DIY Off-Road Mini Camper

I take a lot of trips all across the US. I have wanted a mini camper that was off-road capable to use on all of my adventures. I few days ago I finally finished my build. If you also want a trailer like this go build one!!! You don't have to spend $10k to have a comfortable bed while you're away from home.
Thanks for watching. If you have any questions about this build please don't hesitate to ask!!!
Here is the video showing the camper portion of the build from a few years ago.
• My Truck Bed Camper

[@JKUadventures]

Putting it on trailer really made it legit! The camper all by itself was just too lonely. Awesome job. Saved yourself several thousand.

[@robertb2350]

I would be inclined to move the axel back a few inches. I'm betting that thing sways going down the highway. I would also secure the sleeper box to the trailer with something more than a few small screws in aluminum angle. Bouncing around is gonna pull that right out of the flooring and if you ever were in an accident, it becomes a flying death machine.

[@w3tua]

I just watched this and said, "You need bolts on the frame." Good call.

[@briangeist6004]

Nice!! I built my own mini camper a couple years ago, I use it as much as I can. I just love seeing all the different campers just like yours! Very well done!

[@sdnlawrence5640]

Nice job. Turning that tailgate into a step was a good idea. I remember watching the camper box build a couple years ago and then I helped my nephew build his. I know the box doesn't weigh much but I'd be tempted to add another leaf to springs or just swap out, with maybe some from 1/2 ton pick-up; justt because I know I'd keep adding stuff.

[@gordongman3423]

Maybe painting the bottom of the trailer boards with roofing tar. Looks good and simple and it works... Yea !

[@brettrobinson5474]

Stumbled across this video and just realized we are in the same town! Awesome setup!!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Love the upgrades and I can definitely see a lot of fun with that for many years to come

[@SClivingOutdoors]

DReam creationS & Adventures I think so as well!!!! Thanks

[@davidjohn9006]

Excellent demo vid... happy trails 👍🏼

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

Sir that tailgate step is a genius idea. Very much impressed!

[@joeskinwalker7628]

Haha that's a good idea an job. Can you enjoy yourself makes me want to start on my trailer project. Good video and it was nice watching you working on that trailer project. just like a kid that's excited over a build

[@jasonmotorcycle8987]

Dude that was great. Awesome job explaining your process.

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

This is by far one of the coolest custom camping setups I have seen yet. Reminds me of one of the military surplus trailers. Great Job!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Kentucky Woodsman thanks. I’ve actually done some more work/customizations to it. There is an updated video on my channel

[@billydow1971]

Bearing buddies are a must !! Nice job

[@jaredalexander3403]

Looks awesome man, the only thing I would do is move the axle about 10 inches back

[@runwfo]

Nice build!! One question; what did the fuel tank come off of? I'm looking for a tank about that size and capacity, but so far only finding plastic boat tanks.

[@gabyenusa2002]

@@runwfo You can get a fuel tank if you search for old car or old truck... Also in a used part

[@bryanjones14]

I got a old trailer made from a truck bed and frame on a trade for a repair I made for someone .... I used it as the base for a overland camper build . Turned out pretty cool

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Awesome

[@teaneys1]

Super cool man. Turned out awesome! Let's see it in action.

[@jonathanbowser7343]

Thinking of doing the same thing for RTT. Great Job.

[@jivy29]

Thats Awesome. Had the same kind of setup. I ended up having to move the axle back for the ride, it made a ton of difference. Just not enough weight in front when the axle is centered like that.

[@GwenMotoGirl]

It’s nice to have the ability to buy ready made, but the project is so much more meaningful and rewarding. Well done! I love it.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

So true!

[@TRDGE]

This was really interesting to watch! Thanks so much for sharing with us, I may do something similar in the future for some overlanding :) Much appreciated!

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

Looks good. I like the way it turned out.

[@PSYCHOPATHiO]

best idea by far, simple and easy to change up things. LOVE the extra gas tank, i will be building a camper soon the tank will have ur name on it lol.... NEVER say im finished as u know a project is never finished there will be always some minor changes and tweaks.

[@jimscott9036]

Very good video. I have a Jeep and need to make a trailer. This gives me the basic information I need to build one that will be meet my needs. VERY HELPFUL. Thank you.

[@weyrunner2838]

You SHOULD be proud, that thing is BEADST! Love it.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Haha thanks. It’s pretty cool.

[@wat3rdog25]

Nice. I had been considering doing the same on my existing 6x10 Home Depot ramo trailer. Great ideas.

[@donzimmer4616]

Like the trailer build!

[@paulirwin5799]

Good project 👍. And props on the frontier. I'm also building a trail to pull behind mine.

[@rwilcox_71]

Great job man! I love stuff like this! Good luck on your adventures!

[@morganwadsworth9275]

Awesome work...super stoked for you!

[@TheTrakker]

Nice. If you find yourself needing a better departure angle you could relocate the axle to the bottom of the leaf springs. A cheap lift that helps in some situations.

[@joesixpack7551]

He should also either get larger fenders, else mount them to the axle, as there is going to be some major tire rash with as close as he has them mounted to the tread...

[@climmer7]

This is freaking awesome! Never occured to me to use spacers to put bigger tire on.

[@jacobbergen3586]

While putting spacers I would have converted to the same bolt pattern as the truck so they could share spares

[@ppodhajsky1]

Looks awesome. I love projects like this. I have the same kind of trailer, which I had a guy weld on rectangle tube steel that fits a 2x4, I built 4' high stake side walls. I also took out the mesh floor and put in some 12 gauge steel sheet. It's awesome to haul leaves and brush, and great to haul things like appliances and furniture. I also have a rack I put on top of the walls to haul canoes. I can get 3 canoes pyramided on the rack. These little trailers are awesome. I'm going to upgrade my tires and fenders like yours! Thanks for sharing.

[@brookssalvador7888]

You prolly dont care at all but does someone know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@cameronjacob3736]

@Brooks Salvador instablaster =)

[@brookssalvador7888]

@Cameron Jacob thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@brookssalvador7888]

@Cameron Jacob it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass !

[@M-to-the-J]

Great job dude! Keep on’ keepin’ on!

[@Crackdown77]

Incredible (or incredibly pleasant) how easy and road legal is to modify vehicles and chassis in some countries.. Here in Italy every trailer has its own papers and you can't even fit a different tyres size, we have to comply with what is written on its papers; of course here we can't modify cars/trucks chassis in lenght or other ways as well. Nice job, enjoy your trailer in the nature! Ciao!

[@GearKnowHow]

Great job man, it's looking great!

[@georgewilliams6328]

That is real a cool idea my friend 👍 Great job!

[@15roundchamp4]

That thing is freaken cool man!! You should add a wing on the back part of your camper to keep it grounded while going 80 plus on the freeways. Plus, it would probably look cool as well.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

15round champ I think I’m going to pass on the wing, lol. I don’t drive 80, haha. Whatever the speed limit says that’s how fast I go.

[@OffGrid_office]

Great job on the step. I wish I would’ve thought of something like that before I cut mine all apart

[@joesimpson2788]

Dude love the idea. Also MTN OPS for life

[@adventuringwiththekelleys]

Nice build. I enjoyed watching your simple build and learned a couple of ideas for mine. Thank you for the video.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks for watching. Hopefully you enjoy building yours as much as I enjoyed watching mine.

[@homelesstraveler75]

Thx bro I did the same thing for my mountain bike trips. Save a lot no more hotels ....

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Exactly. It makes traveling very affordable

[@danmcelroy6584]

Looks good!

[@BrianHillmanFishing]

This is awesome! I have the same trailer I converted into a kayak hauler. I think I'm gonna do something similar as yours.

[@chadbutler7685]

Do both!

[@overlandvoyager2780]

Good job.

[@TheDIDSBIAK]

Happy trails

[@xsweetxvampirousx]

Nicely done

[@tomone2656]

Awesome! Very nice work man

[@alfredobatista9818]

Great job.

[@beardedseabee82outdoors13]

Looks like it turned out to be nice lil trailer

[@williamfoster9024]

Thank you Mr. for showing us how to do this! I would love to have one just like it.

[@johnthompson5792]

good stuff,,! nice rig!

[@chuckgillespie1]

What? You didn’t wanna spend 10k on a box to sleep in? Yeah me neither....Sweet man!

[@jaredalexander3403]

I was gonna say the same thing lol

[@harvmac69]

Good job man! Looks great!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thank you

[@bradgreenstreet8090]

Great build! Definitely subscribing and adding more videos to watch!

[@miguelmendez931]

Awesome man thanks for inspiration ✌🏽

[@brandansosebee6393]

Re check those spacers after some miles the lugs nuts will back out and sometimes break lugs if they get out of wack

[@tippin.turtle]

Thats a pretty good DIY dog box Mr.!

[@allflavornoseasoning6345]

Great job man I don't know why but I always get in the camping mood when I watch videos like this lol great idea about the step idea I wouldn't have thought of that I would have used it as a rock guard up front to protect the front of my camper from rocks lol might have been a wast but everyone has ideas 😁

[@bcb2585]

That's awesome man! I bought a trailer with all the fixings; but I would imagine that because you built your own, you will most likely have a deeper connection to your camper than I will. I do like to DIY many things, such as various furniture pieces in my home, and I know that the things I build I enjoy much more than the things I buy. I really hope that you continue to tinker with your setup and get more and more enjoyment out of the build process and the outdoors. Best wishes.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I just finished some upgrades today. I love that little camper. I’ll post a video in the near future with the upgrades

[@joesprague1464]

I have a similair trailer,broke the 2000# axle offroad because of 33" wheels need an axle rated 3000# according to offroad shop that changed it.Also the fender/tire clearance is not adequate for loaded use.I had same issue with mine and fenders rubbing on tires,offroad shop made aluminum plate fenders that are easily removed for offroad use.I have camped in mine on 6 month extended trips all over the desert southwest and west coast, good set up for BLM off grid (free) camping.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I hate you broke your axle but I’m not sure why the shop said what they did. It’s hard to know without seeing your trailer (size, weight ect). The axle weight rating has nothing to do with the tire size bc it’s an idler axle so it’s just being pulled along. If it was a drive axle it would be a completely different story. My camper weighs around 400lbs. 1/5 of the axle rating. The only time that weight changes is when it isn’t moving and I’m laying in it. Now if I drove like a mad man off road I might need a heavy axle but I don’t (especially if I’m pulling the trailer). I also haven’t had any issues with the fenders rubbing bc the trailer weight doesn’t change. It sounds like you use yours a lot more then I do. I sleep in mine 20-30 nights a year. A 6 month trip would be pretty awesome!

[@joesprague1464]

@@SClivingOutdoors My fenders are fixed,when the axle moves independently up and down on the leaf springs it caused the tires to rub on the fenders.My trailer weighs 750 to 1000 lbs.The axle spindle snapped on the highway after hitting a deep hole while off road.My trailer is a Sherpa off road model made in Libby,Mt.You'll have a blast with your trailer,social distancing is a snap with a rig like that.

[@PaulsProTips]

@@SClivingOutdoors i thought this was a great video. I second the axle comment, and searched the comments before simply blasting my opinion in. I started a very small channel a year ago, highlighting some of my trailer mods. Chevy it out if you have the time. I think there are a few features you may like. I believe the axle you have, or more precisely, the bearing will be stressed beyond the 400lbs you are carrying. The weight of the new tires, multiplied by the size (much taller than stock) will definitely transfer more load to the bearing. This is then compounded y the 2" spacer. The trailer axle likes to have the load placed directly over the bearing. It is no mistake that trailer rims have neutral offset or maybe better referred to a zero offset AND symmetrical back spacing. I hope you get years of use out of it, just the way you have it. If you do have a bearing failure over the next 2 years- you may consider moving up from the 1-1/16th bearings to the more substantial 1-3/8th bearings on a 3500lb axle. It really makes a difference! Best of luck to you!

[@kathybowen708]

Don't forget to bring a couple cans of black paint for touchup . Very good ideas . Your a smart kid . Your good friend Vinny in good old Fla .

[@cwlark1]

Awesome trailer !!!! I from Spartanburg i do lot of hunting and fishing in the upstate.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Awesome. It’s a beautiful place to hunt.

[@johnendlich6744]

Very cool!

[@anthonymurphy1624]

Sweet idea with the step:)

[@Michaeldckry1]

This is awesome

[@mccaskillfarmstead4244]

Good stuff! 👍🏼

[@patrickjobling8676]

Mighty fine build pilgrim ..and guve us an update on the tyres . .be interesting to see which ones last longest ..😁pip pips and carryon

[@tysadventures1]

Awesome build. You have a huge workshop for projects!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I think it turned out really nice. It’s actually not my warehouse but I have access to use it.

[@tysadventures1]

SCliving Outdoors It’s awesome to have space like that!

[@jenwallace1766]

Awesome job, looks great!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks a bunch!

[@hclan5876]

Put some 2x4s on top and just add cross bars for a roof rack! Super sweet and eat build

[@subdawg1331]

awesome , well done I had made a truck pod... hmmmm now the old trailer has a use

[@mountaindewdude76]

Very cool build, man! It sure looks great!!!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thank you

[@sorenandersen2159]

Great video

[@m.3591]

This fantastic

[@choppersrule1]

That's a great idea mate your camper looks good on there will be good to see how your road trip goes. I lost my truck and camper in the floods here in Australia one day i will build another one. Have a great day Choppersrule1

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I hate to hear that about your truck and camper. The camper did great. I drove it all across the country and it performed perfectly

[@onofframp]

very cool!

[@labcoattheater6161]

Nice job.

[@willduke69]

I like it.. Good job man

[@Masontylerco]

Nice job man!

[@joshs199]

Nice build... really like it...you have plenty of room for some solar panels. On the roof of your camper..! Might come in handy with a charge controller and a spare battery. You can power a lot of small appliances fans and lights...and for charging laptops, cell phones. cameras etc. Hope you have happy journeys. 👍

[@dicasolrac]

good job man!

[@CarsonLewisJones]

Spartanburg SC here. Great job!

[@SuperMegaSammy]

Greenville SC here. I agree 😃!

[@cicibradley2809]

Here in the Pee Dee.

[@ArmTheCreative]

LOVE IT!!!!

[@journeytoliving7344]

Pretty Sweet

[@deepsouthNZ]

Great effort mate so simple it's beautiful

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@briandavidstine4312]

i like it nice set up

[@JB-ne3wp]

Bro that thing is sweet!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

J B thanks

[@hearttoengine9044]

looks cool

[@chucktaylor4384]

Dude...... That's kick-ass.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thank you. Its been across the country 3 times now.

[@TheRumpledOne]

Would love to have a building like that to work in.

[@mackg92usmc]

Get a city job like this guy.

[@yodahdog5500]

COOL BUILD 🖒👍👌

[@larryalexander4833]

Bearing buddies were a good idea. I was going to recommend them. I

[@tluva1020]

Will the original rim center cap fit back over them ?

[@jamesbushy9031]

Mint build mate Love frm australia

[@Collin_Calling]

Looks solid, and even a bit badass. Haven't watched any other your videos yet, but I have a couple thoughts. The underside of the unit itself looked like it was a perfect place for some good old fashioned pink insulation, floors get cold quuuick. The tailgate/step looks like a decent "table" when in the up position, but I'd put a fold up table on any or all of the walls of the camper itself. Just a flat piece of wood, hinge, latch and a cable or two like on your step to hold it up when folded down. A couple poles on the back corners (or any corner) would be nice anchor points for a cheap, easy to put up/tear down tarp canopy. You could get out the door and stretch your legs, pop up a camp chair, grill, whatever without a single drop of rain. Also as far as rain goes, if you haven't already, something on the back edge to push roof rain runoff over to the sides, away from door, also so you don't have to step in a pond. This riig does really look great, going to finally watch your other stuf now, then start drawing up a design for my own. I Thanks for the inspiration, man.

[@terrymelanson9116]

nice job

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Prove you can go far with a little budget. Not much clearance at the fender, but looks very cool!

[@hammerT2997]

That's awesome man

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks. Im doing some updates on it today.

[@bradmiller9993]

I like it. Nice work.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks

[@stephenfrost545]

Wicked unit man! I'm thinking about building this style of camper on a 7'10 x 14 atv deck trailer. Looking at the specifics of what I will need and how to implement a good outdoor living in it! Sub'd!