How Do I Build a Cheap Truck Bed Camper?

If you’re looking to explore the great outdoors without breaking the bank, building a cheap truck bed camper is an excellent option. With some basic tools, a little bit of know-how, and a few inexpensive materials, you can easily assemble your own camper for your next camping trip. Here are some tips for getting started.

Gather Your Materials

Before you begin constructing your truck bed camper, you’ll need to gather the materials. These include plywood, screws or nails, weather stripping material (or sealant), and fastening hardware such as washers and nuts. It’s also helpful to have a measuring tape and saw on hand.

Construct the Base

The first step in creating your truck bed camper is to construct the base. You’ll need to cut several pieces of plywood into the appropriate size for your truck bed.

Depending on the size of your vehicle, this could be anywhere from five to eight feet in length. Once you have all of your pieces cut, use screws or nails to secure them together into a frame.

Add Insulation

Once you have the base constructed, it’s time to add insulation. This will help keep the inside of your camper comfortable during both hot and cold weather.

You can purchase rolls of foam insulation at any home improvement store or online retailer. Cut it into strips and secure it around the inside frame of your base with nails or screws.

Install Windows & Doors

If you want some natural light inside your camper while camping, now is a good time to install windows and doors. Doors can be purchased from most home improvement stores or online retailers. Windows may need to be custom ordered depending on their size and shape requirements.

Seal & Paint

Once everything has been installed correctly, it’s time to seal and paint the outside of your truck bed camper. Use caulk around any windows or doors that were installed as well as around any joints that may be exposed due to weathering over time.

Once this is done you can then paint it with an exterior-grade paint for protection against future wear and tear.



Building a cheap truck bed camper is easy once you have all of the necessary materials and tools gathered together in one place. Make sure that all pieces are accurately measured before being secured together with screws or nails then add insulation before installing windows or doors if desired. Finally seal and paint everything together for added protection against wear and tear over time – happy camping!

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Karen Watkins