[Abigail]

My adult nephew lives on my property in a camper that isn’t going to work this winter. Because of certain circumstances he cannot stay inside my house. He realistically has about $10k to spend.

Whatever he gets needs to be winterproof and have it’s own bathroom and preferably at least a kitchenette area so he can make coffee and small meals. I need all the ideas I can get.

He is very particular and the more ideas I have the more likely there will be one he will be ok with.

Thank you so much for any ideas!

[Sheila]

If he’s living in a camper at his aunt’s place, he can’t afford to be particular. Maybe he could take his cash and rent a small studio apartment for the winter.

[Melissa]

Finish a shed house. Get a smaller shed from Home Depot or elsewhere.

Insulate. Strip down the camper and move that inside. A composting toilet and there are all kinds of shower options. Water can be 5 gallon jugs with a small pump. I am guessing he is plug into your power. Any extra $ can get him a solar powerbank for small items. Fridge and heat/ac will have to run off your house power or generator.

Right now a 10′ x 12′ is $3500. There are delivery fees.

Watch Utube and see how people set up their vans. Cheaprv and Campervankevin are good ones for ideas. Try off grid shed homes searches.

[Joyce]

Sounds like he is the one that needs the place and is particular. He should be on here looking for ideas.

[Marie]

We bought a huge wood shed for $4000. Insulated and turned it into a very small studio apartment. We didn’t do full hookups but you could.

[Shon]

Many people are giving away mobile homes and you just have to pay to have them moved.

[Mary]

He can contact extended stay hotels in the area. They have nice kitchenettes and depending on how long he needs to stay, maybe only winter months, the rates might work for him until he can find something more permanent.

[Chris]

Can he put a tarp over the camper or build a car port for the camper so it keeps wind rain and snow off but camper stays removable not taxable.

It may look like a storage shed if you hang some tarps during the winter. What kind of heat source does he have? Propane or Natural gas? Solar panels? Just make sure all your vents are snow free. Mice will come in so you will need to have tin or glass storage.

[Geri]

I’m guessing you’re looking for alternatives that are still on your property?

Look into companies that make sheds (Tuff Shed etc) and how much it would cost to finish one of those off.

Where I am they have some in the Home Depot parking lot that you can look at and they are reasonably priced, and can be financed so 10K would be a good down payment, then he would separately have to get quotes from contractors to make it livable-electric, insulated, plumbing etc

[Julia]

So I’d ask your son what might work for him within that price range and also what he is willing to sacrifice (comfort, space, esthetics etc…) to make it work.

I’d say this is more his problem than yours but I know it’s hard for us moms to see our kids struggling.

[Jessica]

I would start looking at Facebook marketplace. Used options are there at better price points. As for ” winter proof ” that’s a tougher one. Especially depending on where you are located.

They make a winter weather skirting but in a pinch you can use heavy gage plastic and tape it up to the rv and put things to seal it to on the ground to keep wind out.

You can use heat tape and heaters under it but heaters with extreme caution. Something at a lower price point will be something older with not much insulation . Just keep that in mind. Take a look at YouTube videos for colder weather camper tips.

[Linda]

You said he’s an adult. My suggestion is to treat him as such. Tell him he can’t stay in your house this winter, and ask him what plans he has made? Stick to your guns and he will find a way.

[Dee]

If it does not depend on looks. Insulate, maybe live in one room ,closest to bath and kitchen. Don’t heat the whole place.
We also put down numerous rugs to keep heat in. Second hand store blankets to hang are handy, as well as rugs.

[Joyce]

Maybe he could rent a room in a private residence or get a monthly rate at a motel during the coldest months, then move back into his camper when the weather turns warmer.

[Mary]

You need to check your zoning laws. Often, you can’t live in something like a trailer without permanent sewer or electric hookups.

[Kellie]

There are so many off grid and tiny home communities on Facebook that can give you really good ideas, and are usually good about sharing experiences and failures.

[Leslie]

Are you in the US? If so what temperate zone are you in? The tiny home possibilites are there. If you need insulation for extremely cold area you might try doing a partially “buried” tiny home.

[Dan]

Also look into finding a motorhome with a blown engine. Since repowering is so expensive you might find one for cheap.

[Author]

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