How would you like to have an adventure with your car? How about sleeping in it? Or eating in it? What if we told you that you could do all of these things within the safety and comfort of your own home, without leaving the country? It’s true; Car Camping (aka Camping In Your Car) means just that- camping, but from inside your car! With the proper equipment and supplies, you can enjoy all the comforts of home while parked in any safe spot out of public view. This not only saves on costs, but is much more friendly to the environment than traditional camping.

Why Car Camp?

There’s nothing quite like waking up in a tent; it reminds you that there’s more to life than bills and deadlines. One of the easiest ways to get back in touch with nature is by car camping: an activity that makes sleeping on uneven ground a breeze, allows for lots of open time for exploring, and encourages reconnection with nature.

Planning and preparing

The first step in car camping is to decide what kind of camper van you want. There are three major kinds

Choosing the right vehicle

Finding something with enough space to store everything you’ll need for travel can be tough. First, think about what activities you want your campervan conversion to include. Then, focus on vehicle specifications like engine power and fuel efficiency. You'll also need somewhere to sleep at night. Consider everything from seating and storage (for luggage) to bedding types and size. Before long, you'll have a clearer picture of what kind of vehicle will work best for you—and it's off-road time!

Budgeting, finding, buying and converting

First, budget for both new and used campervans. If you buy new, make sure you do it before June or July so that tax season can help defray some of those costs. Also, know that it will take time and money to convert your van. There are lots of videos on YouTube and tutorials online on just about every aspect of converting a vehicle.

How it all works

The easiest way is to go out and buy a campervan, but if you want to avoid paying for one, then converting your own might be an option. However, not all cars are suitable for conversion. For example: You won’t have much luck turning a sports car or SUV into a van unless you have experience with welding or fabricating metal. Small cars are also often too small and/or narrow inside to allow for any comfort whatsoever.

Other things you need to know

A campervan conversion refers to upgrading, remodeling, converting or modifying a vehicle, such as an SUV or mini van, for use as living quarters. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring someone else to do it for you, there are many factors that need considering and cost is always a factor when making big changes on your car. We have some advice for those wanting to convert their vehicle. Keep reading below for more information about converting your own campervan.