Out with the old in with the new - camper build

[Stowersranch1]

2 years ago I built a 5x8 camper. I updated my progress on this site, and learned from other builds here. My family and I have hauled that camper all over from the beach to the mountains. Over that time we found 3 things we wanted in a new camper- more storage, better use of space, and a place to stand up. We pull it with a Jeep, so weight is extremely important. I sold my last build this week to a great couple planning a 3 month trip out west.

now for the new build! The goal is to finish by spring.
Hurdles to overcome:
building a bomb proof slide out, keeping the weight under 3,000 and not Have it not look “homemade”

I have yet to see a slide out style that will be tough enough, but I think I designed a “through frame” simple system that will work.
This is a pic of my last build.

 

[dirtweazle]

Yea baby!! The 2888XL!!!!

 

[MagicMtnDan]

2 years ago I built a 5x8 camper. I updated my progress on this site, and learned from other builds here. My family and I have hauled that camper all over from the beach to the mountains. Over that time we found 3 things we wanted in a new camper- more storage, better use of space, and a place to stand up. We pull it with a Jeep, so weight is extremely important. I sold my last build this week to a great couple planning a 3 month trip out west.

now for the new build! The goal is to finish by spring.
Hurdles to overcome:
building a bomb proof slide out, keeping the weight under 3,000 and not Have it not look “homemade”

I have yet to see a slide out style that will be tough enough, but I think I designed a “through frame” simple system that will work.
This is a pic of my last build.

Got a link to your last build? I'd like to see what you did there

 

[Stowersranch1]

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/off-road-camper-build-finished.197104/

 

[Stowersranch1]

Frame is built. The front half drops down 6” to allow 5’5” of headroom. Tires are 285’s. Looks like the tongue will be just the right height.

doors came in today from challenger door. Entry is 5’x24” waiting on windows fromTern.

 

[high-and-dry]

I saw a really great design in a commercial camper, its much larger than a tear drop and if build with the right methods I can see it being under 3k. If I can build my 12x5.5 under 2k lbs a 15 footer ( body length ) could be under 3k. Its the lifestyles recon r2. It also would fit in the wind profile of a jeep perfectly.

Its a pop top with a side kitchen under the bed, with a dinette that can also be 2 bunks. It also has massive amounts of storage. I cant truely describe it, there is decent vids on the layout. If I did not want a camper that I can just stop, open the door and go to bed I would really think about building a copy. It is honestly a pretty simple design. If I built it, I would make the storage an optional crawl in bunk, it could be done with just a simple removal able wall.

What is your design going to be.

 

[high-and-dry]

I see your pics, if your not doing a steel frame you really need some bracing on the step down, there will be some serious torque on that joint.

 

[Stowersranch1]

I have 2 6”x6” 1/2” triangle braces that will go there, and the frame will be 1x1 steel.

 

[Stowersranch1]

Drawing. Hahahaha. I’m so jealous of some of y’alls cad skills. This will work fine though.

 

[Stowersranch1]

I love the idea of pop tops. We have a roof top tent for the kids, so I’m worried about design and weight carrying capacity of a homemade Pop-up. I would need it to hold 400lbs with the tent and people. If I wasn’t using an RTT I would totally build one.

 

[Stowersranch1]

Dimensions on this build are 10’6” x 5’ of camper space with 3’ of toolbox and tongue.

 

[Stowersranch1]

I saw a really great design in a commercial camper, its much larger than a tear drop and if build with the right methods I can see it being under 3k. If I can build my 12x5.5 under 2k lbs a 15 footer ( body length ) could be under 3k. Its the lifestyles recon r2. It also would fit in the wind profile of a jeep perfectly.

Its a pop top with a side kitchen under the bed, with a dinette that can also be 2 bunks. It also has massive amounts of storage. I cant truely describe it, there is decent vids on the layout. If I did not want a camper that I can just stop, open the door and go to bed I would really think about building a copy. It is honestly a pretty simple design. If I built it, I would make the storage an optional crawl in bunk, it could be done with just a simple removal able wall.

What is your design going to be.

That thing is awesome!

 

[high-and-dry]

That thing is awesome!

And its basically a big box, with a roof that lifts to give head room and room on the bunk.

 

[Stowersranch1]

Got most of the components in, so now I can start the build. The trailer and frame is built and am currently mocking in windows, door, slide outs (3 in total) etc. all of my accessories mounted on exterior walls i.e. rotopax, spare tire, solar panels, have to have metal mounting plates built into the frame. That is what I am building now.

 

[Stowersranch1]

Also got the roof top tent in. I like the clamshell from roofnest because it has the grooved mounting spots all the way around, which means I can mount it low to the camper and mount the awning to it directly. Closed it is only 7” thick