratch - the choice is strictly individual!
DIY GAZelle mobile home
For work you will need a grinder, a welding machine, hand saw woodwork and a lot of patience. The step-by-step modernization of the car looks like this:
- The seats are removed from the passenger compartment, removed old paneling... All metal parts are treated with a special solution to prevent rust. The walls and ceiling are insulated with polyethylene foam, plywood sheets are laid on the floor. All wiring runs under the floor and wall cladding, this should be thought out in advance.
- A frame for furniture is welded directly into the body. If it is impossible to set the car straight, you can use a pipe resting with its ends on the lower edge as a level window openings... After rough welding, the frame is removed and everything is welded, cleaned and brought inside again.
- Window openings are pasted over with Carpet. Carpet-pasted ceiling panels are also installed. After finishing the interior trim, you can fix the slats under the mezzanine and mount the furniture frames.
- For the front seats, you can make a swivel mechanism. To do this, you will need a front hub, for example, from a VAZ and part of a swivel stand. The circuit is pretty simple.
- The final stage is the installation of the furniture on the frame, connecting the lighting, installing the pump for the kitchen sink, lining the mezzanine and making minor improvements to the interior. For cooking, you can put a small gas stove for one hotplate.
- Instead of welding the furniture frame, you can use ready-made headsets, reinforcing them from the inside with corners and additional screws. You also need to fix the kitchen to everything - the floor, sofa, wall. This is to protect furniture from loosening when driving on bumpy roads.
It should not be forgotten that such a modification of the car requires registration with the REO. To do this, you need to write a statement and receive a resolution from the technical department of the traffic police and the protocol of an authorized organization.
Stylish plywood trailer house
If the car has a towbar, it is a sin not to take advantage of the situation and not make a nice "drop" trailer for spending the night outside the city. For this:
- The side walls of the future van are cut and attached to the base. All openings for doors and windows, as well as for lightening the frame, must be cut out in advance, so it is better to think over the drawing well.
- From furniture board the shelves are assembled and installed on the base. The same shelves will serve as the front and rear walls van.
- A plywood sheet is bent on both sides in the shape of a van above the shelves, and is fixed on top power frame from a bar. One side is lifted, giving access to the kitchen.
- The top hatch and skylight are cut out. The entire frame is insulated, the wiring is laid.
- Everything is glued on top with veneer sheets. When the door and window openings have been cut, you can proceed to the exterior painting and varnishing.
- Doors, top hatch and supply and exhaust ventilation... After securing all the fittings, side lights and wheel fenders, you can safely go on a journey!
And the video shows a detailed assembly of the motorhome with the installation of solar panels: