Nomadic way of life, in comfort of mobile homes

It is the season for the outdoors in the UAE, and mobile homes that can be towed with a vehicle are in high demand. The factories producing such movable homes have enjoyed increased sales over the past few days, as they typically do with the onset of the winter season.
Mohammed Hussain, owner of a factory that designs and makes mobile homes in the Thawban area in Fujairah, said the demand for mobile homes peak right before the advent of winter. Vacationers, he said, prepare themselves for experiencing the "nomadic way of life" in this season.
He said there are over 16 factories in Thawban and surrounding areas that specialise in manufacturing movable homes, which are made of steel and aluminum.
Hussain said one small mobile home weighs approximately 800kg. A typical mobile home is six to eight metres long, two to two and a half metres wide, and three metres high. It is furnished with a small lavatory, a wash basin, and a sitting room. It also contains a bedroom that can accommodate about five persons. The home is also equipped with a water reservoir with a capacity of 100 gallons.
"The ceiling is covered with water proof materials so as to prevent rainwater from seeping in. Further, the walls are coated with cloth and the floor is made of wood in order to provide the maximum satisfaction for owners," said Hussain.
The price of a mobile home ranges between Dh18,000 and Dh26,000 based on the type and size.
Emiratis Khaleej Times spoke to said these homes help campers live temporarily in an isolated spot comfortably.
Kareem Abdullah, who travelled from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah to buy a mobile home, said such homes provide a "distinguished service".
"These homes give families some privacy and comfort while camping, particularly those who prefer camping in winter season," Kareem said.
If maintained well, a movable home can last for over five years.
With regards to safety, Hussain said factories manufacturing them equip them with safety features under the careful supervision of the municipality and the traffic department.
salah@khaleejtimes.com

Mobile homes at a glance
> A typical mobile home weighs 800kg
> It is six to eight metres long, two to two and a half metres wide, and three metres high
> It is furnished with a small lavatory, wash basin, sitting room and a bedroom that can accommodate about five persons
> It is equipped with a water reservoir with a capacity of 100 gallons
> It costs anywhere between Dh18,000 and Dh26,000