Everyone on the internet loves a good hyperbole, and it's not hard to see why. With so much content and information flooding us every second of every day, one way to make your unique content stand out is by exaggerating the truth. It's not technically a lie, and it's not completely dishonest, so there's no harm in it, right?
Photo: YouTube/President Chai (composite)
So, this is the “ultimate motorcycle camper”. By the most basic definition of the word, this is the greatest possible achievement in the bike camper niche, or could very well replace all campers that came before it. One of a kind, Alpha and Omega and all that.
What we are saying is that you should take this expression with a grain of salt. But that doesn't mean it's not a great (micro)camper that's worth your time and attention. If you feel like it, it might even serve as inspiration.
As the popularity of electric bicycles has increased tremendously in recent years, the demand for this type of tow vehicle has also skyrocketed. With motor assist on your two-wheeled bike, you can now go further than on a traditional pedal bike, extending your adventure beyond a single day. Why settle for bikepacking when you can get a little more comfort and convenience?
Photo: YouTube/President Chai
E-Bike trailers are coming out fast, and that's a good thing. The bad news is that prices are still prohibitively high, they're not yet mass-produced, or local shipping is limited. More simply, if an e-bike rider decides to use their e-bike in this way, the best and most affordable option is still to build a trailer from scratch.
That's exactly what the creators of the President Chay channel did earlier this year. Chay Denne and his family are very popular for their DIY (do it yourself) builds, many of which are towed to save cash or to get the product that best fits their needs and existing gear. I'm exploring the possibility of building my own car. I'm not saying their builds are perfect, including this one, but they still strive to do quality work.
This bike camper was actually inspired by a lightweight one-person teardrop trailer I built just a few weeks ago. The idea didn't change. The idea was to build a towing vehicle that was lightweight yet durable, able to provide the basics of comfort for a limited number of days, and as cheap as possible.
Photo: YouTube/President Chai
In that sense, this motorcycle camper is the “ultimate”. There's no mention of budget or final weight, but a detailed look at the construction process shows that no expensive materials were used, and the focus was always on reducing weight in material selection.
The shape of the motorcycle camper is also inspired by teardrop trailers. The base measures 30 inches x 80 inches (76.2 cm x 203.2 cm), so it's plenty of room to lie down on. A single bed mattress faces a 20-inch TV mounted on the wall, overhead light and a very small window on the side for fresh air. Includes insect screen.
The door has a locking mechanism for added security. Of the two existing electrical outlets, one is located near the head of the bed and can be used to charge devices. All power comes from the camper's battery, which also powers two in-wheel motors.
Photo: YouTube/President Chai
They are, part of resistance of a camper. Most electric bike trailers, whether it's a DIY build or a limited production series, rely on an electric bike motor, but this one doesn't. Chay claims that using the dual 1,000W motors eliminates friction, but he quickly discovered that it also significantly increases the speed of the bike (which appears to be a Super73).
The camper moves under its own power, and the rider controls it with a torque switch on the left side of the handlebar. The difference is immediately felt when starting off quickly on a hill. What would be difficult with other types of non-motorized trailers is easy here. The weight of the motor also makes the camper very stable, even when traveling at 38 mph (61.1 kph).
Chay used the same techniques in building this camper as they did for teardrop campers. He built a lightweight frame out of steel and wood, used plywood for the walls and roof, and sprayed the roof with foam insulation. The walls are not insulated, but the floor is. The downside is that there is no protection on the underside of the floor, exposing the foam insulation to water and mud underneath.
Photo: YouTube/President Chai
For waterproofing, Chay uses a truck bed liner and later adds layers of paint and graphics, but this is for aesthetic purposes only. All electrical wiring is located in the space between the ceiling and the roof.
This is because it is a basic trailer with a relatively simple structure and does not require anything more. The electric bike camper is intended to provide shelter for one night, at most two nights, and the simple fact that it puts a roof over the rider's head makes the electric bike camper an alternative to bikepacking. It's an infinitely better option.
This product has all of these things, but adds a TV, a comfortable-looking mattress, and a door with a lock to sweeten the deal. But more importantly, with its own motor, the electric bike's carrying weight does not increase and the battery drains faster. Considering it's clearly a low-budget DIY project, it really is the ultimate campervan. Even if we know better than to be fooled by such big words.