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, reliable vehicle to create a camper.
In this article there are some photos of a home on wheels, built with your own hands on the basis of 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 seats. 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 enough 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. Will help local or full painting auto.
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 case of a leak), exhaust gases heater, water fillers, etc. Some of them can be done later, but it is much easier to resolve the issue now if you know exactly where they will be.
Remember to apply a primer wherever bare metal appears to prevent corrosion.
Build your own motorhome the right way!
Internal work
The van will most likely have a bulkhead behind the front seats. Some partitions are fixed with screws, others are welded to the body. 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. A submersible pump supplies water to the tap.
If you need warm water, an extra sink or shower, the system will be more complex. Large water tanks can be installed elsewhere, for example, under the van. Hoses will be needed to connect the entire system.
When you make a motorhome yourself, you are only limited by your imagination.
Don't forget about waste water. You can install a suitable tank under the 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! They can pose a serious hazard if incorrectly installed. 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 cylinder 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 taking into account 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, autonomy should be maximized. Take your time, think carefully and calculate everything.
Furniture
In this matter, you are also not limited. You can safely realize your dreams. There are many ways to make and install furniture.
Sometimes quite suitable furniture is found at various disassembly, we advise you to search. Quite good offers sometimes appear at online auctions, and furniture is sometimes sold at an affordable price.
You can also design everything from scratch. Some firms sell ready-to-install parts covered with veneer. 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.
A mobile home is a type of vehicle that combines a means of transportation and living space. This type of housing became widespread in the middle of the last century.
The motorhome can accommodate up to eight people. Each inhabitant of the dwelling can sleep on a separately equipped sleeping place. There is also a small kitchen built into the mobile home. Of course, the availability of equipment and functionality varies depending on the model of the house, but many have:
- gas stove,
- oven,
- sink,
- cupboards for cutlery and crockery.
In more luxurious models there is also a microwave oven and a grill.
Furnishing of a mobile home A mobile home can be equipped with a bathroom. As a rule, it is represented by a dry closet, shower and washbasin. Later models of RVs are equipped with a separate shower cubicle.
In a RV, the driver's and passenger's seats have a movable base. Thus, during parking, these places become part of the living space. The RV can also accommodate a room, most often it has U-shaped upholstered furniture located in the “tail”.
Mobile home model with alcove superstructure above the driver's cab Mobile homes can be divided into several types. For example, by the type of construction, they can be trailed, with living quarters in a van, or combined with the vehicle itself. They can also be divided into motorhomes, which are used for travel or for permanent residence. Mobile homes are more equipped and comfortable. Travel homes rarely have built-in toilets and showers and are not subdivided into living quarters and cabins.
A bit of history
The beginnings of a mobile home go back to last century... Although, as the researchers believe, there were previously homemade versions of movable houses. These were mobile wagons in carts for people who were engaged in cattle breeding and horse breeding. In 1938, Jennings introduced the RV to the world by installing living quarters on the chassis of a conventional car.
Categories
RVs can be roughly divided into 3 categories:
- C-class.
These American mobile homes do not have a lot of space and are intended for short travel. They are produced on the basis of large SUVs. For example, the driver's cab transforms into a double bed during an overnight stay.
2.B-class semi-integrated.
The design of such a mobile home is very similar to the C-class. The berth is fixed and located at the rear of the vehicle. This mobile home is very popular with couples.
Shared body with cab (integrated) 3. A-class integrated.
This type of mobile home, which looks like a bus, is the most comfortable. It is built on the chassis of full-fledged trucks, and due to its large mass it is assigned to transport category"WITH". These motorhomes are the most expensive mobile homes.
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The house has a fixed driver's seat with a large windshield for better view road and surrounding landscape. Internal walls can be pulled out, thus forming different zones or additional sleeping places.
Diagram of the device of the A-class mobile home These mobile homes are autonomous and have large supplies of water, gas and a generator, which makes them a full-fledged living place for their inhabitants.
There are also:
- Hybrid trailers. Outside, they are equipped with retractable tents for resting or sleeping while parking on specially equipped areas.
- Trailer trailers. This is usually a small, drop-shaped trailer. The main advantage of such mobile homes is the ability to move the trailer with motorcycle equipment.
- Theveswil trailer. A trailer that is little more than a trailer trailer. Such a mobile home must be transported by a vehicle equipped with a special coupling device.
Other names for mobile homes
The term “camper” refers to the classes “B” and “C”, and the term “motorhome” itself is applied only to the class “A”.
Campers especially popular in America In some countries, the term "vinebago" refers to all mobile homes, regardless of their class or type.
Luxury mobile home
Exclusive models have no competitors either in comfort or in price. Their design has become a new concept, making this mobile home the most functional and most comfortable. This motorhome has enough spacious salon from best views finishing materials.
Mobile home with all conveniences In such a house, a handmade bathroom is covered with glass tiles. The bathroom fixtures are made of copper and the handles are made of crystal. The shower cabin is made of onyx. The ceiling of the driver's cab and the seats are covered with mother-of-pearl Italian leather, dashboard made of natural African wood. The living area has a sofa with two electrical modules. The salon is equipped with a bar. The dining area features a stunning onyx table.
In the residential part, there is a small office with a laptop, the monitor of which is a 17-inch wall-mounted screen. Also in the office there is a multifunction printer and a lot of boxes for various purposes.
The ceilings along the entire length of the mobile home are covered with all kinds of sculptures made of copper sheets, and the lamp is decorated with beautiful crystals, which is a nice addition to the comfort of the dining area.
To fully appreciate the exceptional character of this motorhome, you need to see it with your own eyes. The description simply cannot convey all its luxury.
The interior of these RVs
The original design of movable houses was developed at the dawn of the last century. Thanks to its functionality, the idea of equipping housing on wheels has also migrated to domestic spaces.
The device of housing on wheels
If standards are adhered to, a mobile mobile home should be able to sleep eight people and have a compact kitchen. The rest of the benefits of civilization provided for in traditional housing vary depending on the model chosen. Most of the 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 a sufficient area of the structure, the tail section is equipped with a separate room with U-shaped furniture.
Remark! The spaces for the driver and passenger in the RV are movable, which provides additional space when parked.
The ancestors of unconventional mobile housing are considered to be vans, whose design was subordinated to the needs of pastoralists; the mass production of mobile homes began in 1938.
Motorhome classification
Before proceeding with the implementation of the plan to make a house on wheels with your own hands, you should study their gradation and choose the optimal design, which are:
- van;
- trailed;
- houses combined with the driver's cab.
The duration or frequency of use also plays a role. What is the goal of becoming the owner of a mobile home:
- the ability to travel without resorting to hotel services;
- 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-term travel.
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. Appearance These mobile homes are reminiscent of a traditional bus, are characterized by high levels of comfort and represent an elite category of mobile housing. Indispensable attributes of a mobile home belonging to category A: a large windshield, a stationary driver's seat, the presence of retractable partitions that make it possible to competently divide the interior space of a mobile home on wheels. A generator, gas cylinders and compact containers with a sufficient supply of water allow to ensure 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 rear of the vehicle. The most common use of mid-range mobile homes in the Americas is young couples.
- The C-class is represented by small houses that provide owners with living space during short trips. Often they are converted from SUVs; you can get a double bed in them thanks to the transformation of the driver's and passenger's seats.
There are combination caravans that are difficult to categorize, including:
- Hybrid trailers equipped with retractable tents on the outside. They allow you to organize short-term vacations on rental sites.
- Small-sized drop-shaped trailers provide the ability to move a mini caravan by means of a motor vehicle.
- The trailer, which is larger than the standard wheeled housing, is called the Fibswil trailer. Its transportation is carried out by a car with the obligatory presence of a special coupling mechanism.
Car conversion
The task of making a homemade mobile home is preceded by careful preparation. You will need a large arsenal of tools and equipment, a supply of time and effort.
Important ! A preliminary study of the legal framework will help avoid unpleasant situations upon completion of construction. The mode of transport, the size of housing on wheels must comply with the current regulations.
At the initial stage, the number of residents for whom the mobile structure of the house 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 implementation of a mobile home project.
Then they go directly to the vehicle, most often they use the body of a truck for mobile housing, less often they re-equip the bus. So:
- All foreign objects are removed from the body, dents are straightened, peeling paint is cleaned.
- The structure of housing on wheels cannot be imagined without windows, therefore, in the initial absence of them, openings for lighting and air ventilation are prepared in the building.
- 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 mobile home is an important aspect of construction work. Mineral wool, plywood or foam foam will perfectly cope with this function. In addition to thermal insulation, they prevent condensation in the mobile home.
When purchasing metal fasteners, take care that they are made of a material similar to the vehicle body. This will create an additional barrier to corrosion processes.
The 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, thickened panels are prepared, equipped with strips for fixing the furniture. Experts with experience in equipping housing structures on wheels recommend that prior to installation work with side surfaces, align the ceiling.
After finishing the walls, they move on to installing furniture in the house.
After completing the home improvement with a vacation spot, you can switch to technical equipment mobile home designs. For water supply, you will need to install small pumps under the sink, supplemented with cans of water. If you want to equip housing on wheels with increased comfort, you will need large containers for taking a shower.
Attention ! The mobile home's water supply is inextricably linked to wastewater, so worry about having an extra reservoir. A traditional garden design is suitable for arranging a toilet.
Propane gas will help heat the structure of mobile housing and create conditions for cooking. The container with it is fixed in the lower part of the vehicle, and an additional ventilation opening is also equipped there. This will protect the RV from a leakage accident as the propane weighs more than the air. The best option for supplying power to the structure of housing on wheels is considered a powerful accumulator battery, which will require an equipped external outlet during recharging.
Trailer conversion process
Having decided to become the owner of a mobile home on wheels, you can purchase a trailer-trailer, which will cost about half a million rubles. Having a desire to travel without overnight stays in roadside hotels and possessing the skills of assembling woodwork, it is quite feasible to re-equip an ordinary car trailer, having received at the exit comfortable house on wheels. To do this, you will need:
- trailer with a sturdy chassis;
- wooden lining, slats and bars;
- metal profile for arranging the roof;
- plywood sheets;
- fittings 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 housing from a trailer includes the following steps:
- The old structure is disassembled to strip the chassis and coat them with anti-corrosion paint. The frame is made of pine boards, props are prepared in the right places.
- For the frame, slats of 2x2 cm will be required, 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 horizontally with a rail.
- The installation of the side walls of future housing on wheels is performed from a lining with a thickness of 6 mm; it is recommended to use a material with a thickness of 19 mm for the front and rear walls.
Advice! The thermal insulation of mobile housing will be increased by laying the material in two layers.
- Plywood sheets are used for installation work on equipment in the RV floor.
- Poplar beams are suitable as roof structures for mobile homes. They are fastened at intervals of 30 cm. Then the beams are alternately covered with plywood, waterproofing material and a small-section metal profile.
- The caravan body is equipped with a single window, which is located at the rear above the bed. Experts recommend making a window opening in the form of a bay window.
- For convenience and additional light, the door of the mobile home is equipped with a compact casement window. The castle is located at the bottom, if desired, the structure contains two locks.
- The lower space of the bed of the mobile shelter is used in two versions: under it you can equip a pull-out table or make an extra bed.
We build a cellar with our own hands
Making a mobile home with your own hands is not a very difficult task for any craftsman. The design, in the course of construction, will be improved and because of this, the production time may be delayed. To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to think over the interior design in advance, to get rid of unsuitable elements. This approach is important when retrofitting small vehicles when assembling a mobile home, for example from an old trailer.
A mobile home is a type of transport that is both housing and a means of transportation. This kind of housing gained its popularity at the beginning of the last century.
Motorhome device
By standards, a mobile home should be able to 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:
In more expensive models, there is a bathroom, consisting of (often replacing a chair, which gives several additional meters of free space), a washbasin and a shower. Sometimes mobile homes are equipped with showers.
Note! In a motorhome, the driver's and passenger's seats are movable, as a result of which, when parked, they turn into an addition to the living space. At the tail end, there is often a separate room with U-shaped furniture.
History
The series production of mobile homes began in the last century, although some historians believe there were earlier homemade counterparts. They were small vans equipped to accommodate people (mainly pastoralists).
The first mobile home mounted on a conventional car chassis was introduced in 1938 by Jennings.
Varieties of mobile homes
There are several classifications of motorhomes. So, according to the design features, they are distinguished:
Depending on their purpose, they are divided into:
- those that are used as long-term / permanent housing;
- those that are used for travel.
In the first case, more comfortable conditions take place, while often moving structures are extremely rarely divided into their own living space and a cabin.
Categories
Let's take a closer look at each of the categories.
C-class
Small houses for short trips. Usually made on the basis of SUVs, so at night the cabin can be in a double bed (if desired).
Theardrop camper - cottage on a trailerB-class
The only difference between it and the C-class is the berth - it is stationary and located at the tail of the vehicle. It is very popular among young couples (at least in America).
A-class
Such houses, outwardly similar to a regular bus, are the most comfortable and, therefore, the most expensive. They are built on the basis of trucks, therefore, from the point of view of transport classification, they belong to category "C".
They are distinguished by a large windshield, a fixed driver's seat and retractable partitions that form different zones and separate berths. Moreover, such structures are autonomous, equipped with a generator, have gas and a large supply of water.
Several additional categories can be distinguished.
About the name
The term "motorhome" (another name is "camper") often refers to an automobile caravan.
Note! Campers are called B- and C-class trailers, while mobile homes are exclusively A-class models.
It is also worth noting that in some countries, without exception, motorhomes are called vinebago.
It will take a lot of time and effort to transform a car into a motorhome, as well as the appropriate equipment.
Note! First, you should study this issue from the point of view of legislation. Self-made RVs are perceived differently by different registering organizations, and it will be frustrating if the transport ends up being illegal.
Stage 1. First, the number of residents is determined and, based on this, a vehicle and internal "filling" are selected. A detailed design plan is drawn up - this can be done on paper, but it is better to use a computer.
Stage 2. Next, the car body is cleaned. If dents have been identified, they are removed and the peeling paint is peeled off. Several windows (if there were none) in the building are equipped for lighting and fresh air supply.
Step 3. Cut vents and valves for gas supply. All areas of "bare" metal are coated with a primer to protect against corrosion and aggressive environmental influences.
Stage 4. The house is finished with heat-insulating material.
Note! To do this, you need to use exclusively high-quality materials; it is extremely undesirable to save money. In addition, the material from which the hardware (metal fasteners) is made should be similar to the metal of the car body - this is for additional protection against rusting.
Stage 5. The inner surface of the motorhome is finished.
- carpet covering;
- moisture resistant plywood.
Thick panels with stuffed strips for furniture installation are inserted into the side walls. It is characteristic that at first it is better to align the ceiling, and only after that move on to the walls.
Step 6. After installing the furniture, you should take care of the water supply. To do this, you can install several canisters of water under the sink and install small pumps. In addition, large tanks can be installed - for example, for taking a shower.
Note! Do not forget about waste water - another tank is installed for this. A regular garden structure can be used as a toilet.
Step 7. For cooking and heating, as noted earlier, it is better to use propane gas. The balloon is located in the lower part of the body, as well as an additional vent for ventilation. This can be explained quite simply: the weight of propane is greater than that of air, therefore, in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent unfortunate consequences.
Stage 8. All that remains is to take care of the power supply. The best option is a powerful rechargeable battery equipped with an external charging outlet.
Mobile home from an old trailer
Our trailer-trailer costs about 500,000 rubles. The amount is impressive, so if there is an opportunity to purchase an old car trailer, then you can build a small motorhome with your own hands. This will require:
- trailer (always with a sturdy chassis);
- wooden elements (slats, bars, wagon boards);
- plywood;
- metal profile (for the roof);
- fittings made in the same style;
- a set of appropriate tools.
Manufacturing technology
Such a motorhome will be a trailer with a rear end. By the way, it is better to make the bed for the entire width of the structure - this way it will connect the side walls and thereby increase the rigidity. The bay window will be manufactured later and equipped with an individual unit. The door is installed in the Dutch style - it will consist of two halves.
Stage 1. The trailer is disassembled, the chassis is thoroughly cleaned and covered with anti-corrosion paint. A frame is constructed from pine boards, props are cut in the appropriate places.
Stage 2. A frame is constructed from slats with a section of 2x2 cm, an oak strip with a section of 3x3 cm is additionally installed in each corner. Above, the frame is tied with a horizontal strip.
Note! For thermal insulation, you can lay the lining in two layers.
Stage 3. The floor is covered with plywood sheets. For the roof, poplar beams are used - they are screwed along the frame with a step of 30 cm. Plywood is fixed on the beams, on top of which a moisture-resistant material and a small-section metal profile are spread.
Stage 4. There will be only one window in the body (if the door is not taken into account) - in the upper part of the back wall. It is desirable to make the window in the form of a bay window.
The door lock in such structures is located at the bottom, but you can put another one - additional one - at the top. In addition, the door is equipped with a small casement window.
Stage 5. It is recommended to equip a table that can be pulled out from under the bed (as was once the case in Great Britain trains). For this, special lockers are formed under the bed. By the way, the lower space can also be used as a sleeping place.
In addition, shelves and a removable staircase are built from wood.
Letter of the law
No additional permission is required if the motorhome dimensions do not exceed:
- 400 cm high;
- 255 cm wide;
- 100 cm in length (excluding the part that does not protrude beyond the trailer).
If the dimensions are larger, then the motorhome is transported according to special rules (flashing lights, escort, etc.). Of course, this only applies to trailers.
Business organization on mobile homes
On the construction of motorhomes, you can organize your own business. There are four options for developing such a business.
Option number 1. Manufacturing of houses for sale for summer holidays or residence in the country. This will not require serious material costs, since the houses will be of a simplified design - for example, without insulation.
Option number 2. Rent out mobile homes. This is a relatively new business, and everything new can be very expensive. The number of motorhomes in this case is growing as the customer base grows.
Option number 3. Making mobile eateries or convenience stores.
Option number 4. He's the most interesting. It consists in the creation of a car park and its further use as a hotel. The main thing here is to divide the trailers into budget, premium and middle class.
For a more detailed acquaintance with the construction technology, check out the thematic video.
Video - DIY home on wheels
TOP 10 best motorhomes
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 5 best motorhomes | ||||||
| #1 |
⭐ 100 / 100 |
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| #2 |
⭐ 99 / 100 |
|||||
| #3 |
⭐ 98 / 100 |
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| #4 | POSSL ROADCRUISER |
⭐ 96 / 100 |
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| #5 | Motorhome KAMAZ 43118 |
⭐ 90 / 100 |
||||
| Top 5 best Fleetwood mobile homes | ||||||
| #1 | Fleetwood RV Jamboree Sport |
⭐ 100 / 100 |
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| #2 | Fleetwood RV Tioga Ranger DSL |
⭐ 99 / 100 |
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| #3 | Fleetwood rv storm |
⭐ 98 / 100 |
||||
| #4 | Fleetwood rv bounder |
⭐ 97 / 100 |
||||
| #5 | Fleetwood RV Discovery |
⭐ 96 / 100 |
||||
This real palace on wheels is built on the basis of MAN. The length of the motorhome is almost 9.5 meters, which requires unconditional skills from the driver to drive cars of this class. Everything here is subordinated to the main thing - the maximum comfort of passengers. The interior is designed in the style of luxury yachts - the elegant narrow doors of the numerous cabinets suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather upholstery of the sofas and armchairs in the seating area. Each lamp, each, even the smallest, interior detail (curtains, for example) fills the space with luxury and splendor.
Specifications:
- most luxury home on wheels;
- spacious bathroom;
- average price: 23,602,000 rubles.
The base of the camper was created on the basis of the Fiat Ducato cargo truck, as a result of which the car has good handling and stability on the road - the windage of the camper does not exceed the permissible values for this chassis. A spacious and bright mobile home for four people. Light enters not only through the side windows (all have curtain systems installed, including windshield), but also through the transparent hatch located in the front of the camper. Expensive and sophisticated interior furnishings accentuate the interior space, while the swivel seats for the driver and passenger make the living room huge by integrating with the cockpit.
Specifications:
- better comfort;
- country of origin: Germany;
- average price: 13,367,000 rubles.
The motorhome is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 316 CDI and has all the capabilities of this reliable and trouble-free car in management. And if from the outside the integrated camper does not stand out in any way, it can easily get lost in city traffic, then inside it is a real compact house for 4 people. One drop-down bed is located above the driver's seat and the other two are at the back of the house, behind the toilet and shower. It is noteworthy that these two beds for the greatest comfort can be transformed into one huge one.
Specifications:
- unique body protection;
- large luggage compartment;
- country of origin: Germany;
- Average price: 9 176 188 rub.
A motorhome on wheels, and even equipped with your own hands, is the dream of many lovers of auto travel and outdoor activities. It provides its owner with amazing freedom when traveling, freeing him from the need to look for and book a hotel, purchase tickets, pack suitcases, etc. In addition, your own motorhome makes it easy to travel even big family, including pets - for this it is necessary to use the appropriate furniture, usually transformable.
When a caravan on wheels first appeared on the road, it is quite difficult to answer. The first such experience was implemented by the Jennings company back in the 38th year of the last century, although self-made models of motorhomes appeared much earlier. All motorhomes on wheels can be equipped with almost all the necessary attributes of a familiar and comfortable life - bathroom, shower, gas stove, full berth, which are present even in the smallest motorhomes, which are often based on the budget gazelle in Russia.
Depending on the type of motorhome on wheels belongs to, it can be:
- trailed;
- van;
- combined.
A fairly common practice at the present time is the hand-made re-equipment of a suitable vehicle, the same domestic gazelle, into comfortable motorhomes for travel. But before making a motorhome on wheels with your own hands, you need to determine the main purpose of the conversion - long or short-term residence in the motorhome, as well as select or make the appropriate furniture.
RV classes
According to the generally accepted classification, all motorhomes on wheels are divided into three main classes:
Attention! Any class "A" motorhome made on the basis of a bus or truck, according to the transport classification, requires the driver to have a category "C" license.
Speaking about the classification of motorhome trailers, the following concepts should be highlighted:
Trailer tent
A homemade motorhome on wheels does not have to be expensive and difficult to make, especially if it is used relatively rarely and for a small number of people. Some types of motorhomes do not even require furniture, and are used as a sleeping place. In order to independently make a caravan trailer, you will need to make some effort and a sufficient amount of time.
The main "power" element of such a motorhome is a frame, which can be purchased ready-made, or assemble it yourself, which will require skill and certain technical knowledge. In case of self-production, special attention should be paid to the anti-corrosion treatment of all steel elements of the future motorhome.
The frame, mounted on the chassis prepared for the motorhome, can be either steel or wood. When creating it, the main attention should be paid to the quality of the connection of parts, since when such a motorhome trailer moves, the entire structure will be subjected to serious dynamic and vibration loads. Inside such a motorhome, you can arrange a fairly comfortable sleeping place, and at the time of stops for rest, the design of the motorhome unfolds, and a tent is quickly 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 option for the device of such a trailer can be seen in the video:
How to make a motorhome on wheels with your own hands
In order to make a motorhome on wheels with your own hands, you can use any minibus, truck or even a bus. In order to create it, you will need to make a lot of effort, time, and be ready for a fairly serious material investment, which subsequently will more than pay off comfortably when traveling in your own motorhome.
The process of turning a standard gazelle into a motorhome on wheels will definitely be accompanied by a number of works that are mandatory:
In the event that a mobile home trailer is created with the aim of long trips, it is advisable to provide for a good audio-video system and satellite TV... If financial possibilities permit, it will be good option installation of solar panels, which will extend the life of the generator.
Attention! In most cases, re-equipment of a vehicle into a caravan trailer requires that all “alterations” be legalized in advance in order to avoid legal problems in the future.
Internal work
Many lovers of travel with comfort are interested in the question of how much a motorhome on wheels in Russia costs, but having learned the cost of the finished version, they prefer to create a motorhome with their own hands. And this makes sense, since making a motorhome on wheels from a gazelle with their own hands is within the power of any person who is ready to put in 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 passenger seats... If it is bolted, there will be no problems; if a welded joint is used, a grinder is required. After dismantling, the interior should be completely freed from the interior trim. In parallel with this, it is worth checking the metal parts for the presence of foci of corrosion. Take measures to eliminate them, keeping in mind that it will be much more difficult to disassemble a finished motorhome.
Before proceeding with the insulation and interior decoration of the motorhome, you should carefully consider the water and power supply system, since all pipes and electrical cables are best hidden under the casing to avoid accidental damage. After that, a motorhome on wheels based on a gazelle requires serious insulation. In addition to special materials with vibration and thermal insulation characteristics, you can use basalt mineral wool or extruded polystyrene foam for a motorhome.
An important point in the interior and exterior of a motorhome on wheels is the protective treatment of the material used. Thus, additional metal elements outside the motorhome must have a high-quality anti-corrosion treatment. Internal cladding elements are usually made of wood. For their treatment, it is recommended to use a special fire-retardant impregnation, which will prevent the spread of flame, will not allow the formation of fungus, which may simply be impossible to get rid of.
Certain ideas for creating your own project can be "borrowed" from the manufacturers of such houses by watching the following video:
Gas and electrical equipment
Any motorhome on wheels - a Mercedes or a gazelle, requires a special attitude in terms of electricity and gas supply. Do not naively believe that without proper education, you can perform high-quality electrical wiring and install the appropriate equipment in a motorhome. The same applies to gas equipment.
For example, few people know that for a gas cylinder in any motorhome, it is necessary to "allocate" a separate closed area, in the lower part of which there should be openings that communicate with the outside atmosphere. This will allow propane, which is heavier than air, to escape from the RV if it leaks out of the tank, and does not cause poisoning or a fire in the passenger compartment.
An important point for a motorhome is the correct calculation of the battery capacity. To ensure maximum autonomy, the daily energy consumption of all devices in the motorhome should be summed up. The resulting value in watts will need to be divided by 12 (V), resulting in a value in ampere-hours (Ah) - it is this value that is indicated on the battery and allows you to judge its power. So, when the energy consumption in a motorhome is 50-60 Ah / day, it is optimal to purchase a battery of 120-150 Ah... Such a motorhome on wheels will be able to function autonomously for two days. It is advisable to provide an external outlet for recharging the battery of the motorhome in 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 needs of car owners, especially those who create a motorhome on wheels according to their own drawings. That's why the best option becomes either her self-production, or an individual order for furniture production.
In most cases, making your own furniture is more optimal for a motorhome. Since for a small motorhome, for example, based on a standard gazelle or UAZ, not so much furniture is required, and it does not differ in particular complexity, 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 you have 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 made out can be seen in the photo - clearly visible how sophisticated and comfortable interior furnishings can be.
When building a house on wheels with your own hands, you should pay attention to the quality of materials. So, for furniture it is advisable to use moisture-resistant materials that are resistant to household chemicals, since cleaning in any type of motorhome - from a bus, a trailer or a gazelle - will have to be done quite often.
