Thread: Has anyone ever built a caravan?

I'm after my next project and I'm thinking about building a 20-25ft caravan.

I've built a trailer and a house before so I figured I should combine the two.

I'm not sure how to build the outer walls and roof etc, aluminum or galv? Cladding etc.

Is it worth the hassle or better off buying?

How about rebuilding a good old one. they sell for lots if you get the right one.

Maybe look up one notch further. If you build a self-contained motorhome your missus might like this better too. Depends if you have the skills required of course, but your skill set looks like in the right ballpark.

[disclaimer on advice: I have not seen pictures of your house and trailer]. (-:

You might get blueprints for this from Sir Peter.

i would be going fi-glass for the outer shell.

my ex bosses father built a few motor homes. buy a bus strip it out and fit it out. You need access to a joinery shop, nothings square and you need to be thinking five steps ahead.He done a bit on caravans. I found the caravans come up better as long as it wasn't rotten. he brought and sand blasted the chassis there wasn't much left after that.

I’ve got a 1972 lightweight with a new awning but it’s too small and I can’t be bothered with it to be honest. It’s in great condition for its age but I like the idea of building my own, no fancy stuff, just something a little more rugged for the kids to give a hard time.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

i would be going fi-glass for the outer shell.

I’ve never worked with fibreglass, would you make the wall framing out of aluminium or steel?

Originally Posted by Savage1

I’ve never worked with fibreglass, would you make the wall framing out of aluminium or steel?

your pick really. alloy is lighter. steel is stronger. fi-glass is available in sheets and then use matting and resin for corners and joins.

It seems impossible to find a cheap one with a good chassis and frame, if they’re cheap then that seems to be the first thing that is buggered on them.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

your pick really. alloy is lighter. steel is stronger. fi-glass is available in sheets and then use matting and resin for corners and joins.

I like that idea, how do you fix it to the framing?

I’ve got a good mig welder but not setup for Ali, and I’ve never welded Ali. I’d like to stick with steel but I’d hate to have it rusting

no more nails and rivets. lighter than alloy, stronger than alloy. no alloy/steel electrolysis
rustproof, rot proof

I've helped build a house-truck, and later built an RV, out of polystyrene sandwiched between sheet-alloy and colour-steel. If i did it again, I'd convert a medium box-truck and keep it as simple as possible. All the steel-buses I,ve seen and lived-in, RUST..too much condensation from bodies and cooking, the seams and roofs, dont cope too well.I believe you can use fixed-shutters over glass, o/wise it all has to be up to spec and labelled such...all fun, but can be a drama. Some kind of simple, ply, wood-framed"Camper" (with its own floor), on a light truck could be the go, you can still use the truck (take it off)then its only a Load..a little double-cab maybe. You could build something light and strong ,wood&ply Using boat-building techniques, and put it on a good tandem-trailer. Spare-bedroom at home, trailer to use, and camper when needed. Probably heaps of stuff on the net. You can make anything work if you really want, or have to

Speak to Jamie bud, I will give you his number next week.
He has built and rebuilt a few, knows all the ins and outs.



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Originally Posted by Cordite

Maybe look up one notch further. If you build a self-contained motorhome your missus might like this better too. Depends if you have the skills required of course, but your skill set looks like in the right ballpark.

[disclaimer on advice: I have not seen pictures of your house and trailer]. (-:

yes! get a unimog and make an army camper! they go pretty cheap lately