Check out this clean, simple & comfortable camper build

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  • Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
  • Building out a pop-up camper doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive to be comfortable and practical. Check out the straightforward solutions my friend Bill has come up with for his Topo Toppers Badlander pop-up truck camper.
    Learn more about Topo Toppers:
    www.topotoppers.com/
    Some of the products Bill used in his camper:
    Wire basket drawers:
    amzn.to/3nSqEA0
    WaterBrick water storage & dispenser:
    www.waterbrick.org/product-ca...
    NOCO RV AC power port:
    amzn.to/3LV1cS7
    Collapsible trash receptacle:
    amzn.to/41o3zCY
    (note that Bill cut off the rear hanging lip for a flat surface to attach to the wall)
    Kemimoto cargo net:
    amzn.to/3nPsLo5
    Grab handle:
    amzn.to/3O13nXi
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made after clicking one of my Amazon links, even if you ultimately choose another product. This costs you nothing, but the small commissions earned on referrals support the ongoing creation of content for this channel. Thank you!
    --------------------------
    If you enjoy my work and would like to more directly support my efforts, consider joining my Patreon page with a small monthly contribution. Patrons receive access to exclusive extra content and other benefits:
    / softroadingthewest
    Intro: (0:00)
    Bill's Topo Badlander: (0:48)
    Driver side furnishing/storage: (1:47)
    Passenger side furnishing/storage: (2:25)
    Water storage & delivery: (3:55)
    Power management: (4:48)
    Misc. other details: (5:40)
    Conclusion: (8:23)
  • Авто/МотоАвто/Мото

Комментарии • 141

  • @367spartan
    @367spartan Год назад +24

    The main reason I really liked this video is because it featured an "older" dude. I'm very close to retiring and my plan is to live out of my Jeep overland style for as long as my body lets me. Now I'm not old but seeing older people do this is a nice reminder that I have more time than I sometimes think I do.

  • @STinGa157
    @STinGa157 Год назад +7

    The add on handle to close the tailgate was ingenious.

  • @swidahooverlanding2867
    @swidahooverlanding2867 Год назад +7

    Well thought out camper! Thanks for sharing! George.

  • @kevinthomson6324
    @kevinthomson6324 Год назад +3

    I like the emphasis on light weight. I don’t think enough people consider how much weight they are adding on overland //camping setups.

  • @bruceknirs9987
    @bruceknirs9987 Год назад +13

    I have to agree there were some good ideas here

  • @campoutwestus
    @campoutwestus Год назад +5

    Bill's setup is really dialed in. I appreciate his many great tips.

  • @prestondeters5093
    @prestondeters5093 3 месяца назад +2

    Bill seems like a really awesome guy to be around

    • @harrymills2770
      @harrymills2770 Месяц назад

      That's what they WANT you to think! Don't fall for it! He's next-gen AI!!!
      :o)

  • @ernievilla0
    @ernievilla0 Год назад +4

    Nice simple setup. Everything you need, nothing you don't 👍

  • @jakehawley709
    @jakehawley709 3 месяца назад +1

    I'm sure i'm not alone here, I haven't read all the comments but i really wanna hang with Bill. He seems like a super cool guy with a lot of fun ideas. genuinely excited. love it.

  • @waxifari5528
    @waxifari5528 Год назад +3

    Love this guy. Well thought out, very dialed, and zero influencer hype (no offense Donald but I think you would be ok with that as a compliment).

  • @mrkakeg1
    @mrkakeg1 Год назад +2

    I really enjoyed this! As a recent tacoma owner with an intention of doing some kind of camping build out, this one really sparked my creative juices. Love those waterbricks! They have a set of 6 three and a half gallon ones that interlock forming a cube. 21 gallons of water in a decently small footprint. Thanks for recording this and to Bill for sharing.

  • @acoupleofscrewsloose
    @acoupleofscrewsloose Год назад +3

    Bill has a really nice straightforward and clever build. We’d love to see more in-depth builds. We are going on our last tent camping trip soon because we ordered a Four Wheel Campers Hawk Shell slide-in popup camper. We ordered the shell because we already have a fridge, heater, stove, etc. so now I’m looking at all the builds and this video has given me some great ideas.
    I’m not going to miss the set up and take down tent camping we’ve been doing for years that’s for sure.
    Thanks for sharing, the timing was perfect!
    PS, your camera work and editing showing this build is outstanding. I get motion sickness watching build videos where the shots zoom around too fast and then I have to either slow down the speed or stop/go to see any details.

  • @badoon3679
    @badoon3679 Год назад +3

    this guy is a wealth of knowledge

  • @stephenkramme7063
    @stephenkramme7063 Год назад +1

    Excellent video Donald! Bill's solutions of using a strap to close the tail gate and the outside grab handle are brilliant! Perhaps this could be an occasional feature for you.

  • @utahjohnnymontana3373
    @utahjohnnymontana3373 Год назад +4

    That tailgate pull strap is a must-have. Thanks for the idea.

    • @scottymac5174
      @scottymac5174 Год назад

      A seriously great idea!. Toyota tailgates are heavy.

    • @utahjohnnymontana3373
      @utahjohnnymontana3373 Год назад +1

      @@scottymac5174 For sure. Getting the tailgate up from the inside is awkward, at best.

    • @scottymac5174
      @scottymac5174 Год назад

      @@utahjohnnymontana3373 The delivery date on my new GFC is 7/14... I like seeing these vids with all of these cool ideas.

    • @utahjohnnymontana3373
      @utahjohnnymontana3373 Год назад

      @@scottymac5174 I've had my AT Summit for a year and I'm trying to build slowly so I can find the best options for my needs. I like Donald's DIY method and I've done some similar things like the unistrut "rack" bars.

    • @codycalvin9278
      @codycalvin9278 Год назад

      Would anyone have a link to the pull strap by chance!

  • @jock308
    @jock308 Год назад +1

    What an absolute gent Bill is, love seeing how folks sort out their camping needs. ATVB from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @oldsoldier181
    @oldsoldier181 Год назад +4

    Love this clean build. It EXACTLY what I want to do with mine!

  • @youtubecarspottersguide1
    @youtubecarspottersguide1 Год назад +1

    one the best self builds on a 6' box ,no need for a roof top tent

  • @jeffmorris739
    @jeffmorris739 Год назад +3

    Awesome Donald. He is about my age and this is what I am starting to love about Topo Toppers. Simple, as little or as much as you want. I never wanted a tent on top of my truck but this is a whole other thing. I may be headed to Topo Toppers to get one of these installed on my Tacoma. Thanks.

    • @scottymac5174
      @scottymac5174 Год назад

      i went with GFC because they were the only MFR that offered a model that fitted my older
      Tundra. I reached out to Topo though first.

    • @dirtnsmores
      @dirtnsmores 10 месяцев назад

      ​@@scottymac5174do they not fit on a first gen tundra?

  • @johnwalker3263
    @johnwalker3263 Год назад +1

    This style of video is a great idea generator!

  • @e.c.8668
    @e.c.8668 Год назад +3

    Looks so simple. But that's because he's got years and years of experience and use.

  • @scottymac5174
    @scottymac5174 Год назад +2

    A nice, simple. very usable no nonsense build. Good ideas! I'm thinking about doing a rear seat delete to get more storage space.

  • @harrymills2770
    @harrymills2770 Месяц назад

    Yeah. I did the little sleeping platform like you tried at first. I didn't bump my head, but it felt exposed, with that window on a level with my bed. I wish I had thought of something like Bill's tailgate raiser. When I had that platform setup, I closed the tailgate before I crawled in.
    If you've got shore power, a 1500 W space heater is probably more than you need, which makes it just right, because you can leave a window or windows cracked. Probably drive you out of there if you left it on high. I would probably want some kind of off-grid heating system: either liquid or solid fuel. I wonder if a stove-jack is something you could negotiate in a build of one of these.
    I like your setup with the butane stove. I would definitely use that for coffee, hot cereal, or warming up soup or leftovers. That's luxury camping, when you can build a coffee before setting foot, outside. But I think I'd do almost all my cooking, outside.
    I've been looking at these Topo Toppers, because they're about the most stripped-down, simplest, and lightest campers going. I would rather just have the shell and add features that I wanted, many of which I already own, just from years of truck camping. Campers/RVs with all the built-in stuff just seem like there are lots of things that can go wrong. Why buy into that, when I already have reliable gear?
    Keep livin' the dream, Bill!

  • @04JALD
    @04JALD Год назад +1

    Seems like a very nice man and he knows what he is doing. Great video again Donald

  • @robertoperezjr.1119
    @robertoperezjr.1119 Год назад +2

    That is fantastic!!! I want to be like this guy when I grow up!

  • @tomas5376
    @tomas5376 Год назад +1

    Bet he gave you some good ideas to use when you finish the interior.

  • @mattdelcomyn8012
    @mattdelcomyn8012 Год назад

    Awesome build! Thanks for sharing!!

  • @OutOfOfficeCamping
    @OutOfOfficeCamping Год назад +5

    We love simple! I haven't seen those water cubes before. Suoer trick.
    The BedRug with the tail gate is the best move we did after ditching 31lbs bed liner. Plus the BedRug has a R4 value. So comfortable for both the feet and knees.
    Great tour thank you!
    Mark (& Teresa)
    Hampstead Maryland
    Ford Ranger - GFC Camper V2 #1919

    • @scottymac5174
      @scottymac5174 Год назад +2

      I currently have a Duraliner but will be doing some version of padding/carpeting for my knees. Those stackable water cubes are cool.

  • @mitchbush291
    @mitchbush291 9 месяцев назад

    Great Video, lots of great suggestions!

  • @BigFishOverlanding
    @BigFishOverlanding Год назад

    Some really great ideas!

  • @joeconnell1396
    @joeconnell1396 Год назад +1

    Nice job, Bill!

  • @stevebrown1221
    @stevebrown1221 15 дней назад

    Simple and efficient

  • @mattbooker8496
    @mattbooker8496 Год назад

    Love the build!

  • @longjohnsteve94
    @longjohnsteve94 Год назад +2

    Man I sure wish those waterbricks were available in Canada. I really like the how they fit together and have that electric pump!

  • @StereoSpace
    @StereoSpace Год назад

    Awesome little setup.

  • @Bullwolf1965
    @Bullwolf1965 Год назад

    Very cool!

  • @frankansley7941
    @frankansley7941 Год назад

    Very nice build!!

  • @chuckrf1502
    @chuckrf1502 Год назад

    Good setup! 😊

  • @richardburguillos3118
    @richardburguillos3118 Год назад

    Nice setup. Thanks for sharing.

  • @danieldigiusto1943
    @danieldigiusto1943 Год назад

    Awesome 💪🏻 thank you for sharing!

  • @Stoney_AKA_James
    @Stoney_AKA_James Год назад

    Nice setup

  • @Coloradohiker658
    @Coloradohiker658 Год назад +1

    Great build.

  • @NWHomesteader
    @NWHomesteader Год назад

    Well thought out design 👍👍

  • @pala4833
    @pala4833 Год назад

    A lot of great details from Bill. Thanks to both of you.

  • @JCreole
    @JCreole Год назад

    Nice set up….👍 thanks for sharing

  • @dixielambrecht7009
    @dixielambrecht7009 Год назад

    So smart!

  • @nikolasmaragakis1596
    @nikolasmaragakis1596 Год назад +1

    NICE!!!

  • @wylde-lyfe
    @wylde-lyfe Год назад

    Great setup, clever use of space and I really enjoyed his solutions!

  • @zackdemundo
    @zackdemundo Год назад +2

    Really good setup. Liking it a lot.

  • @kristinvogt6980
    @kristinvogt6980 Год назад +1

    Great ideas I have not seen before!

  • @johndej
    @johndej Год назад

    Very interesting! He has some great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

  • @mikedevere
    @mikedevere Год назад

    Nice one 👍

  • @kevinnorwood7355
    @kevinnorwood7355 Год назад +1

    Nice,clean set up.

  • @kookmar7431
    @kookmar7431 Год назад

    Amazing

  • @tribalsean
    @tribalsean 6 месяцев назад +1

    Great video. Thank you for sharing. Fun and simple build. Keep on campin on

  • @dickvankoughnett2331
    @dickvankoughnett2331 Год назад

    Bill has a very nice clean set up . The biggest challenge is trying to incorporate as many of the great ideas you are showing into are own builds . Thanks

  • @JBlinky67
    @JBlinky67 Год назад

    Phenomenal ideas! Thank you for showing these to us. 😎

  • @donwarner6925
    @donwarner6925 Год назад

    This guy was awesome. Fantastic setup.

  • @IcyReaper
    @IcyReaper Год назад

    Great vid and informative.Thanks to Bill for him showing what his setup is. Very informative. I agree with him on the full raising topper vs the wedge version.

  • @YouTubeTyler
    @YouTubeTyler Год назад

    Cool setup. Looks well thought out, elegant, tried and true.

  • @allentisthammer4763
    @allentisthammer4763 Год назад

    Nice build looks very comfortable.

  • @k.howard5927
    @k.howard5927 Год назад +3

    One of the best setups I've seen. Great video 👍

  • @codyaverhoff6828
    @codyaverhoff6828 Год назад +1

    Thank you for sharing! Nice setup, simple, practical, clean design!

  • @bombero3368
    @bombero3368 Год назад

    Excellent quality build. Gave me some ideas for my truck.

  • @OverlandAdventureTimes
    @OverlandAdventureTimes Год назад

    Nice simple setup! Especially the handle on the back of the topper and the tailgate pull. Very cool.

  • @bbqdave4175
    @bbqdave4175 Год назад

    Thanks Donald for the great information 😊 Gets me thinking and rethinking about camp gear and my truck.
    As always, a well done video!

  • @danb.709
    @danb.709 5 месяцев назад +2

    I had a similar electic water pump on top of a water jug, it went out and I had to buy a manual hand pump cause thats what I could get last minute. Thought it was a downgrade and would be temporary. I was wrong, the manual pump is better, never went back, it's been a few years now. That said we use it for drinking water, it might be less useful for rinsing dishes or washing hands.

  • @tjkrueger2655
    @tjkrueger2655 Год назад

    Bill is great, love all the details and DIY solutions he's come up with for his build

  • @black_widow_overland
    @black_widow_overland Год назад

    That’s awesome. Giving me ideas to use while I build out my Harker Outdoors EDC topper for my gladiator. Safe travels guys.

  • @kevinmiller7184
    @kevinmiller7184 Год назад

    So many clever tweaks.

  • @saev55
    @saev55 Год назад +1

    Amazing setup, simple, clean and with all the essential gear

  • @brentbutikofer9055
    @brentbutikofer9055 Год назад

    One of the best, simple buildouts I've seen...Thanks for sharing

  • @offgridrecon
    @offgridrecon Год назад

    Fantastic build! Tons of great ideas and gadgets in his camper. Very nice of him to share with you! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @daneboro6847
    @daneboro6847 Год назад

    Nice clean organized and very functional set up nice job dude, love it!

  • @kennb.3389
    @kennb.3389 Год назад +2

    Very nice ! Great idea's . Simple but effective. Thanks for sharing !

  • @pnwfamilylife2857
    @pnwfamilylife2857 Год назад

    I like that folding table on the inside of the truck bed. Also, going to get a couple of those blue waterbricks he has. Thanks for sharing these great ideas

  • @kencon74
    @kencon74 Год назад

    Thank you for including other ideas and perspectives in your videos Donald! I’m a van guy but took some useful tidbits from Bill’s setup. Also Bill sounds like another vote for pronouncing roof like a dog bark. 😂

  • @nicholasqchance
    @nicholasqchance 9 месяцев назад

    very nice and functional build, I can tell he did his research!

  • @om617yota8
    @om617yota8 Год назад

    Great build! Thanks for showing us around, Bill.
    My girlfriend and I have used that very same water pump for 5 gallon drinking water jugs for years. Some quick calcs show in excess of 2000 gallons through it, still works like new. Highly recommended. Just don't let it freeze with water in it.

  • @broinsocali
    @broinsocali Год назад

    Very nice setup. Make me want to look into adding something to my Dodge Dakota.

  • @clifford_overland
    @clifford_overland Год назад

    I like the tailgate lift handle idea, I always close it them climb in, that would make things so much easier.

  • @bobgiddings0
    @bobgiddings0 Год назад +1

    Very nice. An elegant sense of restraint. Everything you need, including space, and not much you don't. Truck camping enthusiasts have a tendency to crowd things up by adding and adding until they go too far. This guy knew how to quit when he got where he needed to be. But that squared off top looks like it would be susceptible to wind. Is it stable when extended in a storm?

  • @charbvin
    @charbvin Год назад

    Impressive

  • @JohnnyForest2023-mi6kf
    @JohnnyForest2023-mi6kf Год назад

    Bill,
    I boil water at night, put it in a green Stanley thermos and have instant oatmeal and instant coffee in the morning. That way I can keep the windows closed instead of venting for the stove in the morning. Inside is usually 3-10 degrees warmer than outside.
    Also I really like looking out the rear window (sunsets etc) so I use a cushion on the floor rather than something higher.

  • @MrPoseidonSays
    @MrPoseidonSays Год назад +1

    This guys voice reminds me of the Christmas specials. I’m trying hard to remember but I think he was the narrated with his voice.

  • @karenllewellyn5834
    @karenllewellyn5834 Год назад +1

    Hi I just found this. I was looking at one video you did about the 12 best camping meals. The one you did with pork tenderloin and polenta with onion,sun dried tomatoes,Kalamata olives and balsamic … DELICIOUS!

  • @Rollyman
    @Rollyman Год назад

    Topo toppers company is located here at Ventura County, CA, around 15 miles from my place. I got my AT Habitat before I heard of them. Nice camper, lighter than my heavy camper.

  • @samhill3496
    @samhill3496 11 месяцев назад +1

    Interesting. That's how you do the simple camping life.

  • @martingindulis5310
    @martingindulis5310 Год назад +1

    WOW.

  • @Solo-Road
    @Solo-Road 20 дней назад

    I hope I'm as cool as that guy when I'm his age.

  • @fouresterfam8594
    @fouresterfam8594 Год назад +1

    Proving less is more 👌

  • @BirdPhish
    @BirdPhish Год назад +1

    Nice..pretty clean and organized. Actually I'm down here in Ojai currently ...really close to Topo Toppers and the Topa Topa mountain peak....sporting a new Kimbo though for my camping/Kimboliving going forward :)

  • @garretlewis4103
    @garretlewis4103 Год назад

    Decent build. I keep saying I need to put a handle at each corner of my canopy to help you step up using the bumper step when the side doors are closed.

  • @stevebrown1221
    @stevebrown1221 15 дней назад

    Thanks!

  • @louiskudlak2241
    @louiskudlak2241 Год назад +1

    Cool KISS ❤

  • @troyallen5806
    @troyallen5806 Год назад +1

    Have a 3rd Gen Tacoma and have been looking at GFC for a long time, but now Topo has my attention... Just waiting to pay my Tacoma off. So close.

  • @ddoghunt3471
    @ddoghunt3471 8 месяцев назад +1

    Some great ideas. Not sure all that is stored under bench but it seems most people put the heavy items on same side as the fuel tank? Not sure if it is the case here but most times it is. I must be the only one who thinks about it because I have not heard anyone else bring it up.

  • @texling93
    @texling93 Год назад +1

    Nice camper build. I was wondering if the tailgate lift you have could be made to rotate. That way you could use the strap as a step to climb up. Or made a stronger designed one if needed.

    • @KnittedSchnauzer
      @KnittedSchnauzer Год назад +1

      The problem is finding a secure step that you can find when you are blindly headed backwards out of the truck.

  • @twotwentyswift
    @twotwentyswift Год назад +2

    I love everything about this build. Thanks so much to you both for providing links to what he used. I was thinking how much I'd love to run across Bill out camping and learn all about his rig, how he's set it up, and where he sourced all those things. Thanks!

  • @ChambersFamilyOverland
    @ChambersFamilyOverland Год назад

    Good timing, we just broke our water jug. I know where I’m going to replace