Building A 4x4 Truck Camper | DIY Rear Bumper & Back Up Camera Install

[@cbeto765]

Enjoyed watching you hook up the back up camera. That looked complicated 👍👍

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

HaHa. I made it complicated. It was supposed to be plug-and-play, but of course I had to "improve" on the original design.

[@johnsebastianbach]

Thanks for uploading more often, I like your videos.

[@ADONAIsays-so]

I'm just catching up on the last 3 videos. OUTSTANDING Matt! I hope Amy's doing well. Stay safe

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

She's doing well. Thanks. She swore after our last build that she would never do fiberglass work again and she stuck to her guns on that one 😂

[@laurieberg2880]

Nice work Matt

[@chad2886]

Awesome build! I think I would have mounted the lights and camera higher so I could drag the bumper and back into things without worries

[@georgewashington938]

Excellent work and creativity (like usual). I think you should relocate the tail lights to above the bumper on the camper wall. Being at an angle, I think the visibility of the lights will be reduced which might be a safety hazard. Furthermore, I think they might be more subject to damage being on the bumper.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Good thoughts. I may do that and the license plate as well once I make some decisions on entry step and roof-access ladder.

[@LukeTheJoker]

Came to the comments to say the same thing, love the bumper otherwise, nice work!

[@aventurassobretierra]

Hola Matt, like always doing a great job. Luis and Margarita.

[@ronhart4166]

Looking great, Matt !! You might want to get your local police to check out the pitch of the bumper. Tag and lights have to be in full view here in Florida. Should be a simple fix, but sure would not want to do it when you guys are out on an adventure !!! Just trying to help. Not criticizing by no means

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks for the input Ron. Better safe than sorry 👍

[@melissateebarnes8826]

Matt as always you did that! Can’t wait to see the next video.

[@xXSTUNNAxMANXx]

Sheesh the build looking good can't wait to see it finished

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. I cant wait for it to be finished either

[@ozmanfidaar6311]

Thanks for the update. It'd be interesting to know the weight after the build. Thanks again!

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

I think "How much does it weigh" is the most common question I get. I don't live near a truck scale that I can use, but I will eventually get it weighed for everyones curiosity including my own

[@lifeguard92646]

Impressive work Matt, you are a real renaissance man. Stoked to see this new video today, looking forward to the next.

[@duncdunc76]

More excellent progress getting you closer to new adventures in the new rig. One small suggestion. I know others have mentioned the way you have your tail lights mounted. You certianly might have reasons for mounting them where you did but as others have mentioned it seems like they could get damaged if you happen to drag the back end and being that they are angled down their visibility is diminished I imagine. Was wondering since you seem to have pretty good fab skills if you couldn't just make a couple brackets that you could mount to the top edge of your bumper that would be L shaped sort of and bent so that you could mount your lights to the brackets. This would have the lights up higher basically kind of as if you mounted them to the camper itself but attached to the bumper so you wouldn't have to drill into the camper. Visibility would be much better and they wouldn't get damaged if you do happen to drag your bumper

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Good suggestion. I didn't realize how directional the LED lights are. They definitely aren't as visible as I would like. I will probably do something very similar to what you are suggesting. I am planning on building some kind of swing down entry step for the camper door that will probably hinge off of the rear bumper, so I am putting off re-mounting the lights and license plate until Im ready to open that can of worms 😅

[@Lorelly5]

Great job 👏🏻

[@living2learn138]

Hey man, you are an inspiration, thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos, I know it takes an huge amount of work to film, edit, and post. Just know that it is appreciated. I can't wait to see you guys on he road again!

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. Appreciate you taking the time to share some kind words

[@ravenfeather7087]

Nice job.

[@samuelfox8126]

Great work!

[@TheDougmeistor]

Stoked to see this on the next adventure! I just got back to the uk from a huge North America tour in my vw crafter. Wi h I had done it in a truck camper.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. The versatility of a truck camper is though to beat, but the most important thing is that you did the trip, no matter the mode of transport. Way to get out and explore!

[@mikeahern2245]

Impressive, as always!

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks Mike

[@KristoferTravelsHomesteading]

Looks amazing

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Great job. Always enjoy your build video. Wish I had half your skills.

[@sdnlawrence5640]

Looks great but I do wonder, does your state allow license plate mounted at an angle? Most don't.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. I didn't see anything saying it was illegal, but all the comments about it are giving me doubts

[@ambienteterrazas]

Where are you planning on taking the camper on its maiden voyage?? Love the build

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Maiden Voyage will probably be somewhere close by in the national forest or a state park. We will probably do a number of trial runs before setting out on a longer trip. Exactly like we DIDN'T do with our last build. Gotta learn from our mistakes 😅

[@communicate121]

Im so glad you are posting updates again! is the display of the license plate legal at that angle?

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

I believe it is technically legal in California, but in hindsight, probably just asking to get hassled by cops at some point. I'll be changing it when I build the rear entry step.

[@billj503]

Hey, where I live cops would ticket a plate mounted like that, not able to see well. Also, remember a plate light.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. I guess I didn't film mounting the plate light 😅 I'll have to do a deeper dive on the license plate angle. I couldn't find any law saying it had to be mounted at a particular angle 🤷‍♂️

[@DarylOster]

Watched all your excellent camper build videos (THANKS). Perhaps already asked and answered in the thousands of comments, but i hope you can answer a few: 1)did you use marine plywood?; 2)did you consider building out of xps covered with fiberglass (to save weight, cost, and work)? ; 3) do you have a material cost and time cost so far? Great work so far, looking forward to more...

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Glad you've enjoyed the videos Daryl. 1. no its underlayment plywood 2 . I did. I couldn't source XPS in California for 1.5 years (when I started the build) because of some environmental requirement change. Using glass over 25psi XPS, I would have to use thicker fiberglass cloth and more epoxy to achieve a similar rigidity and impact resistance to the 6oz fiberglass over plywood skins so it may not have been cheaper or lighter. I think it would have saved a lot of labor though. 3.I have not kept track of how much time I have invested. I will add up all my receipts once I build out the inside and share the cost with you then. Thanks for watching

[@DarylOster]

@The Traveling Together Journal thanks for taking time to answer. I am embarking on a similar project and will use cored construction - the choice appears to be to use low cost core (xps) but that demands expensive resin (epoxy) - -OR- - expensive core to resist low cost resins. Use of wood facings demands a similar quandry; expensive marine/aircraft plywood - OR - expensive epoxy/glass waterproofing. I am also considering use of pre-made fiberglass facings (available in rolls) - bonded to xps core - but then finishing and waterproofing the edges is problematic... as are the corner joints. Always a bunch of compromises to balance. B T W it's very surprising to me your pour foam did not bulge your panels out much worse, and you were able to avoid voids. My limited experience is my pouring sticks to the side part way down and foams up to block to pour - must be accurate to hit the bottom without hitting the sides - impressive work you did.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

@@DarylOster Definitely lots of compromises to be made. I think 25psi xps foam with hand laid fiberglass and epoxy resin is probably what I would choose if I was going to try again. Though I have heard that pre-fabed composite panels have become more available in the US market. That may be a worth while rout if you can source them. They weren't an option when I got started.

[@MrFastFarmer]

Yeah, I wouldn't be running your plate or tail lights like that.. it's just asking for trouble.