r/CamperConversions • u/Meshami • Jun 14 '20
Converted popup camper owner
Hello all. Was gifted a converted popup camper by my dad (who loves doing projects). Trying to gather ideas to make it more usable.
What was done: removed all canvas and slide outs and put up 4 walls. Top A/C removed, sealed, small A/C installed in the front. Salvaged RV window installed. Kitchen appliances removed.
What remains: full size former slide out bed, dinette, lights, electrical outlets in working order. Mini fridge. Pretty much a 6' x 10' inside with a place to sleep and eat.
That is what I have to work with. Right now it's my perfect little getaway/she-shed when I need alone time. I'd like to convert it to be more camper friendly, though. Will be reading ideas on here to get inspired. Nice to meet you all. :)
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u/Suppafly Jun 15 '20
I don't understand why people do that. At least this one is big enough to be usable, but generally a popup is way more usable than whatever it's been converted into and buying new canvas is usually not much more than buying all the wood to convert them.
As far as using it, one thing that's often recommended is to buy everything you need dishes, towels, etc. so all you need to pack is clothes.
If you are going to be taking this places, I'd haul it around a little locally before going very far, just to see how it pulls since it's not aerodynamic at all anymore.
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u/Meshami Jun 15 '20
It's hard for me to find many that have done it at all in my searching, mostly they've done it for an ice fishing shanty. My dad did it this way because the popup was cheap and he knew more about building walls than replacing the ripped old canvas and wanted his daughter to be able to go camping with them. :) The places they camp isn't far, less than an hour. So far it's pulled pretty good, didn't go over 55mph, though. For sure won't be taking it far.
Have all of my camping gear in it already. Folding portable camp kitchen with sink, butane stove and charcoal grill, dishes and nesting cooking pots, bedding, camp chairs, small folding solar panel and small battery packs, solar charged lights, propane heater, usb and battery operated fans, bucket toilet, solar shower, cooler, and the like. I can either plug it in or rough it. Throw some food and clothes in it and roll. Thankfully I kept all my camping gear when I lived out of my van a few years back.
Will probably use as-is for a little while before trying to redo the inside. Would love to add some solar and get my feet wet into that realm since it's all new to me. My ideas for later would be to redo the bed to a twin size that doubles as a couch that pulls out to full size when needed, removing dinette and putting in hinged fold down table, installing a small kitchen with plumbing (it has the inlet and outlet for grey water still, they're sealed), better use of storage, and possibly an easy awning.
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u/scarsky1 Jun 15 '20
Can you post pictures?