You Will Need To Expand To The Outdoors
Because of the lack of space in the back of an SUV, you will most likely need to do what Christine and Tristan have done, and add some storage to your SUVs roof. In addition, you will also be doing your cooking, cleaning, and showering outside the vehicle. Its a good thing that many SUVs can go off-road for a little more privacy.
Step Two: Research And Design
There are a million different SUV camper conversions available online. Research using google, youtube, tiktok, instagram, pinterest, etc. Start making a list of all of the ideas that interest you and then keep searching. Research is going to be the most important part of this process. You dont want to commit to an idea and then find an awesome youtube tutorial a week later. You can even search for your specific vehicle to find some inspiration. I got a ton of my ideas from the Facebook Group SUV/Car Living & Camping Women Only. Unfortunately its only for women, sorry gentleman. Theres also the Facebook Group DIY Campervans but I found better ideas in the women only group . Once youre added to a group, search the group for your specific vehicle or question for inspiration.
Once youve done plenty of research, start designing your SUV camper conversion. Get some basis sketches done and remember your priorities from step one. You may want to have phases for your SUV camper conversion depending on time and money.
/10 1 Take Out The Middle Seats
The first tip is to remove or fold down your middle seats, as this allows you to maximize the amount of sleeping room you will have.
If you can’t remove the seats from your vehicle you should fold the top down and pull them as far to the front as you can, to increase the storage space you can make available in the back. If your seats can be removed you should check your car manual to see exactly how it is done, but most involve pulling a few levers or the use of a special tool.
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Create A Solar Shower
One of the hardest parts about traveling in a camper car is finding a place to take a shower. Wet naps and dips in the river are very scenic but can only go so far.
Sure we could pay $10 for a day pass at a gym, but were all about saving money where we can. So instead we decided to create our own custom build solar shower kit out of black PVC pipe from Home Depot.
We chose a black pipe because black color heats up water during sunny days and keeps the water warm.
We added caps on both sides to keep the water in the pipe and a Y-joint to fill it up. At the very top, a Schrader valve was added so we could add pressure with a car tire inflator.
At the end of the shower, we added a ball valve to the end cap and attached an RV Shower Hose when in use. When not in use, we simply close the valve and remove the hose.
While traveling in an adventure van looks glamorous, not everyone has the luxury and time for a campervan conversion. Sometimes we just have to make the best of what we already have.
An SUV might not be as roomy as a van, but it still has a lot of space inside that can be utilized for sleeping and storage.
If you are thinking of converting your SUV into a full-time camper, here are some rough estimates of the time and money it took.
The estimated cost of our DIY camper car conversion totaled approximately $1200:
- Platform bed frame $100
Subaru Starlink Safety And Security
SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security is available to connect to an array of services that can help keep you and your Forester Wilderness safe whether you’re in your vehicle, at your computer, or on your smartphone. Advanced Automatic Collision Notification will alert an operator in the event of an accident and SOS Emergency Assistance can get you roadside help at the push of a button. Remote Engine Start with Climate Control, accessible via your smartphone, ensures the Forester Wilderness is always ready and comfortable. There are also STARLINK Concierge services for personal assistance with tasks like navigation, restaurant reservations, and scheduling service appointments.
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Subaru Boxer Engine And Revised Drivetrain Gearing
Along with the time-tested reliability of its direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine, the Forester Wilderness drivetrain features re-tuned gearing with revised ratios for improved low-speed climbing â up to a 40 percent grade. You can bring along even more gear and adventure equipment with an upgraded towing capacity of up to 3,000 pounds â thatâs more weight than the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands can handle.
Exterior
No Need For Second Vehicle
If you own an SUV, this kit is perfect for you as you dont need to buy a second vehicle. Owning just a camper van isnt practical for everyday life as it is too big to take on the school run or for some groceries. An SUV doesnt have this problem, and it is also compact enough to be able to tackle narrower roads.
Owning just one vehicle is also good for the environment as you do not have to fuel two cars. This reduces your carbon footprint and ensures you are doing your bit to preserve the landscapes you want to explore.
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Best Suvs To Turn Into A Camper
Regardless of what you plan, whether car camping or driving to a trailhead before you start hiking, no car type perfectly suits this more than an SUV.
SUVs offer an added payload, ground clearance, and towing capacity to tow ample cargo and people like pickups and trucks. SUVs, like cars, provide an enclosed space to ensure their items dont fly away.
SUVs proved an excellent way to hang outside and begin camping without necessarily throwing up a tent.
The SUV campers are easily convertible and are whatever you desire for your camping, a sleeping platform with storage underneath, a mattress thrown in the back, and a rooftop, SUV tent, or an SUV camper conversion kit.
Here is a list of SUVs you can convert to a campervan for your next camping trip. But before that, lets answer the basic question many of us may have.
Can an SUV be converted to a campervan?
Yes, an SUV can be converted to a campervan. To convert it, you will need a camper conversion kit, and your SUV will be a campervan disregarding the need for a tent. The SUV conversion idea makes your SUV a sophisticated place to spend time in when heading to the wild complete with a kitchen and a bed.
Which Van Is Best For Your Conversion
Its important to not only do proper research on which campervan to convert, but to decide what it is you personallywant out of a van, and choose your van accordingly.
Everyone has different needs and wants for their dream campervan, so dont be afraid to opt for whatever van feels right for you!
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Best Cars To Sleep In Rentals
When you choose to sleep in a rental car you will need to hire a bigger vehicle. These are generally more expensive so you should read our article on rental car tips to make sure you get a fair deal.
You can also check out our ultimate guide on the best places to sleep in your car for advice on making it as safe and comfortable as possible.
Dont even bother renting a sedan as it will be very uncomfortable. It is, of course, possible, but not recommended!
An estate/wagon will usually be cheaper than a large SUV or 4X4 but should still have the length to allow you to lie down once the seats are flat. If you have the budget then a large SUV will often be the most comfortable as there will also be enough room for all your belongings.
Before you take any vehicle make sure the seats fold down flat!
- Best Choice A large SUV
- Secondary Choice A budget wagon
- Budget Option Research any small cars you are considering for their boot capacity and foldable seats
Best Vans For A Camper Conversion
Are you looking to start your van life adventure?
Feeling overwhelmed trying to pick the best van for your camper?
Dont worry, its an important decision and one that stops a lot of people dead in their tracks.
To help make things easier, Ive gone ahead and summarised the absolute best vans for camper conversions.
Including a healthy mix of large vans, medium vans, and small vans. So there should be something for everyone!
This list is based on plenty of experience converting my own vans, as well as the hundreds of van conversion tours featured on my channel over the years.
Lets get started!
** Please only use prices given as a rough estimate only. They are accurate at the time of writing, but prices can vary greatly depending on things like where you are located and the condition/age of the van.
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Step One: Set Your Priorites
To determine your priorities, ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Is your SUV camper something you plan to use as a hobby or a part-time living situation?
- How often will you be using the SUV camper?
- How long of a trip do you plan to take in your SUV camper? Weekend trips, week long trips, month long trips? The duration of your trips will determine the items youll need to invest in and the overall layout of your SUV camper.
- Is camping a new hobby or something youre already dedicated too? If youre brand new to camping, it may be harder to determine you priorities and level of dedication to this new found hobby.
- Whats your budget for your SUV camper conversion? If camping is just a hobby, then you may want to keep this project budget friendly.
- What are some of the benefits of camping in an SUV ? Everyone is looking into SUV conversions for different reasons. I personally just wanted a comfortable bed to sleep in, so that was my top priority.
- Have you ever camped in a campervan before? If youve never tried a campervan, then I suggest renting a campervan before spending a ton of money on your conversion. We rented from Escape Campervans and it inspired us to move forward with our SUV camper conversion.
What Is A Full Size Suv Rental In Richmond Hill Ontario Canada
With a full-size SUV, you get a huge 7-8 seater vehicle with outstanding off-road capabilities. Available as a large SUV rental on our website, this vehicle features spacious interior space with 3 rows of seats. At the same time, its trunk will fit 3-4 large bags. The powerful engine of a full-size SUV allows comfortable driving both on the highway and better handling in challenging weather and road conditions. Fuel efficiency averages 16-30 mpg. Check out our most popular models below:
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Step : Plan A Practice Trip
I always recommend taking a small practice trip when youre trying out new camping gear. We wanted to do a test run to see how we did in our designs and determine what we needed to fix before planning a big trip. The main thing we learned on our practice camping trip was that our bed was way too high. It was really hard to get into at night so we came home and chopped an inch off the legs. Its a million times better now!
Subaru Outback: Fuel Efficient & Rugged
The Subaru Outback is yet another classic camping car thats both fuel-efficient and sporty. While it may not be marketed as rugged as other outdoorsy cars are, it is still very agile to drive and can take on most dirt tracks with ease. It is not a huge car so space is not very big, but with the rear seats folded down there is enough to accommodate two campers in sleeping bags.
It can also tow a decent amount and can be used in tandem with a small caravan or pull-behind camper. Its a good car that makes economical sense, and rugged enough to be used outdoors with little to no concern.
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Follow These Security Tips
- Aim for bigger, well lit parking areas such as truck stops, Walmarts, and 24 hour shops. Be prepared to move to another space if you dont feel safe, or book a room if needs be.
- When youre sleeping, make sure your phone is charging so you always have the ability to call someone if required.
- Dont post your location on social media, but let a friend or family member know where youre parking.
- Phone a friend who stays up late if you feel unsafe at all using the bathroom or doing something late at night.
- Keep things with you that make you feel safe.
- Have a safe box that you can put important documents or items into, to protect from theft.
- Consider installing a motion sensor light to your car on the outside in case someone approaches during the night.
- Consider using a steering lock to prevent people from stealing your car when youre away from the vehicle.
Honda Elment Suv Camper Conversion Kit
The Honda Element SUV camper conversion kit is also an awesome offering by Freeway Campers.
This interlocking kit, made from Baltic birch panels, was made to fit Honda Elements from the years 2003-2011 but isnt limited to that particular vehicle. You can easily slide this kit into other flat-bottomed vehicles like the Dodge Grand Caravan.
This incredible SUV camper conversion kit can be installed with zero tools and is easy to store if you want to remove it from your Element. Just order it online and Freeway Camper Kit sends it straight to your address!
You can choose between several styles of kits and can add a mattress, mattress cover, and 37-quart portable fridge for a few hundred more bucks.
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Why The Chevrolet Suburban Is The Best Suv For A Camping
The number one reason a Chevrolet Suburban is the best SUV for camping is the space created when you remove the rear seats and fold down the middle seats, which results in a flat and lengthy platform for sleeping comfortably and plenty of space for transporting all the camping gear you need to go anywhere and camp for free.
Over the years, the Suburban has consistently been the longest SUV in its class and it is a very versatile vehicle. You can transport several people, haul a lot of stuff inside, and on top, and it has plenty of power to tow something fun behind it . With the four-wheel drive option, which I highly recommend, it is enables you to go just about anywhere for SUV camping.
It is also a reliable vehicle with a very reasonable cost to maintain. It ranks high on longevity lists for both years in service and total miles driven. Given the fact that it is built on the same or similar platform as the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado along with the GMC Yukon and Sierra means parts are plentiful and affordable. The engine design is simple, so there are plenty of people who know how to perform repairs, and they are fairly easy to work on yourself, if you choose. It is also important to note it is the longest continuously used automobile nameplate in production. To learn more facts like this check out the Wikipedia page.
Also, for some good perspective, here is a comparison of the Suburban vs. its competition in 2000.
How To Convert A Minivan For Camping
When youre ready to go camping, its important to take note of all of the essentials. Most people throw a mattress, sleeping bag, and a Coleman cooler in the back and call it a day. But, to truly enjoy yourself out in the woods, youll most likely need more than that.
The bed setup needs to be comfortable and subject to the available room, for starters. You can choose between an air mattress like this one or a traditional mattress. Whichever route you go, consider whether or not youll be removing the seats or folding them down. If youre folding them, youll need a solid platform to lay across the top so you dont sink into the gaps.
Next, think about what kind of hookups youll need. Some people love to rough it out in the wilderness without anything, which is also known as dry camping. On the other hand, you can use electricity and sewage hookups to get the creature comforts that were all used to having back home.
For electricity, you can use portable or installed solar panels. A good option for a portable solar panel charger is the Rockpals 100-watt foldable, designed for solar generators. Renogy makes a 200-watt panel RV kit that works excellent for vans.
Some people prefer to hook cables straight into the battery of their minivan, but this process can drain it rather quickly. You could also use a battery bank that you charge at home before going on the adventure.
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