Man Builds His Own Expandable Lightweight Micro Caravan From Scratch

Handcrafted Micro Caravan Journey

You'll want to take a look inside this micro caravan made by hand with not very many machines (handsaw mostly to get real straight lines) and is made in Holland by Jurgen Jas. Jas was fed up with camping in a tent and not being able to find a nice micro caravan so he designed one himself, using bits and pieces of earlier designs from others. This micro caravan is towed by a Suzuki Alto which runs while towing 15.8 km per liter (have fun calculating this in gallons per mile). A small, hand-built, do-it-yourself camper built in Holland by Jurgen Jas. Jurgen Jas was fed up with not being able to find a camper to his liking, so he set about building his own. What followed was a labor of love. It took two years to complete the micro-camper, and the build process has been documented by Jurgen on his website.

Lightweight and Efficient Design

Much of the work was carried out with hand tools, as opposed to power tools. The overall aim was to create a self-contained, weather-proof getaway that would allow Jurgen to camp in comfort throughout the Netherlands. A key concern with any trailer is weight. This camper weighs less than 1,100 pounds (500 kg). Being super light means it's not only cheaper to tow, but also easier to maneuver. According to Jurgen's calculations, he manages to get about 37.16 miles to the gallon when towed with his Suzuki Alto.

Innovative Features and Construction

The trailer was picked up at a rummage sale for $54. An insulated plywood floor was installed over the base. After this, the process of adding the wooden rib walls and roof took place, which were again insulated and clad with plywood. The exterior has been finished with aluminum sheeting to create a durable weather screen. The camper's design takes inspiration from bits and pieces of other caravans. It features pop-out elements that allow him to extend his overall footprint, and increase the head height. One of the walls has an expandable section that can be used to make room for a single bed, and the roof can be raised to allow you to stand up properly. On the inside, there's a u-shaped kitchen containing a small stove, a sink, a toaster, and a refrigerator. There are also plenty of cabinets and storage units placed along the walls. A drop-leaf table acts as a dining area when needed, and the living room is set opposite the kitchen. He's even managed to incorporate a speaker system.

Jurgen's Creative Endeavors

Jurgen Jas makes things to include a mini Smart bike/car for his nephew, a fully-furnished mini-camper for another, a backyard workshop, and several Bowers and Wilkins-inspired speakers for himself. So when he couldn't find a popup micro-camper that he liked, he built one. Beginning with just a donated chassis, he began to build all the components of his future micro mobile home. Jas was a carpenter for a company that builds exhibition stands so he was used to working with plywood, making very thin and beautiful things without any weight, so he saw how extremely strong it is.