Car Camping Conversion - Part 1

Feb 24

Update: Part 2 and Part 3 are done!

I’m glad I started this long in advance because this took a really long time because I was making it up as I went. This conversion is pretty unique as far as I know because I have to contend with having a bike in there at all times. It’s also very long term ( 5+ months ) but allows for motels/hotels from time to time so don’t need a full bathroom setup with toilets and solar showers and all that jazz.

So this is the space we have to work with.

Got these car mats from the dollar store, along with velcro strips.

Slap those on the back and glue them to the floor of vehicle.

This is where the bike will be when not in use. Carpets to protect the car from dirt.

I found a prebuilt bed platform on marketplace.

Saved me a lot of trouble, but it's a bit too long.

I found someone on Marketplace to cut it and install hinges!

When I flip the hinge, the passenger seat can recline fully again.

Problem: The leg keeps falling in between the seats. This will damage the car and be annoying.

I screwed in this random shelf I had lying around. Success.

I nailed some little felt pads to the platform so it doesn't wreck the car's floor.

For good measure I wrapped these in duct tape so it wouldn't split ever.

Found this tablecloth to drape over the platform so there's less splinters/scratching.

Just nailed it in, creating little staples.

Hopefully it protects.... something... from... something else.

Back to Marketplace where I got this big memory foam mattress.

Cut it down to size and stacked it 2 layers high.

Used foam because I can roll it back with the hinge, unlike a box spring mattress.

Found these little curtains that will save me lots of trouble in the next step...

They are easy to pop on/off to restore vision while you drive.

Then just get bedding stuff and you're done!

What a good picture.

Next is making window blockers so people can't peek inside at night.

Grabbed the huge cardboard box from the mattress to make rough templates.

Try it over the windows and trim it until it fits nice and snug.

Like this yes.

Templates done. Glad I got the curtain thing to save myself doing the front.

Got a big roll of Reflectix from Amazon. This will insulate the windows nicely.

Trace your template onto the sheet.

Then cut out your pieces.

Get black spray paint and cover the side facing outward with it.

I put two coats. Very time consuming.

Got these strong magnets to stick the pads inside the windows.

Check in the car where there's metal around the windows and place the magnets.

I taped them with their adhesive strips and packing tape, hope it's enough.

Now cover each one with black fabric, so it's nice and opaque.

Staples weren't holding this so I just sewed the fabric on there.

Was too lazy to go back to the store to get all black thread. Like I said, making it up as I went...

And there we go, done and hope it'll be worth it.

The magnets work well and it's pretty dark in there. Good work me.

You absolutely cannot see inside when everything is closed.

Finally I measured the space and got large storage boxes that fit.

Took an inch off the legs so it'd fit flush with this box. Can always use an extra inch.

I think I won’t be able to get away from having a car box, having to put a bike in there really makes the space quite tight. The window blockers take up a lot of space by themselves.

In part 2 I will go over what I am bringing along!

Update: Part 2 and Part 3 are done!

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Louis Fernet-Leclair

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