DIY Camper Build: From Trailer to Finished Camper
Follow our complete journey building a homemade square-drop camper on a Harbor Freight 5×10 Modular Trailer. We’ll walk you through each stage of the project, from preparing the trailer and framing the camper to insulation, electrical installation, finishing, and our first camping trip.
Whether you’re planning your own DIY camper build or looking for ideas for a small homemade camper, you’ll find our build videos, project updates, materials, tools, and practical lessons learned along the way.
Our DIY Camper Build Series
Follow our complete DIY camper build, from assembling the Harbor Freight 5×10 trailer to framing, insulation, electrical work, exterior finishing, and camping adventures. Each episode documents a stage of our homemade square-drop camper project, sharing the techniques, tools, and materials we used along the way. Start with Episode 1 below and follow the series to see how our camper came together.
Episode 3: Framing the Walls on Our Homemade Camper Trailer
Episode 4: Finishing the Wall and Roof Framing on Our Homemade Camper
Episode 5: Installing Exterior Sheathing on Our Homemade Camper
Episode 6: Installing Exterior Sheathing and Insulation on Our Homemade Camper
Episode 7: Homemade Camper Electrical System, Exterior Epoxy & Rear Kitchen Door
Episode 8: Fiberglassing Our Homemade Camper & Finishing the Bottom
Episode 9: DIY Camper Ceiling Paneling & Electrical Wiring
Episode 10: Building Our Rear Kitchen Hatch Door from Scratch
Episode 11: Sanding, Priming & Painting Our Homemade Camper
Episode 12: Roof Vent, Window Installation & Wall Paneling on Our Homemade Camper
Want to watch the entire build series? Visit our YouTube playlist to follow our homemade camper project from the beginning, including the trailer assembly, framing, insulation, electrical work, and finishing stages.
Watch the Complete DIY Camper Build Series on YouTube
Camper Build Steps: From Trailer to Finished Camper
Building a homemade camper is easier to manage when you break the project into stages. Explore the major steps of our square-drop camper build, including the trailer foundation, framing, insulation, electrical system, exterior protection, and finishing work. We’ll share the methods, materials, and lessons learned during our project.
- Harbor Freight 5×10 trailer preparation
- Camper floor and wall framing
- Wall and roof sheathing
- Insulation and interior paneling
- Electrical wiring and power systems
- Fiberglass seams and epoxy exterior coating
- Sanding, painting, and finishing
- Camper accessories and final setup
- First camping trip and real-world testing
Tools and Materials for Our DIY Camper Build
Choosing the right tools and materials can make a homemade camper project easier and more durable. We’ll share the products, building materials, hardware, electrical components, and finishing supplies we used during our build, along with practical notes from our experience.
- Harbor Freight 5×10 Modular Trailer
- Lumber and plywood for framing and sheathing
- Insulation and interior paneling
- Epoxy resin and fiberglass supplies
- Electrical wiring, breakers, and fuse protection
- Battery and power system components
- Paint, sealants, and exterior protection
- Camper door, hatch, hinges, and hardware
Looking for the tools, materials, and equipment used in our project? Visit our Products & Gear page to explore the products featured in our homemade camper build.
Follow the Camper Build Journey
Our camper build is an ongoing learning experience, and each stage brings new ideas and challenges. Explore our latest project updates, see the progress we’ve made, and learn from the decisions and techniques we used along the way.
Camper Tour: Our First Camping Trip
See our homemade 5×10 square-drop camper in action during its first camping trip to Little Pee Dee State Park. Join us for a tour of the inside and outside of our DIY camper, built from scratch and approximately 90% complete at the time of filming.
Read our full DIY camper tour and see our homemade camper during its first camping trip to Little Pee Dee State Park.