Regular sauna sessions are chock-full of health benefits. Studies show that vigorous sweating for 5-20 minutes per day, 2-3 times per week has been linked to a reduction in major illnesses, a decrease in all-cause mortality and massive boosts in life span! Additionally, sweating in a sauna helps:
- Regulate healthy core temperature
- Drain lactic acid out of the body, alleviate sore muscles and fatigue
- Increase endorphins and improves mood
- Produce natural antibiotics that kills harmful bacteria
- Reduce inflammation, which is pretty much the cause of all health ailments
- Trigger heat shock proteins, which reduce free radicals (unstable atoms that damage cells, cause illness, and premature aging)
- Improve sports performance and endurance
- Increase circulation and blood flow to vital organs
- Improve skin health and leads to a clear complexion
- Eliminate toxins and unnecessary waste from the body
Source: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/fulltext
Let's Make it Portable!
Wouldn’t it be cool to get all these health benefits while simultaneously spending time in nature? I definitely think so! That’s exactly why my friends and I built a sauna on wheels in 2020. In this blog post I’d like to explore what it takes to construct a mobile sauna. The build process roughly consists of 45 simple steps. Just kidding, there is nothing easy about making a portable banya out of a rusty horse trailer. Be prepared to work your ass off! We certainly did.
Moreover, I exponentially complicated all the steps by filming every tiny detail (so that others could follow along if they wanted to). Then, I spent many nights tearing out my beard hair while editing and pondering how best to unleash Sauna Trailer on the world. I considered making one stand-alone video vs. numerous episodic clips to appeal to different folks and learning styles. In the end, I did both. So, If you’re keen on watching one 4.5-hour long video, watch this YouTube video:
Sauna Trailer (Time Lapse)
Sauna Trailer (Full Movie)
Alternatively, if you prefer learning in short increments, I got you covered too. Keep scrolling!
Step 1: Horse Trailer Acquisition
Step 2: Replace Old Trailer Jack
Step 3: Learn How to Operate TX6000 TRAX Power Dolly
Step 4: Rust Assessment
Step 5: Sub Floor Work
Step 6: Horse Trailer Rust Removal/Fix
Step 7: How to Make a Face Shield During a Pandemic
Step 8: Corroseal Rust Treatment
Step 9: Interior Painting
Step 10: Exterior Painting
Step 11: Remove Old Walls
Step 12: Make New Walls
Step 13: Cut Out Rusty Doors
Step 14: Frame Welding
Step 15: Cut Chimney Hole
Step 16: Fill Exterior Holes with Bondo
Step 17: Rebuild Sub Floor
Step 18: Roof Painting
Step 19: Finish Framing the Mobile Banya
Step 20: Cover Sub Floor with Cedar
Step 21: Insulate Every Inch You Can!
Step 22: Wire Tail Lights
Step 23: Add More Cedar to Horse Trailer Walls
Step 24: Template Tinkering
Step 25: Build Custom Door
Step 26: Sauna Trailer Weigh-in #1
Step 27: Build DIY Heat Shield
Step 28: Install Kuuma Wood Stove by Lamppa Mfg
Step 29: Harvest Banya Whisks (Russian Method)
Step 30: Collect Sauna Rocks That Won't Explode
Step 31: Sauna Trailer Weigh-in #2
Step 32: Run Wood Sealer Tests
Step 33: Undercarriage and Wheel Work
Step 34: Complete Misc. Tasks
Step 35: Install Road Shower
Step 36: Read More About Sauna Building
Step 37: Install Magic Light
Step 38: Add Porthole to Sauna Door
Step 39: Install Chimney
Step 40: Design + Install Banya Benches
Step 41: Maiden Voyage (Test the Banya)
Step 43: Tour Mobile Sauna with Kiley
Step 44: Test New Sauna in Scenic Spot
Step 45: Make Sense of Everything
Step 46 (BONUS): Don't Let a Tree Crush Your Dreams
Step 47 (BONUS): Think About Rebuilding?
Helpful Resources:
The best sauna website in the universe: https://www.saunatimes.com
My Favorite wood-fired sauna stove (Kuuma Mfg): https://www.lamppakuuma.com
Litra Lights: https://litra.com
Trax Power Dolly: https://traxdolly.com
Mobile Saunas by Karlis Otto Kalnins: https://amzn.to/3EGLGoM
Art of Sauna Building by Bert (Pertti) Olavi Jalasjaa: https://amzn.to/385pxkp
Barn Light Fixture: https://amzn.to/3r2nxSz
Emergency Light Bulb: https://amzn.to/3gWmbEn
Corroseal Rust Converter: https://amzn.to/3gRfwuZ
Wood Fire Carrier Bag: https://amzn.to/3859Mdo
Wool Pilot Sauna Hat: https://amzn.to/3nqxuHw
Wool Sauna Hat: https://amzn.to/2Wfxr55
Borsch Sauna Hat: https://amzn.to/3gRQoUU
Aluminum Cargo Tie-downs: https://amzn.to/34fD6ge
Sauna Instruments: https://amzn.to/3mngkZZ
Shoutouts
Jeff Evans: https://www.youtube.com/throttlegrotto
William Olsen: https://williamolsendesigns.com
Jason Hutchins: https://www.instagram.com/red_crane_metalcraft/
Nico Ansel: https://www.instagram.com/nicoansel/
