This Amazing One-of-a-Kind Aluminum Truck Camper is for Sale!

As you know, we are always on the lookout for amazing DIY truck camper builds. Sometimes we come across these builds in our travels and sometimes on social media. Yet we occasionally come across one in our Truck Camper Adventure Classifieds, as was the case with this particular camper built by Kevin Stitt, a retired film editor. We think you’ll agree that the results this aluminum DIY camper are stunning, so much so that we’d love to see it mass produced. To learn more about this amazing, one-of-kind truck camper, we spoke with Kevin.

Hi Kevin. The workmanship of your aluminum truck camper is truly inspiring. Can you tell us why you decided to build your own?

Kevin Stitt: Well, everybody loves the old Airstream Trailers, including me, but as far as I know Airstream never produced a truck camper. I built a custom camper so I could build it to my own specifications to match the measurements and payload rating of my particular truck.

Can you explain exactly how your camper was built?

Kevin Stitt: This was one of the first of many disagreements I had with my friend Bill. He wanted to build it on a steel chassis. I had recently seen a documentary on the building of a World War II British Mosquito fighter bomber and they didn’t use any structural steel. Bill won that argument. He was right. We were not building an airplane anyway.

We first built the steel chassis, and that enabled us to insert the holding tanks, wiring and plumbing. Then the Baltic Birch frame was constructed on the chassis. The next step was the sheeting of the aluminum on the exterior, then the installation of the windows including a pop open sunlight/moon roof over the bed frame. Then came the installation of the kitchen, the banquette, the bathroom and closet and cupboards.

The interior is simply stunning. What materials were used to build it out?

Kevin Stitt: The interior consists 4×8-foot sheets of Baltic Birch stained in red mahogany. The cage of the camper is 1/2-inch Baltic Birch.

Were you inspired by any previous makes and models of campers?

Kevin Stitt: Yes, Back in the 1960s a company called Avion produced an Airstream-like truck camper but they are becoming increasingly difficult to find one, especially in good condition.

Did you acquire any lessons learned during the build process?

Kevin Stitt: I learned that working with soft metals like aluminum can be tricky. And next time I might use a thicker gauge metal to try to keep the waviness to a minimum, but then again that would add weight. It’s a trade off.

What features does your DIY truck camper have?

Kevin Stitt: It has all the stuff that a modern rig has, including air conditioning, heat, an indoor wet bath, outdoor lighting, and satellite radio hook up. I built this with hopes of preserving the camping experience I had when I was a kid. My wife’s favorite feature is the wine rack.

Can you tell us more about your camper’s electrical system and plumbing systems?

Kevin Stitt: We have three electrical systems. One 12 volt DC system is for the exterior clearance lights and the brake lights. The second is for all of the 12 volt DC interior needs in the camper and a few exterior needs like the porch light. These come off the two six volt batteries. The third is an inverter for all the 120 volt AC needs like the appliances. The plumbing is standard ABS with three holding tanks.

What appliances are in the camper?

Kevin Stitt: It has a microwave, a refrigerator/freezer, and propane cooktop with hood exhaust. The camper is also equipped with an air conditioner and a separate heater as well as an exhaust fan in the wet-bath.

Is there any one truck camper feature or thing you are particularly proud of?

Kevin Stitt: I really am proud of the rounded corners. We found a place that spun aluminum dishes and used those for the corners. That feature is integral to making the camper resemble an Airstream or Avion. When I first envisioned it, I built a model (which I still have) to formulate the basic idea. I also knew I wanted a king-size bed as well as a wet-bath. I knew I wanted it to resemble a vintage railroad coach style interior. The camper became rigid when we added the aluminum sliding which is sealed with Marine adhesive 5200.

Do you have any regrets in your choices? Anything you wished that you had done differently?

Kevin Stitt: No, not really. This is the first time I’ve taken on something of this scale. I’ve done several cars in the past, but this build was an entirely different matter. Not only the structural design but also the aesthetics. And besides there is a premium on space, there always is.

What truck are you using to haul your camper? What kind of mileage are you getting hauling it?

Kevin Stitt: We are hauling the camper on a Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7L Diesel 4×4. We are getting about 19 mpg which is amazing for a camper of this size. No doubt, the aerodynamic properties of the camper and the light weight make this mileage possible.

Is it true you are selling your camper?

Kevin Stitt: Yes, I am selling it. It’s time for a new project.

What are you selling your camper for? Where is it located?

Kevin Stitt: I’d like to sell the truck and camper as package for $115,000. It was planned and constructed entirely in southern California where it currently resides under cover at my home in Agoura Hills, California. Those interested in purchasing it can contact me at socalstitt@yahoo.com.