Mini Campers - Rick Mercier's Blog

These are campers that I build. We looked for a cheap used one, but everything was overpriced.
I told my wife I would build something that would be lighter weight and cheaper.
That was the motivation, and it worked out well. We spent lots of time camping in 49 states.

Camper 1
My first build was built in 2015, and it was small.
I used a Harbor Freight utility trailer to build on.
The trailer was 8 x 4 feet. Small but it worked out fine.
We traveled all over the eastern part of America.
After a few years I noticed that there was water damage.
I used marine grade polyurethane but, it didn’t hold up against the weather.
We had to take it apart, but we enjoyed using the camper.
I paid about $3000 to build it. That’s cheap all things considered.

Camper 2
This camper was built in 2017. It was built on a Northern Tool utility trailer.
I built it over size by about 6 inches. The floor was 10 x 6 feet, 5 feet high.
Using all the experiences of building camper 1, I built
this camper better. We used house paint on the outside for better water proofing.
I used Lanco Elastomer on the roof, several coats.
RV windows were bought and installed. Everything looked great.
We used this camper to explore the middle of the country to the west coast.
It worked out great and we enjoyed all our time in it.
Eventually I realized there was water damage inside, between the walls.
There were no leaks on the roof or sides.
It was the purchased RV windows that let water into the camper.
I built the camper with double walls. When it rained some water
would get into the frame of the windows. Eventually it leaks through
the corners of the windows and in the walls. I had to demolish it after 3 years of use.
This camper cost us about $5,000 because of all the stuff we put inside.
Solar power, refrigerator and air-conditioner all added up.

Camper 3
This camper was built in 2024 using the Norther Tool utility trailer.
The camper is 10 x 6 feet and 6 feet height. Yes, I can standup inside.
This time I didn’t use plywood for the walls inside the camper.
I used burlap for the inside walls. If water gets inside for any reason
it will evaporate. That will eliminate mold as long as we use the camper.
This camper cost about $6,000 because we put better solar power system
inside it.

Camper 3

Camper 3 back view