Custom VW Beetle Camper Mini Home

Volkswagen Beetle Mini Home- Built on a VW Beetle Chassis With Sleeping and Camping for 4!

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The DIY plans for this mini VW Beetle camper were originally published in Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated Magazines                                                              

Specifications

Camper Length: 125 inch
Camper Width: 79 inch
Camper Height: 73-1/4 inch

These VW-based mini-motor homes were being manufactured by a small shop in Irvine, California. MiniHome is built like any other camper using 1 x 2 structural members covered with paneling on the inside and conventional corrugated skin on the outside. According to a Robert Q. Riley Enterprises, LLC. webpost, he negotiated with the owner for the rights to publish the plans, which resulted to the publication of the  little motor home on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine as MI's MiniHome.

The ad claims that with the MiniHome's wide offset wheels, beefed up stabilizer bar, and rear overload shocks; it handles very much like the stock VW. More product descriptions: "Inside, it has all the appointments and facilities of a standard camper. Appliances and storage space are situated across the rear. The butane stove and stainless steel sink in the left rear corner mount to a single module that slides out the side so you can cook and wash either outdoors or inside. A 50-lb size icebox is located in the center rear, and a closet is located on the right. Turning the large swivel-base chairs 180 degrees (backs against the windshield) opens up the center so the modular lower bed can slide out of its hideaway compartment. The cab-over section makes into a full-size bed by folding down a hinged extension."

Acceleration and cornering are much like the original VW but one does have to negotiate a few trial turns in order to gain confidence in its roll stability. The only detriment is limited rear visibility, similar to that of many other RVs. Also, maximum speed is reduced about 10 mph, and fuel economy suffers slightly because of increased air resistance at highway speeds.

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