Have you been thinking about getting a camping car for a while? Buying a van to sleep might be a feasible idea. An option which is definitely comfortable and spacious. Yet, getting a van, a second car or a caravan is currently out of your budget. Therefore, if you don’t want to spend much money and consider yourself a DIY expert, why not to transform your car into a bed?

Basically, to transform a regular car into a camping car means adapting it to sleep indoors. However, we’re not talking about just throwing the seats back. This would be too easy, wouldn’t be? In fact, it’s more about turning your car into a comfortable bed.

Any sort of car can be converted into a camping car. Even the smallest ones. Actually, with a little creativity and the right tools, any automobile can be turned into a comfortable single or double bed. In addition, adapting your car step by step can be the most fun and entertaining task. Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? Then, let’s see how to turn a car into a sleeping zone, taking into account features such the importance of insulating for winter nights and the later vehicle homologation.

What do I need to convert a car into a camping car?

Before adapting your family car or van into a space to sleep, an action plan is needed. A scheme to know what steps we will follow and which materials will be needed.

1. To measure

If you’ve already decided which vehicle you are going to transform into your future sleeping car, the next step is to measure. Why? Because, it’s essential to know first the exact size of your expected camping car. So, take your tape measure to discover how many meters your car has from end to end. And don’t forget to draw a picture of how you’d like the automobile to look after the conversion.

Having a quickly-made drawing will be the key to get an idea of the final result. And if you’ve got some experience assembling Ikea furniture, much better!

2. To make the bed

The first thing to do is to recline the car seats as much as possible. Then, there are several options to make your own car-turned-camper.

If you are very skilled at repairing and making things, you can make a sort of bed base composed of a folding board resting on several iron legs. In addition, if the the bed structure is high enough, you’ll get an extra space to store down all your luggage and other necessary items. That’s to say, a portable stove, frying pans, pots, plates, cutlery, pillows and bed sheets.

Another possible solution might be a wooden board supported by several legs and a frame. To do this, you should by a wooden plank and cut it taking into account the car measures you wrote previously. Birch wood might be a good choice. For the bed frame and legs, it would be more convenient to choose a more robust type of material. Next, build the base of the bed on which the wood plank will be resting.

Once you get your home made bed base, all you have to do is to choose the mattress or a foam base which is thick and comfortable enough.

3. To insulate your car against cold: yes or not?

Although, car insulation would be appropriate, that will depend on several factors. The time of the year is the first one. It is not the same to travel in camping car in July and August than during the coldest months of the year. And secondly, a DIY car insulation will also be determined by the place you go. For example, in the south of Spain it isn’t the same temperature as in northern Europe. Therefore, before insulating your car against cold weather, think first if you will really need it.

However, if you finally choose not to protect your car, make sure you take with you blankets, a duvet, winter pijamas, and even sleeping bags in case of need. 

4. To add an extra space for the kitchen or living room

A car, no matter how big, is a small space. And, even if you have been able to camperize a estate car, there is always a lack of metres. But don’t worry since there are some solutions for that as well.

You might add space to your camping car by attaching a tent as an awning or a canopy. Isn’t that great? Furthermore, you can also use these extra meters for your kitchen as there will be enough space to set up a table, folding chairs and everything you need for cooking and washing up.

Already convinced to turn your car into a camping car?

Turning a regular car into camping car is certainly a true challenge and an adventure. You’ll probably miss a lot of comforts. Yet, there are also many advantages. For instance, to park a car is always easier than a caravan. And during the journey you’ll find without difficulty lots of places to go to the bathroom or take a refreshing shower.

On the other hand, a car conversion into doesn’t have to lead to an additional authorization. As long as a car bed is removable, you will always be able to return the automobile to its original state. But, even so, we encourage you to be well-informed about this point and ask it when you take your camping car to pass the vehicle inspection.