Super easy, affordable DIY collapsible camper table idea

Рет қаралды 11,474

Күн бұрын

I wanted a spot where I could sit inside my camper to eat or use my laptop, but I discovered the typical flip-up locking hinged brackets would not work with my existing build. Here's what I came up with instead using scrap wood I had in the garage and less than $20 of hardware.
Camper build playlist:
• Topo Toppers camper bu...
AP Products table support rail:
amzn.to/4akSuHQ
Links to other gear I use & vehicle mods:
softroadingthewest.com/gear
Intro: (0:00)
Backstory: (0:35)
My camper table solution: (2:17)
Build vlog: Making the table: (3:56)
Build vlog: Mounting the support rail: (7:40)
Build vlog: Storage solution for the table: (9:32)
Build vlog: Final details: (11:16)
#diy #camperbuild #foldingtable

Пікірлер: 82

@clifford_overland 2 ай бұрын

You don't give yourself enough credit Donald, you have been doing DIY for some time now so I consider you a professional. Nicely done!

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

I will agree that my ability to DIY rig stuff up has improved over the years, but I will never accept the term "professional" for drywall screw joinery. 😆 Competent hack at best. 😂

@over_and_out_gary 2 ай бұрын

Ditto with what @clifford_overland says. All your projects seem to look pretty professional to me.

@clifford_overland 2 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest 🤣🤣🤣

@OverlandAdventureTimes 2 ай бұрын

Dude, the little brackets that use the extra length of the bolts to hang that thing are awesome! Sometimes things just work out.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

Not gonna lie, this was like idea #12 for stowing the table, after ideas 1 through 11 proved problematic. 🤣 Then once I got there, it seemed so stupidly obvious compared to the far more complex approaches I had been fiddling with prior. 😆

@garyjennyfrost9485 2 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest but, you got there for what your needs are. Problem solved. On to the next one! :) Also. I love that you are honest and candid about things, and not trying to show off or be a pretender. That's why I follow you. And Casey LaDelle, and Tristen Higbee.

@billfischer2687 2 ай бұрын

Great job Donald. One thing you could add for shelf rigidity is a couple of triangular pieces hinged off your under table supports that swing down against the cabinet wall when the table is deployed and fold under the table when the table is stored. It would be very stable and support a lot of weight without being bouncy.

@om617yota7 2 ай бұрын

Was thinking that too! A small brace would be plenty, tucked in near the cabinet and out of the way of knees and such.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

Yes, this is top of my list for adding support if it proves necessary. Very simple but should be effective.

@alanmohn4146 2 ай бұрын

Great minds think alike. I was going to give Donald the same suggestion.

@sagebrushbob2321 2 ай бұрын

You are a scary man, Donald. I thought this up about three months ago while thinking about how I wanted to set up my own Mesa. It's a little eerie when you pop up with something I already planned. 🤔

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

Great minds, Robert. 😄 I may have got to it first, but you already knew about this product, so you were a step ahead of me. 😄

@Martinjaegarcia 2 ай бұрын

Love when the process doesn’t have a solid plan, it leads to clever ideas. The way you used the outer bolts to store the table was sick! Minimal and functional, looks great and sounds like it only took one trip to the hardware store. Always a plus! Good job sir!

@barnetts9812 2 ай бұрын

Good morning ☕. Quite the progress Donald since your Topper investment. Thank you for sharing.

@garya6647 2 ай бұрын

Great work. Making a table collapse is not the hard part - making it so it sets up again is!

@PrimalOutdoors 2 ай бұрын

It looks like a great and simple solution. Good job. Jason

@drewneel6716 2 ай бұрын

If you end up finding the need for a leg of some sort, you could try to add a singular “leg” at a 45 that goes into the same I bolt that the bungie cords hook onto. Attach it to the bottom of the table with some sort of hook similar to a tent pole going onto the peg point. Really enjoying the diy build out, great work as always.

@Espo78 2 ай бұрын

Awesome ideas! A small rubber grommet glued to your L brackets at the top would probably stop any rattling, but it’s probably not that important.

@DanitaReynolds 2 ай бұрын

Budget minded DIY for the win! It looks perfect for what you need it to do. I’m all about using the resources I already have.

@oysterjohn5669 2 ай бұрын

If I was doing that I would have...Just kidding...Genius. The extruded aluminum hinge/brackets are amazing. Going with the 1/4" top is good. Keep it light.

@rock283 2 ай бұрын

Two thoughts for supporting the table. Instead of having a vertical leg going to the floor, try a hinged leg that braces itself off the wall the when the table itself is in position. Or alternatively, repurpose those bungee cords and hook them to the top of the cabinet. Good to see your plan is coming along

@johnwalker3263 2 ай бұрын

I prefer good enough carpentry myself, and that’s good enough!

@KnittedSchnauzer 2 ай бұрын

I have used the same aluminum slide to mount a table to the outside of my trailer. They work very well. I store my table under my mattress as it is thin enough.

@YouTubeTyler 2 ай бұрын

Love the elegance of your choices.

@om617yota7 2 ай бұрын

Great build! I love love love how you build solid functional things using ingenuity to stay on a reasonable budget. Your aluminum angle brackets and drywall screws gave me a chuckle, I built stop stick holder for the sliding glass door out of those same materials a couple weeks ago.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

I always liked that Rolling Stones song, Mother's Little Helper. And when I first discovered these drywall screws as an inexperienced handyman working on my first house over 25 years ago, I quickly started calling them Father's Little Helpers. 😂

@scottminshall6420 2 ай бұрын

very cool idea Donald! I think it should work for what you have planned for sure.

@yooperdog 2 ай бұрын

You definitely are whittling yourself a nice little setup. We just started looking at a camper called Vast, and love what they do with such a small space but for big dollars💸 That's one old jigsaw there I believe.

@hadynmcloughlin4661 2 ай бұрын

Nicely done Donald love the channel and keep enjoying your adventures and sharing the trips.

@tomas5376 2 ай бұрын

Great little table! Very innovative 🔨🛠️🪚👏👏👏

@jaystewart9947 2 ай бұрын

Very slick Donald. It ought to serve you well

@wvoutdoorsman5326 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video and the Amazon link. I’ve been looking for this particular item. I’m building a small 6x10 cargo camper.

@garyjennyfrost9485 2 ай бұрын

very smart idea with the angle brackets and drill holes. Love it. You don't have to be a master craftsman to build things that are useful. Don't apologize to all of us internet strangers for how you do things. If it works for your needs, that is all that matters.

@thewiredfox2691 2 ай бұрын

That ingenious! If the top section rattles too much, you could move one bungee to go up over a top corner, or add some over the top corners.

@garyjennyfrost9485 2 ай бұрын

or some single sided sticky foam / rubber pads would quiet that down if needed. I use those in quiet a few projects , cheap and easy

@adriankung1625 2 ай бұрын

Nice and simple! If you find it's maybe less sturdy than you'd like, I've seen a few DIY "Lagune" style tables using copper pipe -- could be a useful way to make a more robust mount that you could also swivel around for when you want to recline on your bench and watch a video... Cheers!...from North Vancouver

@jayfoster5756 2 ай бұрын

Elegant yet thrifty solution!

@joemamamia1751 2 ай бұрын

This is a pretty great DIY option fa sho! Thanks, Donald!

@dave_in_az 2 ай бұрын

Very useful, thanks! I love these inexpensive useful build videos.

@Mike-kr9ys 2 ай бұрын

Well designed project! Thanks for sharing your ideas & process.

@charlesfaulkingham5599 2 ай бұрын

Resourceful! I like how you are so creative.👍🏻

@johndej 2 ай бұрын

That's a very slick solution! During my build process, I tried to mount a fold down table but it never worked out. I ended up putting one on the back of one of the large doors on the back of my canopy. It's supported by the handle and partial head of a Swiffer mop. It works very well as a support and is adjustable depending on the height of the ground outside. I still wish I have one inside so I will look into that rail system. Thanks!

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

I absolutely LOVE that your table is supported by the partial head of a Swiffer mop. That feels verrrry much like something I would do. 😂

@daneboro6847 2 ай бұрын

I built it out well Donald, love the camper👍

@TyMoore95503 2 ай бұрын

Well done, Donald! Simple, effective, inexpensive...the three mantras of K.I.S.S.! I always appreciate your take on things, Donald! Have a great day, and Happy Trails to you!

@stretch9952 2 ай бұрын

Suggestion! Resist the temptation to clear out all those odd pieces of wood and odd lengths of various metals from your garage. As soon as they are gone, a use for them pops up, even though you never thought it would. This, from someone who did just that and regretted it.

@jason_advntr_6755 2 ай бұрын

Another great build, thanks for sharing your real world DIY projects. For a support you should check out the tables used by TC teardrops. I will try to find a picture of mine and share with you. Thanks

@darrengray2309 2 ай бұрын

Stop putting your ideas and work Down what you made is a really smart idea. I really liked how you did it and you haven't blocked any of your other drawers. The only thing i might suggest is to put that 2 or 3mm strips of fabric backed foam onto the back outer rails of the table to stop any rattling over rough terain when packed away.

@kevintrevors3921 2 ай бұрын

Well done and minimal cost !

@danieldryden542 2 ай бұрын

Great work Donald, I love how your think!

@KevinH-sf2ww 2 ай бұрын

A support post down to the floor may interfere with your foot-space. As a suggestion for a support for your table - Utilizing the eyebolt for your bungies, make a support post from the eyebolt, angled up to the frame of your table. With the angled support, you'll just need to make sure you clear your knees.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

That's a *great* idea. Definitely gonna look closer at this approach.

@swidahooverlanding2867 2 ай бұрын

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. George .

@louiskudlak2241 2 ай бұрын

Looks good buddy, well done

@lazynorse5607 2 ай бұрын

Stencil Goose or ARB on it and sell it for $1200, rinse, repeat! Kidding, love the project and your channel.

@Realtor_eliot_portland 2 ай бұрын

Love this

@kennb.3389 2 ай бұрын

Excellent idea ! Looks Great !

@gusvisit 2 ай бұрын

Awesome ! Congratulations

@dalecurrier5631 2 ай бұрын

Great idea thanks Donald.

@carolleimbach6407 2 ай бұрын

That looks perfect! 🏆

@bwildjournals 2 ай бұрын

Very nice!! Great idea!! 💪

@scottymac5174 2 ай бұрын

Very nice solution!

@philliphinkle2812 2 ай бұрын

Looks great but a quick tip if you don’t mind. Glue is your friend. It will dry as strong or strong than the wood. Also drywall screws are not designed for outdoor use. I know your table is inside but moisture will cause them to rust. They will stain the wood when they rust. Better off with an exterior grade screw. Keep doing what you’re doing.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

Haha, I knew someone would take issue with my techniques. :-) As I explained, the ability to disassemble is important to me - and I've done it many times. A lot of my build is made with material salvaged from previous builds I've simply taken back apart. I've never had any issues with strength. This is my 5th interior build since 2018...two in my Forester, a temporary build in my Leer topper, a more finalized build in the Leer, and then this build. I've built them all with drywall screws and never had the slightest issue with weak joints or rusting screws, even here in wet western Oregon. I re-use the screws too...when I take something apart, the screws go right back into the bins to be used again. Part of my current build may well be held together with screws I used for my first rough build in the Forester 6 years ago. :-) It would be one thing if I'd ever had any sort of problem, but it keeps working just fine so I get the positive reinforcement, LOL. They're cheap and tough (the heads don't strip out like so many other types of screws) and come in a nice variety of sizes. When I repair a chair or something that's in my house, I use more proper joinery and glue, but for my camping builds, I'll keep on rolling glue-free. :-)

@kevinthomson6324 2 ай бұрын

2 options for adding support. 1 Add a chain or cable from the top storage brackets to the sides of the table at roughly 45 degrees. 2 Basically the same but with solid pieces of wood on a angle from mid way out on the tables bottom to a rail you would need to add on the wall roughly where the table ends when it’s secured to the wall. Side benefit this rail would add a good way to add more stability when stored to maybe lessen the rattling.

@user-em9sj1hh8q 2 ай бұрын

you should be an engineer for the RV industry

@thomasreilly4156 2 ай бұрын

Clever

@scottlane5164 2 ай бұрын

No worries run what Run what you're dwrong If you can get it done

@850OVERLAND 2 ай бұрын

Chatty birds!

@jeffmatthews3798 2 ай бұрын

When you’re junk pile becomes your primary build resource you have graduated to craftsman status. Throw nothing away that isn’t edible,.

@garretlewis4103 2 ай бұрын

So, we’re all of those crows squawking in approval or giving you a hard time? 😂😂

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

I think they were serenading me. 🤣

@quezel 2 ай бұрын

What if you did some sort of cable or bungie to add support from the 2 pieces that hold the table up while in transport and attach it to the front of your table so it makes triangle connection to the back wall. Eliminating the need for a floor support

@OverlandOrange 2 ай бұрын

Yes!!! The timing of this video is awesome. I'm trying to build a small shelf in my squaredrop to support (don't judge) a small cat litter box for when wife and I bring her along. I'm curious if you can tell me how much weight that setup will support? Great idea, and great timing.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

I would not trust the rail alone for the weight of a litter box. It's a little wobbly just with my laptop computer. I think you'd definitely want to make even just a single rigid leg that you can wedge under the opposite side of the shelf from the rail, or possibly a triangular support on a hinge that swings out off the bottom of the shelf to wedge against the wall, if that makes sense. If you Google around a bit, you can see other applications of this rail material, usually in RVs, and the various additional supports that are almost always also used.

@OverlandOrange 2 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest The bummer is I can't have a leg, due to the mattress... So I'm thinking of doing a piano hinged shelf, with piano hinged shelf brackets (wish I could paste a photo). THIS seemed better, so maybe I'll utilize this for the upper shelf that will only hold a little clothing.

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

Yeah I can visualize what you're saying with the hinges. I mean, that's more or less what I originally planned to do, the positioning was just a problem for me. If you have room for the shelf to fold down, then having it permanently mounted on a hinge also solves the issue I ran into of how/where to store it. :-)

@commonsense592 2 ай бұрын

😊

@jkuoverland8507 2 ай бұрын

I must of missed something, where did your Reign 270 awning go?

@softroadingthewest 2 ай бұрын

You didn't miss anything, I haven't mentioned it, but I'll be talking about it in next week's video. Reign Outdoor has made some tweaks to their awning design (based in part on my feedback) and I will be testing the new version. They had an immediate need for my old awning elsewhere, so I had to take it off and ship it some weeks before the new one was ready. I have the new one in hand now and will be working this week on testing/reviewing the updated model.