Camper from the minibus. The further sequence of actions will be as follows. Trailer-based mobile home
Many lovers of free rest dream of traveling in a mobile home, so as not to be dependent on purchasing tickets, booking hotels and being tied to one point during the entire vacation. A mobile home is both a home and a vehicle. It allows you to travel with maximum comfort and stop wherever you want on the road. In addition, it can be used as a dwelling in the country or during the construction of a house.
Varieties of mobile homes
A mobile home today can be purchased ready-made, although it is quite an expensive pleasure. But it is much more interesting and cheaper to make it yourself from the old one vehicle by re-equipping its interior or making such a motorhome practically from scratch, not counting the basics. For this, in addition to the "wheels" themselves, you will need not only funds for re-equipment and a variety of tools, but also certain skills of such work, as well as a lot of effort and free time.
Attention! Before investing in the re-equipment of a vehicle, you need to find out all the nuances of its registration in the relevant authorities in order to avoid any problems during registration. Otherwise, it is unlikely that it will be possible to use such transport for travel, and it will settle as a dead weight somewhere in the country.
A decent-sized mobile home can come from a large van, but such a mobile home is too expensive a vehicle. Among the budget options that are quite suitable for those who like to craft whatever they want with their own hands, there are three most convenient. So, a mobile home can be made from:
- Gazelles;
- old bus;
- trailer with a sturdy chassis.
House from the car Gazelle
To implement any of these three options, in addition to the presence of the vehicle itself, which will be taken as a basis, a plan for the future motorhome will be required, at least in a schematic form. Such a plan will take into account all the design features and plan a living area with maximum comfort for finding there. It can be simply drawn on paper or done on a computer, if that's more convenient.
Internal communications of a mobile home
Without electricity, water and gas, life in a mobile home can hardly be called comfortable. A rechargeable battery and a charger are usually used to provide the room with electricity. The wiring inside must be thought out in advance. Do not forget about the external connector to charge the battery, which are of different capacities. The most suitable battery capacity also needs to be calculated in advance, taking into account the load and the travel distance.
Interior design of a mobile home
Gas cylinders are often used to heat a room. Gas will also be convenient for cooking, which is much more profitable in terms of consumption than a stove from electricity. The presence of a kitchen in such a house implies the installation of a hood above the stove and the organization of a general ventilation system, which is especially important when using propane.
Advice. You should not undertake independent gasification and power supply of the premises in the absence of the necessary knowledge and experience, it is better to entrust such work to professionals. The safety of people in the motorhome directly depends on how competently they are carried out.
The kitchen will not be able to function without water, which is usually stored in containers, where a submersible pump is lowered to supply it to the tap. To drain the used water, a reservoir is also used, which is attached either indoors or outside. If desired, the mobile home can also be equipped with a small shower. But the usual bathroom in a mobile home cannot be made; a dry closet is used in this capacity.
RV kitchen area
As for furniture, it is better if all of it in a mobile home is practical and compact, because there is not too much space for placing it. Variants of reclining berths, sliding tables and the like organization of space can be used. And all this must be securely fastened to the walls in order to ensure safety when moving. Furniture for arrangement can be purchased ready-made, but for a person with hands it is easy to make it yourself, taking into account the size of the room, and make a sofa and chairs, for example, from car seats.
It is quite possible to equip the interior space in a mobile home, and all this can be done on your own. But before that you need to prepare the room. Depending on which option is taken - a minibus or a trailer, there will be differences in the stages of work required for the conversion.
Mobile home from Gazelle or old bus
Re-equipment of a minibus begins with cleaning the body from upholstery and seats, after which various holes are made - for windows, ventilation, for gas supply.
Mobile house from the bus
Then work on the arrangement of the residential area is performed in the following sequence:
- even out the dents on the inner surface, then primer all open metal parts of the body to prevent corrosion on them;
- the inner surface of the future house, including walls, floor and ceiling, is covered with thermal insulation;
- on top of the insulating material, starting from the ceiling, moisture-resistant plywood or carpet is laid.
Upon completion of these works, electrification and gasification of the premises, kitchen and bathroom equipment, furniture installation are carried out. For reliable installation of furniture, plywood of a larger thickness is attached to the walls than on the floor or ceiling, or separate reinforced strips are placed to fix it. And, of course, if necessary, you need to put in order the chassis and engine of the Gazelle or the old bus, then such a house will become truly mobile.
Trailer-based mobile home
Here, unlike a house made from a minibus, the work is somewhat different. First you need to protect the chassis from corrosion by cleaning and painting them. Then you will have to build the floor, walls, ceiling and roof, acting in the following sequence:
- put plywood of sufficient thickness on the frame, surround the outer edge with a bar and fasten with bolts;
Trailer-based home flooring
- lay the beams on the floor, fixing heat-insulating material between them and close it all on top with plywood;
- for the construction of walls, timber and lining are used, not forgetting in the process of work to make openings for windows and doors, as well as technological holes for the entrance and exit of various communications;
- for the construction of the roof, install the rafters, sheathe them with plywood, covering them with moisture-resistant material on top;
Building walls
- after laying the electrical wiring, make thermal insulation of the walls, then closing the fiberboard on top;
- to protect wooden walls, prime them inside and out, and then paint them in two layers;
- install a door and windows, additional interior decoration may be required.
Upon completion of these works, you can also think about gasification, water supply, organizing a kitchen and a bathroom, installing furniture. Then all that remains is to put on the fenders and headlights that the trailer comes with, and the mobile home is ready to travel.
Be sure to obtain permits before setting off in your RV
Traveling in a mobile home, of course, is very convenient. However, before starting construction, decide for yourself whether you can independently master all the work, because they will require quite a lot of effort, money and skills.
DIY mobile home: video
How to build a mobile home: photo
Perhaps there are very few people who would not like to travel and at the same time spend the night at home without using the services of hotels or hotels. Many will say that this is impossible and any trip is accompanied by hotel room... Nevertheless, there is a solution - a motorhome or a motorhome. You've probably seen such movable structures in foreign films. And this is not strange, because, say, in America, according to statistics, every 3 residents have a home on wheels.
Such a house is not only convenient and comfortable, but also significantly saves money, since the question of finding a place to live disappears. You can talk about the advantages of a motorhome for a long time, and there are really a lot of them. However, there is one drawback - a car-home on wheels is not a cheap pleasure. But if you have patience and hard work, there is a way out - to build a mobile home on wheels with your own hands.
The main need for such a house is travel, which you can safely send with your family and even small children. The motorhome is also useful for business trips, you don't have to look for hotels, book rooms, collect luggage and carry it with you.
The main thing is that the driver is experienced, with good driving experience and, of course, with a positive attitude towards this type of transport.
Mobile home: what you need for comfort
Although the house will be in the form of mobile housing, this does not mean that it should not be comfortable and meet the minimum needs of the owners.
Home lighting
To supply light to a mobile home you will need:
- rechargeable battery;
- charger;
- wiring system for subsequent wiring;
- panel for controlling the supply of electricity.
Heating for home
Several types of heaters can be used to heat a home, it can be a stand-alone type and a gas cylinder. It is preferable to use gas, since, in addition to heat, it will provide an opportunity for cooking.
If you have chosen heating with gas, then here you will have to contact a specialist for help. Of course, building everything with your own hands from start to finish is commendable, but you should remember about the safety of passengers.
Air (ventilation) for home
Very important point ventilation, especially when using gas. In this case, there should be several holes, and one of them will be as low as possible.
For comfort: water, bathroom, kitchen
No home will be comfortable if it lacks basic amenities. Think carefully about where the kitchen, mini-size portable dry closet and shower will be. Also, do not forget about water tanks and pumps for it.
It is better to send the water that will drain into a large bucket under the body. To do this, you can use a special hose that should be laid in the floor.
RV Furniture
Certain difficulties may arise with furniture, since it should be as compact as possible. For such housing, folding furniture is used, it is attached to the walls. In most cases, such furniture can only be purchased on order, which is quite expensive. But if there is an opportunity to do it yourself, then this will significantly save money.
Optional: doors, windows
As for the windows, it is better to do at least 2, so you can save energy and not turn on the light during the day.
It should be borne in mind that if the house is being built from a trailer, then the width and height, of course, should not exceed the dimensions of the car. If you are the owner of a domestic minibus that has not been to your liking for a long time, then you can safely use it as the main material for mobile housing. First, you need to thoroughly clean it, remove unnecessary seats, a jet of upholstery, get rid of all that is superfluous. After clearing, you can start making the necessary holes (for windows, ventilation, wires).
We build a motorhome from "GAZelle"
A mobile home is the dream of many travel lovers, since there is no binding to one place of rest, the need to book hotels and purchase tickets. It is both a home and a vehicle that allows you to travel anywhere with maximum comfort. The price of such a product on the market is large, so many are interested in how mobile homes are built with their own hands.
Varieties of mobile homes
It is much cheaper to make such a vehicle with your own hands from an old car or completely from scratch. In addition to the vehicle itself, it is necessary to prepare a different tool. Moreover, making a mobile home will require work experience, a lot of effort and free time.
Before investing money in such structures, you need to find out from the regulatory authorities the legality of the movement of such a vehicle in order to avoid any violations. Otherwise, traveling with him will not work.
A large mobile home can be made from a van, but the price is too high. Cheaper options can be made from:
- bus;
- gazelles;
- an old but still sturdy trailer.
To build a mobile home, it is necessary, in addition to the vehicle, to make a plan for the future construction. Planning will make your caravan as comfortable as possible. It can be simply drawn on paper or designed on a computer.
RV communication
If there is no electricity, gas or water in a mobile home, then it can hardly be called a comfortable journey. For the presence of electricity in it, batteries and chargers are used. How the electrical wiring will take place in such a house must be planned and displayed in the drawing. You also need to think about where the external connector will be located for recharging the battery. They come in different capacities. It should be selected in accordance with the expected travel distance and load on electrical network.
Gas cylinders are often used to cook food and heat the van. If you use electricity for this, then the financial costs will be much higher. When a mobile home is equipped with a kitchen, it is necessary to install an extractor hood with a ventilation system. This is especially important when using gas.
It is not recommended to independently install the gas system and the electrical network if there is no relevant experience. Such work should be done by professionals. If incorrectly installed, it could cause injury or death to the traveler.
Such a kitchen cannot be as comfortable as possible without a dedicated storage space for water. Usually, a special container with a pump is used to supply water to the tap. As a sewage system, they also use a container inside the room under the sink or outside. Sometimes such a motorhome is equipped with a shower. It will be difficult to make a bathroom in it, and a dry closet is used for this.
Furniture must be installed small and compact, since there will be little space in such a house. To save space, you can use folding beds, sliding tables and the like. Such structures must be well anchored to the walls to ensure safety while driving. Furniture for a motorhome can be bought ready-made in a store, but if there is a great desire to save money and learn something new, then you can easily make it yourself, taking into account the size of the room.
Sometimes car seats are used as a sofa and chairs. It is quite possible to equip a house on wheels from a trailer with your own hands. Before that, you need to prepare the room. Depending on what basis is taken - a minibus or a homemade trailer - the stages of work will differ.
Using the Gazelle and the old bus
It is necessary to start altering the minibus with a complete cleaning of the body from seats, trim and dirt. After that, you need to cut out all the holes for windows, ventilation, and so on.
The further sequence of actions will be as follows:
- Leveling and cleaning all damaged surfaces. To do this, use a metal brush, hammer or special equipment for leveling dents. If necessary, then it is necessary to weld the places of corrosion where holes have formed. Then they are cleaned and primed to prevent further rust formation.
- The interior is carefully insulated, including the floor and ceiling.
- After the thermal insulation coating, it is necessary to sheathe everything with waterproof plywood.
After such work, you need to carry out gas, electricity, water supply, install a bathroom and furniture. To securely fix the furniture, it is necessary to pre-install thick plywood on the walls. Furniture needs to be attached to it. Alternatively, you can install reinforcing strips on the floor and fix the headset to them.
If such a house is made not from an old trailer, but from a gazelle or a bus, then the chassis must be brought into working order. Then such a structure will actually be mobile.
Trailer as the basis of the design
You can also make a motorhome with your own hands from a trailer, but there will be much more work here. First you need to clean the chassis from corrosion and other defects. Then all the holes, as in the minibus, need to be welded, cleaned and primed. This is followed by painting.
When the base is ready, you need to start building the floor, walls and roof. You need to act in the following sequence:
After these works, you can start installing gas equipment, wiring electricity, organizing a kitchen and toilet, as well as installing furniture. Then you should install the headlights, license plate and fenders. The trailer is ready for travel.
Before starting work, you need to think carefully about the possibility of performing them efficiently. They require special skills and a lot of tools. But in any case, you can make a trailer house on wheels with your own hands if you have a great desire to learn how to do it.
Comfortable movement
Although such a structure is not intended for permanent residence, the need for comfort on the road and travel has not been canceled. Today, there are many techniques that can make living in a mobile home easier.
Indoor light
To ensure the availability of constant light and electricity, you can use a battery or accumulator, a charger, wires for electrical wiring, a control panel for supplying electricity.
Heating in the house
For these purposes, you can use several types of heaters. It is preferable to use a gas cylinder, as this will also enable cooking.
If the technology for installing gas supply is rather complicated, then you need to seek help from a specialist. Do-it-yourself construction of such a vehicle is commendable, but the safety of its inhabitants must be taken into account first of all.
Water supply, kitchen and bathroom
Any home will not be comfortable if it does not have basic amenities such as a bathroom, a well-equipped kitchen, and the availability of water. At the planning stage, you need to think carefully about their location for maximum comfort. Do not forget about the automatic water supply system and tanks for it.
Furniture installation
When installing furniture, certain difficulties may arise, since it should be as compact as possible along the entire perimeter. Basically, they use folding furniture, which can be folded out if necessary. This saves a lot of space. You can buy it only to order, and it will not be cheap.
It is better to make at least 2-3 windows. Due to their large number, there will be no need to turn on the light during the day.
Legality of construction
If we talk about the legality of movement, then such a vehicle will not have any special status of a vehicle. A RV in the legal framework does not differ from a conventional trailer. All that is needed is the presence of headlights and dimensions on the back side, as well as a license plate.
An additional permit is required if such a trailer exceeds the dimensions:
- 4 meters high;
- 2.55 m wide;
- 10 meters long.
If the dimensions are larger, then such a vehicle can move according to special rules: the presence of flashing lights and police escort. You can make good money on such facilities by organizing a business. There are many options for such entrepreneurial activity.
Alternatively, you can make such houses to order in order to summer vacation and temporary residence in the country. This does not require large initial investments, since small economical motorhomes can be made without insulation.
Houses like this can be rented out. An entrepreneurial activity of this kind is new. The market value has not yet formed, and, accordingly, you can set your own price. The number of such facilities should be increased as the client base expands.
You can also make your own car park and use it as a hotel. An important factor here is their division into economy classes, medium and vip.
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.
By standards, a mobile home should be able to accommodate eight people. Each tenant has its own sleeping place, there is still 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.
Story
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 intended for short trips... Usually made on the basis of SUVs, so at night the cabin can be in a double bed (if desired).
B-class
The only difference between it and the C-class is the berth - it is stationary and located at the tail of the vehicle. It is very popular among young couples (at least in America).
A-class
Such houses, outwardly similar to a regular bus, are the most comfortable and, therefore, the most expensive. They are built on the basis of trucks, therefore, from the point of view of transport classification, they belong to category "C".
They are distinguished by a large windshield, a fixed driver's seat and retractable partitions that form different zones and separate berths. Moreover, such structures are autonomous, equipped with a generator, have gas and a large supply of water.
Several additional categories can be distinguished.
About the name
The term "motorhome" (another name is "camper") often refers to an automobile caravan.
Note! Campers are called B- and C-class trailers, while mobile homes are exclusively A-class models.
It is also worth noting that in 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. Equipped with several windows (if there were none) in the building for lighting and admission fresh air.
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 common 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.
It is advisable to use lining of various thicknesses:
- for side walls - 6 mm;
- for front and back - 19 mm.
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 it was once on trains Great Britain). 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, it is also 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
If you decide to make a motor home yourself, you will need some basic knowledge, tools, a lot of patience and even more free time. And, of course, a reliable vehicle for creating a camper.
This article contains some pictures of a self-built RV based on a Volkswagen car. Most of the advice can be applied when building motorhomes based on other vehicles.
It is very important to read the next point before you start!
IMPORTANT! Before starting to create a camper with your own hands, it is necessary to legalize the implementation of such a procedure. In this case, you can prevent various legal difficulties. The rules differ depending on the country, so we cannot publish uniform recommendations on this matter.
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. further action... Sure, you can improvise, but it's much easier to have a well thought out plan on paper.
Outdoor work
The first thing to do when preparing your base vehicle is to thoroughly clean the inside of the car.
At this stage, you also need to think about the shape of the body as a whole. It's time to deal with body damage, rust. Local or complete painting of a car will help.
Typically, vans do not have windows, so you might want to consider installing them. They are needed to provide fresh air and sunlight inside the RV. Windows come in different shapes and sizes, the choice depends on your preferences and body characteristics.
During the construction of a mobile home, you will have to make several holes in the body of the car. These are openings for ventilation, gas outlet (in case of leakage), heater exhaust gases, 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.