#thenomadcamp – Exit408, LLC

This is where I started down the path of creating using my hands. The story starts with a heartbreak in central Oregon that landed me in Bend surrounded by friends I still today stay in touch with! I wish I would have taken more pictures back then–of course I didn’t think I’d be sharing my creativity. To be honest, I remember gathering a bunch of information and ideas off of Pinterest <insert angelic music here>. I’m resourceful and a dreamer. I carry with me a special binder that has goals, life design ideas, brain dumps, and drawings as my imagination jumps from one thing to the next.

After settling into my new home in Bend, I traded in my car for a Nissan Frontier with a Cab topper. As you see in the picture above, this is where it began. I called it the Nomad camp! During my down time at work, I took the weekends and explored everything from the Steens Mountains along the Idaho border, to the the Pacific 101 along the West Coast. My partner and very missed, VERY good dog, Apolo, was my adventure buddy. We’d load up and camp in amazing designated spots and found cozy dispersed sites tucked away from the world. The quiet and grounding nature was the medicinal prescription I needed to sort out the ending of a relationship. It was the end that created a the beginning to here and me now.

Here’s the scoop on what I build. I build an expanding bench that pulled out to about a twin size bed. It also lifted for storage underneath. I wanted an end table, towards the cab of the truck, for storage and horizontal space. So, I measured the end table to stretch across the furthest inside wall adjacent to the cab. It served many purposes–where I laid my head, where I set my beverage/food and for storage and organization. The end table was built using 2×4’s and then paints/decorated with the colors you see (will list below).

The bench itself was to serve as a modern age daybed. Instead of a trundle that pulls out, I made the bench heavy duty–with the top slats (1×4) aligned to slide out (there is a beam or 1×4 attached to the sliding slats underneath the top part of the bench to assist in slide out and stopping the slide out from sliding to far). The structure of the bench is 2×4 studs. Keep in mind on how you are going to catch the slider once it’s fully out and still keep the bench flush to sleep on top.

The paint was when the chalk paint became very popular. I spent way to much money on it. I would suggest regular paint, and add cornstarch to match the consistency you desire (I read this option somewhere and haven’t tried it yet. Please let me know if you do). I would also make sure to sand the wood if you want a smooth finish.

What I didn’t think about were the ridges in the truck liner. I made due with 1x2s and a mat over it. It was hard on the knees climbing in an out otherwise. Lessons learned, lessons shared!

If you’re interested in trying this, I’ve provided (affiliated) links at the end of this article for easy and efficient purchasing and preparing 🙂

Most of the wood materials I purchase from Home Depot. It was mostly 2x4x8′ boards (I always find the cheaper ones) and 1x4x8′ boards, some wood screws, measuring tape, a drill and my first circular saw (still using today!). I’m a mostly committed customer at Home Depot, however, I am sure you can find similar materials at Lowe’s or any other hardware store. I like to support local until the local business can’t support me–unfortunately that is what continuously happens with our small town local hardware store currently. Covid, lack of employment, shipping and inflation in this tiny town. I will say, I’ve been recently introduced to Manards (thank you, babe, for creating a monster). Truly a Hobby Lobby for Bob the Builders!!

Again, I wasn’t planning on sharing this project with anyone back then, so I couldn’t tell you how much to purchase. Just make the measurements, check them twice….ehhh check three more times if you’re like me, and make an estimate of how much. I would add a few more of each in case there are some bloopers–and there always are in this artwork!

The wallpaper was purchased from Walmart. It wasn’t quite as available as it is now-and I think you can even find it on Amazon these days. I’ll throw both the links down at the bottom for your choice and convenience! (Affiliated links–no cost to you)

Lastly, the paint. I’m trying to do my part and minimize the waste I put into this world in this current state of our poor world. So, I also want to encourage you to create your own with a mixture of paints sitting around the house from previous projects. You can also go to any hardware store or store that sells paint to see if there are any mistakes for super cheap or even free! Or, ask a neighbor if they have paint they can get rid of! That’s truly the savvy way!

Mix. Match. Make it you’re own!

The completed bench in the photo above. I loved it so much! It was quite comfortable sleeping on. I had a Cabella’s extra thick thermal rest as well as a Cabella’s -15º sleeping bag that unzipped to make it a blanket (for my traveling buddy, Apolo, to snuggle in when it was cold). When the bench was slid out, it was perfect for the two of us!

I liked the slide out particularly because I could pack specialty items where the space was empty in the truck. If I brought a kayak, it would sit on top of the truck cab and topper, and storing the oars and life jacket (and the dogs!) in the empty space when the bench was slid in. Dry bags, firewood, snowshoes…you name it!

Below are some close ups of the finished product! I hope you enjoyed the read. If you’re motivated and want to take on this project, please comment below on feedback, how yours turned out, Hopefully this posts gives you enough to get started!!

Keep reading the following posts to follow along with how the Nomad Camp turned into the Tiny home. Lots of fun updates, diy, and ideas for you to fire up your imagination! There are also links to the camping gear I won’t go anywhere without (my truck now, tent, etc.)!

~Live Simply Savvy folks!