Electrical Engineer Designs Ultimate BunduVry Truck Camper Rig

When it comes to building custom truck campers, very few companies do it. As a matter of fact, we can count the number of companies on one hand. BundutecUSA is one such company that is not only willing but eager to do it. While it’s true, the Iowa-based manufacturer’s catalog consists of a dozen models, the company is more than willing to build a completely custom camper or tweak on an existing one. The man behind this custom, keep-the-customer-happy approach is truck camper designer extraordinaire Rory Willet. The man’s been designing campers for more than 30 years.

One of Rory’s best designs is a 3/4-ton hard-side model he calls the BunduVry. While it’s not his most popular design, it comes pretty darn close. The camper stands out from others due to its open interior and plentiful storage. Weighing only 1,995 pounds, it’s a great fit for 3/4-ton trucks, making it a smart choice for anyone who wants to keep things light, yet still enjoy the creature comforts of camping in the wild. Another thing that really makes the hard-side camper stand out is the dinette with a pull-out option, which provides a third sleeping space. This feature is super handy for those times when you want to bring along a grandchild or a friend on your camp outs.

One BunduVry build that caught our attention is BundutecUSA’s latest. What makes this customized BunduVry particularly different is that it was designed by an electrical engineer who, as you would expect, went all out in designing his camper with a number of changes over the standard BunduVry. To tell us more about this very special BunduVry, Jenn Crooks was kind enough to answer several questions.

Thanks, Jenn, for talking with us about your latest BunduVry build. What things made this particular build different?

Jenn Crooks: This custom BunduVry was designed by an electrical engineer who really had a clear idea of what he wanted. Knowing exactly what you’re after is super important when you’re investing in a custom truck camper. It helps keep the whole project on track. The customer shared a detailed list of specs, which made it easier to work together and find the best options. He wanted the camper to be taller for more headroom and 3 inches longer so there would be a side storage spot for a Honda EU2000i LP generator.

Since the customer is based in Oklahoma, he visited several times during the ordering process to ensure everything was going according to plan. This BunduVry featured a neat Victron Eco system and a Mabru 12 volt roof air conditioner, showcasing the customer’s solid research and expertise. His background made it easy for him to communicate his needs, which isn’t always the case with custom builds.

Throughout the build, the customer stayed engaged, getting regular updates with videos and photos to share his thoughts. He also got some great input from Rory, who helped maximize storage space. They even adjusted some design choices, such as opting for a smaller dinette to better meet the camper’s functional needs.

It’s a sweet lookin’ rig. It looks a lot like the Roadrunner from the outside. Is there any one thing that really makes this camper stand out?

Jenn Crooks: Yes, the wet-bath. The customer wanted floor-to-ceiling walls like the Roadrunner. We had done this before in other BunduVrys, but his request to swap the standard cassette toilet for a Dry Flush Laveo was new for us. This choice was designed to enhance off-grid capabilities. While we usually prefer the ease of cassette toilets, he was set on the Dry Flush Laveo. This meant Rory had to get creative and build a custom platform to fit the Laveo without cutting into the space in the wet-bath cabinet.

Can you tell us more about the Laveo Dry Flush Toilet?

Jenn Crooks:  The Dry Flush Laveo system claims to be “odor-free,” which was initially hard to believe. However, the customer’s wife said it really lived up to that promise after their first trip. They also appreciated that it could serve as a makeshift garbage disposal, handling items like chicken bones or food scraps, which helps keep the wastebasket from smelling.

What upgrades were made to the camper’s electrical system?

Jenn Crooks: The upgrades for this BunduVry came with some big challenges. It needed to accommodate all the Victron components, along with their heavy-duty wiring.

The setup includes four Victron 12-volt, 300 amp hour “NG” batteries, a Victron Multiplus II Inverter/Charger, and two Victron Lynx Distributors, which act as the main hub for all 12 volt power connections. Plus, there’s a Victron SmartSolar MPPT, a Victron Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Charger (isolated), a Victron Ekrano GX, and several pre-wired solar inputs—two on the roof and one on the side of the camper.

To keep everything organized and easily accessible, a special cabinet was built for all these components and wiring. It’s located at the front driver’s side and runs from top to bottom of the unit. Because of this, the dinette had to be shortened, and we removed the pull-out sleeping area. The customer was on board with these changes, understanding they were key to getting things just right.

We upgraded the wiring to various gauges—00-gauge, 2/0, 4-gauge, and 2-gauge—to meet system needs and ensure everything runs smoothly. The 00-gauge wiring was specifically for connecting an exterior Anderson plug to the customer’s truck, which supports the DC-DC charger over a distance of almost 20 feet. Once the wires reached the cabinet, they switched to 4-gauge and 2-gauge cables. The customer, who’s an electrical engineer, even pitched in with a detailed diagram to help out with the installation, ensuring everything was up to spec. After the initial setup was complete, a video was created for the customer to review and confirm that everything looked good before we secured everything in place.

Impressive. Can you tell us about the camper’s monitoring system?

Jenn Crooks: The Victron Ekrano GX is the main monitoring system for this BunduVry, acting as a handy communication and control center. With its 7-inch touchscreen, it makes it super easy to keep an eye on important stuff like battery levels, power usage, and tank levels, especially now that we’ve added the C-Level Tank Monitor.

Plus, the Ekrano GX comes with an app that lets you control and monitor the system from anywhere you have internet access. You can even set up automated alerts for any critical events, which really boosts the overall efficiency and safety of your setup. It’s built with VE and CAN ports, making it a breeze to connect compatible components as you expand or change your needs.

Did the owner opt for changes to the cooking, heating, and air conditioning?

Jenn Crooks: The customer knows our product pretty well and really likes the Truma Combi heating system, so we didn’t change that. In the kitchen, we added a compact Revco Microwave that works with the Victron system thanks to the MultiPlus II inverter—this feature isn’t part of our usual setup.

The big upgrade was putting in a Mabru DC Air Conditioner, which was a first for us. We ran the heavy-duty 12 volt cabling for it on the outside, making the installation easier considering the cable requirements. Just like the microwave, this air conditioner can be powered by the Victron system while boondocking, so you don’t need a generator or shore power to use it.

How capable do these changes make the BunduVry?

Jenn Crooks: The customer’s ultimate goal is to operate completely off-grid for extended periods while still being able to access shore power when needed. During a test trip over the weekend of July 19th, he and his wife successfully put their 1200AH battery to the test by running their air conditioning nonstop for more than 48 hours, even with tough conditions of 95 degrees and 95 percent humidity. It looks like we really nailed it on this first go!

It’s worth mentioning that this trial used only battery power, as the customer plans to install custom solar panels across the entire roof for future use.

After it was all said and done, here’s what he had to say about their first big trip in Colorado where they boondocked on public land near Creede, Lake City, Ouray, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs:

‘The camper performed flawlessly and I couldn’t be happier with the customizations you made. Our longest time in a single spot was near Creede where we camped three days and two nights. The weather was in the high 70s-low 80s during the day and the sun was intense at 10,000 feet—low 40s in the morning. We ran the air conditioner during the day, heater at night, microwave for breakfast bacon, and hair dryer when Julie washed her hair. At the end of that time, the batteries still showed 71 percent and that’s without any sort of charging.’

With all of these upgrades and changes, how much does the camper weigh?

Jenn Crooks: The scale weight of this build, dry, when completed, was 2,818 pounds. The total weight of the specific components, excluding standard items, was 476 pounds. The heavy-duty wiring contributed significantly to the overall weight, although I couldn’t determine its exact impact as we did not weigh just the wiring. In my initial quote, I estimated the dry weight to be 2,056 pounds; however, the actual dry weight turned out to be 2,818 pounds, resulting in a difference of 762 pounds from our estimate. Most of the things on this order were not standard options, so it is safe to say the additional amount of weight added to this build was 762 pounds, and that would be measuring dry weight to dry weight.

What trucks work best for the BunduVry?

Jenn Crooks: The BunduVry has made a name for itself in the 3/4-ton market. This is based on standard dry and certified weights. Even though customizing can change the weight slightly, I have a lot of experience in this field, so I can usually provide fairly accurate weight estimates, typically just a few hundred pounds off from what was estimated on the initial sales order. The owner of this build is hauling the camper on a GMC Denali AT4X 2500 HD truck.

What makes BundutecUSA different from other companies?

Jenn Crooks: We actually use our products! Rory’s got a truck camper, and I’m all about the roof top tent (RTT). This hands-on experience really helps us get a feel for how everything works, plus we get to test out new features before rolling them out as updates. Each unit is built as if we were making it for ourselves, so you know the design is practical and makes the best use of space.

With years of experience under his belt, Rory really knows his stuff when it comes to custom requests. He can visualize things in three dimensions, which helps him figure out what works and what doesn’t. While some manufacturers shy away from customization, Rory loves the challenge and knows how to get all the components to fit together perfectly. Our goal is to create a product that you’ll be excited to use for years and share with your friends.

What is your current backlog if somebody wanted to order a BunduVry today?

Jenn Crooks: The backlog is currently about three to four months. If it’s a really custom job, like this one, it might take a bit longer. The extra time is needed to pay close attention to every detail, ensuring that everything meets our standards and functions properly. Additionally, we must consider the time it takes for special items to arrive from suppliers. All in all, this BunduVry took 20 weeks to design and build from start to finish.

For more information about this and other BundutecUSA campers, contact BundutecUSA at jenn@bundutecusa.com.