Ashiana - The Camper story

I once took the saying 'Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy a tent, and that's kinda the same thing' to heart. As a passionate outdoor enthusiast, I embarked on a serious quest, beginning with the virtual aisles of Amazon and meticulously sorting my options by 'price lowest.' I must confess, my ethnic Asian Indian and immigrant background added a unique layer to this pursuit. My father was not a cowboy wrangling cattle but was a middle-class urban dweller in India, and our family tree resembles a well-maintained city park more than a wild forest. My DNA proudly carries the genes of risk aversion, safe path seeking, frugality, and budget-friendliness. So you can imagine   our family's wildest adventure  would often revolve  around trying a new restaurant armed with a coupon!

As I delved into the tent-shopping journey, my research on camping took an unexpected turn. Stories of camping horrors, from tents being washed away in torrential rain to encounters with creepy creatures and inquisitive grizzlies, seemed to find their way to me. The end result? The tent idea was swiftly dismissed as a bad one, steering me clear of potential camping calamities.However, the persistent combination of my engineering and wanderlust genes staged a rebellion against the other aspects of my genetic makeup. They call this an epigenetic makeover. Thus, I shifted my focus to RVs. A tussle between my old genes (budget-friendly) and new genes (adventure) ensued, and I eventually settled on campers. After a mandatory research session on YouTube and perusing DIY articles, the path for my quest of Happiness  became clear—a DIY camper was the way to go!

As far as DIY goes , my engineering wisdom is inextricably intertwined with KISS ( keep it simple , stupid ) methodology. So, you get projects like the 'AI-based ergonomically designed egg beater,' and the grand enlightenment  is a straightforward 'Use a fork instead, dumbhead.' Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones staring you in the face, and apparently, 

Some non-negotiable features in this DIY camper are driven by financial considerations and the absence of ancestral wealth – a legacy shared with my inherited genes.

-A tow-friendly design with a tongue weight of 100 kg and a total weight under 750 kg, ensuring compatibility with my existing car. 

- Ability to fit into my garage and shelter indoors during winter in my townhome, a far cry from a sprawling farm.

Optimal features include:

• A full-size queen bed for comfort.
• Four-season capability, ensuring insulation and heating for year-round use.
• Ample storage for camping essentials.
• A refrigerator with both 12 VDC and shore power (110 volts, 15 amps) operation.
• A solar inverter of 300 W for energy independence.
• Onboard tech features such as a PC running Ubuntu Linux, Chromecast, TV, LTE modem, and WiFi.
• A bidirectional vent fan for both exhaust and intake.
• Enhanced safety with four cameras – two in the front and two in the back, complemented by a 9" monitor in the car.

These features embody a blend of practicality, comfort, and modern technology, making this DIY camper a personalised and efficient mobile space.

Embarking on this grand odyssey  by first ordering out a 5 x 8 trailer. Progressing with unwavering determination, I crafted a sturdy floor using plywood and foam insulation, meticulously piecing together a vision of my own making. With the majority of materials sourced from the familiar aisles of the nearby Home Depot , the Camper window posed a unique challenge, requiring it to be imported from the USA.As I contemplated the allure of a prefabricated RV door, reality interjected with the constraints of my limited project budget. Opting for resourcefulness, I committed to fashioning the door myself, just using the imported  window to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Thus unfolded a weekend ritual – mornings dedicated to material procurement, followed by entire weekends immersed in the labour of love within the confines of my humble garage.Yet, the challenge was palpable, as the limited space inside my diminutive garage posed a constant impediment. Undeterred, my passion for constructing this camper absorbed all the inconveniences. On occasion, the confines of my garage pushed the boundaries, compelling me to transport an entire 5 x 8 panel into the sanctum of my living room, much to the chagrin of my wife, where the delicate acts of nailing and gluing unfolded.

Once I had the basic structure in place, I tossed in a “desk”  for a makeshift Linux computer – the multitasking centerpiece for both work and play up front. The window cutout's leftovers? They transformed into a small counter in the back, my attempt at a humble kitchen space. I aimed for simplicity, opting for ample storage over the  typical RV chaos. My dream was to achieve a sleek wood finish, but reality hit, and it seemed too messy. So, I opted for indoor latex paint since the interior wouldn't be exposed to the elements.  

Next came the fun part – adding a TV and a few extra touches, like a temperature gauge. Now, for the electrical side of things. Most of the gadgets came straight from Amazon. There's an external junction box for plugging into campsite power, and inside, some sleek switches. To round it off, a tongue box found its spot. Lucky for me, it matched the trailer's shape perfectly and settled comfortably on the tongue, just as the name suggests.A triple-fold bed that seamlessly transforms into a cozy sofa by day and a spacious queen-sized bed by night became a cherished discovery from Amazon. An old ceramic heater, once relegated to a corner of the house without much purpose, found its way into the camper, adding warmth to chilly nights.

My livelihood demands an arsenal of handyman tools, but this project went all-in with fancy additions – a jigsaw? Never knew I needed one! Now, there's a dozen clamps joining the party. Seriously, why do humans only have two hands? I could use a few more right about now!

Leaving the top of the roof open, I ran the electrical cables on the roof by carving out channels in the foam insulation. I devised my version of channels, envisioning future accessibility in case of issues. The idea was to potentially open it from the bottom and create a hatch to access the wiring. As a precaution, I made a drawing, just in case it became necessary. For the time being, I left the bottom part of the roof untouched.

I added LED lights—ah, dimmable ones, courtesy of Amazon! Outside lights were also thrown into the mix to brighten up my camp. As I ventured into adding a vent for the roof , I treaded carefully, haunted by tales of leaking roofs. After some searching, I struck gold with a Bidirectional 12V DC vent fan, complete with the ability to be closed when not in use and offering multi-speed settings. An Amazon find within my $100 budget, this was a godsend. Despite being an afterthought, I had made provisions for such additions in the wiring. Without wasting a moment, I carved out a spot on the roof and installed the vent. It turned out to be quite powerful, drawing in a considerable draft from the windows. Naturally, I was pleased!

With the internal setup complete, it was time for the external painting phase. I veered away from the fiberglass draping idea—it seemed both expensive and messy. Instead, I opted to take a risk with outdoor paint designed for wood. The compromise involved using a high-quality waterproof primer and outdoor deck paint. It's worth noting that my camper spends most of its time tucked away in the garage, only venturing out for the occasional adventure. Given this, the decision to use outdoor paint felt like a reasonable risk. Only time will tell how it holds up.

Feeling uneasy about not having a clear view of the back of the car due to the camper obstructing the view, I found that rear-view mirrors weren't sufficient for the complete view I desired. Given my cautious driving style—prompting a couple of pit stops by friendly officers who wondered if I had switched to a pedal-powered vehicle—and causing a stir among friends who've practically earned frequent flyer miles on speeding tickets, I figured it was about time for a genius solution.

After some soul-searching, I made the call to install four cameras—two in the front and two in the back—paired with a 9-inch monitor inside the car. This decision brought a fresh perspective, providing a comprehensive view of the back. I could now closely monitor how the coupling/hitch handled the ride and keep a vigilant eye on the back of the car for any potential dangers. Despite a twinge of guilt over the extra $200 spent, the peace of mind it brought justified the cost.

While the dream of adding a 12V DC refrigerator was momentarily deferred due to budget considerations, it lingered as a promising camping addition for future picnics. Ah, I can always acquire it later—it wasn't an integral part of the camper-building saga.And that concludes the tale! On its maiden voyage, the camper performed admirably, dispelling any concerns about its weight-bearing capabilities. Alas, with summer bidding adieu and winter knocking on the door, I reluctantly had to shelve my camping escapades until the next season.