Mobile home - 2 in 1, housing that can be freely transported with a car to any point of travel. It gained popularity and distribution in America at the beginning of the last century. Today campers travel all over the world, and there are many of them in Russia. But the leaders in the production and sales of mobile homes remain the countries of North America. Is it possible to make a camper with your own hands?
Features of the device at home
According to the standard, the classic transportable housing should accommodate up to 8 people. Moreover, each tenant must have his own bed. The presence of a kitchen is required, at least a small one. The availability of other amenities and additional equipment is optional and varies depending on the camper trailer model and the owner's preferences. But in 90% of cases, mobile homes are equipped with:
- gas stove;
- sink;
- oven.
In more expensive models with luxurious, like for a camper, living conditions there is a bathroom, complete with a dry closet, a washbasin and a mini-shower. Campers are rarely equipped with a full shower, only if space allows.
How to transform a car into a mobile home
Please note that this question follows and to learn at the beginning legislatively. Registration organizations have different attitudes towards such mobile residential buildings, therefore it will be unpleasant to lose the only property in the form of a motorhome due to the illegality of its operation.
The design is carried out in stages, and it consists of 8 steps. Check out one example of how to make your own mobile camper.
Design
At first, they are determined with the number of residents / travelers. Based on this, they select a vehicle and the inner filling of the camper or use what is available.
Be sure to draw up a detailed design plan in paper or electronic form.
Body cleaning
The body is cleared. Having found dents on the surface of the car, they are removed, cleaning off the peeled paint. After that, several windows are equipped, usually two. They are necessary for the access of sunlight and fresh air to the inside of the camper trailer.
Arrangement of ventilation and thermal insulation
Cut out vents and valves for gas supply. "Naked" metal is treated with a primer in order to prevent the development of corrosion processes. And also to protect against the effects of an aggressive environment. Finish with thermal insulation plates.
Internal surface finish
The RV is finished from the inside. For this, it is recommended to use either carpet or moisture-resistant plywood. Start by leveling the ceiling, and then proceed with vertical surfaces.
Thick sheets of plywood with stuffed strips for furniture installation are inserted into the side walls.
Water supply
Once you've set up your furniture inside your homemade camper, don't forget to arrange the water supply. To do this, place a reservoir or cans of water under the sink and mount a household pump. In addition, it is possible to envisage the location of a larger reservoir for supplying water to the shower room.
Gas supply
To cook or heat food, as mentioned earlier, gas is used, preferably propane. The balloon is placed in the lower part of the body, as well as an additional vent hole. The explanation is simple: propane weighs more than air, so in the event of a leak it will prevent gas concentration and the possibility of fire.
Energy saving
It remains to take care of energy saving. For these purposes, it is better to take a battery and equip it with an external charging outlet.
Constructing a mobile home from an old trailer
You can make a mini-camper with your own hands, using materials at hand and what the mechanic has on the farm. For these purposes, the following are suitable:
- trailer equipped with reinforced chassis;
- wooden elements: wagon boards, bars, slats;
- plywood;
- metal profiles for the roof;
- accessories of the same type.
Of course, you will need a set of tools in the design process.
Features of camper production
For example, you can design a mobile home with a bunk bed at the back of the camper. The manufacturing process is divided into five stages. The first is the preparation of the foundation.
To do this, disassemble the trailer. Carefully work the chassis with an anti-corrosion compound. Build a frame from pine boards by sawing props in the appropriate places.
Assembling the frame
It is desirable that the master's arsenal contains lining of different thicknesses:
- 6 mm - for side walls;
- 19 mm - front and rear.
Please note that in order to increase the thermal insulation of a winter camper, the lining is laid in two layers.
Floor and roof arrangement
The floor surface is covered with plywood sheets.
For the roof, poplar beams are used, screwing them in increments of 30 cm along the length of the frame. Plywood is fixed on the beams, on top of which a layer of moisture-resistant material and a metal profile with a small section are put.
Windows and doors
The design assumes, in addition to the door, the presence of one more - a window opening. Presumably it will be located in the rear wall of the camper. It is advisable to make the window in the form of a bay window structure.
RV door locks are usually located at the bottom. But security is enhanced by the addition of another one at the top of the door. The door has a casement window.
Internal filling
It is recommended to take care of the functionality and mobility of the camper on wheels and equip it while maintaining useful space. In this option, the use of transforming furniture is acceptable. For example, a table that slides out from under the bed. For this, special lockers are formed under the berth.
In addition, a removable ladder is made for a double bed and hinged shelves are equipped in order to save space.
Outdoor decoration
The final stage of the do-it-yourself camper arrangement is the exterior decoration. To do this, use siding or wooden lining.
Camper is popular among travelers, because it is so convenient to take everything you need and even your home with you on a trip! Now you know how to make a mobile home with your own hands, and you understand that designing a camper is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.
Well, perhaps it's time to start talking about the construction of a camper, which we successfully tested a month ago in Kazakhstan. I shot almost all the photos on my phone, so don't scold them for the quality.
As you know, any path begins with the first step. My first priority was to get the car to move normally along the house-garage route, as well as add a little driving comfort / ergonomics and prepare the salon for further furniture construction. This will be the first part of the long story.
2. Since we have changed the size of the crew - now we are traveling with a dachshund named Markus - such wonderful reflective signs were found in the nearest trash heap in a trucker's shop. It can be said that this was the first thing that I purchased for construction. 
3. Next was a little to understand the garage. It's hard to imagine, but most of the things were always located in the Defender's salon, and our Seat could drop into an empty space. 
4. Well, then the long and tedious washing of the car began. Dust, debris and aluminum trimmings mixed with shavings were almost everywhere - nothing can be done, these are the consequences of building a residential module on a "disassembled" car. I don’t even remember how many liters of water I had to drag from home to wash it all off. 
5. Def itself is a very "cold" car, so I decided to start by insulating the doors and floor. As a material, I used a splen 8mm thick on a self-adhesive base. Fortunately, the doors and the floor are absolutely flat, it didn't take long. If you pay attention, you can see a rubber seal from the bottom of the door. It is not installed from the factory, it seems to be made by some Poles, but at the same time the thing turned out to be so popular that Land Rover assigned its catalog number to it! :))) 
At the same time, I had plans to connect to the central lock and duplicate its control in the rear of the cabin, especially since I like to tinker with an electrician (I always installed alarms and other equipment on my own in all previous cars). So, in the case of Def, the control of the central lock, to put it mildly, seemed very strange to me. In any case, I have never encountered such a thing.
If the yellow wire is shorted to ground, then the car opens all the doors, and if you open it, it closes. Those. a single limit switch is used on the door lock stopper, and the control goes through one wire - perhaps, I could not have come up with a simpler design. Truj and hardcore, modern CAN-buses nervously smoke on the sidelines! :)
6. Door trim is also glued with splen. 
7. Rear door glass ... Well, in general, you get the idea. I almost glued the front windows too, but stopped in time. 
8. Then it was time to work on stability - at speeds above 80 km / h, the muzzle seemed to begin to scour back and forth. In the fall, I installed new Terrafirma Heavy front springs, as a result of which the muzzle of the car visually lifted up, and the handling deteriorated due to the slight displacement of the bridge back. To return it to its "normal" position, an Ironman castor kit was purchased. 
9. Accordingly, native silent blocks are removed from the front levers ... 
10. ... After that, new ones made of polyurethane are pressed into them with a hole offset from the center. After this simple tuning, Def's steering became much better, the unpleasant yaw of the muzzle on the sides was gone. 
11. Then the funniest stage began ... As I remember, I shudder. The fact is that when sheathing the frame with aluminum sheets, some rivets were drilled several times, and some of them, mixed with shavings, remained inside the aluminum profile. It was not possible to get them out of there, and at every turn of the car, they made themselves felt with a cheerful roar throughout the cabin. Feeling as if you are driving inside a rattle.
"Triffids" with such shortcomings, judging by the conversation with the master, have never encountered before - if the pickup truck or the living module is separated from the passenger compartment, then you will not hear any rumbling of rivets while driving, but in my case the car had a single volume .. In general, we had to act radically, and this had to be done before the beginning of the sheathing with insulation. 
12. Foam, foam, foam ... From every hole and every crevice, the foam poured into it was squeezed out. After each drying, there was another test drive - and all the same I noticed that something rumbled ... It seemed to be nonsense, but it took a lot of time. 
13. After foaming all the profiles in the front of the frame, I trim the box for things above the front seats with insulation. Then I rivet the vertical wall of the box and the hatch back - I finally tested the rivet gun from the Delo Tekhniki company. Well, the most attentive readers, of course, noticed the output power wire. 
14. Chandelier! A chandelier has finally found its place on the front of the module. For some reason, I was very happy when I secured it. 
But, as they say, nothing simply happens, and the road from the garage home to me once again proved this. The fact is that the chandelier has begun ... You will never guess - whistle songs! :) The changed air flow passed by her radiator, which caused a hum and whistle, which at the same time did not depend on the speed, but on ... I myself do not know from what. In general, even when moving at a constant speed, the notes produced were different. The situation was corrected by applying sealant to the radiator at the ends, as well as in the center of the chandelier, where the power wire entered it. Here is such an experience.
15. Perfectionist hell. The aluminum plate is riveted through, the rivet is already painted, it is a pity to drill, and there is no other way to pull it out. Not only that, this plate also LIES CURVE !!! Although at present it is resting somewhere far away, under several layers of insulation, and the interior equipment is already placed on top of it, thoughts about it still haunt me from time to time ... :) 
16. Well, and the last moment, which spoiled a lot of blood - somewhere in the upper right corner of the glove box a few days later a creak appeared, and it was so loud and disgusting that I had to rip off most of the already glued insulation. Most importantly, it was not clear where exactly this vile sound was coming from. Men from garages, whom I asked to listen to, rode in the "luggage compartment", and I rode myself, but I could not find the reason. It looks all right, the cladding does not move in any way relative to the frame, everything is riveted and everything is in place, and the sound is such that even the good old "Prodigies" could not drown it out with their creativity. 
In the end, I never managed to overcome him. Spat on everything, sheathed the walls again. In Kazakhstan, after several hundred kilometers of broken roads, the creak suddenly disappeared by itself ... And that's all.
17. I planned to make the main furniture for the next stage, but I had to make the shelf above the windshield almost immediately - I got used to it in the "old" Def. When all the necessary devices are not scattered in different parts of the cabin, but are neatly mounted next to each other at arm's length, this is very convenient. 
18. I took the photo last night and with a flash, so sorry for the quality. The box with a green screen is the Multitronics on-board computer, which, after flashing and calibrating in Kazakhstan, began to very accurately calculate the fuel consumption and the remaining liters in the tank. A loudspeaker microphone can be seen a little to the left of it, and a Supra radar detector is fixed in the corner below it.
- And why is he needed at Def?- you might ask. Well, let's say, in the same Kazakhstan, the police constantly patrol the roads with the radar on, measuring the speed of cars "on the go." So, there I knew about the approach of a police car two kilometers before meeting her, which saved me from fines several times. Yes, and we sometimes like to put up a sign "40 km / h" on regional highways and put a camera right after it, so that a thing on the tracks will definitely not be superfluous.
To the right of the on-board computer, a radio is fixed, power to which is supplied when the key is turned for the first time without turning on the ignition. Next to it is the inclinometer, and even to the right is a large nine-inch monitor with a rear-view camera, which has two modes of operation - either it is on all the time (they have a common power supply with the radio), or it turns on together with the reverse gear. 
There is a small side between the inclinometer and the monitor. If you look at the previous photo, you can see an area behind for storing small things that should be at the driver's hand - usually there are documents, insurance, sunglasses in a case, and the like. And to the right of the monitor is a similar, but much larger area for small things for my beloved wife. An aluminum corner collar prevents items from falling down from shaking. I used to have the same thing, but in a smaller size, now this overhead shelf has become much more convenient to use.
19. Due to the increased length of the car, I absolutely do not feel its rear end, although the side view in the mirrors is good. Therefore, the camera had to be installed almost immediately - without it, it was difficult to park, it was necessary to constantly run out of the car. And also in the daytime and when driving in settlements at night, the monitor is constantly on and in fact performs the function of a rear-view mirror, which I have thrown out of the car for several years, it is also quite convenient - to see what is happening behind you.
In this photo, I take a photograph of the rear-view camera monitor on my phone, which shows how the driver of the car from behind is taking pictures of Defender with his phone. I apologize for the tautology. 
20. I remember the sensations from the first time I climbed onto the roof. She's just huge. And, as it turned out, flowed at the seams in the rain. 
21. It's time to tackle the rear overhang. During the installation of the module, we applied sealant to the sides of the car, door pillars and windshield. But in the area where the rear part of the module was docked with the body, there were such rather large gaps, in the photo this is clearly visible from the vertical aluminum profile - in some places it receded from the body by half a centimeter. 
22. Actually, we spill everything that is possible with a sealant. Both outside and inside. 
23. Vacuum cleaner, sealant, polyurethane foam and masking tape - for several evenings they became my main tools. The whole DEF consists of separate parts, all bolted and riveted. Therefore, the cracks in the body were full, therefore, it took a lot of sealant - every seam had to be coated. 
24. Spilling foam at the back, which "rattles" with rivets ... 
25. And the profile on top, along which the roof flows. Everything is quite simple - two holes are made in its opposite parts, after which foam is poured into one of them until it starts to crawl out of the opposite and from all available slots. Then it all dries up for a long time ... 
26. Since there was not much space in the garage, and I needed the old fasteners in order not to buy a new one, I use a screwdriver to disassemble the previous version of furniture in literally an hour. I remember it took so long to do all this, and so quickly to disassemble everything ... 
27. Meanwhile, the rear of the car is slowly taking on a finished look. Mounts for heart tracks have been made. There are plans to fix universal fastening rails on the same bolts and hang on them whatever your heart desires. 
28. "Dachshund" also found its place, and the number moved to the spare wheel. Under it you can see a wide-angle rear-view camera, a little lower - a strip of daytime running lights, which acts as a reversing lamp. Its main purpose is to make it clear to other participants in the movement that Def is backing up, and, perhaps, does not see anything, since the camera sometimes gets dirty. :)
An additional purpose, activated from the toggle switch on the control panel, is the constant illumination of the space behind the car while camping. Due to the fact that it is located at waist level, the eyes are not particularly blind, but at the same time, its light is quite enough to see what is happening around in the semi-darkness. Well, if you need a powerful and bright light when driving backwards, then I simply turn on the two working lights located above the spare wheel. Four red reflectors also appeared on the module (one of them is visible on the left side of the photo) so that a car standing on the side of the road without dimensions could be seen from afar. 
29. And the last thing - about the rear optics. I took diode lights from a trailer, made in Poland. Their transparent part is slightly tinted from the factory, which is in good harmony with the gray color of Def. The turn signals are very bright, for their correct operation a special relay had to be installed, otherwise they would flash twice as often. Well, the red section of the lights, respectively, works in two modes - size and brake light. There are no reversing lights on them, which is why I had to make a separate diode strip. Well, in general, I really liked this optics, the product is of high quality, sealed, nothing backlash and at the same time looks nice. Of the many options that I reviewed in the car markets, this one seemed the most interesting. 
30. Further, after pasting with an 8-mm splint, the rear compartment is sheathed with sheets of extruded polystyrene foam 20 mm thick, which in total is very close to the thickness of the profile itself - 30 mm. I cut pieces of polystyrene a little larger, literally by a couple of millimeters. Because of this, he sits inside with an effort, a surprise, and then it is quite difficult to get him back. And he also additionally presses the splen layer to the aluminum skin over the entire area. Well, then I make a platform for the stationary mounting of the compressor. 
31. Compressor ARB with a miniature receiver and - most importantly - a built-in pressure sensor. Due to the presence of a receiver and a sensor, the compressor is able to work in automatic mode - this is simply unrealistic convenient! In my case, it is enough to open the rear compartment door and connect a hose with a pressure gauge using a quick connector. Then, when inflating the tires, you simply press the handle of the ARB pistol - the pressure in the receiver drops and the compressor starts working. As soon as you inflate the wheel, release the handle, after a second the pressure in the receiver jumps up and the sensor turns off the compressor automatically. And no running around on-off and no dragging and dropping the compressor around the machine with tangled wires. Good things are worth their money. 
And, of course, there are plans to block the rear axle ARB, which will also be controlled with the help of a compressor.
32. I am laying the wiring for all consumers. Near the opposite door are two 12-volt power outlets. On the cross-section of the wires, I remember, I decided not to save. According to my calculations, even if two batteries are completely discharged, with the help of a car operating nearby in half an hour or an hour, it will be possible to recharge the battery until the alarm and central locking "revive", since the lock cylinder on the front door never worked. And it will also be possible to get into the salon through the rear hatch, the lock of which is opened with a key from the street. But this is already so, reflections in an emergency. 
34. From the driver's side, the rear compartment is divided into two parts. In a small part there are gas cylinders, strategic supplies of toilet paper and other small things that do not need to be taken out every day. The main part houses a long time-lapse slider and three large tripods. 
35. Well, from the opposite door you can access "dirty" things that you didn't want to store in the cabin - a couple of chairs, a folding table in a case, rubber boots in a waterproof bag, and so on, since there is now plenty of room for all this! 
36. Well, almost the final photos of the first stage. I sheathe the upper part of the rear overhang with expanded polystyrene. 
37. Next, a 4mm thick splen layer is glued on top of it, which will play the role of both a heater and a seal that isolates the rear storage compartment from the main volume of the passenger compartment. And finally, 2mm thick aluminum sheets are screwed on top with self-tapping screws.
Well, both storage compartments are ready, the necessary equipment is fixed, the wiring to it has been laid. From two headlights of diffused dipped beam, which will later be mounted at the rear, I organize a temporary light in the cabin. It will be useful to me already at the next stage - the insulation of the module itself and the manufacture of furniture. 
It took a lot of time to "bring to mind" these two glove boxes, I somehow thought that everything would be much easier. Perhaps the matter is also in their irregular shape (both in front and behind there were many pieces of irregular or triangular shape, for which it was much more difficult to cut the insulation and not confuse anything with the dimensions). Plus, in fact, I had to sheathe the front compartment twice because of the search for the source of the squeak. But after that, things went much faster.
To be continued...
Making a camper with your own hands is not too difficult for an experienced craftsman. 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 combined with a car caravans;
- class - there are three comfort classes of motorhomes;
- trailer type - there are trailer trailers, hybrid trailers and fifth-wheel trailers.
If everything is clear with the trailed view of a mobile home, then 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 the total weight of the car with a trailer does not exceed 3.5 tons.
Class "C" indicates the simplest motorhomes. It can be a 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
To work you will need a grinder, a welding machine, a hand saw for wood and a lot of patience. The step-by-step modernization of the car looks like this:
- The seats are removed from the passenger compartment, the old trim is removed. 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 its ends against the lower edge of the window openings as a level. 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 on one burner.
- 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 the 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 the 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.
- Shelves are assembled from the furniture board and installed on the base. The same shelves will serve as the front and rear walls of the van.
- In the shape of the van, a plywood sheet is bent over the shelves on both sides, and a load-bearing frame made of timber is fixed on top. 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 are installed. 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:
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 needs to be done? 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 an ordinary 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 the successful formation of the motorhome.
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 on the characteristics of the body part.
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 is 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. Do not forget to wear protective goggles over your eyes, and also make sure that 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 must be cut into small pieces and carefully glued on. The main feature and the main one is moisture protection. If the insulation layer does not cope with its immediate duty, remove it.
For hull plating, prepare in advance:
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 adhesive 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 facing 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 space for insulation, 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, the camper can also be provided with hot water. This is useful if you want to place a shower. This requires placing large water tanks under the body of the RV. 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 the 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. It is necessary to store the cylinder 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 pieces of new furniture 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!
If you decide to make a motor home yourself, 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.
This article contains some pictures of a self-built RV based on a Volkswagen car. Most of the advice can be applied when building motorhomes based on other vehicles.
It is very important to 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 legal difficulties. 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 are planning a trip of 3 or more people, you need to think over the number of places. Remember to equip seats with appropriate seat belts.
How many sleeping places do you need? One of the options is the arrangement of a bunk bed for children. If you have a lot of space under the roof, you can make a "drop-down" bed.
At this stage, you should have a clear plan for the way forward. 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 want to 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 the event of a leak), heater exhaust, 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. The "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 insulating material does not protect against moisture ingress, do not use it.
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 attach 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 again 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 and 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 canisters of water are installed under the sink. The 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 car 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 only be installed by qualified personnel! If installed incorrectly, they can pose a serious hazard. Build a motorhome 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, as well as an autonomous Webasto heater.
The gas bottle must be stored in a separate place with openings 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 the gas stove outside the vehicle for future cooking outside the van.
Again, build the camper correctly for your own safety!
Electricity is necessary to start all devices designed for 12V. The system consists of a battery, charger / converter, control panel and many wires.
Do not forget about the external connector for charging the motorhome's battery 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 = 80 Wh
- Refrigerator: 45W 12 hours a day = 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 are using. 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, the autonomy should be maximized. Take your time, think carefully and calculate everything.
Furniture
In this matter, nothing limits you either. You can safely realize your dreams. There are many ways to make and install furniture.
Sometimes quite suitable furniture is found in various disassembly, we advise you to search. Quite good offers sometimes appear at online auctions, and the 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. All you have to do is apply varnish (if necessary) and install furniture. You can also contact a professional who will help you in this matter.
