Homemade house on wheels. Do-it-yourself mobile home: design photos, step-by-step work process

24.07.2020

Every time we are going to travel, the question arises: where to spend the night in an unfamiliar city? And only the owners of a motor home never ask themselves such questions. The lodging for the night is always with them. This is a transport that solves problems at once, familiar to many travelers. These lucky people do not look for hotels and can take all their usual life with them. From city to city they are free and independent, because the van is always with them.

But not only travelers can benefit from this type of transport. If you have a dacha, but you haven’t managed to get a house to live in or are still building, then you can take a temporary house with you. They came, they worked, they spent the night. No worries about personal things, because they are always with you. There is no house on the site yet, but the dacha will be full-fledged. Hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts can also consider purchasing a motorhome.

Among Russians, such transport is not yet popular, which cannot be said about the Americans. And there is nothing strange in this, it was in America that they came up with it. Starting in the 60s of the last century, this mobile minibus with a house began to develop intensively and filled all American roads. Now in America and Europe there are entire cities of motor homes.

This type of vehicle is a trailer equipped for a comfortable stay of several people. Usually, the usual appliances for us are installed in it: a refrigerator, a stove, furniture for sleeping and relaxing. It is towed by an ordinary passenger car. Inside, the interior is similar to a transformer, when the same element performs several functions. Consider what they are and how they differ from each other:

Trailer tent. A certain structure is installed on the trailer, which is more like a tent. The similarity with a tent lies in the fact that each time it needs to be assembled and disassembled. Inside, simple household appliances are usually placed: a stove, a washbasin, simple furniture;
Trailer, cottage. This is a more serious vehicle. It already looks more like a real house, larger and more comfortable. In addition to simple equipment, a bathroom, a heater and even a shower can already be installed in it. There are two types: camping and autonomous. In the first case, it does not have its own power and water sources, but is connected to existing ones, which campsites are often equipped with. In the second case, this is a completely autonomous version with a diesel generator and a small supply of water. When using such a trailer, you can stop anywhere;

House on wheels. If the previous two types were still trailers, then in this case the name is fully justified. In fact, this is a full-fledged apartment, the movement of which can also be controlled. It looks like a big minibus. It is more spacious, 6-8 people can expect to live in it at the same time. For the driver, as a rule, there is a sleeping place located above the cab, called an alcove. For a comfortable stay, there is everything here: a kitchen, a shower, a refrigerator, a stove, sleeping places;
Integrated motorhome. In the previous version, the driver's cabin is not integrated into the common living space. Here, the cabin and living area are one and have a common design. This increases the space, passengers can view the scenery thanks to the panoramic windshield and large, wide windows on the sides of the van. This is the most comfortable option. Everything is great here, except for the price. It is very large, and this is its only drawback.

Choosing a house on wheels

When choosing a motorhome, many factors come into play. We will tell about them now.

Body choice

In the previous section, we learned what motorhomes are. Your choice depends mainly on three things:

the degree of comfort you want to receive when traveling;
the number of people who need to be placed in the house;
your financial capacity.

Varying these parameters, you can choose the ideal van with a motorhome. Wealthy people can take an integrated full-featured van on wheels, while others will get by with a tent trailer. But both will be happy.

Manufacturer's choice

The most popular manufacturers are Mercedes, Ford, Fiat, Volkswagen. In terms of price-quality ratio, the Italian manufacturer Fiat is the best. It is not without reason that more than half of the motorhomes sold worldwide belong to this manufacturer. Mercedes is the most expensive of motorhomes, but this is only due to the prestige of this brand, and in fact the layout and set of equipment in it differs little from cheaper models.

Choice of layout

With such a not very large area, the layout is approximately the same for everyone and is more like a transformer made of objects. Pay attention to where you sleep. It is desirable that the bed easily turns into a comfortable sofa, thereby saving space in the house. By the way, in mobile homes there are often cases of multi-tiered arrangement of beds. It is better that the layout of the minibus has zoning, that is, recreation areas and the area of \u200b\u200bthe bathroom and kitchen are located in different parts of the body.

DIY mobile home

Attention: before you make a homemade van with your own hands, carefully study the legislation and find out how the regulatory authorities treat this kind of homemade product. What are the requirements for them. It will be a shame to spend a lot of time and effort, but never enjoy the fruits of your labor.

When you have a dacha, you are a hunter or like to travel, and you are limited in money, you can make a house with wheels that looks like a transformer yourself and go anywhere.

When making your own motorhome, you have two options.

Make a house on wheels with your own hands, using a trailer for this. Build walls on your own, if they are not there, think over the layout, the water supply and electricity system. The main thing is that the step-by-step manufacturing instructions are always at hand.
Or use ready-made transport, but build a house inside. For this, a Gazelle minibus, PAZ bus or UAZ Loaf is suitable. You can even make it from a Ural, Sable or Kamaz car. In any case, if you are skilled enough, you can get a beautiful van, as in the picture.

Trailer van

You will need a trailer or caravan. Its length can be different, if it is not enough for you, you can increase it yourself to the required size. We fasten the vertical beams to the trailer with rivets. These will be the stands. We fasten wooden bars horizontally between the trailer racks. This will be the frame of the future trailer-house. At the end, we upholster it with clapboard or awning, as it is more convenient. Such a trailer will be like a transformer, because if necessary it can be disassembled and used for its intended purpose.

House from the PAZ bus

The old PAZ bus is a good vehicle for conversion into a camper van. You can buy a PAZ-based bus for little money and start fulfilling your dream. The groove shape is well suited for the house - not as long as other bus brands. The PAZ bus body is best treated with thermal insulation material. To create a more comfortable environment, some windows will have to be sealed. In the back of the PAZ, you can make a rest room, and closer to the driver there will be a kind of living room. A gas cylinder is attached to the bottom of the PAZ. The best option for gas is propane. It will be used for heating when needed and for cooking. You will need instructions for installing the balloon.

Truck mobile home

A truck is a machine that is even more like a house. Many even install stoves for heating in it, leading the pipe out. As a result, you can build a full-fledged housing with a kitchen and a bathroom. If it is insulated with high quality and equipped with everything necessary, then the truck is suitable for year-round living in any climatic conditions. The truck is good because it has a lot of space that can be converted to a variety of "gadgets": a luggage compartment, a large water tank, a powerful generator. Some daredevils complete the truck with solar panels, placing them on the roof. Sometimes it is possible to find a place for a motorcycle and bicycles. The truck has a high cross-country ability, so you can travel to many beautiful and inaccessible places. Available ones are also suitable: a country cottage or a forest glade.

Planning a trip in a motorhome

Many refuse to travel due to the fact that they consider it too troublesome and expensive. And if the purpose of your visit is not your own cottage, then you just need to think over some points of the future trip in advance, then the costs will be significantly lower, and you will get more pleasure. But if the van has already been bought or built with your own hands, or maybe even rented, then you are ready. The following five points are just for you.

First you need to decide on the direction of the trip, build a route, transfer it to the pictures. Do it in such a way as to visit the maximum number of interesting places, attractions, cities. Nowadays, with wide access to various information, this is not a problem.
Gather a company for the trip. This may need to be done even before planning the route. Decide exactly on the number of adults and children in order to optimize the home for the trip for the selected composition. The dimensions of the furniture and its placement depend on this.
Consider in advance not only the route, but also the places of stops and overnight stays. Free parking lots and campsites are well suited for this.
Get a navigator. When driving through unfamiliar terrain, it's best to play it safe and be sure that the path under your wheels is correct. Otherwise, you can lose a lot of time and nerves.
Obtain a visa if you plan to travel to foreign countries.

Let's dive into history

Finally, we will make a short digression into history and see what attempts were made in the production of a minibus with a house based on domestic cars.

Gazelle "Motohata"

In 1996, a Moscow company decided to make an automobile house based on the Gazelle bus and call it by its own name - Motohata. The GAZ 33021 GAZelle chassis was taken as the basis. The main goal of the company was to make a budget van that is not inferior to foreign counterparts.

Here is the result. Number of seats - 4 with driver. There were also four sleeping places in the Gazelle, but two of them were located above the driver's cab, and the rest turned into a dining table. The minibus was equipped quite well: a refrigerator, a heater, a water heater, a shower, a bathroom, a stove with two burners, two gas cylinders for a total of 28 liters. The Motohata gazelle turned out to be pretty, both in pictures and in real life.

For the price, this Gazelle could well compete with foreign manufacturers, but at that time there was no solvent demand in Russia and the project was gradually completed, and the Motohata Gazelle has sunk into history. This example showed that it is possible to make a house even from a Gazelle or a Sable.

UAZ "Loaf"

This is the best option for anglers or hunters. UAZ "Loaf" is unlikely to be able to quickly and comfortably move you between cities, like a Gazelle, but to get to hard-to-reach places, and even in the company of like-minded people, there is no better option. And its dimensions are suitable for this, smaller than that of the PAZ bus. It remains only to work hard and equip the UAZ with all the needs that may be needed for such an extreme holiday. The cottage is also suitable for visiting on this transport.

At one time, the Schieppati company produced two models of motorhomes based on the UAZ-452 - Safari and Adventure Camper. They even passed tests in the Sahara Desert and, I must say, showed their best side. These UAZ models differed in several features. The front seats have not changed, but if desired, they could be turned towards the cabin. All UAZ seats were laid out and served as a bed. The sofa was like a transformer, installed in the back and turned into a bed at night.

The native UAZ gasoline engine was replaced with a diesel one. Of the equipment were: a gas stove and a washbasin with a bottle of clean water for 200 liters. Some travelers will appreciate the fact that the UAZ was equipped with a sewage collector. The UAZ-based house from Schieppati had an electric pump for water circulation.

Conclusion

Remember the pictures in which happy travelers could visit different cities and countries, while being, in fact, at home. The purpose of their visit could be anything: a city, a forest, a dacha, a foreign country, but everything they needed was always at hand. No need to unpack suitcase after suitcase, book tickets and constantly adjust your path to external circumstances.

All these people used the best transport for traveling - a motor home. A transformer equipped with all the benefits of civilization and allowing you to simultaneously enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the window and the convenience of pastime. This, you see, happens infrequently.

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

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

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

trailed;
van;
combined.

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

RV classes

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

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

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

trailer tent

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

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

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

Another version of the device of such a trailer can be viewed on the video:

How to make a do-it-yourself motorhome on wheels

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

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

In the case when a trailer-motorhome is created for the purpose of long journeys, it is desirable to provide a good audio-video system and satellite TV. If financial opportunities allow, it would be a good option to install solar panels that will extend the life of the generator.

Attention! In most cases, converting a vehicle into a motorhome trailer requires you to legalize all the "alterations" in order to avoid legal problems in the future.

Internal work

Many lovers of traveling with comfort are interested in the question - how much does a motorhome on wheels cost in Russia, but having learned the cost of the finished version, they prefer to create a motorhome with their own hands. And this is not without meaning, since making a motorhome on wheels from a gazelle with your own hands is within the power of any person who is ready to make a certain amount of effort and spend his time on it.

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

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

An important point in finishing a motorhome on wheels inside and out is the protective treatment of the material used. So, additional metal elements outside the motorhome must have high-quality anti-corrosion treatment. The elements of the inner lining are usually made of wood. For their processing, it is recommended to use a special fire and bio-protective impregnation, which will prevent the spread of flame, will not allow the formation of a fungus, which may simply be impossible to get rid of.

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

Gas and electrical equipment

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

For example, few people know that for a gas cylinder in any motorhome, it is necessary to “allocate” a separate closed zone, in the lower part of which there must be openings that communicate with the outside atmosphere. This allows propane, which is heavier than air, to "leave" the motorhome when it leaks from the cylinder, and not cause poisoning or fire in the cabin.

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

Furniture

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

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

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

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

How the most expensive mobile home can be designed can be seen in the photo - you can clearly see how refined and comfortable interior decoration can be.

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

The original design of houses capable of moving was developed at the dawn of the last century. Due to its functionality, the idea to equip housing on wheels migrated to domestic open spaces.

Housing on wheels

If standards are to be adhered to, a mobile home on wheels should sleep eight people and have a compact kitchen. The rest of the benefits of civilization provided in traditional housing vary depending on the model chosen. Most designs include:

sink and gas stove;
shelves and cabinets;
oven.

Adherents of comfortable living conditions are offered luxury models of housing on wheels, equipped with:

grill and microwave;
a bathroom made on the basis of a dry closet;
washbasin and shower.

With sufficient construction area, the tail section is equipped with a separate room with U-shaped furniture.

Remark ! The seats for the driver and passenger in the mobile home are movable, this provides additional space during parking.

The progenitors of non-traditional mobile housing are vans, whose design was subordinated to the needs of pastoralists, mass production of mobile homes began in 1938.

motorhome classification

Before proceeding with the implementation of the plan to make a motorhome with your own hands, you should study their gradation and choose the optimal design, which are:

van;
trailed;
houses combined with the driver's cabin.

The duration or frequency of operation also plays a role. What is the goal of becoming a mobile home owner:

the ability to travel without resorting to the services of hotels;
have original housing for permanent or long-term residence.

A long stay in a mobile home necessitates the need to worry about increased comfort conditions, which is not required for short trips.

The classification of mobile homes, based on the degree of integration, includes the following categories:

The A-class value is assigned to fully integrated structures. These mobile homes have the appearance of a traditional bus, are characterized by high levels of comfort and represent the elite category of housing on wheels. Indispensable attributes of a mobile home belonging to category A: a large windshield, a stationary driver's seat, the presence of retractable partitions that allow you to correctly divide the interior space of a mobile home on wheels. A generator, gas cylinders and compact containers with a sufficient supply of water allow for an autonomous existence.
Category B has a significantly simplified design. A distinctive feature from the most elementary models of housing on wheels is a stationary berth installed in the tail section of the vehicle. Most often, young couples resort to operating mid-range mobile homes in the Americas.
C-class are small-sized houses that provide living space for owners during short trips. Often they are converted from SUVs, you can get a double bed in them thanks to the transformation of the driver and passenger seats.

There are combined mobile homes that are difficult to categorize, among them:

Hybrid trailers equipped with retractable tents on the outside. They allow you to organize a short rest on removable sites.
Small-sized drop-shaped trailers provide the ability to move mini-homes on wheels by motor vehicles.
The trailer, whose dimensions are larger than the standard housing on wheels, is called the five-wheel trailer. Its transportation is carried out by a car with the obligatory presence of a special coupling mechanism.

Vehicle conversion

The task of making a homemade motorhome is preceded by careful preparation. You will need a large arsenal of tools and equipment, a supply of time and energy.

Important ! A preliminary study of the legislative framework will avoid unpleasant situations upon completion of construction. The type of transport, the dimensions of housing on wheels must comply with current regulations.

At the initial stage, the number of residents for whom the mobile house structure will be intended is determined. Based on this number, transport and interior decoration are selected. You can draw up a detailed plan on paper. Specialized computer programs will help simplify the project of a motorhome.

Then they go directly to the vehicle, most often they use the body of a truck for mobile housing, less often they re-equip a bus. So:

All foreign objects are removed from the body, dents are straightened, peeling paint is cleaned.
The design of housing on wheels cannot be imagined without windows, therefore, in the absence of them initially, openings are prepared in the housing for lighting and air ventilation.
If a mobile structure is planned for long-term housing, gas valves and vents are indispensable.
Bare areas of metal structures are treated with a primer, this will prevent premature corrosion of housing on wheels as a result of aggressive environmental influences.
Thermal insulation of a motor home is an important point in construction work. Mineral wool, plywood or penofol will do just fine with this function. In addition to insulation, they will prevent condensation in mobile housing.

When purchasing metal fasteners, make sure that they are made of a material similar to the vehicle body. This will create an additional barrier to corrosion processes.

Interior decoration is designed to create a cozy atmosphere in the construction of housing on wheels. In addition to moisture-resistant plywood, carpet is used for these purposes.

For the side walls of the mobile home, thicker panels are prepared, equipped with slats for fixing furniture. Experts with experience in equipping housing structures on wheels recommend leveling the ceiling before installation work with side surfaces.

After finishing the walls, they proceed to the installation of furniture in the house.

Having completed the arrangement of housing with a place of rest, you can switch to the technical equipment of the design of the motor home. For water supply, you will need to install small pumps under the sink, supplemented by canisters of water. If you want to equip housing on wheels with increased comfort, you will need large containers to take a shower.

Attention ! The water supply of a motorhome is inextricably linked to wastewater, so consider having an additional reservoir. For arranging the toilet, a traditional garden design is suitable.

Propane gas will help to heat the structure of mobile housing and create conditions for cooking. The container with it is fixed in the lower part of the vehicle, an additional ventilation opening is also equipped there. This will keep the motorhome safe from a leaking accident, as propane weighs more than air. The best option for powering the construction of housing on wheels is a powerful battery, which will require an equipped external outlet in the process of recharging.

Trailer conversion process

Having decided to become the owner of a mobile home on wheels, you can purchase a trailer, which will cost about half a million rubles. Having a desire to travel without spending the night in roadside hotels and having the skills of woodworking, it is quite feasible to re-equip an ordinary car trailer, getting a comfortable motorhome as a result. For this you will need:

trailer with a strong chassis;
wooden lining, slats and bars;
metal profile for the arrangement of the roof;
plywood sheets;
accessories for finishing;
tools for working with wood and metal.

Such a trailer on wheels for housing does not have a luxurious setting, but a compact bunk bed for a night's sleep is present. The structure is installed at the rear of the house, it is optimal to build it over the entire width of the trailer by connecting the side walls. This will increase the rigidity of the entire housing structure on wheels. The door is made of two halves, it is preferable to make a bay window and a little later.

The whole process of creating a mobile home from a trailer includes the following steps:

The old design is dismantled to strip the chassis and cover them with anti-corrosion paint. The frame is made of pine boards, supports are prepared in the right places.
The frame will require slats 2x2 cm, additional strengthening of the future mobile home is provided by oak slats with a section of 3x3 cm, fixed on the sides. From above, the frame structure is tied with a rail horizontally.
The installation of the side walls of the future housing on wheels is carried out from a lining 6 mm thick, for the front and rear walls it is recommended to use a material 19 mm thick.
Tip! To increase the thermal insulation of mobile housing will allow laying the material in two layers.
For installation work on equipment in a motorhome floor, plywood sheets are used.
Poplar beams are suitable as a roof structure for mobile housing. They are fixed at intervals of 30 cm. Then the bars are alternately covered with plywood, waterproofing material and a metal profile of a small section.
The body of the motorhome is equipped with a single window, which is located in the back above the bed. Experts recommend making a window opening in the form of a bay window.
For convenience and additional light flow, the mobile home door is equipped with a compact casement window. The lock is located below, if desired, the design contains two locks.
The lower space of the mobile home bed is used in two ways: under it you can equip a pull-out table or make an extra bed.

We build a cellar with our own hands

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

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

Motorhome device

By standards, the mobile home should accommodate eight people. Each tenant has his own sleeping place, there is also a small kitchen. Other amenities and equipment may vary 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 a few extra 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, during parking, they turn into an addition to the living space. In the tail, a separate room with U-shaped furniture is often equipped.

Story

Serial production of mobile homes was launched in the last century, although some historians believe that there were earlier makeshift counterparts. They were small vans equipped for human habitation (mainly pastoralists).

The first motor home mounted on a conventional automobile chassis was introduced in 1938 by Jennings.

Varieties of mobile homes

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

Depending on the purpose, they are divided into:

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

In the first case, there are more comfortable conditions, while often moving structures are extremely rarely divided into actual living space and a cabin.

About the name

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

Note! B- and C-class trailers are called campers, while motorhomes are exclusively A-class models.

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

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

Note! First, this issue should be studied from the point of view of legislation. Different registration organizations perceive homemade motorhomes differently, and it will be unpleasant if the transport ends up being illegal.

Stage 1. First, the number of residents is determined and, based on this, a vehicle and an 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 found, they are removed and the peeling paint is scraped off. Several windows are equipped (if they were not) in the housing for lighting and fresh air.

Stage 3. Ventilation holes and valves for gas supply are cut out. 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, it is extremely undesirable to save. In addition, the material from which the hardware (metal fasteners) are made should be similar to the metal of the car body - this is for additional protection against rust.

Stage 5. The inner surface of the motorhome is finished.

carpet covering;
waterproof plywood.

Thick panels with stuffed planks for furniture mounting are inserted into the side walls. It is characteristic that at first it is better to level the ceiling, and only after that go to the walls.

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

Note! Do not forget about wastewater - another tank is installed for this. As a toilet, you can use the usual garden structure.

Stage 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 is explained quite simply: propane weighs more than air, so in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent sad consequences.

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

Mobile home from an old trailer

A 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. This will require:

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

Manufacturing technology

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

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

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

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

Stage 3. The floor is covered with 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 section are laid.

Stage 4. There will be only one window in the case (if the door is not taken into account) - in the upper part of the back wall. The window is preferably made in the form of a bay window.

The door lock in such designs is 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 slides out from under the bed (as was once the case on British trains). For this, special lockers are formed under the bed. By the way, the lower space can also be used as a bed.

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 motorhome will not exceed:

400 cm high;
255 cm wide;
100 cm long (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 trailer trailers.

Setting up a mobile home business

On the construction of motorhomes, you can organize your own business. There are four options for developing such a business.

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

Option number 2. Rent out motorhomes. This is a relatively new business, and everything new can be charged very expensively. The number of motorhomes in this case is increasing as the customer base grows.

Option number 3. Make food trucks or shops.

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

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

Video - Do-it-yourself motor home

TOP 10 best motorhomes

	Name	Rating
Top 5 best motorhomes
#1		⭐ 100 / 100
#2		⭐ 99 / 100
#3		⭐ 98 / 100
#4	POSSL ROADCRUISER	⭐ 96 / 100
#5	Motorhome KAMAZ 43118	⭐ 90 / 100
Top 5 Best Fleetwood Motorhomes
#1	Fleetwood RV Jamboree Sport	⭐ 100 / 100
#2	Fleetwood RV Tioga Ranger DSL	⭐ 99 / 100
#3	Fleetwood RV Storm	⭐ 98 / 100
#4	Fleetwood RV Bounder	⭐ 97 / 100
#5	Fleetwood RV Discovery	⭐ 96 / 100

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 unconditional skills to drive cars of this class. Here everything is subordinated to the main thing - the maximum comfort of passengers. The interior is designed in the style of expensive yachts - elegant narrow doors of numerous lockers suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather trim of the sofas and armchairs of the living area. Each lamp, each, even the smallest, interior detail (curtains, for example) fills the space with luxury and magnificence.

Characteristics:

the most luxurious mobile home;
spacious bathroom;
average price: 23,602,000 rubles.

The base of the camper was created on the basis of the Fiat Ducato truck, as a result of which the car has good handling and stability on the road - the windage of the camper does not exceed the permissible values for this chassis. 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 a transparent hatch located in the front of the camper. Expensive and refined interior trim accentuates the interior space, while swivel driver and passenger seats make the living area look huge by integrating with the cab.

Characteristics:

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

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

Characteristics:

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

Making your own camper is not too difficult for an experienced craftsman. But the terms of such construction can be greatly 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 do-it-yourself home on wheels from a GAZelle.

The mobile home has undeniable advantages - comfort, coziness and mobility. Moscow is a noisy 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 according to:

mind - there are trailed, van or motorhomes combined with a car;
class - there are three classes of comfort for motorhomes;
type of trailer - there are trailer trailers, hybrid and fifth-wheel trailers.

If everything is clear with the trailer type of a mobile home, then the difference between a van and a combined motorhome is not immediately visible. In the first version, the living quarters are located in the van of the car and are separated from the driver's seat.

This option is suitable when traveling together, when no one stays in the "house" for the duration of the journey. Thanks to this design, it is possible to fit more functional furniture using a blank front wall.

Motorhomes converted from GAZelles or minibuses are just combined.

The comfort class can be called conditional. So, class “A” motorhomes 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-sized apartment.

It should be borne in mind that the driver must have category "C" rights to drive this transport.

There is much less space in it, but it is still convenient to travel in them. Importantly, you can drive such a car with category B rights if the weight of the car or the total weight of the car with the 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 trunk-tent, a folding canopy and a set of camping furniture, you can get a comfortable stay at a minimum cost.

Such construction trailers are also called hybrid trailers to distinguish them from simple trailers. Separately, it should be noted fivsvill-trailers, the shape of which is designed to be used 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 car body.

Mistakes when building houses on wheels with your own hands

Prices for mobile homes significantly "bite". No wonder the desire of skilled heads of families to save the budget and do everything themselves. It is important to be wise and learn from the mistakes of others:

you should not do everything from improvised materials - you will have to live in the house for at least a week and you want to spend your vacation in comfort;

a serious revision of the body, heating system, wiring will be required - one cannot do without the skills of an auto mechanic;

if you still managed to fit a shower and toilet, do not forget about the drain tank - pouring dirty water onto asphalt or lawn is extremely unethical;
it's better not to forget to make a connector for connecting 220V at campsites, and a converter for 12V from the car battery.

Making a trailer on your own

If the 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 from scratch - the choice is strictly individual!

Do-it-yourself house on wheels from a GAZelle

To work, you will need a grinder, a welding machine, a hand saw for wood and a lot of patience. The phased modernization of the car looks like this:

The seats are taken out of the cabin, 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 sheathing, this should be thought out in advance.

A frame for furniture is welded directly in the body. If it is impossible to set the car straight, you can use a pipe as a level, resting its ends against the lower edge of the window openings. After rough welding, the frame is removed and everything is welded, cleaned and again brought inside.

Window openings are glued with carpet. Ceiling panels glued with carpet are also installed. After completing the upholstery of the cabin, you can fasten the slats under the mezzanine and mount the furniture frames.

For the front seats, you can make a swivel mechanism. To do this, you need a front hub, for example, from a VAZ and part of a swivel rack. The circuit is pretty simple.

The final stage is the installation of furniture on the frame, the connection of lighting, the installation of a pump for the kitchen washstand, the lining of the mezzanines and minor interior improvements. For cooking, you can put a small gas stove on one burner.

Instead of welding the furniture frame, you can use ready-made sets, reinforcing them from the inside with corners and additional screws. You also need to attach the kitchen to everything - the floor, the sofa, the wall. This is done to protect furniture from loosening while driving on bumpy roads.

We should not forget that such a modification of the car requires registration in the REO. To do this, you need to write an application and get a resolution from the technical department of the traffic police and a protocol from an authorized organization.

Stylish plywood trailer house

If the car has a towbar, it’s 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 holes for doors and windows, as well as for lightening the frame, must be cut in advance, so it is better to think over the drawing well.

Shelves are assembled from a furniture board and installed on the base. The same shelves will serve as the front and rear walls of the van.

According to the shape of the van, a plywood sheet is bent over the shelves on both sides, and a power frame made of timber is fixed on top. One side is liftable, giving access to the kitchen.

Cut out the top hatch and skylight. The entire frame is insulated, wiring is laid.

Everything is glued on top with veneer sheets. When the door and window openings are cut out, you can proceed to the exterior painting and varnishing.

Doors, an upper hatch and supply and exhaust ventilation are installed. After fixing all the fittings, side lights and fenders for the wheels, you can safely go on a trip!