Its good that you considered your sleeping vs storage room, and you can still use your 2nd row seats. However, removing the seats gives you a LOT (a LOT) more room, lowering your sleeping-platform still allows for some decent storage room underneath (approx 4"D at the rear, enlarging to approx 10"H at the front). There's space under the platform for jack, air compressor, sleeping bag, tools, shovel, traction mats, water containers, car leveling blocks, etc). I secured my platform to the front-seat anchor bolt locations, and hinged the platform there. The front portion folds over-center, making a rudimentary seat-back (for the occasional need to carry added persons) and the rear lifts up for access to that storage area. Being able to set upright on the platform makes life so much easier, and the area above the low-setting platform is HUGE (think small pick-up truck). I used 1/2"T plywood, which is adequately stiff, but much lighter than 3/4"T. Love the Highlander! Very good auto! = )
Wow! I didn't even know that was an option! I'll admit our headroom situation is doable but pretty tight. I'll need to let Brandon know about that, he is definitely the craftsman in the relationship, lol. We got a Prius a few months ago and we didn't make a platform for that so we have a lot more headroom in there. Thanks so much for that suggestion! I'll have to tell Brandon! -Alyssa
Hey, great to see another overlander making the Highlander into a camper conversion! It sounds like you really went all out to make the Highlander a comfortable and versatile place to be! I especially like that you found a way to make a seating area even though you removed the seats! I think my favorite thing about the way that we did our build for our lifestyle though is actually the ability to keep the seats in. For us, we utilize the vehicle as a camper for maybe 5-10% of the time and even of that time most of it is out exploring, so when we’re in the vehicle we’re just sleeping. When it’s not a camper it’s the car that we use to shuttle around our 6 other friends (yes we’ve put 8 adults in the vehicle more than a few times haha) or show around our guests. We love being able to give them a comfortable ride and (with some work albeit) convert the vehicle back into a comfortable people hauler. I did a lot of research before getting into the project though and I relied heavily on other UA-camrs doing similar things. Do you happen to have a video of your build? I’d love to see more details!
Sorry, I'm not very active on our channel but great question! This structure is not permanent and, though heavy, can be lifted out of the backseat at any time. It would be a little inconvenient, but not impossible! Thanks for the question!
Its good that you considered your sleeping vs storage room, and you can still use your 2nd row seats. However, removing the seats gives you a LOT (a LOT) more room, lowering your sleeping-platform still allows for some decent storage room underneath (approx 4"D at the rear, enlarging to approx 10"H at the front). There's space under the platform for jack, air compressor, sleeping bag, tools, shovel, traction mats, water containers, car leveling blocks, etc). I secured my platform to the front-seat anchor bolt locations, and hinged the platform there. The front portion folds over-center, making a rudimentary seat-back (for the occasional need to carry added persons) and the rear lifts up for access to that storage area. Being able to set upright on the platform makes life so much easier, and the area above the low-setting platform is HUGE (think small pick-up truck). I used 1/2"T plywood, which is adequately stiff, but much lighter than 3/4"T. Love the Highlander! Very good auto! = )
Wow! I didn't even know that was an option! I'll admit our headroom situation is doable but pretty tight. I'll need to let Brandon know about that, he is definitely the craftsman in the relationship, lol. We got a Prius a few months ago and we didn't make a platform for that so we have a lot more headroom in there. Thanks so much for that suggestion! I'll have to tell Brandon!
-Alyssa
Hey, great to see another overlander making the Highlander into a camper conversion! It sounds like you really went all out to make the Highlander a comfortable and versatile place to be! I especially like that you found a way to make a seating area even though you removed the seats! I think my favorite thing about the way that we did our build for our lifestyle though is actually the ability to keep the seats in. For us, we utilize the vehicle as a camper for maybe 5-10% of the time and even of that time most of it is out exploring, so when we’re in the vehicle we’re just sleeping. When it’s not a camper it’s the car that we use to shuttle around our 6 other friends (yes we’ve put 8 adults in the vehicle more than a few times haha) or show around our guests. We love being able to give them a comfortable ride and (with some work albeit) convert the vehicle back into a comfortable people hauler.
I did a lot of research before getting into the project though and I relied heavily on other UA-camrs doing similar things. Do you happen to have a video of your build? I’d love to see more details!
How do you access your spare tire
Sorry, I'm not very active on our channel but great question! This structure is not permanent and, though heavy, can be lifted out of the backseat at any time. It would be a little inconvenient, but not impossible! Thanks for the question!
Watching people talk for the whole time is boring as he k
Lol noted xD Still working on my video editing/making skills!