1 YEAR IN A MICRO CAMPER - WHAT I LEARNED

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▶️ Turning a VW Up into the Ultimate Budget Car Camper | DIY Small Car Camper Conversion
Ever wondered if you can turn a tiny hatchback into a fully functional camper? In this video, I take you through my VW Up camper conversion, showing how I transformed this small car into a comfortable micro camper—without breaking the bank.

From insulation and storage solutions to a DIY bed platform, cooking setup, and power options, I cover everything you need to know about building a budget-friendly car camper. Whether you're looking for car camper conversion ideas, practical tips, or mistakes to avoid, this video has you covered.

I’ll also share how I solved car camper safety challenges, optimized storage and ventilation, and powered all my gear efficiently. If you're planning your own small car camper build, this is the ultimate guide to get started!
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Road trip to Yakutsk in Siberia. With your support we can hopefully make it happen one day!

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📸 GEAR 📸
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🎶 EPIDEMIC SOUND 🎶
All music in this video is courtesy of Epidemic Sound:
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🕒 TIMESTAMPS 🕒
00:00 Intro
00:48 Why this car?
01:39 A bed in a tiny car
02:11 Removing passenger seat from car, allowed?
02:36 More storage than you think
05:01 Insulation
06:04 Ventilation
06:39 Heating: What not to do
08:47 How I cook from a tiny car
10:58 How to keep food cool?
11:29 How to power all devices?
12:21 How I solve the power issue?
12:40 How to shower?
13:10 How to find a good campingplace?

[milancev.]

Friendly advice. Never carry any medication/vitamins outside of the original packaging. Otherwise, you can have big problems at customs or if the police search your car.

[adrianfrohlich]

Maybe an idea for bed weather preparation: mount something to the inside off your trunk lid (like extendable aluminium rods) and when you open the trunk you can make a construction for a little roof or sum, you know what I mean?:))

[JakubJunek]

I installed a diesel heater under passenger seat, diesel tank in engine bay. I recommend getting two CO alarms just in case - so you stay safe! Exhaust out is through a hole in the middle tunnel, with silicone mat sealing. Works like a charm!

[johanslabbert]

I owned a VW Up! for a long time, it’s an awesome little car. Must have the highest interior space to overall size ratio of any small hatchback vehicle. They’re good to drive too and use very little fuel.
Very cool to see your DIY conversions, it shows just what can be achieved with resourcefulness and perseverance. Much respect!

[ChristopheDeresteau]

This actually looks and sounds like a great way to explore Europe on your own! What also might help you to organise your gear/stuff is a small aerodynamic roofbox. This way you can keep the car 'clean' and bring more gear with you that you might not be able to carry inside.

[pink]

Im doing this in the usa in my toyota prius! My setup is completely different but it was nice to see how someone else did it. Consider getting a cargo net they make for the car roof for extra storage. Storage is valuable in cars like these!

[mikmil]

Although a small car provides for fun content I experienced myself the small size comes with many (very many) sacrifices. I started van life many years ago in a 4x4 Kangoo and am now doing full time in a VW Transporter with a pop up roof. I will be again upgrading this spring to a long wheelbase Fiat Ducato. Space is king 👑

[VincentStikkelorum]

Now I think: Yes I can!
Awesome videos, great information. 👌🏻

[dumpmail-xzqp]

Personally I would include a roof box, mainly for laundry and stuff.
There are also these pet cooling mats that could help in summer and maybe in the cool box.
Spray bottles can be pretty useful for washing dishes with little water.
Corn starch is also a pretty good alternative for quick fix on greasy hair.
A bucket filled halve with water and using wet small towel or bath sponge is plenty to replace shower.
Dry instant foods are always good to have when you can heat up the water, then store the leftover water in those insulated water bottles that keep the temperature for hours for another nice meal, hot drink or refill a water heat bag ...

[erebostd]

Question: why don’t you install a parking heater? That would solve everything, including space problems (since it needs to be installed mostly in the engine bay). Maybe you could do the same with your china heater, if that solution is too expensive? I remember the earlier days of EVs, some people installed those china things in their engine bay to extend their winter range. It obviously can be run during the night, too.

[noahre]

the best video on this topic i’ve ever seen!!! keep it going

[Stageuser]

Maybe you can try webasto thermo top evo 4 the benzin version for heating. Is small and connects directly into the fuel tank . And it does the job perfectly without taking too much space

[norwegiangadgetman]

Removing seats isn't usually an issue in Norway. Replacing it with a non-factory seat, or adding more seats, though... That will get you into trouble very quickly.
(Ask the car manufacturer/distributor if they will accept the change if you want to do big changes. )
Seats are part of the safety systems, so modifying them or swapping to non-standard seats and new rails may be considered 'incompatible with continued life'...
I have a Citroën e-Berlingo van. This is a '3 seater'(more like 2.5seater). If I want to replace the 2 passenger seats, I can pretty much do that without issue. Removing ONE of them will get me into trouble(they're mounted on the same under frame. ) If I want to replace the 2 passenger seats with a usable passenger seat, I could find one from a 5seater version(MultiSpace), but they will require that I show it for approval and to get the registration updated.
My van has a solid wall behind the front seats. Don't even think about removing it, even partially, without getting the registration updated.

[Azureecosse]

I like all your Videos, you are a Handsome guy too which makes for easy viewing, Keep them coming.

[XCX]

I have a 5 kw heater in an Astro van. I live full time with a large dog.
❤from Canada

[db]

Lekker bezig maat. Leuk channel geworden en dit soort diy video’s zijn goede extra content 👍🏻 grtz Onrust

[DavidJohnston]

Been watching another channel for couple years with a Skoda Citigo and love the idea. Now I've got a second tiny car camper channel to watch. 😁

Couldn't do it myself though, planning a Berlingo sized camper as with my claustrophobia I would totally freak out in there!

Really well thought through, everything you need to get away in tiny economical city car👌

In UK I believe you have to remove all seat fittings including seat belts with seat to prevent an annual inspection failure. Or just reinstall seat before test.

I got similar shower to that one, but wow you could wash the car with your one! May upgrade now, bought mine for house when our electric was down.

Looking forward to catching up on videos.

Watching from Ireland. ☘️

[swagatathevagabond]

You already have a power station, maybe getting an induction cooker would be a good idea. Also, maybe a solar panel will be helpful

[MojeDna]

I would also consider a roof rack, which would give you more options. I have a twin car, the Citigo, and I have a dedicated roof rack for it. Besides a roof box, you could also take along, for example, a bike.
Cool inspiration! Until now, I only thought about this car purely in terms of a city

[deyanzv]

Respect! You did an amazing job organizing space in such a small car. I’d really love to see how you would set everything up in a Volkswagen Caddy, because a lot of people are thinking about buying that car for camping. I believe many would follow and watch your videos, since not many people dare to camp in such a small vehicle like you do!"