Gervase Scullion from County Armagh had a unique idea, to turn the rear pod of a Hägglunds BV 206 into a two-person trailer camper. Fully insulated, it features a bed, fridge, TV, toilet and an all-important rear bar, with ample wine storage! True to its military origins, it can even be lifted by helicopter if required. Originally built for the Swedish Army, the BV206 is a four-track articulated, fully amphibious all-terrain carrier designed to operate across snow, mud, sand and water.
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ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE
The Hägglunds BV 206, or Bandvagn 206 (Swedish for “tracked vehicle 206”), is an articulated, all-terrain carrier developed for the Swedish Army by Hägglund & Söner, now part of BAE Systems Hägglunds. Built as two linked units, both with powered tracks, it is designed to traverse terrain where conventional vehicles struggle.
With capacity for up to 17 personnel, six in the front unit and eleven in the rear, the BV 206 can be configured for a wide range of roles, from troop transport to specialist support tasks. Its low ground pressure allows it to move with ease across snow, bogland, and soft ground.
Early models used a 2.8-litre Ford Cologne V6, while later variants adopted Mercedes-Benz diesel engines, notably the OM617 five-cylinder and the more powerful OM603 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel. Fully amphibious, it can operate in water at speeds of up to 4.7 km/h. It has a payload capacity of 2,250 kg, can tow up to 2,500 kg, and over 11,000 units have been produced for service in more than 37 countries.
ARMY AUCTION
Retired lorry driver Gervase Scullion from Lurgan, County Armagh was flicking through some magazines and he saw the rear pod of a Hägglunds BV 206 11-man troop carrier for sale in an army auction.
He bought it off the auction and being an ex-trucker had no problems getting a low-loader to get it home from England and back to the north of Ireland.
THE TRAILERS
When Gervase brought the Hägglunds pod home, he was undecided on what type of trailer to mount it on, and to date it has sat on three different trailers.
The first trailer proved too high. The second, which he bought specifically for the pod, was in such good condition that he decided it was too good to cut up, so he kept it as it was. The current trailer was sourced from the scrap yard of a trailer company. Originally an ex-plant trailer, it came with two floors fitted; once removed, the chassis was found to be cracked in three places. Fortunately, a neighbour skilled in welding carried out the necessary repairs. The camper now sits on this trailer, supported by four adjustable jacks, one at each corner.
CONVERSION BEGINS
Beginning with a desert-camouflaged shell, stripped internally to little more than two benches, as Gervase set to work outside his home transforming the 11-man rear pod into a functional camper trailer, fitting a wooden floor from a donor caravan and installing a lift-up bed that also slides out into a double.
The interior layout is practical and compact, making full use of the available space. On the front bulkhead there is storage alongside a sink and water tanks, with a fridge positioned below a TV. The trailer camper is wired for both 240-volt and 12-volt solar power from panels located on the roof, with the system neatly concealed.
Two drawer units, sourced from Debenhams at just £30 each, form the main storage, with a sliding drawer fitted between them. At the rear door, a chemical toilet is discreetly housed. A small table folds down from the left-hand side to form a bar, with a deep pull-out drawer beneath, complete with a well-stocked wine box.
Designed for Arctic and desert conditions, the BV 206 is factory-insulated and built around a full roll cage and it retains its amphibious capability. Lifting points on the roof allow it to be airlifted if required.
A recent addition is a large 270-degree wraparound awning, mounted on a heavy-duty stainless steel hinge, extending from the roof and around the rear of the camper.
Accessed through the side door is a cool-box style fridge on wheels, designed to slide out for easy use. To the left of the doorway sits a neatly arranged electrical panel, housing the radio, diesel heater, inverter and switchgear, while beneath the floor the solar charger and associated components are positioned for practical access and maintenance.
Externally, water and diesel jerry cans are secured to the front of the camper. A checker plate box houses the batteries, diesel heater and fuel tank, while a pair of gas bottles are mounted on the tow bar, keeping essential systems safely stored and readily accessible.
The glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) body was then painted John Deere green and as Gervase laughs about it, “I couldn’t get the paint on and then I couldn’t get the paint off”.
REGULAR USE
Now finished in a matt military green and with the build complete, Gervase has it in regular use, travelling year-round to rallies and shows across Ireland, towing his Hägglunds pod camper trailer behind his well-equipped Land Rover Defender 90, where it consistently draws attention for both its unusual origins and the ingenuity of its transformation.
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
Sources of Information, Photo, Video & Music Credits:
All music and sound effects used in Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport are royalty free and are fully licensed through Epidemic Sound. Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport therefore holds the legal right to use this audio material within its productions under the terms of the Epidemic Sound licensing agreement.
International Antarctic Centre website
Tankograd 5015 BV 206 Husky – Hägglunds Multi-Purpose Off-Road Vehicles in the Service of the German Armed Forces and Other Armies
The Most Capable Vehicle in the World! Hagglunds BV206 – Adrenalin Industries
WIKI
