Consumed by a strong desire to travel and experience new things? You just might have wanderlust in your blood. With travelling, you’ll be acquainted to a new culture, meet new people, and taste exciting cuisine. Simply put, it’s a good opportunity to learn about the world in a practical manner. But it’s also expensive to travel. A great and cheap way to visit a series of destinations is with a camper. Did you know that you can customize your vehicle to be a mini-camper? We bet you haven’t. Just follow four easy steps below to get your adventure started.
Design the space
The first step is always to figure out how you want the space to look like. You can look at inspiration from all over the web. A tip is to search for this phrase “SUV + sleeping platform” online. Determine what your particular needs are so that you get maximum utility with your customized vehicle.
You want the design to be simple and lightweight so that it wouldn’t take a toll on your gas mileage. Remember that one of the reasons you’re turning your car into a mini-camper is to save on money on your road trips. If you’re carpentry skills are a bit basic, you can always ask for professional help. But regardless, a design that is east to set up with a few compartments here and there will greatly help you stay organized.
Depending on the amount of space and the type of vehicle you have, you can put as much as you want but a bed platform, and storage for food and clothing should be on the top of your list. Illustrate your layout on paper and make measurements of the area to ensure that everything will fit when you set it up.
Prepare the supplies
Now that you have a general plan on what the space would look like, it’s time to buy the supplies, bring out your tools, and prep the car for construction. The materials depend on your design but you will generally need several sheets of plywood, hinges, nails, carpet, and screws, which you can all get in your local hardware store. You can also add floor mats for Toyota Tundra as an added accessory.
If you’re already a handyman yourself, you’ll most likely have all the tools that you need, like a hammer, measuring tape, drill, and a saw. If not, you can always borrow from your kind-hearted friends. To prepare your car for construction, remove all of your back seats. It takes removing just a couple of bolts to do that but seek for expert help if you’re not sure. Clean the inside as well while you’re at it.
Construct the platform
If you have friends helping you with the construction, you’ll most likely finish transforming your car into a camper in less than a day. You’ll have to start constructing the sleeping platform first since it’s going to be the central fixture. Be meticulous and mindful in your measurements since this can be quite tricky to nail.
The bed frame should fit snuggly in the back of your car. Another option is to provide an extension that you can flip or pull out to make the sleeping area bigger. You can either push the front seats forward or extend the bed frame outside when you open the trunk door.
For storage, have your platform raised a few feet from the car floor so that you can add small compartments to store your clothes, food, and other equipment. You can even add a mini fridge in the platform or a ceiling fan if you have a sunroof but that would mean installing house batteries for additional energy.
Accessorize the space
This is the fun part where you get to dress up the space. Choose a futon mattress that would fit the frame that you just constructed. You might have to cut the edges a little bit. The thickness depend on your level of comfort and the height of the platform. You want it just thick enough to support your back but thin enough that you still have ample head room. You can also use inflatable camping pads or those that can be bought from a military surplus store.
Add some color to the space by decking out your mattress foam with a bright or geometric pattern. Bring a blanket for the cold nights and pillows of varying sizes, one for your head and a couple more to make you comfy. You can also hang a headlamp at the back of the front seat to serve as your night light or go all out with string lights for that Pinterest camper aesthetic.
The advantages of transforming your car into a mini-camper are obvious. You have more mobility compared to a traditional camper that you have to tow. You are more protected from the elements than sleeping in a tent. It is affordable in the sense that you don’t have to pay for the space you sleep in, unless it’s a campground.
With every other thing, it also has its trade-offs. Personal space is almost next to none. You have to make sure that you really like the person you’re travelling with. Finding a place to park the car and sleep is also a challenge. Of course, you want an area that is safe, legal, and peaceful. If you’re planning to sleep in the day, the heat can be a source of nightmares. Regardless, it’s sure to be a worthwhile experience.
Love traveling.
