DIY Car Camper Build - 2003 Toyota Corolla (Includes Plans)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- #vanlife #camping #carcamping
Note: I took influence from: • Living in a car: Honda...
Go take a look at her video because it is great!
Hi Everyone,
This is a pretty fun design to make, and while it takes a little time to cut the side wings, it isn't so bad.
I need to take this out before I confirm it's working perfectly, and I will let you know how the car camping works.
It might not be as glamorous as a van, but it is fun affordable, and functional if you like to escape for the weekend.
Have a good one,
Oliver
Links (affiliate)
Window screens: amzn.to/3uwPWDK
Charging station: amzn.to/2Uug2bb
Locking hinges: amzn.to/3vcN7rS
People need to start doing this as a prepper course for the future. A whole lot of people were evicted during the outbreak of COVID and ever since then. Families and even the elderly are living in their vehicles now.
I'm even amputated and live in my truck
Anyone else camping in their car? Hopefully it's not just me.
I'm using a toyota corolla hatch as an alternative to buying a van so I have plywood bought and planned in a similar way to yourself. The difference is that I intend to fiberglass the plywood so it forms a complete plastic shell against water damage - not recommended for sleeping on of course.
Some ideas I think could help you - to have a rasp and rasp former to contour the edges because that would be rough on your hands. After that I would shellac the plywood with a brush or pad. Shellac is the most non-toxic sealer that exists - it's technically edible when the alcohol that carries it has dried off - if you don't seal it I think you'll get mold because people breath out a pint of water each night - which is a reason to keep the windows open just a smidgen too. You can also buy the floor underlay for cars and shape it to fit the windows with a backing pad - the reason is that it is sound insulated. You could just use tension rods to stay the window cutouts in such a way that they are out of the way at night and that way you don't need any permanent fixture.
In my scheme I'll use a sheet of cardboard and crudely cut it to fit the shape of the floor. Then I will take a scribe and use the metal pong against the walls so I can produce a more accurate contour on the cardboard. Then that cardboard will fit against the van in a contoured way but I might even do that twice to make it a perfect fit.
My main problem now is figuring out how to take ideal measurements to cardboard of the wall and roof geometry - the floor is the easy part I think.
I have camperized my kia soul
I got a 2001 camry but the way i made my bed was removing the passenger seat and putting some cushions and pillow to make a nice comfy bed. But i like your idea. Toyota's are just so reliable when it comes to roadtrips. hopefully there more i can get out of it.
I sleep in my Kia Soul camper
I'm car camping with my dog in my Citroën C3 Picasso. Dog has his bed on the rear 40% seat. I lower the rear 60% seat and reverse the two headrests which act as a base for my pillow. I have a travel futon which I unroll across the folded seat and into the very spacious boot. I'm 5'5" and can stretch out.
Thanks for this! Planning a trip this summer in my 2010 Corolla. Your ideas are exactly what I need.
That’s great I hope that you have a fun trip!
Thank you for your great ideas, especially the locking hinge.
Great video. One small tip, if you want to double, double check, the platform/base measurements, simply cut out a piece of cardboard using the measurements and drop it into the back, essentially the cardboard becomes a template for the plywood. I love the American pioneering spirit, we're not quite the same here in the UK .... : -)
That’s a brilliant idea! I’ll definitely be doing that for future projects
@@oliverking75 CAD
Cardboard Auto Design
I have a 96 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr and you just gave me a n idea on how to fix my car into a full time live in vehicle, thanks for the ideas,
Simple and easy as you say - and very nicely done. Cheers.
I did this in my 2018 Camry although without the wings it still works great. Thanks for the idea.
Stumbled across your vid Oliver, simple and to the point, no loud music, got some really good tips and ideas so will modify my old Mk2 Rave4 using your plans, thanks for sharing, take care. 👍😃
Thanks friend! Yeah it's been a fun process and I get some pretty regular use out of the car with the platform in. I'm bad about making new videos, but I get the camping part done haha
Excellent job on the sleep frame and the video 👏 Simple car camping!!
Thank you ! I was thinking about how I will outfit my Kia Forte and this has a lot of good suggestions and helps me visualize it better!!
My friend I'm living in a 99 c230 benz
I'm in vancouver currently people call me crazy but I'm having the time of my life meeting the coolest people ever this is great craftsmanship here great materials smart man you are 🤓
You give me a lot of ideias to do with my Corolla 2004! Tank you!
VERY NICE Set Up and Great Job as well as Sharing Your Build 👍👍⬆️😎🚙
Nice job! I have a 07 Corolla and am planning on doing a cross country road trip. This would be perfect! Thanks for posting and Happy Travels🏖
Have fun on your trip! It works really well for the cross country thing!
Awesome....2013 corolla ...will be doing that soon.
I've been car camping in my 2011 Toyota Carolla sedan for many years, but sleep in the driver's seat laid as flat as possible with a suitcase to support my legs at the front. Sadly the passengers console comes down low, so less foot room there. It works forme and the resultatnt storage in the boot and back seat are amazing. Mine is set up with a fridge and gear for a pretty cool outdoor kitchen. I also carry a fire pit and small folding toilet. My camp kitchen fits into a backpack designed for photography, that I have repurposed. I use a Coleman dual fuel single burner stove. Anything stored in the back seat is either contained in black, or covered in black to match the seats. Sadly, in Australia, if we modify the seats we void our insurance, so more limited in scope than you are in N America it seems. I love your set up. If I could legally remove the back of even the wider section of my passenger seat backs I would!
You have an excellent attitude. So unassuming. Thank you.
Thanks man! Really appreciate it!
@@oliverking75 You, too, are welcome. An example of your "attitude" is including: "Note: I took influence from..."
Smart design !!Thank you!!👍🏼👍🏼
This is amazing you should make more videos about this please I really enjoy watching keep it up
I definitely will! I want to make a video taking it out camping, so that should be the next one to do!
Nice! I have a 2007 and this would probably work for me. Good idea!
I put a similar build in a 2007, it worked really well!
Hi, thanks. Going to try it out!
I did this with my '13 Corolla when I went down south to see the eclipse. I wanted to be able to touch and go at a moments notice as conditions indicated, and not have to find lodging or make reservations and such, so the famous Corolla Camper solution was indicated. The night before the eclipse was hot and muggy, but I found a spot off in the boondocks and let the engine idle and the AC run all night, and with my top-of-the-line stereo playing something ambient, and having something to smoke, it became like a sensory deprivation tank... I had a fine night : )
This is exactly what I needed! Thank you!
Thanks for watching! Hope you have fun with it!
Cool pretty good job you did there!
The 9th (03-08) gen Corolla is one of my favorite economy cars.
Dude this is awesome, thanks for the information~
Sweet setup.
This was such a helpful tutorial!
Awesome. I'm looking for inspiration for a build like that for my 2010 Skoda Superb. This was great! Thanks!
/Kenneth
I really love your idea and started building my own based on yours. The foldable piece really utilizes the extra space when you move the front seats forward. But you have to move all the stuffs rest behind front seat each time you fold and unfold that piece. that space is used for fridge or batteries in lots of design. In my case, a simple traditional hinge will do the work, and top piece will just rest on the the fridge and battery beneath.
can you link the mattress?
I had the same thought, as I watched. Too much storage space is lost when that piece folds down. Have it fold to the rear of the car when not in the bed position. Or, put supports under it, so that piece can be removed, when the seats are in the driving position.
Thanks for sharing! I like this platform alot. Will it also work for a 2001 Toyota corolla?
This is what I need, thanks!
that looks so comfy! When I crash in my car after hikes, I get to see the stars and have peace and quiet (though the sleeping situation is hilarious with current little car). Looking at buying a corolla and wanted to know if it was possible to camp in it. And it's possible, thank you so much for posting this!
Thanks friend! Glad it was useful!
I camp in my Nissan Xterra, thinking about building one of those platforms. And I found your video bc I was looking at used Toyota's for sale, and was curious if anyone has ever made a camper out of it. So yeah good job man, it looks great.
Thanks for making this video! I’m going to be doing the same thing with a 2012 corolla and hoping to do some traveling and not have to pay for hotels, and I’ve got the same jackery and it works great!
I love the Jackery, it's so much more useful than I even thought it would be! Hope you have fun out there!
I got Corolla Hatchback and your idea even works better than a sedan. Thanks
I wish I had a hatchback haha, it would be great!
Just wow!! Great job!!
Thanks for the feedback! Glad it was useful!
@@oliverking75 it was, bc I have plans for a camper car, I just haven't decided it all out yet
cool stuff
Great video!! Wish you good luck getting more subs as you deserve it!
Thanks friend! I will be posting more on this as it gets warmer, thanks for the support!
Very cool
Thank you it's really nice
I have a similar setup in my 2014 honda accord. Car camping is more feasible than I thought. I took out my backseats, put down a mattress topper and a comforter to level it out, and I use my storage container as a headboard and set my jackery on it.
Thank you. Nicely done :)
very nice mate 👍
Nice brotha!
Nice video!
Thanks man
Excellent
Thank you! Have fun out there!
Nice
Ong awesome video!
This is awesome great job! Have Hyundai Sonata and want to do trip to NYC, 200.00 + a night is way too much for hotel. We plan to rent campsite and sleep in car as me and my daughter only and feels safer than a tent. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
That's great, I hope that you have lots of fun! Stay safe out there!
Hello. How is that going for you? I have a hyundai sonata as well (2014) that im converting to a weekend warrior for me and my wife. Thank god for this video because the little trunk hole space is so small that it would be so uncomfortable for 2 people to sleep in. With this idea we will have somewhat more room.
Good job 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
I have a 2019, I've been wondering about if it could be comfortable to sleep in for a couple nights. That's a great bed build
Excelente hotel!!!
Thanks friend!
Wow. This is my dream camper. New viewer here
It works really well! Thanks for watching!
Nice job 👍👌👍
Thanks Wendy!
@@oliverking75 your welcome !! Really nice 🙂
Cool video man
Thanks friend!
CDX A/C plywood is cheaper than maple and the A side is sanded smooth so that's good enough for a bed platform.
What I did to get extra space was I put in the matrix seats the passenger side folds down completely making it a flat surface it does need a little bit of modification to get it to work oem mainly just switching harnesses but I love it its more comfortable and useful do keep in mind it does it about a inch higher than the regular corolla seats
Front seats, or rear?
I always thought a hatchback was a must for such conversions. I've even seen it done to yaris.
Instantly subbed
That's because you're a boss!
@@oliverking75 Thanks handsome
doesn't look heavy either. I like
It is very quite light - easy for one person to manage!
I just subscribed.from Philippines
Thanks man!
The most perfect video I’ve seen to fit me yet, thank you. I wish you could build mine (I’d pay)
Haha I would start a company selling them, but I have a feeling it wouldn't catch on that much.
@@oliverking75 don’t doubt yourself
@oliverking75 yeah I need measurements for a 2015. People would pay for that. I would.
So I have a 2020 Camry, which the back seat is about the same. I sort of wish they didn't put the plastic trim (which sits behind the seats) there, as it does limit the amount of space you have once you put a mattress in. You have maybe 6-8 inches of clearance from the mattress to the top of the plastic trim piece (which is difficult if not impossible to remove without tools; as I'm looking for a no-build system where I can just fold down the seats and fold out the foam mattress I have for quick setup/take down).
Awesome. Have you thought of removing the rear cross piece to your legs have more vertical room? Can you do that? How about the HABS ay?
Them HABS is on fire! Price is a beast. That’s a good suggestion that I hadn’t even thought of, I will look into it and make a video if it’s at all possible.
Hi, thanks for the video. What is actually call the mesh you're using? Where can I buy one?
I want to do this so bad! Then i can solo travel across the USA!
It would be awesome for that! Could save a ton of money on hotels and such!
I just bought a corolla and plan on doing this
Great video Oliver, inspired me to get a Corolla for my Bucket List adventure camping. Have you added or changed anything as you used this set up?
Steve (66yrs), Manitoba
I would say that in the back trunk, where the tires are usually stored for recent cars (I know in the past, cars would store tires in weird places) you could make a foldable mechanism to store extra stuff in there ;)
Hi Oliver,
Great build. I have a 1995 Corolla and this is what I am going to do. Thanks for the inspiration. By chance, if you read this, can you please tell me approx. how long the entire project took? Thank you.
How many miles does your Corolla have?
Very good.
re: the Jackery power station
Are you re-charging it via solar panels? I see on the Amazon page in the Q&A it says 2 x 60 W are recommended.
I am guessing you are only running low power items like laptop for an hour or so each day on a short trip, so no charging needed.
I don't have the solar panels because they are very expensive haha, but it does come with a car charger so if I really need it I can just go for a quick drive.
Iam not quite as sophisticated as you but getting their .how do you handle anxiety at night in random locations?
Should add another piano hinge so you can access the spare tire. I've done the same on my Corolla but removed the seat bottom cushion too. 2003-2011 Corrolas are unchanged.
Where do you find the cool window covers?
Could you potentially fold something like this and store it in the trunk and then remove the seats and set it up where you're at the place you're camping? We have a toddler so I need a back seat
Nice join
Such an awesome idea. Didn't know I'd find any solutions for my corolla when I searched it up, but I'll definitely consider this.
update: I have removed the bolts that prevent my rear seats from coming off completely. Now I just have to take the measurements and get the materials. Very excited to do my first 'boondocking rig' I guess.
If you don't mind me asking, which year do you have? I'm really not a car person, or handy at all tbh, I just want to be able to work on art in nature instead of being stuck in my apartment with no inspiration. Really nervous about something like this, I want to find someone who has a 2007 so I can know some info for sure. Hopefully I can get my boyfriend's "help" (making him do it)
@@shummers ill help but youll have to move in with me.
@@shummers I have an 05. I'm pretty sure they're all the same shape. At least until the 2013 and up models
@@shummers I have an 08 I'm pretty sure, LOWEST trim. I don't even have power windows and locks. No remote key either. I'm fairly certain the actual dimensions of all corollas are extremely similar. The ones from 2000-2008 have the same basic shape.
@@simpsimps553 Weird af dude 😂
Totally making this althought it is kind of worrying if ever you where rear ended it would slam right into the from passengers
hmm I tried the locking hinge thing but its very wobbly. guess I'll get a 2x4 as suggested.
One night will pay for all of your materials & breakfast the next morning:)
How did you take the back seats out?
Me, 2010 Nissan Versa, a hatchback, I would highly recommend onr
G' Day Mate , just found your channel , great stuff. Can you please tell me the with of your sleeping area ..Have a great day ,
The width is 31inches, which is comfortable for me
This is amazing! Is there a reason why you chose not to take out the front passenger seat?
Yes, leaving the seatbacks in place keeps it from less road noise and cooler from the trunk not insulated.
do you know if the back frame/firewall is a support brace or is it just ujsed to hold the back seats?
I think it's a support brace, though I'm not 100% sure on that
👌
I did close to the same build, trunk part is the same (the reason for that part of a modification was so I could keep a full-size spare) However, the bed platform is only on the 60 split, the 40 split part of the seat is still in. Don't think I could really do anything with taking that out to solve this issue, but I am normally a side sleeper, and I had kinda a tough time sleeping because my hips were hitting on the top trim part of that opening into the trunk... any ideas to get more room there?
I've got a video I'm making for some ideas on that, but what helped me the most was extending the platform forward toward the front seats so that it's my knees rather than my hips under the trim. I've found a couple ways to keep the spare tire accessible by making it easier to take in and out. My main thing is that I don't want to have to use tools to get it out.
Excellent! I'm currently building this. What are the lengths of the locking hinges? All I can find are 8" but that seems too big.
I think that mine were 8" as well - might be good to check out home depot because Amazon has a limited selection!
@@oliverking75 Thanks so much!
Whenever you leave the car and hike somewhere , are you leaving the windows covered?
Hi , where did you get the window covers
Does the rear seat open flat so you can just use a thin mattress without all that wood?
Unfortunately mine does not - the wood isn't necessary though, you could just remove the back rests (quite easy) and then you'd have a nice flat surface.
From where did you get those locking mechanism.?
Maple? Bling bling
I have the same corolla and thinking of doing a road trip camping along the way, what would you recommend for someone who doesn’t have saws for wood working? Also what kind of fridge do you have?
I think there are some hand saws that are small and really affordable. They even make little hand saws for more detailed work which are not very expensive. Home Depot can also make some cuts for you - the first two cuts are free and then it is 1$ per cut. Also you can rent tools for very cheap from Lowe's or Home Depot for a day, or buy them second hand. My saw only cost 10$ haha. The fridge is Coleman I think? It is a bit old, but it works well!
Thank you 😃
It's very important to have a flat level bed in the car for health. Sleeping in a non-flat bed can give blood clots in just 2 days.
What if your lying down (length wise into boot/trunk) but it slants towards your feet a little?
@@Geekchess You just need your head to always be a little higher than your feet.
hey boss do you have update on this build? thank you!
Where did you buy the locking thing?
not sure I understand the final instructions, lower right corner
what does 1x2x8 = x3 = 24 mean
and4 x 8 (3' plywood)
where's this fit in?
ohh those are the side cubbies.
Look forward to your next video on this.
Take the passenger seat out. Replace with a cooler fridge. Inverter and or small microwave or toaster oven &/or desk. Add a pillow top and it is a great ottoman. Fold the back seat and you can sleep. With backseat up you get an executive seat. Seating for 3-4 and with backseat down a great sleeping area. To remove front seat disconnect 12 volt battery to prevent airbag going off when unplugging. Add a 12 volt battery disconnect for the invertor / icebox so you Don't drain the battery.
I sold my house and bought a 5th wheel for my family and I. Unfortunately we had a big mudslide that may take a year to clear between me and my work. The long way in is also unstable, and since I cannot afford to stay in a hotel…I am thinking about setting up a Corolla that was left for dead out here as a bug out vehicle that I can stay in should the road close when I am away.