DIY Truck Camper Build - Part 3 (Aluminum, Windows, Access Doors)

Today is Part 3 of the DIY Truck Camper / Utility Shell Project. In this video I'll show how I installed the aluminum siding, trim, compartment doors, windows as well as a few other little odds and ends.
Also, a big thank you to Industrial Metal Supply for partnering with me on this project and supplying the metal that you'll see me using along the way!
www.industrialmetalsupply.com/
Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any questions you might have!
-Joe
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#DIYtruckcamper #truckcamper #truckcamperproject
Tags: DIY truck camper, aluminum, how to, truck bed camper, overlanding camper, industrial metal supply, homebuilt truck camper, shipping container shop, homesteadonomics, camper project, VHB tape, RV windows, compartment doors, aluminum trim

[@davidbundesen5867]

I have been watching a bunch of KZbin videos on campers and van conversions. It’s really refreshing to see somebody that actually knows what he’s doing and how to use tools. I especially enjoyed seeing you use a router with a flush trim bit for your openings; some thing I did for years when I was a carpenter building homes. Anyway, kudos to you. This is an extremely clean build. Well done sir

[@bdubz5150]

Excellent build! You installed your compartment doors similar to how we do it in the aerospace industry. Very clean structure, and exterior sheathing joints, etc. I built several campers up here in Mesa, Az. In the past I think we’ve even communicated, and you gave me great directions to a sweet camp spot (Thanks again) My wife and I ended up selling our house in Mesa/Gilbert Az, and buying a big fifth wheel rig and traveling the country the last two years. She worked at a large Metro area hospital in the Phoenix area during Covid and she was ready to leave post “Covid carnival ride”. I sold my last scratch built camper to a nice guy in Scottsdale, and I installed 1000 watts of renogy solar panels on my current fifth wheel with a 800Ah lithium battery bank via a 100amp charge controller through a 10k watt sine wave converter. It can run our 15000 btu dual head split unit Ac/heat pump easily, simultaneously running a large 55” TV and all the lights. I feel like I should’ve built a scratch built Super C RV instead of buying one, as the modern fifth wheels are made in a less than ideal way. We have been settled in Southern Florida for a while bouncing around the Keys, Naples and the Treasure Island area. I miss fabricating my own stuff and my shop I had in Arizona, etc, but we now have plans to build a homestead In Florida, and will utilize a few of your tips from past vids. We also want to build self reliant home on our 5 acres near Gold Canyon Az. To bounce back and forth to as we get closer to actual retirement age. The wife and I love your YT content, and I relate very well to your projects. Keep up the great work, and we hope to be seeing more of your great vids in the future.

[@stevewilliams6354]

I have been a sheet metal worker all my life but let me say this man is very talented Also have never seen a bending brake like that I am very impressed Nice job

[@williamolliges2622]

That trick with the painters tape and silicone for the access doors was pure genius.

[@santacruzman]

Yes. I can imagine Einstein scratching his head trying to solve the messy caulk issue.

[@JonathanBaileyn2u]

Sir.. you definitely have a gift. I hope you see this too. Well done.

[@HAXMAN]

This whole series has been fantastic. I’ve been thinking about building a camper for years. This is very inspiring. Awesome job brother! 👊

[@gregmize01]

you need to worry about sasquatch, plenty on your plate!

[@HAXMAN]

@@gregmize01 😄

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much😊🙏. I’d love to see what you come up with too. If you get one going I’ll be excited to check it out as well!

[@arda1kalas130]

Being wise means that do the best whatever you do. So, I can state that this man is a very wise man.

[@branchandfoundry560]

Lots of valuable intel presented here, Joe! Thanks again for all you do to teach all of us.

[@biologistjim4905]

To the Rembrandt of DYI……..another outstanding work‼️

[@homesteadonomics]

Wow! I don’t know if I’m that level….but I’ll take it nonetheless😂🙏

[@rickbrockthedog8017]

Your attention to detail and work quality are two of the things that have made this country great. What a super build. Very impressive. How do you plan on mounting it to the truck? My Four Wheel Camper uses a turn buckle system with eyebolts in the truck bed floor. Pretty easy to deal with. And I'm assuming standard truck camper jacks for getting it on/off the truck?

[@jwiereng]

6:32 Seems like the VHB system is dependent on having a well bonded paint. Seems like you're essentially sticking the panels to the paint.

[@ThoneJones]

That’s a really good point.

[@homesteadonomics]

Yes that is a good point. The paint I used for this is Seymour MRO enamel which is a very good quality of paint. It forms a lifetime bond on surfaces well prepared with primer. But ultimately it’s all a matter of surface area. And like anything it’s, about weight to surface ratio. So if you factor in the amount of weight being held by each square inch of tape, it’s very small ratio. And if you consider that just two 5” strips of this tape would easily hold my 235lbs doing pull ups. And that I’ve got probably a couple hundred yards on this to hold the aluminum on…. It’s not going anywhere🤪 But again, it’s a very good consideration. And if you painted non primed metal that was still wasn’t properly degreased, you might have a lot of stuff falling apart rather soon. But even if that did start ti happen. I could still go back and add rivets or sheet metal screws to secure the panels in the future.

[@artsteadman2230]

@jwiereng typically commercially bonded vehicle/trailer/camper panels are powder coated - not painted per se. Powder coating is a process that incorporates a positive & negative charge - one for the powder; the other for the surface it's being applied to. Once coated it's subjected to oven curing at 325-350F for 35-40 minutes. The powder virtually becomes one with the metal. As for homebuilt campers etc - a process recommended by 3M but not employed in this vid - it's imperative that the metal surface be wiped down with iso alcohol & allowed to disappate before applying the tape is applied AND pressure applied to the tape to ensure a proper bond

[@the_katman2181]

I love this build. So neat, and you make it look so simple and logical. Which I'm sure isn't always the case as you're doing it.

[@MrGeroth]

You are an exceptional craftsman with metal.

[@MannyFontes1968]

Joe, you never disappoint with your builds and everything you touch turns into gold...👍

[@blackberryhideout5793]

Fine! Fantastic! Fastidious! Fabulous! Functional! Faceted! Fancy!

[@garystephens498]

i have to agree with all the others. No matter what project you do, you do it well. You have mad skills and seem to be knowledgeable about so many different areas: plumbing, electrical, metal work, etc..... Thanks for the journey.

[@homesteadonomics]

I appreciate that…. But I’m still learning and these projects are just the way that I do that. With each one I learn a bit more…. And often times I learn what not to do as well 🤪. Thanks for watching 😊🙏

[@NDA_Fab]

Bad Ass Brother! Your getting there! I don't do outgoing SM, but appreciate peoples efforts who do. Great channel, and it goes without saying that you do meticulous work my man!! I am building something very similar and not far behind in progress! I have a full stand up camper with a queen over cab bed all framed up out of 1x1 and 2x1 16ga tubing. Framing in the windows and other misc support today. I'm putting a hatch in the back wall of camper as a modular hole that I can pop a mini 500sqft AC in, stove pipe pass through insert, or just blank hatch cover. Bring what the weather calls for! Otherwise, yeah going with thin aluminum tread below the bed line, and thinking that I am going to go with ACM panels above, all VHB taped.. still deciding on the roof, as I have a hatch and would like it to be walkable in the rear. I love the fact that you're fleshing out the process here. I was thinking of masking the VHB locations and painting the rest of the frame (it will be stored in a garage bay), but the abrasion/primer thing has my curiosity piqued! A number of things really! I hope that your channel is as fruitful to you as it is the viewers, lots of good quality examples of gitten-er-done here! I like your logo too. Reminds me of a friend of mine's thoughts on sports/tv viewership.. "there are enough spectators in the world". Good work, keep it up!

[@ishtarlopez6203]

Hey howdy y'all, what up peeps! Hope I'm not too late for the after party😅. Big shoutout to the Bend-O-Nomics! Woot woot! 🎉🎉 Well Joe this is super impressive! Idk which I'm more surprised by, this or the greenhouse. You've certainly outdone yourself! Kudos, kudos, kudos, good sir! Woot woot!🎉🎉 P.S. still waiting on that live, cough cough, wink wink ... 😉🤭☺️😁😅

[@kelvinmctavish6369]

Very well done thank you for inspiring all of us to save money instead of buying the ridiculous priced campers from the camper rv centers.

[@JackBean-rd4uo]

This looks like a true underweight camper for my shortbed single cab 4x4 Express Ram. What a nicejob. I love DIY projects.

[@user-my3ff5lj6m]

Your attention to detail is fantastic!

[@GaryTrent-qi4ch]

Very impressive thank you for letting us follow your build.

[@iwantosavemoney]

I really like this build it once build it for life

[@johnstewart6500]

Amazing work Joe.

[@tobyswesternwear]

those angular sides would be perfect when I get a cybertruck someday.

[@bajajoaquin]

I’ve taught my kids that IMS is the true happiest place on earth

[@mikemassey1405]

I was using vhb tape on smoothskin (0.90) . On my alum trailers in the 90's.

[@2mustange]

This has been a fun series. Preventing water from getting into places is definitely a trial and error. Hope everything you did works but if not you will be able to learn from it and make improvements!

[@asdasdsadasdasddsff]

she's a beaut, well done!

[@mtbguides_Rich]

Cutting and bending all the panels so accurately is so impressive, good job 👍

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

It would be nice to have a shop with a sheet metal brake and a welding rig with welding skills.

[@istj777]

What a great talent with all your skills and common sense...a super-hero for sure.

[@hide03291981]

wonderful beautiful camping Car

[@lucsurmon2623]

As usual very interesting and amazing work 👍

[@alkuerbis5712]

Interesting handmade break

[@idahoman325]

Heres hoping he up & decides to add a pop up roof top to further expand the space.

[@TheGentilcores]

So many little nuggets… like the trimming of the Blue tape before putting the access panel door on. Made for a very clean install. Consistentl high quality workmanship!

[@davegardner6592]

The 3 m product tape is great The Cardinal stadium sighting is installed with it. in Glendale Arizona

[@Shednanigans]

You do good work! Keep it up 👍 and we appreciate you sharing this with the world 🌍!

[@rickcassell9613]

What a great looking camper , it’s coming out great . You could always take on custom orders with your talent Joe ! Quality to detail 👍👍, Well done

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you kindly Rick! But I don’t think my wife would want me to take any orders as this thing has taken me a lot longer to get to this point than I originally thought🤪

[@cynthiabroaddrick7197]

It is amazing..you don't have a rivet or two in those panels? That is amazing tape!

[@homesteadonomics]

Nope. But the trim pieces on the corners and edges have sheet metal screws. So theoretically if all the tape failed then it’d still be held on by those pieces.

[@artsteadman2230]

@cynthiabroaddrick most all horse trailers, utility trailers, emergency vehicles & RVs have used VHB tapes for decades. Rivits are labor intensive whereas tape isn't. Plus tapes allow torsion movements created by normal travel allows for the units to flex & bend - rivits in the other hand are rigid. As for horse trailers rivits & the space in-between each Rivits allow air passage that creates a thunderous 'waffling' that spooks horses. Meaning you'll get the horse in the trailer just once. Likely not again

[@TurkiAlsubiee]

Great work, man. Maybe in the future you will make something like it, consisting of two pieces. Its sizes are flexible. You can adapt it to a truck of known sizes. Also, perhaps the roof can be raised while standing, and its sides are made of durable fabric. Thank you and I wish you success. Your follower is from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! As for the roof….it will be made to pop up so I can stand in it. But that’ll be in a future video. Also, great to hear from Saudi Arabia! 😊🙏

[@TurkiAlsubiee]

In my country, Saudi Arabia, there are local institutions that manufacture something like this, but not with your mastery, and they only seek to make money, unfortunately. In addition, we do not have the capabilities available to buy ready-made windows and doors locally, and importing them from abroad costs a fortune. Thank you again.

[@tlmelec]

Nice quality build. One think I would suggest is making the front of the overcab rounded like you did on the leading top of your towable camper. Having an angle like that becomes a big wind deflector and will lead to a lot of drag and reduced mpg. I learned that the hard way myself.

[@cedarfallsfarm9833]

Love seeing the progress on this project, Joe. When I was a kid, I was absolutely amazed by the adults that could do so much, obviously I still am. I think it inspired me to be more self sufficient. Good luck with the 1st outing with the cap on the truck. Mark

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Mark! I always appreciated the same when I was growing up…. Seeing older guys that were knowledgeable about a lot of different things. And like you it’s always made me want to be as capable as I can as well. And each new year we learn a bit more. Thanks for the well wishes on the first trip too. Literally making final details now to make sure she’s gonna be road worthy, if for nothing more than just storage of the little extras.

[@robh2515]

Hey Joe... With you being in a desert area, Is that a popcorn machine or pizza oven..Ha. Kidding... we're always impressed with your projects. We installed our aluminum side panels on our cabover with 3M tape today. Your video was a tremendous help. Thanks

[@JB-mf1zc]

That's a big project Joe and you're doing a professional job can't wait till you get done!!! God Bless!!!

[@weedwacker1716]

That's one big old dang smoker you got there. 😜

[@davidzimmer2694]

Amazing fabrication.

[@stilcrazychris]

Nice job Joe.

[@user-xk5so7wb2t]

DAMN GOOD JOB, BRAVO BRO!

[@tomtruesdale6901]

That camper is turning out great. Can't wait to see the finished camper. You will have a heck of a rig now with the camper on your truck towing the camper trailer.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! I’m hoping it’ll make a nice companion to the travel trailer but also for off site jobs and solo hunting/fishing trips. A lot more work to do for the roof, door and the interior and electrical. But the bulk of the major stuff is behind me now. 😊🙏

[@OIII-IOOO]

very slick and futuristic looking. nice job, Joe.

[@antonioc9396]

the workmanship is superb! super awesome build!

[@allanpelton684]

Beautiful work! Dads are always nice to have as helpers/advisors.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! And yes they are!😊🙏

[@cleokey]

Well done. I built one out of plywood, to heavy be practical, I like this. 😊

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much!😊🙏

[@MaxVonAvarochiden]

Nice Job, I am doing the same job in my garage, jajaja, but I have limitation to bend the aluminum sheets, my solution is and will be cut by panels and then finish the corners with angles and the joint with double "u" profiles.

[@dexterkardas6559]

Beautiful build

[@espnmk]

Quality job! Joe Thanks for Sharing your skills and how to...

[@HubertusSchaper]

Hello there,terrific nice work great construction well-done🙏🏻.like it Greetings Hubertus.👍🏻🇳🇱🇳🇴☮🙏🏻

[@Llamadosalvaje]

Looks beautiful!

[@ArtBeHereNow]

We use VHB tape to install glass on multi story buildings, It gets some backup from the silicone weatherseal between the glazing units but its the tape doing the lions share against windloads. LOL

[@homesteadonomics]

Yes, absolutely! You know first hand then….. I remember my buddy Jake telling me about that years ago when he was working on some high rises in Phoenix and Dallas and I was like…whaaaat? Tape?. And now I absolutely love using this stuff!

[@Sawhorse129]

Beautiful! Nice job.

[@revolverdon]

Beautiful !

[@dustman96]

It's too nice, you have to start over! Adhesives are awesome. With proper selection and prep you can have extremely strong and long lasting bonds. Good epoxies have a tensile strength of 8000 psi. You could basically hang a bulldozer off a 1 square foot bond, probably more like 4 bulldozers.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha… my wife would kill me if I started over🤪 And yes, the adhesive world is amazing. Crazy the bonds that these new and some of the older products have!

[@DesertOwlForge]

Looks really nice. Looking forward to the next one. 👍

[@oklahomesteader]

Impressive build! Great project!

[@BUILDYBUNCH]

It's looking really good. Very nice tutorial.

[@Llamadosalvaje]

Amazing peace of art!

[@jaystewart9947]

Looks great Joe. As always, very detailed and great attention to the details. Top notch Sir

[@ratfinder7812]

Thank you so much for your fantastic videos, I have definitely learned some new techniques. Just want to throw this out there, since you are very creative, I was wondering have you thought about making a bed slid, so you can utilize the entire bed of the truck for tool storage without having to climb up in to the bed of the truck…. Again, thank you, I have been subscribed for years now.

[@santafefavs]

Yes thank you. I did see your comments in the video. But I didn’t understand it then. Now I’ll have to try the grove technique you did. You really solved a very tough maneuver. I didn’t think of it. I ended up with a very distorted piece of angle.

[@mertonallowicious]

I have a roll of grey eternabond waiting for me to start my camper build… nice job you are using a lot of the construction and assembly techniques I’m looking to try, it’s great to see

[@homesteadonomics]

It’s really good stuff and keeping the water out, is probably the biggest ‘must’ when building any thing. So I’d say you’re off to a good start. Let me know if you have any questions on your build. Not that I’ll have the answers but maybe I can give you an idea of what worked for me😊🙏

[@FredMcIntyre]

Looking good Joe! 😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@ianmoss5600]

Pretty sure I saw you the other day on I-10 in Phx around 75th ave. possibly headed home from your up north trip? You had your camper on and pulling your trailer. Looks good!!

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha….you probably did! We did a long road trip through UT, ID, WY and CO and were on our final leg home. And the funny thing is that we had stopped a little north of Phoenix to pick up a new buckling goat for my daughter. So when you saw us we likely had a goat in the travel trailer 🤪😂

[@JohnThomas-gj2zg]

Looks great so far on the work you have done to it ...

[@davestevens4263]

Sweet build , thats how i was gonna build mine , instead I bought a travel lite trk camper for my tacoma. Tacoma's have the narrowest base of all 40". I think. Mine weighs about 980 lbs about max for my Toyota. Ill be watching all the build series & i subscribed . Great job . Brotha

[@amauri7616]

Parabéns trabalho muito bem feito

[@randallthompson5769]

Looks like a nice camper!! Doing a great job!! Thanks

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much Randall!

[@Yezboy337]

Dang uncle Joe it’s turning out good

[@homesteadonomics]

Hey Buddy! Thanks for checking it out! And also make sure to pencil some time in to come up when Marley and I are building the goat cart. We will need you to come and help test it out😊👍

[@lorenmeyer5290]

WOW very beautiful great job Joe!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you much Loren! 😊🙏

[@1Chuck4U2C]

Great Workmanship.

[@bryanlane31]

Just discovered you today…caught up on the first three videos for the camper, now I’m going to go look at the trailer build. Fantastic videos!

[@david78212]

I used to work at a metal fabrication shop and you really can’t fathom a pressbrake bending a piece of 3/8 in plate steel into a bus frame cross members… of course they are just a bit beefier than yours, the biggest ones were 100 ton hydraulic presses. I can relate to aluminum being a PITA to work with, just imagine working with stainless steel, we made stainless steel panels for appliances and they would scratch if you sneezed wrong.

[@shawnbryant60]

That was truely an excellent build!

[@unaffiliated_x9279]

As Project Farm would say "Very Impressive!"

[@homesteadonomics]

Well I’ll take that as a compliment then! 😀🙏

[@mandyleeson1]

So well thought out. Brilliant build Joe, looking forward to the next update 👏🏼🙏🏼

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much Mandy! 😊🙏

[@ksfixitmangaming617]

Awesome content as always. You amaze me with every video. I didnt think you could top the travel trailer but was I wrong. Cant wait to see the finished product. Be safe buddy and Ill be looking forward to the next video. 💙

[@munaabdulla9718]

Welcome back 👋🏻 great job 😁

[@Jasonoid]

Excellent work. Very clean build so far! Great explanations :)

[@cyclemoto8744]

Thanks for sharing. Cheers from OZ

[@280zone]

Always appreciate your meticulous attention to detail. Looking forward to why the roof might need to pop open:)

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! As for the roof, it will need to pop up as the interior is just about 5’ and in 6’. So just for standing room. Of course it doesn’t look as low right now because that dolly gives it about 10” or so of height from ground level.

[@danielfisch655]

Great job, as always.

[@dangoras9152]

That's awesome brother its looking slick.. Keep it up brother

[@davestewart9146]

I really like your design, nicely done sir 👍😁

[@SethDrew]

Strong work as usual Joe. Can't wait to see the completed project. I might still some of these ideas for my planned military trailer slide in.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you so much Seth! Also, I heard about your Dad. I wanted to comment on one of yours or Steff’s posts but just hadn’t had the right words yet. But I know he was a good man and father to some incredible kids(grandkids) that are a testament to his legacy. And I know he is now at peace with his Heavenly Father!

[@danyo492]

This is incredible. Awesome job!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much!

[@Pinned-ys2po]

I really enjoy watching this build. I’ve been wanting to make my own for awhile but keep putting it off. The truck campers they sell are so over priced and are such poor quality. Great work. I’m looking forward to the next video. Thanks and God Bless!

[@goldielocksposition]

Wow. Great job

[@crankshaft007]

Sweet nice job

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

3M needs to sponsor you LOL that VHB tape is good stuff! I used it to attach an antenna mount to my pickup and the mount is still on there 15 years later... and it is exposed on the edges so water gets at it!

[@glennwatson3313]

well done.