KENDL

Built From Scratch. Made for Adventure.

A one-of-a-kind, handcrafted camper. Designed with purpose, built by hand, and made to explore.

The Story Behind KENDL

An Idea.

In January 2022, Dave set out to build a camper that would fit his vision of adventure. Rather than buying something already on the market, he wanted the freedom to create his own design, include the features he valued most, and keep the cost manageable.

Drawing inspiration from a variety of campers, Dave developed a design entirely his own. Every decision had a purpose: a camper that was compact, efficient, comfortable, and perfectly suited to a Toyota Land Cruiser.

What began as a project in January was a finished camper by March 2022. Just three months from start to finish. And by April, KENDL was already on its first adventure.

Front view of KENDL on its green right-hand-drive Land Cruiser, parked in a fenced field with snowy mountains in the distance

What’s in a Name?

KENfor Kenney
Dfor Dave
Lfor Linda

Built From the Ground Up

Designed by Dave. Built by Hand.

KENDL wasn’t assembled from a kit or converted from an existing camper. This hand-built Land Cruiser camper was designed and constructed from scratch.

The foundation is a steel tubing frame, which gives the custom-built body its structure. One-inch foam insulation helps protect the interior from the elements, and quarter-inch plywood forms the interior finish.

The exterior is wrapped in distinctive beige .063-inch aluminum diamond plate, giving KENDL its recognizable look. One of the most challenging parts of the project was TIG welding that aluminum skin, a job that called for patience, precision, and craftsmanship.

The result is a rugged, functional camper built around the needs of the people who use it.

From Frame to Finished

Small Footprint. Big Possibilities.

Everything You Need. Nothing You Don’t.

One of KENDL’s most impressive qualities is how much is packed into such a compact design. Every inch of space serves a purpose.

A ladder provides access to the camper, and built-in storage drawers beneath the bed keep essentials organized and out of the way. Linda sewed all of the cushions, and Bleu sleeps on dog beds on the floor.

This custom Toyota FJ75 camper runs on a complete 12-volt electrical design, powering its air conditioning, heat, ventilation fan, lighting, and refrigerator. A 110-volt converter adds the option to connect to external power, and 400 watts of solar and a 400 amp-hour battery keep it running off the grid.

Cooking is handled by a two-burner propane stove, and a 25-gallon fresh-water tank supports life on the road. Despite its small dimensions, KENDL has the comfort and functionality for extended adventures.

Inside KENDL

KENDL — At a Glance

Built: January–March 2022
Designed by: Dave
Construction: Custom steel tubing frame
Insulation: 1-inch foam
Interior: 1/4-inch plywood
Exterior: .063-inch aluminum diamond plate
Electrical: 12-volt system
Solar: 400 watts
Battery: 400 amp-hours
External power: 110-volt connection option
Cooking: Two-burner propane stove
Fresh water: 25 gallons
Loaded weight: Approximately 2,000 lbs
Mounting: Removable, four-bolt attachment
Compatible vehicles: 1990 and newer Toyota Land Cruiser FJ75 models

Hand-built with efficiency, versatility, and adventure in mind.

About the weight: the roughly 2,000 pounds is for the loaded camper, including two adults, a 90-pound dog, clothing, food, and 25 gallons of water.

The Land Cruiser Connection

A Lifelong Love of Land Cruisers

Dave’s appreciation for Toyota Land Cruisers began long before KENDL was even an idea.

In high school, a friend’s parents owned an FJ40. That early introduction sparked an interest in the legendary Toyota four-wheel-drive vehicles that has stayed with him for years. Today, Dave owns four Land Cruisers.

KENDL was designed for 1990 and newer FJ75 models, pairing the capability of the Land Cruiser platform with the comfort of a handcrafted camper. One of the first things people notice is the right-hand-drive configuration. It’s an unusual sight on American roads, and it often leads to conversations with curious travelers.

Meet the Fleet

Previously in the Fleet

Land Cruisers that have since moved on, but are still part of the story.

Adventures With KENDL

From the Workshop to the Open Road

KENDL didn’t spend much time sitting still. In April 2022, Dave and Linda took the camper on its maiden adventure: a two-day camping trip along Oregon’s Deschutes River with their granddaughter.

It was the beginning of many miles. Since then, KENDL has traveled across the American West, reaching as far east as Montana, south to the Mexican border, and north to the Canadian border, exploring rivers, mountains, deserts, and remote landscapes along the way.

One particularly memorable destination was Spencer Hot Springs near Austin, Nevada, known for its wide-open desert scenery and natural hot springs.

From peaceful riverside campsites to remote desert destinations, KENDL shows that a thoughtfully designed Toyota Land Cruiser overland camper doesn’t need to be enormous to make an adventure memorable.

On the Road

Built to Turn Heads

“Did You Build That Yourself?”

It’s one of the questions Dave hears most often when people see KENDL. The unusual look, the compact design, and the right-hand-drive Land Cruiser naturally draw attention.

Yes. He built it himself.

From the original design to the finished aluminum exterior, KENDL is the product of Dave’s own vision and craftsmanship. But the feature he hopes people appreciate most isn’t simply that it was built by hand. It’s how efficient and roomy the camper feels for its size. Every detail was considered, every space put to use, and every feature designed to make traveling easier.

KENDL isn’t a mass-produced camper. It’s the result of an idea, three months of hard work, and a lifelong appreciation for vehicles built to explore.

KENDL parked at a forest campsite among tall ponderosa pines, with its ladder down and a woman and white dog standing beside the Land Cruiser

Built by Hand. Driven by Adventure.

The road is always calling.