A Costco parking lot clip turned this hand-built truck camper into a viral RV story with more than 7 million views. Years later, Andrew Steele finally got inside and met Tom, the owner who spent six-and-a-half years turning a 12-foot Lance into something no factory ever built. He gives us a tour in the video at the end of this post.
The result is part truck camper, part garage, and part rolling conversation starter. Tom says he is now ready to sell it, at least to the right buyer.
How a 12-foot Lance became a one-off coach
Tom bought the rig in 2003 from a retired Northwest Airlines pilot. The truck is a 2001 Ford with the 7.3 diesel, and the camper began as a 12-foot Lance. After years of family travel, his life changed, and winters in Florida turned the camper into a full-time snowbird home.
That is when the project grew. Drawing on an engineering background, Tom spent six-and-a-half years planning and building a larger coach around the original Lance.
Why the exterior looks nothing like a stock truck camper
The original camper still shows through, but the body is now much bigger. Tom framed the extension in wood, built 3-inch insulated walls, and covered them in diamond plate, glued and screwed with stainless fasteners and neoprene washers. Up front, a wedge-shaped nose helps cut wind, while a storage box holds jack stands and road gear.
At the rear, he added a garage for tools, beach gear, fishing poles, a ladder, and even two electric bikes on pulleys. A small ramp makes loading easy.
The interior fixes the usual truck camper problems
Inside, the old booth dinette is gone. Tom replaced it with portable seating, a flip-up table, more kitchen room, and storage almost everywhere. He said the only original Lance piece left is the control panel. The camper also has a compact wet bath, a 400-watt solar system, two batteries, and a standard 5,000 BTU window air conditioner.
The biggest change is above the cab. Tom hated the cramped old bed, so he raised the ceiling, added windows and fans, built large closets on both sides, and created space for a king bed. The wood ceiling gives the room a custom look.
Specs, road life, and sale details
Tom’s road life runs between Minnesota summers and Florida winters. He said he has visited beaches across the state, with Coquina Beach and Anna Maria Island as favorites. Inside the camper, Lynyrd Skynyrd signatures from the band’s “Simple Man” cruise add a personal touch.
Tom says that anyone who wants privacy should skip this rig, because it turns heads and starts conversations almost everywhere it stops.
The setup is about 30 feet long and weighs around 17,000 pounds loaded. The truck has 265,000 miles, airbags all around, no rust, and gets about 7.4 mpg. Tom asked $20,000 for the camper, $20,000 for the truck, or $40,000 for both, though he would prefer to keep the truck. Interested buyers could call or text 763-639-1453.
Final thoughts
This camper feels less like a product and more like one man’s long answer to a hard question: How can a truck camper become a real home on the road?
That is why the rig went viral, and why it still stands out now that Tom is ready to pass it on.
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RVT1263
Thank you for finding and sharing this, Cheri. Lots of folks have lots of skills. Amazing to see the result of him applying his skills. Have a great week and safe travels!
What a piece of junk.
I love it, nice build