It is no secret that I do almost anything to get outdoors.

My love of nature started in my early teen years. I would ride my 21-speed mountain bike out into the timber after school to find peace and serenity. On weekends, a friend and I would put our tents in our back packs, pedal out to our favorite spots in the timber and set up camp for a night. We were different from most teenage boys.

I camped in tents for many years, but gradually grew tired of them. On several occasions I dealt with a surprise storm and a leaky tent, among other inconveniences. So when I was 23, I bought a school bus and converted it into an RV that could sleep six people. (That will be an entirely different post.)

I used the bus for several years, and still have it. But after repeatedly getting it stuck in the mud trying to get to various off-the-grid campsites, I decided to build a tiny camper. One that was lightweight and could easily be towed to remote areas.
I came across a pickup bed trailer made from a 1967 Ford, and converted it to a hunting blind and camper. (I will post a Youtube video I made showing the transformation at a later time.)

I insulated this rig very well. I wired it with 110 volt AC and 12 volt DC. And yes, it even had air conditioning.

I finished the interior with a sofa that folds out into a full-size bed, a captain's chair, cabinetry, a sleeping bunk across the front, storage cabinets, and a rooftop hatch that opened for 360-degree shooting.

Yes, this was built for hunting, as you can see. During turkey season I stayed warm and dry with my Busch and my Winchester 1300 12 gauge.

Unfortunately, I no longer have this little camper. It had a severe problem with the axle and I was not able to take it with me when I moved from Missouri to Iowa. I sold it way too cheap just to get rid of it.

But after I moved, I bought another little trailer and built a second tiny camper. While this one was not as elaborate, my goal was to keep it ultra-light and aerodynamic.

After the wood framing was done, I added steel strapping for additional wind-shear bracing. Then I used Tyvek home wrap to cover the frame before adding the metal siding.

I insulated this camper very well.

A poor-quality photo. But you can see I painted the exterior in a snow-camouflage pattern.

I designed this second camper with a low profile and extremely rigid frame with the idea of hauling two canoes on the roof. It was meant to go to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, but I haven't been there for three years. The camper sat in my yard without getting used, so I recently sold it to a friend to use on his 200-acre farm.

Tiny campers are a great upgrade from tents. No more leaky seams, condensation, insect infestations, or lack of security. My tiny campers have insulated, framed walls, locking doors, electrical systems, and plenty of storage for weekend trips. Plus they are lightweight and do not cost a small fortune to transport. If all goes well for me and my family, and God allows it, I plan to build more in the future and market them, in addition to building tiny homes.

I appreciate you reading my post and allowing me to share my creative projects with you and the world!