How to Salvage a Homemade Camper

Salvaging a homemade camper is a wise way to save time and money. The trick is to park it in one spot permanently. If you have a piece of property on which you and your family hunt, for example, park and keep the camper at the center of camp. Hauling an old or homemade camper back and forth creates unnecessary wear and tear and shortens the life of the hut. Once it is parked, set up the inside to accommodate of all your needs.

Things You'll Need

  • Power washer
  • Wall putty
  • Paint scraper
  • Sand paper
  • Window screens
  • Vinyl siding
  • Plywood
  • 2-inch-by-2-inch wood
  • Measuring tape
  • Saw
  • Drill
  • Wood screws
  • Brooms
  • Mop
  • Hammer
  • Nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the siding. Power wash all sides of the camper with a power washer. Include a power wash soap with a waxing agent to clean, polish and protect the siding. Power washers are operated with high pressure hoses to remove hard pressed mildew, dirt, grime and mold. Waxing prevents mold and grime from returning. Contact your local home-supply store about purchasing or renting a power washer.

    • 2

      Plug all surface holes with patch material. Apply wall putty to interior walls with a paint scraper and sand as necessary. Replace any faulty exterior siding. Replace faulty screens with fresh screens to avoid the need for electric fans. Avoid the installation of electrical wires to prevent irreparable fire damage.

    • 3

      Build vertically on the interior. Make a plywood casing with 2-inch-by-2-inch frames to store plastic storage bins or other objects, for example, and place a twin-size mattress on top. Building vertical helps you obtain much needed floor space--which is hard to come by in many old campers. Build or use small fold-out tables that can dismantle easily and store vertically along the walls.

    • 4

      Store only unopened, nonperishable food items in the camper -- as any other food can grow mold and attract bugs, varmint or large animals. Keep a storage area in the camper that holds necessary repair items -- hammers and nails, for example -- and cleaning materials. Store a broom and a mop to soak up any spills, sweep up and messes and brush off pooling water atop the camper. Avoid installing running water to prevent irreparable leakages.