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

After spending several months last winter living out of my Crosstrek, I decided to design a conversion and this is the result!
With several temporary fixes to extend my sleeping platform on my trip, I started to explore conversion options. I removed the rear and passenger seats and began to take measurements to determine the available space. I sketched a few preliminary designs and narrowed down what characteristics I wanted to include - an extended & level bed platform, easy access to the spare tire compartment, and a modular design that allows for different configurations.
Aside from some hardware (hinges, brackets, and screws) and the plywood top sheet, the remainder of the conversion was built from repurposed materials. I used leftover pressure treated wood (from a decking project over the summer) and plastic drawers that I used in college. I even used my subwoofer box to support the non-load bearing front insert.
I understand that it is a rudimentary design, and ultimately my first prototype. I was an structural acoustic engineer for several years spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours modeling structures for acoustic analysis. I'm planning on making a digital model for the conversion, implementing some updates along the way. There is still so much room for improvement and just to name a few - more precise measurements, bolting the structure to the car, reducing weight, locking drawers, and even some aesthetic updates, like paint or carpet.
If you have any suggestions, post them in the comments section! I'm always open to other concepts to incorporate.
If you liked the video hit the LIKE button, and if you want to see more content like this, SUBSCRIBE to the channel!
Song: Inukshuk - The Long Road Home [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/TLRH
Watch: • Inukshuk - The Long Ro...

[@Olivertwiztd]

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

[@kylebernard5719]

Hilarious that you optimized space for the sub

[@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.

[@ashleysmith4470]

intro was smooth af

[@xrmighty]

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

[@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.

[@brycebaker7245]

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

[@curiousidea]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@theq-ster6981]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@explorethebush]

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

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Good job, looks great and practical.

[@Momshobbies24]

Very well thought out!

[@WazowskiJDM]

Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@fredericcolmache3010]

Really nice! 👍

[@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. 👍🏾

[@LagiFokusNganggur]

best setup...

[@frankfrankenstein5933]

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

[@susanparry5576]

great intro :')

[@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

[@cindynichols27]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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!

[@kha58]

Great job. 😊

[@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?

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@spiritualawakening7373]

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?

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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.

[@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!

[@Veeetz]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@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!

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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!

[@mikewhitt5443]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@CaptAxolotl]

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

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@wilco1v]

Why don,t you put the hinges upside down ?

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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.

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@ericbeech2652]

Did you get a weight on the rear seats?

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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

[@ericbeech2652]

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

[@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....

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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!

[@btfoaccounting2902]

good video but the vocal fry is distracting

[@CrosstrekCamper]

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