I Built an Off-Grid Truck Camper - Start to Finish

This is my entire truck camper build cut down into a 20-minute video. I also comment on all the things I believe I did right and wrong throughout my build (Wins vs. Loses).

Products in my Camper:

I built this camper with only these tools!

0:00 - The Beginning
0:59 - Start of Framing
1:34 - Cantilever + Back wall
2:19 - Roof framing
2:28 - Free Drawings
2:48 - Finishing Framing
3:15 - Thoughts on my Frame
4:05 - Exterior Siding Plywood
5:23 - Roof Vent
5:38 - Chimney Install
6:15 - Weather sealing
6:40 - Windows
7:09 - Metal Siding
7:26 - Chimney Install
7:55 - Finishing Metal Siding
8:30 - Jack Posts
9:05 - Thoughts so far
9:24 - Electrical + Lighting
10:35 - Kitchen / interior
11:13 - Woodstove
12:12 - Interior
12:24 - Finished Look
13:15 - Jacking
14:18 - On the Truck
15:00 - Tie Downs
15:31 - Battery Install
15:44 - Stoked.
16:13 - Final Touches
17:33 - What's next
17:46 - The bad and ugly
18:05 - Driving North
18:23 - The Shoe Box
19:17 - Coming Soon

[sharonkasper]

Not only weight is an issue, there is no insulation. Rigid panel insulation would have added practically no weight.

[fzulwld]

SHOEBOX, I am a late watcher, lol.
I just watched this video.
Anyways, it's good to see you still have a good relationship with your dad. Cherish that!!!!
I love your shoebox camper.
We all learn as we go. That's what life is all about, MEMORIES.
My father passed away about a decade ago. I love that wood stove. Get yourself a fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector.
Also led Christmas lights. I use the blue ones at night. They only use a couple of watts of power.

[TreDeuce-qwkv]

Commend the effort, and don't mean to be critical, but there are a lot of built in issues with this build. Number one has to be weight due mostly to full 2"x4" framing.
Other issues will be the lack of thermal break and a water tight or resistant membrane between metal siding, roof, and wood structure which will cause moisture build up under metal, evidence of which was the water on the ceiling which likely wasn't an actual leak but condensation due to cold outside temperatures and the warm to hot interior extracting moisture from the air that condenses on the metal.
I suggest pulling the metal and applying some form of a thermal break and moisture/leak prevention membrane

As it appears, this is a summer 'only' camper and in its current state has no need for a stove.

I grew up in the Okanogan Valley just about 50-miles south of the border. We were often up into Okanagan, to Penticton, Kelowna, and other points north as my dad was an avid golfer and as an avid fly fisherman and head of the Okanogan County Health Dept was doing research into the condition of, and how to clean up of the Okanogan River and Okanagan Valley systems.

[fyruiii]

I know the "van life" movement is big right now. I've got 3 young kids. It would be beaming with pride if my boys wanted my help in a project like this.
I'm happy to see your dad is willing to help (and knows how to). Good for you two! Great bonding time.

[jammyjames]

Great project. You and your father should be very proud of it.

[SCOTT-vmnj]

Totally SHOEBOX!!! Loved your build and importantly-attitude and Dad! And Dad’s shop! Need a video on Dad’s shop! 🙏

[daveforeman]

Be very proud of the end result- very, very cool.

[richardlevy]

That camper will last a lifetime. Very nice build!

[sswans]

The Shoebox is amazing! Yall should be very proud. ❤

[tobywhitney]

Man that camper is huge on the inside. Nice work.

[edensfamilyadventures]

SHOEBOX, what an awesome build on an awesome truck! You and your dad also built a ton of memories in the process and I know that you learned a lot and will make the next one even better! Kudos to you all! 💪😊👍

[chrisbelsito]

Absolutely a bad to the bone build!!!! That thing is solid!!!! And heavy I’m sure!!! It would be to heavy for my half ton. Great job!!!

[davidvincentnd]

Fabulous build with dad . Plus a road trip with him .

[FBPrepping]

My dad is 81 and healthy. Still working. I hope some day soon to build something with my kid and travel all over our country. Cheers.

[MommaC]

☕️☕️☕️ My 1st time watching the shoebox💙💙

[NesCarh]

Shoebox is a Beast. This video has pushed me to do this on my superduty. Cheers!

[Charles]

I love the metal siding. I bet it will age well with a nice patina and be simple to repair. Great build and tips. Also, we need a basement garage house tour.

[stevenwiedel]

Shoebox indeed! I came upon this video after a long day building a stakeside/lumber rack/toolbox on a long bed 35 year old Dodge. The next step will be a tailgate/barn door, and a two foot tall topper for the lumber rack, half-width sleeping loft, insulated floor and benches over the wheel wells with storage boxes fore & aft. You guys did a great job with this build, and gave me many good ideas!

[mrlarrow]

You are one lucky guy to have a dad to do this with. Cheers and great job!

[BiSuWaNnAbE]

The shoe box is definitely something I look forward to start building! I just bought my old truck specifically for that!