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They say the thing with RVs is Go Big or Go Home?

by Lou Dawson June 29, 2018
written by Lou Dawson June 29, 2018

Takes a thousand hours to build, but could this be the ultimate in DIY?

Go big or go home? Actually, go dowsized and go to your garage. Or, go big or go foam? More, he says real skiing trailhead campers are built, not bought. This is a WildSnow DIY project teaser. More coming about building a teardrop made with DIY foam-fabric panels.

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7 comments

Shane June 29, 2018 - 1:58 pm

I can’t wait to follow this. I went the VW Vanagon Westfalia route for my car camping forays but that had as much or more to do with the fact that I’m a rear-engined VW nut. Building up an old pull-behind is a much more sensible way to go!

See June 29, 2018 - 5:50 pm

Lay up an epoxy/carbon shell and let it snow!

Lou Dawson 2 June 30, 2018 - 9:10 am

Shane and all, we’ll try to file more posts in a timely way, but they won’t come fast. Everyone is out having too much fun. We do have images from all stages of the build. You can find quite a bit of info via search for “diy foam panel camper” and other word sets. Lou

Kevin Passmore July 3, 2018 - 3:47 pm

I’ve been daydreaming about doing this too… but the satisfaction of building it appears to far outweigh any actual need I might have for such a trailer.

Mitch R. July 3, 2018 - 6:50 pm

Great idea! You have me making space in my garage for this project tomorrow’!

Jim July 27, 2018 - 7:00 pm

I made a Ford Transit Campervan and put on 4Wheel Drive at Quadvan in Portland. I have 4 continental snow tires on it in winter, and its a beast. Grips on ice. The depth of the snow high centering it is the only limitation. It insulated thick and has solar panels, two bunks, and a counter/ drawer for cooking. There is a 85 qt Whynter frig that works great. I put thermo film for electric heat on the floor and its great to melt snow, and keep the frozen toes warm in the morning. I used 220AH of AGM battery and that seems enough for fridge, lights, floor heat, and electric kettle for coffee, and music. We’ve been all over BC last winter, and Northern BC this summer. Will do BC for Dec-Feb then Ferry up to Alaska for Alaska Range spring and Gate of Arctic Summer.

RDE July 27, 2018 - 8:39 pm

Hi Jim,

Sounds like a great rig. Back in the day I had a high top Chinook 19′ camper van powered by a turbo diesel. I drove it on ice or 10 ” of new snow up my 17% grade road with a bunch of tight corners for several years. If you have enough weight on the drive wheels and great tires 4 wheel drive is almost overkill.

The nice thing about that rig was that 10 minutes after skiing you were in a hot shower and with the furnace it was warm enough to sit around in shorts. Don’t know why i thought I should sell it when it hit 170k.—

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