Converting a Small Car into a Camper Van (Rig Tour)

[@outofbounds218]

You just eliminated all of my stress. I'm duplicating exactly what you have on my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The only thing I already bought was the Yakima Awning. Thank you brother! Can't wait for the next VLOG.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

oh awesome! yeah, thats why I wanted to make this video. So that others can get ideas on how to set up their tiny home on wheels. I wanted the awning too- I just didnt have the space on my roof with my road shower and Thule box. Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@bailee.explores]

The motion lights are such a smart idea! Clean build- back in July I picked up a Outback Wilderness can't wait to get it out and camping!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

oh cool! yeah- i actually looked at SO many overland lights and how to wire them up. it wasn’t hard- but WAYYY more expensive and complicated than these motion lights. they’re just flood lights- so can’t see distance with em- but i don’t need em to do that. just wanted something to illuminate around camp. here’s the link if you’re interested: www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZSC6TNB/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_SY5SP1Q2F8SM62EN8726?linkCode=ml2&tag=esctravel-20

[@chucktrow8577]

Hi Erik, awesome to see a video from you today. The build came out awesome. Really like the setup and organizing you did. Looking forward to your next video when you get out on the road. 🏞

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thank you! can’t wait to share in future videos

[@WendyBeall]

Looks great, Erik! You've made well-organized, well-thought out ways to stay comfortable living on the road. Congratulations on getting out there again!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thank you! I'll be posting on the regular again now that I'm back out there

[@emilymorataya5369]

Enjoy your trip! I am looking forward to following along on your journey.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thank you for all your support!!

[@cherylbarrett3443]

Oh, it is good to see you getting out again. Good luck and be safe.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

Thanks 👍

[@misadventuresofmelissa]

Looking forward to your future adventures. Glad to see you back on youtube

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thanks! i’ll be posting regularly again once i’m back out there

[@DebZaragoza]

I sure hope you have footage of building your sleeping platform! I like the way you can lift it up to get to the items underneath. I'm hoping to begin car camping Summer 2025, and I'd like to create a platform like yours!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

you know, unfortunately i don’t have footage of me building it. but it’s quite simple. it’s literally a 2x4 on each side- then a board on top that fit my body width. i then slapped some hinges on the side to lift it up. there’s cut up 2x4’s in the middle to brace the 2 main 2x4’s on the sides. and that’s literally it. i’ll shoot some video of it with no sleeping bag or mattress on top so it’s easier to explain and show it off in a separate video. thanks for watching and commenting

[@rushing2travel351]

Just met Erik in a McDonald’s parking lot in Alabama. Nice guy. Looking forward to following his journey.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

i just met Bobby (hope i remember his name correctly. i’m responding to this about 4hrs later) and he’s super nice too. haha. thanks for following and stopping to say hi!

[@SusieAllen8058]

Looking forward to all your adventures. Enjoy and be safe!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thank you!

[@melrichardson2392]

Beautiful job brother be careful with the propane tanks in the sun they expand and can explode.Love the easy sensor lights very nice .Look into a wrap around drive away canopy triple your living area.You have a shovel now you need an axe for chopping stuff up

[@Luigi13]

Erik, your setup is quite practical and the particular Subaru model you have has ample room as a vehicle. My question is how is your gas mileage with all the stuff on your car? Is this Subaru a good reliable car? The one thing that Subaru does well is ground clearance to allow you to travel in many different places. Since you live in it probably you don't have to move from place to place too often I assume. Cheers from Oregon.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

hello! i’m getting just under 24mpg. it’s been reliable so far- but it’s also a pretty new car. it’s only 4.5yrs old. still under the extended warranty. so it’s good right now. i don’t have to move around a lot- but i choose to. i get bored quickly and usually only stay in an area 3-4days before moving. places like Oregon also have WAY to much stuff to explore for me to sit still. thanks for watching and commenting!

[@David-xm6qn]

Hey Eric, cool setup, got some good ideas from it, what I'm concerned about the most is condensation in such a small space, how do you deal with condensation, if you sleep, and it is cold outside you must have a lot of condensation on the inside of the windows dropping on you? I was thinking about a kind of electric fan system that I could put in the windows. What's your idea about that topic? Cheers David

[@EscapingNormalLife]

yeah, that is a good question- and the quick answer is i don’t have a solid solution for condensation. i’m currently in Colorado- where the temps are dipping below freezing at night so i do get condensation on the inside and sometimes it freezes. however- i have blackout reflective for the windows- so it doesn’t drip on me at all. the only time it starts to drip is in the morning when i turn on the car and start the heater up. in the beginning- i was traveling in more warmer places so i kept the windows cracked and put bug netting up. i never got condensation that way. but in the winter time, i think it’s just something that’s gonna happen. it’s not bad. for me at least. like i said, it doesn’t drip on me at all. hope that helps! pa- i’ve already filmed more about the blackout reflectives i’m referring to above and i’ll elaborate more in my next video (camping in 14° weather). maybe have that up in a week or 2!

[@tinabeane]

HI, just found your channel and subbed. I'm looking for ideas on how to setup my 4Runner. Have fun traveling out there, and can't wait for more tips about how you do this fulltime. I'll check out your product links, always looking for good products at a reasonable price.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

awesome! i wish i had a 4Runner. haha. would love the extra room and height advantage. i bought my car as a daily driver and later got into this lifestyle. i’ll be absolutely posting more as i get out there and share advice that might be helpful for others. thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Tanstaafl1976]

First-time visitor to your channel - liked and subscribed. Very cool channel, Erik. I own a '22 Forester Premium and it just begs to go on adventures, so my wife and I oblige it whenever we can. If I were to do it all over again, I might've gone with the Wilderness model despite it getting less MPG. I look forward to checking out your vids. Cheers!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thanks! yeah, the Wilderness models didn’t exist when i bought my car, or else they would have looked attractive to me. i did a video a looong time ago about why i picked this car. its just a talking head video- but it gets the point across. thanks for watching and subscribing! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYq5lKCvhrVqbcUsi=NalmOOFfkzhYTn76

[@Tanstaafl1976]

​@@EscapingNormalLife Thanks for the link - just watched that vid and I agree with all of your conclusions. It seems that each Subaru crossover offers something that its siblings don't, and it's a matter of choosing the model with the features that are most important to you. But, it's pretty much a no-lose situation whichever you pick.

[@paulsyesta1095]

My Wife and I have been watching (and enjoying) all your videos. We purchased a Transit Cargo Van in Nov. First trip to Dauphin Island we just threw the mattress on the bed of the van then slept on the floor with the back door open looking at the stars, it was awesome. I built the sideways bed in the back and went to Texas the end of December. Was awesome! Now we added bathroom, sink, stove and came to Texas (Palo Duro Canyon) then Cripple Creek, Colorado. It is fantastic and we love it!! I’m sharing this with you because I gave you a thumbs down on this video because you are not safe. This country is now full of Illegals looking for prey with Easy Targets. Your “stuff” hanging on the outside of your car invites crime plus you cannot leave it alone for a moment! Please consider changing your vehicle for something you can park then jump in back to cook, sleep, and relax in “stealthy”! Best of Luck and We Are Looking Forward to your Adventures!!

[@EscapingNormalLife]

i’m safer than you think. i have cable locks tying everything down protecting my equipment and I always carry. i’m equipped on every door with mace, bear spray and a serrated machete. if you’d like give me several thousand dollars to buy a new van that would match the excellent condition my car is in- so that i can put everything in it, then i’d surely upgrade. but until then, my car is paid off, in excellent condition, still under warranty, has awd, a built in alarm, and has far more tech than any van i’ll be able to buy in the same price range. please consider not watching as much news and asking me how i protect myself before making brash decisions based on what i choose to share on social media.

[@davidjohn9006]

Impressive setup for the Forester… just wondering, how you get to the spare tyre with those shelves and platform covering? Oh yeh, I’m a forester fan, rigging/fitting out mine for long distance car/camping, Australia … and have a roof-top box an absolute must in my opinion 👍🏼

[@EscapingNormalLife]

yeah- that’s a great question and actually one i had to do a lot of considering when i did the buildout. since this video was posted- i’ve actually taken out the platform. it makes it much much easier for me to get in and out of the car. but even when it was in- the platform & the kitchen both can come out in about 15minutes. the fridge sat back far enough, that you could just take out the platform and kitchen and get to the spare. now that the platform is out- it probably take half that time to just get the kitchen out to get to the spare. i should have talked about that in this video. thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ab2abblank607]

Nice set-up! Have you given any thought to adding a hitch installed cargo box? Could streamline your storage space and they have a swing out arm for easy access to your vehicle.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

yes. i had one. long story made short- it literally broke my hitch. i had too much weight on it. made me rethink my entire setup when it broke. especially my solar.

[@michaelpellegrino3220]

Great set up! Looks like you've done a lot of homework. Once you hit the road, I'm sure you'll learn a lot and change some things. Maybe do a follow up video in a few months listing some of your changes.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

that’s a good idea! yeah, i’m sure i’ll have changes i want to make as soon as i actually get back out there. currently waiting in a city for some things i ordered to arrive. but making a follow up video in a few months is a great idea. thanks for watching and commenting

[@yvantremblay4728]

Oh!! what a great set up!! I just finished mine tonight actually. I like many of your ideas .. the computer tablet.. so nice!! One thing is missing on your links.. the tent you use whit the poles. Would it be possible to get a link? Merci Thank you :)

[@EscapingNormalLife]

oh sorry didn’t realize i didn’t have those on there. not sure which one you’re referring to. so here’s both of them: amzn.to/3ymbOqL amzn.to/46BM7yQ

[@yvantremblay4728]

@@EscapingNormalLife Thanks again. Last question: which adapter do you use to fit your Coleman stove to the 5lbs propane thank?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

@@yvantremblay4728 I think this is the one? I actually bought it nearly 2yrs ago, so can't remember if this is it or not. but pretty sure it is: amzn.to/3Alka2k

[@briantodd4887]

Great set up and ideas. I’ve got an Outback Wilderness and did many of similar mods. I like those sensor lights. Went with WratherTech shades which work out well. I debated for a while btwn a road shower or SlimShady awning - and opted for the awning. Do you have any paid subscription for apps for hiking, dispersed camping, off roading when not in cell service?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

honestly- i mostly use the usual suspects- All Trails for hikes, iOverlander or Campedium for sleeping spots and an app called Cellular Finder to check cell coverage in an area

[@Itsjrob_]

Very nice

[@EscapingNormalLife]

thank you!

[@peterdement]

Consider removing the rear seats to create more storage. Keep them in you land based storage locker.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

that’s a great idea! however, i initially did that and to make a long story short- it worked better for me to keep the seats in

[@travelingfool9096]

Just found you a couple weeks ago, because of the teardrop camping. I just finished a 2 month 13K tenting cross country trip. I plan on getting a teardrop next year, with etilmate goal of doing a year straight and/or going to Alaska with it. I was wonder what reasons you moved from a treardrop to your car , whereas the normal progression is the other way, like what I plan. My thoughts is a teardrop would provide ( advantage): safety from bears and other animals (I love Glacier and Yellowstone NP) a ready made kitchen ( yea, tired of that ice cooler) a ready made bed and a great place for those rain days ( more than just my car seat) warmer sleeping when it gets really cold (tenting in the low 30s is getting old) So why did you switch? and do you have any regrets?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

wow! 2 months, 13k is awesome! and you tent camped every night?! impressive! I've done a month before. but even that wasnt in my tent every single night. I did about half in my tent and half in my car. yeah- good question about the teardrop. well, for me, the teardrop just didnt offer anything more than what my car already had. my teardrop was quite small. I could sit up in it, but I couldn't stand up in it. so, for me, I couldn't really hang out in mine. I would sometimes sit in mine- just to come in from out of the cold and to watch a movie. but after sitting on my butt for a few hours- with my legs just out in front of me- not even in a seat- my legs, my back and my butt would start to hurt. my teardrop wasnt very comfortable. it was mostly just a place to sleep. and mostly- it was just always kind of a pain to go places with it. if I was wild camping- I often had to drive down very narrow dirt roads- that I would then have worry if I would be able to turn around towards the end. and driving around some cities were quite a pain. a lot of places were only set up to park one car- not a car AND a little trailer. I was actually just on a road the other day- that wouldn't have allowed me to take the trailer. the road was too narrow. and a lot of national parks had roads that wouldn't allow trailers of any kind. so then I would have to find a place to park the trailer. so, aside from a tad more space- my teardrop was just more of a hinderance than a positive. if you have one that you can stand up in- or do more RV parks for sleeping or find really wide spaces everynight- then I think it would be easier. truth is- I have no idea where I'm sleeping every night so a LOT of the places I end up to sleep are just barely big enough for my car. hope you get to make it to Alaska with yours! that was my original plan with mine, but never made it. one of these days. one of these days....

[@travelingfool9096]

@@EscapingNormalLife about 25 days of camping camped in my bro's floor a week and a half motel and airbnb in single digits was not cheap but incredible and will try again in parts in future, but need to be a lot cheaper

[@travelingfool9096]

@@EscapingNormalLife Ima going to try the size you had and see how that works. I have been dreaming to do this for years. Next year is the search and buy and see how it goes from there

[@EscapingNormalLife]

@@travelingfool9096 oh yeah- dont get me wrong - I LOVED my lil teardrop. and I have NO regrets getting it. I think it was the perfect introduction into all of this. and there are lots of elements that made it much much easier to have the teardrop. Like you, I had 20yrs of wishing to do something of the likes and just being able to do 1 whole year of traveling was an absolute dream come true. my new dream is to do a few years. and while the teardrop did make it easier to do one year, I think long term is a little more diffucult. the one I had was just not meant for full time living. if I were you- I would DEF get a teardrop and fullfill that dream. even on the hardest days- you'll be rewarded with fullfilling that dream and having no regrets. you'll truly have lived an incredible journey

[@emilymorataya5369]

Did you connect your refrigerator directly to your battery ? Or it get charged by your power station?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

i do both actually. i charge on the solar panel when i’m parked, but i can connect to the 12v in my car to charge the battery when i’m driving

[@anitasimmons3599]

❤Wow, beautiful setup. A word of advice with your self inflating matrice, open the valves when you are going up or down in elevation more than 2,000'. I did not do this on a trip to Wyoming and 3/4 of the way across Nebraska, I was thinking I had an uninvited passenger, (Rodent ) in my vehicle. When I stopped and started looking through the back of my Jeep Patriot, I was relieved to discover the self inflating matrice had expanded. Fortunately no harm was done I just opened the valves and continued my trip. Thank you for taking us along on your journey. Safe travels.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

oh that’s GREAT advice! thank you!!

[@purerc968]

Yo lol I’m behind u in traffic rn

[@EscapingNormalLife]

haha

[@subiesojourner777]

How many miles on your Subie, and have you had any issues?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

i currently have 67k on the car. i have not had any issues with it. i try to keep up my scheduled maintenance regularly to help with major issues down the line

[@subiesojourner777]

@@EscapingNormalLife Thanks. I recently bought a 2024 Forester Wilderness and I'm slowly setting it up for a few camping excursions. Except for a roof top tent, probably going with the Inspired Overland, it's good to go. I'm semi-retired so my trips may be week or two at the most.

[@EscapingNormalLife]

@@subiesojourner777 awesome! thats how I started. I did a month long road trip out west to see if I could "adapt" to nomad living. I wish I had a Wilderness model, but they didnt exist when I purchased my car. have fun out there! there's a lot to see!

[@letzgow6110]

What kind of insurance did you get to protect your belongings living fulltime nomad?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

ironically, home owners/renters insurance can protect the valuables in your car

[@letzgow6110]

@@EscapingNormalLife interesting. I’ll have to call my insurance company and see how this works. Thanks for the info

[@calebhecht]

what size tires are you running?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

yeah, great question these are BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A 18". Wish I could go bigger, but the wheel well isn't that big on this car. these tires have been awesome though! I'll say that I don't do anything TOO crazy with them, but I've been on some pretty rocky roads and never had single incident. they were rated high and fit the bill for me perfectly

[@calebhecht]

@@EscapingNormalLife the rims are 18", but what is the tire size? it'll be 3 numbers on the side of the tire. cheers :)

[@EscapingNormalLife]

sorry, not a car guy and i kept forgetting to check. but i just looked- 225

[@joneff9713]

Where's your spare tyre?

[@EscapingNormalLife]

it’s under my bed/kitchen. takes about 10/15mins to get to.

[@chuckwalla2967]

It's a modern day laundry wagon.