Gypsy caravans (vardos) represent a rich tradition of mobile living. These compact, ornate wagons have inspired modern tiny house builders with their efficient use of space and distinctive curved rooflines. DIY plans and kits make building your own vardo accessible.
Modern Gypsy Caravan Build
Photo Credit: Timothy Leimke
Completed Vardo Exterior
Vardo Framing Structure
Photo Credits: Timothy Leimke, The New Gypsy Caravan
Design Details
- Type: Gypsy caravan / Vardo
- Length: 9 feet 6 inches
- Width: 6 feet
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches
- Weight: Approximately 500 pounds (without trailer)
- Construction: Wood frame with curved roof
- Mobility: Towable wagon design
Vardo History and Features
Traditional Romani vardos featured elaborate woodwork, curved roofs, and compact sleeping quarters. Modern interpretations maintain the distinctive aesthetic while incorporating contemporary materials and construction techniques. The lightweight design (around 500 pounds) makes them towable by smaller vehicles.
Lessons from Vardo Design
- Curved Roofs Maximize Headroom: The barrel-style roof creates standing room in the center while maintaining a compact profile
- Lightweight Construction Enables Mobility: At 500 pounds, vardos can be towed without heavy-duty trucks
- Traditional Designs Have Lasting Appeal: The vardo aesthetic remains attractive across generations
- DIY Kits Lower Barriers: Pre-cut materials and plans make building accessible to non-professionals
- Small Footprint Works: At roughly 6×9 feet, vardos prove that functional shelter doesn’t require much space
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Alex
Oh so very cool. A nice design and a grate price. Nice find Alex.
A word to those thinking seriously about building a gypsy wagon. We bought this book at the beginning of our gypsy wagon research thinking it would be a good resource. It turned out being virtually useless however as the book is full of errors and typos. The design is also a little strange in that it doesn’t feature the typical benches that come out of the sides. Instead the benches come into the interior space, wasting valuable floor space. After these discoveries we totally abandoned the designs in this book and made our own, based on photos of the traditional caravans and sheepherder wagons. By the way we will be offering plans based on our design soon! Check out our site for updates whittleddown.com.
Okay, so do you have plans now? Thanks.
Thanks Tristan, can’t wait until you guys come out with your plans
I really want to see a few decorated trailers/ wagons I love the overdone look I have a 32 ft trailer that I woul love to (over do)
Please if i could talk 2 some1 , either your phone number or ring me on 0425216324 thanx
The way the bottom of this thing looks like it is looks like it goes in one of those trailers with one of those little metal walls I can’t Google or find any trailers like this like is there a term that I need to use???
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Utility trailer…
I bought this book
I’m in Australia and am finding it incredibly difficult to get the sizes of wood needed for the box
Also It doesn’t state what type of wood to use
Can anyone help please
Wood would vary depending on what’s available and native in your area. Though, you should still have imported options too. Just preferable to use materials known to handle the outdoors well and won’t rot, etc. too easily, which you can look up or ask at a local lumber supplier. Otherwise whatever you like based on preference or budget…
Wood can also be stained, treated, or just painted, which is one of the reasons its so flexible as you can usually adjust how it look. While you can cut or combine lengths, with joints or other options, to get around size issues. You don’t actually have to get it at the exact size, just know how to work with wood… Resources like Youtube are handy for how-to’s, and you can always hire a carpenter or see if any of your friends or family can help…
I was thinking pine or a hardwood plywood to keep the weight down
I want untreated as it’s an enclosed space but will seal and paint it
Would that be strong enough?
Thanks
For a caravan, yes…
Thanks ?
It’s for a bowtop wagon on 8×5 trailer
What wood did you use for the base please?
Base is typically treated, decking boards, but you can use composites or even just plywood, preferably marine grade so it’ll last a long time, or you can do what you plan for the rest and just seal and paint it. Flashing can go underneath for added protection…
You can essentially built the whole caravan like a box/unit and then attach it to the trailer… While it’s usually simpler to use wood, you don’t have to build the whole thing out of just wood only. Like regular caravans, you have options…
Many Thanks ?