An old utilitarian trailer turned into a cozy tiny camper for less than $1,000. It has a kitchen, air conditioning, two beds, and the final cost is only $890.
According to a review on President Chay’s YouTube channel, the cost of the tiny blue camper seen here was only $890, and that includes the cost of the trailer and re-enactment work. Floor, tiles, two beds, windows, kitchen (with sink), electricity – all included in the price.
The trailer was found on Facebook Marketplace and was sold as a basic utilitarian trailer for $100. It was stripped of its small wooden walls, washed, and a floor base consisting of a moisture barrier, foam insulation, and a wooden board was installed. Presumably, the trailer frame and original wooden floor were in good condition.
The bulk of the costs were incurred for the manufacture of wooden walls. To reduce costs, the design used glue and fabric on the outside, which was then painted to make it waterproof. Inside, the electrical outlets were connected using extension cords rather than fixed wiring, which helped to reduce costs.
The fruitful use of recycled items also reduced the cost. Old pallets were used to make the tabletop. The kitchen cabinet was made from wood waste. The windows, metal trim, and tiled floor – outstanding items not often found just like that – come from a previous camper bus assembly that was sold before the trailer project. Without these items, the price would probably exceed $1,000, but we’re still talking about an impressively inexpensive camper.
One back door opens to a small kitchen on one side with two single beds on the other. The lower bed doubles as a sofa, and there is even a small air conditioner in the front. The sink is functional, although there is no mention of how much clean/process water is on board. There is also no onboard power system, but the trailer can be connected to a household network to keep everything running.
It is not a self-contained camper and lacks some features, such as onboard power or a small bathroom. But given the many tiny trailers we’ve seen costing over $20,000, this budget build has a chance to exist.
