I accidently bought an 1970 Mercedes 1113 doka

Klan

New member
Hey, new to this forum.

I am looking for ideas, builds, links etc, concerning building your own home. I would like this truck to be more of a Tiny House, than an RV.

My idea is something like the usual rv stuff, bed on top of the cabin, then a toilet (maybe a composting toilet) with shower and water heater. Usable kitchen, in connection with living room. Insulated so it can handle scandinavian temperatures, below -25 celsius. Maybe a petroleums heater.

This is something that is years out, as I am still rebuilding an old Land Rover from 1980 in my 'workshop'.

But a picture of my accidently bought truck:

DSC_0071.jpg
DSC_0385.jpg
 

Haf-E

Expedition Leader

Haf-E

Expedition Leader
Not sure how it can be possible to accidently buy such a big truck... But it looks like a great base for building a house truck on.

Check out this build - not suitable for a cold climate but inspiring none the less.
http://tinyhousetalk.com/solar-off-grid-transforming-castle-house-truck/
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/transforming-castle-truck/&ved=0CE8QFjALahUKEwiribatnpjJAhWHMogKHTJzDF8&usg=AFQjCNGZx99TIDYqgqA1SEq1xzQNh6V9Tw

transforming-castle-house-truck-04-600x362.jpg
 

thebigblue

Adventurer
I would suggest getting a EBERSPÄCHER D5WSC waterheater for heating cabin, hot drinking water, and also preheat engine.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBERSPACH...807297?hash=item45fc8c76c1:g:xPMAAOSw~gRV3AT7
I would not want to use a petroleum burner inside, as you suggested, - you will need to have the combustion separated from the living space.

For the hot-water-part I would get a 10l. ELGENA hotwater tank, get the 10ME, runs on hot-water from engine, Eberspächer or on 12V power.
http://www.moerer.de/Zubehoer-Tank/...wassergeraet-Nautic-Compact-Typ-ME::2308.html

For insulation I would go for Sundolitt EPS80 i 30 or 50 mm. The polystyrene wont absorb water and is a closed cell product.
http://shop.bygma.dk/shop/gulvisolering-eps-80-1587c1.html

For solar two 100W panles
http://www.vivaenergi.dk/solcelle-webshop/Små_12V_(10W-160W)?PID=1753

For charging the house batteries a CTEK 250S DUAL 12V to 12V DC charger, just wire the generator and the solar panels to it, and you're good to go
http://www.conradelektronik.dk/Auto...onrad-dk&pi=857507&ci=SHOP_AREA_14724_0310070

House batteries, get two 100Ah AMG batteries from Harald Nyborg.
I use two 55Ah OPTIMA Yellow Top in my G-Wagon, but the AMGs from HN is half the price and I think it's better value for money, I will certainly try them in my MB L608D.

For 12V/230V Inverter, battery tester, watertank meter and so forth I went with Votronic from Wohnkabinen-shop.de
http://www.wohnkabinen-shop.de/de/Elektronik

Finally for on-off switches, fuse-boxes, 5V USB-plugs, 12V plugs and so on I use Blue Sea, got the best deal from RJS Marine
http://www.rjsmarine.co.uk/blue-sea-switches-and-panels

Windows, SEITZ S4, they are double layered (please make a frame and reset them a bit in the wall, looks way nicer)
http://www.billigcamping.dk/shop/haengselvinduer-493c1.html

Skylight, MINI HEKI 40x40 cm., (maybe get two or three instead of one of the bigger ones as the bigger ones are expensive) The HEKI comes with a blind and mosquito net as standard.
For the bathroom a Fiamma Turbo-Vent 40 x 40 cm with a thermostat.
http://www.billigcamping.dk/shop/tagluger-40-x-507c1.html

FWIW, this list is just what I have chosen to use, you might find alternatives that fits your needs better.

I'm pretty sure you will find plenty inspiration for the lay-out some-where else on ExPortal
 
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Sitec

Adventurer
What a great find! The Bull Nose Mercs have so much character. We considered one of these, and if the wife had seen one in the flesh, I recon we'd own one! :)
 

Klan

New member
Thanks for the words. We retired the old 1113 from the fire department in February, and the chief offered the vehicle to me for an extremely(!) fair price. Something like 400 usd (2.500 dkr), fuelled and roadworthy.

I will have a look at thebigblue's links, and spent the next year or two checking and drawing a new top for the truck. I hope I will end having a long term off grid vehicle, not necessarily an offroad, but a truck that can travel all over Europe, with stints to northern africa.
 

tanglefoot

ExPoseur
Wow...excellent! It looks just like the one (from what I remember) I got to sit in as a kid in a Bavarian firehouse when visiting family.

You might consider a solid fuel heater (a.k.a. woodstove) for habitation in temperatures that cold. I don't know how accessible or cost-effective it would be, but the Kimberly wood stoves look pretty incredible in terms of efficiency, versatility and heat production. They can even generate electricity, I've heard. I had my eye on a (much less expensive) Dickinson Marine solid fuel heater when I was planning on building a tiny home. I liked the thought of being able to procure my own heating fuel, often from refuse (paper mulch bricks, carpentry scraps, etc).
 

Kmrtnsn

Explorer
Hey, new to this forum.

I am looking for ideas, builds, links etc, concerning building your own home. I would like this truck to be more of a Tiny House, than an RV.

My idea is something like the usual rv stuff, bed on top of the cabin, then a toilet (maybe a composting toilet) with shower and water heater. Usable kitchen, in connection with living room. Insulated so it can handle scandinavian temperatures, below -25 celsius. Maybe a petroleums heater.

This is something that is years out, as I am still rebuilding an old Land Rover from 1980 in my 'workshop'.

But a picture of my accidently bought truck:

View attachment 315578
View attachment 315580



I have these kinds of accidents from time to time but never on this scale! That's such an awesome base to a mobile house project. Please leave it red, and chrome the wheels and bumpers (I always wanted a fire truck!)
 

Klan

New member
Thanks again for the words,

I would like something like a wood stove in the 'living room' of my future tiny house. Solar panels, deep cycle batteries, whatever it takes. I am finishing off rebuilding a 1980 Land Rover in my garage, then the VW T3 is going to get a makeover, and finally this little gem is going to get an overhaul.

$400 USD was a very special price, i have been offered 15 times that to sell it, already. But as I am in do dire need of cash, I think this will stay parked at home for a long time. It makes me happy every day I look out, and see my little fire truck parked there :)
 

Shocker

VanDOOM!
Great deal! I am really looking forward to seeing you get that started. I will just wait here.... :)
 

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