Ben Wheeler spotted this camper in a parking lot in Scotts Valley, California on Sunday and thought you might like to see it. The owner wasn’t around so he couldn’t get any interior shots or other info.
Ben says, I have been playing a guessing game to try to figure out the reason for that lower window on the door (it seemed to have a curtain over it). Also I would’ve loved to see the colors in the stained glass on the upper door.
Thanks for sharing Ben, if the owner happens to see this please send us interior pictures!
My guess on that door is the window is for a dog to look out, especially since it is a dutch door which means you can open the top and leave the bottom shut, thus keeping a dog inside. Good idea!
Awesome!
I bet the lower door window is a doggy viewing port! It’s the perfect eye-level for a medium to large sized dog and it’s every pups dream to see what’s going on outside.
I would guess that the lower window on the door is to see out of when you are laying down.
I would think the location of the lower window on the door would be to let the driver see what’s behind him while driving. With the curtain it can be closed while being parked for privacy.
Hi, I think before publishing the pictures without the owners permission that the license plate should have been taken out of the pictures for privacy issues.
Perfectly legal Ann Tay. You don’t need the owners permission if it’s parked in a public place.
In fact, if your vehicle is visible from a public area you have no control over who can photograph it and publish it online, license plate and all.
In that case, millions and millions of tourists would be breaking the law every year in tourists spots and destinations.
Excellent craftsmanship! My guess is the lower window on the door is for the four-legged that travels with the owner of the rig.
That lower window is so that he can get a rear view of the highway while driving.
As a pet owner, I would imagine the lower window is for the pet’s viewing pleasure.
Maybe it’s a window for a dog?
Without showing the license plate we would not have known the shelter was from Oregon. That was the perfect clue to let us know the true reason for the short door. It surely must be for Hobbits. Afterall, Oregon is where Hobbits go on vacation.
The lower window in the door is so the driver can view through the camper the traffic behind via his rear view mirror in the cab of his truck. It is for safety reasons only. The curtain is there for privacy while not driving.
I know this because WE have a slide in camper, it has a window in the same place AND it has a cover we snap into place when we are in the camper. 😉
I bet this was built using stitch and glue method that’s used for building boats.
I would agree. More than likely Marine grade Okumne or Meranti, 1/4″ or 3/8″. Would be a light way to build a camper shell with minimal interior supports required.
So consensus seems to be a “pooch peering port”. I’d say his design stems from a beer or wine barrel. Would like to know the type of wood as it would appear to be quite heavy. Excellent craftsmanship for sure. I love the rain gaurds over the windows. Not too sure about the stability of that rear step though. (Yes the license plate should have been blurred). Thanks for sharing though.
While a “pooch peering port” might be the consensus, I believe Kim has it right. It’s to allow the driver to see what’s behind in the rear view mirror.
Oops! and Jackie and Norm, sorry.
I think the door might be for small children as well. They can stand on the little step thing outside and peer in. It might be for both dogs and children. 🙂
http://www.butlerprojects.com/other/truckcamper/index.htm
Found this on the web.
Dave thanks for this link, that is a great resource for DIY.
Was hoping to see some inside pictures. 🙁
I have a lower window in my slide-in. It magnifies so that you get a wide angle view from your rear view inside mirror. Works great! it has a cover for privacy when parked.
The lower window is for backing into a short parking place, the camper mirrors are to observe highway traffic in the rear. I have had a pick-up camper Holiday Rambler since 1068.
That lower window on the back door is direct line-of-sight for the rear-view mirror inside the vehicle. Probably makes the camper legal with the police.
it looks like a truck mounted sheepwagon.
If I’m not mistaken the windows on both sides and the lower half of the door with the metal frames open and the lower door window is the only way to get an air draw since the upper stained glass windows are fixed.
Yes they are opening marine ports that you would find on a sailboat.
Beautiful piece of carpentry! I can only imagine how beautiful it must be on the inside also. Maybe the guy/gal is a boat builder. Those skills came from somewhere for sure.
This is my friend Stephen Rodgers from Stuart Florida. I watched him build it. He was moving to Oregon. He is a boat builder. It is lite weight. The window is for venting. I have pics of the inside. Ima call him now and tell him about this site.
The lower window is an openning ventilating window, as is the one on the side. Both of these have rain rails over them to divert water. Typically found on sailboats or powerboats, just like the rear door with it’s stainless steel hinges. Small space like that, dog or no dog, humans need air.
While you all were debating the window, I noticed a clue as to the owner’s…well, let’s say we have a mutual friend. 🙂 Beautiful camper, and probably made almost perfectly. 🙂
I used to see that parked along the PCH in front of Leo Carillo on a regular basis. The owner is (or was at least) a surfer.
Hmmm, it might just be similar to the one parked there. Not positive.
Knowing that things tend to have double or triple duty in tiny spaces like that, I would have to say that the lower window has at least two uses, if not a simple 3rd…
1) When driving it allows the owner to see behind
2) When stationary it allows any 4 footed friends to look out and do what they love to do, snoop.
3) Lets light in to the lower portion of the space, which can eliminate or reduce shadows.
At least that would be what I would use it for anyway.
This is easy!
The window on the bottom of the door is for viewing!
When the owner flips it over into the water ( like a boat )…he can then see…Land Ho!
Be well,
Will
So, the owner is a nice old man who i met a few years ago in sierra vista arizona, who fashioned this design to be similar to a whisky barrel, he said he liked the design and when he quit drinking he Built it to take up his time he seemed to be personal and to respect his privacy I did not ask to see inside, believe he said he builtbit from plywood and pine, used a marine grade varnish. I hope he is doing well, I never saw a dog but yet I didn’t think to ask