SUV CAMPING

Guest Post: How to Turn Your RAV4 into a Camper

What Giving a TED Talk taught me >
Recovering From Burnout >
The Time I got Fired >
check these out:

8 Keys to a Successful Photography Business

Get the guide

Learn what goes into building a thriving photography business in my FREE guide.

Hi, I'm Erin!

I am a photographer passionate about the outdoors, meaningful travel, creativity and intention in all things. I hope to use my platform online to show the beauty and complexity of the world we live in, and to encourage genuine connection to the world and all the magic within it.

The Photo Series that Went *Viral*

AS SEEN IN

GET ON THE LIST

Wanna keep in touch? Subscribe to get notes from me in your inbox.

Add some wonder to your space

SHOP PRINTS

A few years ago, I converted my SUV to a camper by building a platform bed in my 2009 Honda CR-V. It’s still a super popular post on this blog– link to the post here. Every so often, folks reach out to me by email or Instagram DM with their own stories and how-to’s on how they converted their car or SUV, so I decided to start featuring them.

Here’s Aric Sparmann on converting his 2008 Toyota RAV4 into a camper. All photos courtesy of Aric.


Image-1

Four years of sitting behind a desk for sixty hours a week starts to make you wonder what you’re missing after awhile. The idea of waking up someday as an old man with nothing to show but a lifetime of paperwork is sort of terrifying to me.

I spent most of my time staring out the window, so I decided that’s where I was headed.

I work as a kayak guide on the weekends now. A slow transition away from the dealership I still work at on the weekdays. When I have more free time I prefer to bicycle tour. But the location of the kayak shop is almost two hours away! There’s no sense in driving back and forth everyday, and it’s tiresome to do anyways. Hotels are expensive after awhile. What else could I do?

I’ve literally been driving the answer around every day. I became inspired by Instagram posts of people traveling full time in conversion vans or busses that they’ve made into homes. I didn’t see any reason I couldn’t manage something similar with my 2008 Toyota RAV4.

THE HOW

I removed one of the backseats and laid the larger of the two down flat. Old comfortable couch cushions wrapped in sheets make up the bed. A sleeping bag and pillows on top. Sitting where the other seat was, is a wooden shelf. There is plenty of storage for towels, books, and clothes underneath. A fan, some silverware, obligatory bottle opener, a candle, and an iPod speaker are on top of it. The warm glow of Christmas lights strung around the headliner make it even more cozy. My surf board fits along the side and reaches back between the shelf and the door. My kayak rides on top of the vehicle, with the seat and paddles stored in the lower storage area in the trunk next to back up survival gear, first aid, water jugs, jumper cables, and dehydrated food (ya know, just in case). There’s even a Playstation Two under the seat that plugs into my cars radio unit for rainy days.

Most campsites don’t cost more than $20-30 a night and offer power and water. An extension cord and a power strip light up the interior and charge my devices. The car battery gets disconnected once I park as the rear gate being open keeps the BCM awake and drawing power. But campsites aren’t always available and sometimes I get to rough it with no luxuries. Sometimes that just makes the weekend more exciting!

It’s a tight space, but a cozy one that I call home on the weekends. It makes the weekday drag more tolerable, and has only provoked a strong desire for more.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0109.JPG

Image-1 copyDCIM100GOPROGOPR0118.JPGDCIM100GOPROGOPR0114.JPG


 

Check out Aric’s adventures on Instagram at @asparmann. Questions for Aric? Email him at asparmann@me.com. Have a car or SUV to camper conversion you’d like to submit for me to feature? Shoot me an email at info@erinoutdoors.com.

Please ignore this text box - Recoleta Font

+ show Comments

- Hide Comments

add a comment

  1. Margaret says:

    I did the same with my RAV4…it’s currently in “normal” mode but I’m in the process of transitioning it back into my home for the summer!!

    • So awesome!! I loved how customized Aric’s conversion was. My CR-V is back in normal mode, but definitely inspired me to do something again in the future!

  2. I went a little more hardcore. I pulled the seats out of my 99 CR-V and built a platform, with lots of storage where the seats were. I travel and camp with it. Love it and wish I did it 10 years earlier.

  3. Anonymous says:

    How tall are you? What are the measurements of the bed area?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

load MORE >

load MORE >

Well don't stop there

Read My FavORITES

Hey, I'm Erin.
It's good to see you.

If you’re interested in travel, the outdoors, artistic expression, or want to learn more about photography, you’re in the right place. I’m an adventure trip leader turned photographer, passionate about learning & sharing the real stories from the places I visit (real or imagined).

MORE ABOUT ME 

PHOTOGRAPHER, ADVENTURER, artist

Pricing & Negotiation Bundle

check it out

 Top Resources

My most popular downloadable resource for photographers and artists– to help you figure out what to charge, why, and how to communicate your rates.

Media Kit & Pitch
Deck Bundle

check it out

Are you happy with the portfolio you have built so far, but aren't exactly sure how to present yourself or your ideas to prospective clients? This is for you.

WATCH MY TED TALK:
DOES PHOTOGRAPHING A MOMENT STEAL THE EXPERIENCE FROM YOU?