How I Built A CAMPER From Start To Finish (Under $7,000)

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Did you enjoy this build? Check out more builds on the channel 👌🏻

[@twentysevenlitres]

"I can't believe this is the same van" 🤣 It's barely the same frame!

[@topendgold9284]

So really, you kept part of the chassis and the axel, and built a new van?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Replaced the axle to.. Yes original chassis

[@user-tq4zm9yr6l]

Ye that’s what I see too. Nothing much of the original van

[@reefhog]

*axle

[@coolnoah8183]

Did you read the title of the video

[@mtb_3930]

"I cannot believe it's the same van". It's not bro. You built a new caravan

[@Mr4x4accessories]

I’ve always wanted to build my own van, this has been a great experience watching you do it. Thanks

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Just do it man so much fun 😊

[@tilkanash]

Thanks, I really enjoyed your video. Your work is amazing. Brilliant! This is what You Tube Videos are about!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks! 👌🏻👌🏻

[@bigcheese19]

Looks fantastic mate

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@petewest5973]

MAte you are a talent - Great Vid - I howled with laughter when you gutted the van then knocked out the interior - then the frame came down- Went in a direction i did not expect - but was great fort sure -

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Haha thank you, it took a different direction to what I had in mind at first that’s for sure 😂

[@FlattyDaz]

Beautiful job mate, you’ve shown some great skill and patience with this project 👍🏼😜

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thank you! It has certainly tested my patience at times haha😂👌🏻

[@jeepy8067]

Great work! You can be very proud of your efforts!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@accadacca]

Bloody awesome job, mate. 😎👍

[@discoveringwa2204]

Every wire, every nut bolt, wall/ roof frame you will know where they are. Great job, cannot wait to see it complete.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

That’s it man! 👌🏻

[@leoniejohnston1542]

Congrats, Wow, what an amazing job . I can't wait to see more 👍

[@Dave-ss5pk]

You done yourself and your parents proud mate. Excellent work. New Sub brother👍🍻🍺

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks legend much appreciated 👌🏻

[@evelynsmith4291]

Looks amazing! Great job. Cant wait to see the inside finished

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks! Interior will be fun 👌🏻

[@Bigdingaling95]

Good stuff mate

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@buckrider4787]

Thank you for a very entertaining video , wonderful job so far can't wait for the rest of them

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Glad you enjoyed it 👌🏻

[@nobrakes7247]

So glad I found this . I appreciate you putting it on KZbin I did have one laugh Your comment you can't believe it's the same van Sorry to burst your bubble Mate it's not You just made a brand new van 😂 Very inspirational

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks man glad you enjoyed it👌🏻

[@brucephillps6786]

Well done at an exceptional cost of only $6,000. However I don’t think it’s accurate to say it’s the same van. Just like me saying I’ve got my great grandfathers axe from 1900, although it’s had 3 new handles and 2 heads. Again very good work

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thank you, it still has the original chassis so I guess it classifies? Haha 😊

[@oggyoggy1299]

Don’t worry about it.

[@andrewallason4530]

@@EngineeredToDesignlegally speaking the chassis is what matters.

[@coolnoah8183]

Did you read the title of the video?

[@Handleyman]

You’re a legend mate! Absolutely brilliant work.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks man 👌🏻

[@kurt3687]

Should have dutched it up the old fashioned way to test for air leaks.

[@takerkanefan108]

Congrats on finishing it, it looks great!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Absolutely stoked with it 👌🏻

[@Kajpaje]

Interesting. Been converting a small bus into a home, and have made lots of mistakes. Interested in insulation, avoiding condensation, and creating good airflow and ventilation without AC. Those windows looked amazing. Beaut job, creating a great van. Would like to see more.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

How did you go with insulation? Got any tips? Yeah the windows are fantastic 👌🏻

[@tooxtalivai0690]

Question why didn’t you just buy a trailer and build your frame on that? Cool video really enjoyed the watch.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Would have been easier haha. Well this was free so it was a good start 👌🏻

[@craigosborne7622]

It is satisfying to build your own, i did my from ground up. Did all the Rover Adr, custom van for half the price.Lot of work but well worth it. Now doing a lap🇦🇺

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Heck that’s awesome! Have you documented it? If so can send me an email of it all. [e-mail]

[@johnstopford9633]

Well done mate.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

😁😁

[@BernadetteChristensen]

Thank you so much for this. My daughter purchased a van a few months ago and like you the whole frame is just rotted but a very good chaser. Thank you for inspiring me to keep going with the rebuild. 👍

[@EngineeredToDesign]

If you can do the work it’s very rewarding, I say anything is fixable.. 👌🏻

[@advrider7777]

Personally I would have used aluminium for the wall frames . Lighter and no rust Well done

[@EngineeredToDesign]

If I did it again I’d go aluminium for sure👌🏻

[@spitzndtruth1484]

Great job mate! Should be proud!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thank you! 🔥

[@mattmunn1722]

Brilliant.....iv followed you right from the start....loved watching every bit of your progress

[@EngineeredToDesign]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the ongoing support 👌🏻👌🏻

[@kevinmilne7063]

Cracking build great job

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@MEMETHELEFT]

Great video. You've got yourself a new sub!! I'm looking forward to the videos showing the fit-out. I've done a few camper van builds (Iveco and Ducato), and each build required around 350 hours of labour alone, but the end result is worth every one of those hours.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Glad you enjoyed it 👌🏻 man that’s cool I may need some pointers haha 😁

[@lucas8228]

New van with some recycled steel!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@craigskinner3878]

Hey mate do u have an overall size of your van? From the towball to the rear of the van etc. height width of the actual van. Cheers mate

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Hey man, Tip of Draw bar to rear of van 7.3m Van body (excluding draw bar) 5350mm Side to side 2.4m Height roughly 2.7m Hope that helps 👌🏻

[@preciseurbanprojectsifszzf9230]

Awesome Job mate! Very jealous of your skills, just a question, what did you cut out the door and trim the ACM panels with?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

I used a ryobi router with 1/4” flush trim wood bit. Worked amazing! 👌🏻

[@preciseurbanprojectsifszzf9230]

I have a million questions 😂😂 but I won’t annoy you, just one more quick one, do you take it off-road, if so can I get the specs on the springs and axel you used please

[@EngineeredToDesign]

@ feel free to email me, I will be doing a video with regular asked questions to.. axle is 2500kg rated along with springs to suit..

[@preciseurbanprojectsifszzf9230]

Thank you I really appreciate it, when I get further along in my project I will definitely be emailing you, thanks again

[@zoezoe610]

Top job you have done. If your bed is east west I have seen some new vans lifting the bed to about 700mm and then using the space as boot space with access doors on the outside.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

That is exactly the plan. Hoping to have the batteries in the toolbox up front and inverter ect under bed.. 👌🏻

[@zoezoe610]

@@EngineeredToDesign cheers

[@TrevorChenier]

Incredible

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@jclarke4559]

Nice work mate...How much were the ranger windows?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Around $600 for all 4

[@melvinrawlings1457]

New subscriber here. I must say u did one hell of a job completely redoing that camper brother. Hell yea brother. Im about to get a camper to live in after a divorce so who knows i might be trying to redo mine after it's all said and done. Idk if i will be doing as much as u did. But the previous owner said that the roof had leaked before so who knows how bad that will be to replace or seal up. But other than that wish me luck because today I go to look at it and if I want to purchase it than I will go ahead and do so. 😮😮 def will be watching more of ur content for ideas and what not. Thanks alot for doing what u do and providing us with content of such. Keep up the hard work and dedication towards the channel and much love to ya from Maryland ❤❤❤

[@EngineeredToDesign]

That’s awesome man thank you! A new chapter hey, yeah once they start moving and getting leaks the water can’t escape so the rott.. what year is the van your looking at? All the best 👌🏻

[@andrewallason4530]

Great job. One thing I would have done is to clad the underside with thin sheet metal. I have had the unfortunate experience of having a branch come up and through the floor of my camper, nearly hitting my fridge, which would have destroyed it, potentially causing a major gas leak (3way fridge).

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Wow that’s unlucky! Yeah that would be a good idea, my only concern is extra weight

[@andrewallason4530]

@ yeah. Worst thing was warm beer for the rest of the trip!😝. Fixing it was kinda awkward.

[@evil17]

Very nice, good job mate, it is a credit to your talents. I think with how far you took it back, you probably should have just done a complete rebuild from scratch, aluminium frame and tandem off-road axel set maybe, you could have built it to your own size and design, but what you have done will definitely stiffen up and reinforce that old chassis. Looking forward to the fit-out, I know you will impress. Cheers

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Most definitely would have been easier, maybe on V2 someday I can learn how to weld aluminium haha 👌🏻

[@harrysmith5446]

A pneumatic rivet gun becomes your best friend when working with aluminium frame caravans. Even on planes they use rivets instead of welding with the aluminium

[@AMJB100000000]

Great stuff

[@orlinchirinos1981]

Good 👍 looking homemade RV camper

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@dartology]

Wow well done. Looks very shmick.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@LachieMcg]

Do you need to take precautions for asbestos with older caravans? Thinking of doing a similar project. Thanks for the vid

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Yes I heard the glue on the flooring contained asbestos but mine had been upgraded luckily

[@thefreeaussielad7292]

Looks amazing.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@stevetriantafillos6401]

Good job well done 👍

[@jean-pierrebotha9898]

What size box section did you use for the walls?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

30x30 2mm

[@majorbodyodour4820]

I can't thank you enough for the info in this vid. INSTANT FOLLOW!!! What state are you based in?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Glad I could help 👌🏻 Vic

[@thefarsifal]

OMG, I said to myself 1100 when you said guess how much it weighs! Ok, granted I was thinking in pounds, but still! 😅 (To be simultaneously so accurate and yet so far off 😂) Awesome build, man, love to see it!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Haha that’s awesome good semi guess 😁👌🏻

[@OzSafe1]

Well done young man. You have done well and it looks great. I just did pretty much the same thing here on the Sunny Coast except it cost us another $100k. Ours is an 18’, what size is yours?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Wow I’d like to see yours! This is 17ft 6

[@OzSafe1]

@ Oh it’s about the same size. Here’s a link showing the solar panel remote control mechanism which is 2000w all up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWOydmB7Zaljg68si=MXeoU6ixQJIPjEuR

[@kutabreeza6280]

Looks good mate however you shouldn’t ever weld across the drawbar, all welds should run the same direction as the vehicle is being towed ( the same way you welded the spring hangers on)

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Good advice thank you, the draw bar was never welded across though?

[@RobertKing-x4c]

I'm pretty shore this caravan in Geelong ,a couple otlf days ago...

[@gibbethoskins8621]

Awesome work

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@jarradmcdonald2895]

Daaaaamn, makes me want to build a caravan myself again 😆

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Do it! 👌🏻

[@jarradmcdonald2895]

I might have to... hahaha. Did you look at doing aluminium instead of steel frame for the walls? I was tossing up when i was last looking at building one. ​@@EngineeredToDesign

[@EngineeredToDesign]

@ yeah it was going to be more expensive and I would have to outsource the frame work as I don’t have an aluminium welder at the moment..

[@jarradmcdonald2895]

​@EngineeredToDesign yeah fair call. I was looking at converting my mig to do it but I was having the same thoughts... hahaha. Well thank you! Can't wait to see how the interior fit out goes!

[@jordanmorrissy665]

with all the new trailer regulations, especially in vic. how much has changed in this process

[@EngineeredToDesign]

A lot… if building a trailer entirely from scratch it all needs to be inspected/ tested. In my own experience older trailers/ vans some never had their vin numbers put against the rego. So an application to Rover for an extended 17 character vin is needed that uses your shorter vin to make it up. Photos, weights and a deceleration had to be submitted.. took 3 days and about $60 to complete.

[@lucyjay7963]

Great work you did

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks heaps!

[@iandamianluciferwilson7385]

Great job. The A frame looks very long. Does that make it hard to tow?

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Makes it much easier to tow and back in..

[@evil17]

Longer the A frame the better for reversing, it gives you much better reversing control to jack it into position, it also gives extra room for other gear you can mount to bar (gas, batteries, toolbox,bike mounts, etc), he has it nicely balanced with a 100+ kg on the tow bar hitch it will tow well, just needs to get the inside fitted out & designed to maintain that balance now.

[@brentmulqueen377]

won't you have to reweigh again once you put all the interior in plus full water tanks and full gas bottles happy caravanind😅

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Potentially I’ll have to re-weigh that’s a question for the roads company tho..

[@pedrobedoy9574]

Well Done 😂🎉 Does it Float 😮😂

[@heartslessons6243]

Looking good 👍

[@EngineeredToDesign]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@Reds_engineering]

Hi there mate, I used to watch you on TikTok building the mini bike and caravan, and seen you try to get everybody over to KZbin and so on you know. Anyway I havnt watched you in like 4 months ( hardly go on TikTok, focusing on KZbin) but YOUR THUMBNAIL really caught my eye and I clicked and the 2nd I herd your voice I knew who I was watching. This thumbnail/video will def make your channel take off bro. Good on ya keep up the good work, also give me Chanel a geez bro 😉 cheers

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Thanks man! Yeah I post every now and then on there but at focusing on Yt👌🏻 I’ll check out your channel 🔥

[@Reds_engineering]

Yeah stuff timtok, yeah I’m only really doing farming history videos atm, but I’m a bit of a self tough engineer/fabricator. Just havnt got around to making any long form video about shed things yet, bit of fucking around with tripods and shit moving them every shot.. anyway keep up the good work mate

[@williambyast7791]

The old van must of had a VIN as without it No Rego! Did you have to Remove a Roller door!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Yes it had a vin but it was never placed against the rego unfortunately causing all the hassle.. Roller door stoppers were removed and the door moved up haha

[@luouns]

That’s a Juan David of a prairie

[@garyherbertson7691]

Think you are supposed to finish the inside to get a true weight before you get a vin number and rego

[@EngineeredToDesign]

My local roads department didn’t care if it was completely stripped or finished they said just supply a tare docket..

[@customs112]

I'd much rather pay the money and start with an alloy framed van, I reckon any old van should be seen as a shell full of rubbish that has potential.

[@Nepatez]

i have a 75 Millard van and was thinking of doing something similar as the wood construction is a bit questionable, a couple points, obviously i want to know is it worth the cost of doing this vs looking for a better van and second is it even achievable for the average bloke with limited knowledge and what mistakes have u made and wished you had done different? sorry to pick your brain but you are doing what ive only planned in the future.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

For sure it’s worth doing. Mine has cost me $5k to this point. If I were to do it again I would have done an aluminium frame (more expensive) or the foam fibreglass panels all the way around (no need for framing). Maybe have gone to dual axle just for weight reasons. If I did comp panel again I’d use 1mm larger H mould than the comp panel as this stuff was a pain to work with..

[@krh007]

@@EngineeredToDesign Excellent work. Iam in Perth and have a licensed 1980 Roma single axle 17'6"Van in good shape which i fully renovated the interior. i would like to strip off the exterior cladding & chop off those 80's look upper half circle curves front & rear & some tweeking & re-clad the roof & walls using new style replacement windows. (I already swapped out the door for a brand new one + new rims & tyres+ new suspension & electric brakes etc) Can you kindly list the exterior composite cladding & edge rail you would recommend & checker plate & windows & source with link to where you sourced from

[@EngineeredToDesign]

@ hi there that sounds great, I will update the description of this video with mostly everything I used.

[@ianweal3081]

If you have a 75 Millard, you have an aluminium framed van, not timber. If you have a "Millard" from 2000 onwards, it wasn't built in the original Millard way, new company, utilising recognised old name, timber construction. Just look at internal wall to ascertain construction. If it's stapled it's timber. If there's rivets, it's aluminium. That's the benefit of aluminium over timber, it doesn't rot, it just lasts and retains the vans integrity. I wouldn't be destroying the existing aluminium frame myself, I'd be retaining it.

[@vkturbo7676]

Nicely built, the internals will cost a fortune

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Hopefully I can keep it on a budget 👌🏻

[@vkturbo7676]

@EngineeredToDesign can be hard, depends on what finish you want

[@TwoNuggs]

I’ve been pondering the idea of getting one of those free ones off marketplace and basically doing just this. Honestly, now that I’ve seen you do it, it doesn’t look as bad as I had imagined in my head. This would be a great project for myself and the family.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Just do it man! It’s so much fun and to get the family involved would be great 👌🏻

[@scouseaussie1638]

Triggs broom , if you know you know 😂

[@dougmorevoss]

Neat "van".😂

[@reefhog]

Short for caravan, simpleton.

[@dougmorevoss]

@reefhog There there, little guy, there there.

[@reefhog]

@@dougmorevoss Did I hurt your feelings, snowflake?

[@dougmorevoss]

@reefhog Takes more than a few words from a keyboard warrior to hurt my feelings, cream puff.

[@markshepherd3195]

Only original part is the floor sub frame couldn't really call it the original van

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Kinda still can.. 🤷‍♂️

[@tonykourounblis1854]

Well done but no way did the materials cost less than 6 k

[@EngineeredToDesign]

They certainly did.. materials are cheaper than you think

[@jameshayward1223]

$6000 so far??

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Yes slightly under

[@rodneywright3370]

After stripping it back to a bare chassis, it would have been easier to start your project from scratch..

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Yes it definitely would have haha 😂

[@damienivens7029]

After it was stripped down I would have made it a tandem over a single axle.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

@ yeah I did try fitting another axle in but with the bed going North-South and a door box step it wouldn’t fit..

[@waynebrown6553]

You really just built a caravan. Good job but the donor Coronet only provided a little bit of chassis. With your skill you didnt need it lol

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Haha it all slowly escalated quickly if that makes any sense 😂 (in to deep by the end)

[@waynebrown6553]

@EngineeredToDesign I know. I was gonna renovate my 73 Viscount for 2-3 and ended up spending $15k 🤣

[@terryhossack3826]

Under 6k what a load of bull but a good job

[@EngineeredToDesign]

I can assure you it was under $6k that’s not including my labour..

[@paulhewat7352]

Eeww 😢

[@aaronwilson-francis8276]

Wow lol

[@kymerrington6044]

Would of been easier to build from scratch. Save demolition n dumping.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Yep probably would have never knew it was going this far at the start tho 😅

[@kymerrington6044]

@EngineeredToDesign one boilermaker to another. Good job 👍🏼

[@charlietabone6162]

I wish my Winnebago was built like that. These Winnebago are built terrible just so cheap and nasty

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Are they?

[@icxcnika9493]

Just the steel would have been $5000....I doubt this was built under 6k

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Steel was $800, composite was $1000, axle kit was $1000, tyres $350, trims/ moulding $350, windows were $600, flooring was $300. Then just glue and screws.

[@MickH60]

Geeze mate, someone's been ripping you off, steel is no where near that expensive... PS, you have the internet, instead of making ridiculous comments, go look at prices, it ain't that hard.... There's always one !!!!

[@christieelizabeth3752]

Great build. I’ve done something similar but materials alone were over 18k. You’ve done well

[@EngineeredToDesign]

@ wow that’s cool, yeah doing it yourself saves a lot of $$

[@majorbodyodour4820]

The thin square tube he used for the body is about $50 per 12 meters. Don't buy that stuff from bunnings. Find a steel merchant, they will charge about $1 per cut so you can fit it on your ute

[@devarmont87]

You would have saved coin by not buying a camper in the first place. And just building a camper chassis brand new What a fkn shtoopid idea 😅 it was buying 99% waste for the purpose of a video and probably 24 hrs of loss time At 11:37 "i just cant believe its the same van". Um !?!?. Wtf No its not. You used the chassis. Thats it. Its not the same its 99% entirely new and different mate.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

You may have missed the start of the video I mentioned the van was free.. cost me absolutely nothing. The chassis is still the “bones” of the van and the van is the same dimensions as before.. just new cladding and slightly different shape 👍🏻

[@NullaNulla]

You've done what I wanted to do, get a pre-approved chassis, upgrade it and add all the new electrics, brakes, break away etc. I wanted the PA'd chassis to stop the bs when getting rego'd. I'd have used that grill plate around the inside of the wheel well to add some deflection for crap coming up off the road. I must ask though, what size box and what type of steel was used to make the box frame? I want to do up something about 19-22 foot so we can live in it and "bugger off into the sunset". Shower isn't a must (too many problems with them and truck stops have showers) but an outside hookup to hose off after being at the beach would be good. Cassette toilet is a must though. Looks bloody good, I'm jealous. You're making me want to get an old 22foot 70's Viscount to play with and go get a welder finally. I'll sub so I can watch the internal fit out as I'll be honest, that's the part that concerns me the most since we're maxed around 2.5ish tone so full interior, full water tanks and all our crap and the dog, having to limit it to 1.4T scares the crap out of me, and maintaining that ball weight as well but I'd probably put the bedding in the front and kitchen + entry at the back so the melamine kitchen cupboards can offset the ball weight of the toilet and bedding etc.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Honestly it’s so much fun to do, get an older van have it registered as is then do this and update them along the way.. I used 30x30 2mm box tube for the frame was a little over kill but screws don’t strip in it.. there’s lighter options for cladding externally, cupboards internally can be done lighter you just need to be concise of weight I suppose.

[@NullaNulla]

@@EngineeredToDesign that's certainly the hope, register the chassis before starting (less bs as NSW is shocking to blue slip a trailer). Thanks on the dimensions there, can look into that as a SOLID frame that doesn't rot and doesn't allow so much movement the seal work craps out after 6 months.

[@brightsparkey1965]

So u sleep in a tent then

[@EngineeredToDesign]

??

[@kingtut5923]

TAKE THE 6000 and buy a good used one.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Could do that to 🤷‍♂️

[@Bigdingaling95]

Or make this video and double your money on KZbin...

[@beetdasistim]

I cant belive its the same van either😂😂 @11:30

[@arcosaojorge4061]

Nice ! But why didn't you go for a big van or a bus...? Worthy...

[@EngineeredToDesign]

I wanted a small van as it’s easier to tow in my opinion and a bus would be absolutely awesome but it won’t fit at my property haha

[@WorthlessGollywogs]

It's shaped like an Ember Travel trailer here in the US.

[@EngineeredToDesign]

That’s cool! I’ll have to search one up 👌🏻