Full Tour of a Solar Powered Camper Van Built on a Recumbent Trike

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I just weighed it today. It came in at 173.2 lbs including the battery and new motor. I took out all of my camping gear and tools. I am getting ready for a camping trip. My destination is about 150 miles north. I just finished the trip here is the video of my trip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHde5Wfqr6ih5Y

[@gabydewilde]

That is 78,6 kg Well done sir

[@BarryMambo]

Very very nice vehicle! Have a good trip sir! I wonder how many kilometers/miles you can travel per day and how high possible top speed is. And secondly I wonder if thin flexible solar panels could save some weight here and might make it possible to gain more power by using the front, back and side surfaces too.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

@@BarryMambo on this trip just under ninety miles was my longest day. Top speed on flat with everything right is but eighteen miles an hour average is but fifteen. These are flexible panels they're just in an aluminum frame. And so far I've always had enough power.

[@TamarHalick]

It is awsome vehicle. I would improve seat to make it folding into bed, part of bed for legs could be under the hood, there you have space that is not in usage. Propane small kitchen just above head. A tent I would replace with courtains placed on doors. This way vehicle could be shorter.

[@teamfrenkenstein4143]

That’s awesome I love it great job, I love building stuff like this, you my friend gave me some great ideas for my build 👏👏👏👏👏.

[@fullmoon2614]

How is your brain still in tact? Your vehicle is absolutely fabulous. You are truly a genius and don’t let ANYBODY tell you otherwise. You are ONE OF A KIND.👍🏽

[@ygrittesnow1701]

Great design. Might want to consider a pivot point for your panels. Allow them to go up in the front to give easier access to get in and out. Once inside you can pull down to the same angle.

[@blaineward9851]

This is a real hippie chic magnet 🧲

[@theboz1419]

I was thinking the same thing. It would make getting in so much easier.

[@cherbear1996]

Thinking the same..or make the side panel a little door

[@ThereIsNoGodOnlyUs]

12v linear actuators or gas springs would be super helpful to make this happen.

[@soniclab-cnc]

The pull out tent is genius... apart from the fact it does not time travel , it is pretty cool.

[@kornisrinivas5764]

Simple design, low cost for making, thankyou sir for giving such a nice idea..love from INDIA

[@bonniestillwater56]

This is wonderful. I love it! Very creative invention. I especially love the pop-out tent that provides more enclosed space beyond a cot-sized bed. Very impressive use of materials and design.

[@billbrock5486]

I love the way you set this up. My fantasy transportation

[@MongoGamer]

holy cow. at first i was like "how the heck can you sleep in something that thin? and when i saw the canvas unfolding out i instantly said out lout "oh thats genius" holy cow this form factor inspires the crap out of me and you sir are amazing and by no means in any small sense goodness you are just very cool.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks!

[@Peter-rp3zs]

This is a really cool design. As someone who has done a lot of long distance bike touring, I would also greatly appreciate the shade that the large solar panel would provide on a super sunny day.

[@aswequ4486]

That is absolutely amazing. I love engineering like this where ingenuity and skill combine and a keen awareness of what is needed and more importantly how to solve it.

[@willm5814]

Very impressive!!

[@FantomsNephew]

Now that was a (for me, at least) new and interesting take on bicycle camper! Thanks for sharing!

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks

[@hohenrover5002]

Hello, I am using the Bafang-middrive for quite a time without any problems. It is very quite and the pedal-assist works smooth. Here in Germany it is allowed only with 250W. But it is enough also in the hills with the heavy loaded trailer. My Bafang is the 36V-version. Without Battery around 400€.

[@remofaletti392]

il modello è molto bizzarro! la gioia del tuo volto mentre guidi è commovente! Bravo!

[@mr.skipper4544]

Thanks for sharing your adventure

[@guymee]

One of the coolest builds I’ve ever seen, my god

[@ButterflyMatt]

Super cool. Great design and execution. “Execution” is the keyword. There’s a lot of us thinking (and rethinking your ideas), but you did it. Fucking fantastic.

[@Robiruu]

One of the coolest things I've seen in a long time, very inspiring 👍🏼

[@johndafoe600]

Very nicely done, with the slight exception of getting in the drive position.

[@galeg.3427]

Fun! Brilliant! You look joyful! Making it easier to get in and out might be worth working at. Imagine the roadways being filled with these - it would be awesome.

[@ANDYANDREWPro]

Well thought out. The white ultralight material used for the body was a good idea. The solar panel was brilliant, both in functionality and weather protection. Pivot point for the solar panels would be an improvement. Other possible suggestions might be moving the drivetrain to the front of the bike to save on weight. Or, perhaps hub motors for the two front wheels. An additional solar panel could be added to the back, possibly increasing voltage to 36 V. But, I get it, you constructed this with what you had on hand. It is brilliant. Safe travels

[@toronado455]

Might be worth devising some sort of hinge for the solar panels such that they would tilt away for allowing easier access to the driver's seat. The secondary benefit of that would be tilt the solar panels towards the Sun for when the sun is lower on the horizon.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I did consider it. Just couldn't come up with a strong and easy enough way to do it.

[@bensoloart]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary if you look at the sun race data. theres no significant difference. on the tilt

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

@@bensoloart I did see that info from "The Sun Trip" riders and it helped me decdid not to go that direction.

[@timothymatthews4399]

I’d also include a pivot so the panel could be rotated around and used as a ceiling for a tent then a ground cover & a few sections of nylon could make a simple tent. Actually, why not just carry a 3 season tent and set it up standalone. I don’t see a big advantage to having the trike shell being part of the shelter.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

@@timothymatthews4399 Interesting Ideas. The advantage of my design is tent roof does not have to be dried out like a tent in rainy weather. It is also faster to set up and all the geat stays inside.

[@kgsalvage6306]

Seems like you really enjoy driving it. You always have a big smile when in it.

[@hallowelt9296]

Genius at work. Greetings Form Bavaria germany.

[@imanoldgeek]

Brilliant design. You are a genius, sir.

[@cooperandy3]

Well done

[@280zjammer]

This is a very inspiring concept. I have a folding camper or collapsible cabin design I've been working on but I haven't thought of making it the vehicle itself until now. I've been considering making it convertible into a house boat but I can't work out how to efficiently carry the pontoons without giving up rigidly and the ability to keep the pontoons leak proof. But maybe a solar bike would actually be more useful.

[@gabydewilde]

I guess you could just make the floaters small, have a lot of them and let them leak.

[@jimmym2719]

Awesome work 👍, other than the awkward in & out ( probably I would move the panels to the cabin roof n half fixed half latched as roof of drive section) thanks for sharing ❤.love it

[@dageekoftheweek]

You are an inspiration to aspiring makers, I hope one day I can make interesting things like this, keep on doing what you do.😀

[@rhein-sondler]

Das Konzept gefällt mir. Top Arbeit. 😃👍

[@wenepzoli]

Thank you very much for sharing! I think it's a correct little structure, congratulations too! May you have more pleasant days and weekends in strength, health and peace, of course, just like that for everyone! The video creation is also great! Further success!

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks you!

[@wenepzoli]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary Thank you very much! All the best in every way!

[@davebeeton97]

Very good 👍 .

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Ingenious. Everything is well thought out. I’m so impressed and inspired I want to something similar, at least design something to start with.

[@Thegentlegoon]

One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! Truly amazing! ❤

[@mohammadhallajian1]

Bravo man. That is my ideal bike for travel. I am waiting for more videos about this bike experience in different situations. 👍👏

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I see it as the almost ideal nomad machine. If it could safely handle the extreeme cold I would be using it now. Some time in April I will be going on another trip with it. I would lke it to be about a month long trip to northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan exploring the remote forest roads and trails.

[@EzeAdventurer]

super cool dude!

[@kevintravis2154]

Well done Sir. Your invention will evolve as you use it.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Very true.

[@alphonsotate2982]

Great build and nice looking too 😍😍😍😍

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thank you, thank you!

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you! I am a grandpa rider on HONDA motorcycle from Japan. Enjoying camping ,touring and upload video. Your EV camper video is so nice! Awesome! Full supported !! Have a nice day my friend!

[@HOPE.TheresNoPlaceLikeHomeClub]

You had me at solar power.

[@ctrlcrawler6327]

Good idea, great build, well executed, thank you for sharing

[@cosmicavatar773]

Nice bike and design very creative. Keep up the good work for a greener future.

[@selkywaters]

That's fantastic! I love that it will keep you out of the elements. Nice work sir! 👍

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks!

[@jurajjansky6909]

Very nice! I like you cover the front is well. That will give you some protection from,when weather is not great. You can see Lots of ours got in too this protection.Fantastic.

[@curtis2742]

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks!

[@llahneb10]

Awesome stuff! Inspiring. Thanks!

[@SashasRevenge]

Now that’s about as clever as they get. Very cool! I loved watching this, I was imagining what it would be like to actually spend a few nights out in the country side in this thing. Even if I wouldn’t be alone, I wouldn’t feel real protected or secure from animals or people in that thing and would be afraid for those reason.😮

[@MrNickGascoigne]

Absolutely brilliant 👏

[@GeomancerHT]

Your trike has more solar power than my off-grid house, and that is a full house :D Love the channel, dreaming to build something similar, maybe add more panels to the house and just charge the batteries there, but my bike needs to work on dirt sierra roads, very challenging project.

[@volvo245]

There's full suspension trikes with fat wheels you could base yours on. Power draw would be much higher in rough terrain of course, so lesser daily range or more panels and battery needed. Forestry roads and such usually also have nasty habit of getting deeply rutted so a trike might have issues with them.

[@kokopelli314]

Great build. Coloplast is a fantastic material for this kind of thing. My first velo was Coloplast and it also was a bit of a pill getting in and out, but lots of fun. I still have the shell hanging in my shop.

[@juselinoamorim8401]

Congratulations brother! I like this. This Brazilian love the inventation

[@richardschaefer3889]

I dig it.

[@dantejones4551]

Great build! Cleverly constructed!

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thank you!

[@apocraphontripp4728]

Respectfully an additional idea. I put 1" foam insulating panels, wrapped in aluminum insulation, for heat control on my van. It works great for the Florida heat. I used aluminum tape to secure them then hit the aluminum with white truck liner paint for even more heat control. Hell of a ride you got there. Hats off to you sir.

[@WesTausend]

Very well thought out! You must have built this hundreds of times in your mind. Still, I bet every time you may do it again in the future will be slightly different, just here and there. --wes

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

You are absolutely correct. I will be making a video soon about my final thoughts after my 6-day 400-mile camping trip with it.

[@4QWzbaxSzUAq9]

genius... i was thinking the same thing... but you brought it to life well done!

[@remyllebeau77]

I was going to suggest a hinge but I see other people have already done that. I've always admired the recumbent design. I wouldn't mind have a velo-mobile myself one day.

[@ArmanzaSuperNova]

Wonderful project. And great work! Inspiring.

[@codygrinnell8676]

It's propably super fun to ride/drive!!!!

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

Merge these solar ideas with battery power and increased cargo capacity, with the velomobile aero body with better aerodynamics and weather protection, and this would be an incredibly popular piece of equipment. Great job!

[@marsrover001]

Aptera

[@daviduribe3111]

​@@marsrover001 If the builder made all of the changes suggested in the comments, his bike camper would cost and weigh as much as an Aptera. 🙄

[@PMK7734]

Fantastic! Ingenuity abounds!

[@dr.sumitkumarverma9908]

This is my dream camper, good luck from INDIA ❤❤❤.

[@CarlinComm]

That is a great design, elegant and simple, well done!

[@katbond7972]

Wow that was really cool. I'd like one myself. Royce.

[@ABC1900.]

Ez mind szép és jó.Csak sokba kerül tata !

[@GeoLuchse]

Best one so far, so cool. Greetings from Germany ❤

[@jonathankewe9415]

Love this!..Thanks...❤

[@jaesthetic14]

Absolutely fascinating build, well done!

[@diananeuenschwander5560]

Pretty darn cool. I would add in where the solar panel could power up a Jackery or Bluetti, this way at night you have something to power an electric blanket ....and to power up a small fan. I would also consider a small portable cot so you dont have to sleep so close to the ground. How do you keep dry, your legs, when driving. Again brilliant concept!

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I have an inverter and USB outlets in the tent. I did try a cot, but found that the air mattress was better for me. I broke my back over 12 years ago, so I have to get it just right to get a good night's sleep. I just finished a 6-day 400-mile trip and I slept great each night.

[@jaymckenzie8412]

Man you are a awesome guy .this is so amazing

[@gregroth4696]

Awesome! Needs a propeller on the front! ;-) Nice work man!

[@dx9s]

@7:37 "Doesn't do Time Travel" . *sigh* WHAT? (heheh, j/k) Like that you kept things somewhat simple and light weight. I can see a few minor things I would probably change, but pretty cool design overall. Thanks for sharing! What is the typical power the motor uses on reasonably level ground and what kind of peaks is it rated for? Does the controller have that data? Be interested in the power in vs power out plan/usage.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I put in a better motor that was not available at the time of the build. It is a 500 watt motor, but it can hit 1000. For most efficaint use of the battery I try to keep it in the 400 to 500 watt range.

[@TechnoGlobalist]

Great design inspiration for me. I'm thinking of building a solar charged single wheeled push trailer with a direct drive motor with high torque and regenerative breaking. You got me rly inspired 🤩

[@TechnoGlobalist]

Basically a trailer version

[@TechnoGlobalist]

And I love your engineering, very accessable, easy to repair and maintain but fully functional with lots of power and fairly simple design that can be copied in every garage. The perfect post apocalyptic machine when there is no more ⛽

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks for your comments. Start working on your design summer is coming soon. I will be going on a longer tour in a month or so depending on how spring is coming along.

[@stevencowles8419]

Some great ideas in here, I love what you have achieved

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thank you, Steven!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

I am intrigued by the gains possible with aerodynamic improvements by cladding a bike. One would think that at low speeds its of little consequence, but it clearly is extremely effective. With the large flat area presented by the solar panels, I imagine side winds become a problem? I imagine too that the huge flat sides of the aerodynamic cladding will have a significant impact too when encountering side winds.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

High winds are rare in this area. I have not encountered anything scary yet. The encloser provides protection from the elements. aerodynamics only come into play at speeds over 20 mph, which only happen when going down steep or long hills.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary Appreciate your reply and thoughts. I would like to add solar panels to my fat bike (two wheels), much like you have - overhead, but concerned of the effect of wind on stability. Here in Melbourne, (Aus) we can get good winds, especially near coastal trails. Sometimes, blustery too.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

@@MiniLuv-1984 I recommend looking at www.thesuntrip.com/en/ they have had many people that use two-wheeled bikes with solar panels.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary Thank you!

[@TheArtisanbard]

Wow, well done! Cool design

[@JackDonnell]

Maybe take some lightweight wheel chocks with you. Thanks for sharing your camper van.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

The thought crossed my mind. Thanks

[@lesparker7949]

Great job. Enjoy yourself on your terrific creation. 👍

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks!

[@thatonemothafacko]

This is simply amazing. You might have just done something here.

[@chuckdeyo291]

Very nice. I have been watching a good number of videos having to do with Ebike camping and this looks like a very good rig. I know some have said to hinge the top but what I was thinking is just add 6 more inches of height. it would take away from the somewhat sleek look though. Whatever you do it looks and works just fine right now as you have it set up. Coroplast looks like the way to go too. Good job

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thank you for your comments. I do not mind getting in and out of it as it is. It is just a matter of getting used to it. Hope to get it out again in a couple months after the snow and freezing weather leave for the season.

[@chuckdeyo291]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary I hear you there. I'm from Michigan and test drove an Ebike the other day. The wind chill was not nice.

[@mrpreparedallthetime1099]

I'd say you're living the dream!

[@chrisrobinson3820]

It's an amazing vahicle for a nomad like me.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I'm out traveling right now doing a motorhome delivery. Stranded in Nabraska do to I76 being closed. Just waiting for warmer weather to go on an extended trip with the Solar camper.

[@chrisrobinson3820]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary I see..

[@josephdupont]

Very, very nice one of the best.If not not the best campers recumbence i've seen aim very practical good work

[@davidoneill2466]

Your rig is BADASS. We are building something similar but with robust off road suspension to explore the Baja outback. Would love to have you join our team…

[@dietchinotto6683]

Simply amazing. Really.

[@youyoue4260]

You just made of what I was thinking about ;)

[@rickhoran]

Clever design, good job!

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thanks!

[@yungshu888]

Beautiful design!

[@SCOTT-vm5nj]

Great smiles!

[@thomaschainey3230]

Great video and bike thanks.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Very nice! Greetings from Jamaica.

[@freizeit63]

Very nice and well thought out your camper. Getting in and out, however, would not be for me. Otherwise I think the part is great👍 Greetings from Germany

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Thank you. Getting in and out of velomobiles has always been a problem. A trike by itself is still a challange for some.

[@freizeit63]

@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary That's true, but the solar roof makes getting in and out a lot more difficult

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

@@freizeit63 That it does. I have to think about it everytime still.

[@evertspies3345]

Clever design. Would be great to have space for a passenger for those long trips, maybe with double pedals side by side rather than tandem.

[@goodtogrow7774]

So cool and creative! Great job!

[@Chobaca]

This is one of my long term goals.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Make it happen! Thank you for commenting.

[@barrybabbot7481]

you need to patent this and dial it in. great design

[@jaseinclee]

Just found this. Very nice design

[@Cee64E]

Awesome build. I would suggest a hinge on one side of the solar panel, with a latch on the other side, to ease ingress and egress. It would also let you tilt your panel to better angles for charging while parked.

[@ApteraPioneer]

Great compilation of ideas. Now, if you could marry a teardrop trailer to the solar powered e-trike (without pulling a trailer), then I would want to go camping, too. Just don't have the best memories tent camping...

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

I prefer a hammock to sleeping on the ground, but the shelter of a tent is nice. I originally planned it as just a camper, but it made it too long to turn around.

[@videomentaryproductionschannel]

Very nice design, could give yourself a little more height, just to make it easier for you to get in and out, the tent idea is great, would like to you do more videos of it in use, nice video 😊.

[@Far-Beyond-Ordinary]

Leaving on a camping trip in a couple days. Video will follow.