When we first laid eyes on Daphne, she wasn’t the cozy, adventure-ready home she is today. Daphne is a Leyland DAF T244, an ex-army lorry that had been mothballed for years. Though she came to us with a habitation box already added and a bold red paint job, the real transformation happened over the next three months as we built her into our perfect home on wheels.
The Build Process: From Empty Shell to Full-Time Living
The first step was planning how to turn Daphne’s empty box into a space that was both functional and comfortable. Luckily, with Matt being an HGV driver, we didn’t have to worry about weight restrictions. This allowed us to get creative with our materials, which led to some fun design choices—like using IKEA kitchen cabinets for both the kitchen and wardrobes.
Insulation and Framing
Living full-time in a motorhome means comfort is key. We knew the insulation needed to be top-notch to keep us warm in colder climates. So, we built a wooden frame inside the box and packed it with thick insulation, ensuring Daphne stayed snug even during frosty nights.
Our Simple Yet Functional Kitchen
For the kitchen, we wanted something that felt like a real home, not just a camper van. We installed normal kitchen tiles to give the space a traditional feel and opted for a farmhouse-style sink—the kind you’d see in a typical home, not a motorhome. A long piece of oak became our kitchen worktop, which we cut to size ourselves, and we did the same for the dining table, creating a rustic and practical space for cooking and dining.
We also went with a large fridge with a freezer to ensure we had enough space for long trips off-grid. With fresh food stored, Daphne’s kitchen is perfect for road trip meals.
A Multi-Purpose Bathroom
The bathroom serves multiple purposes—besides being fully waterproof for showers and toilet use, it’s also a great place to dry clothes. Matt ingeniously ran a heating pipe into the bathroom, transforming it into a warm space perfect for drying out damp gear after a rainy hike.
A Home with Two Beds
One of the more unique features of Daphne is the lifting bed that we customized from a standard B&Q frame. The bed raises up, giving us easy access to the large garage area underneath, where we store bigger items like our inflatable kayak and Lancer’s (our dog) food. Plus, our dining table lowers to create a second double bed—ideal for when we have guests. Two beds in a motorhome means plenty of space for visitors without compromising on comfort.
The Flooring and Practical Touches
For the flooring, we kept things simple with laminate, which is perfect for cleaning up after muddy hikes or paw prints from Lancer. It’s easy to maintain and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of life on the road.
Storage Solutions
Daphne might look like a typical truck from the outside, but inside, she’s a storage powerhouse. The space underneath the dining seats serves as hidden storage for food and essentials, while small storage boxes fit neatly under the bed, keeping everything organized. And if that wasn’t enough, the garage area provides space for all our larger items—no need to leave behind any of our favourite outdoor toys!
Outside: Ready for Adventure
The exterior of Daphne is just as practical as the interior. We installed lighting around the entire vehicle, ensuring we’re never left in the dark when setting up camp at night. The awning offers extra living space outside, with lighting to extend our evenings outdoors.
At the rear of the vehicle, we’ve added a lifting bike rack for our bikes and two large storage boxes, also lifting, for extra gear. On the front cab roof, we’ve fitted a larger storage box and 4x jerry can holders for carrying extra fuel—crucial for longer journeys into remote areas.
What’s Next for Daphne?
In this post, we’ve covered the main details of Daphne’s build process. From the insulated wooden frame to the farmhouse sink, every choice we made was about creating a space where we could live full-time while exploring the outdoors. We’ll be doing another blog soon to go in-depth on the technical side of things—battery power, solar setup, and all the kit that keeps us off-grid and connected, even in the most remote locations.
For now, we’re thrilled with how Daphne has turned out. She’s more than just a motorhome—she’s our home, designed with our love of adventure and outdoor living in mind. Stay tuned for more updates and tips as we continue our travels!
Have Questions About Our Build?
Feel free to drop your questions or comments below, and we’d love to share more insights about building Daphne or life on the road!
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