Truck Camper Build QnA | 5 FAQs About My Custom Overlander Build 

I've said it before on another video, but man do I like this build. I think it turned out fantastic. I'm kind of disappointed that you're done because you won't be doing any more build videos.

This is incredible engineering, craftsmanship, and resourcefulness…thanks for sharing! So many unanswered questions though. What I would love to know more than anything in the Q&A is where did you learn how to do all this?? I mean everything from the blueprinting software to welding to the fiberglass work to the electrical to just understanding the physics of how this would all be possible on the body of the truck. This is not something one learns by watching a dozen RU-vid videos. Did you grow up in a home with a super industrious and skilled parent who immersed you in this DYI world? Are you an engineer by education and/or profession? What kind of career did you have before you got into over-landing? And are those specialized tools and equipment all yours? I know you had to buy a ton of materials, but seems you were always equipped with the right tool for whatever you were working with. 😊

Nice job Matt! your attention to detail and quality work turned into and impressive build. can’t wait to watch your new adventures.

This has to be your nerdiest video, all those numbers! Nevertheless you presented the facts, and only the facts ina very entertaining manner. OK, I guess I’m ready to take on watching the full build video. Great Job!

Thorough video! Thanks!

Nice job, Matt. Better than anything on the market.

That is a great build Matt

Outstanding job! I do look forward to you sharing the trails and trials of your future adventures. Thanks for bringing us along.

Thanks, Matt,😎👍

Awesome job Matt! Such a great DIY build inspiration for people that have an actual budget and cant just invest 50 to 100 thou into a traveling rig. Mad respect for what you've done!

Awesome as always Matt! Thank you. I think what I found most interesting was the payload, I know you've worked hard on it and I know I want more payload so I'm going to have to plan and execute my future truck camper build very well

Has anyone mentioned your video skills? Add those to your resume. I always enjoy the background music, cut aways, multiple camera angles and snappy editing. And man you saved a lot of money AND got the personalized features!

That chair looks awesome

You may want to double check your payload capacity. Vehicle manufacturers include the driver, at 150 lbs in the payload formula. I think you actually have 550 lbs. Not too bad at all.

Thanks for the real numbers and justifications. And you forgot to mention the knowledge you acquired in the building process. Happy travel!

Dude I loved everything about you and your build (I still like you I just need to make a point) EVERYONE ON YT is a liar! Why do we feel the need to try to brag about cost, every DIYers has this Interneter mentality “some contractor wanted $5k to do the job….I diy it and saved $5k!” Hang on, you “rounded up” but what cost do you put on your labor time? Everyone conveniently leaves that our, that and if I paid a pro to do a $5k job you better believe I’m getting a warranty contract and I’m gonna make sure the quality is perfect, that and it will obviously time, so pro does it I pay $5k, his quality should be that of 1st novice to a pro and I won’t have to act like my 4 weeks of labor was easy, I forget to put into reality filming every step and editing these videos on top of the work, like I’m paying the pro $5k for the warranty, time and I’m too busy making money to act like my labor/time is just free! Everyone on YT “the culture” is just hurting each other buy acting like everything is so easy and time is free, labor is free, then your trying to make it sound like the materials were super cheap (not you the YT diy/ woodworking community) I like to point out that’s how carpenters framing houses the SF cost has been so undercut and unrealistic in 2024 crews are doing houses for the same SQ FT cost as my dad was doing then right out of high school in 1979 $10 sf…..it’s f’n stupid! You’re a hell of craftsman when that question came up you should of said blah blah materials were this, my knowledge, my labor and time is this so total cost is $40k! Lemme ask ya this, how much you sell it for right now? Like what’s the number you’ll have to take cause it’s enough money, like it would set you up for the next rig! Exactly your selling this for $10k/ even $20k I’ll bet it will take $30k so forget that “cost me $8k bs”

This is very true... while it would be cool to have an EarthRoamer, non of the commercial offerings are really very personalized to your specific lifestyle. As an end user you are working around the limitations and built-ins the designers thought were good ideas, but most likely were checklist items, and not used in real world scenarios and tested by many different people. They seem to be made for the average camper. If I was dropping any kind of money on a new RV or camper, my first thought is always to build it myself. That way I get the materials I want, and the features that I find are best, especially after living the off-grid lifestyle for the last almost 4 years. It's so much more empowering knowing you can do anything yourself. As with most, it's not my ability to make something, or even the time... it's the money needed up front to get all the materials and accessories ahead of time. Because when doing it yourself, you often need the item in hand to get perfect measurements. Or you don't want to paint yourself into a corner by sipping ahead on the build because you have to wait to save up for the new items that are really the next step in the process. So you are forced to jump around on what can be done at the time. I love watching all these builds, and I think my next personal project is going to be a foamie of some kind.

Awesome job mate! Question: will you do another trip down to Panama in blue beauty?

Super well done, Mat! Quick question: what brand chair is the one you were sitting in at the end?

U did it right bra!

Great job Matt!! I stumbled into your camper project looking for urethane foam sandwich panels. I've had that on my mind for years , but you actually did it! You took the helmet and you were the stuntman THANKS!! I'm glad I watched the rest of the series as that answered most of my questions. I want to make some thicker section panels (~3") faced with a glassed thin plywood skin to deck a small Jon boat. Should be stiff enuf to span about 2' and tough enuf to walk on assuming I leave the spiked heels at home*. I still got a couple questions though: 1) You poured the panels essentially in a vertical mold formed by the ply skins and pour in layers, right? If so, roughly how much did you use in a layer and how long did you wait between pours? 2) How much support on the "mold" walls did you need to keep the larger panels flat? Were the pours small enuf to fill that level and only expand up? 3) I'd like to use polyester resin for my project. Plenty strong and hecka cheaper. Once you decided to use the urethane foam , any reason you used epoxy? And here's a tip: DONT cut urethane foam with a hot knife or hot wire. Those work great on EPS foam but produce some reeeeally nasty stuff with urethane. I'm guessing you probably already know that since you're still able to camp. Thanks again for doing the danged thing and with such aplomb! Really fine job!! *note: I don't actually have any spiked heeled shoes at home

How does the T100 handle the weight in the mountains, everyday driving etc? Have you done any engine, brake upgrades etc?

If I remember correctly, you had initially considered using Owens Corning FOAMULAR 250 XPS Insulation Board but because of covid related issues you were unable to. Would using that material have been more economical? It appears it's only about $40 per 4 x 8' 2" thick sheet now. Would you have used the same kind of wooden sheathing on exterior and interior walls to sandwich that material? What material would you use if you were to start the build now? Would coating both sides of the foam sheets provide enough structural integrity?

Are you willing to build campers for other people? Thanks!

Question, from what I've seen on the build video, the cab over is only supported by the floor itself and the walls. Are you experiencing any flexing?

Shouldn’t you subract the truck bed not add it to the overall weight of the vehicle?

If you got that truck for 2,500, that was a gift

How long in Meters and what does weigh in Kg?

I can't believe how much space you wasted on the surfboard cupboard . You could have had so much more space inside the camper.

What breed is your dog?

That don’t weigh any thing, great job on keeping so light.

Additional question, exept the one for a metric version, is your chair. Need to figure out if its available in a metric non english speaking country.

Where's your travel buddy?

Great intro Matt . Vintage funk with a modern twist like your camper.🤌 What kind of gas mileage fully loaded? Are you going to keep old blues vintage patina or rino coat her a new color? I rock a 2001 Tundra with a 8ft 1982 lance it is huge but I have air bags and a 5.7 v8 im getting like 14 and way less with 4high .