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Dustin & Kim’s $800 DIY Micro Camper Built in 3 Weeks


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This $800 DIY Micro Camper story is a guest post by Dustin Lind

Hey! Dustin Lind here. Long time reader and newsletter subscriber. Just wanted to share a little project we are just finishing up for summer fun. I would like you to meet Bob! He’s our 40 sq. ft. Micro Camper.

While I designed him to be lightweight he is also very rugged and well insulated. This model was built out of a reused 5×8 40-year-old cargo trailer that had seen better days.

I figure I could build one on a brand new trailer for only about $800 more. That being said, reusing what I could and even scoring some reclaimed T&G cedar for the back and the loft we only spent around $800 for the entire build which we completed in our spare time in about three weeks.

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Dustin & Kim’s $800 DIY Micro Camper Built in 3 Weeks

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 01

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 02

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 03

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 04

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 05

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 06

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 07

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 08

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 09

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 010

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 011

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Dustin & Kim's DIY Micro Camper 012

Images via Lind Tiny Home

Specs:

  • Steel single axle trailer
  • Aluminum sidewalls
  • 2×3 framed construction
  • Real r-13 insulation everywhere
  • Birch beadboard interior with 1in pine trim
  • 3ft Ceder loft platform with enclosed sides to hold gear
  • Reclaimed RV door, I cut down to fit
  • Reclaimed RV crank out windows
  • Birch ply floors with enough room to squeeze a queen mattress in there
  • Corrugated tin roof and 1/2″ OSB to keep the weight down
  • Twin deep cycle 12V batteries to run 5 Led lights and a 110V AC outlet that can be run by an inverter in the front storage box

Pluses of the unit:

  • It’s simple and easier than setting up a tent
  • Cost is very low compared to other trailer manufactures
  • It’s unique, I get compliments all the time
  • Easy to tow. I use a Nissan Xterra and just completed a trip with Bob 2,400 miles from CO to AZ and back

It’s nice and warm and you can bet with that roof pitch it won’t have water sitting up there! You can go camping and have a real mattress to lay on at the end of a long days hike! And come on, it looks like a Tiny House…. just smaller!

I’m offering micro campers and tiny houses, custom-designed for people as well. and you can check out just a few of my own projects on my Facebook page.

Thanks! Dustin

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 10 comments… add one }
  • Theo
    June 29, 2015, 9:03 pm

    It’s nice, for what it is. The outside looks like it was painted courtesy of Smurfs tho. In essence it’s a rolling bedroom, which is not a bad thing, but at 8 feet I would think there is sufficient room at the end of the mattress for a compost or portable toilet. But no mention of one, alas.

  • Mimi
    June 29, 2015, 10:23 pm

    I love it! I would friggin bring that thing with me every friggin where for NAP TIME!! Shopping…..work…..family outings……whatever!! It’s a rolling cozy bed!! I need one!! 🙂 haha!

  • Liz
    June 30, 2015, 10:23 am

    A box with a mattress that encompasses the entire floor. What a lovely home.

  • Marsha Cowan
    June 30, 2015, 10:38 am

    It’s great! Your’re very clever to think of it. My only suggestion would be to add one of those twirling things on the roof that allows air to escape so the hot air at the top won’t get trapped inside, and it will draw all those cool breezes inside when you are camping in warmer weather. it can be capped from the inside in colder camping weather. Just a thought. I love this concept! Great job.

  • Aimee
    July 28, 2015, 11:34 pm

    I love this! It’s a micro camper, not a full tiny house (like an upgraded teardrop) so you can’t complain that the bed takes up the whole floor, that’s completely standard. For the price paid to build it, it’s a wonderful little retreat! I’ll be taking some cues from these guys for my own micro tiny build.

  • alice h
    October 6, 2015, 1:32 pm

    I like it. You could easily have the bed fold up into a smaller couch configuration, might be less claustrophobic for hanging out inside in bad weather.

  • Marcy
    October 6, 2015, 3:43 pm

    Nicely done. Build a platform with pull out & use a futon pad. When when not a bed, push in the extra platform, double up the futon pad, then you’ve got somewhere to sit, a bed, and a place for storage underneath.

  • Emily c.
    October 6, 2015, 7:22 pm

    Interesting. Way to small for full time living, but might be a solution for temporary homeless shelters.

  • Justin
    October 10, 2015, 1:40 pm

    It is what it is….good job, as long as you like it. Your right, better than a tent.

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