Tag Archives: campers

Motorsport

This Boring Box Truck Is Actually A Stealth Camper Built For Beach Life

Stealth campers are one of the crucial thrilling traits within the motorhome scene. The builders take a field truck or plain white van and craft a comfortable dwelling house inside. In this video, an proprietor named Scott reveals off his creation that he parks subsequent to the seaside to go online day by day for six months of the yr.

As with all stealth campers, this construct’s exterior is the least thrilling half. It’s a white 2008 GMC W-Series field truck with no identification on the surface that it is a tiny dwelling on wheels. A hidden spot beneath the rear lets Scott retailer his 11-foot surfboard. 

Lifting the rear panel reveals a facade that appears like a tiny cabin. There’s a wood-paneled wall with a pair of enormous home windows and a door. Inside, Scott has 120 sq. toes of dwelling house  utilizing that space with spectacular effectivity. It’s not too usually we see a builder put the pantry for meals storage within the flooring to keep away from having cupboards lining the higher partitions.

 

It’s naturally sunny on the seaside in Orange County, California, and Scott takes full benefit. The roof-mounted photo voltaic panels present 1,600 watts of vitality, sufficient to cost six batteries. This setup affords sufficient energy to run a fridge, freezer, air con system, water heater, and extra. The setup is so environment friendly, the truck would not have a generator on board and would not ever plug in to an exterior energy supply for electrical energy.

Scott constructed this stealth camper for $65,000 — a bit greater than we have seen from related builds just like the $54,000 Isuzu or the $37,000 Mitsubishi. However, a conventional, factory-built RV can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So we would take into account this home-built cellular dwelling a discount.

Motorsport

This Chevy Astro Van Got An RV Conversion In Japan And You Can Own It

We’ve seen loads of customized Chevrolet Astro campers over time, however solely within the do-it-yourself realm. It wasn’t unusual to see a raised-roof Astro outfitted with little greater than wooden trim and a TV. That’s why we’re so into this correct Astro motorhome up for public sale on Bring a Trailer, full with a kitchen, lavatory, and a cabover bed room.

There are solely 28,000 miles on this RV – 27,950 to be particular – which averages out to only 1,000 miles per yr. Going by the van’s historical past, most of its journeys probably did not happen on US shores. It was constructed by an organization referred to as Greenland on the market in Japan. Its official identify is the Matorun 190, and behind the entrance seats is a small however cozy full-service motorhome with a desk, twin sinks within the kitchen, a small range, a microwave, and a moist lavatory. It was imported to the US in September and is presently on the market in California.

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There’s no point out {of electrical} output or tank capacities for this motorhome, one thing consumers have introduced up within the feedback part of the public sale. The vendor is not responding both, so sadly we’ve nothing to share concerning these stats. Furthermore, there is no affirmation that these techniques are practical, although the photographs actually present a spiffy RV.

And on that entrance, we might like to know the way the RV conversion was carried out. The Astro is a unibody van with subframes versus a full-frame automobile. As such, the Astro was by no means supplied as a chassis cab, which is often what upfitters flip to for a motorhome conversion. A unibody design makes such issues significantly tougher, which could possibly be why we’ve not seen such conversions over time. And it could possibly be why this was created for the Japanese market, the place small campers steal our hearts every day.

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In any case, this one is alleged to be absolutely road-legal and prepared for adventures with a clear California title. Sadly it would not seem like an all-wheel-drive mannequin, but it surely’s driving on some aggressive off-road tires. They’re mounted to black tri-spoke wheels, which we suspect could possibly be a holdover from its time in Japan.

As this text goes dwell, bidding is as much as $9,000, with the public sale set to finish on December 12. Let us know what you suppose the ultimate bid will probably be within the feedback beneath.

Motorsport

DIY Sprinter Camper Conversion Has Huge Kitchen And A Bed On An Elevator

The variety of custom-built motorhomes is truly impressive. Many campers based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are out there, and each owner sets them up differently. The creators of this well-equipped rig spent eight months putting it together and invested around $150,000, including the van’s price. 

Everywhere inside, there are clever touches. For instance, the rear dinette has a swiveling table for different configurations. Additionally, the bed is on an elevator over this area, and an electric motor lowers the mattress on a custom-fabricated aluminum frame.

Sprinter Camper Van Build
Sprinter Camper Van Build

The kitchen has attractive bamboo cabinets. One drawer has a second drawer inside for more storage in a small area. The sink includes a UV filter because the couple spends a lot of time in the woods, where water quality can be poor.

The shower is nicer than those in some factory-built Sprinter motorhomes. It features white marble tiles on the walls, complemented by black fixtures. The floor has teak wood slats, heated by an aluminum pan underneath.

The front of the van has a floor-to-ceiling storage area against a wall. There’s space for hanging items in the upper area, and a lower section with a hole for the couple’s two cats to reach the litter box.

The couple lives in the van year-round. To stay comfortable, they have heated floors and air conditioning. They use 800 watts of solar power and 540 amp batteries to run the AC for four to five hours a day.

The exterior of the van has a large mount that holds a lot of equipment, including two bicycles and inflatable kayaks. In the winter, they switch out the bike mounts to carry skis. Opening the rear doors provides access to an outdoor shower.

This is the couple’s second van build, which is probably why it looks so well put together. They already knew what features were most important to them and were able to incorporate those ideas into a very spacious, luxurious tiny home.

Motorsport

Beat-Up Box Truck Transformed Into Budget Stealth Camper For $700

Campers are often expensive, with some costing over $100,000. However, if you’re willing to keep things simple, it’s possible to spend much less. One person managed to build a motorhome for just $700 in only four days.

Of course, this builder had an advantage. They received the Chevrolet box truck for free, as it previously belonged to the owner’s father and was used as a work vehicle. The first step was to clean out the interior of the truck.

The builder also had access to their father’s tools, as well as scrap 2x4s and plywood. They repurposed a bookshelf and created a bed frame using basic wooden pieces held together with screws. The mattress is nothing more than a piece of foam.

The kitchen setup is equally simple. It consists of a piece of plywood with a hole cut into it to fit a plastic bin. The result may not look fancy, but it gets the job done.

The walls were painted using spray paint, while the floors were covered with patio paint. The lighting consists of strands of LEDs, and power is provided by a Craftsman jump box.

It’s important to note that this build comes with a number of compromises. There is no insulation, so extreme weather conditions could make the interior uncomfortable. Additionally, there is no bathroom, shower, or cooking setup.

However, this truck could still serve as a place to stay overnight, especially considering the low initial investment. Plus, there is the potential to further invest in the project and make improvements.

We have seen other box trucks converted into campers, some of which have impressive interiors. For example, someone transformed a white 2007 Isuzu NPR into a luxury build, with a total cost of $54,000. Another build utilized a Mitsubishi Fuso, resulting in an even more extensive camper with features like a kitchen and solar panels on the roof.

Motorsport

Mitsubishi Fuso 4WD Box Truck Is A Stealth Camper With A Gorgeous Interior

Stealth campers, as the name suggests, are vehicles that appear like ordinary work vehicles but have hidden living spaces. These vehicles, which are often made from delivery vans, enclosed trailers, and different types of buses, may look plain on the outside but can contain anything from basic living quarters to intricately designed tiny homes on wheels. While box trucks are not the most common choice for stealth campers, they offer numerous possibilities due to their size and structure.

One notable example is the Mitsubishi Fuso four-wheel drive box truck, which was featured on the Tiny House Giant Journey YouTube channel. This box truck camper is the second one created by Marina and Mark, who decided to build an overland vehicle after selling their previous truck. This led them to choose the Mitsubishi Fuso.


Motorsport

Citroen Type Holidays Concept Debuts As Modern Camper With Retro Style

Campers and motorhomes are center stage right now at the 2023 Caravan Salon in Germany, and Citroen is there with a fresh concept that evokes the company’s past while pointing to the future. It’s called the Type Holidays, and beneath the ribbed-retro bodywork is a modern SpaceTourer van that previews a forthcoming line of adventure vehicles from the French brand.

Citroen fans will instantly recognize the distinctive exterior design as a hommage to the classic Type H panel vans, built from the late 1940s through the early 1980s. It’s certainly a way to stand out at an event that also featured new Ford Transit Nugget and Volkswagen T7 California Concept pop-top campers, but there’s nothing retro about the interior. Based on the SpaceTourer, Citroen adds a pop-up roof for extra headroom in the living space and sleeping accommodations for two. A bench seat in the back folds for a second bed, giving the Type Holidays enough room for four people to relax.

Citroen Type Holidays (2023)
Citroen Type Holidays (2023)
Citroen Type Holidays (2023)

Like the VW California Concept, Citroen adds a second sliding door on the left side of the van. That’s also where the kitchenette is located, allowing access both inside and outside. A sink and refrigerator are included, and a fold-down table with front seats on a 180-degree swivel create a cozy dining area. As for the outside, Citroen partnered with Italian coachbuilder Caselani for the old-school look.

It’s important to note that the Type Holidays is a concept at this point. As such, Citroen doesn’t offer details regarding onboard power, water tanks, or powertrain options. And while the Type H styling is certainly interesting, we doubt such a look would carry over to production.


Motorsport

Rare Chevrolet K5 Blazer Chalet Camper Is 1970s Overlanding At Its Finest

In the 1970s, truck bed campers gained significant popularity. These campers provided an impressive amount of space and amenities in a compact design, making them a great option for individuals who didn’t want to tow a trailer or drive a motorhome. Even today, modern truck bed campers are highly sought-after for overlanding. The 1970s versions, with their retro charm, have also become collectors’ items.

One such vintage camper is the 1976 Chevrolet Blazer Cheyenne Chalet that was recently featured on Bring A Trailer. Unlike a standard pickup truck, this camper is built on a Chevrolet Blazer K5 platform. It’s one of approximately 1,800 Chalet campers produced during a two-year production run. The vehicle has only 57,000 miles on it and has been freshly refinished with a two-tone tan and bronze paint job. Under the hood, it retains its original 350 cubic-inch V8 engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The engine, rated at 165 horsepower, comes equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, an HEI-style distributor, tubular exhaust headers, and Flowmaster mufflers.


Motorsport

Tour A Tiny Ford Transit Connect Cozy Camper Conversion

In the world of homebuilt campers, vehicles like school buses and Mercedes-Sprinters are often used as a starting point. However, Terri, the woman behind the Misty Miles YouTube channel, took a different approach by converting a 2010 Ford Transit Connect into a micro RV.

The Ford Transit Connect that Terri used for her conversion is a long-wheelbase, high-roof model. According to a brochure from that period, it has a cargo volume of 131 cubic feet (3.7 cubic meters), which increases to 152 cubic feet (4.3 cubic meters) when the front passenger seat is folded. Despite its small size, Terri managed to make the most of this space.

Terri purchased the Transit Connect on eBay without seeing it firsthand. She bid for it while driving and ended up paying just 2,800 pounds ($3,557) for the vehicle. She affectionately named her new motorhome Blanche.

The conversion process began with insulating the cargo area to improve climate control. The insulation has proven effective, allowing Terri to live in Blanche during the freezing temperatures of February in Scotland. Surprisingly, there is no heating system installed in the camper.

Terri made the interior of the van cozy by utilizing inexpensive materials. For example, she created the countertop using pieces of pallets, and her bookshelf is made from the same wood and a stick. She even built a shelf using just a length of wood and some rope. Her sink is a waterproofed bamboo bowl with a hole in the bottom.

The camper features a couch that extends to become a bed, providing enough space for Terri to sleep comfortably. However, it can be tight if two people share the bed.

Underneath the couch, there are drawers for additional storage. A cupboard in the front is large enough to fit her duvet. There is also a dedicated area for the battery that powers the lights and other utilities in the van. Terri plans to install a second battery soon to meet her power needs more efficiently.

Terri documents her travels around Europe and Scotland with Blanche on the Misty Miles YouTube channel. Her most recent video features the tiny country of Liechtenstein. She also shares photos of her adventures on her Instagram page.