Off Road Tiny Camper Update. Almost complete!

In this video I give you a quick overview of my tiny off road camper trailer I have been building. It is mostly complete and just lacks a few final touches like lap sealant on the roof, the roof rack, and some wiring for the tail lights. I am surprised at how quickly the build went. I didn't expect to be this far along in just a few weeks, but I am happy how it turned out. Thanks again for watching.
In the Camper Build Series:
Tite Bond 2 Glue: amzn.to/34o5aNf
Drop Cloth: amzn.to/34nQUns
Bondo knife: amzn.to/39Yd3dt
Lock N Roll Receiver : amzn.to/34dG3fX
Lock N Roll Coupler : amzn.to/39OArKd
Skylight: amzn.to/2UKSfBC
Rear Hatch Door: amzn.to/3c1xgAx
20x24 Camper Window: amzn.to/2xSvt1T
Trailer Camper Lights: amzn.to/2Xl6UVW
Vintage Technologies Camper Door : amzn.to/2UWm9mI
Van Roof Rack : amzn.to/2Ve7O3L
Timbren Axles: amzn.to/3ed0z4G
Scissor jacks: amzn.to/39Z7NGr
The cameras I use:
Canon t5i - amzn.to/2iP5GKF
GoPro Hero 5 Session - amzn.to/2jE5y4B
The Lenses I use:a Canon 10-18 - amzn.to/2jtb1JH
Sigma 17-70 - amzn.to/2iPaCis

[@rondo365]

Love the simplicity of the electrical system. Nice.

[@d.collier_8280]

Do you have any build plans? I like the simplicity of your build

[@frankmckinley1254]

Great build, thanks for sharing.

[@daveybernard1056]

fun and interesting. like your build/design

[@shannmartin9361]

Good job on your build.

[@PRDMRE]

Nice little camper.

[@jodiz7803]

Wow! Turned out great!! 🤙

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thank you!

[@susanbailey36]

Nice job!

[@bridgeslawnlandscapeandnur9766]

Noticed you’ve been to Hotel California at LBL in the intro to your video.

[@pierre-marccontant3065]

Very mice workmanship

[@joemeroles5936]

Looks great

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thanks!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Nano Weekender, very nice👍 Cheers

[@weyrunner2838]

This is my FAVORITE! I just HAVE TO barrow your style for my up coming DIY camper project. I you don't mind and thanks for sharing.......

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Borrow it. I borrowed it from a design called the sawtooth. I changed it a little

[@CeoOfSlow]

This is pretty much exactly want I want to build.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

It’s worked well for me. Thanks

[@lukeFugate]

That looks great! It looks like a professional build. Should be some fun times had in that, it came together really quick. That poor man's fiberglass really works well. I'm going to try to convince my son to try that on the food trailer we are building.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thanks Luke. My first experience with poor mans fiberglass was great. We will see how it holds up, but I have high hopes.

[@clermontcubby9207]

Great job. We made a 5x8' teardrop over 15 yo. Traveled from East Coast to West Coast several times. I added a SUV tent to the rear hatch for additional space. Tent was made by Napier.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thats awesome! I hope to travel more once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted and things open back up. This mess has made me realize what is important to me. Making some changes within my business to be able to have more time with family and more time for adventure.

[@jameswillingham1686]

The bubble skylight was a great idea! I'm guessing it added a little head room?

[@jaytheist]

Thanks for the parts cost breakdown! I'm dismayed by the high cost of these trailers and will likely build my own, too.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I have another video I made after this one that breaks down the cost. I have just under $4,000 in this camper but the axels I chose we’re almost 1/4 of the build cost. I couldn’t bring myself to buy an overpriced trailer so I built my own. Thanks for watching.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I’m also contemplating building these to sell, but I wouldn’t be charging a ridiculous amount for them.

[@vintagespeedandperformance6615]

Love the simplicity of this build…so many get a little carried away on these tiny campers. About to start a build that is similar to the grasshopper campers from back in the 70s. Similar lines to your camper. With lumber still at ridiculous prices i will be using PMF to keep cost down. After two years, I am curious how well the Rustoleum has held up over the PMF. I know most use latex paint over PMF, was wondering if the oil based paint had any long term effect on the glue. Thanks for sharing the build and hope to see more videos of the camper in action.

[@miguelcampos3217]

Could you share the exact angle cuts for your walls and dimensions. Thanks

[@georgiacorey954]

That is way too cute. I love the way the wheels look oversized on the small trailer. I know they match your truck which should be great to avoid tail drag outs on a hill. That thing is so tiny you could easily heat it with a 250watt electric heater. Maybe your jackery could handle that too. I have a 500Watt inverter battery bank by Chafon, that could do it.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thanks for watching. I am happy how it turned out. The idea on the wheels was that I would only have to carry one spare for both the truck and trailer. I bought a full set off a guy to build this, so I actually have 2 more spares :). Heating shouldn't be a problem in this small space at all.

[@georgiacorey954]

@@RubberTrampRenegade i love it.

[@steveburns6628]

Thanks for sharing. Your camper looks great on! How has your PMF held up? Have you had any issues? Thanks for your time.

[@votehuss4833]

Skylight bubble is awesome. Do they have a smaller one 4 maybe 15 by 15 size?

[@tufftrails]

Question; Plywood, glue and screws...how has it held up over the past couple of years of use? I am told that wooden teardrops are not that durable and that composites are the way to go. I prefer the traditional DIY wood and screws method of construction myself. How has it held up and what would you do different on your next build? Thanks for posting and sharing your build.

[@larryj8924]

Nice little trailer and sure was a quick build time. Been watching your videos for years & noted you have many skills. Just wondering if you will be able to sleep in it, looks rather short. Naturally it will carry camping gear inside & on roof/hitch, but solid shelter is nice.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thanks for watching. I actually have plenty of room to sleep inside. I can fit lengthwise with about 2 inches to spare. If I sleep diagonally I have about a foot more than I need.

[@mi_wayoutdoors6551]

Nice job🙌🙌 did you just screw the plywood together with our building a frame ? I’m looking to do one due to my special needs child and trying to figure out the best and lightest way structure wise , thanks and great vid !

[@topcheese2889]

👍🏻

[@michaelstephens816]

You did a great job, man! Why not sell a set of drawings for this tear drop camper with a link on your videos?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I intend to build these for resale. Selling the set of drawings might not be to my advantage, but I think that would be a good idea otherwise.

[@fishaman7834]

When do u plan on manufacturing these for the market?

[@justinbutcher4629]

Awsome camper build , where did you buy your door and windows for your build . Thanks

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I bought them off Amazon. There should be a link to everything I used in the description of this video. Thanks!

[@davescheer5038]

So I’m gonna make a poling skiff out of foam sheets and the poor mans fiberglass but I don’t know how durable it’s going to be over a long period of time , I thought maybe I could buy some of plastic edging they use at the Bottom a wall cut to put on the scuff area like the keel and chines to keep it from wearing thru , your tag a long camper is sweet 👍🏼, that might have to be a future project for me for them fish’n trips ! Did you figure out your cost to build it yet ? 🤔

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Good luck with your project sounds fun. I did add it all up and it was just under $4,000. However, I did buy a full set of Tacoma wheels and tires and only used 2 and I had the trailer fabricated by a friend. I could have gone a little lighter on the suspension and axels you save some money as well, but I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. I think realistically one can be built for $3,000 or just under depending on how it was built

[@johnobrien8542]

Love it! Came out really good. Not sure if I missed you mentioning this but how much did the build cost? Looking forward to seeing you use it on some camping adventures.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I think I am in around 3500 with the trailer frame itself being the most of it. I am working on a spreadsheet and plan on making a video going over the cost. To buy one of these trailers is around 10-12 thousand from what I have seen.

[@Peace-River-Prospector]

Did you paint rustolium right over pmf?

[@beauxtibideaux9919]

How as the PMF held up?

[@shawnbailey.parkie7585]

Looks great. Are you going to add solar panels? Do you have a link for the trailer frame manufacturer?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I may use portable solar if anything, but nothing permanently mounted. The frame was custom built to my drawings by a friend of mine.

[@jalexb915]

Great job. Is the box only bolted to the trailer frame with bolts to the side plywood? If so how do you feel about it (strength)?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Yes. That’s all that holds the body on. I forgot what size bolt I used but I want to say 7/16 or 1/2 inch. I uses flat washers on the heads to provide for more surface contact and make it less likely for the bolt to pull through. The strength of 1 bolt is more than adequate and I believe I used 8. It’s no going anywhere.

[@gorila1958]

What a fantastic build what was your Cost on your build ? Also I had the same idea since I'd be horrible at wiring using a Jackery charger and solar powered. Very simple design Yours is just WOW .

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Thanks for the compliments. I have a video on cost to build and my power unit I built instead of a jackery. The camper cost me about $4,000 to build. The trailer frame, axels, and wheels were about half of that.

[@farmerjim-fat-man-do]

I enjoyed watching this build series almost two years ago now and have referred several people to your channel for the PMF install and so they could see it doesn’t have to take a year to build a simple camper. PMF is a tried and true solution for waterproofing but I’m curious how the Rustoleum oil based paint is holding up over the PMF. I have used that same rustoleum paint for many projects with great success. Most will use a water based latex paint with PMF. Was wondering if the solvent in the oil based paint caused any issues with the water based glue used in the PMF. Any issues with paint flaking or canvas delamination? Typically a water based product can be applied over oil based but not oil based over water based. Did you apply it directly from the can or thin it with mineral spirits? Do you store the teardrop in the garage, outside under a tarp or outside fully exposed to the elements? I was going to make a test panel with PMF and rust oleum after seeing your video two years ago and leave it outside to see how it held up…but life happens. Looking forward to seeing some videos of the camper in use.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

It’s been garage kept more than it’s been used. We built a house, moved, and welcomed a baby… anyway. The paint over the pmf is holding up fine. Still glossy and no issues with oil base over water base glue. I’ve pressure washed it after going down muddy trails and it’s still as good as new. I think the key is to let the pmf dry for a day or 2 and make sure it’s all evaporated and dry. Then pick a hood warm day so the paint drys faster also. As far as timing of building a camper I think built this in 3 weeks or so with the exception of the trailer. I have a construction background but this camper is pretty simple and can be built with minimal tools or skills.

[@maxboonkittypoison]

But is the wood glue make it waterproof or is it the paint that make it waterproof?? I can't buy the same woodgleu here in the Netherlands. And the rustoleum paint is extreme expansive here in the Netherlands. A cheap kind of waterproof woodglue half the size bottle then yours is almost 20,00 Euro :o And my caravan is going to be at least 3 times as big as yours. So i'm scared.

[@miguelcampos3217]

The rust oleum did you put any primer prior to painting . I am about to paint my with rust oleum and I want to make sure I am not skipping any step . How good the rust oleum is holding up ?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I’m not sure if you are referring to the paint on the body or the frame so I will answer both. The frame was rattle can rust oleum and was painted over bare metal after cleaning the oil off. It has held up fine with no primer. For the body it looks like it did when it was new. I didn’t use any primer over the poor mans fiberglass. I do keep the camper in the garage when I am not camping though.

[@fishaman7834]

Did u use 2x4 or 2x2 for the walls and are they insulated?

[@djscamp1]

Most people use an exterior grade plywood ACX or Baltic birch plywood, not to be confused with regular birch

[@davidzellers3537]

Wow I really like your camper! Ive been looking at building one of these myself. I want one to use for places in Arkansas. A lot of the areas I go don’t have campgrounds and one of these would be perfect if I put a roof rack for kayaks and a pvc rod tube for fishing gear! If you don’t mind me asking how much do you have invested in it like it sits in this video! Trying to get a idea. Do you think it would be possible to add a bike rack to the front of it. I have a electric bike I built that I use to get from take outs back to my truck so I can kayak by myself.

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Hey there! I have family in Arkansas and wish to camp there soon. I have a cost to build video that you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXnJgn6OZbaiirM

[@davidzellers3537]

RubberTrampRenegade , great video thanks. Bought a trailer yesterday! Going to get started soon!

[@shotsrodsoutdoors5116]

What are the dimensions of your trailer

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

I am not getting notifications for comments so I apologize for the delay. Interior dimensions are about 70 inches long on the floor, 46.5 inches wide. 40 inches tall. The entire trailer length from the tail to the tongue is around 114 inches long.

[@RedfishInc]

What are your interior dimensions?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

46.5 wide by 70 long inside floor dimensions

[@liveoak7838]

still trying to understand poor mans fiberglass. seems like the savings don't add up with all the glue, canvas and paint when you could have used real fiberglass and resin with all of it's strength /waterproofing benefits and just mixed in some color in the resin. have you done a cost analysis? how much more would it really cost to use the superior product?

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

It’s just a matter of preference and ease of use. Actual resin hardens faster and doesn’t allow you as much working time before curing. Fiberglass resin is also very noxious and irritating to your eyes and skin. It’s called poor mans fiberglass because of its origin. It was a technique used back in the day by people who couldn’t afford fiberglass boats. They would make plywood boats and waterproof them this way. If you’re worried about the cost and want to do a cost analysis then go for it. I never claimed it was cheaper nor did I give the process it’s name.