Redditer Hanzana recently shared her DIY project of making a gypsy wagon that can sleep five and be towed by a car. The idea was to create a movable camping tent that can also be used as a backyard playhouse for her kids. She spent about a month realizing her dream without help of anyone, even her husband.
She bought a 4×8 utility trailer from Lowe’s and used 2 x 2s for framing and plywood panels to create the base. A metal grinder is used to take off the ramp. Next, she built ledges with 2x10s and fastened them using glue, screws, and bolts. She also added wooden decorative brackets to support the structure.
The framing for the walls and ceiling is made using 2x2s, while self adhesive laminate flooring goes well over the plywood. Then she created walls with tongue and groove pine boards.
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After finishing the walls, she cut a curved top with notches for 2×4 beams. Birch plywood is used to complete the ceiling and finally wrapped in the corrugated tin using neoprene washer roofing screws. Next she moved inside and created a structure for a pull-out bed and benches on both sides. She used expanding foam to make seams bug tight. There’s also a bay window at the back, which she earlier thought to add on the roof.
The bi-fold door with top half in stained glass adds rustic charm and functionality. After finishing the door, she used a combination of 1x2s and 1x4s for the trim. Finally, she finished the exteriors in brown exterior stain, with trims in black. The interiors are painted white, while doors and shutters are in blue. She added some memory foam pads for sleeping and sitting inside. There aren’t many amenities but enough to be called a great build.
Finally, it was time to test the DIY gypsy wagon, which quite possibly turned out to be a great travel trailer for the family.
