PIAGGIO APE CAMPER PROJECT. World's smallest Campervan?

Here is a 5-minute presentation of my project where I restored a Piaggio MP600 flatbed truck and then made a removable, self-contained, camper pod that turns the ape into a self-contained camper van for two. It has a sink with hot and cold running water, a draining board and three-burner hob, which can be used in situ or rolled outside and used on legs. It has its own solar-powered electric system. The pod weighs less than 200kg fully ladened, which is a third of the payload capacity of the vehicle. I have made a video from the photos I've taken during the project. I hope you like it.

[@dreadnaught3894]

Congrats. An admirable achievement. Good to know there are talented and capable people with us.

[@apecamper]

Thanks so much for your lovely comments

[@juliecampbell3895]

Very impressed. Came out amazing. I love when something can be restored. Thanks for sharing.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comment

[@annibale19ita]

VERY NICE !!!! I'm an italian man and my hart is smiling when see a so old but still working masterpiece made by Piaggio......one of the most famous industries in Italy which gave millions of that kind of minicars and scooters all over the world,for fun or for work.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm so glad you liked it..

[@sasmoonen66]

You did a dream job! Enjoyed your beautiful work and the love voor the design. What a beautiful adventurs you wil have! Much respect! Saskia Moonen, Maastricht The Netherlands

[@apecamper]

Thanks for your kind comments

[@hondaryder3779]

Ik moet toch altijd aan die reclame van Centraal Beheer denken, even Apeldoorn bellen.

[@sya.lahhhh]

It is a great day to🖤 be able to get a chance to win a free agent of the yiear and

[@antonioperez1624]

Thanks for reminding us that happiness is found on simple things.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your lovely comment.

[@mraidymaddful]

I designed a camper just like this one about 7 or 8 years ago. The design is on SketchUp under this name and has the title '3 Wheeled Camper'. Mine had a pop up roof with a bed just like a vw camper, lol.

[@apecamper]

Do you have any photos or a video? It would be good to see it.

[@theguy2360]

Great job on restoring the campervans you own Steven! 🚙👍

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@davidstork1878]

Well done, I enjoyed watching.

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@susanstrickland6774]

Excellent job!! That's a task of love there. 🙂👍

[@ateebali7371]

Brilliant !!! every inch of space is being used wisely ..👍👍👍

[@apecamper]

Thankyou for you kind words. I have also now fitted a charcoal burner for heating, boiling a small kettle and for my heating water in my hot water tank. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIDVaXimfMl0qrM

[@SigmaWolf-in2mr]

Nicely thought out. Great mini home.

[@albertdupond7827]

Splendid, congratulations !!!

[@damiennkkincross2102]

This is the best of the micro camper ideas Ive seen. Well done sir…

[@apecamper]

Thanks for your kind comments. I made a tiny teardrop camper a few years ago and what I learnt from that I used to inspire this build.

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

What an awesome job, you did with that Piaggio

[@ridhadababi5858]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@gomosh6967]

I love it! So cool and my favourite colour Green!😊

[@123edwardzpad]

Excellent build. Good times.

[@MrRossi1805]

Congratulations, well done!

[@ljbonner]

Brilliant. An absolute gem. Well done.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for you kind comment.

[@metricstormtrooper]

What a nice fun project, I should have made a camper for my Haflinger but a 5ft tray would be too short to sleep on.

[@mariosilver9218]

Wow! Beautiful! Enjoy!

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@ocotillooutlaws4101]

Classic😎 Great DIY project! Thanks for being a creator and sharing. The Ape turned out really cool.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your nice comments

[@najruqwi7008]

Wow! Kool! Great video. I have never seen any thing like that before.

[@apecamper]

Thanks for your kind comments.

[@paulr6127]

Beautiful Job! Very inspirational. Thank you.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comments

[@markburr6081]

Perfect little get away mobile!

[@heathermorrison938]

Love it. Great job. Love the colours.

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@albapugh8837]

Terrific! Not expensive at all, and has all you need for a simple life style! 👍💛💙💔🇻🇪

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your nice comments.

[@NKBobcat]

Great job!

[@krethiplethi7191]

Really nice ... we had a discussion on Facebook today.

[@cynthiastretch844]

Yes thank you enjoyed it very much an how I wished I had one sir you did a fantastic job your so smart an cleve.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your very kind comments.

[@acricucci9760]

Very impressive! You clearly put a lot of thought and hard work into making a small but comfortable camper. I hope you are enjoying your time on the road!

[@apecamper]

Thanks for your kind comments. Every trip I make in her has been very pleasurable

[@rogercarmel6619]

I'm impressed!

[@lyndasmith593]

How cool is this little Gym. Watching all of the work from the dismantling to the remodel was just amazing. Will done well done well done !!! With the help of your dog, of course.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comments.

[@lauratibbles6598]

This is such a great job you did on this thank you for sharing

[@apecamper]

Thanks for your kind comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

[@keithdouglas9848]

That's awesome mate!

[@Thomas-xw1qm]

Great Work, great camper!

[@apecamper]

Thank you for you nice comments.

[@felixcat9318]

Beautifully done, both truck and camper module! Subscribed.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comments

[@vanviez]

Such a small vehicle, you can hardly believe it. A really successful solution. excellent

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your nice comments

[@laptop9441]

Intelligence!!! Down to the last detail... Hope you maintain this for many years...

[@apecamper]

I plan to keep it long term, though I have had many very attractive offers from all over the globe!

[@laptop9441]

@@apecamper Good for you Should go independent and create more like your one for sale. Big time.. get rich Change society. Freedom!! Set people free from rental

[@supererni]

Nice Ape good works 👍👍

[@johnberry1107]

Thank you!

[@robertofrattini4388]

Good job ! 👍!

[@georgelippitt7362]

Wow awesome job mate looks great. Be safe out on those wonderful camping trips you'll be having.

[@apecamper]

Thanks for the kind Comments.

[@katharinanovobacki3652]

My respect for you work is wonderful I love it!

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your lovely comments

[@giorgiosardanelli6458]

Congratulations GREAT job well done.Bravo

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@marcellomaculan9122]

Great!!!! Congratulations!!!

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@klausf5741]

Super gemacht

[@alanzafra5555]

So beautiful and amazing job

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your lovely comment.

[@brianm2369]

I love it!

[@seavoyager351]

Good job 💖

[@andrewbuck9838]

Hi from Meerbusch Germany.I liked your video. I did a road trip with my ape tm .From Meerbusch too Benidrom in spain. After seeing your video I thing it's time to refit the ape. Thanks

[@apecamper]

I want to do a long road trip, but have had a few enine issues. I think they hare sorted now, but have to do a few short trips to be sure. If I can be of any help with youy project, feel free to contact me.

[@route6295]

Wie lange warst Du unterwegs? Welche Route hast Du gewählt?

[@davehyde6207]

Inspirational steve...very nice job

[@apecamper]

Thanks buddy

[@mycatlovestowatchtv5065]

Great work. Watching from Nepal. Well done 👍.

[@cindyvincent6356]

Love this! Nice job!

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@romburakrahan9716]

Congratulations,good job.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@RecordingStudio9]

Great project.

[@tomtrana3449]

Great Job. It must be love.

[@apecamper]

It is!

[@shirleymiller6684]

That was so nice 😌😌 and neat good work stay safe

[@gailgreen1595]

Beautiful ❤ Thank God you fix it

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@FLYBOY1995]

hello in my country there are many but at $3000 which is difficult to collect but your video encouraged me and motivated me a lot I love how you play with the space in the back where the sofa bed goes it is incredible greetings from "BOLIVIA" in the distance

[@apecamper]

They are getting more difficult to find at a good price.. I have been offered very large amounts of money for mine now that it is finished...

[@familiajewgeniukj2705]

Hermoso camper,lo habia compartido mi esposo en una pagina acá en Argentina,estaGenial la idea para una pequeña Pickup,te seguimos nos encanta..Feliz 2022..

[@apecamper]

Gracias por tus muy lindos comentarios.

[@andreygalywinskiy5114]

This is a fantastic idea

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@EBikeCampingMotorradtouren]

Hi. Sehr cool gebaut! Schöne Grüße und danke fürs Zeigen!

[@bigwolfman7936]

Amazing work

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your lovely comment

[@Crafty_Chari]

Brilliant!

[@paulhamby3779]

Good job,

[@adilsonlegalyt9647]

Gorgeous!!

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@kimmahu6868]

That’s the nicest camper I’ve seen

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@mariozentilini7083]

Good job!!!

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@mehmetafganozcaner5178]

Good made Master work love it

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@samangammanpila5849]

wow...great job

[@paulpalmer7353]

Congratulations - fantastic achievement.

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@Michaelxxx1936]

What an achievement. Well done indeed.

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@trolling2701]

This is so cool

[@barryp4700]

Congratulations on a wonderful build. I hope that you generate many happy memories and adventures in it.

[@apecamper]

Thank you for your kind comments and best wishes...

[@barryp4700]

@@apecamper have you taken it out on an adventure, are there any upgrades that are tempting you? I have thought about such a build but the road conditions and drivers in South Africa are not the best. I would like to build a square-drop camper trailer….

[@apecamper]

@@barryp4700 I regularly take it out. I upgraded the charcoal burner to a larger one. I also made a small rear awning. But other than that she's as sweet s a nut...Her top speed is ony 41mph...but the trips are fun..

[@barryp4700]

@@apecamper thanks for the reply-May you have many more wonderful outings!

[@awesomemanu2601]

Respect from Nepal

[@teiltje]

I've been driving Piaggio 3 wheelers for 10 years and I always imagined to do this. You did very well saving on weight and the paint job is the cherry on the cake. The 2 stroke engines produce poison, with.a 4 stroke it would be the best and cheapest camper ever. Hats off!

[@apecamper]

4 stroke engines still give off CO which is very toxic. Fortunately the camper is well isolated from the exhaust so doesnt have any problems. Thanks for your lovely comments...

[@classicvwride7520]

Very impressive! Weldone

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@batch6792]

Very Nice. 😀

[@pkbrown3098]

Lovely; great views from Kit hill was there with the walk of a 1000 men😊

[@apecamper]

That was many years ago now! In 1993 if I remember correctly...

[@gailgreen1595]

Wow what an improvement 😊😊😊

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@andeanrider6355]

Great job.

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@ronburhans5788]

Lovely!

[@curtismarean6963]

Very nicely done! I wish you all the luck in the world!

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@shekebeke5063]

Beautiful

[@zbstw]

great job !

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@fivizzano]

THIS IS PURE GENIUS…! ❤️🌹🏆do an ELECTRIC VERSION !

[@apecamper]

I have looked into the feasability of it, but here in the UK sun is not something we get a lot of so it is not easy...I DO already have an all electric yacht...

[@allanb52]

Absolutely Fabulous, what a great job, I cannot fault anything major, maybe solar I would leave out with led lights and the cooker is a little too big, but these are details. The construction and renovation job is superb..and original, I bet people look!!

[@apecamper]

Hi Cosmo, thanks for your nice comments. I did consider the size of the solar panel at length. Here in the UK we get a lot of cloudy days, where the yield from the panels is considerably reduced. My bigger concern was how to deal with excess energy in the summer. Rather than wasting it, I set up a dump load heating element in my hot water tank. In the event of the battery being fully charged, a voltage sensing relay switches on the 150w heater. It stays on until the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage. Having hot water on tap is a real bonus. I have now also installed a small charcoal stove and flue with a heat exchanger to heat hot water too. The project is still a work in progress, but I will post more videos in the future once I get to try everything out in practice.

[@allanb52]

@@apecamper I have a Vivaro camper, the 3rd I have built, the otgers being VWs. Cant see the need for a second battery, let alone solar. I think it has become so standard people put it in without question. I have a simple control panel 3 switches 2 usbs and 1 12vbc. We cook all our meals on 2 rings, wash up and 2 led lights. A thick d&d duvet and warm wife. But your simple ply construction was great and looking for a new project. Well done lad..

[@johnpartridge7623]

Good job fella 👍👍👍

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@wish1were]

Beautious... thx furr this share

[@apecamper]

Thank you

[@tonycharlton4296]

I love this.

[@apecamper]

Thanks

[@nucupanzaru9609]

Super tare! 👍🙏❤️ Apreciez proiectul! 🗽

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@peterdolus343]

This was a real good job! Congratulations! I would rallye like to have such a nice Ape- Camper! My name is Peter

[@jasonjordan1936]

good job

[@wolffreebird3678]

Steven, good job, looks beauteful. Thumbs up !😀 Greetings from Lamspringe Germany.

[@apecamper]

Danke schon

[@jorgesilva5056]

Wao! It is really cool!!

[@apecamper]

Thank you.

[@laptop9441]

Wow much more work than my Proton Iswara 20 plus years old. But curtain's. Curtains...women got it'...I sewed them on.... Elaborate like!!!

[@apecamper]

I actually made the curtains myself using my wife's sewing machine!

[@user-jy1mx4sh5b]

Коли в людини є хоббі та натхнення це завжди викликає повагу і захоплення такими людьми.

[@belkysacosta2554]

ME ENCANTO MUY BELLA TRIMOVIL.

[@esmeben]

Fantastic

[@apecamper]

Thanks