Build for Adventure: Part Two
04/16/2025 10:19AM ● By Haley Watkins
Photo by Gavin Liddell.
Steamboat Springs locals are always ready for adventure – and these three in particular have homes to prove it. Sharing a desire for freedom and a strong call to the outdoors, MJ LaBenne, Bran Happell and Joel Roscamp each built their dream home – on wheels. They’re ready for anything, at any time, and they showed Steamboat Magazine around. Up now: Joel Roscamp.
Joel Roscamp: I grew up camping, and my family has always had camper vans, so I was exposed to it from a young age. Since before I learned to drive, I’ve wanted to live in a camper. In high school, I worked at a place that built camper vans, so I learned a lot about the process and materials. I used that knowledge and spare materials to build my first camper in a Honda Element, and after that, I moved to Steamboat Springs and decided I didn’t want to pay rent. So I got a truck camper and lived in it full-time.
SM: What was the build process like?
JR: I did my build in my parents’ garage. I had a couple of weeks off from work, so I dedicated that time to building the camper. It took me about two weeks of 12 to 15-hour work days to complete it. But I spent three months planning and drawing blueprints, researching different building methods and gathering materials.
SM: What was your inspiration for the build?
JR: I used to have a prebuilt camper, but it was too heavy for my truck. So my number one priority was to keep it as light as possible, and I ended up making the camper about a quarter of the weight of the old one. The shape of the camper was inspired by A-frame cabins and I wanted to replicate the feeling of sleeping in a loft bed under a triangular roof. It was definitely a creative project for me, and I really enjoyed the process.
SM: Where have you traveled?
JR: My favorite trip was driving to Washington, to pick up my old camper. The road trip through Washington and Oregon was amazing – gorgeous views the whole way. My first night in the camper was on Thanksgiving, and I parked right on a beach in Oregon with no one else around. It was just stunning. I’ve spent a lot of time in Moab, too, as it’s my escape place when it’s too cold in Steamboat. It’s not far, but it feels like a different world.
SM: How do you handle the winter?
JR: My camper is insulated with a two-inch foam board, and I have a diesel heater that keeps things warm. I learned from MJ’s build and from my previous camper, and ended up adding another inch of insulation. The key to winter living in a camper is staying warm in bed, so having the right gear is essential. While it’s good to be comfortable inside the camper, I make sure to spend a lot of time outside of it as well. Whether it’s skiing, spending time with friends or enjoying the hot springs, it’s really important to me that I’m living out of my camper, rather than in it.
SM: Have you had any scary or sketchy experiences on the road?
JR: The scariest part for me was getting onto the freeway with my camper for the first time. I just wasn’t sure if I had done a good enough job, and had my hand out the window holding onto it like it was going to blow off. It didn’t, thankfully. I haven’t had anything too dangerous happen, besides the occasional obnoxious drunk person. Honestly, Steamboat is pretty safe, so I don’t worry too much here. I’ve spent time in cities like Denver, and that’s when I feel more on edge. Here, it’s just a lot easier to feel comfortable.
Steamboat Springs locals are always ready for adventure – and these three in particular have homes to prove it. Sharing a desire for freedom and a strong call to the outdoors, MJ LaBenne, Bran Happell and Joel Roscamp each built their dream home – on wheels. They’re ready for anything, at any time, and they showed Steamboat Magazine around. Up now: Joel Roscamp.
Joel Roscamp
Steamboat Magazine: What inspired you to pursue van/camper life?Joel Roscamp: I grew up camping, and my family has always had camper vans, so I was exposed to it from a young age. Since before I learned to drive, I’ve wanted to live in a camper. In high school, I worked at a place that built camper vans, so I learned a lot about the process and materials. I used that knowledge and spare materials to build my first camper in a Honda Element, and after that, I moved to Steamboat Springs and decided I didn’t want to pay rent. So I got a truck camper and lived in it full-time.
SM: What was the build process like?
JR: I did my build in my parents’ garage. I had a couple of weeks off from work, so I dedicated that time to building the camper. It took me about two weeks of 12 to 15-hour work days to complete it. But I spent three months planning and drawing blueprints, researching different building methods and gathering materials.
SM: What was your inspiration for the build?
JR: I used to have a prebuilt camper, but it was too heavy for my truck. So my number one priority was to keep it as light as possible, and I ended up making the camper about a quarter of the weight of the old one. The shape of the camper was inspired by A-frame cabins and I wanted to replicate the feeling of sleeping in a loft bed under a triangular roof. It was definitely a creative project for me, and I really enjoyed the process.
SM: Where have you traveled?
JR: My favorite trip was driving to Washington, to pick up my old camper. The road trip through Washington and Oregon was amazing – gorgeous views the whole way. My first night in the camper was on Thanksgiving, and I parked right on a beach in Oregon with no one else around. It was just stunning. I’ve spent a lot of time in Moab, too, as it’s my escape place when it’s too cold in Steamboat. It’s not far, but it feels like a different world.
SM: How do you handle the winter?
JR: My camper is insulated with a two-inch foam board, and I have a diesel heater that keeps things warm. I learned from MJ’s build and from my previous camper, and ended up adding another inch of insulation. The key to winter living in a camper is staying warm in bed, so having the right gear is essential. While it’s good to be comfortable inside the camper, I make sure to spend a lot of time outside of it as well. Whether it’s skiing, spending time with friends or enjoying the hot springs, it’s really important to me that I’m living out of my camper, rather than in it.
SM: Have you had any scary or sketchy experiences on the road?
JR: The scariest part for me was getting onto the freeway with my camper for the first time. I just wasn’t sure if I had done a good enough job, and had my hand out the window holding onto it like it was going to blow off. It didn’t, thankfully. I haven’t had anything too dangerous happen, besides the occasional obnoxious drunk person. Honestly, Steamboat is pretty safe, so I don’t worry too much here. I’ve spent time in cities like Denver, and that’s when I feel more on edge. Here, it’s just a lot easier to feel comfortable.