If you're looking to buy into a nomadic lifestyle, you may be surprised at the price of a tiny house on wheels. Buying a campervan, trailer, skoolie, or whatever it is, almost always involves a significant financial commitment. But what if you built it from scratch? Today I'm checking out a very budget-friendly, home-built trailer.
Prices for new entry-level travel trailers range from $12,000 to $40,000 (€11,140 to €37,134). However, add some off-road features and slideouts and you'll be over $40,000. For example, I recently wrote about the Epik Ranger, a fully equipped trailer that starts at $67,200 (62,385 euros).
I'm a big fan of budget-friendly projects. And I will share most of them here with you regarding auto evolution. The latest camper build I found is by Craig Ruge. Craig is creative with his DIY builds and specializes in building trailers of all types.
His latest work is the one we're checking out today, and he “Mini Cube Camper”. As he explained, the purpose behind this project was to build the smallest and cheapest camper that could be towed by his Kia Soul. Moreover, his budget for this project was only $1,000 (928 euros). So let's get down to business.
The Mini Cube Camper is based on a 40×48 inch (102×122 centimeter) Harbor Freight trailer. He described it as the smallest and cheapest trailer you can buy. The retail price for his is $399 (370 euros), but Craig bought it on sale for $329 (305 euros). However, it has a weight capacity of 1,090 lbs (494 kg) and a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h), so it's not ideal for long trips or large setups.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
In its final form, his camper is 8 feet (244 centimeters) long, including the tongue, and his box is 6 feet (183 centimeters) long. The scales tip him at 350 pounds (159 kg), which he can also lift with his own strength.
Quarter-inch plywood panels are used on the sides and half-inch plywood on the floor, all wrapped in aluminum trim coils and sealed with silicone. It looks like there are aluminum moldings on the corners, but they are actually plastic with aluminum spray painted.
Open the small door and you will see a small interior with the most basic amenities. When you're dealing with a $1,000 budget, you can't expect much more. It features a nearly twin-sized memory foam mattress measuring 30 x 31 inches (76 x 79 centimeters), a shelf that spans the entire width of the room, a phone holder, and two lights.
Natural light streams in through portholes built into the front door, portholes in the ceiling, and small windows.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
What about heating? You'd be surprised how hot this compact space can get due to the heat generated by our bodies. Still, I installed a basic $10 heater to keep Craig moving in colder conditions. As for ventilation, he installed a good-sized vent right next to the entrance. Without this, you will quickly suffocate indoors.
It may seem strange, but “How can I lie down inside?” Well, the only time you can do that is when you pull out the slide-out at the rear of the trailer. When the bottom of the camper is extended, it is 6 feet long.
Not only can you lie down, the slide-out also doubles as an outdoor kitchen with a plywood countertop. Above it, his three-storage exterior compartment houses a single-burner camp stove, cooking utensils, folding chairs, and more.
On the roof of the trailer is a simple rack consisting of two rails that hold the kayak and paddle on each side. Additionally, there's a cargo rack up front that can hold a solar-powered light and two life jackets, while a tongue-mounted rack below holds a cooler.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
These types of trailers are very easy to steal and are often targeted by thieves, so Craig took some simple steps to ensure his campervan never disappears. He added a wheel lock on the rear and his two locks on the tongue as well. Additionally, we plan to hide the AirTag inside so that it can be tracked in case it is stolen.
This camper doesn't have a lot of storage space, but it's still more than you'd expect. In addition to what was mentioned above, when lifting the mattress, it additionally reveals two floor compartments.
Of course, if those aren't enough (and probably won't be if you're planning a multi-day trip), you can also use a tow vehicle to transport larger items. Craig keeps his tools and fishing equipment in a compartment under the trunk, where the spare tire is usually stored.
For aesthetics, Craig used inexpensive peel-and-stick tiles on the floor and discount wallpaper on the front wall. He explained that Craig researched trades and sales every day when building the motorhome to keep costs to a minimum.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures
For power, Craig uses a battery box he purchased from Amazon for just $8. In it, he installed a deep cycle boat battery. This box comes with a 12V port, 6 USB ports, 3 lights, and a radio antenna. Since he has this, he didn't have to wire the trailer.
Overall, this mobile home is more than adequate for short trips considering its $1,000 price tag. This is a creative build that not only doesn't cost a fortune, but it's also less difficult to build than many other DIY projects.
