Here is a collection of questions regarding a living cabin that you may use to question your own needs:

• Where would you like to go?
  • Long distance travel?
    • more luggage
  • Long distance travel to other continents?
    • Container shipping possible?
  • only Europe?
    • less luggage
• How many should go?
  • Weight question due to People and luggage (see also the topic of vehicle loading)
• How long do you want to travel?
  • more luggage on long journeys
  • less luggage for short trips or weekends
• How long do you (really) have to be self-sufficient?
  • Water tank size?
  • Energy production?
  • Fuel tank?
• Would you rather be inside or outside?
  • Decides on the basic concept
    • Does it actually have to be a (large) cabin?
    • Maybe a car with a roof tent is enough?
• What storage space do you need?
  • How many people should come with me?
  • How long are you on the road?
  • Where are you traveling?
• Should the storage space be accessible from the inside and/or outside?
  • Storage space is often only accessible from the inside. You can get a lot into the deep subjects, but you always have to dig around if you're looking for something specific
  • If you can get to things from outside, you save yourself having to rummage around in the cabin
• Should the vehicle still be able to be shipped via container?
• Should the cabin be winterproof?
  • Insulation?
  • Heating?
• Should a heater be installed?
• Do you (actually!) need a shower and a toilet?
  • Disadvantage: Cabins with wet rooms are significantly larger/heavier
  • Disadvantage: you also need a waste water tank

Some basic rules:

• the more equipment, the heavier
• the heavier, the less off-road capability
• Heavy usually means that a load is required
• high can mean that the vehicle can no longer be shipped in a normal container
• Cabin differences:
  • Truckbed: The cabin is simply placed on the pickup bed and secured to it. The cabin contains everything necessary for travel.
    • Advantages:
      • relatively cheap
      • removable at any time
      • Vehicle does not need to be modified with the exception of the chassis
    • Disadvantages:
      • usually quite difficult
      • high center of gravity, especially in alcove cabins
      • often not suitable for containers due to high construction
      • Cabins are built as closed cabins like in boat building, no access to luggage etc. directly from outside
  • Fixed cabin: The platform is dismantled and a permanent cabin is built in its place.
    • Advantages:
      • Water tank etc. can be installed in the tray. This means a lower center of gravity and more space.
      • Cab can be connected to driver's cab.
      • usually very complete solution, such as from the company Bushcamper.
      • Usually comfortable RV facilities
    • Disadvantages:
      • cost-intensive
      • Cabins are built as closed cabins, no access to luggage etc. directly from outside
      • limited container suitability due to high construction
      • Vehicle can only be resold completely
  • Cab on tray: The platform is also dismantled and replaced by a flat platform (tray) on which an adapted cabin is placed, such as from the company Fiftyten:
    • Advantages:
      • Water tank etc. can be installed in the tray. This means a lower center of gravity and less space required in the cabin.
      • Additional storage options can be provided in the tray
      • Luggage, refrigerator and kitchen are designed for access from the outside, but some can also be used from the inside
      • low vehicle height and low center of gravity thanks to folding roof
    • Disadvantages:
      • priced in the middle range
      • The inside of the cabin is not equipped with fixed fittings for kitchen etc.
      • Vehicle platform is removed/converted. The vehicle must be converted back or sold together with the cabin.