SUBARU Outback CAR CAMPING Setup - A Closer Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- In my last video Subaru Outback Car Camping Setup ( • SUBARU Outback CAR CAM... ), I introduced the setup I use when car camping in my 2013 Subaru Outback, and showed how I use it in the field. After releasing that video, I received some questions asking for more details about my car camping setup.
So in this video, we will take a closer look at the details of my setup, and the primary considerations behind them, including how the sleeping platform is constructed, selection of storage bins to fit under the sleeping platform just right, the hinged cooking table and more.
Again, my primary goal with this setup is to have a reasonable amount of comfort while being able to camp as close to the areas that I want to photograph as practical. Car camping in the Subaru Outback is a nice step up from camping in a tent, especially in rainy weather. While it's not as comfortable as van camping, I didn't have to buy, license or insure another vehicle, and find a place to park it at home. I might ultimately go for a van, but thought I would start with camping in the Subaru Outback I already had first. Key goal: keep things simple.
Please drop any questions, comments or suggestions in the comments, thanks for watching and thank you for your support!
DESIGN NOTES & EQUIPMENT:
Sleeping Platform:
I was worried about head room, so purchased the shortest plastic tubs I could find at Container Store. The plastic tubs are just under 5-1/2 inch tall (with lids), so I used 5-1/2 inch tall lumber for the bed frame, which is easy to do with 1X6 inch lumber (which is actually 3/4 thick X 5-1/2 inch wide). Note that the carpet wraps around the bottom of the legs, which gives a slight amount of additional height between them. The platform surface was made with about 15mm thick plywood, which is plenty stiff enough to avoid sagging. The sleeping area has 1/8" thick closed cell foam pad (amzn.to/3nKnw4v), and then the whole thing is covered in an outdoor carpet material.
Storage Bins:
Here are the Container Store (www.containerstore.com) tubs that I used for under-bed storage:
Qty 3 10023020 "Boot Box" 22-1/2 X 14-3/4 X 5-3/8
Qty 1 10077706 "Medium Modern Bin" 15-1/4 X 11-3/4 X 5-3/8
Kelty Sleeping Pad: snp.link/c2dd68c8
78" x 25" and 2-1/2 inches thick with R-value of 8.4 will keep you comfortable and warm.
Kelty Noah's Tarp 9': snp.link/527b0b9e
The 9X9 foot size is just right for suspending over hatch back. I also have a 12X12 for suspending over a picnic table. Good high-quality tarps, though not as light-weight (or expensive) as some of the high-end backpacking tarps out there (but this is car camping!).
Tarp Poles
REI: snp.link/a8be432f
Kelty: snp.link/a06eb2f8
I use one to make a nice rain-shedding peak in wet weather. Two are great for making more of a shade style awning in sunny weather. I stake them out with bungee cords so that everything stays flexible but tight with the hatchback door opened or closed.
WeatherTech Window Rain Deflectors: amzn.to/3vxoowb
Leave your windows down an inch at night for good ventilation, while still keeping the rain out with these window rain deflectors. Be sure to use their on-line tool to get the right set tailored to your specific car.
Jackery 300 Power Station: amzn.to/3vYWrOK
Keeps all my camera batteries, drone, electronics and camping lights charged up. I have not had need to hook up solar to it yet, but might make sense if you live somewhere sunny (not like where I live in Washington State) and spend a lot of time camping off-grid.
Redcamp 4 Gallon Water Container: amzn.to/3lWv9Ed
Holds a useful amount of water (up to 4 days for me). I usually keep it in "storage mode" with both the fill opening and spigot on top (thus less likely to leak), but then pivot it on end for an easy-operating spigot at the bottom.
Suspended Table/Desk:
I got this design from this video by Chase Christopher: • Subaru Outback Camper ... . The desk appears at 5:49, but start watching at 5:00. Note that he removes the rear seats from his Outback. But the table still works fine even with the rear seat still installed. You may just need to slide the driver's seat forward a bit. I cut my table from 1/4 inch plywood.
This web page has a lot of the 2013 Outback interior dimensions, but always check dimensions by measuring your actual car: www.cars101.com/subaru/outback...
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Blog: www.bradmitchellphoto.com/my-...
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This is one of the most simple and elegant builds I’ve seen for a sleeping platform. Nice work!
Thanks Shari. Simple was the goal. Would be a different story if I was going to live in the vehicle or go on multi-week trips or support a second person. But this setup works pretty well for several solo trips of 2-5 days each year.
As brilliant a build as I've ever seen. Just as complicated as it needs to be but not one bit more than is necessary.
I know this is an older video, but your bed platform is brilliant. I love the adjustable strap for the adjustable headrest lol. Thank you for taking the time to be so thorough, quite the inspiration.
🌻🐝🧡
Thanks for watching. Happy camping!
The ropes on the bins for easy access are genius!
Thanks. I used 3mm paracord, drilled a slightly larger diameter hole in the bottom corners of the bin (where the plastic is more beefy), threaded the paracord through the hole (up through the bottom) and then through a washer in the bin, and then tied a knot in the end of the paracord too large to fit back through the washer. I guess the washer is optional, but I think it distributes the forces a bit better over the area of the plastic hole.
Love the techniques you use! Simple but effective methods. Nothing super complicated that requires specialized workshop equipment to complete the build! Thank you for sharing the details with us!
Thanks for your comments Douglad. Simple was the goal. Also, really easy to install and remove, thus making the car easily available for it's regular car duties of just driving around town.
wow, thanks for this deeper dive!
Great ideas!
Simple & great...👍
Nice setup! I especially like the way you strung the rope to pull out the rear totes. Never saw that before. Cheap & effective fix!
Thanks for watching. The rope trick is from sea kayaking, where you tie a pull string to equipment or dry bags shoved up in the hard to reach bow or stern.
Excellent ideas: practical, useful, relatively easy construction. ❤
Thank you for your sharing your car camping set-up. You do a great job of presenting with the spoken word. I also appreciate that you get right to the point. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
thanks for sharing your creation and skills. I was able to go off of your ideas and and build a nice outback camper setup, veryfunctional and plenty of room for all of the gear
The size of the bin under the deck tip was very valuable and priceless also. I did go to the container store as you suggested!
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing and starting the creative process for me to build one for my journeys! Nice!!
GREAT setup! I need this for my 2014 Suby Outback
This is amazing!!! I’m lookin to build out my Subaru, and I love this
Lots of smart but simple ideas...love it👍
Thanks for watching Lillian, and for taking the time to comment. Hope you have a great camping year in 2022!
Wow, some great ideas!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Happy camping.
A lot of helpful ideas and good presentation👍🏼👍🏼
Glad it was helpful!
This is BRILLIANT!!! Thanks for the inspiration
Thank you Brad... Getting ready to build out my 2011 and your insights are very helpful.
Glad the video was useful. Happy camping!
Brilliant instructions. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Great info, clearly presented. These are such practical, elegant solutions.
Thanks Stephen. Trying to keep it simple.
Yes. Great updates
Thanks 👍
Straight forward and a little above basic, not an expensive build but a smart build.. Well worth it 👌
Nice work! I see that you enjoy your projects.
So cool man. Will definitely do this to my OB
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Good luck with your build. Happy camping.
Very helpful! Thank you!
You bet. Glad to hear it was helpful.
simple wonderful ideas !! going to use some of them :-)
Great video Brad. Im thinking about do a similar conversion on my Outback, and this was a simple well thought out solution. Cheers
Awesome. Happy camping!
Excellent Brad, I really appreciate sharing this build. I like the idea of separate sections. Also, I will use hinges to fold back down the front piece as my forester has a 60/40 seat split and I will only build the 60 side. Also, the slide out table is interesting. I am going to dig a bit more on that. I know you were a bit limited on the underside of the platform for storage considerations so really could not attach underneath but I think I can get away with a slide table under and still have plenty of head room. I will share my video with you once I get it all built up in the next few months. Again, thank you. Robert
Glad the video was useful. I also built on the 60 side of 60/40 split. The 60 side perfectly fits the width of my sleeping pad. You could make the rear platform on the non-sleeping 40 side higher to accommodate a slide-out table. That wouldn't be too much more complicated to build.
This is awesome!
Happy New Year ... and hoping for a good year of camping in 2022!
@@BradMitchellPhoto Thank you. I'm 59 and just starting out. I bought a 2022 Volkswagen Taos and I want to just day trip and car camp. And I can't say I've really camped before either! LOL
These unprecedented times call for freedom and escape in nature! Thanks for your video and Happy New Year to you too. Here's hoping a good year of camping for all!
Nice cheap build that does the job.
Gives me some ideas for my car.
That's right ... keeping it simple! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
Wow. Really cool!!
I've been down a TH-cam rabbit hole of car camping vids - this is one of my favs!!
Super practical and actually possible for me to do😁. Thanks man, much appreciated!!
Awesome! Thank you!
This fantastic information! Thank you for sharing. The wife and I are looking to "build out" our Outback (same year/model) as yours, but don't want to commit to full "overlander" and just have a set up for weekend trips. Thanks!!! Great content!
Glad it was helpful! Happy camping!
Nice.
You should construct these kits and sell them for people to just slide into their subarus. you could also customize kits for other cars. See a future business in this.
Hey Brad! This design is very simple, inexpensive and highly functional for base camp setup with quick breakdown mode when not in use. Thanks for sharing.
I have recently bought an Outback and had been thinking about how I can best utilize its available space . Watching this video I have become quite motivated to build one like yours sooner than later. This will be a perfect setup for my landscape photography trips. Cheers!
I'm glad it was helpful. Your use case is exactly the intent for this concept. Happy camping!
Wow that’s some really good ideas. I like that strap idea so you could adjust the angle of your headboard. Also that EMERGENCY sticks on the back so the trunk doesn’t close. I have a Subaru Outback set up my self check it out if you’re interested. I’m going to implement some of your ideas I think. So thank you for your video very well done. 💕💕💜👍🏼🦋 PS. My favorite part is that you showed us how copy the profile Seat back I always was curious how I could do. Regarding Making a template. 💕💜👍🏼
Thanks for watching Renea, and for leaving the comment. I never actually had a problem with the wind blowing my tarp and hatchback door closed, but was concerned that it would make quite a mess if that happened while I was cooking. The tarp gets pretty heavy when saturated with rain, which pushes down on the hatch's pneumatic struts to the point where they are barely keeping the hatch open. Thus, the simple stick idea. Copying the seat profile isn't an exact science, but it works, and the wood frame sits on carpet and plastic parts that are compliant enough to handle any minor profile errors. Happy camping to you!
I love this design because it's so cheap and simple but it looks so workable and lived in. It just looks like it is deceptively simple, with lots of lessons baked in. It looks very cheap and simple, but it provides all the functionality of a design with drawer slides and everything. But the carpentry doesn't look bad, it just looks really simple. I really like it. I have seen carpentry builds that just look gross but this is not like that at all.
Glad you like it!
I'm definitely not a carpenter. My father is a wood craftsman, so I pick up enough from him to get by. And "getting by" is all I really had in mind with this build. Just enough comfort for quick 2-4 day trips.
Cheers!
This is great! I've got the same Outback ('13 in blue even!), and was trying to think up a good way to make it a car camper without much fuss. It's also our family daily driver, so I was unwilling to remove seats or anything like I've seen in other builds. I'm going to use your ideas to make a similar setup for my Outback. Thanks!
Right. Removing seats was a no-go for me too. I may do some kind of simple van conversion some year, but wanted to start off with something pretty simple using the car I already had. Happy camping!
I am planning on getting an Outback soon for journeys into the Sierra Nevada mountains and parts east for dark site astrophotography and have been looking at options for camping. So far this looks like the closest to what I'm thinking about. I relly like that it's not a permanent installation.
Yes, our Outback is a family car first, so a quick install/removal with no modifications to the car was a priority. Outbacks are great cars for mountain driving. Best of luck!
Nice simple setup. I’ve just bought a 2019 outback and did my first camp out two weeks back. My initial plan was to see how a 6ft3 tall person would fit. That worked well for me so not I can start on the next part. Unfortunately in SA we don’t get those rubber mats for the back of the seats or the wind deflectors over the side windows.
Hey Michael. I'm 6ft2, and fit just fine with front passenger seat moved and tilted forward. My raised bed construction gives me even more length than the base folded down seat back.
I put a link down in the description to where you can buy the WeatherTech wind/rain deflectors from Amazon.com, but not sure if they sell them in SA. Best of luck.
Well done and presented Brad I am now considering a 2022 Subaru Outback as well. Have looked at Van Builds, Topper Camper Builds, and a new truck ($45K) etc and all the extra builds came easily to $25K or more. But I want to be more flexible if I want to camp I can, If I want to Air B and B I can, if I want to Boon dock, I can or even a comfortable hotel. I can purchase a lot of $150/Night hotel rooms for $25K. Thinking the Car Camping idea is best for me to travel in comfort, fuel costs, and much more simple for me. Your videos are outstanding and best I seen, Question Before building a platform did you try sleeping in it first? I know the platform and dividers give great storage ideas. What material did you use for the Bug Screen and Magnets? Are all Subarus metal for the magnets? Thanks for all you did. Be well and enjoy camping
Hi Dave. Thanks for watching and for commenting.
I might get a van someday (like in a few years), but this solution with the Outback works great for my solo autumn, winter and spring camping trips lasting a few days. And I didn't need to buy, license, insure and park an additional vehicle.
Yes, I had slept in the Outback before building the platform, which taught me that I needed to minimize how much head room I took up with the sleeping platform. So I built it just high enough to get some storage underneath.
As for bug nets, I cut them out of an old backpacking tent that I had retired, and folded duct tape over the edges. I captured about 10 small neodymium magnets in the folded duct tape. My 2013 Outback has steel all around the back windows, except for the forward edge. But the other magnets keep this edge of the bug screen tight enough to keep bugs out. I suppose you could make this edge of the net extra long and just fold it around the forward edge of the door and trap it inside, or use velcro.
Happy camping!
Thanks for sharing. Of all the builds I’ve reviewed on youtube yours feels the most practical, affordable, achievable(for me), and easy to install/remove. Very clever. How did you affix the carpet to the platform?
Thanks for watching. Yes, I wanted to keep it simple and easy to install/remove. It is a family car first, and a camper second.
I used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to glue the 1/8 inch padding to the plywood, then just stapled the carpet to the plywood around the edges. I may have also used some Super 77 on the back side of the carpet.
More on the build here: th-cam.com/video/j3WfndwWjJo/w-d-xo.html
Great build. Have you ever had a flat tyre and needed to access the spare?
No, I've never had a flat tire with this car in 10 years I've owned it, so the risk is very low. But it would be a pain to get to the spare tire if needed ... a pain, but doable.
Super excited to get started on this build for my 07 Outback. Do you have a diagram handy with the dimensions of the various sections (kind of a cut list)? That would be super helpful! Many thanks for all your great videos and cool presentations.
Good luck with your build Patrick. Sorry I don't have a cut list for you. But dimensions for my 2013 Outback would be different than your 07 anyway. But here was my basic process:
1- Sketch a layout of your build. Know how much space you need in key areas (e.g. your height --> length of bed, your sleeping mattress width --> width of bed, dimensions of plastic bins under bed --> height of bed)
2- Make semi-final sketch of what you want to build, preferably in 3D and/or in top/side view. Draw each piece of wood. Think through how you will fasten them together.
3- Make sketch of each individual piece of wood in the build.
4- Measure car and transfer relevant dimensions to the wood sketches above.
5- Re-check everything.
6- Re-check everything again.
7- Lay out sketches of each piece of wood onto sketches of raw sheets of plywood (e.g. 4X8 foot sheets) and boards. This will tell you how many of each piece of raw wood you will need to buy. Leave some space around edges for blade width.
8- Figure out what fasteners your going to use to join pieces together.
9- Re-check everything.
10- But the materials.
11- Measure. Check measurement. Cut. Fasten.
@@BradMitchellPhoto Great advice, measure twice (or more), cut once! I'm curious to know what the two eye screws are for on the side of the sleeping platform frame on the interior side?
I use a bungee cord hooked to those to secure a water jug while driving.
I came looking for the same thing! Except I have a 2013 outback 😅 going to do my best to replicate what I’ve seen here!
Brad, good explanation. I also have a Subaru Outback (2012) that I want to set up for car camping with a platform system similar to yours. Have you figured a way to secure the heavy components in the event of an accident?
Hi there. This is a good question, but I don't want to provide specific answers because you must weigh your own risks and I don't want to be liable for your decisions. But here were my thoughts for myself. First, I have moved from camping in my Subaru to camping in an old Mitsubishi Delica van, which I camperized myself (th-cam.com/video/n3ojHuZyXTE/w-d-xo.html). In thinking about "crashworthiness" in regard to my van, I did make some provisions for this. I took out 3 rear seats, which made several seat mounting points available (3/8-inch threaded holes). I left seat belts installed for these removed seats, which also have strong attach points (3/8-inch threaded bolts). And so I took advantage of these strong threaded attach points in my van. Many of the wood structures in my van are connected to these strong attach points with metal brackets, which I made. When attaching a metal bracket to a wood structure, I tried to use a "larger" quantity (more than 1 or 2) of through bolts backed up by fender washers on the opposite side of the wood, which should be much stronger than just wood screws that could more easily tear out of the wood. In my van, I ran a heavy duty cargo strap over the top of my sleeping platform to seat attach points on the rear wheel wells and floor, which will hopefully hold it and everything under it down in place. Also, in my van build, I have a large steel storage box bolted to the floor (two 3/8" threaded seat attach points backed up with aluminum plates inside the box), and some of my interior wooden structures are bolted to the sides of this box. I also have some straps set up for strapping down loose cargo that are not inside cabinets.
Anyway, what I basically did was to look at what strong attach points are available in my van, think about which directions might experience large forces in various crash scenarios (head-on crash, rollover crash) and think about how to strap stuff down or attach structures to those attach points in ways that secure them against those crash force directions. In a severe crash, I think things will be flying around everywhere ... as would also happen to loose camping gear without an installed sleeping platform or cabinets. But hopefully my provisions will contain cargo, my sleeping platform and cabinets in a minor or intermediate crash. I contemplated installing a barrier behind the front driver and passenger seats to separate driver and passenger from cargo area, but have not yet found a good solution for that for my old van. But anyway, what you do is all up to you.
@@BradMitchellPhoto Thank you, Brad. I haven't removed seats so I have not seen the mounts yet. But now I understand at least conceptually. Thank you again.
I'm thinking using a monopod to support your table by countersinking a 1/4 or 3/8 nut into the plywood.
That should work nicely, especially if the monopod has adjustable length to deal with the table not always being the same height above the ground. Maybe get a monopod with a quick release plate for easy attachment/detachment to the table.
Or an adjustable hiking pole.
Great video whats the max lenght of bed you can put
My bed is 78.5 inches long, which requires pushing/tilting front passenger seat forward some. I could probably get several more inches by pushing seat all the way forward and tilting it all the way forward. My Subaru Outback is 2013 model. This web page has a lot of the 2013 Outback interior dimensions, but always check dimensions by measuring your actual car: www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback2013.html
Thanks for the info
Brad. What is the type pole you used for the rain tent off the back of Subaru. It’s wet ! Find stuff h
At hardwAre or rei?
Hi Juanell. I originally bought my poles at REI, but they are also available from Kelty and MSR (shorter):
REI version: snp.link/a8be432f
Kelty version: snp.link/a06eb2f8
How do you keep battery from going dead while hatch back is open?
I just turn off the dome light, and my 2013 Outback doesn't have those mirror lights that can drain your battery. Here's a video to deal with those pesky mirror lights: th-cam.com/video/bbS1Um-6Qq4/w-d-xo.html
Do you know the link for the suspended desk design ?
I got the suspended desk/table design from this video by Chase Christopher: th-cam.com/video/7PTwJCW84bs/w-d-xo.html. Start watching at 5:00. Note that he removes the rear seats from his Outback. But the table still works fine even with the rear seat still installed. You may just need to slide the driver's seat forward a bit. I cut mine from 1/4 inch plywood.
@@BradMitchellPhoto thank you so much. You’re very kind
It's flat when you fold the seats?
No, when I fold the passenger seat forward, it is not flat. It's maybe a 10 degree angle. So I profiled the wood beams supporting my platform in this area so that my sleeping platform is flat.
@@BradMitchellPhoto thank you
how tall are you? was wondering how well you fit if you have to bend your legs
Hi. He said in an earlier comment that he is 6'2". I am 6'3.5" and looking at a similar build. Hoping it works for me 🤞🏻
Correct. I'm 6 feet 2 inches. And no, I don't need to bend my legs. I made my sleeping platform long enough, including a few inches below feet for sleeping bag to not be crushed against the hatchback. However, note that I do slide and tilt my front passenger seat forward to make this space.