Originally Posted by poopsicle

Howdy forum!
So I mentioned this in my introduction post (which I’m sure very few of you saw), but I am turning my 07’ Honda Fit into a mobile camper.

This is a project I’ve thought about for a while, and I finally got around to designing plans and executing them about a month ago. The idea was to install a removable bed in the back/trunk area so that I could drive around, explore the country, and sleep in the car.

Here was my design process:
1. First I spent a good deal of time measuring the space with the back seats folded down flat. I made notes of the dimensions, both with the driver/passenger seats up and pushed forward. I’m only 5’8” but I knew that I’d need to design the bed with the max length from trunk to seats.
2. I designed the blueprints and mapped the cuts I would need to make at Home Depot to maximize the wood scrap. I got all all the supplies and got to work.
3. I built the base. I knew I wanted to have storage underneath the bed, so I built it out of 2x12s. I forget the total length of the board, but I only used one. I used brackets and installed a piece through the middle for stability. This thing is solid:



4. Next came the bed. It is 3 pieces of plywood that sit on top of the frame. I designed it with 2 hinges in strategic spots. The one closet to the trunk allows me lift up and access storage even with the mattress, blankets, etc. It was extremely handy at the campsite. The second hinge is located near the head area. When the driver/passenger seats are pushed forward, that piece lifts forward and adds an additional 14” of space. So when the entire piece is flat, I have 69” of space from head to toe, and 39” from side to side–more than enough more me. Here is a photo:



And here is how the storage is easily accessed:



5. With my scrap wood, I knew I wanted to install a table that slides out from the trunk. It’s about 31”x17” and is a very useful bonus addition that I’m happy I installed:



6. Lastly, I designed the plywood bed portion to fold up into a convenient-to-move piece. The entire thing folds up into a roughly 35”x39” shape that locks into itself:



So I am extremely proud of how everything turned out. To test out the functionality, I drove 9 hours to Yellowstone National Park and camped out for 3 days with my girlfriend. It worked perfectly!
I purchased some special shades to block out the windows and provide some privacy, and they worked great as well.




My first successful car-camping trip was incredibly liberating. I felt free on the road and connected with my car. I purchased a National Park pass and already have more trips planned for this year. My main purpose for joining this forum is to share my design with anyone that's interested, possibly answer some questions, and research my next steps. I want to add a roof rack and a cargo carrier to multiply my storage space, and I'm not sure where to start. But I'm gonna start digging!

Thanks for your checking out my project! In you have any interest in following my car-camping adventures, I started an Instagram account: car_trek

Cheers y'all!

Originally Posted by mobby_6kl

Oh wow, that's a useful thread!

I just got a Jazz for a Banger type rally in two months. Here's the thread: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/1st-...tin-rides.html

In addition to some mods to increase the chances of making it to the end, I also needed to think about how to sleep and live in it for about a week. I have a tent but since ther's a good chance it's going to be sitll cold and miserable, I'd rather not spend timre setting it up and tearing it down every day. I'm short enough that I can basically fit with just the rear seats folded flat. Throw in an Ikea foam mattress and a sleeping bag, and that's my minimum-effort solution.

But I really like poopsicle's design, especially since I'll be carrying a lot of tools and spare parts, as well as food, clothes, and electronics, and it looks like a great way to have things organized without having to move everything to sleep. So does anyone have the actual measurements? It's not rocket science of course but could save a lot of time.

One other thing that just came to mind is that you could attach something like a shower curtain to the perimiter of the hatch, to provide some protection from the elements when cooking or getting dressed. Maye a bent copper pipe that would clip onto some 3d-printed mounts glued to the hatch. I'll have to visit a hardware store to investigate.

Originally Posted by poopsicle

Howdy forum!
So I mentioned this in my introduction post (which I’m sure very few of you saw), but I am turning my 07’ Honda Fit into a mobile camper.

This is a project I’ve thought about for a while, and I finally got around to designing plans and executing them about a month ago. The idea was to install a removable bed in the back/trunk area so that I could drive around, explore the country, and sleep in the car.

Here was my design process:
1. First I spent a good deal of time measuring the space with the back seats folded down flat. I made notes of the dimensions, both with the driver/passenger seats up and pushed forward. I’m only 5’8” but I knew that I’d need to design the bed with the max length from trunk to seats.
2. I designed the blueprints and mapped the cuts I would need to make at Home Depot to maximize the wood scrap. I got all all the supplies and got to work.
3. I built the base. I knew I wanted to have storage underneath the bed, so I built it out of 2x12s. I forget the total length of the board, but I only used one. I used brackets and installed a piece through the middle for stability. This thing is solid:



4. Next came the bed. It is 3 pieces of plywood that sit on top of the frame. I designed it with 2 hinges in strategic spots. The one closet to the trunk allows me lift up and access storage even with the mattress, blankets, etc. It was extremely handy at the campsite. The second hinge is located near the head area. When the driver/passenger seats are pushed forward, that piece lifts forward and adds an additional 14” of space. So when the entire piece is flat, I have 69” of space from head to toe, and 39” from side to side–more than enough more me. Here is a photo:



And here is how the storage is easily accessed:



5. With my scrap wood, I knew I wanted to install a table that slides out from the trunk. It’s about 31”x17” and is a very useful bonus addition that I’m happy I installed:



6. Lastly, I designed the plywood bed portion to fold up into a convenient-to-move piece. The entire thing folds up into a roughly 35”x39” shape that locks into itself:



So I am extremely proud of how everything turned out. To test out the functionality, I drove 9 hours to Yellowstone National Park and camped out for 3 days with my girlfriend. It worked perfectly!
I purchased some special shades to block out the windows and provide some privacy, and they worked great as well.




My first successful car-camping trip was incredibly liberating. I felt free on the road and connected with my car. I purchased a National Park pass and already have more trips planned for this year. My main purpose for joining this forum is to share my design with anyone that's interested, possibly answer some questions, and research my next steps. I want to add a roof rack and a cargo carrier to multiply my storage space, and I'm not sure where to start. But I'm gonna start digging!

Thanks for your checking out my project! In you have any interest in following my car-camping adventures, I started an Instagram account: car_trek

Cheers y'all!

Originally Posted by tbFit

I think the OP's wood insert is a very nice effort and probably works well for a couple side by side.

However, I absolutely hate adding weight to the car for any drive, camping included, and try to minimize container weight.

At 5'9" I've slept diagonally on a thermarest (thin air mattress) in the back of our 2015 fit without too much problem. If I was going on a solo trip for a few months, I think I would just move a few boxes to the front seats for the evening and use an air mattress and sleeping bag and skip the full on wood infrastructure for a single.