This is, by far, the best video I've watched in terms of living in a vehicle. Thank you for the time and effort in putting this together. Enjoy life and may you live long, if not forever. Cheers!
I have a new integra about the same size and I’ve learned I can comfortably lay in the back - so I’m gonna get some window covers and go for it! ❤BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY❤️ and also, the animals love you back, clearly.
I have a 2009 Civic. Absolutely best car I've ever owned with 136k. Good on gas, easy to park, starts every time, minimal routine maintenance. Hondas are just good cars. Never occurred to me to camp or live in it!? Mind blown! Excellent content! Great presentation! Liked, Subscribed, saved, left a comment & shared! Pictures at the end? Stunning! Thank you for sharing👍🌞
I agree on the Civic, love this car. Glad you like the pictures, as I wanted to show not only the car camper but what I'm doing with it. For me, sharing some of the sights and experiences while traveling makes for a better video & story.
@@VChameleonsuper cool!! How many kms does the car have on it now?? Likewise to TerryDavis, I have a 2006 Honda Civic sedan, and I can say the best and most reliable car I’ve ever owned, 610,000kms and counting !
Superb. The engine on my camper has blown, so I've got a Honda Civic hatch to tide me over until the engine is replaced. I didn't expect this level of detail in the video. Thanks. And safe travels.
Incredible video… I was looking for camper ideas for my Honda hatch and I think this is all I need, TH-cam is amazing sometimes. Thank you for sharing and good luck to you❤️
I have a civic hatchback and Ive considered camping in it with my wife when we go on road trips together. seeing this has hugely inspired me to make my own Car camper! Thank you for sharing your setup! The LED with the Tarp and the velcro is absolute GENIUS!!!
Hey Greg - good job on your Civic! I have a 2018 Civic Hatchback LX that I order new in 2017. I've been stealth camping in it ever since I bought it but only for a few weeks at a time then I drive home. I use cardboard window inserts painted black when I park for the night. They leave more room inside and are very quick to put in place, plus no one can see that you're camping in your car, looks like very dark window tint. I slide my front passenger seat forward then insert a tray behind it for almost 6 feet of sleeping room. I also have a Kayak roof rack and a bike carrier on my Civic, and the best part is that I usually get about 40 mpg on the highway so gas expense is reasonable. I usually park at high end hotel parking lots so I blend right in at night, with most of my trips to Florida to enjoy the beaches and fishing - works really good! Take care!
Thanks a lot for sharing this creatively minimalist set up, pragmatic, efficient, and yet covering all basic needs of privacy, stealth, personal hygiene and nutritional health, simply mind-blowing and extremely helpful.
Hi Greg. You answered all my questions and even more. I got so many ideas from you, which I believe would keep me from hard lessons that I would have got doing these by myself. Thank you! Peace be with you.
Thanks for the video! I recently bought a 2019 Corolla Hatchback and plan on driving around America next year for a month or two. This really helped. Thank you!
Love the way you set it up. Seems very cozy. I’ve got a Type R myself and would love to do this to save money on my travels! Plus I love being able to keep an eye on my car. The lights really make it luxe by the way!
My favourite is the magical fox encounter. I feel privileged to share in that via your video. Newfoundland would be a dream to me, though I don't plan to reach it this lifetime as I am in Australia and don't intend to fly again. I don't need to anyway, because you have done it for me 🙂
Just came across your channel . Love car camping , great ideas of yours, love the sound of rain on the car at night, your set up makes it so comfy 🏴🚙⛺️
You are so amazing!! I especially appreciate your bathing ideas! I love eucalyptus Dr Teals!!. You may be able to create a business where you help others personally get their car hotel in best shape. Blessings to you!!
What a charming, adventurous life you lead. Watching video gives me ideas on arranging my car. I have a lightweight mobility scooter which has been a nightmare storing it in my car. You have actually solved that issue for me. Thank you
Wow, this was an amazing video! I'm definitely do something similar to this when I buy a 2022 civic hatchback later this summer. I live in California, so in 3-6 hours I can so many different beautiful places (Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, Sierra Nevada, etc)
Valuable content. I hope you are out there studying for answers and finding truth that when your body is recycled you may have hope of more living. My warm regards
I am so thankful to have found your video. It's been a long dream of mine to travel the country and live a simplistic life. I own the same car as you and have already started the process of making it a small camper. Just have to save money for the road!
This is awesome!! I can’t really sleep on an incline, but one would think skipping the passenger seat prop up and adding a little on the other side could fix that. I lived in an old ford van for 5 years and just sold it today. Ngl, I’m not sure if I could do this life again as I’m a huge people person, but for housing security I would like to atleast have it available.
Well made video and great ideas. I have been looking into ideas for a few weeks now and not many people car camp in Civics so I'm glad I found your videos! Also, that fox is wonderful and I bet that was the highlight of the day there.
Great video and helpful tips on minimalistic living! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pics and videos of your travels across Canada over the last year. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels when you return North of 60. Cheers & Mahsi Cho Greg. Bon voyage aux Etats Unis mon ami!
I have civic ex hatchback and made custom window tints that are easily removable and they blackout to the outside view in and insulate the car from heat and cold. I used reflectolux spray adhesive and black neoprene fabric to make them. I have a trifold cushion just like the one you showed and a body pillow with Tupperware totes for storage clothes water food etc. The best part is when I want to roll out you'd never know someone lives in the car because everything hides away and I fold the seats up😂😂😂
I've camped in my Honda civic coupe for 3 days and slept in the back seat (super uncomfortable). I am trying to figure out a better way sleep more comfortably. I think I just need some kinda of mattress and curtains. It's true in a small car no one ever suspects a camper! I've parked in many spots, even next to someone's house 😂 I had to come back and modify my comment, very nice footage and photos in the end, I especially liked the big fallen tree and the red fox!!!
I'm traveling the southern US states, currently in Texas. Even after all the time I've lived in the Civic camper, the freedom it gives me to travel anywhere, sleep anywhere, still astonishes me. It never gets old.
@@VChameleon i would like to do what you do my only issue is an addiction to internet / TV / computers. but ive camped in my honda civic coupe (i wish i bought a bigger car, but at the time i didnt plan on sleeping in it). so far i only traveled to Oregon and California but i would like to travel across all states at some point, maybe just live in the car full time and stop paying rent on apartment altogether.
@@VChameleonamazing. I found your channel a few days ago, I’ve been campervan hunting for 4 months, what I want is a lot of £. I can afford it but I have the civic hybrid ‘23 plate fantastic car. I am so excited that I’m going to try what you do from south east coast UK to Norwich. I🚗 got the mattress! have a plan B just incase I can’t cope with the car at night but I think I’ll be OK. I’d love to make those blackout curtains!!! When are you going to EUROPE? 🇬🇧 ? thank you for sharing ! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😀
Both UK and Europe are due for a tour in future years, though uncertain when. The developed world is easier to travel than developing, so I've mainly traveled the latter in my younger years. Lockdowns pushed North America to the forefront earlier than expected.
This is great, thankyou for sharing. You really have all you need and have it all arranged/organized in a smart way. Most importantly, unlike so many others, you definitely seem happy. I must commend you on achieving happiness. I'm considering this same vehicle and doing something similar with it. My only worry is the vehicle's ground clearance. With approximately 6" of ground clearance and the desire to camp and drive on roads that are unpaved I worry. Have you considered lifting the vehicle and or larger/taller tires to enable safer driving on "mildly" rough unpaved roads and visiting places further off the beaten path? I haven't been able to find a lift kit for a newer civic. Even 2-3" more of ground clearance would help. Thanks again for sharing.
I've never thought of lifting the civic, or using larger tires, though it would be nice to have more clearance. Found lift kit options with a Google search (I'm 10th Gen). I've driven logging roads in Canada, off highway in Utah-Arizona & Death Valley, the Dempster to Inuvik, as examples, but I slow right down, in some cases it takes a lot longer to get from A to B. It's a small tradeoff in what is otherwise this minimalist's dream.
@@VChameleon hi thanks for the bed idea, im about to go buy the plywood now , my civic is 2023 hybrid advance, do you know if it’s SAME size car or are there any massive differences I am looking at your measurements … THANKS mate 🇬🇧
Neat! Very well made video. You delivered as promised (i.e., as you said in the previous video)! I value the details, even the "wc" solution seems actually cool and I will keep this in mind. I'm actually not much a traveller myself (in terms of "longer than a day distance"), so that might explain why I find your "camping insights" exciting and inspiring. Also 16:57 - the starfish scene is hilarious.
I used solar in my old set up in a van- for the inverter do you just plug it in if you know you’re going longer than 10 miles? One could also probably charge up at a library. I’m not sure how many power banks I would need myself. I would only need phone and lights, would be tempted to use my mini dash cookware
The inverter is always plugged in, 100 meters or 10 hours, it charges the power banks. If I stay in one place for a while, not driving, I take the power banks into a coffee shop to charge while working on my laptop.
I enter the camper from the driver's seat. I kick off my shoes, slide onto the bed, quickly put up the curtains. From the front seat is easier, faster, quiet, discreet. I shopped around in 2017. At the time, for a compact car, the civic was my favorite for stylish interior, practical space (hatchback), engine reliability, highest customer satisfaction (in Canada). Six years later, other than regular servicing, I've had zero problems with the car. And NO ONE expects a person to camp/live in a Honda Civic. For a minimalist it's been a perfect car and micro-camper setup.
@@VChameleon I think this is very smart. However, I am not in really great shape, in terms of flexibility and weight. how much do you weigh and how tall are you? i think if i can get flexible and lose weight, this might be the best option. So I guess crawling over the center console is no problem for you? How do you get out of car? is that difficult? It seems like I might get a cramp in my abs or lower back trying to get out of the rear passenger doors. is there a way to pop the rear hatch to get out easier? thank you so much!
I am 6 feet tall, 170 lbs. I get in/out of the car only through the driver's seat. I have no problem with the center console. ... due to minimal space this is not the ideal camper if you are inflexible, get back problems and/or cramps. .... One can open up the side doors or hatch to get in/out, but doing so makes one more visible to others on the street, which dilutes the stealthy part.
@@VChameleon thanks so much for the info! i love your ideas. i may consider a slightly larger subaru forester, get in much better shape and flexibilty, so that i can go back and forth on the driver side. when you get into the driver side, are you going feet first, or head first? i can't imagine how you get in there?
@@VChameleon I am guessing but not sure that you go head first from the rear and into the front driver seat, possibly with your feet and torso bent into the front passenger side, and then wiggle your way into the driver side? or is there a much easier way to get from the rear to the front? Thank you so much. This will help me so much!
Really excellent video, beautifully shot and edited. Thanks for so much information, really handy stuff that's genuinely useful. I'm in the UK and looking to car camp in my VW Golf, not so different to your Civic, just older! This is by far the best car camping video I have come across, thank you. I did want to ask how you dealt with condensation in the car, not using thermal screens on the windows?
Thanks Adrian! I find condensation depends on environment, local humidity, dryness, temp, etc, but generally ... Warmer than 5°C (41°F) I put a couple windows down 1-2 inches to circulate the air, I get little to no condensation buildup. The rain guards hide the open windows. Colder than -5°C (23°F) I close all windows to avoid the cold/wind, let the condensation build up overnight as it's the lesser of two evils. In the morn, upon starting the car, I wipe the condensation off the windows with a cloth, heat on high, windows open, and drive to air the car out. The last female friend to sit in the passenger seat, knowing I live to travel in my car, exclaimed "It doesn't even smell in here!" and noted how clean I keep the car. So I must be doing something right.
Bought it at Canadian Tire. Any store that carries car accessories will have a variety of backseat organizers. www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/autotrends-backseat-organizer-0371505p.html
What type of curtain material is that and where did you get it? I like that it doesn't fully block out the front two driver/passenger windows so someone walking by at night could see no one is in there which further increases the stealth in my opinion over putting things in the windows.
Bedsure is the supplier on Amazon I bought from. The curtains are 100% triple-woven Microfiber Polyester. I used a light far brighter than my LED lights to test the curtains to make sure they are 100% blackout. I dislike individual window insertions. I think the curtains are far better for long term travel / living. Amazon link: www.amazon.com/Bedsure-Textured-Blackout-Curtains-Bedroom/dp/B08GWZ6CB2/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Bedsure%2BBlackout%2BCurtains%2Bblack%2Binches&qid=1636665206&sr=8-5&th=1
😁 It was/is no good to me otherwise. Twice the blackout curtains are tested in the video. Once from the inside during daylight (4:13), second from the outside at night (5:24). I lucked out finding exceptional quality 100% blackout curtains. I put the curtains to the test using far brighter light sources, not just the LEDs. Combined with learning to use a sewing machine, overlapping the curtains, trial and error with the velcro, created my ideal of a stealth micro camper.
@@VChameleon my friend you have an absolute beauty of a setup on your hands. I will definitely turn my hatchback into a micro stealth camper too and so far your vid is my best inspiration! Haha goodluck on your adventures, I subbed.
Very nice I'm transforming it into my mobile massage. Have you ever thought about removing the passenger seat? I'm considering converting my passenger seat to a hybrid portapotty. A gas can won't work for me. I am a massage therapist who massages in customers' homes, offices, or hotel rooms. I was surprised that most of my clients wanted to come to me. I started looking for travel trailers, but the trailers my car could tow were like the back of my hatchback.
I have not removed any passenger seats. On occasion I use the front passenger seat when driving with a friend. I fold the bed up, move things into the hatch, to clear the front seat. It's nice to have this option.
Hey Greg. How does the previous bed compare to your current bed set-up? Also, did you find the previous lighting tolerable/sufficient and okay if you were taking a shorter trip, or was it annoying for you?
The current bed is far more comfortable than the first, but i slept 5 months on the first so yes it will work for shorter trips. In the beginning I used a headlamp at night to supplement the car lighting. Worked fine.
I started out making my own shades. But I quickly realized to install a shade in each window every time I wanted privacy was going to be a pain. Strike 1. The silver reflectors, to me, are not stealth, it's an advertisement I'm sleeping in the car. Strike 2. I find the foil the shades are made from too noisy. Strike 3. I can't open the windows with window shades. Strike 4. With curtains I am able to open windows to allow air flow in the car. It comes down to how much time is one going to spend on the road. A week or month? Buy premade or make your own shades. If months or years, the curtains & LED combo initially take more time to customize but are more practical for long term living. My take only.
Appears Honda discontinued the Insight as of June 2022, focusing on a Civic hybrid. As for space, no idea. I've never seen an Insight or measured its interior.
This is, by far, the best video I've watched in terms of living in a vehicle. Thank you for the time and effort in putting this together. Enjoy life and may you live long, if not forever. Cheers!
Agreed. Very thorough and detailed.
Agreed!
Yes yes and yes. Instant fan. I freaking love your way.
I have a new integra about the same size and I’ve learned I can comfortably lay in the back - so I’m gonna get some window covers and go for it!
❤BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY❤️ and also, the animals love you back, clearly.
I have a 2009 Civic. Absolutely best car I've ever owned with 136k. Good on gas, easy to park, starts every time, minimal routine maintenance. Hondas are just good cars. Never occurred to me to camp or live in it!?
Mind blown! Excellent content! Great presentation! Liked, Subscribed, saved, left a comment & shared! Pictures at the end? Stunning! Thank you for sharing👍🌞
I agree on the Civic, love this car. Glad you like the pictures, as I wanted to show not only the car camper but what I'm doing with it. For me, sharing some of the sights and experiences while traveling makes for a better video & story.
@@VChameleonsuper cool!! How many kms does the car have on it now?? Likewise to TerryDavis, I have a 2006 Honda Civic sedan, and I can say the best and most reliable car I’ve ever owned, 610,000kms and counting !
@@Lyndonkb11 My civic is at 172,000 km now. Started traveling at 30,000 in May 2020.
@@VChameleon that’s super awesome!! Many many more to go! They’re a great car. My 2006 just hit 611,000kms!
This must be a top result when looking up “car camper” because it is so useful
Very nice setup! I've always thought about doing someting like that with my civic. It's crazy how stealthy this is! Thanks for sharing
Nice. you are living the dream
😊😊😊
Absolutely captivating! The interaction with the fox was amazing.
Superb. The engine on my camper has blown, so I've got a Honda Civic hatch to tide me over until the engine is replaced. I didn't expect this level of detail in the video. Thanks. And safe travels.
Incredible video… I was looking for camper ideas for my Honda hatch and I think this is all I need, TH-cam is amazing sometimes. Thank you for sharing and good luck to you❤️
I have a civic hatchback and Ive considered camping in it with my wife when we go on road trips together. seeing this has hugely inspired me to make my own Car camper! Thank you for sharing your setup! The LED with the Tarp and the velcro is absolute GENIUS!!!
Absolutely amazing. The finesse, details and everything in between was just so beautiful to watch. simple yet efficient!
Hey Greg - good job on your Civic! I have a 2018 Civic Hatchback LX that I order new in 2017. I've been stealth camping in it ever since I bought it but only for a few weeks at a time then I drive home. I use cardboard window inserts painted black when I park for the night. They leave more room inside and are very quick to put in place, plus no one can see that you're camping in your car, looks like very dark window tint. I slide my front passenger seat forward then insert a tray behind it for almost 6 feet of sleeping room. I also have a Kayak roof rack and a bike carrier on my Civic, and the best part is that I usually get about 40 mpg on the highway so gas expense is reasonable. I usually park at high end hotel parking lots so I blend right in at night, with most of my trips to Florida to enjoy the beaches and fishing - works really good! Take care!
Great video demo
Thanks a lot for sharing this creatively minimalist set up, pragmatic, efficient, and yet covering all basic needs of privacy, stealth, personal hygiene and nutritional health, simply mind-blowing and extremely helpful.
Love this video and you make car camping so easy and accessible.
Great car camping tips, tricks and attitude. Thank you
You kick ass bro, I love it. That curtain is world-class
Hi Greg. You answered all my questions and even more. I got so many ideas from you, which I believe would keep me from hard lessons that I would have got doing these by myself. Thank you! Peace be with you.
You are awesome, man. Thanks for all the details you explained. 👍💪🏻
Thanks for the video! I recently bought a 2019 Corolla Hatchback and plan on driving around America next year for a month or two. This really helped. Thank you!
Hey! I have a 2019 Corolla Hatchback too.
Your post is two years old. Did you go ahead with your plan to drive around America? If so, how did it go?
Love the way you set it up. Seems very cozy. I’ve got a Type R myself and would love to do this to save money on my travels! Plus I love being able to keep an eye on my car. The lights really make it luxe by the way!
Excellent vid, full of ideas, thanks for sharing 👍😃
The way the world is going we might actually all have too. Nicely done ✅☺️ I have a Honda Civic 2008 ! Thanks for all the great ideas!
Thanks for your great ideas. Its my dream to travel in a camper car.
My favourite is the magical fox encounter. I feel privileged to share in that via your video. Newfoundland would be a dream to me, though I don't plan to reach it this lifetime as I am in Australia and don't intend to fly again. I don't need to anyway, because you have done it for me 🙂
Just came across your channel . Love car camping , great ideas of yours, love the sound of rain on the car at night, your set up makes it so comfy 🏴🚙⛺️
A minimalist camper to be a maximalist traveler. 😊
I hope the universe doesn't recycle you for quite some time. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us ☺👍
Fantastic video 👍😎
You are so amazing!! I especially appreciate your bathing ideas! I love eucalyptus Dr Teals!!. You may be able to create a business where you help others personally get their car hotel in best shape. Blessings to you!!
After initially using eucalyptus and spearmint, I bought Black Elderberry last week. Soooo nice. 😊
This video is very informative and concise.
Amazing bro
This is the best video Ive seen in a while. What a guy, and what a frickin nice car and setup. Lets go!!
Great video. Well explained. Thanks for sharing 👍
What a charming, adventurous life you lead. Watching video gives me ideas on arranging my car. I have a lightweight mobility scooter which has been a nightmare storing it in my car. You have actually solved that issue for me. Thank you
Good. Great. Beautiful place
Unreal setup!
You just open my mind.
You are living the dream! The last clips you showed seem like something taken out of a magazine!
So lucky!
Cool
Wow, this was an amazing video! I'm definitely do something similar to this when I buy a 2022 civic hatchback later this summer. I live in California, so in 3-6 hours I can so many different beautiful places (Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, Sierra Nevada, etc)
Thanks for the video. God bless and good travels.
Incredible Mr. Wade. My Civic will be delivered tomorrow and I aspire to see what you have.
Amazing thanks for sharing, great tips.
Great vid! Very detailed ! Very systematic
I really appreciate the complete black out of light with your curtains.
It took me a while to get the curtains right, but glad i took the time. Love the freedom of camping anywhere.
This is so amazing! Thank you!! 😍
Awesome setup very simple.... Keep it up love it.
Love your battery setup
Nice! I car camped in a Honda Civic in southern Australia years ago it was a blast
Very interesting and inspiring, thanks.
This was very informative! I enjoyed the short clips at the end as well. Enjoy life's journey
simply awesome man
awesome video, thank you for the great content
I love it! Thanks for this complete vidéo, I have the same car here in France and I travel and sleep inside. Good job 👍 Amitiés de France 💙🤍❤️
Valuable content. I hope you are out there studying for answers and finding truth that when your body is recycled you may have hope of more living. My warm regards
I love the way this guy talks
Amazing 👏. It's challenging enough for me to do weekends camping 🏕
I am so thankful to have found your video.
It's been a long dream of mine to travel the country and live a simplistic life. I own the same car as you and have already started the process of making it a small camper. Just have to save money for the road!
This is awesome!! I can’t really sleep on an incline, but one would think skipping the passenger seat prop up and adding a little on the other side could fix that. I lived in an old ford van for 5 years and just sold it today.
Ngl, I’m not sure if I could do this life again as I’m a huge people person, but for housing security I would like to atleast have it available.
great job on this video
This a nice amazing setup
Civic is Civic! Civic is best. And only Civic helped in Soichiro Honda success
living the life , gonna do this as well
Awesome video, love the Honda.
Well made video and great ideas. I have been looking into ideas for a few weeks now and not many people car camp in Civics so I'm glad I found your videos! Also, that fox is wonderful and I bet that was the highlight of the day there.
Good video. Thank you!
Great video and helpful tips on minimalistic living! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pics and videos of your travels across Canada over the last year. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels when you return North of 60. Cheers & Mahsi Cho Greg. Bon voyage aux Etats Unis mon ami!
Really nice work video!!❤
I just bought a touring and I’m really considering doing something like this. I want to explore and get out of my small town
Pretty cool. Very detailed I love it
Stealthy and simple❤
I have civic ex hatchback and made custom window tints that are easily removable and they blackout to the outside view in and insulate the car from heat and cold. I used reflectolux spray adhesive and black neoprene fabric to make them. I have a trifold cushion just like the one you showed and a body pillow with Tupperware totes for storage clothes water food etc. The best part is when I want to roll out you'd never know someone lives in the car because everything hides away and I fold the seats up😂😂😂
Hey Brother ..
So I was reading through your comment. If you still have the window covers where may i see how they were done.
@@mrj1789 do you have a way I can send you pictures?
great video, thx for giving dimensions
5:05
6:45 power bank
7:14 mattress
8:17 rain guard
9:19 food
Wow,no words ,
This guy knows how to live.
You seem really cool 😎
I've camped in my Honda civic coupe for 3 days and slept in the back seat (super uncomfortable). I am trying to figure out a better way sleep more comfortably. I think I just need some kinda of mattress and curtains. It's true in a small car no one ever suspects a camper! I've parked in many spots, even next to someone's house 😂
I had to come back and modify my comment, very nice footage and photos in the end, I especially liked the big fallen tree and the red fox!!!
I'm traveling the southern US states, currently in Texas. Even after all the time I've lived in the Civic camper, the freedom it gives me to travel anywhere, sleep anywhere, still astonishes me. It never gets old.
@@VChameleon i would like to do what you do my only issue is an addiction to internet / TV / computers. but ive camped in my honda civic coupe (i wish i bought a bigger car, but at the time i didnt plan on sleeping in it). so far i only traveled to Oregon and California but i would like to travel across all states at some point, maybe just live in the car full time and stop paying rent on apartment altogether.
@@VChameleonamazing. I found your channel a few days ago, I’ve been campervan hunting for 4 months, what I want is a lot of £. I can afford it but I have the civic hybrid ‘23 plate fantastic car. I am so excited that I’m going to try what you do from south east coast UK to Norwich. I🚗 got the mattress! have a plan B just incase I can’t cope with the car at night but I think I’ll be OK. I’d love to make those blackout curtains!!!
When are you going to EUROPE? 🇬🇧 ? thank you for sharing ! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😀
Both UK and Europe are due for a tour in future years, though uncertain when. The developed world is easier to travel than developing, so I've mainly traveled the latter in my younger years. Lockdowns pushed North America to the forefront earlier than expected.
This is great, thankyou for sharing. You really have all you need and have it all arranged/organized in a smart way. Most importantly, unlike so many others, you definitely seem happy. I must commend you on achieving happiness. I'm considering this same vehicle and doing something similar with it. My only worry is the vehicle's ground clearance. With approximately 6" of ground clearance and the desire to camp and drive on roads that are unpaved I worry. Have you considered lifting the vehicle and or larger/taller tires to enable safer driving on "mildly" rough unpaved roads and visiting places further off the beaten path? I haven't been able to find a lift kit for a newer civic. Even 2-3" more of ground clearance would help. Thanks again for sharing.
I've never thought of lifting the civic, or using larger tires, though it would be nice to have more clearance. Found lift kit options with a Google search (I'm 10th Gen). I've driven logging roads in Canada, off highway in Utah-Arizona & Death Valley, the Dempster to Inuvik, as examples, but I slow right down, in some cases it takes a lot longer to get from A to B. It's a small tradeoff in what is otherwise this minimalist's dream.
@@VChameleon hi thanks for the bed idea, im about to go buy the plywood now , my civic is 2023 hybrid advance, do you know if it’s SAME size car or are there any massive differences I am looking at your measurements … THANKS mate 🇬🇧
Very Inspiring, hope to do the same some day.
Neat! Very well made video. You delivered as promised (i.e., as you said in the previous video)!
I value the details, even the "wc" solution seems actually cool and I will keep this in mind.
I'm actually not much a traveller myself (in terms of "longer than a day distance"), so that might explain why I find your "camping insights" exciting and inspiring.
Also 16:57 - the starfish scene is hilarious.
damn the view sheeeeeesh
nice, nice, just damn nice
Hi what is the fabric called for the black put curtains please? I’m hoping my car is same size I have civic advanced. Hybrid auto GB.
I used solar in my old set up in a van- for the inverter do you just plug it in if you know you’re going longer than 10 miles?
One could also probably charge up at a library. I’m not sure how many power banks I would need myself. I would only need phone and lights, would be tempted to use my mini dash cookware
The inverter is always plugged in, 100 meters or 10 hours, it charges the power banks. If I stay in one place for a while, not driving, I take the power banks into a coffee shop to charge while working on my laptop.
great idea! how do you get in and out..... from the rear door or the hatch? are there any other cars that you think might work better? thank you!
I enter the camper from the driver's seat. I kick off my shoes, slide onto the bed, quickly put up the curtains. From the front seat is easier, faster, quiet, discreet.
I shopped around in 2017. At the time, for a compact car, the civic was my favorite for stylish interior, practical space (hatchback), engine reliability, highest customer satisfaction (in Canada). Six years later, other than regular servicing, I've had zero problems with the car. And NO ONE expects a person to camp/live in a Honda Civic. For a minimalist it's been a perfect car and micro-camper setup.
@@VChameleon I think this is very smart. However, I am not in really great shape, in terms of flexibility and weight. how much do you weigh and how tall are you? i think if i can get flexible and lose weight, this might be the best option. So I guess crawling over the center console is no problem for you? How do you get out of car? is that difficult? It seems like I might get a cramp in my abs or lower back trying to get out of the rear passenger doors. is there a way to pop the rear hatch to get out easier? thank you so much!
I am 6 feet tall, 170 lbs. I get in/out of the car only through the driver's seat. I have no problem with the center console. ... due to minimal space this is not the ideal camper if you are inflexible, get back problems and/or cramps. .... One can open up the side doors or hatch to get in/out, but doing so makes one more visible to others on the street, which dilutes the stealthy part.
@@VChameleon thanks so much for the info! i love your ideas. i may consider a slightly larger subaru forester, get in much better shape and flexibilty, so that i can go back and forth on the driver side. when you get into the driver side, are you going feet first, or head first? i can't imagine how you get in there?
@@VChameleon I am guessing but not sure that you go head first from the rear and into the front driver seat, possibly with your feet and torso bent into the front passenger side, and then wiggle your way into the driver side? or is there a much easier way to get from the rear to the front? Thank you so much. This will help me so much!
Really excellent video, beautifully shot and edited. Thanks for so much information, really handy stuff that's genuinely useful. I'm in the UK and looking to car camp in my VW Golf, not so different to your Civic, just older! This is by far the best car camping video I have come across, thank you. I did want to ask how you dealt with condensation in the car, not using thermal screens on the windows?
Thanks Adrian! I find condensation depends on environment, local humidity, dryness, temp, etc, but generally ...
Warmer than 5°C (41°F) I put a couple windows down 1-2 inches to circulate the air, I get little to no condensation buildup. The rain guards hide the open windows.
Colder than -5°C (23°F) I close all windows to avoid the cold/wind, let the condensation build up overnight as it's the lesser of two evils. In the morn, upon starting the car, I wipe the condensation off the windows with a cloth, heat on high, windows open, and drive to air the car out.
The last female friend to sit in the passenger seat, knowing I live to travel in my car, exclaimed "It doesn't even smell in here!" and noted how clean I keep the car. So I must be doing something right.
Hey, I'm curious if you have the link to the mesh bag you're using to hold the batteries. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Bought it at Canadian Tire. Any store that carries car accessories will have a variety of backseat organizers. www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/autotrends-backseat-organizer-0371505p.html
This guy is incredible, and very unsentimental.
What type of curtain material is that and where did you get it? I like that it doesn't fully block out the front two driver/passenger windows so someone walking by at night could see no one is in there which further increases the stealth in my opinion over putting things in the windows.
Bedsure is the supplier on Amazon I bought from. The curtains are 100% triple-woven Microfiber Polyester. I used a light far brighter than my LED lights to test the curtains to make sure they are 100% blackout. I dislike individual window insertions. I think the curtains are far better for long term travel / living.
Amazon link: www.amazon.com/Bedsure-Textured-Blackout-Curtains-Bedroom/dp/B08GWZ6CB2/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Bedsure%2BBlackout%2BCurtains%2Bblack%2Binches&qid=1636665206&sr=8-5&th=1
Greg, please let us know where you got the cot size 4" deep zippered sheet, I'm struggling to find them. Thanks!
I found the zippered sheet in a second hand store, Value Village (Savers in USA). It's twice as big as my mattress, I tuck the excess underneath.
3:50, did not believe you till you actually showed us from the outside 👀
😁 It was/is no good to me otherwise. Twice the blackout curtains are tested in the video. Once from the inside during daylight (4:13), second from the outside at night (5:24).
I lucked out finding exceptional quality 100% blackout curtains. I put the curtains to the test using far brighter light sources, not just the LEDs. Combined with learning to use a sewing machine, overlapping the curtains, trial and error with the velcro, created my ideal of a stealth micro camper.
@@VChameleon my friend you have an absolute beauty of a setup on your hands. I will definitely turn my hatchback into a micro stealth camper too and so far your vid is my best inspiration! Haha goodluck on your adventures, I subbed.
Very nice I'm transforming it into my mobile massage. Have you ever thought about removing the passenger seat? I'm considering converting my passenger seat to a hybrid portapotty. A gas can won't work for me. I am a massage therapist who massages in customers' homes, offices, or hotel rooms. I was surprised that most of my clients wanted to come to me. I started looking for travel trailers, but the trailers my car could tow were like the back of my hatchback.
I have not removed any passenger seats. On occasion I use the front passenger seat when driving with a friend. I fold the bed up, move things into the hatch, to clear the front seat. It's nice to have this option.
Hey Greg. How does the previous bed compare to your current bed set-up? Also, did you find the previous lighting tolerable/sufficient and okay if you were taking a shorter trip, or was it annoying for you?
The current bed is far more comfortable than the first, but i slept 5 months on the first so yes it will work for shorter trips.
In the beginning I used a headlamp at night to supplement the car lighting. Worked fine.
Thanks for the update video! Why did u opt for curtains over custom premade weathertech window shades?
I started out making my own shades. But I quickly realized to install a shade in each window every time I wanted privacy was going to be a pain. Strike 1. The silver reflectors, to me, are not stealth, it's an advertisement I'm sleeping in the car. Strike 2. I find the foil the shades are made from too noisy. Strike 3. I can't open the windows with window shades. Strike 4. With curtains I am able to open windows to allow air flow in the car.
It comes down to how much time is one going to spend on the road. A week or month? Buy premade or make your own shades. If months or years, the curtains & LED combo initially take more time to customize but are more practical for long term living. My take only.
where do you keep the plywood when not sleeping on it
In the hatch. I rarely use the back seats for passengers.
Hi Greg, quick question, what year and model is your civic? I'm looking at getting a civic and yours seems more spacious than some of the others
2017 LX Civic Hatchback, so 10th generation. I opted for no car sensors in the LX.
@@VChameleon wow thanks for such a quick reply!
Anyone else doing this ? I’m going to buy the plywood tomorrow!
Thanks @greg
This dude is a machine 🤣
I'm interested in a Honda Insight Hybrid for long distance travel, is the Insight bigger than the Civic?
Appears Honda discontinued the Insight as of June 2022, focusing on a Civic hybrid. As for space, no idea. I've never seen an Insight or measured its interior.