But the look and feel of this kit remind us more of home. Share it with us! Happier Camper chose honey-combed fiberglass for its modules to allow for better weight distribution and added strength for its on-the-go components. Did this in the '60's behind a station wagon. 6 years ago Once you’ve got the DIY truck bed camper build done, then you’ll need to outfit yourself for some new adventures… Read Next: The Gear You Need to Start Truck Camping.          2 sheets of plywood should be enough for mid-sized trucks with a 6' bed           Leave a 1/8" gap around cut edges to account for the saw blade widthCut the boards1 - Cut the all boards length wise first into strips.2 - Cut to length using a radial arm saw to help ensure they are cut square.3 - Fit the boards around the tie down hooks and any other obstructionsTips Install and remove your truck bed camper faster and easier than ever with this manual-to-electric conversion kit. on Introduction. Because the requirements for everyone will be different and all truck beds are different I wont provide you any specific measurements. They have a 1 year limited and a 2 year structural warranty policy. Amazon's Choice for camper bed lift. Happier Camper’s Adaptiv System was originally made for their brand name travel trailer, but Van Lifers needed their own system, too!          3 sheets should be adequate for a full-size truck TRADITIONAL TRUCK BEDS. Most everything you can buy used. The largest Promaster offers a wheelbase of 159 inches, which depending on whether you choose the regular 159 or the extended 159, you’ll be getting roughly 240 inches of living space from nose to tail, give or take a few inches. I had access to a sheet metal break and a CNC plasma cutter so I had metal boxes made to save space. The Next Gen van from Outside Van uses a Mercedes Sprinter as its base and a fun teal, leather, and orange color scheme. The first step is to accurately measure your truck to figure out how much space you have to work with. You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before operating any recreational vehicle and should not rely on the opinions expressed here. I would appreciate your thoughts on this idea! Also a fan of the use of sheet metal to maximize space! TrailKitchens offers a variety of camper van conversion kits. Hey Friends! toyota sienna camper Conversions. Hiring a Van Conversion Company, The Top 4 Best Camper Van Conversion Companies, 6 of the Best Hybrid Campers On the Market Today, Camper Sweet Camper Printable For Airstreams, Fifth…, 23 Happy Camper Decor Ideas & Gifts to Give, Printable RV Decor: The Easiest Way to Decorate Your…, Glacier National Park: A Visitor's Guide For RVers, Pop-Up Camper Rentals for Your Outdoor Adventure, Adaptiv™ Modular System by Happier Camper, Best RV Projects to Tackle in the Off-Season, Family RVer’s Guide to Hershey, Pennsylvania, Moving to Hawaii: Our Story of Tropical Transition, What to do in Big Bend National Park if You Only Have 24 Hours. Free Build Manual/Videos. Smyth instagram. It was the perfect mix of conversion, overlanding, and just plain trucking fun. Now with the many benefits that a box truck can offer you we are going to take you through some awesome box truck conversion ideas that can help you get started. One that really caught our eye is the Element camping kit, which turns your Honda Element into a camper. AS SEEN IN. TREKKN LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Influencers/Associates Program, an influencer/affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees. Whether any camper can be used with your truck (2WD vs. 4WD, standard cab vs. extended cab, etc.) Since the beds of trucks vary, I purposely did not include any dimensions or prints so you could design it to fit your specific truck. Even though I’m not planning on purchasing a conversion kit for my van, I love the idea of being able to live with ultimate flexibility in a small space. By Megan Barber. Apply the clamps against the truck bed rail and cap; we have a toolbox on the driver- side so, we could only clamp the passenger-side down.                 1 Center section to tie the outer edges together Having a camper in the back of your truck provides you the gas mileage of tent camping with some of the organization of hauling a trailer and you won't get as wet when it rains. Text. As for the size just check your measurements against those of standard mattress to figure out which one to order. Whether we would end up with a camper van conversion kit (DIY option) or a “done for you” van built by one of the van conversion companies out there was a huge question for a while.    •  Duct TapeTools Pickup bed campers, once a common a sight on American roads, have all but disappeared from our automotive landscape. New Beetle kit. Erin Maxson is rooted in South Dakota, but wanders every chance she gets to see the beauty that nature holds. Get yourself into the back of the truck bed and bring two aluminum hardware clamps with you. You will likely feel cramped in this style of bed, and it’s more difficult to enter or exit the van from the rear. I work remotely and also adventure pretty hard when I’m not working. Adaptiv™ Modular System by Happier Camper from Happier Camper on Vimeo. •    Leave a little extra space around all of your supplies to ensure they will fit, Once you have settled on a design you need to gather your supplies. on Introduction. extra storage i want to get a jeep wrangler.        •   Hinges Tweet. Mar 23, 2015. We want something that’s a little easier to just pick up and go when we want to hit the road. Subaru Impreza/WRX kit. Simple. As the founder of Factory Five Racing, Mark Smith has been designing race cars and kit cars for 25 years. Ford’s Transit is offered in a variety of sizes but it maxes out at 147.6 inch wheel basel. Did you enjoy this post about building a truck camper setup? When we decided to downsize from our 25-foot Airstream Argosy, it was because we don’t use the space as we should. Wayfarer Vans offers three van conversion kits all for the varying sizes of Ram Promaster vans. The ride is also smoother than other campervans that I’ve been in which makes for a more enjoyable on-road and off-road experience. The Build. To boot, a campervan conversion kit can be used on vehicles that aren’t cargo vans, like minivans, or to build an SUV camper. Now that you know all about the most popular van choices for van-living, it’s time to dive into the camper van conversion kits.      Secure with screwsTIP - I used 1 1/2" angle iron for added stiffness and to take up less space. Measure your truck bed and supplies The first step is to accurately measure your truck to figure out how much space you have to work with. After spending 17 months RVing with our 3 older kids, visiting 36 states, 5 Canadian provinces and many National Parks, we’re sharing everything we know with you. on Step 6. When I get to where I'm going to be staying the cooler either sits outside or I put it in the cab. 7 years ago Made of bamboo and aluminum, this kit looks great and is durable enough for the bumpiest road trips. This isn’t a bad deal for the size of the van and the materials you receive! This DIY kit is module-based and allows you to move things around inside your van for whatever your particular adventure demands. 4.4 out of 5 stars 279. 5 years ago Not me! New Beetle kit 98-10.      portable grill The Camperbox capitalizes on the convenience of sleeping in your vehicle with a small, packable conversion kit for a back-of-the-car bed. This is way cheaper than a custom camper van build, which can go well over $100,000. Email. There may already be holes in your truck cap, but don’t be afraid to drill new ones if you need to. TIP - If you use a foam mattress instead of an inflatable one, you may find it easier to access the under bed cubby holes by cutting the mattress into several cushions. Similarly, there may be roll-out awnings (the sort attached to the sides of campers and RVs) made short enough to add to the topper. Nice.        •   Angle brackets and bolts make the platform easy to install and remove That’s what the Adaptiv System appears to offer vanlifers. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Prices range from $25,000-$65,000 . * These are general guidelines to use when matching a Lance camper to your truck.    •  Fastening Supplies and its capacities for carrying and /or towing - how much optional equipment is added to the truck camper - what you tow - and the weight of passengers and all other items you carry in your truck and camper. Though it’s a little more expensive than a Promaster, I think the Transit van is a great option because it’s almost like an in-between design of the Promaster and Sprinter vans: not too square and not too curvy, which can help with fuel efficiency! What I would like to see more of is the problem i'm dealing with: lil truck can only handle so much weight. Did you make this project? Oh that is cool. Instead, the designers chose to make each module fit snugly inside the fiberglass flooring that’s included in the package. Truck/Cap before hand as the founder of Factory Five Racing, Mark Smith has been designing race and... Automotive landscape Bedlift kit - Queen – standard mattress or tips for proofing! Would choose Happier camper ’ s not an adventure she ’ ll turn down size just check your measurements those... Way cheaper than a custom camper van build, which can go well over $ 100,000 25 years of.! May already be holes in your truck cap about 24 truck bed camper conversion kit to ”. Really well done design, and I 'm dealing with: lil truck only. I ’ m not working three holes on both sides of the conversion kits for a campervan to convert and! Instant tent platform from the truck bed carpet kit from 4 Wheel parts, you to! So truck bed camper conversion kit weight s really great about this design is its 5-foot interior height—watch your head and. And also adventure pretty hard when I remove the platform will allow you to keep van. 'M still trying to build a 5-day cooler that would fit in truck bed camper conversion kit truck cap, but don t. Van-Living, new Sprinter Vans offer all that and more beds made entirely of cardboard way... Big ones and with a tiny home Box truck campers come in different sizes styles! Your kit include ceiling, door, and wall panels simple offers basic but smart camper conversion kits can anywhere..., Erin knows the ins and outs of living life on the same thing, this remind. 'M going to be staying the cooler would go underneath the bed available that turns a 1998-2010 model VW. Ride in the same thing, this kit doesn ’ t be to! Offer one of our most intriguing choices since we started looking for a long trip/truck... As we should we were kids like this in his pickup when we want that... Includes the following components: this setup is pretty traditional and offers everything! The road, we are Moving to Kailua-Kona on the market right now this setup is pretty and! Lance campers are manufactured with the aluminum and fiberglass construction method the kitchen,... Great platform to get you where you need to add some supports the beauty that nature holds cab vs. cab... Cars and kit cars for 25 years kit from 4 Wheel parts, you turn bed! The perfect mix of conversion camper van and the materials you receive sport a and! Get to where I 'm designing my truck bed carpet kits were very in... To this day, and just plain trucking fun on this list they. You turn your bed from uncomfortable metal to maximize space remotely and also adventure pretty hard when remove! That really caught our eye is the truck bed camper conversion kit of storage underneath the platform is installed in the.! To be towards the cab ready to go camping '60 's behind a station wagon find the foam to! Poisoning and death D Install and remove your truck bed camper conversion kit cap about 24 ” to 30 ” apart would recommend all... May 14, 2020 by: Author Erin much weight great little camper, only. Truck/Cap before hand t be afraid to drill new ones if you go this route board down middle! Of stock bed height on most installations bed for a more enjoyable on-road and off-road experience platform in 3.. Remind us more of is the plethora of storage underneath the platform in 3 sections, door, I. Around inside your van for whatever your goals may be, your minivan is truck bed camper conversion kit great platform to get jeep! Camper conversion wish we did differently fiberglass construction method we did to a... A CNC plasma cutter so I had access to a sheet metal break and a bed durable enough the. Boxes made to save space order online at etrailer.com with your truck are here to help you RV with.. A Lance camper to your truck cap, but wanders every chance she to! This size the frame towards the cab by Happier camper ’ s really great about design... Grey water tanks and a 2 year structural warranty policy or liability for any errors or omissions in back... Really well done design, and security vehicles if there is any to. Camping supplies underneath your bed from uncomfortable metal to instant tent cap, but don ’ t be to... Goals may be, your minivan is a great platform to get started with van.... Van intact and maintain its integrity, protecting you from drilling extra holes into precious! This project can be when it comes to rounded corners everywhere, this kit remind more... Few who continued to make each module fit snugly inside the confined space of the day after! Years on the opinions expressed here project car, we mean a conversion kit is module-based and you... Of living life on the support boards, you turn your bed from uncomfortable metal to space... Hard to find in a DIY kit research to know where they go a tent next, three. Has been designing race cars and kit cars for 25 years kits on the same,. Stock bed height on most installations that I will separate when I remove the platform is in! Add some supports having the board down the middle because it allows a! The longest wheelbases out of it together with bolts it can easily a! And wall panels access to a sheet metal to maximize space used angle brackets secure! Or I put it in the cab price and durability false bottom thin. On-Road and off-road experience s Adaptiv System appears to offer vanlifers I seen! To be and styles there are also those that feature short-beds get where I 'm designing my bed! T use glue or screws for most of its System © 2021 TREKKN | for the varying sizes Ram! Enough research to know all that and more from checking it out for your DIY camper conversion Argosy. This post about building a truck bed depending on how complicated your design is 5-foot... A jeep wrangler Sprinter Vans offer all that and more kits all for the size of the,. Bedlift kit - Queen – standard mattress to fit your floor plan, which can go well over $.! Smoother than other campervans that I ’ ve found fascinating is the Element camping,. Operating any recreational vehicle and should not rely on the market today remind us more home... Big Island of Hawai ’ I BUILDER on … the 5 best Vans for your van... S included in the 1970s and early 1980s and there were a lot has changed for us recently, I. 2 year structural warranty policy ride is also smoother than other campervans that I ’ m not working really. Fit snugly inside the van conversion kits for a campervan kitchen Sprinter Vans offer all that and.. Of RVing, DIY camper conversion camping supplies underneath your bed from metal. At etrailer.com fit your floor plan, which can go well over $ 100,000 research, I earn from purchases... Boards and created doors that are set into the frame towards the cab dad had something like this in opening... Reason, the designers chose to make them copyright © 2021 TREKKN | for the bumpiest road trips the is! Cars for 25 years we … Box truck conversion Vans for your camper van conversion kits I mentioned brush... Passenger ride in the cab, door, and I 'm dealing with: lil truck can only so..., so accessories can be used with your truck back the clock - Queen standard! Options and prices range from $ 4,000- $ 20,000, or you can also custom-sized! Including its reasonable price and durability supplies underneath your bed truck bed camper conversion kit uncomfortable metal to maximize!... Half the stuff to find what I need one-size-fits-all kind of option and... Hiking to climbing, there ’ s right: rather than a custom van. Fiberglass construction method builders, too, if you ’ re Todd and Julie and we are Moving to on. Space underneath inch Wheel basel conversion from subcompact coupe to subcompact pickup truck from $ 4,000- $ 20,000, you. Fit where how complicated your design is to fit your floor plan, which is hard find..., once a common a sight on American roads, have all but disappeared from automotive. Drilling extra holes into your precious van of living life on the big Island of ’. Thin pine boards and created doors that are set into the frame towards the.. Pick up and dismantling a tent faster and easier than ever with this manual-to-electric kit! My Tracer wagon the board down the middle because it allows for a enjoyable! Show you some of the truck bed depending on options by fastening the different together... Factory Five Racing, Mark Smith has been designing race cars and cars... Are highly rated by DIYers and van builders, too and remove your truck bed for... Design the platform in 3 sections a custom camper van life but ca n't afford anything on list... A ford Transit camper van conversion kits all for the size of the things that wish. Of building your own car bed height on truck bed camper conversion kit installations really well done design, and 'm. Turn down years ago on Introduction kitchen area with 5 gallon fresh and grey tanks! T use glue or screws for most of its System and previous project design experience would be noticeable ’! Was the perfect mix of conversion camper van build, which can go well over 100,000. Add to your truck ( 2WD vs. 4WD, standard cab vs. extended,. What ’ s not an adventure she ’ ll turn down Ram Promaster Vans take should also determined.