1-person micro camper

[gfowkes]

Here’s my little 1-person micro camper—just enough space for me, my bike, and a bit of gear. This version’s kind of a prototype since it ended up heavier than I’d like, but I’m still pulling 35 mpg with the Hybrid Maverick.

The interior’s not finished yet. I built it mostly from leftover materials from a camper van project, and down the road I’ll build a lighter, more dialed-in version.

For now, it’s perfect for stealth solo camping and quick road trips!

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[Jedillwag]

Very cool!!!

 

[Pete Sheppard]

How is it secured? Can you slide it out when not needed?

 

[commadorebob]

Dude, that is awesome!

 

[gfowkes]

How is it secured? Can you slide it out when not needed?

4 turnbuckles to bed anchors. I can take it on and off by myself.

 

[Pete Sheppard]

4 turnbuckles to bed anchors. I can take it on and off by myself.

Cool! Thanks.

 

[Alfetta159]

Interesting idea. Stealthy? no. I'm sure that you'll be running your third brake light out to the back and maybe some clearance lights.

Now this is stealthy:

 

[n4mwd]

I would do something with those latches so that some kid doesn't lock you in at night as a joke.

I was thinking about something similar, but with an aluminum frame and fiberglass covered foam walls. Elevating the floor to the height of the wheel wells to make room for batteries, water tanks and storage. The main worry is weight.

 

[gfowkes]

I would do something with those latches so that some kid doesn't lock you in at night as a joke.

I was thinking about something similar, but with an aluminum frame and fiberglass covered foam walls. Elevating the floor to the height of the wheel wells to make room for batteries, water tanks and storage. The main worry is weight.

Hahaha! I thought about getting locked in by some jokester. The "skylight" opens up so I could crawl out in an emergency.
It could totally be made lighter. 2" foam board with PMF? But, I like being able to screw things into the side. Or maybe an aluminum frame like you mentioned? I'm thinking of this one as my "proof of concept". Work all the bugs out before I make a financial investment on a better one.

 

[mangoMotors]

Hell yeah dude. I want to build one of these too.

 

[n4mwd]

Hahaha! I thought about getting locked in by some jokester. The "skylight" opens up so I could crawl out in an emergency.
It could totally be made lighter. 2" foam board with PMF? But, I like being able to screw things into the side. Or maybe an aluminum frame like you mentioned? I'm thinking of this one as my "proof of concept". Work all the bugs out before I make a financial investment on a better one.

I have seen some people put a padlock on the latch somewhere so that it can't work if the lock is there. Also, there was a guy that made one entirely out of foam with no frame. He says its stable, but I doubt its going to hold up for long.

A bed over cab is possible if you counterbalance it with an extension beyond the tailgate. The problem with that is that you would now have to install tail lights because it sticks out more than 2 feet. Also, if the camper gets too wide, then you have to worry about having extended mirrors.

As far as weight goes, I'm guessing that you should be OK if your wet weight is less than 1000 lbs.

 

[gfowkes]

I have seen some people put a padlock on the latch somewhere so that it can't work if the lock is there. Also, there was a guy that made one entirely out of foam with no frame. He says its stable, but I doubt its going to hold up for long.

A bed over cab is possible if you counterbalance it with an extension beyond the tailgate. The problem with that is that you would now have to install tail lights because it sticks out more than 2 feet. Also, if the camper gets too wide, then you have to worry about having extended mirrors.

As far as weight goes, I'm guessing that you should be OK if your wet weight is less than 1000 lbs.

I have seen some people put a padlock on the latch somewhere so that it can't work if the lock is there. Also, there was a guy that made one entirely out of foam with no frame. He says its stable, but I doubt its going to hold up for long.

A bed over cab is possible if you counterbalance it with an extension beyond the tailgate. The problem with that is that you would now have to install tail lights because it sticks out more than 2 feet. Also, if the camper gets too wide, then you have to worry about having extended mirrors.

As far as weight goes, I'm guessing that you should be OK if your wet weight is less than 1000 lbs.

I actually built a cabover out of PMF. It survived a 2400 mile road trip, but the hit to MPG wasn't worth it. Went down to 26 mpg on a hybrid.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I actually built a cabover out of PMF. It survived a 2400 mile road trip, but the hit to MPG wasn't worth it. Went down to 26 mpg on a hybrid.

I like prototype 2 better. Lower and more aerodynamic.
I'm guessing that your Skylight can be used for an emergency exit in case of fire or somebody wants to mess around and lock the back door with those black rubber latches

For clarification
Some of us aren't ACRONYM proficient.
I don't know what PMF stands for. I tried looking it up.

PMF" is an acronym that can refer to several different concepts, including a Probability Mass Function in statistics, the Presidential Management Fellows Program in U.S. government, Primary Myelofibrosis (a bone marrow disorder), and the Popular Mobilization Forces (a paramilitary group in Iraq). The meaning of PMF depends on the context in which it is used.

 

[n4mwd]

I actually built a cabover out of PMF. It survived a 2400 mile road trip, but the hit to MPG wasn't worth it. Went down to 26 mpg on a hybrid.

It might help if it was a little more aerodynamic. Also, the speed you drive is a major factor when pulling a parachute. Slower is better if its practical. I went on a trip in April (no camper) and when I did the math about going slower and getting better mpg, it meant paying for two extra nights in a motel. So I drove 70mph and took the hit. It still averaged around 42-43 mpg.

Do you stay at campgrounds or wherever you find a spot?

 

[n4mwd]

I like your current camper.
Some of us aren't ACRONYM proficient.
I don't know what PMF stands for. I tried looking it up.

Try Poor Man's Fiberglass.

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