Rolling Homes by Lloyd Kahn is filled with a wealth of design options for DIY vehicles, ranging from the simple to the super elaborate. Costs also fall across a wide spectrum. The book is a fantastic resource, inspiring readers with ideas that can be combined to create the perfect custom project. Years after its first publication, Lloyd says this book remains “state of the art.”
One of the cheapest projects in the book is “The $300 Camper Shell” by Noah Gavrich. Noah’s environmental studies teacher gave him a copy of Home Work by Lloyd Kahn, igniting his dream of designing a camper of his own. Noah was familiar with companies that retrofitted expensive vans and wanted to build something original that was also cheaper. He used recycled materials for about half of the project, which kept costs down while he built the light, drag-resistant camper for the back of his 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The camper includes a bed platform and removable shelves that serve as a standing table outside.
On the opposite end, there’s a top-of-the-line rebuild project. The “1992 Land Rover Defender” by Oso Steen and Marcus Whitaker is both elegant and functional. The owner, Ray Tien, had commissioned a Land Rover restoration and camper; Oso took the lead on the camper build. The chassis was restored and strengthened in the back, the engine rebuilt, and the suspension upgraded to include locking differentials and a turbo. All of these were installed back in the United Kingdom before the vehicle was exported. The camper started with an Alu Cab Icarus rooftop conversion that expanded the headroom to 7 feet when popped up. The bedding and clothing fit in the top, leaving room below for a lounging area to include a full bed, kitchen, office desk, and storage. The main feature of the build is the stainless-steel box mounted to the chassis for a slide-out kitchen that includes a sink, water tank, propane stove, a hidden cutting board, and storage drawers.
This last example is one of the most extensive builds in the book. “Living in a Tiny Car” by Bob Stuart is more about mileage than comfort, but all the necessities are found within a 3-cylinder Suzuki Swift. The small car has a bed, sink, fridge, storage drawers, and emergency toilet. Bob uses a shoe organizer behind the driver’s seat and overhead mesh on the ceiling for extra storage. While Bob scrounged up most of the materials, the battery and inverters were the most expensive parts of the build by far. He also has a bread maker and a toaster—luxury materials—onboard.
Rolling Homes features 79 homes, 29 of which are full-time residences. The range of options is endless and will surely inspire those curious about building their own homes. This title, as well as others by Lloyd Kahn, such as Home Work and Tiny Homes on the Move, can provide hundreds of ideas for creating your moving home today.
