SUV Camper Conversion | ROAD LIFE Full Time Set Up
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Van Life? How about an SUV camper conversion WITHOUT a build out? In this video, I share with you how I set-up my Subaru Forester to live full-time on the road. (Mostly off-grid!)
Shop my set-up: www.thisgirlhi...
LINK TO "THE TABLE" that makes everything work: amzn.to/2QB6XLT
My Car Camping Set Up Overview: • Boondocking in the Saw...
My SUV Camper Conversion: • SUV Camper Conversion ...
2020 Backpacking Trips:
• Backpacking Trips 2020
Road Life Playlist: Catch Up with the Journey!
• ROAD LIFE
National Park Trips:
• National Parks
I'm Christine and after my plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020 were derailed, I have decided to spend time living on the road-- camping, hiking and backpacking. # haha! Most of the time I am leading a minimalist life, off-grid in the wilderness backcountry or boondocking at camp.
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www.thisgirlhikes.net
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This is where I get my music: www.musicbed.c...
SHOP MY WHOLE SET UP: www.thisgirlhi...
CAMPING GEAR:
Coleman Instant Tent 6P: amzn.to/3cA134E
Coleman 2-Burner Stove: amzn.to/3i724SQ
JetBoil Backpacking Stove: amzn.to/2S9XyZ7
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: amzn.to/2S9XJUh
Cuisinart Enamel Dutch Oven: amzn.to/3mPGGVM
Camping Mattress: amzn.to/2GbEYNG
Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler: amzn.to/3kPR4er
Energizer Portable Power Station: amzn.to/3j7Sj8d
Power Inverter: amzn.to/3kK225c
Tent Heater: amzn.to/3cyZ94l
CAMERA & AUDIO SET-UP:
Sony a6400: amzn.to/3kUPO9I
Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/3i85B3p
Wireless Microphone: amzn.to/2HCjdHF
Tripod: amzn.to/30cenHy
Camera Clip: amzn.to/30ejmHz
Disclosure: Some of the included links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn commission if you click through and make a purchase.
I’m 67 and my husband is 78. I came up with the idea of buying a tent for our CRV, and doing some camping (which we’ve never done before), and sleeping in our vehicle. We bought the tent and a Jackery power unit, a Butane stove and have some supplies we’re pulling in from the house (kettle, pot, dishes etc). I’m making the lists for our first camping trip which will probably be early September. Okay, the dilemma has been… how to level out our sleeping arrangement. Yes, I’ve looked at all the videos on building a platform and so on, but right now I’m also trying to minimize costs (senior budget). When I saw your idea of the foldable table… I said “Oh my gosh… I have two of those.” I’m so impressed with your ingenuity and also appreciate you sharing all your tips. I am going to try out the table idea tomorrow after our tent arrives… We are so excited about this new adventure in our lives. Thanks again for sharing… as you can probably tell, I have subscribed. So, here is me Sue in Ontario, Canada, saying hi and bye for now. Cheers.
I like how you clearly and concisely state your thinking.
THIS is exactly what I was looking for- simple set up and common sense. I don't need fancy but I do need it to work! Thank you.
Finally a youtuber with a voice that is nice to listen to. You could narrate an 8 hour book easily! Wish more youtubers were as easy to listen to as you, it can get tough to watch a tutorial sometimes when youtubers sound like they don't want to be there.
Up until now I’ve just been day dreaming, but watching this video is my first step to making my dreams of suv life a reality!
I'm still a day dreamer. I hope I have the courage to realize my dream one day. I'm glad you're here.
God bless you all.
@@xxlalbatross3287 Think less and do more. I personally said YES to myself and made my trip public for accountability before my mind could have a minute to scare me. I didn't know how it was going to happen but I set up a date 5 weeks after my YES and everything lined up. Now I'm planning part 2 for next summer. I learned loads the first time. I hated traveling with a cooler for example so I'm opting for a small car fridge and a car oven/ lunchbox so I can cook rice and beans and such while traveling. I also have a gas stove. I leaned that less is more, all the "just in case" are stressful to live with. I even did it with an 8 year old child, amazing memories were created. So think less about why you can't and pick a date for 2021, pick a vague destination, start figuring out how to make simple meals and what you need, where to do laundry, what's a basic acceptable sleeping space and start acquiring things second hand, buy nothing groups, on sale and you'll get there. You can do it in a smaller car too. Write on your mirror "I say YES to creating memories and NO to watching life pass by me ". Do something that scares you this year, make memories... safely. 😊🌳🌲🚙
@@Cheleartsanddesigns love your enthusiasm... I am 68 and about to return to camping this weekend... I have been watching hundreds of videos to prepare and I'm glad to see your thought on the car fridge come right out... I decided to go for the fridge and am really excited to try it... I've gone so far as to get a jackery 1000 and 2 100 watt solar panels.. my big plan is to boondock, either New England areas, Florida, and eventually out west.. I've been telling myself yes for months, now going to do "something that scare me and make memories"... thanks, that's how I'll think of it...
Mine too! See y'all out there!
Oh my God, thank you so much for the folding table idea! I was/still using a bunch of blankets to make my bed even, but it never worked! Thank you again & be safe.
I've been intimidated by the complexity of others' builds. I love the simplicity--especially the table bed platform hack.
Sometimes I just love when certain videos come up on my feed. I love the simplicity. It’s everything you need without a build. Safe travels. New sub!!
The scientific term for a woman like you is, Bad Ass! Love you're simplicity! Have fun and be safe! ❤
So glad you made this. I've been looking for how to set up my Outback and kept seeing the same videos about adding all kinds of wooden shelves. I like the minimal approach!
Glad it was helpful!
Seems like wood would add too much weight and gas usage.
I miss mt Outback EVERY DAY!!! Have a Forester now 🙄
Yes! I'm surprised how many people don't realise tinted windows with a black interior makes it very hard to see in. I also use black bedding. I also love the set up and the fact there were no builds, seats pulled out or things you can't reverse for a normal sale when yr ready. Would like to see more on bathroon/toilet issues but you have my attention. Top marks! Subscribed.
This is exactly what I needed! I don’t have any carpentry skills and my budget is limited. I have a 2016 Forester. Thank you for this post.
Honestly this is the best step. Forget the build out hassle. Thanks for sharing.
Comfortable minimalism and efficient use of every square inch!
Absolutely!
I love that the stumbling survived the edit.😉 Its a simple set-up that seems to work for you. Both my dog & I, have done many trips from the back of my car. I'm fortune enough to have a flat 6x4 load area, and blinds in all the rear windows. Hence making even urban stopovers, tolerable and discreet. I'd encourage anyone to try this from of camping. You don't need fancy gear to get out into the great outdoors. ✌❤🇬🇧
Sounds like you have a great set up! And I agree!
Sometimes when I get a rental car (I usually get a compact or sub compact hatchback) there is no rear shelf cover to hide what is in back. I found that a large black bath towel works well to lay over my items in back to hide them from view. If the windows are tinted, it works really well. You can pick up large black bath towels for cheap from Walmart's, etc.
this is such a great idea! though i think i'll opt for a giant black blanket that doubles for sleeping usage. this way i can still have quick dry towels. and too, i wonder what she does with the rear cover when her seats are down? may be a space eater.
I did exactly that as a OTR truck driver. I clipped two big black towels together and was able to clip them all the way around the windshield because the truck curtains were missing. They went up and came down quickly, giving me more privacy in the cab and sleeper.
This is one of the best camping conversion I've seen on youTube.
Stay safe. From now on I'm with you on your journey.
Made me subscribe your channel.
Lots of Love all the way from India 🇮🇳
I like the quick table as sleep platform hack. Anything flat & a nice foam mattress will take 90% of the bump feel away without making such permanent platforms that add weight & bulk. Keep a few camper leveling blocks in car & you can adjust level of car for different terrain parking areas.
This is exactly what I had envisioned... Great minds think alike! Thank you for posting!
I love this setup. You can still get to your emergency equipment and easily convert it back.
Love the peninsula. Your shots were great. This is the first of your videos I've seen and I must say you have a very calming presence.
Thank you very much!
I have a Sienna that I'm going to use for part-time camping/traveling. I wanted something simple, and this fits the bill!
Yeah, this is great. There's really a lot of great simple ideas for SUV camping. I built a little something in my Jeep and it works fine for me
You should look at MiniVanLee. She has a no build set up and is very cautious as This Girl Hikes. I'm new to watching her.
@@debslifesimplified6406 I will. Thank you!
I have been living on a 22 foot sailboat at anchor for the last four years. Sort of nautical boondocking. But health considerations, COPD, are forcing me ashore and I've had an SUV gifted to me. I'll be moving into it when the weather warms up. A couple of years ago I bought one of those tri-fold mattresses like you have and I can tell people they are WONDERFUL. Very comfy and during the day I fold it up and put it out of the way.
I love this..I took a solo trip in my Honda HRV this summer and went out to Yellowstone. I just used couch cushions in the back to sleep on. I've been looking at ideas for how I can set up the Honda for longer trips so this video is perfect
Pretty cool. Great job demonstrating the ease of going full nomad. Love your content.
Much appreciated!
This is great. I’ve done car camping in 2 different RAV4s and now I have a new 4Runner. My interior is also black so I too try to keep all my gear black plus I have my windows tinted (hybrid ceramic tint) as dark as legally possible for where I live. I found a great trifold futon from Wayfair as my bed. I still work a 9-5 so it was important for me not to pull my seats out since my car sits in a parking lot and I wanted to be very incognito. I love Your set up it is very clean and neat which is important to me too.
I own a trailer plus a truck. Since I feel afraid to drive them, and when my husband cannot do it for me, I want to camp on my SUV instead. Thanks to your video I’ll set it up like yours and hit the road on my own. Thank you❤️☺️
Go get it girl!
Hi! 17 subie here too! Listen, weathertech makes precut reflectix for your car windows. Cheap too wanna say under 200 for full set. One side shiny other side black. Def quicker and better than trying to buy it bulk and trace n cut n trim... Good luck out there!! ✌🏼
I am glad to see your comment. I saw it online and asked for the full kit for my Outback for Christmas :)
I feel so happy because I already stay in my car for a month... Yahoooooooo
Girl this is what I was looking for! Gonna copy so much of this for my two months of digital nomading in my 2011 Forester.
I just bought a 21 Outback and have the same problem with the seats not folding perfectly flat. I might try your folding table solution!
This seems to work for you! It is the perfect setup and looks quite comfy! Great video thanks for sharing! 🤙
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video! Thank you! I’m about to take ownership of a brand new Forester Wilderness, and I plan on living my best outdoor life like you!
i don't have a forester but i do have a small crossover and this video was super helpful in terms of giving me ideas for how i can do a no-build, temporary conversion so i can try out a more travel-focused lifestyle - thanks!
Just simply perfect your car set-up. Thank you very much. Becareful and be safe. Love from pacific Northwest
Great idea to keep it non permanent, so u have your car when u need it. Great use of space and organization! I also like how u keep it on the dl. I’m working on a Jeep gladiator as an overland build.
I have two of the exact same mattresses....going on 3+ years now and they are still fabulous.
I'm happy to hear this!
Bought a new Honda HR-V, seats fold flat, off to Home Depot for foam padding. Can't wait to leave for nomad life full-time. Subscribed! ❤️
From now i am with you on your journey. Loves to you all the way from Sweden.
It works very well and you have everything you need!
It is working out great! 😁
Awesome way to live. I retire in a year and I’d love to do something very similar. Great video and cool tips. Stay safe and live it up.
Hi there,
I have say everything you showed me is absolutely a fantastic set up very simple
You are very smart !
Thanks for sharing have a beautiful day.
You did a brilliant job here, Christine! I want to go back on the road in retirement, but didnt want to make a big investment if it turned out to be something that wasnt for me after all these years. You did a brilliant job of making a Subie work as a 'no build' camper, and if it turns out being back on the road isnt for me, Im left with a good car, and some great camping and hiking gear. Thank you so much for showing us your solutions. They are great. :D
Nice simple set up. I myself have had setups in my truckbed, backseat of truck and now I'm downsizing to a Rav4 trail. While my wife and I are new owners to a tab320 I'm building out simple in my Rav4. If she ever has a girls weekend I have my own little Camper in the tab320
I’m going to do what you are doing. I have a rav 4 that I will throw a mattress in and head out for tropical swimming holes.
I have a RAV4 as well...looking forward to playing around with her. I do have a twin size electric blow up mattress. I wonder how that would work...guess I’ll see. It would be nice cuz it’s so fast and easy to deflate or fill up. Happy trails and aloha!
Wish I had found your video first! Brilliant! Thank you! I will be using this idea. 🚙
Absolutely brilliant and thank you for the ideas!!
I have a Subaru Impreza and I’m going to use some of your ideas.
Thanks for your inspiring contents. May UA-cam overloading videos seem to tell me "build, build, overbuild," but you're right, with simple things we can go outdoor to explore and enjoy.
Love your build. Looking forward to doing this with my Honda Pilot.
So loving this!!!! I am so glad I saw this before I started building out my Forrester
Very nice...you show us that life is not complicate.is about follow what we love.GODBLESS YOU🥰
I love what you do, it's my idea of life
So inspiring!! Happy I found your channel!💗
Great ideas, Thanks for sharing I am planning travel the same way in Subaru Forester simple setups.
I love that idea with your table because I have a Subaru Outback with that same sleeping lump! Thanks!
It works great!
All I can say is ya one beautiful lil lady. Stay safe.
Thank you for this video! I have definitely fallen down the rabbit hole of car camping but I too do not want to build anything in my car, actually I don’t know how to LOL and your mattress set up is absolutely perfect! I definitely saved it on Amazon! Not sure I will be taking long camping trips, but definitely weekend trips out of state and this set up is going to help greatly.
I think its about making the sleeping comfortable. Who wants to have a bad night. Lol
Subaru needs to hire you ASAP! Great interior utilization !
😁
@@nomad_unknown Yes I dont think a build out is necessary, I got an army cot that fits and room for storage soon I'll go out. Also can you link the car tree stickers!
Thank you for sharing, I have a 2003 Subaru Forester which I car camp in 😊
Thanks for sharing. I’m just ordering the trifold mattress and was considering building a frame for it. I may not now. Your set up works so well.
You can use an HQST 100 watt mono rigid glass panel, which is about $80- on amazon. You need an adapter cable for about $20-, which is MC4 on the solar panel side, and your input looks like 5.5mm DC, but see if that's in your owner's manual. Also get a MC4 to MC4 extension cable of 10 or 15 feet, depending on your needs, for $20-25. Much less $$$ than most of the portable panels out there, more power, but maybe a little more fragile for road life. Options are a great thing to have and consider.
Wonderful! I did almost the same things in my 3008 Peugeot! Actually I chose my car keeping in mind this purpose, that is traveling without the fuss of sleeping in hotels or similar. Like you, no structure inside, inverter, power bank, and camping gear for sleeping. Unlike you, no fridge (for now), self inflating mattress, little gas stove for cooking, but mostly for Italian coffe with Moka. This is first video that I watch, I'll follow you to steal new ideas, but I really want to tell you that I agree on *everything* you said... Ciao from Italy!!
nice job on your subaru, I did the same with a 2014 forester... which i love... JD
you not only inspired me ,as a women you have Guts and i appreciate that 'Thriving for Adventure in You"
Very nice; very efficient! I don't know the feasibility of it (and it looks like you don't even need it!), but if you really wanted a bed platform, you might look into just removing the lid to the "garage" so there would be just one larger area. Kind of like you see in the minivan conversions where they remove the third row seat.
Interesting how people manage this. I liked the camp table idea to level the "hump". Dealt with that trying to sleep in my jeep sport. We never know. With events these days, we may be closer to living in that van by the river than we think.
I like how you use a table to fix the bump in the floor. My car has the same problem but I have tons of pillows so I used them to level out the floor. Extra pillows aren’t useful for anything else but I don’t have a mattress and just use my sleeping bag and blankets.
Good job Christine! It's a lean, mean machine!
Great set up. Amazing how you were able to do so much with so little space
It's amazing how easy it can be to live simply!
very thoughtful setup! I suggest keeping that fire extinguisher in a more accessible location. I like that trifold memory foam mattress that's pretty slick.
I very much enjoyed your video. I hit the subscription button.
Thank you for your time and effort in putting these videos together.
I’m getting ready to hit the road in my SUV also and looking forward to it. Be safe and who knows maybe we will run into one another. Sonia
VERY NICE LAYOUT & WAS PROBABLY FUN TRYING TO PUZZLE EVERYTHING TOGETHER !
BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !
It was an interesting project and I’m happy with the result. 😁
Very cool. Here's a suggestion, buy a hybrid car, which you can leave on overnight or for hours on end. Mine is a Prius and it has plenty of battery and the built in generator keeps you powered for days. I use an inverter but never have to worry about running out of juice. Good luck girly.
Thank you! This is exactly what I have been looking for, 🌺👏🌺👏🌺
Hi next time when you change your cars battery, the one under the hood, install the one, with the highest CCA (cold cranking amp) that fits in that space, acid-less (dry) ones are preferred, all the best, happy motoring.
Stay safe out there.
Clever solution to the rear seat incline issue.
You really make it look comfortable. Thanks for the video!
Nice Forester XT. I was forced into mine for a month and slept on an inflatable mattress.
Liked and subscribed! I have a 2022 Forester Premium that I'm loving. Can definitely see myself carcamping in it without any building out; and, in fact, I don't mind the slight incline in the rear cargo space near the front seats -- the incline is so minimal and I've carcamped in my 1984 Subara Hatchback in Mexico with a similar issue.
To have a very nice set up just the way that you have constructed it! 👍 Cheers!
Love the video happy go lucky enjoying the free lifestyle. I can't wait for my Rav4 trail as I'm ser to put in my new set up. Trading in my Ford f250 and going cheaper smaller. All keep watching take care.
I really like your SUV set up, as well as your aesthetics of the monochrome black & white. I'm preparing for an extended trip out West & have been looking for options. I will be copying yours. :-) Safe Travels!
Very nice set-up, thank you for sharing!
Seems to me you took the best approach.
Great idea that’s well thought out. I too have massive storage under my 2011 RAV4 trunk floor and your idea works well to maintain access to it. Plus now wood is super expensive due to covid so buying a folding mattress instead solves multiple problems
Thanks for this video! I plan to try living out of my midsized suv to test my commitment prior to buying a van to live out of.
I absolutely LOVE how you shot this, it's so interesting in it's basic-ness, and so easy to understand. I can't say enough about it. Enjoy - I'm buying a Forester soon which is probably how I found you!
Very nice! I should probably do that for my SUV as sometimes I just want to get away.
I'm inspired I'm selling all my things now and hitting the road
Perfecto! Simple sencillo y sin tanto peso para el auto,excelente completamente de acuerdo contigo me encanta 👏🏼👍🏽🙏
5:25 "currently" hahaha hilarious power joke
Thank god. A non annoying person.
You and I have come to the same conclusion about platforms and my layout is essentially the same as yours. Stuff on one side, sleep on the other. I even have a trifold mattress like yours. Mine is a 2002 Forester and it has provided me with countless memories. I am leaving after three wonderful months in Utah and returning to Arkansas.
Safe travels back!
Perfect for solo short term living.
I made the experience with my tiny Suzuki Swift that I sleep very well in the driver's seat.
Although it's not fully reclining, when I park in a slight slope, front part of my car looking up slightly, I feel like being in a cradle and sleep marvelously... I wouldn't have believed it myself with my 186cm ;D
Cool,,,I love your way of simple,,,,safe journey,,,,
Great job on thinking of everything for your journey on the road. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
You can have limo tint installed on all the windows of the car, from the rear doors back and that helps keep contents out of site. It's not legal on the two front doors.
I did that very thing in my Cad DTS.
When I was still working I would leave right after work in southern CA to visit my parents in Northern CA. I would pull over in a rest area and sleep for a few hours when I got tired. I would put my windshield screen in and it darkened the car very well. No one could see in unless they were right on top of the car.
Very simple and practical.
😁