DIY Feature - Sean Stevens

Features

Jun 6

After years of camping in tents, they were just… over it. Tired of wrestling with wet tarps, jamming gear into every inch of the car, and always realizing something important got left behind. What they really wanted was a setup that made camping easier, something that stayed packed, ready to go, and didn’t come with so many headaches. A trailer sounded perfect. But after checking out options like the Bushwhacker, the quality didn’t match the price. That’s when they decided: forget buying one, building it was the way to go.

Sean is building his own DIY Renegade in Vancouver BC.

What made you want to build a tiny camper?

I've camped in tents my entire life and was tired of it. Tired of packing up a wet tent, stuffing the car full of gear, constantly forgetting stuff, etc. Having the trailer would allow us to keep everything together and be able to get out more often and with less headaches. I looked at prebuilt trailers like the Bushwhacker but was unimpressed with the poor build quality and high price. Building became the only way to go.

What was your experience level with the skills required to build a camper (wood working, electrical, metal work, etc.) when you started?

I am an aircraft mechanic by trade (Avionics), so I'd rate my fabricating and electrical skills as fairly capable. With that being said, anyone with a basic mechanical aptitude can build this comfortably. Enlisting the help of friends with specialized skills, like I was fortunate to be able to do, is also extremely helpful!

What was the first step in your build?

I had a friend who's a steel fabricator weld up the frame. The first step after that was attaching the axle and suspension, and wiring up the lights and brakes to have a complete, rolling trailer to start the build on.

What was your favorite part of the build?

The electrical installation. I went a bit overkill with USB port haha! I managed to squeeze everything into a fairly small spot in the baggage compartment, including a small circuit breaker panel I built.

What was the most difficult part of the build?

The hatch! I was nervous about it and put it off as long as I could. After putting it together and gluing the outer skin, I ended up with a twist that needed to be removed. The only fix was to tear the skin off, glue included, and start over. I learned not to use construction adhesive as that was likely the cause. After much cursing, the second attempt went smoothly.

How long did it take you?

About 4 months, working some weekends and occasionally after work.

If you're comfortable sharing, what was the total cost of the build?

About $8500 CAD.

Would you do anything differently?

I increased the overall length 12", adding it all to the cabin. If I were to do it again, I'd add a bit of that extra length into the baggage compartment.

What are you most looking forward to?

It's already made it much simpler to plan a trip out for a weekend. The trailer is always ready to go. We pack up some food and hit the road. We're looking forward to some longer trips to Banff and Jasper this Summer.

Any tips for someone that wants to build a tiny camper but doesn’t know where to start?

Don't let your current skill set hold you back. There were many things I had to learn along the way. With the set of plans, the build community, YouTube, and a good attitude, it's completely within reach.

How did using Wander Tears DIY plans and having the resources provided affect your build process and time?

They gave me direction when I didn't know where to start. I had read a couple well know teardrop books, and spent the better part of a year trying to figure out a direction. The plans gave me a solid foundation and the ability to change things to fit my own wishes. Without the plans, It would have taken far longer and cost more money.