DIY Subaru Crosstrek Car Camping Conversion - Extra Storage, Modular Design, & Repurposed Materials

After spending several months last winter living out of my Crosstrek, I decided to design a conversion and this is the result!

With several temporary fixes to extend my sleeping platform on my trip, I started to explore conversion options. I removed the rear and passenger seats and began to take measurements to determine the available space. I sketched a few preliminary designs and narrowed down what characteristics I wanted to include - an extended & level bed platform, easy access to the spare tire compartment, and a modular design that allows for different configurations.

Aside from some hardware (hinges, brackets, and screws) and the plywood top sheet, the remainder of the conversion was built from repurposed materials. I used leftover pressure treated wood (from a decking project over the summer) and plastic drawers that I used in college. I even used my subwoofer box to support the non-load bearing front insert.

I understand that it is a rudimentary design, and ultimately my first prototype. I was an structural acoustic engineer for several years spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours modeling structures for acoustic analysis. I'm planning on making a digital model for the conversion, implementing some updates along the way. There is still so much room for improvement and just to name a few - more precise measurements, bolting the structure to the car, reducing weight, locking drawers, and even some aesthetic updates, like paint or carpet.

If you have any suggestions, post them in the comments section! I'm always open to other concepts to incorporate.

If you liked the video hit the LIKE button, and if you want to see more content like this, SUBSCRIBE to the channel!

Song: Inukshuk - The Long Road Home [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

[kylebernard]

Hilarious that you optimized space for the sub

[ponderwithjess]

Coolest intro ever award goes to you, Mitch

[brycebaker]

Such a nice, easy build. I've been considering how I'd keep the spare accessible and this does a good job.

[AlienJesus_Superhero]

This felt like a massage to my brain, the way everything was so well thought out and organized 😮‍💨

[theq-ster]

Dude! This is brilliant! Love the modular sleeping platform! Awesome build!

[GlenStoner]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on a 2024 Crosstrek Onyx and I came across your build. Very cool..!

[snowbank]

Funny intro! Nice build. I am reluctant to remove the rear seat on my Outback for my build but you have gone beyond that by also removing the front passenger seat. But I am thinking about the ramifications: with a double wide mattress in the back does that mean you strap your travel partner to the roof rack?

[explorethebush]

I think you nailed it, one of the best I've seen

[michaelangelo]

You have great ideas and it looks very good. You can even laminate all the pieces of wood as well for a much cleaner and longer lasting application. 👍🏾

[Chucktown]

We have the exact same Crosstrek and Thule... Love the setup man! Did a 4 month trip last year with a similar half-sleep, half-fridge/stuff setup in the back. Appreciate the inspiration for updating my own build!

[sweetlemon]

Yo this is so sweet!! I just got a 2019 crosstrek and am used to my old 4runner setup, so trying to make use of less space - these are such good ideas

[xrmighty]

Dude, you are so creative and brilliant. Btw, I also have a crosstrek with a subwoofer. Kudos.

[juanacevedo]

Harumph on the sub. Kudos on the build. Naturally, in my humble opinion, MY next evolution the sub would be exploring the seat bracket. Possibly a scrapped passenger seat in order to build and bolt a unit directly to the sliding mechanism. Holds the weight of a human. Adds a different compartment configuration. Maybe safer. Thanks for the tour.

[ferventlypassionatebelieve]

Just thumbs upped & subbed. Well done, young man! After I save up some money for my Subie, I will be checking in with you. Hopefully, you will have worked out if making these available for purchase is worth your very valuable time & effort. I am a 100% service connected disabled war veteran🇺🇲. After well over a decade of recovery (both physically & mentally - and I'm evermore Still In Process), I am finally at a place where I yearn to reconnect with the great outdoors (again).😎✌️I believe that your system can help me with "getting back out there" in a practical way - through the gifts of organization & inspiration. "One step at a time, " & "all that jazz, " right? Thanks & Blessings to you and yours.🙏 Until then, I hope "The Very Best" for you and your endeavors.

[NRLXN]

epic intro ! lol the sub woofer inclusion is clutch !

[dre.vil]

sub in a camping set up is a must ahahh i love it

[frankmcchrystal]

AAA plus plan gets you a 100 mile tow. I get the best quality tires I can and leave the spare and jack at home. Offloading weight and adding much more storage space makes sense to me. Haven't had a flat in decades. The storage area (previous spare tire compartment) is huge in my 2018 RAV 4. It's cool sleeping on the road when necessary. I hate hotel rooms! "Shelter line stretchin' round the corner, welcome to the new world order". Would love a really good estimate of the number of Americans now calling their car "home". Small SUV's are perfect for being "stealth". I enjoyed your video.

[CowdreyC]

as a 2nd subaru owner i would never use the spare tire as the difference in circumference will ruin your transmission in a short amount of time. i would use a plug kit in the rare event that i get a flat

[cindynichols]

Damn. This is awesome. One of the best I've ever seen. Would you convert my '23 Crosstrek for me? lol

[scottphillips]

First bed build, car or van, to include a subwoofer! Priorities, Gotta love it!! The basket up front doubles as a headboard, keeping the pillow in place. Without the front seat installed, do you have any safety warning lights on the dash?