Comfortable RV DIY Bunk - Plus Clam Shelter Review Uodate
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- Опубліковано 9 бер 2020
- After building a pipe berth in our converted cargo trailer camper, I got a chance to spend the last couple of weeks sleeping on it. This video is an update to how comfortable it is and how I made a change to make it even better! Also, we've made good use of our Clam Shelter and thought it was destroyed by a high wind gust. Check out how it did in this video also. Links below to the pipe berth build and the original Clam Shelter review.
RV Bed - Pipe Berth DIY Build: • RV Bed - Pipe Berth DI...
Clam Shelter Review - • Quick-Set Clam Shelter...
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It's so nice once in a while seeing senior people making videos. Younger people talks very fast. I like the scenery. Stay safe guys! I subscribed!
Thank you, totsmom! Glad you're with us.
There is something mesmerizing about watching campers in a nice comfortable camper enjoying themselves during wind and rain. Nice job.
Cozy camper in a stormy night!
Love the sound of rain on the roof.
Me too. Thanks for watching, Jan! ~~Linda
My 12 x 12 clam shelter blew across the field I thought it was destroyed but lo and behold it was just fine. best purchase made
They're well made for the price.
Send a clip of the Clam Shelter survival to the company that makes them. Great advertising! (One of these is already on our Wish List.)~ Kir and Ron in Tennessee
I love that sound of rain of top of a cargo trailer.Unfortunarely it is raining like crazy here and tomorrow more of the same.I pull a 6x12 cargo trailer every day.I will hear that patter of rain in the am before headed to the job to do a little remodeling Great video ya'll.
Thanks, John!
Thanks for the update on the bunk. Happy for your travels in the winter. 😊
I'm enjoying your videos. Straight forward yet watch worthy
Thanks Dave!
I have a clam That I have not used yet really glad to see that it stood up to crazy weather
You guys are my inspiration. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for watching Ted!
Appreciate the follow-up on the pipe berth
I sleep on it a month at a time and still love it.
We turned our full bed into bunks a while back. We just built wood frames for ours. We wanted more space rather than sleeping side by side. We're happy with our change.
I saw your video and you did great!
@@gonagain Thank you 😊. We aren't exactly master carpenters so we're pretty happy with everything we've done to it lol.
The skies are blue and it looks warm but you guys are still bundled up. Go South young man and woman, go South. I'm a lower back sufferer myself. I'm working on making the upper back bad too with book work and computer hunching.. Firm and flat with 2" memory foam pad works for me. Actually my back is in good control as long as I exercise and be careful how I move. Take care...
I've wound up with a pinched nerve ( I think) in my right shoulder from computer work myself. Getting old ain't for sissies!
Glad to see you guys still enjoying yourselves, ha you’ve been there a while i think. Glad ur shelter survived 👍🏻 I think i have that same coffee press that you have, i sure like mine. Have fun and avoid crowds 😊 😷
Thanks, Greg. That Stanley makes great coffee, doesn't it? Avoid crowds and wash hands a lot! ~Linda
That thunder ♥
Nice start to the video! We haven't seen too many of your videos of you "chilling" inside.
Thanks Ron. We didn't know how that would go over.
Nice setup!
Thank you, it sure works for us. ~Linda
Great job! Enjoy!
Thank you!
fun so far
Thanks for sharing this video. Enjoyed your review.
You're welcome Mark, thanks for watching!
I really like the cot! Great idea!
Thanks, Bill! ~Linda
Always enjoyably informative-thanks & safe travels
Thank you 3 Generations!
I am subscribed and I really enjoyed watching that
Thank you Lavern! We really appreciate it.
Very nice i enjoy your channel 👍
Thank you for watching, thunder19301!
I just ordered the Sky. After seeing this I know I’m making a good choice. Can’t wait.
The clams r the best ty for this video
I'm sitting in it now. We get a few minutes of sun and then a few minutes of rain and it's working great for both!
Nice video guys , we were able to watch the whole thing. 😀
Lots better cell service is coming, but will us average folks be able to afford it?
♥Gonagain
Great video ,love the pipe berths,great to see you both and big hugs from MN
Thanks Dan, stay warm up there.
@@gonagain wood fires is going all winter in my stepvan,love your videos
Thanks Step Van Dan!
Great info on the Clam. We have one, too.Great update on the pipe berth. I am learning so much from you! Jane in SC❤️
I just pitched the Clam an hour ago to provide some shelter from the breeze so that Linda can cook and I'm sitting in it now as I write this. They are nice aren't they?
My plans for rear bunks are similar. Etrak on the walls. Etrak stud brackets. Replacement cot canvas with one by ones slid through the sleeves of the canvas. Alternative design I just came up with would use pipe and heavy duty closet rod brackets. This is so the bunks are removable, so I can use it as a utility trailer at home, and a boondocking sleeping quarters when I don’t want to expose the nice / big RV to rough roads.
That sounds like a good plan William.
I will be on the sonoran by the 15. March is a rainy month things will be coming alive with colors... And drug smugglers, that where I come in..i use 1/2 a foot long shafting to hold the ropes... Love your bed set up.
The desert flowers are incredible of your here at the right time. I like your camp security idea.
I'm glad the new bunks working out. Looks like you gained a bit more space to. I like that little trailer👍👍👍
It's working out so nice! Three things were standing out on this trip: first is the bunks, second is finally having solar and the third is a "solar" charger, or power pack. The last two are making it possible for me to do my editing and uploading while traveling. I hope you're doing well Bill!
@@gonagain Not doing to well today. My little 12 1/2 year old Weiner dogs not doing well. She's my little friend. 💔
I love your pipe berth bed and have watched the original install video many times. It's very unique and will help me to convert my trailer back to full cargo mode very quickly when I finally get going on the build. Many thanks!
With the pad on top it's very comfortable too! Thanks for watching Sean.
That looks like a good spot to weather the pandemic and economic crisis!
Indeed
Looks like we all need to batten down the hatches.
Looks pretty doggone cozy and comfortable with the double bunk set up in that trailer. Central and southern deserts of Arizona should get some pretty spectacular flower blooms this year. 👊👍😎
It's all buds and some, like the ocatillo, are starting to open. If you can make it down this year it's going to be spectacular.
I am in Chandler Arizona I spend a lot of time traveling the state for recreation and enjoyment of the great outdoors. 👊👍😎
Pipe berth: Great idea to segment the lacing! I only thought about the hardness of the whole thing, never about being able to tune portions hard or soft.
Thanks for showing us your improvements!
And yes, I too love the sound of the rain on the roof. I sleep closer to my roof than even Linda does, and I wondered if a hard rain all night would keep me awake. Just the opposite! The sound of the rain put me right to sleep.
Thanks for watching Galard! The rain helped me sleep again last night and now I'm ready for some sun.
You guys have nice digs. That trailer looks great. It makes me want to change my mind on the pop-up camper. Utility trailers are just tough as can be. The options are endless on what you can do with them. I would definitely get a different axle system. More ground clearance. I could call it the maraca. I would have to use coil over air shock's. Now my mind is racing with ideas. Thanks for the inspiration. We have been saving for 6 months to build something. I love the quad idea that you guys take with you sometime. Thanks for another wonderful video. Happy Camping
We really do love this trailer. You could probably do a better job with yours and refine it to suit yourself. I like the air shock idea. We have enough ground clearance buy whatever is in there gets a rough ride!
@@gonagain the nice thing of being able to build it yourself the sky's the limit. I like the odd things. I want to be the only one on the block with whatever it is that I'm building. From a car or truck to old firearms. I like to be me.
@@biggerbehindthetrigger2814 nothing wrong with that!
Lol, "clam shell" reminded me when I got mouse trapped by a Murphy bed taking it apart.. it almost broke my neck!
That sounds like an interesting story!
hello from the rainy Ozarks ! you need to get some 12in. lag bolts that u can screw into the ground. my clam as held up in 30 to 40 mph winds. but for safety I would take it down and not chance it! thanks for ur follow up on the berths. even the trailor and vans aren't safe in very strong winds. we have removed the wheels on camper to get it low as possible in very hi winds . cheers and enjoy ur adventure ahead and looking forward to more wealth of useful info !
Thank you for the advice Phillip. I can see that it comes from experience!
I will never forget a major torrential downpour, thunder, lightening in Hot Springs SD, and we opened up the door of our 12ft TT and felt gleeful cuz we were snug as bugs in a rug!!! There was a group of bicyclers in the field and we sure felt sorry for them in their tents😁😘👫🇨🇦‼️I bought a different screened shelter that is 10x10 and very lightweight...it may not be practical due to the set up and breakdown time when the wind starts to roar...🤔🤷♀️😲
Yes, there's nothing worse than being cooped up in a small tent for a prolonged rain storm. Been there and done that!
The mighty clam shell stands again lol. Looks to be a cool area your camped in.
We've been seeing a lot of beauty along the way. Would love to see you guys again!
@@gonagain We would enjoy seeing both of you again. Have fun on your adventure down south you two.
I had the same thing happen to mine and I have the bigger 6 sided. Mine rolled over 2X and hit my van. Broke my taillight but it collapsed inside itself. I was so glad because I have only used it 3x. I do regret getting the bigger one being most of the time I am alone with my 2 dogs. It is a little tough loading it on my roof alone. I am glad you didn't have damage either.
I really thought mine would have been damaged but thank goodness it wasn't. Would the little "Traveler" work for you?
@@gonagain The Traveler was what I was going to get but I found the Escape (6 panels) in Amazon warehouse discounted and I went with it. I manage with it but wish I didn't go bigger.
Beautiful country, i live at the south rim grand canyon.
That's a beautiful area of the world for sure.
I’ll bet you’re glad you left Montana when you did. Winter storm watch & high wind warning up today. Brrrrrr
Yeah, I'm not coming back yet!
Thumbs up , Glad to see both of you are well . Peace P.S. I always like , even if I don't .
I hope to make more that you "like" in the future! Thanks Big Fellar.
Don't worry abt him....l liked it fine !! 🙋♂️🤣😉😅🤦♂️
i do the same coffee system
Great minds think alike!
I like....t
Would you show how you load up your ATV. Where you store your pipe bunks etc. Would be helpful. Thank you
I'm writing your idea down and will cover that for you but, for some quick info, we roll up the pipe berths and hang them along the wall. It only takes a minute.
Our Clam QuickSet zipper broke and it's not quite a year old. Not a happy Camper here. Lol Good video though.
Thanks for watching, Mike and MJ! We haven't had any issues with our Clam Venture and use it often.
Catching up on your vids, the pipe berth is something we will build, and I got to thinking why not make a portable frame, so i can use it in our 10x10 tent we sometimes put up outside the trailer (weather permitting)
Great idea! Those would work in your tent. We started out with cots called Roll a Cot and loved them. They're similar to what you would end up with in your tent.
Bunk doesn't look long enough for you. How do you stretch out. Thanks for the videos.
Hi Stan! I'm a side sleeper so it's fine, but I made the bunk extra wide (36") and when I lay diagonally I have just enough room. I'm 5'11"
Hey! I miss your faces! 😂
Yeah, we miss yours too. Let me see.... You were the blond, right?
Desert rain beats Montana snow every time in my book.
I agree!
Was wondering if you think there would be any benefit to putting a layer of 2 inch or thicker polyurethane foam between the layers of canvass .... I currently sleep on camp cot with a 1/2 inch dense foam camping pad with 2 inch polyurethane foam on top ... thinking of pipe berth like yours because it looks like it might create some better options for storage underneath ... FYI .. I also sometimes have lower back pain so I took my SUV Windshield Sun Reflector and put it underneath the foam layer .... the extra radiant heat that gets reflected back from your body really helped to sooth and relax my back after biking ... tried the Shield at different levels and the trick was to keep it at least 2 inches away from body so you don't sweat and sleep comfortably ... liked it so much I bought another and leave it there permanently.
Wow, I sure like your idea of using the windshield reflector down under a layer or two like that. As for putting a pad between the canvas layers of the berth just couldn't say for sure. I think it would have to help because those two layers of canvas are certainly pushing against each other and it would have to make it softer from the top. It would be worth trying. Right now I'm sleeping very well and I don't want to jinx it!
@@gonagain Good to hear .. buy a cheap one at the Dollar Store and try it if it helps you can always kick up a knotch.
Well Well, the More I see, the More I'm going to be a 'Copy-Cat'. I Trust You Don't Mind. The Bunks, are the way I Will be going. Saving weight is a Must. Yesterday I got Real Lucky at the 'One' dealership up the road. They are Reps. For the Stealth Brand, and Zero Shipping to my location in Southern Utah. However it's a Four Month Wait. Bummer, but the Quality of the STEALTH is Top Notch. I'm thinking of a 7 × 12, slightly larger than the 6 × 10, and Barn Doors. Lots to Think About, and So Many Options. One question for you, the Make of Your Windows??? And Where to Order Them?? I like the Small Size.(Plus Your Video for Installing Them is a God Send) Thank You Both Again Very Much. I Feel I Have Attached myself to your site Forever. THX, Erik.
Good morning Erik! While you're waiting for your trailer you'll be planning out the inside and collecting the necessary goodies to go with it. That'll keep you occupied. Here's the link to those particular windows on my Amazon store: amzn.to/3gv3FRT
@@gonagain Thank You for the link. I'm Certain I will be asking a few more questions in the future. I Hope that will Not Be Too Intrusive?? Again, THX. Erik
@@ErikHeller-sg8sw Hi Erik, if you go to facebook.com/2explor you can private message me.
Glad your Clam didn’t end up, upside down, floating down stream like a soup dish!
What is that coffee maker??
Lol, yea, glad it didn't fly away! The coffee maker is a Stanley French Press. You can find it in any department store's camping section. We got ours at Walmart. ~Linda
You sounded very "mellow" through most of the video. Y'all didn't go by Jerome,AZ and pick up a little glaucoma medicine, did you?😀😀😀😬
Always enjoy your videos!
No, I gave up on that in my hippie days. The paranoia always struck too deep. Thank you for watching our videos John!
Nah that was the Scotch he was downing in the evening rainstorm.
Hey! Don't be knocking my Scotch!
@@gonagain No way.....looked like a smooth way to go!
did ya leave the atv home? i noticed alot of people on youtube dont seem to bring them to the desert to explore, is there a reason for that?
The reason it gets left behind are that we got tired of having to unload it every night to sleep (we travel a lot). Also, most of the places can be reached with our 4 wheel drive Yukon anyway. Only once in awhile do I miss it. In our National Forest areas all the roads have been closed off except for the main ones too, so that put a damper on things as well. But there's a lot of people still riding the desert.
Did u install the windows in you trailer? If so, is it a hard job?I am thinking of getting into a cargo trailer. Thank u for all your suggestions and show me how's.
Yes, we installed the windows. I purposely picked windows that fit between the verticle frames so that I didn't need to cut them. I don't think there would be any problem in cutting one frame (metal stud) and doubling the width of a window, but if you cut more than that than you would need some additional framing to support the roof. Making the cutout was very easy but measure several times and cut once!
No new creeks ?Good report on the beds...
Rained like heck the last two days and some of the washes came alive down here near Quartzsite.
@@gonagain I thought they might, stay safe enjoy your small vacation time with each other...
What is your coffee maker thing? I need to get something like that like my camping trips.
I was interested in that too....looks like the "Stanley Cook and Brew Set". $25 at Bass Pro
It's a Stanley, available at Wal-Mart in the camping department. We like it!
What was the coffee maker you were using?
That's a Stanley French press from the camping department at Wal-Mart. We like it!
What size clam did you buy? Thanks
Ours is the "Voyager" and has about a 9 foot diameter. I say "about" because it's oval in shape.
Will your shower or bathroom tent fit inside of your clamshell? I'm getting an idea for a large private bathroom configuration.
Hmmmm...yes, it'll fit. ~Linda
@@gonagain Cool thanks.
What is the French press device you use?
It's a Stanley brand camp press. Works great.
Maybe I missed a video, what make and model is the shelter?
Hello Sparky Clark! Our Clam Shelter is the Venture model and is about 9 feet in diameter.
I'm torn between one of these, or an awning (16 foot cargo trailer). I think the clam would be too hot half the year, but an awning would be less versatile.
Hello Carly! We've had both and they each have their advantages. The awning is cooler, like you said, but the Clam keeps the mosquitos away. The main reason we switched was that the Clam sheltered us while cooking better and gave us a place out of the wind to sit. But our trailer is only a 6x10, so the awning wasn't big enough anyway. The Clam isn't very expensive so maybe you can have both some day.
Is it just the plywood that’s holding up the upper pipe berth? Or are you screwing things into the metal studs?
It's fastened into the metal studs.
Rain and wind did you think about take down before bad weather with weather warfare going on? well getting wet saved the claim but if you did not drop it it could be torn...
I was being stupider than normal and left it up because it had been raining and calm all day. Lesson is that if there is a possibility of thunderstorms then take it down! And it comes down so easy too...
@@gonagain I would not say stupid, some time everything thing look like it is going to be calm; because had good a little mild rain no problem everything is water proof, but not wind proof, but with men trying to control the one thing they really do not got the common sense to leave alone, we find weird winds from no where come up, now if we see a storm coming we can fore see what we need to do, but if no warning signs we relax this is normal not stupid, we that have knowledge of what is going on only relax after we are sure it is not being changed today; for the old sign have been changed on us all...
@@jimmybutler3728 Thank you Jimmy.
Gonagain takes the social distancing recommendation seriously!
Lol! Why yes I do!
Steak them down better that won't go no where use screwed in steaks about 14 in to 16 in Long use them with the tie downs too