DIY Truck to Motorhome Construction

The new do-it-yourself build a motorhome converting an aluminium pantech truck body

This is a new section where we will be explaining the step by step construction methods used in our new motorhome build!

We have decided to build a smaller motorhome built on a light truck pantech design, as the original bus was getting too big to travel comfortably with.

A smaller build will mean that space is premium, so our design and construction methods will have to change, and adopt most of the typical caravan construction and layout principles.

The Do It Yourself (DIY) Motorhome construction methods

At the risk of sounding hypocritical after slamming "caravan wood" during the DIY conversion of our Domino coach into a motorhome, we will be advocating the use of veneered ply and timber framing during our construction. However, we will also be using light steel for most of the framing, in particular for the kitchen cupboards, the bathroom, and the beds etc.

A combination of steel and plywood will produce sturdy fabrications that are quick and easy to build. Carpentry has never been my strong point, but working with steel is something I love. If you cut a piece of wood too short, then it becomes firewood, but if you cut steel too short, then you simply weld a pice back on, grind it, and start over again!

The only extra tools and equipment that we will be using here, are a MMA stick or MIG welder, and an angle grinder with cutoff disks. A selection of self-drilling screws, and a good cord-less battery drill with a spare battery will also boost construction times.