About KIT Campers
DIY Campers for All
Kit Campers is dedicated to providing highly customizable campers, accessible to everyone. Whether you are a seasoned DIYer or just getting started we provide all the support you need to build a lightweight, functional camper, at a fraction of the cost, from the comfort of your own workshop!
My Story
My name is Phil Batterson and I am the founder of KIT Campers. I am from Michigan but now live in Oregon. I obtained a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan because I love problem-solving and creating. As a kid, my family would take trips to the mountains in Colorado which spurred a love for camping and adventuring.
After purchasing my first Tacoma in 2016 and moving out west. I grew frustrated with my current ground camping setup. This led to the idea of building a no weld self-contained pop-up camper that would allow me to drive up to a site, park, and camp right out of my truck which has manifested itself in the creation of KIT Campers.
Meet the First Kit Camper!
Version 1 of the Kit Camper - has been on my truck for the last year. I built it in 21 days, for less than $3000, and it weighs ~350lbs. I have learned a lot from this build and have created a second version incorporating ideas for easier waterproofing, concealed gas struts, and a larger bed.
Currently, I am gauging interest and saving money to build the second version. Once I can afford to buy version two (perhaps by selling the prototype if someone is interested), I will be able to make a full how-to-build guide, give detailed prices, and build times.
Meet the Kit Camper
Kit Campers is a project/idea dedicated to making DIY camper building as accessible to people as possible. I don’t have a lot of money (I am a graduate student), a large shop (my shop is my driveway), or technical skills (i.e. welding), and I don’t think people should need those skills to be able to make a super functional camper.
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Kit Campers makes DIY camper building more accessible than EVER. You buy all the parts and we provide full build support (through how-to-guides, videos, and a forum); while building a community of DIY adventurers dedicated to getting out there!