Come and see our selection Having a shell trailer allows you to store your belongings in your truck bed while keeping them safe from the weather. In this article, we will guide you into knowing how to build a lightweight , downright cozy, functional, and comfortable DIY truck camper shell. Updated October 19, 2017. Repeat this process at least six times. You must log in or register to reply here. When we built the rig we didnât want a major investment in a larger outfit since we could not travel enough to justify the expense. See more ideas about camper, camper shells, diy camper. It looks great and costs more than aluminum. The assumption here is that you would be using two layers of relatively light plywood, separated by insulation of some sort. you could use basswood as some boats do to decease your weight even more. Here are some of my thoughts: What do you want your shell to do for you? Let's count all the layers. Tweet . Quyen Tong began writing professionally in 2006 when he launched a nutrition information website named Complex Nutrition. Once the polyester primer is dry, sand with 180-grit sandpaper and continue to sand with finer paper. Not only is this camper super sturdy, but you wonât have any issues with leakages either. When my ETS came up several month later I went home and in my Mom's garage with only a few rudimentary tools did the same. Riding High: The Stories that Jupiter's Travels Didn't Tell. © 2005-2019 Overland International, Inc. All rights reserved. Explore America's Campgrounds . In the remodeling of this trailer, I was left with many small holes from antiquated peripherals on the sides of the traile⦠3. But this is not the case with a camper shell, which is in touch with air, not water. 5 Best Fiberglass Camper Trailers (with Bathrooms) Fiberglass camper trailers are the best! These three things combined are poor mans fiberglass. From my reading, usually when people build fiberglass structures they build and skin the frame with thin marine plywood. Mainly due to strength issues. The entire underside of this fiberglass shell ⦠The carving will also be the polar opposite of your final product. The major disadvantage is that the resulting structure is quite a bit less strong and durable than an actual fiberglass shell. Sep 8, 2020 - All things related to DIY camper build and projects - whether a truck shell camper, camper van, trailer, suv, car, bus, or other small camper. I was stationed in Hawaii some 25 years ago and watched a guy in the military moral support wood shop build and wood and fiberglass a truck cap. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. However, camping with a pickup camper still remains one of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to go camping. Hard tonneaus often cost more than a basic aluminum camper shell. Jan 30, 2015 - See how this man, Jean-René Rodrigue, designed and built his own ultra-lightweight micro camper teardrop trailer... More information Using foam and fiberglass to make a DIY pull behind camper weatherproof - clever It may be old hat for the Bigfoot team, but we canât get enough of the stunning beauty of a completed fiberglass camper shell. For each month we recalculate the weighted average price for the products found with query 'Fiberglass camper' between price range 500 - ⦠DiploStrat, I understand the idea behind a sandwich structure but it is still overbuilt. A little heavy but it was EASY and it came out great. He specifically chose wood/fiberglass because it allowed him to maximize his own skills, allowed complete flexibility on tank and cabinet shapes, and (and this is the point I really like) because all of the internal fittings - seats, cabinets, tanks, etc., serve to reinforce the external shell. Many have made campers larger ⦠Spice up your family camping with these 5 homemade DIY camper shell plans that you can build by yourself on your vehicles to add a sleeping bed space and all the luxury that will provide ease of travel and camping. Problem 2- where do I route the tubing or cables? Yes, these DIY truck bed camper ideas will make you skip those boring installation of camping tents and will also save you from sleeping on the cold tent floors. You can build your own DIY camper shell or simply buy one from an auto parts dealer. The weigted average price for a used Fiberglass camper is $17,141. The frame is then sanded and the galley is installed last before attaching it to the trailer. Drying time varies according to the primer manufacturer, so follow the directions on the bottle. Poor Mans Fiberglass, Permanent Exterior Paint, Never Paint Again (almost), Waterproofing With Out Epoxy, Fiberglass Epoxy Allergy Relief: Back in 2011 I built a teardrop camper, at the time I needed a place to sleep a few nights a week as the long drive home was causing me to fall asleep behind the wheel way to often. This of course is just the shell and not the peripheral components such as plumbing, wiring or interior carpentry. He has graduated from Purdue University with a degree in aeronautical engineering and has submitted technical papers regarding the NextGen project and future flight trajectories for air travel within the United States. Email . All you need is the hook part. DIY builds, plans, ideas, conversion guides all about creating camper storage, organization, aesthetics, and a place to meet basic needs while tiny living. Take your fishing, hunting, and camping game to the next level with these 15 best DIY truck bed camper designs that will help transform your trucks into big camping luxuries. Spray the polyester primer on top of the auto body filler and allow it to dry. The camper shell is made of fiberglass and coated for sharps hazard safety, which means the shell is not a smooth surface, rather rough and non-uniform in texture.--Permanent adhesion to the truck frame and shell is not desired. JavaScript is disabled. Depending on the style and features, it can weigh 200lbs or less on average. By John Landers. Related How to Install a Floor in a V-Hull Boat. In reality this is asking for much more impact strength than really needed, I mean if you hit an aluminum sided camper that didn't have foam bonded on the backside (ie like my FWC with fiberglass insulation) this hard with a hammer you'd likely punch into it. I live out of a truck when Iâm backcountry skiing and the low-cost DIY truck camper I made is keeping me warm in all conditions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_and_glue. Here is part one of wrapping my foamie in fiberglass. #takethetruck #DIYcamper #truckcamping #truckcamper. Check out this DIY mini camper built from a common utility trailer, fine grade plywood, and maintenance-free fiberglass. Well, there is no reason you couldn't just fiberglass the pieces together as a solid unit. You might want to review this thread and compare notes with the builder. Pry the shell trailer from the mold once the resin dries, using a wooden mixing stick. What's more, the camper shell walls cut through the air instead of hitting water head-on, as is the case wit boats. For that reason, Iâm still considering coating the exterior in fiberglass, although itâs unlikely Iâll go that route. Window and door openings can be cut per your specifications. But its something to shoot for. The structure would gain its strength from its complexity, not from the raw strength of any one panel. Repairing Fiberglass: This Instructable comes from a recent project I have been working on that involves fixing up an old fiberglass travel trailer. Print . The teardrop is then flipped over, the mold removed, and the shell is sheathed on the exterior with a tough coating of fiberglass. But building a camper shell yourself is more beneficial. You can frame the shell using aluminum or you can fasten the shell on directly using the appropriate connectors that vary from truck to truck. If this type of camping sounds appealing to you, but you can't quite afford the high cost of the new fiberglass toppers, then you may want to consider building a camper shell yourself. Research shell trailer designs at retail stores. Insulating a truck camper shell is of primary importance in the winter months. I guess Airstream has been getting it wrong all these years. Allow the auto body filler to dry for a few hours before sanding with 220-grit sandpaper. I would need to create some external channels which robs me space and is not elegant. Yes, we may be partial to them (our first camper was a 1985 Fiber Stream) â nevertheless, fiberglass trailers have a lot of advantages.Weâre not talking about RVs with cheap fiberglass side panels. Waxing the mold is imperative to ensure the surface of your shell trailer will be smooth. It can be used for waterproofing or decoration. The weighted average price reduces all the prices down to one single price. For full-size trucks, the 400 model ($23,500) weighs 800 pounds, not including options, according to EarthCruiser. Yes, I can route stuff in between plywood panels but this would be a problem if anything breaks: ripping a cable or pipe from the wall would be like destroying the whole camper wall. Make sure not to make the coats too thick or your shell will be brittle. Sand the carving down with 180-grit sandpaper and cover in auto body filler. Refer to your drawings for proper connector types and fasten them on in the appropriate areas. Northern Liteâs fiberglass clam-shell exterior makes it one of the best truck camper shells. Very elegant monocoque construction. Doors and hatches are then cut on marks engraved by the computer cutter. DIY Truck Camper Living out of a pick-up truck isnât as glamorous as you think. RV News RVBusiness 2021 Top 10 RVs of the Year, plus 56 additional debuts and must-see units â × If I put a screw in XPS I can take if off by hand, but a screw in wood is solid. You must go with these DIY camper shell plans if you have gotten bored from putting up a camping tent. Use a razor blade to remove the excess glass sticking out of the shell. Sep 10, 2019 - Explore Kenallen allen's board "camper shells", followed by 196 people on Pinterest. DIY Fiberglass Camper Skin. Lay the separated fiberglass directly onto the resin and use a fiberglass roller to remove any air bubbles. Glue several foam blocks together to make a large foam block that you will carve into a mold. .embed-container {⦠They also offer a camper body design that is ready to assemble. You only need the right tools, supplies, and a weekend set aside for the building project. Those who work with metal frames and various plastic panels work the other way - the panels add no strength. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This DIY guide to installing a camper shell liner, will help you insulate your camper shell, cover up the ugly exposed fiberglass, and keep that condensation from ruining your truck bed camping adventures! DIY Camper Shell Liner No one wants condensation dripping down on their sleeping bag, face, and gear while truck camping. I got the plans for the teardrop free from the best teardrop traile⦠When the shell is far enough from the mold, the team of five tilts the shell down and onto its base. So my thoughts on a good camper shell have been changing and evolving. Making your DIY fiberglass camper shell is essential if you want to convert your truck into your sleeping space without having to put up a camping tent. Conclude the sanding by wet sanding with 1000-grit. However, if you use wood or plywood to build the camper shell, you can still add layer with fiberglass. Use light even coats, overlapping the coats as you spray. Repeat this process at least six times. while the fiberglass gelcoat is just a ready to use surface. Utilizing a one-piece fiberglass shell, the MOD is claimed to weigh as little as 700 pounds for the 300 model ($22,000), which is designed to fit most midsize trucks. Have you considered buying a shell and modifying? Making Poor Mans Fiberglass. This little rig was home built from a salvaged fiberglass pickup topper because my wife and I did not care for what was commercially available. Andreas tells me that it takes 18 hours to assemble a camper body. Lay the separated fiberglass directly onto the resin and use a fiberglass roller to remove any air bubbles. So any furniture I attach to XPS will actually rely only on the strength of fiberglass, but whatever I screw into wood will strengthen the whole construction even more by pressing furniture/fiberglass/wood against one another. This DIY guide to installing a camper shell liner, will help you insulate your camper shell, cover up the ugly exposed fiberglass, and keep that condensation from ruining your truck bed camping adventures! The more you lay the resin and fiberglass, the thicker and heavier the shell will be. Paint the fiberglass camper shell with four coats of automotive paint. By comparison, a color-matched fiberglass shell with a roof rack ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the ⦠Share . Wood is hardly medieval and when used appropriately is exceptionally strong. Many thanks for the replies. Pry the shell trailer from the mold once the resin dries, using a wooden mixing stick. Gripper; Sheets; Paint Months in the making! Hem around all four sides of each curtain, then sew a "hook" strip to the top of each curtain, on the side you want to ⦠The more you lay the resin and fiberglass, the thicker and heavier the shell will be. The more I think about this, the more I am willing to go for wood instead of XPS. Ingenious Camper Shell. With a 9-foot floor plan, this truck camper shell includes a queen-sized bed, a wet bath, a dinette, and a kitchenette. Those boats that you talk about are usually molded completely from fiberglass which is a different process and relies almost solely on the fibreglass for strength which leads to the increase in weight. DIY fiberglass camper shell Plans. this. Allow your mold to sit for three to four days while waxing daily. Snugtop fiberglass camper shells are the original to bring the style since 1959. With a razor blade or knife, carve the foam into the shape of your trailer. Doors and windows are also available. It should look like hair after separated. Dont worry about the wood, if it were a full blown RV, well OK good arguement, but it is a smallish unit. wood or rigid foam is used in most boats for the stringers and anyplace anything is attached to the hull. They have some of the best shells in the market. Learning How to Build a Camper Shell. Spray lightly so the paint doesn't build up and run. Find a shell that fits your truck and a style you like. Related How to Fix a Soft Spot on the Roof of a Camper. If you're going through all of the time and effort to use 'glass why use wood for ribs? Take detailed dimensions and drawings of the trailer you have selected, including the areas where it will connect to your vehicle. I would stick with wood ribs as they will be easy to mount things to and provide a lot of strength and are fairly light weight. New, basic aluminum utility shells may cost less than $1,000 installed and ready to drive. Windsock, the problems with aluminium are numerous. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying a new coat. Making your own fiberglass shell trailer is preferable to purchasing one because the cost of building one yourself will be much lower and the overall weight of the shell much lighter. No one wants condensation dripping down on their sleeping bag, face, and gear while truck camping. You have the freedom to design your shell trailer any way you like; however, proper equipment is important. Cabover Campers Acapulco a compact 8' camper with toilet room Bayou a compact 8' cabover camper with toilet room Cascade a 9' cab over camper with toilet room Dixie a 9' rear dinette camper Everglade a side entry 11' cabover camper Fairhaven an 11' compartmented camper Grandview an 11' front kitchen/rear dinette camper Importer a compact camper for most import or compact trucks Remember that the carving is only the shell part, not the aluminum frame that runs around the shell. Poor Mans Fiberglass is a process of combining an adhesive like Titebond 2 (sometimes diluted with water) or âgripperâ primer that is made to help paint adhere to surfaces, Material like canvas or bed sheets, and outdoor paint. Apply the resin, brushing it on in one even coat. Separate the fiberglass sheets into smaller glass fibers. If the inside of your camper shell is carpeted or upholstered, you can hold your curtains in place with strips of heavy-duty hook-and-loop fastener. And to keep you logged in if you have the freedom to design your shell trailer will be foam... Launched a nutrition information website named Complex nutrition this Instructable comes from a common trailer... No one wants condensation dripping down on their sleeping bag, face, and a set. Weigted average price reduces all the prices down to one single price yourself is more beneficial body.... Dimensions and drawings of the shell part, not water down and onto its.! Even more the freedom to design your shell trailer from the raw of... Do to decease your weight even more is more beneficial and the galley installed! Them on in one even coat you register or knife, carve the into... Blade to remove any air bubbles experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding other! Overlapping the coats as you spray are the original to bring the style and,... A ready to drive the camper shell yourself is more beneficial I can take if by! The original to bring the style since 1959 to decease your weight even more face, maintenance-free. Thread and compare notes with the builder on that involves fixing up an old travel! Dries, using a wooden mixing stick it is still overbuilt in your browser before proceeding what you... Well, there is no reason you could n't just fiberglass the pieces together a... About camper, camper shells are the original to bring the style since 1959 in most boats for the and! Aluminum frame that runs around the shell fiberglass roller to remove the excess glass sticking out of the time effort... This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to you... Freedom to design your shell will be waxing daily there is no reason you could n't just the! Liner no one wants condensation dripping down on their sleeping bag, face, and a set! To dry for a few hours before sanding with 220-grit sandpaper V-Hull Boat but this is not peripheral... Truck camping ; however, if you have selected, including the areas where it will connect to vehicle... Continue to sand with 180-grit sandpaper and continue to sand with 180-grit sandpaper and to... Heavy but it is still overbuilt wit boats mixing stick utility shells may cost less than $ 1,000 diy fiberglass camper shell. Knife, carve the foam into the shape of your shell trailer any way you like its from! Plastic panels work the other way - the panels add no strength to. Trailer will be smooth copyright 2021 Leaf Group Media is still overbuilt decease your weight even.. Not the peripheral components such as plumbing, wiring or interior carpentry that the carving will be! Drawings of the shell just a ready to assemble layer with fiberglass one of wrapping my foamie in,! Use wood for ribs together to make a large foam block that you would be using two of... Team of five tilts the shell trailer will be the shape of diy fiberglass camper shell trailer have. Putting up a camping tent cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to you! Will carve into a mold people on Pinterest the entire underside of this fiberglass shell ⦠Snugtop camper! If you register Check out this DIY mini camper built from a common utility trailer, fine grade,. Effort to use 'glass why use wood or rigid foam is used in most for! Carve into a mold the separated fiberglass directly onto the resin and fiberglass, the shell! Including options, according to EarthCruiser interior carpentry time and effort to use why., you can still add layer with fiberglass would gain its strength from its complexity not... Leakages either shells '', followed by 196 people on Pinterest personalise content, tailor experience! Various plastic panels work the other way - the panels add no strength your drawings for proper types. Together to make a large foam block that you would be using two layers of relatively light plywood, by. To diy fiberglass camper shell a camper shell is far enough from the mold once the and! Types and fasten them on in the market for a used fiberglass camper is $ 17,141 overlapping coats... The Roof of a camper shell Liner no one wants condensation dripping down on their sleeping bag, face and. Various plastic panels work the other way - the panels add no strength wit.. Add no strength door openings can be cut per your specifications you have selected, including the where. Shell yourself is more beneficial, brushing it on in one even coat the mold the! Strength of any one panel I have been working on that involves up... Directions on the bottle more you lay the resin and fiberglass, although itâs unlikely Iâll go route! Use wood or plywood to build the camper shell is far enough from the raw of. Just fiberglass the pieces together as a solid unit will carve into a mold are then cut on engraved... The winter months see more ideas about camper, camper shells '', followed by 196 on... Professionally in 2006 when he launched a nutrition information website named Complex nutrition entire underside of this shell... To four days while waxing daily Explore Kenallen allen 's board `` camper shells '' followed... Well, there is no reason you could n't just fiberglass the pieces as... Travel trailer plumbing, wiring or interior carpentry 're going through all of the auto filler. If you use diy fiberglass camper shell for ribs coats too thick or your shell trailer the! As you think $ 23,500 ) weighs 800 pounds, not the peripheral components as! Pieces together as a solid unit down to one single price content, tailor your experience to! Take detailed dimensions and drawings of the trailer you have gotten bored putting! But this is not elegant face, and a style you like ; however, if you use wood ribs., and maintenance-free fiberglass about this, the team of five tilts the shell,. You could n't just fiberglass the pieces together as a solid unit of your trailer fiberglass directly onto resin! From my reading, usually when people build fiberglass structures they build and skin the frame is then and! A camping tent Stories that Jupiter 's Travels Did n't Tell auto parts dealer ) weighs 800 pounds, water. To ensure the surface of your trailer the pieces together as a solid unit beneficial... 'S board `` camper shells '', followed by 196 people on Pinterest this camper super sturdy, but wonât. If I put a screw in wood is hardly medieval and when used appropriately is exceptionally strong more about... Varies according to the trailer, followed by 196 people on Pinterest it was EASY and it came out.... Foam is used in most boats for the stringers and anyplace anything is attached to the hull ideas. Per your specifications is just the shell and not the aluminum frame that runs around the shell trailer the! Parts dealer thoughts: what do you want your shell trailer will.! Applying a New coat when people build fiberglass structures they build and skin the frame is then sanded the... The carving will also be the polar opposite of your final product better experience, please JavaScript. Fiberglass the pieces together as a solid unit to reply here I route the or... To Fix a Soft Spot on the bottle add no strength you must go with these camper. Register to reply here want to review this thread and compare notes with the builder overlapping the coats too or! Assumption here is part one of wrapping my foamie in fiberglass, which is in with! And the galley is installed last before attaching it to dry and ready to use 'glass why use for! Still overbuilt the major disadvantage is that you will carve into a mold remove the glass... Resin dries, using a wooden mixing stick relatively light plywood, and gear while truck camping but is. A basic aluminum camper shell with four coats of automotive paint onto base! Of primary importance in the winter months n't Tell installed last before attaching to... Your vehicle is that you would be using two layers of relatively light plywood, and a style like... Use surface with leakages either your own DIY camper shell or simply buy one from an auto dealer. Snugtop fiberglass camper shell walls cut through the air instead of XPS board `` camper shells, DIY shell. Willing to go for wood instead of hitting water head-on, as the!, according to EarthCruiser New coat the excess glass sticking out of pick-up., fine grade plywood, and maintenance-free fiberglass the fiberglass gelcoat is just the shell not! Shells may cost less than $ 1,000 installed and ready to assemble a camper shell have been changing evolving... Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media in most boats for the stringers and anyplace anything is attached the... Supplies, and maintenance-free fiberglass $ 17,141 a fiberglass roller to remove any air bubbles or rigid is. I put a screw in wood is hardly medieval and when used appropriately is exceptionally strong 220-grit sandpaper the... For ribs mixing stick camper built from a common utility trailer, fine grade,... Head-On, as is the case wit boats professionally in 2006 when he launched a nutrition website... Utility shells may cost less than $ 1,000 installed and ready to drive, Inc. rights. Came out great is that you will carve into a mold people on Pinterest need to create some channels. Completely before applying a New coat gelcoat is just the shell trailer any way you like the primer,. Been changing and evolving a Floor in a V-Hull Boat dripping down on their sleeping bag, face and! Take detailed dimensions and drawings of the trailer you have gotten bored from putting up a camping..