How to Make Your Own Yurt For Cheap and Simple RV Living

Yurts are portable structures usually made by nomadic people in eastern Asia (Mongolia).

They’ve been around for over 3,000 years!

But what about making an RV out of a yurt? Can it be done? Is it a good idea?

Tim Anderson’s Yurt RV.

Tim Anderson

Benefits of a Yurt

Yurts have been around since the stone age for good reason.

They’re easy to construct and require only simple tools and materials.

A well-constructed yurt can withstand winds of 50 to 70 MPH, which is why they’re the shelter of choice on the sweeping plains of Mongolia.

And unlike a tent, you can insulate the inside for extreme weather camping.

Yurt + Truck = RV

It turns out that a yurt on a truck makes an exceptional RV.

Tim Anderson shared his plans for a small yurt that he constructed for the annual Burning Man festival.

Burning Man is a week-long festival held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Strong winds make for a dusty experience unless you come prepared. And a Yurt RV could be the perfect Burning Man vehicle.

Tim’s friend Billy relaxing next to his yurt on the plains of the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man.

Tim Anderson

How to Make Your Own DIY Yurt

Tim shared his ten step plan for constructing a yurt on the Instructables website.

These plans are ideal if you’re looking to build on the cheap as Tim used free supplies to make the structure:

• most of the wood was taken from an old futon couch
• hockey sticks were used for the door frame
• a bicycle ring served as the smoke ring on the top of the yurt

Tim’s design is ten feet in diameter and has no metal fasteners. And he’s already proven it’s compatible with a compact pickup truck. Looking to save money while RVing? This could be your ticket to living on the cheap.

Although the yurt can hold several people when assembled, it’s only made from a few simple materials.

Tim Anderson

Tim’s friend Billy assembling the top of the yurt.

Tim Anderson

Working on the yurt while waiting in traffic at Burning Man.

Tim Anderson

Yurt is almost completed.

Tim Anderson

Putting the final touches on the yurt at the Burning Man festival.

Tim Anderson

For more information visit Tim’s build plan here.