My Truck Bed Camper

I get a lot of questions from people about my truck bed camper. I decided to make a video talking about it, explaining what it took to build it, and showing it from all different views. I love this simple camper. It allows me to go any where that I can drive and helps me afford to do more things because I don't have to figure hotel cost into my planning. I can be warm, comfortable, and dry while still getting good mpg!

[@ravenfeather7087]

Nice build. But what's really cool is how much you enjoy it. I get that. I travel to and from the Rockies quite a bit (have been doing so for years) and built a pop-up top on the cap of my pick-up to get a little more head room and it already had a small cot in it. Usually camp in free primitive campgrounds or state campgrounds. After a long day on the road, I pop the top, cook some dinner, organize the gear and blankets, climb into bed, pull out a book, and them sleep like a baby. A real simple rig. It got me through some windy, cold, and snowy weather in Wyoming a few weeks ago. It felt good to just be able to survive that stuff comfortably in something so simple. I use a Buddy Heater until I go to sleep and when I wake up. Makes it feel like the Hilton. Yeah, I get it.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

That’s awesome. I love mine as much as you live yours!

[@brando6136]

How did you build a pop up top on the cap of your truck? I've thought about doing the same for more headroom and plus I can't afford any of the new overlanding camper shells they make now but I wasn't sure how to go about doing that on a fiberglass shell

[@joshuaimoe]

Maybe you can use a hole saw or jigsaw and install a 12v computer fan or something so it will prevent the lack of oxygen? I love the build!

[@mikeandsuzannegeorgiamount6036]

I really like what you did...simple, inexpensive, functional, and, obviously, super enjoyable. I enjoy seeing what I call " kindred" spirits come up with diy. I tricked out my mini van as camper. Built my bed from dumpster wood off a jobsite. Love you John Muir quote also.

[@jmrichsonsr]

Practical, functional and meets your needs. Good job and well done video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ronhart8857]

It's very cool, nicely built, you can kayak, fish hunt, camp, & save money every time it is used! Thank you for sharing.

[@markive9907]

I hunt by myself,if you can get out of the weather ,streatch out straight,feel safe ,once your eyes are shut ,it’s like the Hilton to me 👍❤️good job !

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Well said!

[@gc1914]

I love the part about a good night sleep and sleeping like a baby and just being warm and secure no mosquito bites awesome build thanks for sharing

[@jenniferortega1159]

Wow that's a cool one bed camper , you have gave me some ideas to build my own . thank you

[@bradleyr34]

A great build..additionally , you know what's important. I love that you were excited about the lizard...and your wife!

[@DannyWalker1949]

VERY NEAT. I like doing thing's on the Cheap.....ain't noth'in wrong with that, either. You did a Great Job and I like your idea on this. I'm like you on building something in my mind like you do. I'm in the process of building a Bug-0ut Trailer right now. Again, I like your Rig👍🏻

[@kurkruk70]

Hey dude, that is awesome! Great Job! The great thing is you can modify it as you see fit, as you have done.

[@450rhino1]

Great job. I did a similar build to haul on a trailer behind my CAN-AM commander. Steel siding with a boat sun roof.Insulated with silver levelwall. heat it with a candle here in Nova Scotia in the fall, for hunting. Thanks for this video.

[@jmccracken491]

Nice build for sure. And I like the way you explain everything. I noticed when your wife came you you smiled great big. I see a man who loves, his wife very much. Stay safe and God Bless I see you are Christians sure need that this day and time.

[@richardlentner8619]

Good job lots of adventure and family fun is what its all about....good job

[@macemig601]

Any man that can load 4 sheets of plywood plus 2x4s by himself is a man in my book

[@thereallogue5366]

Sweet build man! I always wanted to buy a topper for my truck but never thought of building one myself! I think I’m going to have to give it a try! 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@rahrah5576]

heck yea, I think I can build one for my bronco. thanks for the video.

[@just82much72]

That is a BADASS little camper! Very cool. Being able to go anywhere and knowing that you have a comfy bed ready is a very cool thing. I'm impressed. Thanks for sharing. -Mark

[@subdawg1331]

ok that is exactly what I am designing awesome.. thank you... I have the materials, as well as a solar system , my pickup has an 8 foot box... and the design is for 6 and a half, so good to go..

[@johnnewsom4316]

Nice work man. Thanks for sharing.

[@jasonalheit5110]

I'm building the same thing to go in the back of my truck for when I go to the races for the weekends. Gonna be 40" wide x 4' tall x 8' long. Going to make it strong enough so I can put a roof rack on part of it for my solar panels and room for me to stand/sit on. Going to over kill it on the build so when I find a decent trailer I can mount it on that so I can take other things with me.

[@drmachinewerke1]

Jason Alheit Just use the 1700# harbor freight trailer.

[@choppersrule1]

Great video mate i think i mite have a go at building one for my tritan ute here in Australia so my son and i can go fishing and not have to worry about where we are going to sleep. Have a great day Mark

[@NuclearRoll]

choppersrule1 of course you have a ute lol "pop some stubbies in the caravan on me ute, fuckin legend!" :P

[@NWAAdventures]

This is a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@jaketanner20001]

Fine little home on the road!! Easy on and off too. Great job and sure does the job. Thanks for sharing with us. Now I am thinking of doing this on for my little 8 x 4 trailor. This would work for me on my hunting and fishing trips.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks for watching. It definitely is a really neat little home away from home. I decided to make it go in the bed of the truck, but you could easily put it on a trailer

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

You look so happy 🤣🤣 and you did a great job can't wait to see it in action !!

[@josephdupont]

I'm only about five foot six so I'm trying to bulge out my camper shell just enough so I can see sleep across and I want to make access to the back of my pickup truck truck cab through the window into my shell that I'm going to be building. I like your concept thank you for sharing that with us. Some people are making what's what's called hillbilly plywood where they you take a fiberglass screen and they used a gripper paint to put it on fill foam and make a very strong lightweight board material and that's something I might explore

[@swampstalkeroutdoors]

Man that’s a pretty cool rig brother, great job building it and nice job on the video! Looking forward to checking out some of your adventures in it!

[@anawarecitizennobodyimport6200]

Solid build. Good job

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Very imaginative. Turned out very nice. Suggestion: Your design allows for a lot of external extra storage. Cages and lock boxes to carry gear without filling up your cab, in places where bigger campersstick out. Another (unintended?) advantage you mentioned I liked is with the smaller cubic feet, it'll hold the temperature much easier than trying to heat/cool a big plastic camper. Well done.

[@dustinsalisbury4383]

Damn. That’s pretty awesome. I might do something like this whenever I get myself another Tacoma. Good work bud

[@Jack-pc6hf]

True budget build. Awesome camper. Thanks for sharing.

[@jeff9104]

Nice build, utility, security and shelter........that's all you need !

[@Hunting4Hookers]

Really cool build! Gives me some ideas!

[@andyfeds9237]

Awesome build. I love it!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Andy Feds thanks!

[@jeff9104]

Nice build, utility, security and shelter......that's all you need !

[@veldaprewett5263]

you are right absolutely awesome .

[@RetiredTony]

Good job man! i really regret selling my SOnoma truck now...ugh. God bless

[@ToastedTendies]

Cool truck bed sleeper , I'm from SC , very cool to see your door is the logo for SC. Plus the braves stuff 👍

[@dmann1209]

Awesome build. Functional and sturdy. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonasteuma3219]

Brilliant idea, thanks alot for posting this bro

[@jamiereid40]

Great idea, keep on enjoying

[@jacobbaker320]

Thanks for cool vid, gives me inspiration to get back going on my camping project. JB

[@joe52428]

Good job on the camper-Thanks and pretty wife!

[@derockshun]

What a great idea👍

[@lindahouston9331]

So you have your hunting cabin with you! I think it's great! I wish I was handy! Good for you!

[@donhull1266]

This is awesome. Ive had an idea to do something like this to slide into a utility trailer because i own SUV. I now have a direction on where to start. Double thumbs up.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

That’s great. I love mine. I can travel so cheap. Sleep anywhere and know I’ll be comfortable, warm, and dry.

[@RonasRoadshow]

thanks. looks great.

[@buckfoster7346]

Thank you for showing us your camper. I wood love to have one like it.have you thought about a tarp off the side for a canopy? Cook and relax under it til sleepy...

[@michaelalvarado597]

Well built but economical. I'm going to build one of the same style but less claustrophobic. Probably taller. Nice job though. Happy camping!!!

[@luvdady]

Dude this is totally awesome. Lol I'm all about the mistant paint ,I even made $ with rebates

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Awesome job 👍🏻 budget build = more funds for adventures 🤑

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Exactly!

[@icecowboy9]

Cool idea. Might have to make my own.

[@artwebb6939]

I was just contemplating doing this very sort of thing, thought " let me go on KZbin and see if anyone else has had this idea" and boom, here you are Showing how you framed it outt was helpful, and I'm glad you mentioned the idea of Manning it on pressure treated lumber, as I hadn't thought about the effects of sitting in the truck bed when it was raining Also thanks for showing it in the bed of the truck, for perspective Someone else already said it, but I would put a roof vent in for hot muggy nights

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Im actually going to do another video in the next couple days showing loading and unloading ect... I don't use it when its hot so theres no need for the vent. Thanks for watching.

[@billdunn2051]

That is fabulous you have inspired me to build one thank you 👍🏁

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Bill Dunn awesome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed mine

[@era007ed]

Like 101 Super simple, that's the way camping should be. Nice work mate.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I agree! Simple and easy!!!

[@douglascary9280]

Great build! I have the same idea! Watched it twice!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

It works perfectly for me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Very ingenious. Nice canper

[@TheJpec361]

Outstanding. Everything you need, nothing you don't for an inexpensive camping shelter. Best part is it fits wherever it sits.

[@RetiredTony]

Nice! Looks good to me man!

[@bassin9114]

Man this gave me all kinds of great ideas. I have a 3/4 ton pickup and think I will build something like this to sleep in at my bass tournaments I go to. Awesome work my friend.✌🏼

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Bassin' 911 awesome!

[@edp2260]

I like it! I was surprised to find out that someone else built a 'box' truck bed camper. Mine is almost the same as yours. My truck has an 8 foot bed. The camper fits between the wheel wells, and is 4 feet wide. The roof is flat for simplicity, and even with the cab. My reason for making a box was that a box is simplest thing to make. It is small for a camper, of course, but is a BIG step up from a tent.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

ed p it worked well but the truck bed camper is now an off road pull behind mini camper

[@jens488]

Very cool!!!

[@TrailBreaker]

Brother, I love this build! I would sleep like a baby in that thing 😁 but I’m also happy with a hammock and spam😆. BTW, loved the trailer mod for this too👊🏻

[@garymotta4899]

Very nice!

[@raycohenz3138]

Used to catch those same lizards in Florida as a kid before I moved to Maine, they're fast!

[@sylviajones4907]

Smart on the "oops" paint. Great build. Boss workmanship.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@michaelohara2161]

Simple, effective, I like it!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Pretty neat. I just watched your newer videos about in on the trailer too. One suggestion......more windows! If it were me, I would ad a plexiglass window (that doesn't open) in the door, the front, and the roof. I like to be able to see out in all directions when you hear something outside at night, or before you get up in the morning. The one in the roof would let you see the stars at night, as well as what the weather looks like in the morning. I built a similar camper in my truck a few years ago, and opened the door one morning to find myself surrounded by elk! It was elk season and if I had known they were outside, I might have had a shot at one. As it was, lack of windows, I blew it! Opened the door and they all ran off. Other than that, it looks great. Simple and practical....I like that.

[@thejewishredneckprepper4675]

Awesome Camper. Shalom !

[@teaneys1]

I love it. It's perfect.

[@krusty1027]

I'm really into the micro campers builds and Van builds and this really caught my eye because even though you built it to fit in the back of your truck, this is something that could also be used to load on a utility trailer which would be perfect in my situation where I have a small car and a trailer and I wouldn't have to go out to buy something special just to haul a camper around. Looking forward to more videos on this and you just gained yourself a new subscriber. Going to look back through some of your other videos and if you haven't already, maybe a step-by-step on the plans you used for this build.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

krusty1027 this is my only video on this biuld. I did not film anything while I was making it. I just took pictures. I am debating on whether I want to build a different one a little larger that would be on a trailer.

[@maxharnish260]

Thanks... som great ideas!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Glad you like them!

[@irgod32]

Great build! Just a tip. I used an FRP glue prior to painting the wood. The paint doesn't chip at all with time. Makes for a durable sealant.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

thanks!

[@carolkeener995]

Love it!

[@joebailey7361]

Very cool!

[@seller559]

Brilliant!

[@bryandonahue4347]

I love it!

[@anagramconfirmed1717]

I really like the idea of using siding for the uhhh siding. It's bound to be lighter. Sweet build, either way.

[@daviddaigrepont9485]

Love starting with a Bible verse! Thank you

[@TXMEDRGR]

Very nice job. It'll pay for itself very quickly.

[@user-sq3es5js6d]

EXACTLY what im looking for elk season

[@ericwilson2186]

Thinking about taken camper off the Toyota truck chassis n doing something like this.i have a folding fishing shack but this would b better in the rain

[@jeffreyharville1918]

I know this is late but have you thought of putting folding wheels under the camper/box? Sort of like a hospital gurney, where they both fold up under and in the 2x4s, and then when you pull it out, first one then the other will drop down and lock. I think it would get you a bit further off the ground, and make it easier to load into and out of your truck.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I hadn’t thought about that. That’d add some extra weight and money with material. I’m pretty happy it the way it is. The goal was to stay cheap and fairly light. That’s a neat idea.

[@rubenfelan7712]

Sweet... I like it!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Glad you like it!

[@choppersrule1]

G'day mate i have finally got enough material to start building my truck camper video up soon. Mark

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Fantastic! I can't wait to see it!

[@choppersrule1]

video up now my friend

[@dennisedwards8954]

Just "retired" my '03 Silverado 8' and bought a '17 Silverado 6.5' and have been shopping for an aluminum cap. $1,500+-!! I like your project with maybe some modifications others mentioned in comments. I figure that for much less money than the cap I can build "your's" and as already said, have funds for adventures! T.U.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

It works great for my needs. I’m actually getting ready to convert it to an off-road camper trailer. Thanks for watching

[@offgridDAVID]

Really cool , I'm going to copy your design and hit the bush.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Awesome

[@zipg246]

Awesome camper! Great job. Repaint it to match the truck color oneday.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! I really like the color.

[@zipg246]

@@SClivingOutdoors of course man your welcome! And your right I've just been watching a lot of stealth camping/walmart boondocking videos lately but for what you do it doesn't and obviously wasn't built to be incognito... Great job though again and what an awesome price!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

@@zipg246 Thanks man. I actually might be converting the camper to a lightweight off road pull behind camper in the near future. I'll put a video up if i do.

[@alexsummersell3567]

"Who's he out there talking to?" - looks out window. "Oh himself."

[@dougmac8904]

Nice job. I like it. Plus no tags or taxes or extra insurance to pay to own it like a camper with an axel

[@SClivingOutdoors]

It works for me. That’s for sure.

[@danielward4043]

Thanks for the paint tip I was wondering what to use.Thinking of doing A 5x5x11 frame for my Tacoma.Whats the Best Solar Panel to use for A battery?

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I’m guessing that would work but I don’t know how long the bed is in your Tacoma. 11 feet sounds kind of long for a truck bed camper. I don’t know about solar panels. Mine has two lights that run off AAA batteries. That’s the only power in my camper. I have portable battery packs for charging my phone.

[@aramirez3538]

I love it i think ill do one like it

[@drsawmiller2]

Nice I like it

[@terriebunnell7269]

very good

[@IntegraDIY]

You should put a vent with a built in fan at the highest point of the camper roof, for hot muggy nights..

[@JayHegwood]

Hmm here also.

[@josephdupont]

You might want to put a some coaxial pipes to make a heat exchanger so that air comes in and out but it's it's mixes Souls the heat that might be going out add sheets to the air coming in so you don't have those you probably can cut your heat loss through air passage in half. The other thing you might want to do is look into heat storage if you can put wax in cans like I don't know hydraulic brake fluid cans and stuff poured in there and then you put it next to hot spots in your engine department and it'll melt it once it melts you can bring it into your little thing their insta liberate liberate heat all night so that's it wax is definitely a good medium you might even put a little water in there to help it makes around

[@SClivingOutdoors]

Um, I'm not exactly sure what you are talking about, but I'm really happy with the build. It does exactly what I want it to do.

[@16B9]

You should have gotten a used fiberglass shell for your truck. They can be found all over the place cheap. You would get the whole use of your bed. They come with a light and windows. You can trick them out with a good mattress and built in storage. Put some sheet insulation, carpet on the floor and you would have a much better setup. Be sure to leave that window open. It doesn't look like your design has good (cross) ventilation. NEVER cook in that thing. I had a case where four people and their dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning. You won't smell it or see it. You'll just nob off to sleep and die. You will however have a nice pink complexion because it traps the oxygen in the tissue. Good luck!

[@SClivingOutdoors]

16B9 I thought about the camper shell idea, but my truck has a short 5’ bed and I’m not a short guy, lol. I also wanted to be able to easily remove the camper and set it on the ground to sleep in if I needed the truck bed for something else. I’ve had the camper a few years now and I love it. It fits my needs perfectly. Thanks for watching!

[@RedfishInc]

I found those same pull string lights at Dollar Tree.

[@djtechinics97dj37]

It looks awesome. I would build one of these but here in south Florida I would need to mount a window unit air conditioner to it. Cause it would be impossibly hot 🥵 in there to sleep at night.

[@SClivingOutdoors]

I understand. I live in sc. I only use it in the fall winter and spring.

[@djtechinics97dj37]

SCliving Outdoors beautiful, we only have one season it’s called 🥵 LoL. May God continue to Bless you and your family with health and happiness to enjoy using your camper. People seem to think you need a big fancy RV to enjoy yourself but you don’t. All you need is God, Health, and Love. My best memories include going out on old raggedy boat and sleeping out at sea with the sound of the waves and smell of fish. The kids excited to stay up all night fishing. Great times

[@P1DiscoGina]

Friend! You have given me hope! Your camper is tons of inspiration! I'm transitioning to truck living (not by choice, but I'm trying to make the best of it), searching ideas and help. I have a 94 dodge Dakota, two rescue pups and a whole mess of arts & crafts stuff I absolutely cannot part with. Don't be mad if I bug you with questions. I'm just starting to look for ways to create a very simple structure over the bed for storage. I think I will have to sleep in the cab. I'm in Southern California, so I have climate on my side. What material would you think would be best for the walls & roof?

[@SClivingOutdoors]

The best option would be to purchase a camper shell if you can afford it. You could probably get one off craigslist for $200-$500 that is made for your truck. That would be water tight and allow you to utilize your entire truck bed. If that isn't an option I would just try to build a simple enclose made of pressure treated wood. Make sure to use the same kind of waterproofing tactics I used or something like them to keep your cargo safe and dry.

[@P1DiscoGina]

SCliving Outdoors Thank you for the tips. Cab isn't in the budget. Don't laugh...I kind of have to savage from what I have to construct something. So I think my dog's X-pen is going to be the side walls. I am hoping to basically wrap it around 4 poles I'll stick in the existing bed rail holes. Super ghetto fabulous. But then I have two big sheets of peg board in my garage, so I'll shore up the X-pen walls with the peg board. As for a roof, that's where I'm kind of stuck at the moment. Tomorrow is the day I'll test out my ideas. I'll let you know! Thanks again!