DIY Remodeling of an SUV for Camping

If you have an SUV then there are unlimited possibilities for rigging it into a lean, mean, camping machine. Whether you want to use your SUV as a base for a tent with other amenities or actually rig it so that you can sleep inside on a bed there is plenty of room to be creative with solutions.
  1. Appliances and Gadgets

    • Finding a camping stove depends on what your needs will be. If you will be cooking mainly one-pot meals, a small backpacking stove will do, but if you plan on traveling in style, a double burner propane stove will be your ticket. Read up on some reviews of camping stoves to see which one may be best suitable for you.

      For lighting, you may not want to drain your battery, especially if the vehicle is not running--hence getting an electric lantern can be helpful. There are even LED lanterns available that can be recharged via a mechanical winder: You can supply your own power for your light.

    Sleeping

    • Test your SUV to see if you can stretch out to sleep in the back. Options could be buying an air mattress, which can decompress when you are not sleeping so that there is more room for gear or passengers. You may also want to consider framing out a raised bed if you have room for it. This will work in the back of a minivan as well. A different option could be purchasing a tent system that links up with your SUV, which will help with ventilation and not getting steamy windows or bugs flying around your home away from home.

    Storage and Shelves

    • If you want to consider the raised bed option, you now have storage space underneath the bed. You could also build drawers that slide out from underneath the bed, helping to create a more organized system. Part of that system could also be countertops or shelves that slide out from the bed too--think slide-out cooking surface. Utilizing the entirety of floor space for storage and adding multiple surface areas for pull-out countertops can turn your SUV into a Taj-Ma-Camper.

      Other options for space-saving storage could be rigging a gear hammock on the ceiling of the SUV for easy access and out-of-the-way storage of lightweight things. Storing food can get a little tricky, especially if it is perishable. Having a small, not-so-bulky cooler can be helpful if it is something that you can slide under a seat or shelf--eat the meat quickly and do not forget about it.

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