2012 Toyota RAV4 Camper Build

We had wanted to record a step-by-step process of the buildout, but we ended up not having as much time as we wanted to work on it before our trip, so we decided to just focus on getting it done with the time we had and recording it after the fact. We hope this video can still be helpful or give you some ideas for similar projects!

[MelV]

For good ventilation while camping in my 4Runner, which might also work in your RAV4, I installed 12V computer cooling fans that pull fresh air in through the glove compartment, and exhaust stale air through the rear hatch and rear bumper.

Fresh air normally comes into the vehicle through a grill just under the windshield wipers at the base of the windshield. It goes through the OEM cabin air filter which can be accessed through a couple small removable plastic doors behind the glove compartment. At night, I open the glove compartment door, empty the glove compartment, remove those access doors and the air filter, place a piece of sheet metal in the bottom of that space to divert the fresh air into the glove compartment, and place a piece of 1/4" plywood fitted with two 120mm Noctua fans over the front of the glove compartment. These fans bring fresh air into the vehicle all night.

At the rear of the vehicle, I removed the two OEM speakers in the interior plastic panel of the rear hatch, and replaced them with two more Noctua fans inside the rear hatch. There is a short, direct pathway through the inside of the rear hatch to two large OEM holes in the bottom of the rear hatch, where it meets the rear bumper. I cut matching holes in the hard plastic rear bumper, directly under these holes. This way, the Noctua fans inside the rear hatch suck stale air out of the living space of the vehicle, and blow it through the rear hatch and down into the interior of the rear bumper, where it dissipates outside. In daytime, I cover the holes that I cut in the rear bumper with simple pieces of sheet metal; they are hidden from view when the rear hatch is closed.

For power, I installed an Add-a-Fuse in an always-on socket in the OEM 12V fuse block under the steering wheel (the location in the RAV4 might be different). I wired this to a Deutsch DT connector installed into the wall of the glove compartment, with the connector facing into the interior of the glove compartment. So just before pushing the plywood tight against the front of the glove compartment, I plug the wiring from the two front fans into the Deutsch connector, and the fans start. For the rear fans, I wired them into my 12V auxiliary battery system with another Deutsch DT connector and a fuse. The system could be improved by wiring switches into both the front and the rear fan circuits, instead of having to connect and disconnect the Deustch connectors every night.

The Noctua fans are ultra-low in electricity consumption. They are also ultra-quiet. With four of them running at night, I can barely hear the combined noise from the fans. This is partly because we sleep with our heads just behind the front row seats, some distance away from both sets of fans.

We found that on hot nights (mid-80s F) and on cold nights (mid 20's F), with this ventilation system, it does not feel stuffy at all, even with all the windows of the vehicle completely closed. On cold days, very little to no condensation builds up on the insides of the windows, even with two people sleeping inside the vehicle.

[LeisaBreheny]

Love your build. So many are for single people. We are always looking for builds meant for two people.

[candykizzz]

Finally !!! Someone relatable ! I have a 2001 Toyota rav 4, and do not work remotely. I just wanted something to sleep in on my weekend adventures, that wasn’t going to put me in a debt 🤷🏻‍♀️

[HoneyandMe]

I travel in my Rav4 too, a 2013, so the first year with the tire spare underneath. I used to car camp in a Matrix, so moving into the Rav4 was like 'Whoa!! More room!!' lol! I haven't been able to convince my husband that he should try it too, but if he ever does, I'll keep your video with the raised double bed in mind.

[EchoTravelsUSA]

Nice conversion. I have a 2016 RAV4 that I like to camp out in on Florida’s space coast whenever SpaceX or NASA are having a launch. Camping out in central Florida is challenging because of the heat and humidity, but I found an evaporative cooler made by Arctic Air that, while it won’t lower the temperature of my rav, it will blow significantly cooler air at me and it makes a HUGE difference. Hopes this helps!

[touringdan]

When I travel solo I sleep in my Golf. I travel with a 12v fridge and power it with a ECOFLOW Delta 2 power unit. It works well. It charges up while driving.
There is a 12v micro ac unit that would provide adequate cooling while you are sleeping. You would power it with the Delta 2. It only needs about 100 watts of power. Enjoy your travels.

[JonBlon]

Traveled in my 2012 for years before buying a sprinter. We are now back to traveling in the rav4. Absolutely love it.

[ambienteterrazas]

Nice!! I have a 2016 awd Rav4 that i used for traveling for a year or two, I did a 2'' lift and added trail terrains and bashed it all over Baja, nice little cars to get around, congrats very nice minimal build.

[camf]

Nice buildout video guys. I have a 2010 RAV4 that me and my girlfriend will be taking out to the Tetons this summer and there was a lot of good inspiration here. For the power concerns, I would highly recommend the Anker battery packs. They have a huge range of sizes/prices of batteries that can charge while you're driving and provide days of power for fridges, phones, lights, etc. I set my parents up with a huge one with a rooftop solar panel for weeks-long retirement trips haha. And hey! Seeing your other videos, it looks like you're maybe some fellow Minnesotan's as well. Again props for the cool setup 🙂

[MikeBabsBC]

What a great build! You definitely maximized the space you had! Stoked to follow your future travels with it.

[diywarren]

Check out the window covers by Matt designs things (YouTube) that he made for his CRV. That will help with airflow. And drip rails along your rolldown windows, will help you crack them open even if it’s raining.

I would suggest looking at compressor fridges, because they draw less power, and can be set lower in temperature and above all, no more ice. BougeRv makes ones at about half the price as more mainstream brands and maybe a smaller one would fit your available space. I have a 50qt and it’s been great.

For a second battery I think that’s a valid thing to look into and maybe would be good if it was housed in that middle compartment that you seldom open.
Above all, hats down to you guys for the progress you have made, and for just going for it. Not falling for the inclinations that other Van lifers are doing and suggesting, as must do. Whereas, if you go about it yourself, you clearly identify the relevant needs for your situation. But it’s hard to do that from your couch.

I did numerous road trips with the Honda CRV before the engine cratered. I am now doing a simple build within a Dodge caravan

[tclemens]

Thanks for the video, nice job guys. Would love to see a more in depth look at the bed frame. Lots of rav4 builds out there, but this is the first I have seen with taking the back seats out...something I am working on now for a build out myself. Thanks again!

[clnyegaard]

I’m going to try Car-Ving in my 2017 RAV4 for my upcoming Spring break. I have a Class C which I love but at 6-8mpg my hope is that I’ll be able to afford to go further for less on my teacher’s salary 😊and into some more remote areas than I can get in a 30-foot motorhome. Thanks for sharing.

[swimonster]

Really glad I found this. Just got an ‘07 Rav and am looking to do something similar. Would love to see more behind the scenes videos of the car camping! Cheers from Texas.

[skevin]

This popped up on my feed, and I love it.
Nice job!
I might install a little Smith&Wesson cabinet, but that's just me 😊
Looking forward to seeing the changes you might make, plus the travel videos 🙂

[brucemoller]

For airflow, I have seen a narrow strip grille on top of the rear door windows with a built in fan. May be worth looking into.

[Ferpaxv]

Amazing guys! I have teh same Rav4 model here in Brazil and Im doing the same thing. Many thanks!!

[stevethecat]

Ha! I'm 30 seconds in and you've checked so many boxes-dont work from home, sprinter too costly... I have an 05 CRV, which is very similar to the RAV4, and converting it to a camper works really well. Great channel logo by the way.

[brucemoller]

Here in Australia, (it gets hot too), I asked a good friend who camps often with his family of 4 adults. I asked what type of fridge I should get for our RAV4 2013 (with space saver tyre by the way) so it has a flat floor. He said he has never used one. He has a really good quality ‘Orange’ esky/ cooler box or what ever you call it. Unsure of the brand though.

[phillipwebb]

Get something like a Jackery to run you fridge. I use a 1000 watt with my fridge.