Just a camper shell (with doors/windows) using Total Composite panels is around $18000. I like the Capri Retreat camper which weighs approximately 1350 LBS for a minimum setup I would want (to over 1500 LBS) and would be around $22000 the way I spec'd it (but I'm looking to build one). So, if it does what you want or need and you enjoyed the process then it is worth it. The jacks are needed unless you have 6 people who can load it for you!
Thanks for your camper build videos. It's very helpful information. I think you spent what was necessary for the level of fit, finish and functionality you needed. All in all, the weight saving and long term durability of your camper is above most commercial builds. I think this is where a very good homebuilt excells over the average commercial build. Nice work!
I have had three different types of truck campers for five k they would of been at least 1200 pounds and would of leaked and fallen apart after a years worth of use so you did really good building your own.
Gday CJ Great to see you back up Terrific brake down of camper Regarding buying & restoring or building from scratch. In my opinion having restored several Ducati motorcycles, it’s about the enjoyment you received. You will never get back what you put in. It’s the enjoyment & the knowledge you did it. Cheers mate
@@GeorgiaAstronomy The outback here is still wet & raining, not the best weather for Astro but great weather for tearing it up in the mud with a 4x4! Yee Yee 😂
Great build (I appreciated the short videos covering the different subjects)! I was going to leave a comment with the question on how much a ball park cost was for the build...so, thanks! This has been so inspiring. I seriously cannot believe how lite the completed unit is. With a basic build price for the shell at under $6k, that is pretty darn good. I personally like the idea of just a shell that I can outfit myself and make modular to move things around as needed for ease of use and weight distribution. FYI: NOMEX is a fire retardant fabric used in military flight suits. I think you meant Romex which is a trade name for vinyl encased wiring for electrical.
If you ever try to sell them, just show them your videos and they will see how well insulated and well-built. It was also compare that any commercial build and believe me, it will sell really enjoy your videos. Be looking forward to your bass boat build God bless you and yours.
Yeah! Thanks, nice to view a scrarch build foamy by a 'normal' bloke, thats my Spring project now but, an 8ft with double bed size over hang ( living dangerous) plus lg 120v/240v power pack with all 120v appliances but, also able to move to house as back up. Why no XPS skinned panal build ?
Enjoyed watching your build. Excellent work and documentation. Do you think permanent jacks could be installed? Would it be possible with additional reinforcing like 2X4s at the corners to bolt the jack plates to. I have a Tundra with a 5 1/2 foot bed. I would like to use your methods, but increase the cab over area for a full sized bed.
Great job! I've been wandering what i could build one for and how light i could go. Yours is the lowest in both categories I've seen on RUclips. Thank you!!
Nice job on the build! It was custom built to what you wanted, so the price will be more, and epoxy is $$$$. I’m building a modular unit with aluminum, so that’s also $$$, but it’s lightweight and strong.
@GeorgiaAstronomy thanks for the reply, my wife and I enjoy your built series, and look forward to the finish of the trailer. Keep up the good content.
I think you need to factor labor and build quality in for a true cost comparison against whats on the market. Your build would be considered top end custom in relation to a production unit. My compliments for a job well done. I have owned a light weight popup basic 2006 Bronco camper with three way refriguration, two burner stove, propane heat, 15 gallons cold running water (no wasre tanks) and lights. The unit had spent some time stored without cover and the oriented strand board sheeting took a beating. Yeah the unit was marketed as fiberglass but i didnt think you could call it that when it was so thin and the panel edges where not sealed so the rot spread from there. My big worry was the lift mechinism would fail or tear out which would make it unusable. I got what i paid for it and we did use the heck out of it but were never the less relieved when it left on another's truck.
@montanadan2524 Thank you! Certainly we have to factor in time and energy, but you cannot put a price on it. I do get having something used and plenty glad when it goes over the horizon and an air of relief comes up!
@donnahansen2837 I use a lavalier microphone I got from Amazon when in front of the camera and a Rode NT-1 for voice over. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09X114FP9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
You can absolutely buy a used camper cheaper. BUT not 400 lbs. In the long run - however - I don't think you'll be able to sell this for what you have in it. If you can live with the extra 1000 lbs I think a used camper is the best solution.
@williamklein6749 It wasn't so much price as wanting to prove to myself I could do it. I did wind up selling it for cost only. Labor was part of the passion.
5.000.,..5.000..ouch..buy used camper..i have found them for 100 bucks...bought a sporstsmobile rv van in exellent condition for 1.000 5 years ago and use it often...i dont know bout everyone else but money doesnt grow in trees at my place
It’s also about where you are. Where I’m from, any camper you find for less than a thousand isn’t even liveable without a lot of fix up work. And any brand new camper is in excess of 50k.
Time & Labor ?
Self-satisfaction & Pride is Priceless !
It's got your name on it !
@biker4r Thank you!
you forgot 1 huge key point, try to buy a truck camper for $5000 then try to find 1 that weighs 400lbs. they dont make them. i say excellent work.
@FUha8ers Thank you!
You have to factor in labor costs. I'm sure he put a couple of hours of work into it.
Just a camper shell (with doors/windows) using Total Composite panels is around $18000. I like the Capri Retreat camper which weighs approximately 1350 LBS for a minimum setup I would want (to over 1500 LBS) and would be around $22000 the way I spec'd it (but I'm looking to build one). So, if it does what you want or need and you enjoyed the process then it is worth it. The jacks are needed unless you have 6 people who can load it for you!
Very cool build. Someday, i might build one for my 8ft f250 bed.
@AverageJoesracingteam I would love to have that kind of room and payload!
Thanks for your camper build videos. It's very helpful information. I think you spent what was necessary for the level of fit, finish and functionality you needed. All in all, the weight saving and long term durability of your camper is above most commercial builds. I think this is where a very good homebuilt excells over the average commercial build. Nice work!
@rickbartley9255 Thank you!
I have had three different types of truck campers for five k they would of been at least 1200 pounds and would of leaked and fallen apart after a years worth of use so you did really good building your own.
@robertottwell605 Thank you!
Great build , you can not get a light camper with the same R value anywhere for this price . Again excellent job ! Thank you for the videos
@andreasaigner2865 thank you!
Gday CJ
Great to see you back up
Terrific brake down of camper
Regarding buying & restoring or building from scratch.
In my opinion having restored several Ducati motorcycles, it’s about the enjoyment you received.
You will never get back what you put in. It’s the enjoyment & the knowledge you did it.
Cheers mate
Ben! Thanks man! How's the outback?
@@GeorgiaAstronomy The outback here is still wet & raining, not the best weather for Astro but great weather for tearing it up in the mud with a 4x4! Yee Yee
😂
Great build (I appreciated the short videos covering the different subjects)! I was going to leave a comment with the question on how much a ball park cost was for the build...so, thanks! This has been so inspiring. I seriously cannot believe how lite the completed unit is. With a basic build price for the shell at under $6k, that is pretty darn good. I personally like the idea of just a shell that I can outfit myself and make modular to move things around as needed for ease of use and weight distribution. FYI: NOMEX is a fire retardant fabric used in military flight suits. I think you meant Romex which is a trade name for vinyl encased wiring for electrical.
Hi and thank you! You are correct, word and mind fart added to the Nomex/Romex snafu! :)
same here
If you ever try to sell them, just show them your videos and they will see how well insulated and well-built. It was also compare that any commercial build and believe me, it will sell really enjoy your videos. Be looking forward to your bass boat build God bless you and yours.
@judyrobertson5564 Thank you!
well done, now i want a pick up truck in the netherlands to build one on to.
Yeah! Thanks, nice to view a scrarch build foamy by a 'normal' bloke, thats my Spring project now but, an 8ft with double bed size over hang ( living dangerous) plus lg 120v/240v power pack with all 120v appliances but, also able to move to house as back up. Why no XPS skinned panal build ?
@grahamkearnon6682 Thank you!
One man's junk ,is someone else's treasure what someone is willing to pay! Nice job!
Thank you Jimmy!
Enjoyed watching your build. Excellent work and documentation. Do you think permanent jacks could be installed? Would it be possible with additional reinforcing like 2X4s at the corners to bolt the jack plates to. I have a Tundra with a 5 1/2 foot bed. I would like to use your methods, but increase the cab over area for a full sized bed.
Great job! I've been wandering what i could build one for and how light i could go. Yours is the lowest in both categories I've seen on RUclips. Thank you!!
@samuelfox8126 No problem! More coming!
Nice job on the build! It was custom built to what you wanted, so the price will be more, and epoxy is $$$$. I’m building a modular unit with aluminum, so that’s also $$$, but it’s lightweight and strong.
For what a commercial built one cost, you rocked it... just didn't understand why your overcab was so sort.
@franciscomoises82 Thank you! It was for storage only. I could have gone deeper but decided to keep it short.
@GeorgiaAstronomy thanks for the reply, my wife and I enjoy your built series, and look forward to the finish of the trailer. Keep up the good content.
@franciscomoises82 Thank you both!
I think you need to factor labor and build quality in for a true cost comparison against whats on the market. Your build would be considered top end custom in relation to a production unit. My compliments for a job well done.
I have owned a light weight popup basic 2006 Bronco camper with three way refriguration, two burner stove, propane heat, 15 gallons cold running water (no wasre tanks) and lights. The unit had spent some time stored without cover and the oriented strand board sheeting took a beating. Yeah the unit was marketed as fiberglass but i didnt think you could call it that when it was so thin and the panel edges where not sealed so the rot spread from there. My big worry was the lift mechinism would fail or tear out which would make it unusable. I got what i paid for it and we did use the heck out of it but were never the less relieved when it left on another's truck.
@montanadan2524 Thank you! Certainly we have to factor in time and energy, but you cannot put a price on it. I do get having something used and plenty glad when it goes over the horizon and an air of relief comes up!
Can you please tell me where you got your microphone for your videos? Thank you. Appreciate all the great info!!
@donnahansen2837 I use a lavalier microphone I got from Amazon when in front of the camera and a Rode NT-1 for voice over.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09X114FP9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
@@GeorgiaAstronomy ty!! Btw your explanation of the wiring for the camper was by far the easiest to understand. Thanks again
@@donnahansen2837 Thank you!!
I bet you could make a great cargo camper with just foam bones!
I've been watching videos from Nomad on YT recently about his process as well.
thanks for this break down.
$5800 (for those not looking for a 10 minute explanation)
It’s the enjoyment of doing it I think you did a great job I would’ve only thought maybe to help save weight use aluminum instead of wood
@chrisharris3389 It was enjoyable!
Watched the video most of it seems like a nice camper how durable has it turned out to be
great build!! How is the structure holding up to use? Are you having any issues with cracking of the epoxy corners and joints?
@mikecasey4766 Thank you! None that I am aware of.
Condensation ? Good, bad, none.
@grahamkearnon6682 No condensation issues.
I wish it cost less.
@adamwalker7338 AMEN!
You can absolutely buy a used camper cheaper. BUT not 400 lbs. In the long run - however - I don't think you'll be able to sell this for what you have in it. If you can live with the extra 1000 lbs I think a used camper is the best solution.
@williamklein6749 It wasn't so much price as wanting to prove to myself I could do it. I did wind up selling it for cost only. Labor was part of the passion.
5.000.,..5.000..ouch..buy used camper..i have found them for 100 bucks...bought a sporstsmobile rv van in exellent condition for 1.000 5 years ago and use it often...i dont know bout everyone else but money doesnt grow in trees at my place
It’s also about where you are. Where I’m from, any camper you find for less than a thousand isn’t even liveable without a lot of fix up work. And any brand new camper is in excess of 50k.