Squaredrop Camper Build, Part 5

[@tradmanmike3360]

BULLSEYE!!! THIS IS MY FUTURE BUILD FOR THE SAME REASONS! I HAVE THE SAME TRAILER, I HAVE A ENCLOSED 5X10 V TOO HEAVY! THUMBS UP!!! LOVE THE SIMPLE IDEAS!

[@Tom-x3m9g]

As long as you are having fun! That is all that matters.

[@richlord1044]

I love all your toys, and workspace. You are very organized. Nice camper pod build, it's exactly what I need. I love the orange.

[@countrymagic61]

Nice build so far👍 I will be in the process of building my own DIY camper as well. I did purposely purchase a 5.5' x 10' utility trailer to build something similar to yours. I may go a different route and build my own frame. The only thing I am going to point out on your electrical it the use of the 12AWG solid wire (yellow romex). In vehicles, DOT states to use stranded wire. Due to road vibrations, the solid wire can become loose. Also using stranded wire, it handles the high or low temperatures better than the romex solid wire. Hope this helps.

[@vasocreta]

i love thepod concept. It's even a spare bedroom if you need it while keeping your trailer accessible for other things. I think you've got it right.

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

I plan to store this in my woods in the off-season so it will make a small cabin of sorts when we’re not camping.

[@jimvanderlinden7249]

Instead of the Styrofoam you should of used foil sided foam board. We had a fish house that had Styrofoam in the side walls and somehow the bugs got to and ate it or chewed it up, Styrofoam beads kept falling out of the walls. We replaced the walls and ceiling with the foil covered foam and you can now heat it with a couple candles, quite a difference, less weight also.

[@jeremygourde9880]

Loving the build, I know this is late but I think a total boat expo y resin with sawdust filler to fill in your gaps and holes would’ve been much better. I haven’t had much luck with that sand able wood filler. It’s ok for interior but fails in exterior extended conditions.

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Right on. None of that filler is exposed. My exterior was finished with two heavy coats of exterior grade primer paint and then spray on truck bed liner.

[@briand3837]

I have had this pod idea for a year now but never could figure out the details to accomplish it. I will pretty much be duplicating your design. Thanks for doing this!

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

I think it’s going to work pretty well. I plan to do a thorough walk through and show how to load and unload when it’s done. Thanks for watching.

[@wilsonreininghorses]

I thought I was crazy for wanting to do it this way. I love my little trailer and don’t want only one use for it. I’m gunna do a pull out galley on the front, I think, above the rail and put the door on the rear to not contend with the rail.at least that’s the plan at the moment. Thanks for documenting your build

[@ronb6182]

Yes no running water my idea is to use 5 or 3 gallon water bottles to cook with. Just gravity fed . You can use a dish pan for a sink. 73

[@ronb6182]

I would put a cutoff on the secondary of the transformer while it's hooked up to a battery to avoid back feed from the battery. You can cut it on to charge the battery when you have 120 volt hookup. Using 12 volt is a good idea when there is no power. You can also use some 12 volt outlets for charging phones and tablets. Just a few ideas. 73

[@brianmorgan3659]

Nice work, I’m curious as to what the weight would be when completed

[@robbiebreaux5221]

I built one and I think it weighs under 1200 lbs. I can easily move it around a camp site with ease.

[@dsmreloader7552]

4 car wheel dollies would make it movable when in storage in your garage or wherever in the off season

[@qruk]

That's the first thing that came to mind when he said it was removable

[@EduardoJimenez-rk8nw]

How about heavy duty SWIVEL CASTERS as in 4 of them one at each corner to ease and simplify loading and unloading unto the trailer . The casters and a simple COME ALONG could be used ??? Sturdy anchor points could fasten the pod to the trailer ??? What are your thoughts ? Do you still use the tractor and side by side to load it into the trailer ?

[@jackiejenrow7304]

Yes I agree grandpa will enjoy seeing this episode

[@FFL-vg9ro]

You will need a 12-volt disconnect in line with the battery. You can’t have the battery connected when the AC/DC converter is operating.

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Didn’t end up putting in a battery. When off grid we just plug in the battery pack/converter and good to go.

[@countrymagic61]

With paint. I'm not a fan of orange being the primary color. As an accent, I think it would look nice in contrast with black or a darker gray.

[@genevievehetterly9287]

Would you have a list of the electrical components?

[@randykahle9542]

Could you tell me what fan you used .. and if your happy with it?

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Have you had any issues with your electrical setup? Curious if the solid romex and 15amp shore power are powering everything you need and holding up?

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Not so far. Of course our electrical load isn’t much with the simple setup. Refrigerator is the highest and it has worked great.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

@@LivingOurAmericanDream thank you sir! You’ve inspired my build and…electrical system. My biggest draw will be a 5000 BTU a/c but that only clocks in around 700 watts max at startup. I am going to swap out my solid romex for some stranded 12/3. Everything I’ve researched on that seems to be the better choice, so we shall see. Thanks again

[@pauls466]

It is nice for sure But why not a foot longer ? the extra length would make a huge difference.

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Was hard enough to find 10’ long plywood. Finding 11’ long would be weird and it would hang off the back my 10’ trailer. Did you mean height? Same issue….plywood was hard to find at 5’ wide….6’ wide impossible or have a seam which I didn’t want. Also, extra wind drag of additional foot above the truck makes it feel like there’s a trailer back there. As it is, can’t even tell it’s there. Good thoughts. Thanks for watching.

[@pauls466]

@@LivingOurAmericanDream Well I meant lengt wise , But yes that's not doable without a seam . But that extra foot really would make a big difference. I have two promasters and one is 7" longer and believe that does a lot. But still I like your build . Enjoy your trips Grts Paul.

[@retiremann1031]

What is the hight of the structure from the trailer floor

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Exterior height from trailer floor to top of box is around 5’6”.

[@chrispycriter6682]

I think you will need to upgrade the axles and wheels maybe ?maybe not. Bigger,

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Axles on this trailer are rated at 3500# so we’ll see how they hold up. Should be ok.

[@chrispycriter6682]

@@LivingOurAmericanDream my camper had 13"tires and had that wiggle/I had to upgrade to 14"tires and its good to go/great build and when I retire the chief ill build one

[@joeyherring5942]

Nice work, just an FYI; your "transformer" is actually a Power Supply... A transformer is AC to AC.

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

You are correct and I contemplated re-recording those segments but I just never did. Thank you for watching.

[@barbarawalker3620]

👍👍👍

[@L-lp9fl]

Like your money maths and sizing of standard ply wood, do the same. Just trailer yearly license to pay. Thanks

[@lenardlanham3342]

Neat

[@jugglingtaxibikeride2170]

Don’t you need 2by 3 or 2 by 4 on the highway driving

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Definitely not. The structure of this build is sturdier than a typical house wall. It’s the placement of the interior shelf, roof supports and cabin/galley wall that provide the entire structure with solid stability.

[@gerardorodriguezarreola2824]

Hello I use a bondo for cars works better

[@terrydoan9650]

Shore power =campground power

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

Yes

[@Tom-x3m9g]

Wow, I paid 400 bucks for a used 5 by 8 trailer plus transfer and plate and tax. Did he say 2700 ? He could have bought a used enclosed trailer for that. Ah ! What do I know. LMAO 🤣😂!

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

If you got a quality used trailer for $400 I’m really happy for you. However, quality in these trailers varies greatly.

[@azxp]

Sound logic

[@Tom-x3m9g]

If I build one, it will be simple. And I will bring everything else I need. But I won't build in anything. Just a waste of money. He said he was going to have 6 k into that box.Lmao !

[@LivingOurAmericanDream]

I don’t recall final costs, but you’ll understand when you price out windows and doors 😏

[@Tom-x3m9g]

I don't understand why people must have all that electrical stuff, it's a camper not a home. Use cheap lights and a battery operated fan. For heat use a Buddy heater. What ever you want to use but you don't need all that stuff. Bring a generator or use an extension cord if you can. People love to waste money on dumb shit.

[@davehamhuis]

that's your opinion and preference, ya clown

[@Grimesitty]

It's true though if I build one which I plan to just bring a dang solar power bank and run everything off of that doesn't need to be anything crazy