Building a Pop Up Truck Camper from a Ladder Rack- Part 1

Follow this build as I convert a harbor freight ladder rack into a fully functional wedge pop up truck camper. This build series begins with the shell of the camper and will continue in more episodes.
If you have already seen this video, welcome back! We are starting a new channel to document our travels and are going to re-upload the camper videos along with the remainder of them. Stay tuned as we will be posting camper progress videos weekly!
I do not own any of the rights to the music played in this episode.
Thank you to:
David Dickerson
Sunny Dickerson
Billy Ross

[@elwaupo1]

That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking of doing, I’m going to follow this build

[@jcfrazier5853]

I've had a 2" square pipe welded ladder rack on my 89 Toyota pickup for a long time and have been thinking of using 1" or 2" (4x8) foam board and fiberglass the panels. I could even "sandwich" the foam between some Luan, if needed. I also need the sides to open for easy access. Good luck with your build!

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Sounds like a solid base for a camper! Also too cool you still have an 89!

[@Balzzack]

Sweet video. I have wanting to do this with my 2000 tundra long box .

[@coltwinchester6124]

6 months ago I bought a 97 Sunlite pop up slip in truck camper that was in really good shape. It is missing the propane furnace, but has good AC, propane stove, mini refrigerator (only runs on AC power) indoor bathroom (toilet only), outside shower. I installed 200 watts of solar, with 2 batteries, and a 1500 watt inverter. Total weight wet about 1,750 lbs. Carried in a Chevy Silverado 2500HD.
Total invested in camper is $2,850.
Ready for boondocking adventures.

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

That’s great! Sounds like a steal and a solid rig

[@jeremyoshea7941]

Man I’m so glad I found your channel got a 02 Tacoma double cab so the better courses in that long but this is something I’ve been wanting to do myself thank you for all the videos I really want to fast forward to see the end result and it’s really difficult for me not to but I guess I’m gonna binge watch it tonight!

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Thanks man! Much appreciated

[@sleeks9939]

Exact same idea I had in mind. Thanks for the video so I now have an idea on what to do. Dope build.

[@tim-crouch]

Cool Build.

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Thanks!

[@plt903]

Had a friend pour gas on a fire from a gas can. The fire trailed back to the can, blew up, caught him on fire, melted his face and upper torso. Spent over a year in the hospital, now he has no face.

[@wanderingscott]

This is super cool, and definitely giving me ideas and tips for my build. Thanks for posting!

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Thanks man!

[@BlessedDad1819]

Job well done, sir. I would like to do this for my 2003 Silverado. But its hard to give up my rear view mirror. I use it to keep an eye on my jon boat on the highway. I may have to incorporate some plexiglass in the front and back 🤔

[@Ritterkritterz]

So cool. Think I will do this. Whose got 40k for anew one-hand? Thank you, thank you for sharing!

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Thanks for the support!

[@hacklabdesign]

Cool video, awesome you had help but you never mentioned her name: Why did remove all that Valuable space above cab?

[@jeremywheeler8417]

I'm guessing she is Sunny.... And yeah personally I think I would have kept it extended out above the cab. More storage if nothing else. It's better to have too much space than too little.
I'm looking for ideas to make a bed camper for my Ford Maverick that I have coming

[@iainhmunro]

Great build, but was wondering with all your welding skills etc, why you would have purchased the original steel frame as that just seemed to be a waste.

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

To be honest when I started the project I had no experience in welding at all so I figured I would use the frame as a base. If I were to do it again now that I have the experience I gained I may do it differently but definitely don’t regret the experience I got from it

[@donkeyrider]

I had an Idea and thought no way someone else did this. Well I was wrong. But I will be making mine similar.

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Glad to hear! Best of luck to you!

[@earlhiser2341]

Nice

[@HardWorkpaysofff]

Bro I had this same idea I’m gonna buy the harbor freight escl

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

Nice man! Best of luck

[@jacobconn8889]

With the frame work, what is the purpose of the bottom 2x4

[@michaelburke6552]

I don't understand why you just didn't make the hole thing out of wood? Probably be about the same in price and just as strong?

[@Jonathan-jo2xu]

I'm pretty sure wood is not as strong as steel

[@lifeisahorse9113]

Love your design, can you tell me which ladder rack you purchased from Harbor Freight?

[@SunnyandNicktravel]

It’s from harbor freight

[@aldoyosbel1728397263]

Why you just don't use the wood and that's it.