“Redneck Camper: Summer Nights in My 1990 Nissan Hardbody with Battery-Powered Fan!”

Welcome to my channel! In this video, I showcase my 1990 Nissan Hardbody pickup truck, affectionately known as the “Redneck Camper.” I’ll walk you through how I transformed the back of my truck into a budget-friendly camper using a simple camper shell.
With the summer heat in full swing, staying cool is essential. I’ll demonstrate how I use a battery-powered fan from Walmart, powered by my Bluetti AC180T power unit and a power adapter from Amazon, to keep comfortable during those hot summer nights.
This setup is perfect for preppers and bushcraft campers looking for a low-cost, effective way to stay cool while camping. Join me as I share tips and tricks on how you can create your own “Redneck Camper” and enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more camping and outdoor survival tips!
1990 Nissan Hardbody
Redneck Camper
DIY camper shell
Budget camping setup
Battery-powered fan
Bluetti AC180T power unit
Summer camping tips
Bushcraft camping
Prepper camping gear
Outdoor survival tips
Low-cost camper conversion
Walmart camping gear
Amazon power adapter
Staying cool while camping
Truck bed camper
Vintage camping gear
Self-reliance camping
Practical camping solutions
Camping in hot weather
Camping fan setup

[@blackoracle69]

try and stay cool friends

[@arnoldashcraft5603]

Hi Blackie, You might do a little better if you get a 12 volt fan with

[@blackoracle69]

i will look at that thanks

[@rocklickranch2804]

Looking forward to seeing how you rig your mosquito net.

[@fuelman524]

Love it! Most people in the US cannot imagine how hot and miserable the summer weather is in the Deep South. Mowing grass is a 2 day per week job for the next couple of weeks, otherwise the snakes will overrun your yard. Lord help if the electricity gets knocked out for any extended period. We lost power for nearly 3 months after hurricane Hugo.

[@blackoracle69]

very true

[@scottcarlson3876]

I cut a vent hole in my topper and installed a vent fan from a camper with a vent to exhaust the hot air outside. It helps a lot

[@blackoracle69]

good idea

[@PurdueAlum1978]

I thought about two small vents on front sides of topper & then a net at the rear window, with a small fan. Not enthused about cutting into the topper tho...

[@MaineGuide34]

Great video Sir . I have the same fan an a jackery power system. I cant wait to try it,with my truck camper. Love the videos.

[@outbackowl3040]

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for your time to make these videos. It reminds me back in 80s when I had my panel van and I had a mattress in the back, I made cupboards over the wheel arches , down both sides, for storage. The good old panel van days 😊😊😊😊😊.

[@blackoracle69]

Thanks for watching!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

Oh man I hear you! I live in central New Mexico, out in the desert SE of Albuquerque. Moving air is essential! I fight a neurological condition that makes me very heat sensitive. I have a fan blowing across my head all night long.

[@blackoracle69]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@bd3199]

Wear the NYCO ripstop BDU, it's better in warmer weather and is great in most temperatures. The heavier twill weave one is for colder weather. From my experience it's like a lighter M65 when using layers with it.

[@jeffrichards5106]

Hi Blackie, good to see you got the Redneck Camper back on the road. I have that exact same fan. I was wondering where I could get a power adapter for it. Now I know! thank you! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@blackoracle69]

Very cool

[@peterslabinger6221]

Hi Blackie, I own that fan from Walmart and used it to go on a week of summer camp with the Boy Scout. I ran that fan for 6 nights and only had to change the battery twice. I believe I got 3 nights on one set of batteries. I really like that fan over the Colman model, It is bigger and pulls more air.

[@blackoracle69]

they are a good value for the money each time i used mine it served me well

[@randygalichia]

I got a fan like that for the storm shelter but it is 12 volt DC operated,very low Amp draw. Also for camping I got a lithium battery fan ,large that occolates,however, if you set it to occolate ,kiss the battery goodbye after a few hours so I don't use it that way.Also in the storm shelter I have one that runs with water to cool ,trust me when 5 inches of concrete heats up it stays hot for a very long time,all have their good qualities and downfalls have really seriously thought about building a water chiller with copper coil for the permanent camp site I have as like you said ,window units just draw too much power.Putting heat in there is easy I got a wood stove, but cooling it is on a whole nother level.If I ever figure something out I'll let you know.

[@blackoracle69]

sounds like you got your system worked out

[@bobbyd4400]

I got a 50 dallar camper shell on my silverado i can almost stand up in it i built a bed platform on the wheel wells so i have storage underneath its a hell of a camper 😊

[@blackoracle69]

sounds good

[@MichaelR58]

Good tip Blackie, thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@blackoracle69]

Any time

[@independentthinker8930]

I changed my oil pressure guage to a manual guage, never had a problem since, about a million miles ago, no kidding, a million miles

[@blackoracle69]

i hear ya i will go that way if it gives me any more problems

[@alf3553]

I have a Dewalt DCE512 fan. If I run it on low & use an 8 amp battery I can get 3 nights no problem. The fan on low moves a pretty decent amount of air. Lots of options for a good fan nowadays.

[@blackoracle69]

good to know thanks

[@dontfearthereaper9528]

I've covered my face and core with one of my sniper veils while having one of those blowing on me and it's downright comfortable, even a little chilly at times even though it's hot outside. I just wet it down with water and squeeze it out again when I get uncomfortable.

[@blackoracle69]

very true a wet sniper veil and this breeze will make you think its ac blowing on ya

[@randybeeson3424]

I almost threw that same fan away because of all the D battery's and found a cable to fit it and it works pretty good. It won't fit in my hammock, but with the screen room for my tarp like yours I can leave the hammock bugnet open and sit the fan on a stand to be cool.

[@blackoracle69]

that works to

[@U.S.Male1]

I bought 3 of these same fans several months ago and was disappointed that DC adapters were not included. The fans worked great on a recent camping trip, but like you say, those D cell batteries just don't last near long enough. Have a great day, Blackie.

[@blackoracle69]

Thanks for sharing

[@allenlink8032]

I drive a 91 hardbody daily. Always nice to hear others loving that type of truck.

[@blackoracle69]

mine had been with me on soo many adventures

[@PurdueAlum1978]

I know you're not on Facebook much, sir, but I discovered a group of D21 enthusiasts who can rebuild these trucks from the ground up, & they know where to find parts. "Nissan D21 Hardbody" group. There are others, but I like this one.

[@allenlink8032]

@@PurdueAlum1978 Appreciated!

[@elrondsoukup29]

I never knew that I needed this in my life. 😊 now I'm gonna be busy. Thanks Blackie 😅

[@blackoracle69]

safe journeys

[@davidabbott7673]

I added a shelf across the front inside of my camper shell with a 1x12 board for getting things off the floor for more room. Great for my fan and solar battery!

[@blackoracle69]

very nice

[@rondaashby2558]

I’ve had mine for seven years. Mine came with the AC adapter the batteries don’t work in it anymore. The switch is hard to use, but I still run mine on the AC adapter.😊

[@blackoracle69]

nice

[@twohandsworking896]

I have been running a fan which uses my tool batteries for years,last a long time and rechargeable ,that's cheaper though,unless you count your power supply

[@blackoracle69]

good to know thanks

[@Rob_outdoorz]

Great video! I know that fan makes a huge difference in this heat. I need to get me one of those power supplies. Looking forward to the next video

[@blackoracle69]

thanks for watching

[@bmanclarkdude]

Hey Bud, I've ran cheap fans for so long that the pitch of the blades flattened out. 2wice my wife was complaining that the fan was not moving air. 2 diff fanz. True story lol. I had to get a pedestal fan that had metal blades to prevent them from flattening out over time. Consider the long term expectations when incorporating a plastic bladed fan into your kit. Hope this helps. I appreciate you man safe journeys.

[@blackoracle69]

thats true if you push a fan with plastic blades too fast they just flatten out and no air moves it just makes more noise

[@hiramhaji7813]

You can also glue radiant barrier on some pink foam and attach it in the ceiling of your camper shell and it will reflect heat off of the camper shell You can attach the radiant barrier anywhere on a close surface and you can also make attachments to where you can put it on one side or the other, if the sun is on which ever side of the vehicle

[@blackoracle69]

good idea

[@carolburton4711]

Made in china adapter 😅. I use to use a cooler with frozen ice jugs,put a small fan blowing into it and cut a hole for a piece of pcb pipe,blows pretty good air.

[@blackoracle69]

yep i have thought on making one of those cooler with ice and a fan blowers but have not got around to it yet

[@ostekuste3646]

I’ve always wanted a full size pickup with one of those camper inserts on the back. For me that is the ideal cross country rig. I don’t like how big most of the pull behind or driveable campers get.

[@blackoracle69]

i agree a full size with a long bed and a campershell can do a great job as a cross country rv

[@codered7453]

Excellent video on summertime truck camping. I use a Jeep ZJ now but back in '09 I had a 86 Nissan 720 4x4 and that was a super neat and off road capable truck and looked so cool but made less power than your battery operated fan takes to run it. Glad to see you again and ive been rewatching your Ruger Old Army videos as im in the process of getting a blued steel version in hopefully the next few days and will be using it as a backup gun to my Colt Sig Series 1860.

[@blackoracle69]

good luck with it

[@Gunsmith-4570]

Tent camping around July 4th at the lake in Oklahoma daytime Temps 92 to 98 degrees. The first night we were roasting, well after breakfast we got around and went to Walmart to the camping aisle and found a tent ceiling fan runs on like 4 AA batteries those batteries ran that fan all night for the rest of the time we were there. Firm believer in battery operated fans in the tent or camper forthat matter.

[@blackoracle69]

that extra air moving is a big help

[@trynsurviven2440]

Back when I tent camped we used a small fan and believe it or not most nights my wife and I were breaking out a light blanket. It would get a little chilly and once covered with a heavy sheet or light blanket I slept very well.

[@blackoracle69]

i have used a small batter fan in a hammock in summer and it really will cool you down

[@apar1560]

Smart ! 🥶

[@blackoracle69]

thank you

[@smoothvern165]

Excellent! I use the same fan in my redneck truck camper! Man, does it help!

[@blackoracle69]

Yes it does!

[@baileybrunson42]

Awesome 😎..! 🐻

[@blackoracle69]

Thanks 😁

[@Flashahol]

Power supplies are easy to replace if you know all 3 parameters to check for: 1- Voltage 2-Amperage (that is minimum, more will not hurt) 3- Center post positive or negative (inverse current may destroy your device, set it on fire or plain not work... depends on the device's build quality and currents involved. May make you fan go backwards in this case... If you're brave and don't know, the majority are center positive.) I take no responsibility for what may ensue from this advice. Be smart and monitor for unusual heat.

[@blackoracle69]

thanks for the info

[@madtownangler]

I had a friend that used to live in a hearse with another hearse back on top of it...he had a plug in air conditioner that he plugged in at work. He was paying child support and it was cheaper to live in his hearse than rent an apartment When his son was grown up he remarried and they bought a trailer.

[@blackoracle69]

now adays rent is too high everywhere

[@57WillysCJ]

I have been using a DC fan for years. I prefer not running on D batteries but have camping. In really hot temps I have went to sleep with it inches from my face. I have a couple of the DC only fans that we use to put in big trucks. I have one in the cab that runs off the cigarette lighter. That helps move the air out because my AC doesn't work on my truck which is not a problem 10 months out of the year. I can hang a wet towel or even a handkerchief in front for some extra cool. Usually I wet cotton shop rags. I think folks here will be interested in this video on what the army is doing to cool troops. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4nGaIaOjrt4iLcsi=KzZRAvyt5vqA7nUG

[@blackoracle69]

good idea thanks

[@bartcornelius7717]

Need more info on power unit.

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

Got to love Amazon. 👍🏻

[@blackoracle69]

yep cheap and easy

[@user-vg6ux1xp3h]

Nifty idea there Blackie. I would try a 12v fan which would draw less amps. I’ve heard of some guys using a old style computer fan running off 12v. However at 6’3”, there is little chance of me sleeping in my D22. Question! Do you have side windows in your tray area? or do they have mosquito net on them? I have a window that pop opens on one side and mosquito netting on the other. It’s hot and horrible at night here in Australia so I understand where you’re coming from. Keep cool.

[@blackoracle69]

mine had one on each side with handles to screw in and pop out the windows they have bug nets but years ago the one on driver side was broken and i plugged hole with wood panel. so when i put the bug net over the open door end and open the window that has a screen i can sit the fan there to draw in cooler outside air and keep the air flowing out of the camper seems to make it feel cooler at least

[@PurdueAlum1978]

Yay! D21 back on the road! I've seen the vids of the tailgate A/C, & it seemed like overkill for my '97 D21. For me, a fan would not cool well enough, esp as I would not feel safe with the back end open all nite, & I am not as tough as Blackie. So-how to cool the interior-? The portable "tent" A/C's are pricey & would require a hefty power bank, so I've not invested in that. 😎

[@blackoracle69]

i understand i have to curb my outside time in the hot summer getting old is no fun

[@PurdueAlum1978]

I hear ya, Mr Blackie...I'm no young'un either! I stress easily in heat >78° when active...Currently slowly setting up the D21 for work - they were built for work - and day trips. Am no longer in the south, but midwest summers are similar if less tropical...

[@davegoodridge8352]

How about a little water cooler, swamp cooler?

[@markw.3743]

Swamp coolers add too much moisture to already very humid air here in the south! Would be nice in the drier parts of the country but here no !

[@blackoracle69]

true down here we have very hi humidity so a swamp cooler works well at 60mph but sitting still a fan type blowing thru will not do to well

[@billg7101]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@blackoracle69]

thanks for watching

[@lundysden6781]

you should be able to hook it to the DC side og the Bluetti and not need to run the AC converter?

[@blackoracle69]

i would if had came with a dc contact for that but the power supply i got on line was a 110 to dc

[@bayouflats5054]

Have one of those fans for years now. They are great. Used my mostly in a/c closet. I was in there , because the A/C ain’t working - doing my best to get her going. The fan sure helps. 🫵👍

[@blackoracle69]

safe journeys