These awesome RV deck design ideas are perfect for any make or model!

From traditional arts and crafts style to sleek and modern, you’ll find an RV deck design that suits you and your needs. You’ll also learn how to build a floating RV deck quickly and easily.

RV’s are a smart choice for both full-time living and temporary travel. They can be used in a multitude of ways; as an affordable tiny home, a vacation or weekend cabin, or as a traveling home on wheels.

These awesome RV deck designs can help keep your camper clean, create an attractive outdoor living space, and increase the overall enjoyment of your RV.

Richard’s Modern RV Deck Design 

Our first RV deck design was submitted to us by Richard Quick. He allowed us to feature his gorgeous Florida manufactured home last year.

Richard’s new fifth wheel is set up in the popular Sawmill Camping Resort in Dade City, Florida for weekend getaways. The campground, like many across the country, is fairly strict and has a board of directors that must approve all RV modifications.

Richard’s favorite style is modern and warm. He wanted a custom RV deck design that had a modern design with high usability. He found a contractor that turned his vision into reality with a few specifications: the design had to meet the board’s approval and be transportable.  The deck needed to slide out and be stored easily while on the road. 

The deck’s skirting panels are lightweight and easy to move when necessary. The hidden staircase creates a ‘soft entry’ and the platform has benches that create a welcoming area to take your shoes off or have an afternoon drink. 

The multi-color design is a perfect representation of the ‘California Modern’ style. Richard admits he was a bit hesitant when his contractor showed up with four cans of stain color: green tea, ebony, mahogany, and dove gray. He states, “Never in a million years would l think all those colors would work together!” Luckily, Richard went with the design and the results are incredible. 

The front and side skirting below the outdoor storage areas are slotted and lift out easily.

How to Build Your Own RV Deck 

Dorothy Ainsworth purchased her camper for $2500 and set it up on her property. Next, she built a portable deck that can be removed easily whenever she wants to take the camper on the road.

Dorothy does a magnificent job of journaling her RV deck design and building process on her blog. In addition, it is a great resource for anyone that is interested in self-reliance, affordable home building, and property development. Visit her at dorothyainsworth.com.

Step 1: Laying Concrete Pier Blocks

Below are a few photos chronicling Dorothy’s RV deck build. She began the build by having the property graded before the camper was placed.

The next step was to lay concrete deck blocks and piers. Learn more about post and beam foundations and concrete block piers here. 

For portable, floating decks and sheds it isn’t always necessary to have footings poured below the frost line.

Deck blocks are a fairly new product that allows for quick and easy deck foundations. They are best suited for ground-level or low-level decks that will be no more than 3 foot off the ground (you can use them for higher builds if the blocks are installed with in-ground footers).

Learn more about concrete deck blocks and floating decks on Home Depot’s Blog.

Dorothy set 20 concrete blocks into the hard-packed soil beneath the gravel.

Step 2: Setting the Piers and Joists

Once the concrete blocks were laid, the 4X4 piers were set into the block brackets at the appropriate height. These concrete blocks are very convenient; they can be placed just about anywhere and manipulated to get the needed height.

Dorothy ran 16′ long, 2×6 joists along each side of the 4×4 posts in each row and attached them by screws.

Steps 3-5: Decking Boards, Steps, and Staining

The Douglas Fir decking boards were then laid over the joists, steps were built, and the completed deck was stained.

Choosing the Right Lumber for Your RV Deck

Choosing which type of lumber you use on your deck is as important as the design. You’ll need to take several things into account: weight, durability, insect and waterproofing, staining ease, and longevity.

There are three basic types of decking lumber:

• Treated
• Cedar
• Composite Wood 

Learn more about comparing deck wood here.

The end result was a low profile, floating deck that looks great in front of the camper.

Long Term RV Deck Designs 

Permanent, or long-term, RV setups are most used for full time living situations and vacation homes. These installations are most popular near high traffic vacation spots such as lakes, rivers, and beaches.

There are some amazing camper retrofits that use decking to create smart outdoor living spaces. The following are permanent decking designs in a popular Canadian tourist area featured on Michael Geller’s blog:

The Japanese style pergola above is an amazing addition to the RV. It creates a perfect area for container gardening as well as a covered outdoor living space.

The RV deck design above creates a perfect outdoor dining space for this modern fifth wheel.

Rain won’t stop this family’s enjoyment. What an amazing deck!

This next deck and railing is a beautiful addition to a 30 foot recreational vehicle. These longer RV’s are typically used for permanent vacation housing as they are more difficult to move.

This RV is used as a summer home and takes advantage of its Indiana location with a retractable awning, perfect for optimal sun and shade. See more of this great camper here. 

 This last RV deck design is perfect for the waterfront camper site:

Source

Do you have a great RV deck design? We’d love to see it!

Learn more: How to Build a Deck for Your Camper

Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living!

It may be winter right now but it won’t be long before it’s time to hit the road again. Not to mention that living and traveling in RVs and campers full-time has become a popular way to enjoy life, which means RV renovation ideas are popping up all over online. However, sometimes it’s not in your budget to do a total makeover on your new home on wheels. But with these 5 ideas, you can still drastically change the look of your RV and still stay budget-friendly.

Update the Upholstery

When deciding where to start when thinking of RV renovation ideas, updating the upholstery should be top of your list, especially if you have an older camper. Also, it’s a pretty easy DIY project. There are several online tutorials that even show you step-by-step instructions that don’t include sewing!

Fresh Coat of Paint

Just like in a mobile home, nothing changes the look of a camper or RV faster or easier than a fresh coat of paint. Whether you want to add a splash of color on the cabinets, lighten up that old paneling that’s so popular in older RVs, or give the outside of your camper a new look, all of these are DIY projects you can tackle yourself.

Change the Window Treatments

One of the worst features of those older campers and RVs has to be those dated curtains/blinds that cover up all that natural light. But even if sewing isn’t your thing, you can easily change up those window treatments by putting together some no-sew curtains or shades. We found several tutorials on Pinterest that we saved to our RV/Camper board (you can also find tons of remodeling stories and ideas there).

Add a Backsplash

Just like in your manufactured homes, adding a backsplash to your RV/Camper kitchen will give it an instant facelift. The best part? You don’t have to spend hours on this project, just find your favorite design in a peel and stick backsplash and get to work.

Update the Outdated Hardware

This is probably the easiest of the 5 RV renovation ideas we are sharing today, all you need is a screwdriver and some spray paint to give new life to the hardware in your camper.

These 5 RV renovation ideas are all DIY projects that can be done over a weekend or a few days. Not only are they fairly easy, but they are also easy on the budget and can make a big difference in the look of your RV or camper.

Have you completed any updates on your camper or RV? We would love to share your story on the site. Comment below to learn how to be featured.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

The tiny home movement has now expanded into homes like these amazing bus conversions we found online. So if you have ever thought of taking to the road but need something bigger than an RV, a “skoolie” may be just right for you and your family. Whether you are looking to downsize and live in one full time, or just take it for a cross-country trip, these 5 conversions will help get those remodeling ideas flowing!

1998 School Bus Converted to Cozy Home

Our first find is a converted school bus from owners Robbie and Priscilla. These DIYers took a year and a half to build their 210 square feet tiny home. Of course, the project had its share of issues to overcome but the finished product is a beautiful home on wheels. According to the article:

 The bus features an open floor plan with a full bed at the rear that sleeps two. Cedar tongue and groove ceilings and white walls make for a cozy design, and a full size kitchen is larger than some New York apartment kitchens. The kitchen boasts a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, soft-closing cabinet doors and drawers, and a pull-out pantry. A giant refrigerator holds plenty of food, and an oven range makes it easy to cook large meals.

The bus is also completely self-sustaining, equipped with six 360-watt solar panels and eight 315 Trojan batteries.

Tiny Home on Wheels is Home Sweet Home

The next amazing bus conversion we found on one of our favorite sites, Instagram. Francesca and Nicholas have shared their bus conversion and all of their adventures with their followers since starting the project back in 2018.

The couple says that during the planning stages of their renovation they knew that they had to have a big kitchen with plenty of room to hang out. They definitely did a great job with that!

2004 Bus Becomes DIY Project

Tawny and Mike knew early on in their marriage that they wanted to travel, they just weren’t sure how to make it happen. Luckily, they found their inspiration when they decided to purchase a bus for $5,000 and the renovation began.

Bus renovations are a complete gut and restoration project, the seats have to come out, there may be repairs that need to be made to the floor before a sub-floor is installed, and then finally the fun can begin.

The couple decided to keep a great deal of the windows, which allows for plenty of natural light. The space is light and bright and has an ultimate homey feel.

You can follow the couple’s updates on their Instagram: sincewewokeup

A Family of Four Living Their Best Life in a Converted Bus

This little family is an inspiration. Not only did they create a lovely tiny home, but they are also thriving. We love how they made room for their kiddos and totally transformed their bus.

Downsizing in a Skoolie

Debbie and Gabriel decided to downsize from a 5000 square foot house into a 250 square foot “skoolie” along with their four kids! Of course, there were definitely some challenges, mainly trying to purge all the stuff they had accumulated.

The bus has all the necessities that a family of 6 would need, a dinner table to eat around, individual beds for the kids, a separate bedroom for the couple, along with as much storage as they could squeeze in.

Another option, if one of these amazing bus conversions isn’t for you, would be something like this cool Greyhound Bus Conversion That is One of a Kind.

From what we can see, white seems to be the most popular feature for the interior of these tiny homes. Which of course makes sense, since white makes smaller spaces look bigger. Also, kitchens are a priority along with a nice place to sleep. These 5 amazing bus conversions are enough to make us want to hit the road tomorrow!

As always thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

These are 5 of the best vintage camper remodels we recently discovered while browsing online. Each of these older campers had seen better days before their remarkable transformations!

The Sprite

Canadian blogger Jolie bought her vintage 1968 Sprite 400 caravan and spent a Winter giving it an amazing facelift. For around an additional $800 over the purchase price, she was able to turn this dated tiny camper into a bright and cheerful home away from home!

Jane the Camper

We found Jane the Camper on Instagram (she has her own page!) and we fell in love. There weren’t many before pics except of the interior, but it had a leaky roof, the wood was rotting, it was literally busting at the seams. You would never know it from the finished look though!

The Joshua Tree Suite

Our next find comes from the husband and wife team at Stagecoach Detail and Design, who completely gutted and renovated a 1970 Silver Streak. What we love about this remodel is that the entire style was designed around a blanket picked up at a thrift store!

Sandrzyks_be_trippin in a 1970 Airstream

We have a long history of loving Airstreams so when we saw this completely remodeled 1970 model we knew we wanted to add it to our list. Lovingly named Ruby Jane the Airstream, this renovated Airstream is a beauty and has been all over the country with its owners.

Rosie the Vintage Camper

Our final of today’s vintage camper remodels is Rosie. Rosie is a 1969 vintage Globestar camper trailer that was transformed from outdated to modern in 10 short weeks. The owners share that the final cost was around $8,000, including the purchase price of $4,000, shipping for $1,000, and right around $4,000 for the renovation.

Vintage camper remodels are a wonderful way to turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure. If you can envision it, you can make it happen!

Don’t forget to visit our camper and RV section to find tons of features, camper tips and tricks, as well as decor ideas for your next camper remodel.

As always thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

Repurposed vintage trailers are a common sight these days. Their uses can be anything from food trucks, Airbnb’s, or just about anything imaginable. Today we are sharing 6 vintage trailers that have been given new life in inspiring ways!

Vintage Photo Booths

Photo booths have become a super popular way to add a little something extra to a birthday party, wedding, or bachelorette party. With different themes, you can dress them up or dress them down depending on the occasion. It’s also a new prop for photographers who have started to permanently set up vintage trailers to use for sessions.

Airstream Hotels

Looking for someplace different to stay? Have a love for Airstreams? Then Airstream hotels are just the ticket. Whether you are looking for just a camping experience or something a little more exciting, you can find Airstream hotels set up all over the world. What better way to vacation?!

Related: 5 Awesome Airstream Glamping Experiences.

Beauty Shops

Beauty shops and spa services aren’t necessarily the first thing you think of when you imagine giving new life to a repurposed vintage trailer, but they are a great way to own your own space, have little overhead, and take your show on the road if the urge arises. Not only did we see beauty and barber shops during our search but nail salons, massage services and spas were also popular across the country.

Mini Boutiques

If you have spent much time online, then you know that boutique clothing is hot right now. So why not take that love for cute clothes on the road? Pop-up mini boutiques are a great way to showcase your love for style and reach people that may not normally get to see your specialty line.

Food/Drink Trailers

Food trucks have been around a long time, but transforming small trailers into cool food or drink venues are new to the scene. Whether its a specialty coffee shop, a bar for an event, or just some tasty treats, you can turn these cute little trailers into whatever your heart desires.

Thinking Outside the Box

We found all kinds of other cool uses for repurposed vintage trailers online. Fabric shops, interior design services, and tea party set-ups just to name a few. The options are endless.

As you can see these are not the trailers of days gone by, these repurposed vintage trailers have all been given new life and given their owners new purpose with fresh ideas of entrepreneurship to make their dreams come true instead of being left to rust away.

We hope you have enjoyed our cool finds as much as we have! We would love to hear about any awesome repurposed vintage trailers you might have seen on your travels, comment below and tell us all about it.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

5th Wheel RV renovations are all over social media these days. From Instagram to Pinterest everyone is sharing their latest projects. With more people choosing to stay close to home these days remodels like the ones we are sharing today will be sure to inspire you!

Crisp and Clean Describe this 5th Wheel

We found this awesome renovation on Alcorn Home and was completely updated by Jo Alcorn, a famous interior designer, for her parents to enjoy during the Summer months. Luckily, Jo was able to paint the kitchen cabinets and leave the built-ins rather than tear them out. She also added a fireplace to the sitting area bookshelf to add an extra heat source as well as create a focal point for the room.

Jo utilized solid wood and composite molding and interior doors to create faux beams. Finally, comfy bedding completed the look to create a home away from home atmosphere for her parents.

Farmhouse 5th Wheel

Mountain Modern Life is where we came across our 2nd renovation. The owners, Van and Lauren along with their little one, decided to make the move into tiny living while waiting to move overseas. Remodeled in only 6 weeks, the couple did all the work themselves and were able to complete the renovation for only $4,000. Fresh paint throughout along with vinyl plank flooring created the perfect farmhouse look.

There is a great attention to detail that adds to the rustic look including the wood plank accents, the distinctive lighting choices and especially the tin that surrounds the shower.

Modern 5th Wheel RV is Family Friendly

Our final 5th wheel RV was shared on Barefoot Detour and we immediately fell in love. April and her family, including twin girls, live full-time in their 2005 Keystone RV. Like most 2000 models the interior was brown and dated but full of unlimited potential. Unlike some other RV owners, the couple has parked their home in a permanent location and do not use the home for travel, instead, they just wanted to enjoy the tiny living lifestyle and are concentrating on saving for the future.

There’s so much to love about this remodel including the plank accent walls and the super cute bunk beds for the girls!

Can’t get enough camper and RV remodels? See campers and RVs that have been restored, repaired, and decorated along with great tips and tricks for camper owners.

See a remodel you think our readers would enjoy? Comment below and tell us about it, it just might be our next feature!

As always we thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

We are sure you have heard, camping and “glamping” are hot right now. Booking sites reported that they saw a 400% increase last year over previous years. So of course we had to see what kind of cool retro trailers you can find on sites like Airbnb. From Airstreams to tiny trailers we found plenty of choices for your next camping adventure!

1949 Spartan Mansion

Our first Airbnb find is located right outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and wow is it a beauty! Lovingly known as “The Blueberry”, the Spartan is a step back in time with a touch of luxury added in.

1953 Spartanette Trailer Vintage Trailer

Our second Airbnb isn’t quite as luxurious, but if you are looking to get away from the hustle of the city and are a fan of cool retro trailers, this spot in the Catskills outside of NYC is just for you! It is fully restored inside and sleeps 4. The surroundings look pretty rustic but sometimes that’s just what you need to unwind.

1964 Aristocrat Land Commander

Our next Airbnb find is fondly known as Clementine and is located in Arizona and is perfect if you are looking for a more “roughing it” kind of trip but aren’t interested in sleeping on the ground. Restored and decorated in typical 60s decor this small camper is a step back in time to when campers held just the basics.

Related: Affordable DIY Vintage Camper Renovation: Adopting Shana The Shasta.

Tiny houses are popular on airbnb too. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be found all across the country.

Read more about tiny house airbnb.

60s Custom Trailer

Tucked away in a small mobile home park just two miles from the beach, this 1960’s custom trailer has it all. This one bedroom mobile home comes fully stocked and even includes a chef’s garden full of herbs and vegetables and bicycles for that ride to the beach!

1972 Vintage Camper

This 28′ foot vintage camper is located right outside of Charleston, South Carolina, only 6 miles from Folly Beach. So if you are looking for privacy and a place that is a little more laid back but still close to the action than this vintage beauty will do the trick!

1953 Retro Spartan

This 1953 Spartan Imperial Mansion certainly has the WOW factor! The owner did a wonderful job of remodeling the space while keeping the essentials such as the birch walls and ceilings. The addition of a modern kitchen and bath makes this a great find. Located in Austin Texas we could definitely see ourselves staying there!

1951 Vintage Beauty

Our next retro trailers find is located in the Yucca Valley of California and is totally solar-powered. Known as the Joshua Tree Hideaway, this 1951 Spartanette trailer is a beautiful step back in time. The decor is mid-century charming with tons of natural light, the whole space is just charming!

50s Spartan Caravan

If your travels are taking you to Canada and you are a fan of retro trailers this 35 foot 1951 Spartan caravan in British Columbia is perfect for you. The owners went to great lengths to bring this vintage home back to its original glory and they did a great job.

1967 Spartan Beauty

Our most original Airbnb find comes to us from Terlingua Texas, has been featured on Nat Geo’s documentary show “Badlands, Texas”, and boy is it cool. We will let the pictures speak for themselves!

1948 Spartan

Our final Airbnb find was featured in Vintage Trailer and Camper magazine as well as Mobile Traveler. Located in Santa Fe New Mexico, this posh 1948 Spartan feels more like a resort than a vintage trailer. Decked out in all white, we aren’t sure this would be a kid-friendly spot but would be perfect for a romantic getaway.

These were just a few of the awesome retro trailers that we came across on Airbnb. As you can tell there is no shortage of cool places to stay.

No matter what part of the country you are in there is no doubt that the options are endless! Have you stayed somewhere cool? Tell us about it in the comments, we would love to hear about your experience.

As always we thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

Boho Chic camper renovations can be found all over sites like Pinterest. Not surprising since boho chic decor typically combines items that are relaxed, bold, and unusual. Which makes them the perfect home for people who enjoy a wandering lifestyle. The 3 renovations we are sharing today are the perfect combinations to inspire you and your next project!

Bohemian 5th Wheel

Our first find comes from Tiny House Talk and is a 2006 Heartland Bighorn RV (a 5th wheel travel trailer) that was transformed from just a basic RV into their own bohemian tiny home. Since this RV includes a slide-out there is plenty of room for the couple and their growing family.

What we love about this particular remodel the combination of warmer colors such as shades like olive green, cognac, mustard yellow, and rusty oranges rather than the typical bright colors that makeup boho chic decor.

all images courtesy of tiny house talk

Boho Chic Becomes Family Retreat

Our second boho chic camper remodel comes to us from Apartment Therapy and takes a dated 2010 Jayco and turned it into a retreat big enough for a family of 5. With an interior full of brown, the family knew they wanted to brighten up the space and create an updated boho look. After hiring a contractor to take care of the big jobs, next came reupholstering the cushions, purchasing new bedding, and adding some boho touches to complete the look. The total cost of the project came in around $1,700 which makes this a great budget-friendly remodel!

Related: Cute Camper Decorating Ideas You Can Actually Afford.

all images courtesy of apartment therapy

Stylish Boho Glam Remake

Our final find comes to us from Mountain Modern Life and is a 2002 5th wheel that became one couple’s permanent tiny home when they were transferred to Oregon and realized they weren’t interested in paying the high rent of the area. A combination of glamorous boho with plenty of greenery there’s plenty to love about this boho chic camper remodel.

all images courtesy of Mountain Modern Life

These 3 amazing boho chic camper renovations are full of great remodeling ideas for your next project. And, as you can see from these remodels, it’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint and some updated upholstery can do. So, if you can’t afford a full-blown remake, you would be surprised what simple changes can do.

As always, we thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.

Airstream renovations never cease to amaze us. Hiding behind those shiny silver exteriors is an endless opportunity to create any space your heart desires. Whether you are looking for a full-time home or just want to hit the open road, these 3 Airstream renovations will inspire you to give your Airstream a fresh look!

This Airstream is a Vision

The first of our Airstream renovations comes from Airstream renovators Kate and Ellen (you can follow them on Instagram to see more of their projects) who created this pretty in pink vision for one of their clients. The total remodel cost around $60,000, mainly due to poor assembly of the Airstream from the factory.

There are several great decorating tips to to be learned from this example of tiny living, including:

• Using built-ins to maximize space
• Don’t skimp on flooring, the herringbone flooring in this Airstream makes it feel luxurious
• A neutral palette with pops of color work together to create a cozy look

images courtesy of Domino

Augustine the Airstream

Our next find is 34-foot 1992 Airstream Excella 1000, owned and renovated by Nate and Taylor. Purchased in Augustine, Florida (which she is named for) it then made the trip to WV where Nate and Taylor have family. Full of bohemian flair and lots of homey touches, the couple says the space is full of DIY projects they are proud of such as the built-in bookcases under the front bay windows.

images courtesy of Apartment Therapy

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The couple use the booth for not only a morning coffee spot, but also as their workstation since they both work remotely. The space separates the living area and the bedroom and offers a small bit of privacy when they are both home and trying to get some work accomplished.

Shabby Chic Airstream

The final Airstream renovation we are sharing today is this super cute Shabby Chic Airstream. A 2014, 21 foot model, this tiny home on wheels didn’t need any major remodeling, just some interior design updates to express the new owner’s personal style. Changing the upholstery, adding some peel and stick backsplash tiles, with a mix and match of shabby chic details makes this the perfect Airstream to hit the road with!

Related: Check out some of our other favorite Shabby Chic remodels.

images courtesy of Apartment Therapy

If you love these Airstream renovations and want to see more, be sure to visit our page where we have an entire section of nothing but these silver beauties.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living.