Has anyone built their own camper?

[meleavingsoon]

Hi all,

I have been giving some thought to building my own camper. I started looking at some of the projects on the web but wanted to see if there were specific sights anyone could suggest to help me think thru this. I have done two bus conversions and a Sprinter van conversion in the past but with those I started with a empty shell. I'm curious to learn the engineering process of the TC shell.

I would appreciate any advice or leads.

Thanks,
Phil

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

I will tell you that during my build there was a 16 foot long 6 by 4 that ran the entire length of the camper (on both sides). Not only did this provide the cantilever for the cab over, but the back end push out "snap n Nap" was tied into it on both sides. A lot of weight is supported, and my camper is as solid as the day it was build in 1976.

[Hey_there]

Hi Phil,

There used to be a contributor called "Sleepy". He may still be around. He built his first camper. It would be good for you to inspect an old wooden framed TC. Then you could see how the structure is engineered.

[free_radical]

Phil Hendrix wrote:
Thanks so much for the wisdom guys!?...and trust me....I have no problem listening to and taking advise now from those who have been there and done that.
My basic concern is in the frame/structure....
1. Does the weight of the camper rest on the bed of the truck... (my thoughts are yes)....or the side of the truck bed?
2. If the weight is on the truck bed, where do the exterior walls get their support from? I can see where it could get structural support in the front since the wall can have a horizontal member , but not sure in the rear with the door opening??
Thanks much

I've done several camper caps and one TC..
I've made the camper floor and lower part from 3/4"plywood and upper and roof from 1/4" ply reinforced every couple feet with 3/4 ply ribs,about 4" wide,kinda like a boat,,
glued with Polyurethane construction adhesive and short screws,,the Poly is actually strong enough to hold everthing tight even without screws,so one could remove those when glue is set,
I coated all exterior with Cold cure epoxy then marine enamel..
Glued 2" of hard insulation board on all interior walls ceiling and floor..
you can see the pic of my creation in my profile.

[NoVa_RT]

These folks were on the Travel Channel a few years back.

[Capt_Eddie]

The weight rest on the bed of the truck with a normal truck/camper setup. The sidewalls of a normal camper are offset 2 foot on each side of the camper floor. This is not a strong way of building a wall. The outside walls overhang the base by 2 foot on each side. Unsupported. But they have been doing it for years. straight wall going to the floor are much stronger. allowing you to have a 8 foot X ? foot base to work off of. This would all be normal construction for a flatbed.

[meleavingsoon]

Thanks so much for the wisdom guys!?...and trust me....I have no problem listening to and taking advise now from those who have been there and done that. And my goal is not to do it cheaper, just do it right and the way we want it. I have already been to hard knocks school with a previous bus conversion project....then got better with van class B van conversion.

We have decided to sell our class A and get a 5th wheel for living. But would like to get something smaller for some traveling but dont want another vehicle. We had the class B but since I have and need a pick up truck because of work figured I would consider a TC.

My basic concern is in the frame/structure....

1. Does the weight of the camper rest on the bed of the truck... (my thoughts are yes)....or the side of the truck bed?

2. If the weight is on the truck bed, where do the exterior walls get their support from? I can see where it could get structural support in the front since the wall can have a horizontal member , but not sure in the rear with the door opening??

Thanks much

[bka0721]

Capt Eddie wrote:
Please ask for advise before jumping into any part of the project. There are experts on this forum as well as expedition portal. Follow the advise of this experts. They have nothing to loose in helping you stop from making a misstate. On the EXPO forum a fellow started a build of a small camper. The experts would chime in to help him with the project. He rejected every attempt to guide him. In the end they all stopped helping him and the project is garbage compared to what it could have been if he listen to the true expert.

This is some of the best advice you will ever receive, as well as the part I snipped out. We can all learn from others. Sometimes we might even want to go back and change something. What type of person will you be? One thing, if you do choose to take this step, there certainly will be an audience watching. But it will be up to you, in how we participate.

If you do choose to build one yourself, find an old/wrecked camper and part out the things you might be able to reuse. That will save costs and provide you an education by reverse engineering.

b

[Capt_Eddie]

I would ask you how serious you are about having a TC. How much you will use it. Where will you go? The most efficient uses of a truck and a camper would be a flatbed truck. And a camper built on that platform. I have done all that you are wanting to do. How much time do you have to devote to this project? How much money? Start out by making a list. Set a budget. List materials. Subtract whole items from the list to meet the budget. Do not lower the quality of an item to fit the budget. Good things cost good money. Labor for the installation of the right item makes it all worth while. Please ask for advise before jumping into any part of the project. There are experts on this forum as well as expedition portal. Follow the advise of this experts. They have nothing to loose in helping you stop from making a misstate. On the EXPO forum a fellow started a build of a small camper. The experts would chime in to help him with the project. He rejected every attempt to guide him. In the end they all stopped helping him and the project is garbage compared to what it could have been if he listen to the true expert.

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

Did not build one from scratch... but re built one, from the frame in, including everything except for the fiberglass roof. 1 year and counting. (Practically done). The good thing about a re-build is that you already have the "engineering" from the manufacturer figured out. The bad thing, just as everyone mentioned, you do not save any money. I have well over 14 and counting into mine.

[samuraiowner]

never built one,
but glen-l.com has plans
they have 12 different truck camper plans and some for motorhomes made out of trucks

[WyoTraveler]

Basically build from the inside out instead of a S&B where you build outside in. I built a small set in camper. I bought some building plans at an RV dealer. Once inside is finished add aluminum paneling to the outside then put in the windows. You won't save any money as previous post said. You will have fun and of course need more tools. Small router for countertops etc. You can control quality control. I over built and mine was way to heavy.

[805gregg]

In 1967 I built a chassis mounted camper on a 1953 Chevy 1/2 ton truck, that was a fun camper

[meleavingsoon]

Hi jfet....absolutely amazing project! I will continue to follow it....thanks

[Old_Days]

On craigslist a while back I saw a old Avion TC for sale. It would be a great project to restore. I don't remember his name, but check out the guy on this forum that restored one he did a great job.