DIY Subaru Crosstrek Car Camping Conversion - Extra Storage, Modular Design, & Repurposed Materials

[@kylebernard5719]

Hilarious that you optimized space for the sub

[@ashleysmith4470]

intro was smooth af

[@ponderwithjess]

Coolest intro ever award goes to you, Mitch

[@Olivertwiztd]

This felt like a massage to my brain, the way everything was so well thought out and organized 😮‍💨

[@brycebaker7245]

Such a nice, easy build. I've been considering how I'd keep the spare accessible and this does a good job.

[@GlenStoner]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on a 2024 Crosstrek Onyx and I came across your build. Very cool..!

[@mitchsends]

Thanks. Check out the updated build here: crosstrekcamper.etsy.com/listing/1642417024

[@theq-ster6981]

Dude! This is brilliant! Love the modular sleeping platform! Awesome build!

[@mitchsends]

Thanks, a new design is dropping in a few weeks with several improvements - Check the sneak peak at the end of the solar panel installation video

[@Chucktown1990]

We have the exact same Crosstrek and Thule... Love the setup man! Did a 4 month trip last year with a similar half-sleep, half-fridge/stuff setup in the back. Appreciate the inspiration for updating my own build!

[@sweetlemon7488]

Yo this is so sweet!! I just got a 2019 crosstrek and am used to my old 4runner setup, so trying to make use of less space - these are such good ideas

[@mitchsends]

Check out my updated build! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHu4hpqsaZWiadUsi=yKziCmOdBUm_QBvk

[@juanacevedo9297]

Harumph on the sub. Kudos on the build. Naturally, in my humble opinion, MY next evolution the sub would be exploring the seat bracket. Possibly a scrapped passenger seat in order to build and bolt a unit directly to the sliding mechanism. Holds the weight of a human. Adds a different compartment configuration. Maybe safer. Thanks for the tour.

[@mitchsends]

Check out the updated build!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHu4hpqsaZWiadUsi=ZMwXpDg6LD9a8q6U

[@explorethebush]

I think you nailed it, one of the best I've seen

[@frankmcchrystal4029]

AAA plus plan gets you a 100 mile tow. I get the best quality tires I can and leave the spare and jack at home. Offloading weight and adding much more storage space makes sense to me. Haven't had a flat in decades. The storage area (previous spare tire compartment) is huge in my 2018 RAV 4. It's cool sleeping on the road when necessary. I hate hotel rooms! "Shelter line stretchin' round the corner, welcome to the new world order". Would love a really good estimate of the number of Americans now calling their car "home". Small SUV's are perfect for being "stealth". I enjoyed your video.

[@dre.vil4]

sub in a camping set up is a must ahahh i love it

[@mitchsends]

@@dre.vil4 unfortunately not in the setup anymore, but it was sick while it lasted 🤙

[@xrmighty]

Dude, you are so creative and brilliant. Btw, I also have a crosstrek with a subwoofer. Kudos.

[@jacksondichiara2405]

Sick video my guy

[@michaelangelo4147]

You have great ideas and it looks very good. You can even laminate all the pieces of wood as well for a much cleaner and longer lasting application. 👍🏾

[@ferventlypassionatebelieve3146]

Just thumbs upped & subbed. Well done, young man! After I save up some money for my Subie, I will be checking in with you. Hopefully, you will have worked out if making these available for purchase is worth your very valuable time & effort. I am a 100% service connected disabled war veteran🇺🇲. After well over a decade of recovery (both physically & mentally - and I'm evermore Still In Process), I am finally at a place where I yearn to reconnect with the great outdoors (again).😎✌️I believe that your system can help me with "getting back out there" in a practical way - through the gifts of organization & inspiration. "One step at a time," & "all that jazz," right? Thanks & Blessings to you and yours.🙏 Until then, I hope "The Very Best" for you and your endeavors.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Good job, looks great and practical.

[@scottphillips471]

First bed build, car or van, to include a subwoofer! Priorities, Gotta love it!! The basket up front doubles as a headboard, keeping the pillow in place. Without the front seat installed, do you have any safety warning lights on the dash?

[@mitchsends]

You should give the updated conversion a look! The SRS airbag light and the passenger seat belt alarm! Alarm can be disabled - Check my passenger seat removal video for more info.

[@petrawehle5708]

wow, very well done!

[@curiousidea]

This is perfect for what i need. I also have the luno mattress.

[@mitchsends]

Check out the updated conversion! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHu4hpqsaZWiadUsi=xfLqvRjpf6Yxv7Zu

[@ironman1518.]

I lkie your setup!! What holds the base of the bed up when you go to access the spare tire area, please? Thanks in advance.

[@Veeetz]

Great set up. 2 quick ?. 1st. What year Crosstrek? 2. Can you send a link to the mattress (and those square inflatables) ? Thanks!

[@mitchsends]

2017 Crosstrek - Luno Air Mattress (lunolife.com/collections/shop-air-mattresses/products/luno-air-mattress-2-0). The mattress comes with the square inflatables.

[@cindynichols27]

Damn. This is awesome. One of the best I've ever seen. Would you convert my '23 Crosstrek for me? lol

[@mitchsends]

Thanks! If you are serious, I would consider converting your Crosstrek. The current design is specific for my gear, like the air mattress, plastic drawers, and subwoofer. I'll need to make some design changes/improvements before I feel comfortable making it for other people, but I'm already working on making it happen!

[@lindsaybayne4711]

Any updates on sharing the plans? I’d love to build this!

[@lindsaybayne4711]

I’d also absolutely be interested in paying you for a custom build if you’re up for it!

[@Everett-n7q]

Best youtube intro I've ever seen. haha nice.

[@travelinglightconnections]

Looks awesome! Do you or anyone on here know the difference between a cross trek and an outback in terms of space in the back for sleeping?

[@mitchsends]

The Outback has more length! The Crosstrek barely fits myself (6' 0") with both front seats in the forward-most position. I tested the same for a 21 Outback and you get few more inches, which makes a huge difference - Likely will not need to remove the front seat unless you want more storage.

[@wilco1v]

Why don,t you put the hinges upside down ?

[@mitchsends]

You're right, I could have concealed the rear hinges - I was looking at offset piano hinges that would do the job, but I opted for the traditional door hinge for the price.

[@mitchsends]

Unfortunately, just flipping the existing hinge upside down will not allow the panels fold flush.

[@CowdreyC]

as a 2nd subaru owner i would never use the spare tire as the difference in circumference will ruin your transmission in a short amount of time. i would use a plug kit in the rare event that i get a flat

[@mikewhitt5443]

Looks great, hoping to use on in my crosstrek for this winter. Can you provide dimensions of the wood used?

[@mitchsends]

I just finished the digital design for an updated conversion! I’ll post a video and the plans in the next few weeks!

[@mitchsends]

There will be a sneak peak in the video posted at 3:00 pm today

[@MrTapanes]

Cool build with some innovative solutions, but I implore you to take another look at it with the idea of what would happen in an accident. If you were to get t-boned with that passenger plywood platform in place, I can see that acting as a guillotine. If you were to crash into something head on, all those unsecured sheets of plywood and gear would come flying at the back of your head. I worked EMS for ten years and worked hundreds of accidents. You would be surprised at the amount of damage even small items or pets can cause when propelled at the back of your head at 70MPH. A cargo net would help in that regard, but that passenger side platform would be more difficult to address. I certainly hope something like this never happens to you, but an ounce of prevention and all that. Cheers!

[@mitchsends]

This was a prototype - Check out the updated build! Secured with bolted truck bed tie downs, straps, and turnbuckles.

[@Lyudtaru]

This is so awesome. Would I be able to fit without removing the front seat? I'm 6'-0"

[@mitchsends]

@@Lyudtaru I am 6’-0” too. You’ll be able to fit but it’s a rather tight fit.

[@Momshobbies24]

Very well thought out!

[@christhurman]

Hey man cool build. When you're sleeping in the car in cold weather, how do you keep the condensation from accumulating and frosting over inside the car? I've tried leaving a window cracked or sunroof cracked but that hasnt helped me much + makes it colder

[@mitchsends]

I'm just about to film a video on condensation! There are several factors like airflow, head positioning, sleeping gear/attire, isolating wet gear, etc. (I'll get to that in the video). For winter camping, I sleep with my head towards the front of the car, crack all windows about an inch, and run a fan out the rear of my sunroof. The fan quickly expels the moisture rich air that I exhale out of the sunroof. It will get cold, but I found this method helpful to minimize condensation.

[@ironman1518.]

Do you offer drawings of the platform and base for one to make one similar? Do you offer a similar set-up but keeping the back seats installed? Thank you impressive set-0up!

[@mitchsends]

Yes, I designed an updated conversion and the digital plans are for sale on Etsy! You can check out the new build on my channel. I currently do not have a design with the back seats installed, but all of the dimensions are included in the digital plans. The Etsy link is available on my channel description!

[@WazowskiJDM]

Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@CaptAxolotl]

What about the passenger seat airbag? Does the air bag light trigger

[@mitchsends]

Yes! Check out the passenger seat removal video on my channel for some more info.

[@LagiFokusNganggur]

best setup...

[@ericbeech2652]

Did you get a weight on the rear seats?

[@mitchsends]

The rear seats are approx. 40 lbs total (10 lbs bottom cushion, 30 lbs backrest).

[@ericbeech2652]

@@mitchsends thank you! That information has proven to be elusive.

[@fredericcolmache3010]

Really nice! 👍

[@susanparry5576]

great intro :')

[@frankfrankenstein5933]

Wow! I love everything you did with this mod! I wish you could do this for me on my 2020 Crosstrek Premium! Subscriber!👍

[@kha58]

Great job. 😊

[@btfoaccounting2902]

good video but the vocal fry is distracting

[@mitchsends]

Yeah, working on it. Not the best at editing, but learning along the way

[@Aikynbreusov]

You are too tall to lay in the subie.... the Crosstrek is not long enough.... try the Outback next time.... I think 6" is good enough to get the job done....

[@mitchsends]

The outback would be perfect size - I purchased the Crosstrek before I started to car camp, so I'm just trying to make it work!

[@flyinhawaiian7226]

What are U talking about?! This guy made it work!!