Starling Travel

January 9, 2013

The VW Bug MiniHome Motorhome

Filed under: Camping,Motorhomes and Campers,Teardrops & Tiny Trailers — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

I can’t believe I haven’t written about the Volkswagen Bug MiniHome Motorhome. The plans for it were in the June 1977 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Motorhome

You can buy plans for this camper here:

The only problem is that finding a working and reliable VW Beetle is very difficult these days and converting it to a camper would be sacrilege now.

I absolutely ADORE the outdoor galley feature.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Outdoor Camp Kitchen Galley

It also pulls inside to be used in the camper on those cold mornings or rainy days.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Interior Galley

The camper is said to be able to sleep four, but all I see is room for three, and a very cozy three at that. Notice that the upper bunk blocks the door out of the camper. It’s quite a tight fit.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Sleeps Three Very Close Friends

Here is a exploded diagram.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Exploded Diagram

These campers must have been very popular because there are so many out and about even today. Here is one used as an advertisement for an RV dealer.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Used As Advertisement

This one is still tinkering around after more than twenty years on the road.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper Motorhome

Here is another one being used to advertise a VW repair shop.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper as an advertisement

It looks like the extra weight of the camper is a little much for the suspension on this one.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper

Here are a few more.

VW Bug MiniHome Camper

There are so many examples of this conversion that I’m surprised people haven’t tried this with other cars. And they HAVE. Stay tuned tomorrow for the Prius Motorhome Conversion!

Update 02-04-13:

Here is another one Joseph Kubik found:

VW Bug Camper By Joseph Kubik

3 Comments »

  1. My first little mini was a Keystone built on a Toyota chasis. Loved that little motor home, put 300,000 miles on it and it never broke down. It slept 3 kids and 2 adults. I rigged a crock pot and inverter to run off the engine during the day. The crock pot was nestled in the sink so it was comfortable for the journey. It had everything, bathroom, shower, kitchen, beds, fridge, AC, and got great mileage All 3 kids slept in the cab-over. Perfect….

    Comment by Ginnee — January 15, 2013 @ 11:51 am

  2. Oh, Ginnee!

    What a wonderful story! I love imagining all the adventures you and the kids had! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Laura

    Comment by Laura Moncur — January 25, 2013 @ 6:16 am

  3. I have one of these and want to share the photo with you. Please send me your email address so I can send it along!

    Comment by Koren Paalman — September 19, 2013 @ 10:06 am

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