I built a LUXURY micro camper for less than $1,000

President Chay

6 Jun 202314:27

Summary

TLDRTwo brothers embark on an ambitious project to build a luxury micro camper from an old trailer for under $1,000. With creativity and resourcefulness, they repurpose materials like bus windows, scrap wood, and pallet boards to construct a cozy and functional living space. Overcoming challenges, they ingeniously waterproof the exterior and insulate the interior, creating a tiny home on wheels complete with beds, a kitchenette, and a living area. Their journey culminates in a successful camping trip, proving that with determination and resourcefulness, even grand dreams can be realized on a shoestring budget.

Takeaways

🛒 The goal was to build a luxury micro camper for less than $1,000, using an old trailer purchased for $100 as the base.
🛠️ The camper was built using inexpensive materials like 2x4s, OSB, drywall, and repurposed items like bus windows and metal scraps.
💰 Innovative techniques like 'poor man's fiberglass' and pallet wood countertops helped keep costs extremely low.
👷 The construction process involved steps like insulation, framing, sheathing, waterproofing, electrical work, and interior finishing.
🔧 Challenges included fitting all desired amenities (beds, kitchen, living area) into the 48 sq ft space while staying within weight limits.
♻️ Repurposing and upcycling materials from previous projects and free online listings were key to cost savings.
✨ Despite the low budget, the final camper was fully functional, comfortable, and visually appealing.
🌳 The camper allowed them to enjoy camping and the outdoors in a self-contained, affordable way.
💡 The project demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to transform basic materials into something remarkable.
🔨 With careful planning and execution, it's possible to build high-quality, customized projects on an extremely tight budget.

Q & A

What was the initial idea behind building this luxury micro camper?
-The initial idea came from finding an old trailer on Facebook Marketplace for $100, which they planned to convert into a luxury micro camper on a tight budget of less than $1,000.
What were the main features they wanted to include in the camper?
-They wanted the camper to sleep two people, have a mini kitchen, and a living room area, all within a limited space of around 48 square feet.
How did they insulate and waterproof the camper?
-They used foam for insulation and covered the exterior with quarter-inch OSB or plywood. Then, they applied a DIY waterproofing technique called 'Poor Man's Fiberglass,' which involved layering glue and drop cloths, followed by multiple coats of paint.
Where did they source materials for the camper build?
-They utilized various free or inexpensive materials found on Facebook Marketplace, such as bus windows, scrap wood, and leftover insulation. They also repurposed materials from their previous bus build.
How did they create the countertop for the kitchen area?
-They made the countertop using pallet boards, which was a cost-effective solution that saved them a couple of hundred dollars compared to purchasing regular countertops.
What unique feature did they include in the camper's interior?
-They included working windows in the camper, which is an uncommon feature in many DIY camper builds.
How did they address the electrical needs of the camper?
-For the electrical system, they used an inexpensive extension cord instead of regular house wiring, although they acknowledged that this is not a recommended practice.
How did they create the beds in the camper?
-For the beds, they used foam mattress toppers, layering two of them on each bed and wrapping them in a cover to make them look like mattresses.
What was the total cost of building the luxury micro camper?
-They were able to build the entire camper, including the trailer, for under $900, which was within their budget of less than $1,000.
What was their motivation for building this camper on a tight budget?
-Their motivation was to create a comfortable and functional camper that they could take anywhere, while staying within a strict budget of less than $1,000, as they had previously struggled with the high costs associated with their previous bus build.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Building an Affordable Luxury Micro Camper

The video script follows the process of building a luxury micro camper from an old $100 trailer. They cover the trailer with a moisture barrier, insulation, and subfloor, then construct the frame, windows, and exterior sheathing. To waterproof the exterior, they use a 'poor man's fiberglass' technique involving glue and drop cloths. The summary outlines the initial steps of acquiring the trailer and preparing the exterior structure.

05:01

✨ Finishing Exterior and Starting Interior

This section describes the completion of the camper's exterior by adding a custom door frame, sealing the corners with repurposed bus metal, and installing electrical wiring using an extension cord. The interior work begins with insulation, drywall installation, trimming, and constructing cabinets from scrap wood. The countertop is made from pallet boards, and the floor is tiled with materials from a previous bus build.

10:01

🛏️ Interior Finishing Touches and Campsite Testing

The final paragraph covers the interior finishing touches, including constructing twin beds (one doubling as a couch), a mini kitchen with a cooktop, sink, and counter space, along with an AC unit and adjustable lighting. After completing the under $900 camper, they take it to a campsite for testing. The summary highlights the camper's ability to comfortably sleep two people while providing essential amenities for a weekend outdoor experience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Micro Camper

A micro camper is a compact and lightweight recreational vehicle designed for camping and outdoor adventures. In the context of this video, the brothers aim to build a luxury micro camper on a budget using an old trailer as the base. The micro camper concept allows for mobility and comfort while keeping costs low.

💡Budget Build

A budget build refers to a construction project that aims to minimize expenses while maximizing functionality and value. In this video, the brothers set a goal of building their luxury micro camper for less than $1,000. They achieve this by repurposing materials, utilizing cost-effective alternatives, and employing DIY techniques.

💡Moisture Barrier

A moisture barrier is a protective layer installed to prevent moisture from seeping into the camper's structure, which could cause damage or mold growth. The brothers start by laying down a moisture barrier on the trailer's floor to protect the wood and insulation.

💡Insulation

Insulation is a material used to regulate the temperature inside the camper by slowing the transfer of heat. In the video, the brothers use foam insulation to keep the interior of their micro camper comfortable in various weather conditions.

💡Framing

Framing refers to the process of constructing a structural framework, typically using wood or metal studs, to support the walls, roof, and other components of a building. In the video, the brothers use basic 2x4s to frame the walls of their micro camper, as they are lightweight and inexpensive.

💡Sheathing

Sheathing is the process of covering the exterior of a building's frame with a protective layer, such as OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or plywood. In the video, the brothers use OSB sheathing to enclose their micro camper, which adds structural integrity and protection from the elements.

💡Poor Man's Fiberglass

Poor Man's Fiberglass is a cost-effective technique used to waterproof a structure by applying layers of glue and cloth, creating a durable and waterproof surface. In the video, the brothers use this method to waterproof the exterior of their micro camper, saving thousands of dollars compared to traditional fiberglass.

💡Repurposing Materials

Repurposing materials refers to the practice of finding new uses for items or materials that would otherwise be discarded or considered waste. In the video, the brothers repurpose materials such as bus windows, scrap wood, and metal to construct various components of their micro camper, significantly reducing costs.

💡Countertop

A countertop is a flat surface, typically in a kitchen, used for food preparation, cooking, and storage. In the video, the brothers create a countertop for their micro camper's mini kitchen using repurposed pallet boards, showcasing their resourcefulness and creativity.

💡Versatility

Versatility refers to the ability to adapt or be used for various purposes. In the context of the video, the micro camper's design incorporates versatile features, such as convertible beds that double as couches and a multi-functional living space, allowing for efficient use of the limited space.

Highlights

In this video, the goal is to build a luxury micro camper for less than $1,000, starting with an old trailer purchased for $100 from Facebook Marketplace.

The trailer measures 6 feet by 8 feet, with a base of around 48 square feet, posing a challenge to accommodate sleeping for two people, a mini kitchen, and a living room.

The construction process begins with laying down a moisture barrier, insulating with foam, and installing a subfloor.

For the walls, they use basic 2x4s as they are lightweight and inexpensive.

They repurpose bus windows acquired for free from Facebook to save costs.

The exterior is covered with quarter-inch OSB or plywood, costing around $70.

They use the "Poor Man's Fiberglass" technique, involving glue and drop cloths, to waterproof the exterior for under $200, a significant cost-saving compared to traditional fiberglass.

The door is constructed from a wooden frame covered in repurposed metal, providing a waterproof and inexpensive solution.

For the corners, they make waterproof covers from scrap school bus metal, costing nothing.

The electrical wiring is done using inexpensive extension cords, although not recommended for safety reasons.

Insulation is sourced from Facebook Marketplace, saving costs.

Drywall is used for the walls due to its affordability, despite adding weight.

Trim and cabinets are made from scrap wood at no cost.

The countertops are constructed from repurposed pallet boards, saving hundreds of dollars.

The final camper, built for under $900, includes twin beds, a mini kitchen with a cooktop and sink, an AC unit, and working windows, providing a comfortable and affordable camping experience.