We just got back from a 10-day 1800-mile trip out of Michigan, through Indiana, Illinois, and all around Missouri. We slept in the camper all 9 nights we were gone. Everything worked out great, even with a couple of torrential downpours while we slept. The truck (Ford F-150 4WD with 5.0 V8 engine) did pretty well on fuel economy. Bucking a headwind most of the way down, it started out at 17.5 mpg but then dropped to around 16 because of the headwinds. However, on the way back home, we got 18.5 mpg, and that was even with being stuck in traffic on Interstate 80 for over an hour. So I would say that the camper lowered the mpg by maybe 3 mpg, which isn't bad. All in all, we count it all a success.
What a wonderful build you have there. You're patience and attention to detail are impressive. Yours is the second build I've seen where the cabover is attached to the last post/gambrel which I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around as far as the canti-levered support it gets. Am I correct in believing that the support isn't just from the post/gambrel, but a combination of all attachments to it from preceding members, and the exterior paneling? Do you notice any deflection when weight is applied?
The exterior 1/4" plywood along with the XPS foam that is bonded to it provides a great deal of strength and stability. It appears to be very strong in every respect. Haven't noticed any deflection at all. And actually, the interior 5mm plywood probably adds a degree of strength also. When we were raising the camper to load it on the truck bed, I had two of the camper jacks under the cabover until we got it high enough to put all of the jacks under the "wings" of the camper. No evidence of any deflection at all. We camped overnight in it a few days ago to give it a test run before hitting the road with it, and it performed as hoped and expected. I slept in the cabover bed and felt very secure and comfortable.
After mounting and using the camper, how does the poor man's fiberglass hold up at the corners? I've been curious about how slight movements in the wood effects the places where there's a long 90° angle/seam?
Probably not quite as well as actual fiberglass, although some have had it last a decade or more on their trailers etc. I expect to need to topcoat it again with acrylic latex paint in a few years.
Very well done i think its the nicest one i have seen, and you're innovative build technique . Could you share your dimensions and any more build pics. Thank You
Thanks! All totaled, we have about $5700 into it. That includes all the construction materials, the 12v refrigerator, EcoFlow power station, dual fuel cook stove, the porta potti, aluminum step ladder, the truck bed mat, and so on.
Thanks! Yes, the door is also skinned in PMF. The landscape fabric I used was just a medium quality fabric, nothing particularly special about it. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have stayed with the traditional method using canvas drop cloths. The landscape fabric was a bit more difficult to get to stick securly around corners than organic fabric, as it wasn't possible to iron it down to the extent you can do with cotton. But all in all, it still turned out quite nice and has a pleasing sheen.
I used Loctite PL Premium 3X construction adhesive for bonding the XPS to plywood. I used Titebond 2, but if I was to do it again, I think I would pay the extra and use Titebond 3, as it is fully waterproof, whereas T2 is only water resistant. I did thin it about 25% with water.
@@lylewood1492 Thanks for responding, just watched your other video too. You're the second person I've seen use landscape fabric. I did a test piece with Titebond II and it's bullet proof, stuck like crazy with just one application of glue. I did some research on Titebond III and they recommend it for areas that are continually. so I think multiple coats of II is fine, good paint is important. Titebond III does have a longer work time though and they say to thin it by 5%. Does your tailgate lock off your key fob? My doesn't, so I'm going to go with operable port hole or dutch door just in case someone shut my tailgate while I was inside! Enjoy your travels.
@@andrewkvasnak183 Yes, my tailgate locks with the key fob. So if the truck doors are locked, I can trip the lock strikers on each end of the tailgate and then it's not possible to shut and latch the gate. However, if we were inside and the truck wasn't locked, someone could possibly shut the tailgate. For that reason, I fabricated a simple long hook that I can reach out of the back door window and catch the tailgate handle to pull it up and unlock and let the tailgate down. That hook assembly will be inside the camper at all times, just in case.
Thank you so much for the reply and information. One last hopefully easy question. Did you build it so that the wings sit on the bed rails for support/stability, or do they float?
@@lylewood1492 incredible. I think I now understand the cabover attachment and strength based on your prior description, but if I'm seeing it correctly the only place the base of the wings are attached are at the tub wall vertical section. I can see the strength against the front of the bed/cab because it runs the width, but everywhere else isn't clear to me. I hope that you don't mind, but can you clue me in?
Keep in mind that virtually everywhere on the exterior of the camper, the plywood skin gives a great deal of strength and stability. So there is that. But also, on the front portion of the wings, there are 2 2x3's laid flatways that span the entire width of the camper. Those form the framing for the front bench inside the camper. That together with the stiffness provided by the plywood on the vertical portions of the front of the tub including up to the floor of the cabover gives a great deal of strength and stability. Once the camper was framed and skinned with plywood, I could lift up any of the four corners of the camper and there was no discernible deflection. Everything was tied together securely. Even on the back of the camper with the door framing in place, the plywood on either side of the door along with the stiffness provided by the rafter beam made it all very stiff and strong.
@@lylewood1492 thank you for taking time to reply and describe what makes it all work. I'm in the process of determining what I'm looking to build and trying to understand it all before I do.
(From a previous question further down in the comments) - The landscape fabric I used was just a medium quality fabric, nothing particularly special about it. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have stayed with the traditional method using canvas drop cloths. The landscape fabric was a bit more difficult to get to stick securly around corners than organic fabric, as it wasn't possible to iron it down to the extent you can do with cotton. But all in all, it still turned out quite nice and has a pleasing sheen.
Nice camper. Im in the middle of building mine, same type composite technique. I like the PMF material. What is the inside cab over height without mattress? I'm struggling with this area, overall height vs weight vs comfort.
It measures about 28" where it starts sloping down toward the front of the cabover section, sloping down to about 20" where the forward storage compartment is. I can't quite sit completely up on the edge of the cabover bed, but that works ok for me. It's a little less than I might have preferred, but it was more important to me to keep the overall height of the camper as low as possible. Interior floor to ceiling height of the camper is 6'1".
@@lylewood1492 Thanks, I'm looking at the cab over starting at 48" from bed of the truck and going up. (Ford F-250) With 2" of EPS on the roof, 1" on the cab over floor and 4" mattress, I'm looking close to 7' 4" at it's highest point to comfortable. It just seems huge.
@@d512295 As I remember, I made the bottom of the cabover floor 46 1/2" from the bed of the truck. I still have a couple of inches clearance between the cabover and top of the truck cab.
@lylewood1492 I send her videos. From what she does and a few other. As you and a few others put glue over the fabric. She does glue put fabric then it's off to paint
@@122amazonls5 There are variations in the method to do PMF. Many videos are on RUclips. I recommend taking time to view different ones and then decide on what approach you want to take.
@@122amazonls5 So far it is doing very well, however, it is still quite new, as I only completed the camper and brought it outside in late April 2024. We have taken a 10 day trip where there was a lot of weather variation, including some heavy rainstorms. It held up perfectly through that. Time will tell how it will do in the long run, but my expectation is that it will continue to be fine.
We just got back from a 10-day 1800-mile trip out of Michigan, through Indiana, Illinois, and all around Missouri. We slept in the camper all 9 nights we were gone. Everything worked out great, even with a couple of torrential downpours while we slept. The truck (Ford F-150 4WD with 5.0 V8 engine) did pretty well on fuel economy. Bucking a headwind most of the way down, it started out at 17.5 mpg but then dropped to around 16 because of the headwinds. However, on the way back home, we got 18.5 mpg, and that was even with being stuck in traffic on Interstate 80 for over an hour. So I would say that the camper lowered the mpg by maybe 3 mpg, which isn't bad. All in all, we count it all a success.
I should also note that we drove slower to minimize wind resistance, usually around 63 mph.
Well done, sir! You are quite a craftsman and Margaret is a great seamstress. I love the murals you added for a finishing touch.
Thank you very much!
Beautiful work, well done! Your PMF finish is the best I've ever seen.
Thank you!
You did such a wonderful job. Very relaxing to listen to also. Beautiful!
Thanks, Dave ! :)
Well done job sir, what a awesome job! The piano in the background sounds great. Keep up the good work. 👍
Thanks! :)
Looks just like ENDGAME's camper 7.0. But I like what you did with the interior better. I'm planning to build mine soon!
Thanks!
From Argentina Excellent
Thank you! :)
@@lylewood1492 beautiful work!! VIVA USA!!
@@user-dt9hi4vt2t Thanks!
I plan to copy your beautiful build. totally awesome !
Thank you. I have to give credit to Dave Mason of Endgame campers for the design that I basically copied
Amazing skills, congratulations both of you did a great job. Enjoy your camper
Thanks!
What a wonderful build you have there. You're patience and attention to detail are impressive. Yours is the second build I've seen where the cabover is attached to the last post/gambrel which I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around as far as the canti-levered support it gets. Am I correct in believing that the support isn't just from the post/gambrel, but a combination of all attachments to it from preceding members, and the exterior paneling? Do you notice any deflection when weight is applied?
The exterior 1/4" plywood along with the XPS foam that is bonded to it provides a great deal of strength and stability. It appears to be very strong in every respect. Haven't noticed any deflection at all. And actually, the interior 5mm plywood probably adds a degree of strength also. When we were raising the camper to load it on the truck bed, I had two of the camper jacks under the cabover until we got it high enough to put all of the jacks under the "wings" of the camper. No evidence of any deflection at all. We camped overnight in it a few days ago to give it a test run before hitting the road with it, and it performed as hoped and expected. I slept in the cabover bed and felt very secure and comfortable.
Yes, I have the same concern. These connections never seem to include connection detail photos.
Decent! good
Thanks!
awesome!
Thanks!
Very nice, I can tell you take pride in your work. Great job.
Thanks!
After mounting and using the camper, how does the poor man's fiberglass hold up at the corners? I've been curious about how slight movements in the wood effects the places where there's a long 90° angle/seam?
@@d512295 seems to be doing okay at this point
Fantastic job!
Thanks!
Great video... thank you for sharing....
Thanks!
a view from belgium :-) what a beautiful build , great work, now enjoy :-)
Many thanks!
I appreciate your explanations
Thanks!
Nice build great finish. Enjoy your lovely camper ❤
Thanks so much! 😊
Beautiful camper. The loud and obnoxious piano detracts from an otherwise nice video. Still gave a thumbs up. 👍
Thanks. By the way, for those complaining about the music, the same video is available on the channel with the music muted.
great job real pretty 😊
Thanks!
Great job. Beautiful work. Will the PMF hold up as well as real fibreglass?
Probably not quite as well as actual fiberglass, although some have had it last a decade or more on their trailers etc. I expect to need to topcoat it again with acrylic latex paint in a few years.
Very nice 👍
Thanks!
Very well done i think its the nicest one i have seen, and you're innovative build technique . Could you share your dimensions and any more build pics. Thank You
Please ask me again in about two more weeks and I can give you more information
My compliment excellent Bill outstanding
Thanks!
Beautiful work roughly how much cost do you have into the project?
Thanks! All totaled, we have about $5700 into it. That includes all the construction materials, the 12v refrigerator, EcoFlow power station, dual fuel cook stove, the porta potti, aluminum step ladder, the truck bed mat, and so on.
Thanks for sharing. Very nice and strong build. Is the door also covered in PMF? What particular landscape fabric did you use?
Thanks! Yes, the door is also skinned in PMF. The landscape fabric I used was just a medium quality fabric, nothing particularly special about it. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have stayed with the traditional method using canvas drop cloths. The landscape fabric was a bit more difficult to get to stick securly around corners than organic fabric, as it wasn't possible to iron it down to the extent you can do with cotton. But all in all, it still turned out quite nice and has a pleasing sheen.
@@lylewood1492 that is good to know, thanks!
Outstanding, great build. What glue did you use for XPS to plywood? Which Titebond for the PMF, 2 or 3 and did you add water? Thank you.
I used Loctite PL Premium 3X construction adhesive for bonding the XPS to plywood. I used Titebond 2, but if I was to do it again, I think I would pay the extra and use Titebond 3, as it is fully waterproof, whereas T2 is only water resistant. I did thin it about 25% with water.
@@lylewood1492 Thanks for responding, just watched your other video too. You're the second person I've seen use landscape fabric. I did a test piece with Titebond II and it's bullet proof, stuck like crazy with just one application of glue. I did some research on Titebond III and they recommend it for areas that are continually. so I think multiple coats of II is fine, good paint is important. Titebond III does have a longer work time though and they say to thin it by 5%. Does your tailgate lock off your key fob? My doesn't, so I'm going to go with operable port hole or dutch door just in case someone shut my tailgate while I was inside! Enjoy your travels.
@@andrewkvasnak183 Yes, my tailgate locks with the key fob. So if the truck doors are locked, I can trip the lock strikers on each end of the tailgate and then it's not possible to shut and latch the gate. However, if we were inside and the truck wasn't locked, someone could possibly shut the tailgate. For that reason, I fabricated a simple long hook that I can reach out of the back door window and catch the tailgate handle to pull it up and unlock and let the tailgate down. That hook assembly will be inside the camper at all times, just in case.
Thank you so much for the reply and information. One last hopefully easy question. Did you build it so that the wings sit on the bed rails for support/stability, or do they float?
The wings set about 3/4 of an inch above the bed rails. The camper rests entirely on the base of the camper in the bed of the truck
@@lylewood1492 incredible. I think I now understand the cabover attachment and strength based on your prior description, but if I'm seeing it correctly the only place the base of the wings are attached are at the tub wall vertical section. I can see the strength against the front of the bed/cab because it runs the width, but everywhere else isn't clear to me. I hope that you don't mind, but can you clue me in?
Keep in mind that virtually everywhere on the exterior of the camper, the plywood skin gives a great deal of strength and stability. So there is that. But also, on the front portion of the wings, there are 2 2x3's laid flatways that span the entire width of the camper. Those form the framing for the front bench inside the camper. That together with the stiffness provided by the plywood on the vertical portions of the front of the tub including up to the floor of the cabover gives a great deal of strength and stability. Once the camper was framed and skinned with plywood, I could lift up any of the four corners of the camper and there was no discernible deflection. Everything was tied together securely. Even on the back of the camper with the door framing in place, the plywood on either side of the door along with the stiffness provided by the rafter beam made it all very stiff and strong.
@@lylewood1492 thank you for taking time to reply and describe what makes it all work. I'm in the process of determining what I'm looking to build and trying to understand it all before I do.
I hope my explanations make sense and are helpful to you in planning your camper build.
Hi Lyle. Wonderful camper. Have you had a chance to weigh it?
Thanks David. Dry weight came in at 940 lbs
Very nice work!!!
What is final weight?
Thanks. Dry weight came in at 940 lbs
Very very nice blessing
Thanks!
What type of landscape fabric did you use? Brand name? Material type? Weight? Etc.? Any tips or lessons learned when applying the PMF?
(From a previous question further down in the comments) - The landscape fabric I used was just a medium quality fabric, nothing particularly special about it. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have stayed with the traditional method using canvas drop cloths. The landscape fabric was a bit more difficult to get to stick securly around corners than organic fabric, as it wasn't possible to iron it down to the extent you can do with cotton. But all in all, it still turned out quite nice and has a pleasing sheen.
@@lylewood1492 thank you. how many gallons of titebond2 did you use?
@@deanvandress4693 I think I used 4 or 5 gallons
Nice camper. Im in the middle of building mine, same type composite technique. I like the PMF material.
What is the inside cab over height without mattress?
I'm struggling with this area, overall height vs weight vs comfort.
It measures about 28" where it starts sloping down toward the front of the cabover section, sloping down to about 20" where the forward storage compartment is. I can't quite sit completely up on the edge of the cabover bed, but that works ok for me. It's a little less than I might have preferred, but it was more important to me to keep the overall height of the camper as low as possible. Interior floor to ceiling height of the camper is 6'1".
@@lylewood1492
Thanks, I'm looking at the cab over starting at 48" from bed of the truck and going up. (Ford F-250)
With 2" of EPS on the roof, 1" on the cab over floor and 4" mattress, I'm looking close to 7' 4" at it's highest point to comfortable. It just seems huge.
@@d512295 As I remember, I made the bottom of the cabover floor 46 1/2" from the bed of the truck. I still have a couple of inches clearance between the cabover and top of the truck cab.
Id like to hear more on the poor mans fiberglass
Here is a video by probably the foremost expert on PMF on RUclips, Lucy. ruclips.net/video/S3JIyhbdi-Q/видео.html
@lylewood1492 I send her videos. From what she does and a few other. As you and a few others put glue over the fabric. She does glue put fabric then it's off to paint
@@122amazonls5 There are variations in the method to do PMF. Many videos are on RUclips. I recommend taking time to view different ones and then decide on what approach you want to take.
@lylewood1492 how is the surface lasted on yours
@@122amazonls5 So far it is doing very well, however, it is still quite new, as I only completed the camper and brought it outside in late April 2024. We have taken a 10 day trip where there was a lot of weather variation, including some heavy rainstorms. It held up perfectly through that. Time will tell how it will do in the long run, but my expectation is that it will continue to be fine.
Good job except the music bed. We really don't need it.
Each to their own. I prefer music.
Here is the same video with the music muted: ruclips.net/video/aD9ylgQGS5M/видео.html
That was nice of you. Cheers
👍🙏💪🍾🥂🇨🇵🇨🇱🐻