Drawings to make a collapsible trailer house yourself. Homemade travel trailer from EcoTrek. Stages of building a motorhome with your own hands
Do-it-yourself camper trailer: getting ready for a long journey!
Experienced travelers know that it is not always possible to spend the night cheaply and comfortably. Therefore, when traveling long distances and having your own car, it would be a sin not to buy a towbar and hook up a caravan trailer. Essentially, this is a house on wheels - a small room with a kitchen, a toilet... Well, in general, with all the objects of civilization. In such a “mini-hotel” you can not only spend the night comfortably, but even cook food for several people and have lunch there, and most importantly – completely free! And today we will look at how to make a trailer-dacha with your own hands.
Chassis and frame
The main component of any trailer is the frame. It is on this that the entire load from the metal body (the frame of the “house”) falls, and below is the bridge, beam and wheels. By the way, you won’t have any special difficulties regarding the chassis, because the design of the trailer is not fundamentally different from the car system, with the exception of the engine units. Therefore, when you make a trailer-dacha with your own hands, you can completely “rip out” part of the wheels, springs and other suspension parts from any old car as a running system. Any car model can be suitable for such a vehicle, be it a Volga, Moskvich or Zhiguli. 
How to make a trailer-dacha with your own hands? Room design
And if the algorithm for designing a caravan trailer is practically no different from a conventional cargo version at the stages of building the chassis system and frame, then difficulties may arise with the body. The fact is that a homemade trailer-dacha should really be comfortable and practical, so you need to develop a plan for the design and location of all the parts on the drawing. Indicate where the bedroom, kitchen will be located, and if it is a frame with a length of 5 meters or more, you can additionally install a bathroom. However, remember that every new room entails additional expenses, which means the price of the finished trailer will be significant. Moreover, in order to legally drive in such a hitch, you also need to register this vehicle with the traffic police. And this is at least several thousand dollars on top. Therefore, do not overload your trailer with unnecessary devices.
Refurbishment option
The most practical option homemade trailer is a design that has a built-in frame for an awning on the side (remember the legendary Soviet “Skif”). When unfolded, it forms a kind of large tent. This significantly reduces the cost of work and the effort spent on it. This self-made cottage trailer is very functional and at the same time easy to use. 
Towbar and illumination
At the final stage, it is worth taking care of how the finished structure will be attached to the car’s tow bar. Also, a homemade trailer-dacha must have a pair of brake lights and turn signals. Consider a location for the license plate in the center or on the side and install a backlight to it, preferably LED. Such a camper trailer on wheels will definitely be the best hotel for a traveler.
fb.ru
Do-it-yourself dacha trailer from a car trailer
Trailer for a car
Those who like to go out of town by car overnight know that sleeping in a car is not convenient, so you need to take a caravan with you. This is a house on wheels, you can spend the night in it, cook food, and have excellent protection from rain and snow. You can put a big bed there and have a great time. The caravan trailer itself is very convenient.
There are many manufacturers who produce various houses on wheels. But they are quite expensive, sometimes even used. u. caravan trailers also cost a lot of money. Therefore, many craftsmen make a trailer-dacha with their own hands, inventing their own design. For each individual case your own type of caravan trailer.
The advantages of making a caravan trailer with your own hands
Inexpensive option for a caravan trailer
The simplest and most inexpensive is the tent trailer. When folded it looks simple car trailer, and if you unfold it, then a tent roof appears above the trailer and a little further from it.
To make such a camper, you need to buy a factory trailer, install fastening elements for the base of the tent on it, and also make a folding porch so that you can enter the room. The main thing here is to make sure that the size of the tent fits the trailer.
In order to arrange the space inside the tent, you will need air mattresses and a folding table. This is quite enough for fishermen who go fishing overnight. 2-3 people can easily sleep in such a tent. But in winter it will be cold, so this trailer-dacha is only suitable for the warm season.
Capsule shaped trailer
The base also contains an ordinary passenger trailer, but the end result is a more substantial dwelling. These will already be full-fledged walls with a roof. You can even live in such a trailer-dacha for some time. You can make several windows for convenience. The tent should have all the necessary household items such as a gas stove, dishes and other accessories.
All parts must be sanded, then it can be painted and varnished. This capsule can easily fit 2 people.
Wooden cottage trailer
If you have a two-axle trailer, you can build a wooden house on its basis. For everything to go smoothly, you need wooden beams, plywood, metal tiles, and waterproofing film. From wooden beam First, the frame is made. Next is a video where a guy makes a trailer-dacha with his own hands:
Next, everything needs to be done according to plan:- Cover the frame with waterproofing film and sew it with plywood.
- The roof should be made of metal tiles; you can also use corrugated sheets or ondulin.
- The walls of the house must be covered with a layer of waterproofing, after which the house is finished with clapboard or plastic siding.
- Install a door, cut out windows and arrange the interior to your liking.
This is already a large trailer-dacha, which can easily accommodate several people and even a family. You can live in such a dacha from spring until the end of autumn. It will still be cold in winter.
Auto-dacha from a station wagon body
If there old car in the back of a station wagon, then it is not necessary to sell it for scrap; you can make a caravan trailer out of it. The main thing is that the rear of this station wagon is in good condition. It is necessary to cut off the front part of the unnecessary car, and make a trailer from the rear part.
First, you need to take measurements of the future trailer so that the length is suitable to fit comfortably into it. If everything is done correctly, you will get a multifunctional trailer in which you can spend the night.
The front part needs to be reinforced around the perimeter with a rigid frame made from angle steel, and the front part also needs to be covered with a sheet of iron, or at the very end, plywood.
At the front, in the lower part, you can install a towing device; it is usually made from a channel. The entry door will be the trunk lid, and side doors can be used for loading things.
Your own mobile home on wheels
IN Western Europe and in the United States, living, traveling or vacationing in the company of a motor home has long been widespread. The owners of such houses do not pursue large dimensions. The trend there is precisely small houses on wheels, but they are so multifunctional that they are able to filter their own water, generate electricity and heating using solar panels on the roof and use every centimeter of space in such a way that a two-story van with a base area of 14 square meters looks quite complete housing.
Who is a fan of RV living in a mobile home?
In the West there are no expressed preferences, however:
- young people often use this method not for living, but for travel and recreation, since they traditionally gravitate towards the bustling life of the city and do not need solitude;
- families in which children are growing up are already more tolerant of such a mobile home, because it can solve some financial problems, especially in times of crisis, unemployment and more than high prices for housing maintenance, as well as for food;
- active retirees are ideal consumers of the motorhome style. Knowing how to drive, they enjoy traveling not only around their own country, but also around accessible foreign countries.
Trailer-dacha on wheels in Russia
The fashion for using mobile homes has recently come to Russia. The direction is developing very slowly. First of all, because of the cost, because in the West, a mobile home is truly affordable housing relative to real estate prices, but in Russia such vans are more expensive than a good apartment. In addition, more than half of the country's population lives in harsh winter conditions, and insulated mobile homes often cost as much as 2 apartments.
Mobile homes are conventionally divided into classes that describe the category of spaciousness, internal content and comfort:
- class A - looks like a bus and is closest to usual housing;
- class B - this includes a trailer that is fully equipped inside, the sleeping place is located directly in the trailer itself;
- class C - small-sized, designed for movement on the basis of an SUV or a passenger car, while the car cabin is transformed into a sleeping place.
The most budget-friendly option currently available is a tent trailer, which can be disassembled at the campsite directly around the trailer.
But, if equipped trailer houses are inaccessible to many, then a self-made cottage on wheels is more than real option.
Read also: Choice sliding windows for terrace glazing
DIY transformable house
The construction is based on an ordinary standard trailer. Body width 1200 mm, length 2400 mm. Task: overnight stay for up to 4 people, plus transportation of goods. Trailer category up to 750 kg.
For construction, two roller doors, 30 by 30 mm bars, galvanization, plywood for the roof and other parts were purchased.
Full size
The manufacturing tool has also been selected.
Full size
And so we begin the assembly. We install racks 30 by 30 mm, height 1430 mm. and screw them to the sides.
Then we install the frame.
We install a roller shutter on the side and behind, laying plywood on the “second” floor. This will be a place for two people to spend the night.
Once we've done this, we cover it with a tarpaulin for extra protection and then galvanize the entire trailer.
And finally we install the aluminum profile trim.
The trailer is ready.
In the future, depending on your desires, you can install it on a trailer, window, trunk, you can decorate your trailer with film and much more.
Full size
Also, for an additional overnight stay for two people, you can install a cover on the roof of the trailer, install an awning and the room is ready. If you won't be spending the night there, you can use it to transport goods.
Full size
You can fit two people inside the trailer, two people on the roof, and you can also place a small pull-out kitchen and table inside. There are many options here.
Here is a simple option for a novice traveler; in the future, if you understand that the journey is everything, you will make yourself a better trailer, and this one can be used, for example, as a workshop.
Well, I'll put up a video.
www.drive2.ru
DIY trailer trailer idea
The thirst for travel resides in almost all of us. Some realize it by purchasing a full-fledged motor home, while others make trailers with their own hands. We invite you to look at a miracle trailer, which is made from an ordinary car trailer. See how the trailer was transformed.
Hello friends!
Summer is over, I was in a hurry to complete the frame before the rains arrived, so I didn’t post information and videos for a long time. My caravan has already been put into motion, and I even managed to go to the Lipetsk region to test it in the field.
I’ll get to the story about the tests later, but I can only note that the tests went very well! I'm really pleased! Fuel consumption on the highway is 9-9.5 liters. coupled with a caravan, without a caravan 8-8.5 l. depends on how you press the pedal. City with caravan 13l. without caravan 10-11l. Well, okay, I won’t tell you everything here now, otherwise it won’t be interesting later! :)))
Let's return to the topic of a homemade mobile home. After I finished the floors, I started building the walls. In order for my walls to stand up straight, I first installed the back wall and then placed it against the back wall. side walls. When I had everything lined up according to the diagonal measurements, I put up the front wall and began to cover the roof so that the walls would not become loose. After which I installed a partition between the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment. And then it occurred to me to make one more extra bed, instead of huge lockers, where there would be nothing to put so much.
Off-road motorhome. The back wall has been installed.
Off-road trailer: The side walls have been installed and the future shape of the caravan has been determined.
I used 3 sheets of 15mm plywood for one wall. Each sheet weighs 25 kg, which is 75 kg in a compartment. In principle, this is not much, but still no extra weight is needed, and it is better to fill the perforated areas with Polinor sprayed insulation rather than leaving 15mm. plywood. The thermal insulation coefficient of Polynor is an order of magnitude higher than that of plywood, therefore by perforating the walls I kill two birds with one stone. 1. Lighten the design, 2. The mobile home will be warmer. Well, all this is not to the detriment of the rigidity of the frame, since there are two partitions in front (outer wall + luggage compartment partition). In addition to the walls, inside, in the middle of the module, there will be two additional reinforcements, I’ll tell you about them a little later. This design will prevent the walls from loosening on strong bumps and will even protect the frame from a strong side impact, for example, against a tree. Those. having received a good side impact, without such reinforcement, the frame may lead a little the opposite side, which in the future will lead to the frame rocking, cracks will appear and the caravan will gradually begin to simply collapse, and to prevent this from happening, I have made provisions different types gain. I will tell and show you more about this.
After perforating the walls, which I did with a jigsaw right on the spot, I started gluing the outer wall with a 0.4mm galvanized sheet, gluing it to polyurethane sealant SoudaFlex 40 FC. When perforating, it is important to understand how the sheets will be laid so that the joints of the sheets do not fall into the perforation areas and a void will not form there.
Homemade mobile home: work began on perforating the walls to make the structure lighter.
But before pasting the walls with galvanized sheets, I attached aluminum profiles 20x40 vertically. The goal was to give rigidity to the frame so that the windows and door would sit in a profile frame, so that with further finishing and additional reinforcement of the frame it would be possible to attach to something. This method also helps to fasten the sheets themselves, the size of which is 152x152, together. Two of which lay lengthwise + a superstructure above them to achieve the desired height in the caravan.
Covering a mobile home with 0.4mm galvanized sheet
Separately, I will also shoot a video from the outside to show where the walls are attached to the frame, so that it is clear how and in what places I reinforced the walls to avoid swaying.
A 200Ah battery fits perfectly into the locker of the caravan.
I am building floors in a caravan (materials, technology). Off-road travel trailer do it yourself - part 6
We build the frame residential module(materials, technology). Navahi off-road trailer - part 5
Do-it-yourself Navahi off-road trailer (corrosion protection) - part 4 - ENTRY DELETED (you can find it without straining)
Do-it-yourself Navahi off-road trailer (frame modification, module layout) - part 3
Do-it-yourself Navahi off-road trailer (Life hack on how to turn over 300 kg alone) - part 2
DIY Navahi off-road trailer (frame, brakes, corrosion protection) - part 1
DIY Navahi off-road trailer - Introduction
www.drive2.ru
Expedition trailer. - DRIVE2
So we wander...
So, after another trip to Karelia, I got excited about building an expedition trailer. I got tired of turning over all the stuff for the device every evening in the car sleeping place, and in the morning lay everything out again.
The brief technical specification looked like this:
We sleep, cook and eat in the trailer. We transport tourist belongings (tents, sleeping bags, awnings, etc.), food, chainsaws, stoves, etc. with maximum protection from moisture. Boat, motor, catch and other smelly luggage - in a separate volume.
We hide under the awning from the heat and precipitation. The trailer should not limit the geometric cross-country ability. Preparing the sleeping area and kitchen should take a minimum of time (up to 5 minutes).
And most importantly, with your own hands. From scrap materials. In the garage.
I studied the very scant information on the Internet and compared it to our experience of road travel.
We built it with a friend. Not AnVir, of course, but for ourselves.
Surprisingly, wherever we stop with our trailer, fellow citizens have a huge number of questions, from the primitive “why?” to the pleasing ear and vanity “how?”
For what- already written.
How-Here:
www.uazpatriot.ru/forum/v…ewtopic.php?f=153&t=21174
I will add that due to systematic merciless exploitation, the trailer is in the stage of constant modernization.
Actually, here it is:
Video:
4 years Tags: trailer, expedition trailer, UAZ Patriot, travel
www.drive2.ru
DIY travel trailer Video
2 months ago
This is an MZSA 817701 flatbed trailer for passenger cars, small, with a body 2453×1231×290 mm. Last summer...
At the moment, there are several classifications of mobile homes. By main design features The following categories can be distinguished:
- trailed;
- camper van;
- a caravan house connected to transport.
Mobile modern houses can be divided into types not only according to certain design features, but also according to their purpose. This category includes mobile homes that are used as permanent or long-term housing, as well as those that are intended exclusively for travel.
You can find more detailed information about what it is in a very useful and interesting article by our specialist.
There is another form of classification of modern motorhomes. They can be divided into three main categories:
- C – small-sized, used for short trips;
- C B – semi-integrated car houses;
- B A – fully integrated.
The first ones are made on the basis of a regular SUV; the sleeping places here need to be transformed in a special way. Class B motorhomes are distinguished by a permanently located sleeping area, which is located in the rear of the vehicle. Class A motorhomes external characteristics similar to regular buses. They are quite comfortable and, therefore, very expensive in cost if purchased in finished form.
To save money, you can build a mobile home with your own hands, using photos and special instructions as a guide. If you correctly carry out the main stages of manufacturing a motor home, you can get a vehicle that will have a large windshield, a fixed driver's seat, as well as special retractable partitions that form zones of different functionality and separately located sleeping places.
Below you will find information on how to make a mobile home with your own hands, which can be considered autonomous. The structures can be equipped with generators, have gas supplied and a sufficiently large supply of water.
Stages of building a motorhome with your own hands
If you want to build a motorhome with your own hands, you should carefully follow the instructions provided. Below we describe how to build a motorhome body depending on the base, how to properly equip it and equip it with all the necessary components for living and traveling.
Creating a plan
Homemade mobile homes are quite serious structures. The process of their construction, here, as in any important event, must begin with detailed plan. It is at this stage of work that the master must think through the most basic aspects of the matter, all possible little details and draw up the most accurate drawing.
When making a motorhome from a trailer with your own hands, you need to strictly adhere to all the points and rules indicated in the plan and drawings.
The total internal space of a building on wheels should be divided into three main zones:
- A dining room where you can eat, work on a laptop or read a newspaper at the table. Here you can place a small sofa, chairs and a table. These items should fold easily enough to take up a minimum amount of free space.
- Sleeping area. This is one of the important areas, since adequate sleep ensures activity and good mood. For a driver, night rest is very important, since his concentration and attentiveness depend on it, which directly affects the safety of movement during the day. It is advisable to equip this area with a comfortable bed, which should easily rise and free up space.
- Bathroom with toilet. To equip such an area, you need to install a sink, a shower stall and a modern dry closet.
- Kitchen. This zone takes up a minimum amount of space, since most of its elements are built-in. To ensure maximum comfort, you need to install two burners, a small sink, a countertop, small refrigerator and a hood.
Due to the fact that the standard room of a motorhome is quite limited, its zones need to be integrated into one another. It is for this reason that a preliminary plan is so important and must be followed carefully.
In the process of drawing up a plan, you need to carefully consider what interior items are really required and what you can refuse.
After this, everything desired, indicating the exact dimensions, is transferred to a sheet of paper. Next, the plan is drawn up according to the following principle:
- The estimated area of the motorhome is divided into pre-divided zones. For example, a bedroom needs more space than a kitchen;
- the location of the bathroom and options for separating it from other rooms are noted;
- All furniture elements are drawn, as well as methods of their fastening and folding options.
In the process of drawing and designating these areas of the room, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of each element.
Don't forget about free space too. The mobile home should not be littered with things and pieces of furniture.
After drawing up a detailed and well-thought-out plan, after specifying the dimensions of the common room and pieces of furniture, you can begin to build such a structure as a mobile home from a trailer with your own hands.
Selecting a base
Among the most affordable budget options that are optimal for everyone who likes to make something with their own hands, we can highlight three of the most convenient designs. You can make a residential trailer with your own hands on the basis of a gazelle, a trailer with a reinforced chassis and an old minibus. Let's look at two of them in more detail.
Minibus
To make a motorhome with your own hands from a minibus, you should start by thoroughly cleaning the body and removing the upholstery. After this, you need to make special holes for ventilation, under the windows and for gas supply. After general data preparatory work You can begin special processes related to the arrangement of the residential area. Work of this kind must be performed in the following sequence:
- Leveling out dents on the inner surface and priming all metal parts of the base. This will prevent the occurrence of destructive corrosion.
- The internal surface - walls, ceiling and floor - are covered with heat-insulating material.
- A moisture-resistant coating is laid on top.
- Gas and electricity are provided.
- Bathroom equipment is being manufactured.
- The kitchen is being equipped and furniture is being installed.
It is equally important to get your travel van's engine and chassis in order. Due to the fact that this is a mobile vehicle, its ability to move should be given no less close attention than its arrangement and comfort.
Trailer
Making a camper from a trailer with your own hands is much more difficult than making a camper from a minibus. The main difficulty is that the walls and ceiling need to be built from scratch. An approximate scheme of action in this case will be as follows:
- Cleaning the chassis and trailer.
- Mounting on the base of the frame of the future motorhome.
- Covering the frame with a layer of plywood.
- Floor installation with simultaneous use of thermal insulation.
- The structure is sheathed with external material and coated with special moisture-resistant compounds.
- Roof arrangement.
- Construction of a drain, installation of wires to provide the house with electricity.
- Installation of door and window openings.
All this general scheme making a home on wheels. Below each stage will be discussed in more detail.
Exterior finishing work
Once the main body of the mobile home is ready, the main exterior work can begin. It is very important to ensure that the campsite is kept as clean as possible. There should be no dust, dirt or significant defects. This is what guarantees the successful formation of the structure. The main points of external work include:
- Removal of corrosion and various types of damage.
- Making holes.
Speaking about the necessary openings, it can be noted that these are not only window openings, but also those intended for gas outlet, ventilation, and water filler necks.
Openings must be made during the process of arranging the camper. Otherwise, you may encounter certain difficulties.
The external arrangement of such a structure as a do-it-yourself mobile home from a minibus or trailer consists of performing the following work:
- Creating partitions between the main body and the front seats.
- Arrangement internal insulation. Here you need to remember that the overall temperature and sound insulation inside the room will directly depend on the quality and proper installation of this material.
- Covering the structure from the roof to the floor covering.
There are a huge number of different materials available on the modern market. The choice can be made based on personal preferences, environmental characteristics, general financial situation, as well as the type of body used.
Home equipment
The equipment of a motorhome lies largely in its internal arrangement. To make the house convenient and comfortable, you will need to install water, electricity, gas into the house, and also install certain furniture.
Water supply and bathroom
A prerequisite for water supply to a structure on wheels is to ensure the supply of exactly running water. To implement this process Under the sink you need to install a couple of canisters and a compact pump, which will provide the necessary flow of water to the tap.
Thinking through the drainage of wastewater is the basic rule when arranging a full-fledged toilet. Their withdrawal can be carried out using a special located in floor surface hose With a little engineering knowledge, you won't have to manually drain water into special portable tanks. Although many people do this too.
As for the bathroom, the best option is to purchase and install a dry closet.
Electricity
One or more special batteries may be entirely responsible for the accumulation and storage of electricity in a wheeled house. These devices can be charged while the tractor is operating or when connected to external sources. When equipping a motorhome electrical networks Modern inverters occupy a special place. These are special devices that are capable of converting direct current with a voltage of 12 V into alternating current equal to 230 V. Due to this, devices operating from a 230-volt standard can be connected to a 12-volt network without any problems.
Heating and gas
Gasification of the described design consists of simply installing a gas cylinder in the room. To do this, you need to select a separate closed area. In its lower part you need to arrange special holes that go out.
A homemade dacha trailer made from a car trailer: a photo of the construction of a camper with a detailed description, as well as a video showing a house on wheels.
We decided to build a small residential house on wheels so that we could travel to nature in our car. Since we didn’t have drawings of the camper, we decided to make a removable module for the factory trailer (so that there would be no problems with re-registration of the vehicle).
This is why it was purchased boat trailer from Kurgan plant(only in their title they don’t specify what kind of trailer it is. It’s just a trailer; other manufacturers indicate that it’s a boat trailer and you can’t put a house on it).
The dimensions of the module corresponded to the dimensions of the trailer - 1400 x 2400 mm. Naturally, the removable module must be durable, and even for our roads plywood house It definitely won’t work, I had to weld a steel frame.
The base is welded from a 60 x 30 mm profile, the walls and ceiling are made from a 20 x 20 mm profile. 2 identical arcs were bent on a pipe bender.
The most difficult thing was to think through the doors; it took us 1/3 of the total time spent on the doors. Anyone interested in this topic has seen factory doors, ventilation hatches, gas stoves, sinks, heaters, etc. on American trailers. and so on. There is only one problem: cost. one factory door costs about 700-800 bucks (and you need 2 of them), a sunroof with an exhaust hood costs about 300-400 bucks, I didn’t even look at the sinks and stoves, and so it became clear that we would choose from what we found in hardware stores .
As a result, we made the doors ourselves, because with our course the budget for the doors alone came out to more than 100 thousand (on Alika, Ebay, in Europe, America, Russian online stores - the prices are approximately the same).
We decided to make the doors with power windows, because... This is the easiest way in our opinion. There is no point in describing the whole process, I will only say that making the doors was very tedious. but at cost they came out to 5 rubles per door, taking into account everything. the savings were worth it)
The outside of the body was sheathed with 0.8 mm aluminum sheets; we were looking for specially large sheets so that it could be covered with one sheet without joints. As a result, we found AMC2 sheets measuring 1500 x 3000 mm, which suited us quite well.
Now I would choose a composite material for cladding buildings, 4 mm thick (for those who don’t know, these are 2 sheets of 0.4 mm aluminum, and between them a special composite that ideally withstands all weather conditions).
We stuck aluminum onto a plywood backing, riveted it around the perimeter and sealed all the joints. It was possible to leave the trailer aluminum, but initially we wanted blue on the outside, so we ordered vinyl film for covering the vehicle from a printing house and covered it on top.
Many people ask about the refrigerator. There is no refrigerator, and there cannot be one, because... The module is removable and has its own car battery. The module wiring is completely autonomous and is not connected to the wiring of the car or trailer in any way. Therefore, there is no way to connect a refrigerator here. Although I don’t understand the problem if it can be placed in the trunk of a car.
We also made 2 220V sockets in the living area, a 400W inverter, enough for both chargers and a TV. LED lighting everywhere.
Water is supplied from a canister by a fountain pump, not very powerful, but economical.
We made a niche for the countertop under the kitchen, it seemed very convenient, but in fact the ribs on top and bottom were made from a 15 x 15 profile, a very flexible and not reliable profile. As a result, the niche bent a little and the chipboard table did not fit there, so we had to make it out of plywood.
After assembly, the trailer was tested by Karcher at all joints, cracks, etc. 100% tightness.
Costs for building a caravan trailer.
We started building the camper in May 2015, and finished it in June 2016. My friend and I work in shifts, i.e. per week 2-3-4 days could be devoted to the trailer. We were very stuck with the kitchen decoration and doors. If you expect to collect it in 3 months, add triple the deadline.
In terms of finances: everything was bought new, nothing used was used. The trailer itself cost 44 thousand, and about 110 thousand was spent on materials. Everything was fixed, right down to the gloves, so the price is close to the real one. You can do it cheaper, but you should know in advance.
By weight: the trailer + module weighs about 600 kg, the module itself is about 460-480 kg. The heaviness was added by a large number of chipboards, who will do it, look for a lighter material for the partitions.
The 1.4 Octavia passenger car pulls the trailer with a bang. On the highway I accelerated to 130 km/h, the trailer is not felt at all, the streamlined shape practically does not slow down. consumption increases by 1-2 liters. It’s difficult to drive on a bad road above 90, after all, the weight is not small, it jerks the car. But 80-90 is quite acceptable for such a trailer. I drove through fields, along dirt roads, and the trailer never hit anywhere.
Video that explains in detail makeshift house on wheels.
Making a mobile home with your own hands is not a very difficult task for any craftsman. The design will be improved as construction progresses and because of this, production times may be delayed. To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to think through the interior design in advance and get rid of inappropriate elements. This approach is important when converting small vehicles when assembling a motorhome, for example from an old trailer.
A mobile home is a type of transport that is both housing and a means of transportation. This type of housing gained its popularity at the beginning of the last century.
Motorhome structure
By standard, a mobile home must accommodate eight people. Each resident has his own sleeping place, there is also small kitchen. Other amenities and equipment may vary depending on the specific model, but in most cases there are also:
More expensive models have 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 and passenger seats are movable, as a result of which they become an addition to the living space when parked. The tail is often equipped with a separate room with U-shaped furniture.
Story
Mass production of mobile homes began in the last century, although some historians believe there were earlier home-built equivalents. They were small vans equipped for living people (mainly cattle breeders).
The first mobile home mounted on a conventional automobile chassis was introduced in 1938 by Jennings.
Types of mobile homes
There are several classifications of motorhomes. So, according to the design features:
Depending on their purpose, they are divided into:
- those used as long-term/permanent housing;
- those used for travel.
In the first case, more comfortable conditions take place, while frequently moving structures are extremely rarely divided into the actual living area and the cabin.
Categories
Let's look at each of the categories in detail.
C-class
Small houses intended for short trips. Usually made on the basis of SUVs, so at night the cabin can be converted into a double bed (if desired).
Teardrop 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 rear of the vehicle. Very popular among young couples (at least in America).
A-class
Such houses, which look like 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 sleeping places. 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 a car caravan.
Note! Campers are called B- and C-class trailers, while motorhomes are exclusively A-class models.
It is also worth noting that in some countries, all motorhomes without exception are called vinebago.
Turning a car into a motorhome will require a lot of effort and time, as well as the appropriate equipment.
Note! First, you should study this issue from a legal point of view. Different registration organizations view home-built motorhomes differently, and it would be a shame if the vehicle ends up being illegal.
Stage 1. First, the number of residents is determined and, based on this, the vehicle and internal “stuffing” 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 cleared. If dents are identified, they are removed and the peeling paint is cleaned off. Several windows (if there were none) are installed in the building for lighting and fresh air.
Stage 3. Cut out ventilation holes 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 thermal insulation material.
Note! To do this, you need to use only high-quality materials; saving is highly undesirable. In addition, the material from which the hardware (metal fasteners) are made must be similar to the metal of the car body - this is for additional protection against rust.
Stage 5. Gets off inner surface motorhomes.
- carpet covering;
- moisture-resistant plywood.
IN side walls thick panels with padded strips are inserted for furniture installation. It is typical that first it is better to level the ceiling, and only after that move on to the walls.
Stage 6. After installing the furniture, you should take care of the water supply. To do this, you can place several cans of water under the sink and install small pumps. In addition, you can install large tanks - for example, for taking a shower.
Note! Don't forget about wastewater– for this purpose another tank is installed. An ordinary 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 cylinder is located in the lower part of the body, as well as an additional hole for ventilation. This can be explained quite simply: propane weighs more than air, so in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent dire consequences.
Stage 8. All that remains is to take care of the energy supply. The best option– a powerful rechargeable battery equipped with an external charging outlet.
Mobile home made from an old trailer
Our trailer-trailer costs about 500,000 rubles. The amount is impressive, so if you have the opportunity to purchase an old car trailer, you can build a small motorhome with your own hands. For this you will need:
- trailer (necessarily with a strong chassis);
- wooden elements (slats, bars, carriage planks);
- plywood;
- metal profile (for roofing);
- fittings made in the same style;
- a set of appropriate tools.
Manufacturing technology
Such a motorhome will be a trailer with a rear part. By the way, it is better to make the bed the entire width of the structure - this way it will connect the side walls and thereby increase rigidity. The bay window will be manufactured later and equipped with a custom block. The door is installed of the Dutch type - it will consist of two halves.
Stage 1. The trailer is disassembled, the chassis is thoroughly cleaned and coated anti-corrosion paint. A frame is constructed from pine boards, and supports are cut out in appropriate places.
Stage 2. A frame is constructed from slats with a cross-section of 2x2 cm; an oak slat with a cross-section of 3x3 cm is additionally installed in each corner. A horizontal slat is tied on top of the frame.
Note! For thermal insulation, you can lay the lining in two layers.
Stage 3. The floor is covered plywood sheets. Poplar beams are used for the roof - they are screwed along the frame in increments of 30 cm. Plywood is fixed on the beams, on top of which a moisture-resistant material and a metal profile of a small cross-section are laid.
Stage 4. There will be only one window in the building (if you do not count the door) - at the top of the back wall. It is advisable to make the window in the form of a bay window.
Door lock in similar designs located below, but you can put one more - additional - on top. In addition, the door is equipped with a small casement window.
Stage 5. It is recommended to equip a table that extends from under the bed (as was once the case on Great Britain trains). For this purpose, 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 ladder are built from wood.
Letter of the law
No additional permit is required if the dimensions of the mobile home do not exceed:
- 400 cm in height;
- 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 caravans.
Organizing a mobile home business
At the construction of motorhomes it is possible to organize own business. There are four options for developing such a business.
Option #1. Production of houses for sale for summer holidays or living in the country. Serious material costs
this will not be required, since the houses will have a simplified design - for example, without insulation.
Option #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 increases as the customer base grows.
Option #3.
Make mobile eateries or shops.
Option number 4.
| He's the most interesting. It consists of creating 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 introduction to construction technology, watch the thematic video. | Video - DIY mobile home | TOP 10 best motorhomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | ||||||
| #1 |
|
⭐ 100 / 100 | ||||
| #2 |
|
⭐ 99 / 100 | ||||
| #3 |
|
⭐ 98 / 100 Name | ||||
| #4 |
|
Rating | ⭐ 96 / 100 Price | |||
| #5 |
|
Top 5 best motorhomes | ⭐ 90 / 100 3 - votes | |||
| POSSL ROADCRUISER | ||||||
| #1 |
|
4 - votes | ⭐ 100 / 100 Motorhome KAMAZ 43118 | |||
| #2 |
|
2 - votes | ⭐ 99 / 100 | |||
| #3 |
|
Top 5 Best Fleetwood Mobile Homes | ⭐ 98 / 100 | |||
| #4 |
|
Fleetwood RV Jamboree Sport | ⭐ 97 / 100 Motorhome KAMAZ 43118 | |||
| #5 |
|
1 - vote | ⭐ 96 / 100 Name | |||
Fleetwood RV Tioga Ranger DSL Fleetwood RV Storm Fleetwood RV Bounder
Fleetwood RV Discovery
- This real palace on wheels is based on MAN. The length of the motorhome is almost 9.5 meters, which requires the driver to have absolute skills to drive vehicles of this class. Everything here is subordinated to the main thing - maximum passenger comfort.
- Interior
- made in the style of finishing expensive yachts - the elegant narrow doors of numerous cabinets suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather trim of the sofas and armchairs of the living area. Every lamp, every, even the smallest, interior detail (curtains, for example) fills the space with luxury and splendor.
The base of the camper was created on the basis of a Fiat Ducato truck, as a result of which the vehicle has good handling and stability on the road - the camper's windage does not exceed the permissible values for this chassis. The spacious and bright mobile home is designed for four people. Light penetrates not only through the side windows (all have curtain systems, including the windshield), but also through the transparent hatch located in the front of the camper. Expensive and sophisticated interior decoration emphasizes the interior space, and swivel driver and passenger seats make the living room simply huge due to integration with the cabin.
Fleetwood RV Discovery
- better comfort;
- country of origin: Germany;
- average price: 13,367,000 rub.
The motorhome is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 316 CDI and has all the driving capabilities of this reliable and trouble-free vehicle. And if from the outside the integrated camper does not particularly stand out and 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 two others are located in the rear of the house, behind the toilet and shower. It is noteworthy that these two beds can be transformed into one huge one for maximum comfort.
Fleetwood RV Discovery
- unique body protection;
- large luggage compartment;
- country of origin: Germany;
- average price: 9,176,188 rub.
Let’s say you don’t need to drive straight through peat bogs, but it is quite enough for a trailer or self-propelled camper to withstand a multi-day trip on broken roads with half-wheel holes, bumpy graders and mountain dirt roads with protruding road surface boulders. Alas, it’s not easy to find such equipment ready-made...
But there is an old principle: “if you want something done well, do it yourself.” This is exactly what Ruslan, a car traveler and blogger, known online under the nickname “Off-Road,” decided. In principle, he had plenty of experience: at one time he was the chairman of the Argonaut autotravel club, was involved in organizing mass trips and already had a good idea of what he actually needed. But it is not enough to understand that mobile housing must be able to move not only on asphalt and not crumble. The torment of choice does not end here...
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
The agony of choice
Actually, all off-road motorhomes can be divided into three groups. Firstly, these are self-propelled campers on all-wheel drive chassis. A huge window of opportunity opens up here. You can take a “loaf” (which in modern times is called UAZ SGR) or Sobol 4x4 and work closely with them interior arrangement. Alas, the internal volume of these vans is quite limited, and the problem of being able to stand in full height stands up, excuse the tautology, to his full height.
You can take an all-wheel drive chassis - say, a UAZ Pro or Sobol 4x4 Farmer - and build a house on this chassis. Also, in general, it will turn out to be “the house of godfather Pumpkin” - the size of the cargo area of these cars is about 3 meters long and two meters wide, but you can use the space above the cabin.
1 / 2
2 / 2
Our popular mid-size pickups (Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux) are not very suitable for such purposes: their cargo area is only 1.5 meters long and severely limits the capabilities of camper builders.
You can, of course, find a full-size American pickup truck, but it’s expensive... Or you can aim for “large forms” and take, say, the medium-tonnage Sadko as a basis. By the way, its cargo platform is only slightly larger (compared to the UAZ Profi), but its off-road capabilities are excellent.
But all motorhomes have the same drawback. Just imagine: a man in a campervan goes on vacation with his family. We arrived, found a nice place on the shore of a taiga lake or with a beautiful view of a mountain valley, began to settle down, stretched out the awnings, laid out the furniture... And then it turns out that we didn’t buy any meat, we ran out of salt, we forgot the beer, in the end... camper owner, what are your options? Either he hands the family chairs and leaves them sitting in an open field (the awnings and awnings, of course, will have to be unhooked), while he hurries to the store in the nearest town, or they break up camp and go to the store all together. The same conflict arises when you want to see the sights in the immediate vicinity.
But if you have a trailer, then you simply unhitch the tractor, lock the door and drive lightly.
1 / 2
2 / 2
My home is my castle
So Ruslan decided that he needed a trailer. But there are also two types of trailers capable of following a tractor off-road. Firstly, this is a tent trailer. They are generally very compact and can be towed even by a tiny Suzuki Jimny. By the way, such trailers called “Picnic” are also produced in our country, and they are relatively inexpensive, 250-300 thousand rubles. But... Still, they are designed for use in the summer: the kitchen module with a stove and sink is usually made retractable, and the tent, the basis of which is the trailer, still needs to be set up: pull the guy ropes, hammer in the pegs... And such a camp is not suitable without supervision you leave it, and deploying the tent trailer takes time. If a person has spent a dozen or even more hours behind the wheel, he wants only one thing - to sleep, sleep and sleep again!
1 / 5
2 / 5
3 / 5
4 / 5
5 / 5
This means, Ruslan decided, only a rigid trailer, commonly known as a “caravan,” meets his needs. Moreover, even in ready-made trailers of this kind, with which he had to deal, bringing the house from the transport position to the “bedroom” position requires work whole line operations - lower the table, put the backrest pillow on it, take out the mattress, spread it, make the bed... This is the time. This is how the basic concept was formed, and Ruslan got to work.
Go to sleep immediately!
Ruslan purchased the frame ready-made, but modified the suspension in the most radical way. I installed a new, reinforced axle with hubs from Mitsubishi Pajero and hydraulic brakes from the same. Equipped with brake system manual drive, with which you can block the trailer wheels. The axle is suspended on springs from Gazelle, which can be found anywhere, in any region. There are two spare tires on the back wall of the trailer, plus one more on the car. All wheels are the same and interchangeable, even the rims are the same. A working cylinder from the Volga is implanted into the drawbar, which operates the overrun brake. As a result, the trailer actually overcame very serious obstacles before my eyes, and in order to overcome them, Ruslan had to use both winches installed on his Pajero III.
1 / 7
2 / 7
3 / 7
4 / 7
5 / 7
6 / 7
7 / 7
The frame is made of a hollow aluminum profile, inside of which a sprayed polyurethane insulation is pumped. The same insulation is used for thermal insulation of the main living space. It fills all the cracks and even penetrates microcracks in the plywood from which the walls are made. As a result, the trailer maintains its temperature like a real thermos. In hot weather it is cool, and in cold weather it retains heat for a long time. I confirm: while we were talking with Ruslan, the temperature outside exceeded +26, but coolness reigned inside. Taking all this into account, Ruslan did not bother installing an air conditioner, deciding to rely on natural ventilation.
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
Then it was time to do the main thing - that is, the internal arrangement. Based on the concept of “sleep immediately!” Ruslan came up with a rather unconventional scheme for transforming the sleeping area: the bed is hidden behind the front inner wall. It turned out to be very convenient: once a latch, two latch - and the bed lowers where it lies spring mattress. Please note: not “foam”, not foam rubber, but a full-fledged spring mattress purchased at a furniture store. And there is already a sheet laid out and a blanket lying there. You just need to take a pillow from the shelf - and that’s it, you can go to bed. In the morning I got up, threw the pillow on the shelf (by the way, this is not just a shelf, but quite a decent space in which you can organize another bed) and put the bed and blanket away, closing the latches.
Sometimes it's easier to carry cans
A folding table is attached to the same wall. It has two positions. The first is a coffee table, and its size is quite sufficient for two to have breakfast. Well, if you need it dinner table, then the table moves forward, a support is placed under it, and a tabletop is obtained. The occupants sit on two voluminous lockers, and inside them there are isolated volumes, accessible from outside the trailer. “Dirty” equipment is placed there: tools, welding machine and the like. Another such container bigger size, there is in the front. In principle, four bags with inflatable boats fit in it, but Ruslan has a gas cylinder, a fuel tank for a diesel heater and a generator there.
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
In the middle part of the trailer, on the left wall in the direction of travel, there is an absorption-type refrigerator, which can use 220 V, 12 V and gas for power supply. Ruslan bought it used, and is actually not very happy with it. Like all absorption refrigerators, it, of course, uses electricity very economically, but there is a nuance. The system is not filled with freon, but with a mixture of water and ammonia, which gradually begins to crystallize in the coil. There is less and less ammonia in the system, and the device ceases to perform its main function. The only salvation is to pull out the refrigerator and turn it upside down so that the water flows down and washes away the crystals. And this procedure must be repeated ten times. In the new trailer that Ruslan is building together with the Leroy Merlin company, he used a modern 45 W compression auto-refrigerator. This level of power consumption does not pose any particular problems: Ruslan installed two solar panels and a battery with a capacity of 200 Ah. A 3 kW inverter (it is located under the surface into which the stove is embedded) allows you not to be particularly nervous about the available power.
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
Canisters for clean water are located under the sink. Ruslan deliberately abandoned the built-in tank. He explains it this way: “Well, let’s say there is a spring. I took the canisters, arrived, filled them, and set them down. And with a stationary tank, you will need to bring canisters, and then pour them into the filler neck. Pump? It’s not always possible to get close to the water.” But in the new trailer that he is building with Leroy Merlin, Ruslan still hung a reel with a 20-meter hose outside and submersible pump"Baby". This is all connected to tanks inside the trailer, and there is a filler neck.
Experience, the son of difficult mistakes
Naturally, Kitchen Area equipped with a two-burner gas stove. But first she had to perform not only the functions of a food preparation device... On his first route, Ruslan lost his way with a half-finished trailer. He himself explains it this way:
All summer I tinkered around, built a trailer, and “the poet’s soul couldn’t stand it.” It was so disappointing: 9 months a year you wait for summer, and then summer passed, and I didn’t see it. And then I realized that I needed to break out and go. Actually, that’s how I came up with the idea for the project “From Edge to Edge.” The first stage, from November to March, I traveled alone, with a dog, through 26 regions.
He missed the trip without installing the planned auxiliary heater, so he had to heat the trailer with a gas stove, and in order not to get burned, open the ventilation and leave a crack in the window. In the end, he still got burned, but that’s another story... And before that, on the very first cold night, his gas cylinder ran out.
I woke up - cold! Overboard - minus twenty-five. My dog is freezing! I wrapped the dog in two sleeping bags, took out a generator and construction hair dryer, set it to 600 degrees, and we were saved until the morning.
The result of this adventure was the “Planar” diesel heater installed in the trailer, which Ruslan was very pleased with:
While on the move, you lower the temperature to 5-7 degrees, 5-10 minutes before stopping, open the application on your phone, launch it, set it to 22 degrees and press “start”. While you park, you walk in and the trailer already has those same +22!
Some options appeared in the trailer as experience accumulated - the same one that is “the son of difficult mistakes.” For example, in the Caucasus, in Kabardino-Balkaria, Ruslan almost lost his trailer, and in the most literal sense of the word. I set up camp, went to the shed to talk with the shepherds, and upon returning in the dark I could not see my “caravan”, hidden in the folds of the terrain. I found it by the sound because I left the generator running. After this, Ruslan decided that the trailer should be autonomous in terms of lighting, and installed a five-pin relay with a switch. If you want, the dimensions light up from the car, if you want, from the trailer battery. The side lights themselves, in the form of LED strips, located along the edges of the trailer, are truly visible from afar.
1 / 2
2 / 2
The last stage of construction was legalization and official registration. It turned out that getting state license plates is quite simple: after all, from the point of view of official bodies, a house on a trailer is just cargo. Naturally, transporting people in it is strictly prohibited.
How much does it cost to build a house
Construction work mobile home not finished yet. So, a flow-through system should appear in the trailer gas water heater and shower. There is already a pan, but the drainage to it has not yet been done. Ruslan also wants to make an L-shaped bench that can be folded back so that it turns out to be something like a desk. You can put a laptop on it and work while sitting right on the unfolded bed. An awning awning will appear above the entrance. Surely Ruslan will have to more seriously address the issue of protection from mosquitoes, horseflies and other midges, especially if he goes on a summer route to the eastern regions. Today he only has mosquito nets on windows, which are attached temporarily using double-sided tape and Velcro tape (in common parlance - “Velcro”). But the doorway has no protection from flying evil spirits...
1 / 4
2 / 4
3 / 4
4 / 4
Well, now the most serious question is about the budget for building such a trailer. The residential module itself is made from available materials will cost about 100,000 rubles, but this is without a chassis. Chassis - another 25,000, windows - 20,000 each, heater 20,000, gas stove - about 5,000, sink - 600 rubles, awning - 45,000, pump - 5,000 rubles, Barrier water filter - 6,000 rubles, solar panels - 15,000 each, controller - 4,000... In total, about 350-400 thousand, provided that everything is done with your own hands.
Expensive? But the pleasure is worth it. Here's some simple arithmetic. Ruslan traveled from November to March... Now let's do the math: 500 rubles per day is the cheapest hostel. For 4 months - 60,000. Eating in a cafe once a day - 1,000 rubles on average. This is another 120,000, and together - 180,000. But for 180,000 you can already build a house on wheels, albeit with a minimum of amenities. And the most important thing is that where you stay - there is a house, but with a hostel - like it or not, you need to pull to the city, and even find it, this hostel. Otherwise, either spend the night in a car or sleep in a tent...
There will be campers - there will be campsites
I couldn’t help but ask Ruslan: why, exactly, is he doing all this: he built one “caravan”, he’s building a second one, he’s planning to build big houses on a semi-trailer for a pickup truck and on a heavy truck chassis, writes a blog, organizes master classes...
According to him, he pursues three main goals with his projects. Firstly, to popularize Russia as a place for holidays and travel. Make a feasible contribution to the development of such a tourism segment as auto tourism. And finally, to the extent possible, popularize “caravanning,” because we have a “loop problem.” We are not developing the infrastructure that supports autotourism, because autotourism itself is not developed, and autotourism is not developing because the infrastructure is not developed. Because, according to Ruslan (and I can only support them), we have practically no campsites.
How so? - you ask. Here in the south you drive, and along the road there are a lot of signs: camping “Uncle Vasya’s”, “Uncle Petya’s”, “Tatyana’s”... But they have nothing in common with campsites. It's simple paid parking. A real campsite is a cultivated area, divided into blocks, where caravaners, campers, cyclists and tent campers stand separately. Because everyone's leisure culture is different. A camper, as a rule, does not stay in one place for more than a couple of days. Caravaners, on the other hand, more often operate according to the “arrive, unhook and hang at one point for a week” scheme. So they need to be separated: it’s not very good when you have a bunch of children, a dog, everyone is running around, playing, and campers are constantly rolling back and forth.
Besides, camping is a service. This includes connection to electricity, Wi-Fi, the ability to drain gray water and refill with clean water. In any case, the campsite should have laundry, showers, and proper toilets. Then there are all sorts of spas, baths, saunas, etc. stationary barbecues and gazebos for relaxation... There should also be an entertainment program, a cultural program... On the campsite there should be an opportunity to hire a guide, rent bicycles... But we don’t have such campsites, except for the campsite in Suzdal. Moscow camping is just a transit point. There are showers there, but it's just a parking lot with a very cramped location, literally side by side. You can’t stretch out the awning, put a sun lounger...
