If you get to the heart of the matter, a bathhouse is by no means just a way to get your body clean and tidy. You can wash yourself in the shower, in the bath, or in a basin - and even in a river or lake, if there is nothing else. A bathhouse is, one might say, a philosophy, a reason to chat with friends in a relaxing atmosphere, plus pleasure from the process itself - and add here the healing effect that the steam room has. That is why the idea of building a bathhouse on wheels visited a variety of people - and was repeatedly brought to life!
Options for mobile steam rooms
One of the easiest ways to get a sauna on wheels for your use is widely used in the army and tourist camps. It is called mobile and is a tent equipped with a steam generator and a folding lounger. It can be transported in a disassembled folded state, takes up little space, and is not heavy – but it is still difficult to call it a full-fledged bathhouse. You can steam, but without much comfort and accompanied by the specific smell of tarpaulin. In addition, such equipment is not particularly airtight; steam escapes through the cracks, and the camping device cannot boast of good heat.
A more complete option, allowing you to have a sauna on wheels, has long been used by Estonians living in forests. They put a ready-made log house on tractor tracks and get an all-pass steam room complex, which includes a dressing room, a steam room, and even a veranda for cooling. But there are also alternative ideas.
What can you use as a base?
A do-it-yourself bathhouse on wheels can be made on the basis of a bus, a truck (including an army vehicle, it has higher cross-country ability) or a fairly spacious trailer. You can also take only a frame with wheels or tracks and build your structure on it. With this approach, you can vary the size and location of the internal premises, but such a bathhouse will not be self-propelled - you will have to think about fastenings for attaching to a car. But such a bathhouse on wheels can be decorated with materials most suitable for maintaining steam and creating the right mood and aroma.
Technology and design of a bathhouse on wheels. What does a mobile sauna consist of?
Before you make a steam room on wheels with your own hands, you should decide on its structural elements. So, a sauna on wheels consists of two main parts:
- Chassis.
- Add-on.
Chassis. The chassis is the part thanks to which the bathhouse will move. Almost any vehicle can be used as the latter, from a passenger trailer to a refrigerated semi-trailer, in which more than 10 people can steam at the same time. Naturally, this option is more suitable for private businesses, since buying a tractor and semi-trailer in order to go out into nature twice a year is a little unreasonable. For your own needs, a light two-axle trailer or carriage with a carrying capacity of at least 2 tons is perfect. Five hundred kilogram trailers are not suitable, since they are unlikely to withstand the weight of the structure, water, firewood, and a steaming person. For organizing a commercial bathhouse, conversion ZiLs, KrAZs, and Urals with an installed kung truck would be an excellent option. In this case, most of the work will disappear by itself, and the cross-country ability of these vehicles is excellent.
Another point to remember: coordination with the road inspection. If the bathhouse is built in a passenger trailer, then this is a conversion of the vehicle, which requires approval.
Add-on. If a car with a kung is used for a bathhouse on wheels, there is no need to build a superstructure. An existing building can be used to equip a bathhouse. If a passenger trailer is used for these purposes, you will have to build the superstructure yourself.
Internal equipment. It includes: a potbelly stove, a container of water (volume of at least 20 liters per person), benches, a place to store firewood, a shower and a washbasin. When choosing items of internal equipment, preference should be given to lighter materials. Naturally, there can be no talk of any sanitary ware. Stainless steel and plastic are the most suitable materials.
Steam room from scratch: necessary engineering solutions
If you are planning to organize your business using a bathhouse on wheels, it is better not to re-equip anything, but to build a complex. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills, you will have to resort to the help of specialists, as accurate calculations will be needed. The project must take into account the stability of the structure and the required power of the installed stove, as well as the dimensions of the trailer, so as not to have conflicts with road patrols in the future and not to look for workarounds if the height exceeds the permitted one. To ensure that such a mobile bathhouse on wheels does not turn out to be too mobile due to excessive weight, you need to choose the right materials - and this is also included in the list of engineering tasks.
Mobile sauna on wheels
29.01.2013
A bathhouse for a person is a place where he not only cleanses the soul and body, cures diseases and ailments, and restores vitality. It is also a place of emotional pleasure and relaxation. Fans of the Russian steam bath have another opportunity to enjoy bath procedures anywhere and at any time. In Russia, bathhouses on wheels are becoming widespread.
A sauna on wheels can be located anywhere, but it is best on the banks of a river or lake
Many of us spend our weekends and vacation days in the lap of nature, near natural bodies of water, near lakes and rivers. In places of public recreation, campsites are built, which are equipped with fishing piers, barbecues, and closed gazebos with tables and benches. There are also places for tents and special places for fires.
But until recently, there was no opportunity to take a steam bath in such places. But now it is quite real. A sauna on wheels solves this problem. There is no need to obtain permission to allocate land for a bathhouse. It does not need a foundation, because a bathhouse on wheels can be placed anywhere.
This is very convenient when working away from populated areas, at drilling sites, and during geological exploration. A mobile sauna on wheels is an excellent solution in cases where there are no places for hygiene procedures.
The wheelbase for the bathhouse can be an ordinary cargo truck - GAZ, ZIL, URAL, bus, minibus or any passenger car. And in some difficult terrain, a truck can even be converted into a tracked all-terrain vehicle and made into a platform for a bathhouse.
Practical implementations of the mobile sauna idea can have different options. The bathhouse, as needed, can simply be loaded onto a platform and transported to the desired location, or mounted instead of the body of a truck, bus, or minibus. The inside of the body is lined with foil, wood and equipped with all the attributes of a bathhouse.
An all-terrain sauna is convenient when working away from populated areas
A bathhouse on wheels can also be a car trailer. The layout of such a bathhouse traditionally divides the space into two parts: a steam room and a dressing room or relaxation area. The stove in a bathhouse on wheels can be wood, gas or electric. The bathhouse is also equipped with a water boiler.
The interior decoration is made of natural wood. The steam room can accommodate from four to six people. In a bathhouse on wheels, steam procedures are carried out in the same way as in a regular stationary steam room. A wood-burning stove is heated, the firebox of which, for safety reasons, is located outside. When the air temperature reaches the proper level, usually 60 degrees, you can begin bathing procedures.
Basically, saunas on wheels are created by specialized companies and used for commercial purposes, but you can build such a sauna with your own hands for your own needs or to earn money with it. If you have desire and enthusiasm, nothing is impossible.
In order for a do-it-yourself bathhouse on wheels to become a reality, you need to take into account several important points, without which it is impossible to realize the idea and give it life. Availability of a vehicle that you will use as a wheelbase: a bus or a truck for a bathhouse van, or a car for a trailer.
It is better to sheathe the walls and ceiling of a bathhouse on wheels with cedar or linden wood
You also need to have technical and construction skills. Knowledge of the structure of a bathhouse is mandatory. Of course, you need to have available funds and choose quality materials. And also the bathhouse must be registered as an “Individual Enterprise”.
If all the conditions are met, and the desire to create a bathhouse on wheels is just as enormous and irrepressible, then we proceed according to plan. We are creating a project for a bathhouse on wheels. Then we sketch out a sketch and, using computer programs, evaluate the proportionality of the design and make adjustments if necessary.
You also need to calculate the weight of the van, the load on the wheel axles and the power of the stove or steam generator. The required volume of materials is selected and their cost is calculated. You can view photographs of a bathhouse on wheels posted on the Internet in order to glean useful information for arranging a power frame.
Next comes the welding of the steel frame profiles and the construction of stiffeners. A home-made or purchased stove is installed. The roof is being erected. Exterior finishing is in progress. Of course, it is better to use natural wood, which will harmonize with the environment and add homely warmth to the structure.
It is very important to correctly design the center of gravity, otherwise as you move on potholes and uneven sections of the road, the bathhouse on wheels may sway and fall on its side.
It is also important to think through the decorative elements; this will add coziness and at the same time give the bathhouse its own distinctive look and flavor. Check all parameters and dimensions for compliance with the Road Traffic Regulations. Pay special attention to the overall height and side projections.
Relaxation area in a mobile sauna on wheels
The interior decoration of a bathhouse on wheels is done in the same way as in a stationary steam room. But the shelves and grate on the floor in such a bathhouse must be removable. Pay special attention to the impregnation of wood in order to protect it as best as possible from rot, fungi, parasites and fire.
Of course, in a mobile bathhouse the floor is not made of heavy materials, but is replaced with waterproofing rubber with lightweight slatted gratings. It is better to line the walls and ceiling of the bathhouse with cedar or linden lining; the aroma of the wood will give additional positive sensations.
The design of the ceiling needs to be carefully thought out and it is advisable to design it in such a way that it can be removed for drying. The steam room must be equipped with a drain ladder.
Lighting decor also matters and affects the aesthetics of the interior decoration. Think through all the details of the steam room and relaxation area. Cold water can be brought from reservoirs in buckets, and if there is a need for hot water, you can heat it on a stove.
The bathhouse can simply be loaded onto the platform and transported to the desired location
It is best to use a sauna on wheels on the banks of a natural body of water: a river or lake. A complex of bath and water procedures and a natural landscape are an ideal combination and a lot of pleasure. What could be better?
In order for a mobile sauna on wheels to serve for a long time, you need to take care of it, that is, follow the operating rules. The most important thing is that such a bath needs to be dried well after use. It must be dried with the door open and the stove operating at low power.
Shelves and wooden grates from the floors must be removed from the bathhouse. They need to be washed thoroughly and dried in the sun in the open air. In just a few visits to the steam room, wooden walls can absorb a huge amount of moisture. Therefore, the bathhouse must be dried very carefully, otherwise the wood will begin to rot.
Video - sauna on wheels
Conclusion!
The sauna on wheels is a recent invention, but people have already liked it and are becoming widespread throughout our country. After all, the love for the Russian bathhouse is genetically embedded in us. It’s like a fairy tale: you just have to wish, and the bathhouse will come to you!
May your new ideas always come to life! Have an easy day!
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Assembly of the structure
In the future, purely technical skills will be required. First, a load-bearing frame is assembled, on the basis of which metal profiles are welded, stiffeners are attached, and a stove is installed. The firebox is moved outside so as not to interfere with the washing process. You can buy a stove ready-made, or you can make it yourself. Next comes the roof - if there is one, the final finishing can be done even in unfavorable weather. It will turn out much more successful if the outside of the mobile bathhouse on wheels is trimmed with wood, and specifically linden. It holds the temperature tightly and gives a natural look, unlike plastic with the image of wood cuts. The interior decoration of the mobile bathhouse is no different from the stationary version; You can only complement it with romantic accessories like lanterns stylized as kerosene stoves, unobtrusive lighting and wooden inserts on the walls.
Exterior finishing
Professionals recommend using wooden siding for exterior decoration, which will help visually bring our bathhouse on wheels closer to the stationary one. Moreover, decorating with this material will create a unique comfort and feeling of home. This decoration will be perfectly complemented by kerosene lanterns, simple steps and carved shutters.
Don’t forget about safety - the doors to the bathhouse should only open outwards.
Additional accessories for successful entrepreneurship
If your business is a sauna on wheels, then you will have to invest in some accessories that are not needed when using the steam room yourself. It’s a good idea to take care of the convenience of using stones, for example, string them on stainless steel, then such “beads” can be quickly laid out on the stove and quickly removed. However, such know-how is also suitable for non-commercial use of a mobile bathhouse. A smart business move would be to install a flagpole on the roof, when a flag is raised during installation of the complex, notifying others of its arrival.
What to follow when opening a sauna on wheels?
While some come up with business ideas, practitioners implement them. This type of business, like a bathhouse on wheels, is not entirely new, and it appeared a relatively long time ago. Some entrepreneurs have already tried to implement this idea, but incorrect marketing moves and the wrong action plan did not give the desired result, while some have remained in this business to this day and are successfully making money. It should be noted that such a business has little competition. Why was someone lucky and his ideas worked, while others couldn’t even implement their plan and open such a bathhouse?
A sauna on wheels is not an ordinary business. It has its own specifics, and most likely those who tried to do this and failed did not quite see it correctly. The trick of this business is the principle, similar to the well-known proverb “if the mountain does not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed himself will come to the mountain.” It’s the same here: if a person cannot go to the bathhouse, then she herself will come to him.
And here you can already ask the question, where people do not have the opportunity to go to the bathhouse and where it is better for her to come on her own wheels. The countryside disappears, since many people there have their own places to take a steam bath, and many have bathhouses built at their dachas. This means that such a service needs to be provided to the population where it will be most in demand, and here it is necessary to find an original solution - this is one of the most important issues if there is a plan to open such an institution.
Considering that for many people fishing is even more than a hobby, an entrepreneur who has a plan to open a sauna on wheels can find in this the answer to the question of where a mobile steam room will be most needed. The decision to combine such types of recreation as fishing and a sauna on wheels should definitely work, because no one will refuse to combine business with pleasure. Of course, this is just an example, since everyone can have their own ideas. An important advantage of such a business is that services can be provided anywhere and there are practically no territorial restrictions. So, if there is a plan to open such an establishment, what will it take?
Correct operation and “storage”
Like any other subspecies, a bathhouse on wheels must be dried after use. This is done simply: the door opens, but the oven does not turn off immediately. Floor grates and shelves are removed, washed in a nearby pond and left in the shade to dry. The board is raised, additional supports are removed inside, vehicles are brought in, the flag is removed - and you can move on. On the road, of course, you won’t get high speed, but this is typical for any car with a trailer. Due to the rather large height, your bathhouse will sway along the way, but if the engineering calculations are correct, it should not fall on its side. For better stability, the stove is balanced by a shelf and grates.
Assembling the frame of a bathhouse on wheels
The order of work at this stage is as follows:
- When the drawings of the bathhouse on wheels are ready, you can begin assembling the frame. Of course, you can order a ready-made frame house for a future bathhouse from a specialized company that deals with frame construction. This will save time, but not money.
- The frame is made of timber with a cross-section of at least 75 x 75 mm. The first step is to install the lower frame trim. The beams are laid around the perimeter of the chassis in a lock and attached to the beams using M10 bolts. The bolt installation pitch is no more than 250 mm.
- Then you can begin installing the vertical frame posts. At a minimum, you need 6 of them (4 corner + 2 under the doorway). The final quantity of these elements depends on the size of the bath. The installation step of the supports is no more than 1 meter. They are attached to a groove cut in the lower beams. Then they are fixed with a tenon or self-tapping screws. In order to give them additional strength, braces are installed at the bottom.
- A Mauerlat beam is installed along the upper perimeter of the bathhouse. It will support the roof rafters. The roof is made of a simple gable or single-pitched roof with hanging rafters. In places where a window or opening for removing the firebox will be installed, additional stiffening beams are installed.
Refurbishment
If there is no need to give the bathhouse an attractive appearance, that is, for “internal” use, you can take a simpler path and buy an old truck as a base. The process of creating a mobile bathhouse will be simplified and cheaper. The most expensive investment will be the purchase of a shower and toilet, like those installed on yachts. Most people choose this method, since you can make a bathhouse on wheels using a ready-made base yourself. The process begins with dismantling everything unnecessary. The place where the stove is planned to be located is insulated with fireproof materials (the same asbestos, for example), and the floor is reinforced so that it can withstand the weight of the heater. A hole is cut outside for the combustion door. The remaining frame is further strengthened so that the frame does not become loose when moving, and the structure lasts longer. The necessary plumbing is installed, including pipes, wiring is laid with additional insulation, and everything is covered with linden clapboard. The exterior decoration can also be made of wood, but you can leave the “military” image, as long as it is cozy and comfortable inside.
Advantages of choice
It must be said that a sauna on wheels is chosen not only by travelers and those who have made it their entrepreneurial project. Those who have the standard six acres, but who also like to take a steam bath, also often give it preference. Still, it takes up much less space and does not require a solid foundation, which immediately reduces the cost of the bath itself several times. In addition, it dries faster, and you can always lend it to friends and relatives - as long as they know how to drive a car with a trailer.
Drawing up a project for a bathhouse on wheels
When the issue with the chassis for the bathhouse has been resolved, it is necessary to begin developing a plan for the future bathhouse on wheels. The dimensions of the structure will depend on the dimensions of the chassis and should not protrude beyond their limits. There is also a height limitation. If you make it too high, it may simply tip over.
When the dimensions of the bathhouse have already been decided, it is necessary to pay attention to the design of the chassis. It may require strengthening or additional installation of supporting structures. It is important to remember that the beam of the base of the bathhouse frame must lie clearly on the metal beam of the chassis. Otherwise, the tree may not withstand the stress and burst.
Next, you should make an internal plan of the bathhouse. The room should consist of two zones:
- Waiting room. It has a shower, washbasin, benches for relaxation and clothes hangers.
- Steam room. Here you need to place a bench and a stove.
It is better to take the firebox door of the potbelly stove outside so that firewood can be loaded from the street. Thanks to this, you can save a lot of space. A container of water is welded onto the stove's chimney so that the hot gases can heat the water for washing.
It is imperative to resolve the issue of lighting and an additional battery, especially if the bathhouse is designed as a trailer for a passenger car.
Subtleties that increase efficiency and improve your mood
Many people forget that a mobile sauna is often used in winter. Therefore, it would be a good idea to supplement its equipment with an autonomous heater, such as those that heat the interiors of large trucks in parking lots. When arranging the roof, it is useful to make a canopy that covers the exit to the veranda - both from rain and sun, and so that the snow covers the entrance less. Some people neglect additional supports for the tailgate - they say that steps are enough. However, without such supports, the board will require repairs within a year, even if the bathhouse is not used very often. It is more harmonious to place wooden or wicker furniture in the dressing room - waterproof coatings on furniture are often not very pleasant for bare skin. And even if you equip such a washing structure for yourself, and not for business, install video equipment in the dressing room - this will greatly diversify your vacation.
In any case, saunas on wheels have become increasingly popular lately. Reviews about it are often enthusiastic - it’s still nice, being in “wild” conditions, to join a comfortable civilization.
“Here is the same face”
This fun - a sauna on wheels - appeared in Siberia only a few years ago, but has already managed to win the hearts of lovers of light steam. For this reason, the idea cannot be called original. These are mainly commercial projects; entrepreneurs have already managed to occupy this niche. Such a bathhouse is a success, especially among city residents; on weekends it is generally in great demand. Well, I dialed the number, said a code phrase like: “Come, bathhouse, to me yourself” - and half an hour later you are already splashing around in gentle bliss, in a birch (or pine) steamy foam paradise. Craftsmen set up such steam rooms on wheels on the basis of heavy GAZ-66s, Urals, KamAZs and even tractors. Pavel Vershinin, an entrepreneur from Vylkovo, did this for the first time on the basis of a bus, thereby puzzling us.
Arriving by prior arrangement at the Vershinins' house, in the yard we did not find anything even remotely reminiscent of the usual version of a bathhouse on wheels, a car with a trailer or a KUNG. True, there was a bright red PAZ bus of Soviet design, strange, with a pipe from which smoke curled. It turned out that this was the bathhouse. A real one, fragrant with natural wood, with a heater stove and an excellent birch steam room, in which in a few minutes the temperature can be brought up to the classic 100 degrees. There is a shower, a warm toilet and a relaxation area with furniture, a refrigerator and an electric kettle powered by an autonomous generator. Everything steamers need to relax, have a snack, and drink tea. The salon, from which Pavel removed the bus seats, of course, unnecessary in the bathhouse, was lined with cozy wood - birch of a warm milky color, the design was thought out by local seamstress Oksana Markgraft, incorporating comfortable sofas draped in eco-leather into the interior. Rural designers turned the hatch in the ceiling into a window, providing it with LED lighting. But the rest of the “groove” is just like a “groove”. The side windows are the darkest tinted, so if you don’t know it from the outside, you’ll never guess the purpose of the bus. It’s not very easy to hide his admiration, and Pavel laughs: “Everyone who looks into the salon for the first time has about the same face as you have now.”
