Foam Micro Camper Build - Start to Finish

Come along as I deconstruct this 1969 Apache pop-up camper and build a new micro camper with 2-inch foam walls on the old, refurbished frame.
A lot of questions on weight. I haven't had it weighed but I did use a scale to determine that the tongue weight with the camper fully loaded is 220 Lbs.
Link To Full Build Play List: / @toddsprojectsandoutdo...
Info for custom Door: Emmett Door Inc. 877-817-2029
Email - [e-mail]
*To view a collection of tools and materials that I used in building this camper visit my on-line storefront by using this link. www.amazon.com/shop/toddsproj...
Thanks for watching.
My Facebook Page / toddsprojectsandoutdoo...
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** About Todd's Projects and Outdoor Journal **
My name is Todd. My wife Laura and I live in a small town located Northeast of Lansing, Michigan. We have a cabin and 80 acres of woods located about 3 hours North of our home.
We're hands-on DIY people and we enjoy spending time outdoors doing the things that we love... riding motorcycles, camping, canoeing & kayaking, Jeep ORVing, hunting, fishing, working to improve the whitetail deer & wildlife habitat on our property, target shooting and more...
I started this channel because it allows me to share projects, experiences and information with my family, friends and a community of people who have similar interests to mine. I'm an avid KZbin watcher and over the years I've learned a great deal from people who've taken the time to share their information with the YT community. This is my way of giving back.
* Please note that I participate in the amazon associate program. It's an affiliate advertising and marketing program designed to provide KZbin creators a means of earning money when linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. Some of the links on the description page of my videos are affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks for your support, I truly appreciate it!
I hope you'll follow along by subscribing to my channel. Be sure to click the bell so that you'll know when I've uploaded something new.
Thanks again for stopping by my channel...

[@dudelydudeington9789]

Dude, this really came out amazing. Seriously, great job. Good choice on the plywood skin over the poor man's fiberglass.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks

[@aubreyjackson9770]

Awesome build, really enjoyed the detailed explanation of what you did and why. Thank you for sharing and happy camping!

[@chuckvoss9344]

A lot of work, but worth it. Fine job.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks Chuck. Thanks for watching...

[@timwagner9170]

Beautiful work!

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks, and thank you for watching...

[@ghostyty3071]

Very nice

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Nice build 👍

[@ergot57]

thanks. enjoyed this. wheel wells need some metal like old car tags if nothing else to stop the gravel from eating the boards away.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Nope, if you go look at the build video series you'll see that I lined the underside of the wheel wells with truck bed liner material. Nothing will cause an issue with that stuff. Thanks for watching...

[@RussellHank-yf3kk]

Nice find of an older pop-up. Mine is more recent but is adequate to this kind of project. This was good inspiration.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Great to hear! Best of luck on your project.

[@hjr927]

This is awesome, I love how it turned out. I also bought a pop up on Marketplace for 300 and tore it down, cleaned up the entire frame and painted with rust oleum. Then I replaced the wheels mine is 10 1/2 ft long by 6 ft wide very strong frame. The trailer also has a braking system. I built a gypsy wagon camper still in progress but I really like the foamy build concept keeping it really lightweight. Thank you for the great video I will watch your entire build next 😊

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Happy you enjoyed the video. Best of luck on your build...

[@c.jillallen-hood4685]

I admire the time, patience, and attention to detail you had with project. It made me become a subscriber! You explained every applicable process from the purchase of the trailer to the finished new trailer. I can hardly wait to make one for myself!

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Best of luck on your build...

[@emilflognoid1532]

That's pretty rad

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks!

[@SVMSICE]

My aunt and uncle had a hard wall Apache pop up. Way cool trailer! I loved your build by the way.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@LisaSmiy-hg4sc]

Inspired me build one thank you

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for the kind words...

[@ogrocha]

HELLO FROM CALIFORNIA, UR TALENTED IM A TRUCK DRIVER WHOS BEEN TRUCKIN FOR 30 YEARS BUT WISH I HAD UR SKILLS.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks, and Best wishes...

[@jasonlockhart5633]

Awesome ❤

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bigbillabong]

I have a apache Mesa like yours that I need to do the same with. Great job great video learned a lot most informative thanks a lot bill 😊

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Glad it was helpful! And thanks for watching...

[@walterashley149]

I've been considering doing this to my pop-up I've got in the front yard that isn't as pretty as it once was, just waiting on the $, lol😂 48 and been in a wheelchair for 3 years... really miss camping, quite a bit! It's on my list of projects though!!!

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching, and good luck on your project. Once begun half done...

[@johndias6614]

If it had leaf spring axle you could reverse the axle under the springs to raise it up over the wheels. Those torsion spring axles are awesome though.

[@EduardoJimenez-rk8nw]

A W E S O M E. T O D D !!!! 👍

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching...

[@amythinks]

OMG, yes. 2x2 have got to be the absolute worst.

[@johnw65]

Overall project is beautiful! I just priced 3/4" AC Ply at $79/4x8 sheet! Homemade Foam Laminate walls are strong, beautiful and Great 'R' Value! Popup axle was pretty centered and I'm thinking wind load might create negative tongue weight? Hence, good time for a tongue box? Thanks for the education Todd. liked and subbed....

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@MotownBatman]

I'm looking to do something like this with my Dads 8/10 person pop-up we used for 20+ years after his dads finally bit the dust on constant Mackinaw trips. I want to Re-purpose it as a Mini Cabin for Grandpas\Dads\ Now My Property south of Cadillac, for mini weekend trips until I can get the Property back up to snuff and build something small. Well Done Sir! New Sub: Dryden, MI

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for watching. Good luck on your project...

[@glenb1356]

I really like your idea! I have a slightly different idea. Find a little more modern popup, say 2001-2005. Strip off the popup portion, and try and keep the floor, tanks, frame, propane. Add the foamie on top of that existing base. I want a usable bathroom with shower. Also, wife and I sleep separately now due to her cpap, so want to have two twins, so have to manage the layout. I have an electric SUV so need light weight (3500lb towing capacity).

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Sounds like a great project. Best of luck...

[@user-xj7pt9qx6y]

i saw a teardrop style one that was on a trailer with a wood floor, but everything else was foam. i want to see if its possible to make a larger structure that is completely made of foam. itd have to be pretty aerodynamic and under 1500 pounds to tow behind a prius.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Good luck...

[@Geoff_G]

What did the micro camper's weight come to in the end? Great camper, great videos, thanks!

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Sorry I still haven't gotten around to having it weighed. My guess is around 1,500 - 1,600 lbs.

[@lewishoward9568]

Very nice! What do you do for heat for winter time camping?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Small electric heater. Also have a little buddy propane heater if electric hook up is not available.

[@CrabbyPattydelight]

I freaking love it, how is it holding up? Gonna take note of this video, thing came out so clean

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

The camper is holding up great! Still looks and feels new. We love it. Thanks for the kind words...

[@americanrambler4972]

Nice job! How has hanging the taillights on the lower outside corners been working out for you? Are they good snag traps for anything you get close to? They seem to me to be in a quite hazardous location for any expected longevity. What is your scale weight of the trailer and what kind of tongue weight do you see?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

No problems with the taillights. With the design of the trailer, it's the most practical location. I haven't weighed the camper. Tanks for watching...

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

The lights haven't been an issue. I haven't had it weighed.

[@RyanBuildsBoxes]

Great work! I'm about to embark on a similar project! If you don't mind me asking... I see you have a license on the trailer, I realize each state is different... how did you go about getting it registered in MI?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

I used the registration and title that I got when I purchased the 1969 pop up camping trailer. For a self build you just need to take your trailer to a weigh station and have it weighed. They will give you a certified weight ticket/print out that you can take to the secretary of state office. You can research it on line at the state of Michigan website under trailer registration. Best of luck...

[@michaelmireles2456]

Great job! Hows it holding up?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Still looks new. I wash it every time I return from a camping trip and park it in the garage. I throw a canvas drop cloth over the top to keep the dust off the paint. Pretty easy to maintain ... Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rebeccalogan6990]

What type of foam did you use and what did u use to fuse it together im working on my 80s pop up Palomino it has 2 solid walls already but the bed ends are gone so i wanted to make it with foam or something not to heavy like wood but will last. I have fiberglass i know ill need more but i see u did foam and im wondering how to use foam for too small bed ends

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

2" foam board. I used a wallpaper perforator, regular gorilla glue, titebond II glue, etc. Here is one of the videos in my complete build series of videos on my build. I think this one may answer your questions. If not it may be the one before or after this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4nCiJKrg7Zjbqc Hope this helps.

[@jameskringlee8974]

13:00 Its important to have storage for the wife.

[@anessaAKrenz70]

How is it in weather under 20 below? And how much did it weigh once it was finished?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

With the 2 inch foam the camper does very well in both extreme heat and cold. I have not had it weighed but I estimate the weight to be around 1,500 lbs.

[@coyoteserranoband]

How does it stand up on a windy day driving on the rd?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

It trailers very well. It is perfectly balanced, and the wind has very little effect on it even at expressway speeds.

[@Trygn]

How did yu mount the foam boards to the frame ?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

I think it shows you in this video. But it's a combination of glue screws and the plywood running long and being attached over top of the foam. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4nCiJKrg7Zjbqc

[@jeffsmith350]

I would have changed the axle to a beefier one

[@energyideas]

thanks for the video and attention to details. snow load can be up to 300 lb per square foot. just using 100 pounds per square foot and 6x10 dimensions you're looking at 6,000 lb. really surprised you didn't use any wall posts.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Research SIPS (structural insulated panels) walls and you'll find the answer to why I didn't need wall posts. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

300lb per sqft? Where? Dude is in michigan, based on the trailer plate, and the highest snow load in that state is all the way up in copper harbor and even that's only 100lb per sqft. Your concern is unfounded and grossly exaggerated. Even if he took it somewhere that actually has that level of snow fall, it's of no concern. I have a broom, he has one as well and I bet you do too. It would be foolish to not clear the roof but I guess based on your comment, you'd just let snow pile up and cross your fingers that it would hold... KZbin is filled with critics and experts like you and it really detracts from an otherwise very helpful video....

[@jens9432]

I have 70 Apache and thinking of doing this. Is there a reason you didn’t just use the existing metal box on the frame instead of building (ie wheel well etc)? Was it weight? Aesthetic preference or was there more functional or structural reason?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

I just wanted to start with a completely fresh new design. It made things easier too. Thanks for watching, and good luck on your project...

[@healingjourneys4241]

I have a question. I saw one guy line the bottom of his trailer floor with aluminum to protect from water. He’s the only one I’ve seen do this. Is this something that’s really not necessary?

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal 1 hour ago In my opinion that's completely unnecessary. As long as you coat the bottom of the trailer with a water-resistant product application such as paint, etc. you'll be fine. As long as the underside of the trailer is open and can breathe it will dry. You only get rot when moisture is allowed to soak in and remain moist for a prolonged period of time. We're talking about weeks and months of moisture repetitively. Use a good porch paint on wood and you'll be more than fine. Hope this helps.

[@user-xj7pt9qx6y]

how much does it weigh? my prius tows up to 1500lbs.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

I haven't had it weighed. I'm guessing about 1,500 - 1,700 with gear in it.

[@trafficjon400]

be careful with polyurethane can be bad for your health. yet its nice and very skill full and better have this skill also or for get it. very time consuming ending up with what you paid your time energy money for depends on all of this. you probably could have bought a nice used camper with out all the work and possibly much less money.

[@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal]

Thanks for your comment. We looked at buying both new and used campers before deciding to build our own custom camper. I built the camper myself so that I could have the size, design and features that I wanted and nothing more. I enjoyed the build and take much pride in the finished camper. We spent far less money than we would have if we had purchased even a good used one and we got exactly what we wanted in the end. Best wishes and thanks for watching...

[@trafficjon400]

@@ToddsProjectsandOutdoorJournal Nice and a project many would have the skills patients and time consuming. Great video