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I built a LUXURY micro camper for less than $1,000
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- Published on Jun 5, 2023 veröffentlicht
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Instagram ✅ presidentchay
🙌 How to pronounce my name: Chay ➡ Ch(aye)
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@President Chay noice build
@President Chay Dang that fast😭, I appreciate you for reading the comments. This video was a banger keep it up🔥🔥
@President Chay man forgot the mini fridge
These videos are getting even more crazy keep up the awesome work
Here before this blows up.
Here before this blows up.
Here before it blows up
Here before I blow up
Keep up with the comment bots 😂😂😂
I really don’t think that a regular person could make something like that for a thousand bucks, but it’s pretty cool that you showed how you budgeted out your project. I also loved the idea of a “poor man’s fiberglass”.
Agree, the extra material they have around, not to mention some specialty tools, is over a thou.
And they sure as shit didn't either... He actually says under $900 in the video, and under $1k in the title, liars never keep their story straight..
@💀The Cataclysmitician💀 i mean under $900 is technically under a thousand.
Honestly they kept it that cheap cause they had a solid amount of the materials needed on hand, in reality for somebody to actually attempt this as one of if not their first builds they'd have to buy most of those materials outright. Also for a beginner they'd have to get several tools that they might not have and honestly unless you wanna gamble on some tools you got from the pawn shop the tools and equiptment alone would cost at least $1000+.
I really like it and it looks awesome but its a bit misleading.
I'll give them credit they did build it for $1000 but only because they had a lot of the supplies needed, already laying around.
There's gotta be over a grand in tools even second hand
Including the trailer
@TheDogMantools never count
@TheDogManyeah tools don't count but the trailer and extra material does
So much to love about this project, love repurposing of the materials, the creativity, teamwork and the passion you both had.
Nice camper, just a tip though would be to use lag bolts on the 2×4 to trailer base, instead of just tiny screws. So you don't see your trailer fall off on the interstate one day. 👍
Lmao 🤣
🤫🤫😂🤣
Love the design of it. Looks modern and clean. Love the lights and the counter tops are beautiful. The sink knocks it up a notch too. You designed it real nice. Good job, love the inside colors.
*For just $900, along with $2,000 worth of scrap materials lying around, you can create an affordable tiny home.*
It definitely was not 3k worth. 1.75k max. Which is less than a decent pc. A fricken camp trailer for less than a pc. Even if jt was 3k thats a good buy
@moofynu *No, I agree. The point was, it will cost more than $900 because most people don't have a lot of the right materials lying around such as you guys did. They'll have to purchase most of it.* *FYI, I paid almost $3,000 for my laptop with upgrades. It's a monster. 5TB SSD, 36GB Memory, 4GHz, etc...*
@moofynua decent PC is around 1.2k-1.5k wdym lol
I was going to post this same exact thing. I was going to go a little higher in materials; hardware, glue, windows, tile, electrical, etc. If you have 70% of your build on hand, it will be cheap. If you had plywood, and a few other items on hand, you built a LUXURY CAMPER FOR FREEEEEE. Amazing!
@Treaac depends on how decent you want it to be
Great job guys! I love to see how people do projects like yours. It gets me thinking of projects that I could do. Thanks for sharing! 🌻
Looks good. To make light weight bedding, make the frame and instead of plywood base for the matress, drill holes and run Mason's twine to make rope beds. Also, I didn't see how you anchored it to the trailer. I would skip using a sink and just use two plastic dish tubs. It turned out nice.
I have built two of these but used waterproof siding for $33 a sheet at Lowes. It has a lifetime warranty and did not need paint because it had a nice beveled texture. Also my second one i used air lifts and the roof could open and close. I also used 1x3's sideways to increase the living space and reduce weight and cost. I used insulation board some which was cracked and being tossed out and thin paneling on the inside. Also paint or fiberglass all the plywood flooring top and bottom and edges I like your used bus window idea because normally windows pricey to buy. Its nice you brothers are helping each other.
Yeah, that's the way I would have done it too. I cringed at drywall on a trailer.
What I like is the layout, and the functionality of it. I like you can stand up fully, actually sleep, and prepare food. I wish there were more plans, or details on the wiring, etc. available. I would have to add clothes storage as well. Great job on the design!
You guys are definitely thrifty, creative and innovative souls!!!
You guys make it look so easy
👍
👍
thumbs up
Gd
FR IT MAKE ME ANGY >:(
It made a lot of fun to watch this video of you guys, really great experience what you've shared with me. I need more of this so I shared with my friends around :) greetings to you brothers! great experience!
Thoreau would be proud. In fact, his ~$28 cabin at Walden Pond in 1845 cost him the equivalent of more than $1100 today. The narrative of your camper closely tracks Thoreau’s resourcefulness in building his cabin. Nice to see, especially since your camper was built by brothers.
Love your video and creative skills! Thanks for sharing this project. 😊Would it be wise or possible to undercoat the flat bed trailer in some way before the build begins? Thanks.
Great build. I personally probably would've gone with 1x2 walls and 1/4" or 3/8" drywall to cut down weight and gain a tiny bit of square footage.
I also would have done peel and stick faux tile. Real tile is heavy
@joshua morin definitely
I'm thinking drywall in anything that flexes as much as a camper has got to be about the most foolish thing you could do. Right next to using osb as sheathing
@Shawn Henderson Personally I would definitely look for an alternate to drywall because of weight.
You are both Amazing builders. I Enjoy your videos. You use everything you have and make it work to keep costs down. Love the countertop. Thanks for sharing all your tips.. you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy the outdoors for a weekend. 🙂
Cargo trailer conversion here with a few things to point out if you truly plan to do this. First, please seal your wood, even if you torch it will make it last so much longer but paint will really seal it, front and back, you dont want black mold. You NEVER want to use house wire because it will break, you actually WANT to use extension cord but bigger gauge. Use foam board as insulation, 2". never EVER use drywall, it will literally crumble while driving down the road, use thin plywood instead for your walls. Seriously this tiny idea is amazing, so simple, but if you want your rig to last longer then a summer, you're going to want to edit materials.
I thought the same thing about the drywall. 1/4 inch plywood would have been better.
@MuskratOutdoors yep! I thiiink that's the thickness we used for our walls actually. What's really awesome is the thinness helps to bring it into your rig because it has a good bit of flex to it. We coated the backs and edges of our walls with mold and mildew resistant paint.
never use extension cord wire, it degrades with heat, look at the NEC. Its better to use stranded THWN/THHN wire and use pvc conduit, or flex conduit. THIS is how you prevent a death caused by a "hot spot" fire 3 years down the line.
You do not want extension cord, it is not made for this application.
@zdbrownieno cards, check.
Awesome build! If you were to use luan underlayment instead of drywall, it would have saved some weight!
Great build! I would not use 16gauge extension cord, spend the extra money and get some cl2 rated multi stranded 12 gauge. Other than that it looks awesome. I also worry about the old bearing in the trailer axle, but that’s not impossible to fix.
Nah. They are just using small LED lights and such, they are not even running a circular saw kind of power draw and an extension cord will carry that just fine.
@blaster-zy7xx They had an AC unit, an electric cook top and a TV in there. Not sure if they had them all on the same circuit or not. I guess I'd risk it.
Your glue coat reminded me of a project I did in high school, the balsa wood suspension bridges that had to hold the most weight contest in Technology class never specified in the rules that we couldn't paint our bridges with glue. No one else painted their bridges with glue, I more than doubled the weight held by the bridge in second place. Don't underestimate the power of a layer of glue
I loved this! I would have gone for the proper wiring.. to save having to redo it 😂.. and probably lino instead of tile to make it lighter so you can have proper mattresses!! Mine would have cost a bit more than yours 😂❤
You guys this is turned out fantastic… I wish I had the skills and tools to do this type of thing!
For the love of sparkie god, do not run the A/C and cooktop at the same time. You will melt that 16 gauge extension cord wiring. Love the build, it came out fantastic! My only advice as an electrician… if you reeeally can't afford the romex, please use a heavier duty cord. At least a 14 gauge, preferably 12 if you can swing it. That is all.
@PresidentChay pin me, you won’t 👀👀
Lets pray they do not learn the hard way why it is such a bad idea.
Its a VERY bad idea!
That's scary just the air conditioner on its own. I guarantee there is no overcurrent protection on this thing. They are risking there lives if they sleep with the AC on. At least buy the proper wire for the plugs to use the AC and a cooking appliance.
@Old School Awesomeness the irony of dying in a fire from using air conditioning is not lost on me. 🤣
@Steffan Pinson good one😅 or maybe bad one😮
I'm afraid more of them selling this to some unsuspecting slacker who'll drag it out to _Burning Man_ festival 😬
Great build. But the cord is extremely dangerous 😮 i wouldn't even sleep in that camper unless the cord was unplugged, and i hope you two also do that for your safety. Apart from that, it's a great build 😊
Really don’t want to hear any negativity about this awesome.camper. Do what YOU want but let others do what they want!
If not negative it’s a thoughtful suggestion for safety. You seem like someone who can’t handle criticism
Great to see that you like the camper so much! But, sharing concerns is about safety, not negativity.
@Suzanne Roche Don't be a complete tool. Running air-conditioning, lights, a burner, AND a tv off of that extension cord is more than a legitimate concern.
Nice stuff! Only for the waterproofing- I’d say you could have also used hydro-isolation that’s meant for bathrooms.
I have a camper that was given to me and my husband with a roof leak from skylight in bathroom. The leak extends to back bedroom and pours in through a speaker in ceiling whenever it rains. I gotta keep a bucket on the bed. I wish I could fix it but not sure how to do it, and watching these guys make it look so easy. The camper is definitely fiberglass from top to bottom and insurance won't obviously do anything. Leak is much worse but we can't afford to take it to a shop so wondered if it's possible to fix myself. Camper was given to us for free though.
This is awesome. What would you normally use for lightweight interior walls if you didnt use drywall?
If you have the trailer still, add reflectors to the side and front. Great video and love it. Enjoy this sub :)
Great job on a budget camper! Hope it holds up beautifully!
I love the 3D graphics going along with what they're building. It just makes following along what they're doing literally a thousand times easier.
yea i think they're using sketchup.
The fact that they weren't wearing PPE gear or gloves made me cringe the whole time i was watching this ,smh.
@xxxMixedGenreFavs you wear gloves when you press the dislike button too? 😂
Those beds are skinnier than the ones in solitary confinement. That's not going to be "sleeping comfortably."
@Todd Bender some people sleep on the floor. it is more healthy to sleep on a solid surface anyway
Great work guys. Since you are $100 below budget, I'm sure you can make an even better one on your next trial incorporating some of the points in the comments e.g. heavier duty wire, avoiding Drywall (gypsum board) and replacing it with 1/4 inch plywood and maybe getting some basic shock absorbers. Keep making your videos.
You boys are awesomely creative. Your parents can be very proud of you!!!
Love everthing about this build, love how resourceful you were and everything else.
Just curious what happened to the school bus and what about any permits?
Impressive build and love how you put it all together
The amount of effort u both put in this trailer is awesome🔥
For those wondering: the reason that the electric cord was cheaper is two fold
1) it is thinner (and rated for less amperage) than romex
2) it is not rated for in wall installation. If it gets to warm (useage + insulation) it can more easily start a fire
You may get away with this "hack" or you may die slowly in an electric fire... your choice
Exactly 16 awg extension cord rated 10 amps in the open air versus 14 awg rated for 15 amps in wall. They could have probably found a smaller roll instead.
After finishing the video, just the griddle alone is overloading that wiring. That was a foolish move for very little savings.
@Rich Brunner so what you're telling me is that the rest of this process is fine if you just do correct electrical installation?
@Rich Brunner I hope the window ac unit isn't on the same circuit 😂. Also I didn't see a circuit braker
at least i feel more comfortable than on the street or in the car
Awesome work! The only thing I would change is that I would put a 9 function air fryer instead of a cook top.
Definitely a nice build and I'm not questioning wether or not it cost less than 1k but most people don't have the tools and equipment to do it for under $1,000
Personally, if it was possible I would use a metal frame with Aluminium studded on for the external walls ( at least the lower half). I like to be completely bear proof 😊 I would also lash out on proper electrical wiring.
Otherwise, a brilliant effort on a minimal budget demonstrating awe inspiring brotherly cooperation.
❤
I could watch this type of stuff all day long! Gonna have start my own build now!
Wow! What an amazing transformation! Love the floor lighting and all the extra details. Well done!
Wow you guys are gifted over and beyond! I just turned 70 and tired of paying rent. I'm looking to get a cargo van to build out myself but I'm scared because it's just me and my little dog, but you guys just inspired me. Great content. Well done guys, well done. God bless you!!
Just find one and go slow 😉👍🏽
Hope all goes well!
No fear,
Just do it!
Use 1/4 inch drywall , now it's half the weight. :)
Nice job!
Y’all really are very talented in this……design and building….fantastic!
This is awesome! I'd love to do something like this one day. First step for me is to get a car 🤣
I love this build. It sure is convenient to have stuff laying around.
Am I the only one who thinks the coolest thing about this is that it's two brothers working together on it? I'm tearing up, excuse me I need to call my brother.
I liked it when you said "One of my favorite things about building is that you can take anything no matter on how dirty it is and make it into something amazing if you put a lot of effort into it" That sould be a real quote :)
luxury is generous but i love the amount of work you guys were able to do on this. the perfect DIY spirit
Except that 16awg wiring. That is the Achilles heal of the whole build.
Hell calling his use of the word luxury generous is being generous. I mean dawg cut every single corner that he physically could, title is 100% clickbait. I get the Clip-Share algorithm grind and everything but it is a lil annoying. Fortunately the end result is still pretty cool so I don’t think anyone is that upset. I guess the rationale is they were going for a luxury aesthetic even though it’s 90% “poor man’s fiberglass” & “the cheapest extension cord they sell” 😂
I was impressed except for 2 things the drywall & the extension cord. Seeing that all i could think is fire danger. So please be careful. I don't know much about tools but would love to see a tools list. Btw I'm saving this vid. Besides the 2 things i mentioned i think you boys did a great job!
An idea is maybe getting those personal air mats to put under the makeshift mattress. Would def help a lot maybe since other campers take just those air mats out on the hard ground, n they seem to work pretty well for them. Could be a good idea
Considering an enclosed trailer at HD, that I was just looking at, has about the same dimensions, and is really just a box, is going for $6K, this was a killer build... now to only find a road worthy trailer for $100. :)
I really wish when people did builds like this, they would put the actual plans, and materials list.
NAH this was a build half built with junk they found lying round. Plus, they built to the size trailer they happen to find too.
these guys are the personal embodiment of motivation
I had an interesting thought. You could build a big garage that is separated into two spaces, one for a car and one that has a ton of cabinetry, a murphy bed, sofa, etc. even a heating stove, and well insulated maybe even laundry and a sink. This would classify as a garage/workshop for property tax purposes. THEN you could park a trailer like this inside it so you have a kitchen and bathroom and voila, you have a house. You could have little properties in all your favorite places and just roll up with your little trailer and you're home without all the drama of building a house or paying the high taxes on a house. Technically, you're 'living' in an RV and not the structure as that's where the kitchen and bath are. I'm really seeing benefits here....thanks for the inspo!
Most genius thing I've read all week.
nobody cares women.
Whoa
@Kevin Rediya hater spotted
@Manuel Ester *Now if only we could see Kevin Redya thumb down **#s**. It's probably in the thousands : ).*
Could wood paneling work just as well as drywall but be much lighter and look better?
These recordings are getting significantly more insane keep up the marvelous work
Amazing build guys I’d love to get some blueprints to build one similar to yours
That was freaking awesome. You guys are on point. I wish I had ya'lls skills
Cool. I'd have suggested using Titebond III glue, as it is for exterior and is waterproof. But, other than that...good job!
Between the budget counter going up as the build progresses and the snippets of 3D graphics visualizing what they're doing next is just so good. Well done Chay! That camper would be so nice to have.
im so glad u liked the animations! they were my first ones so they were super hard to do!
Even more impressive. I'm pursing 3D animation so I guess I just appreciate them that much more.
@President Chay please wear PPE or gloves next time so i dont have to cringe watching it 😢
@President ChayI’d utilize the space above the kitchen/living room with storage space
Looks really good for under 1k super affordable some people could even use it as a permanent residence it’s really nice.
Brooooos this is so amazing , I bought a tent for camping but now I'ma talk my husband into getting a custom camper 😄 way cool . I don't know you guys but I'm proud of y'all
My uncle built an adorable tiny cottage in the back yard out of items he took from the dump.
Back in the old days when you could take things out when you were making a haul to the dump😅
Was recommended this video out of the blue and really enjoyed it. Then I noticed your homeless 5 days / nights series you did and watched all of those, was totally hooked. Thanks so much, I am now subbed, thoroughly brilliant channel !! 👍
AMAZING! Definitely saved with all the freebies!
Assuming they are using campsite bathrooms for "facilities". I would love to know how the kitchen water is supplied?
GREAT JOB THO!!!
I think PMF is usually made with waterproof wood glue, not regular wood glue. If you are completely relying on the paint to act as your water barrier than you might as well have just used paint on the OSB after caulking the seams. The point of PMF is that it’s multiple waterproof layers, plus paint as your bulk water barrier.
That extension cord is cheaper than romex because that extension cord was 16ga instead of the necessary 12-14ga.
Drywall for the inside of a moving and bouncing trailer is going to begin tearing through the screws quickly. You could buy 1/4” mdf or plywood pretty much as cheaply.
Also the tiles going to crack
@Blazin asian Potentially. Tiles are actually used quite frequently in luxury Speinter van conversions and seem to do alright if correctly installed. Really depends on the rigidity of the substrate you’re adhering it to. But I agree, I wouldn’t personally use them, way better options.
Dont ever depend on solely exterior paint to protect OSB. Quality of craftmanship is not what it looks like when its finished but the longevity of how it looks down the road and this camper has none of that. Its a quick sloppy build designed to last 10 minutes for utubes and thats disingenuous and should be down voted as encouraging irrational and illogical behavior.
@gantz4u Obviously you would never just use paint over OSB, that’s my point. That’s basically what they did. Non waterproof wood glue and material aren’t going to protect much.
Sell this for cash away from where you live right away. $$$
Omg !!! 😳... You guys did an amazing job!!! 👍🏾... I wish the Lord that I had someone to give me one of those!!!! 🤷🏾♀️.... I love it... 😍.... If I was still in my younger days I would try to make me one too!!! 🙋🏾♀️ .... I am so glad that I came across this video.... God bless you both and keep up the amazing projects. 🙏🏾 😊
I don’t know how I stumbled into this side of Clip-Share but oh my god I’m so glad I discovered it. Absolutely incredible!!
Good on you boys. I did something like this thirty years ago. Lots of good memories for the old man that I am now.
Very awsome job you guys are incredible to be able to turn trash into tresasure like that 👍🏻
My toxic trait is thinking I can also do something like this on my own just from watching this video 😂😂
Nice build, two things I would definitely change! Spend the money on the wiring and 1/4 plywood on inside instead of heavy drywall
Exactly what I was thinking especially running the cook too and AC on that wiring 🔥
ok
Was just going to comment on how cool it would look to have a wood interior. I like the idea of a “log cabin” aesthetic.
And maybe a window on the angled wall for a bit more natural light? 🤔🤷♂️
@VenomLink Could have framed the walls up with pallet's and the interior.
Totally amazingly incredibly resourceful, And the end product is great!
great job, dunno if i'd call this a "luxury" camper but solid work all around
You guys rock ! Everything seems so easy !
Do you have reflectors on the back of the trailer and are you required to get a license plate for it? It looks very nice.
I envy people who are able to build things like this, for whatever reason these are skills that are just beyond me no matter how hard I try.
You and me sis. I think we need to just start small and keep going.
Nah this sort of thing is stupid easy you just need practiceb
@LiveToRide my dad was a licensed electrician and carpenter, he spent years trying to teach me and the skill just isn't there for me. Now, give me a t-square, calculator and pencil and I can easily whip you up a blueprint for it, but never be able to actually build it myself.
You guys could have used quarter inch drywall to save on some weight. But great video to show what you can build for reusing material and a 1000 bucks. You guys got some handy skills!
Inspiring. I just may take up on a project like this considering rent is too damm high and this is a great alternative for me
Thanks you guys answered a bunch of my questions! Going try too make one myself! With about 3 grand!
It’s beautiful. Soooooo impressive guys, very inspiring 🎉
Man! That thing is beautiful!! Great DIY for ANYONE into the outdoors!! ❤
One tip, put 3/4 plywood in the wall prior to drywall where you plan to mount the tv, then you dont have to worry about hitting a stud to hang the mount, also wire an outlet so the tv hides it👍
I believe the trim should've been installed under the cloth. Additionally, to make it extra waterproof, you could have installed the trim screws in a similar fashion to shingle nails. That would've prevented any potential leaks at the screws themselves.
Anyway, great build, guys. Just a couple tips for future reference.
Also, definitely take heed of the comments about your electrical work.
Couldn't do that here in the Bay Area... 2x4 aint that cheap, and the screws and other hardware (which i didn't hear you mention) would probably over a hundy and a half by themselves. Turned out well though! I might have skinned the interior in ply to save weight but you cant deny it looks great done in drywall.
You guys are amazing! I've lived in my van for over 4 years now and I've loved it but it's time to be able tovstand up straight, after all I'm 70 years old. Lol My son just happens to have a trailer like yours and he's a carpenter! That would be plenty space for my Chihuahua and me! Loved the video! ❤ If you're ever in Arizona, look me up and say hello.
It's a shame you couldn't keep the bus but holy moly you guys are so talented.....still waiting for you to come to Ireland 😂😂
I love your energy and I love your build. Your wiring made me very nervous but I see some electricians chimed in so that's good. I converted a minivan into a camper two years ago and I've been exploring America non-stop since then. I have so many people tell me they want to be a nomad like me but would prefer a trailer. I'm will be sharing your video with everyone who says that from now on. Great job guys!
Just a quick safety note: make sure the pallets are not chemically treated. Kiln or air dried only. But a really fantastic build. got a lot of great ideas for something I've been thinking about!
Still wouldn't trust them. No clue where the pallets were stored or what was transported on them.
Good watching out, though.
o7
Great work!! Enjoy the fruits of your labors!!!
I think it's more realistic than used a school bus and more affordable for all people and definitely inspiring
Before you started cutting all of that wood, I would have sealed both sides with Thompson's water seal. I think I would have used foam panels instead of fiberglass insulation. And then instead of using sheetrock (wtf?) I would have used cheap paneling or 1/4" plywood.
Great job, Gentlemen. The only thing I would change would be the title, making it "We made" instead of "I made". I really appreciate your ingenuity and that glue and canvas trick was a real eye opener!
Love that he said so we’ll use osb or ply wood like those are 2 completely different things the osb is just wood shavings glued together and the plywood it’s layers of flat chips of wood
The amount of dedication this takes to make in terms of time, quality, and editing, is truly amazing in all aspects! great work to the both of you! :D
Absoloutly insane! And very entertaining at the same time!
An experienced RVer would have a roof vent "attic fan" as mandatory. Add a cover so that you can open it while it's raining. Other than that, I like it.
Great job, can't wait to build one myself.