Full Tour of My $150 RAV4 CAMPER Build! Simple & Easy

Video:
Finally finished my RAV4 build and been living in in for a few months. I decided to do a quick walk around and show off the very basic build. 2 sheets of plywood, some hinges, and some screws, and an optional 2x4 piece that's it! I did film parts of me making it so if you want to see some step by step, just comment or email me (emails below) and I'll make a separate video. Hope you enjoy!
It was soo hot and humid, I was COVERED in sweat by the end of the video and was exhausted... I didn't even wanna talk anymore and the bugs were so loud it was cutting my audio out, I tried fixing it.
The Channel:
Welcome to SMITHEYS! My name is Joey Smithey and this channel focuses on mainly trucks: maintenance, how to’s, instructional videos, and some travel. Stay tuned for more videos and become part of the squad (SQUAD SQUAD!) by subscribing and follow along in my journey! Enjoy!
Edited With:
Adobe Rush on iPad Air 4th Generation
Music in the Videos:
EpidemicSound.com
Contact info:
[e-mail]
Products
In the Same order as the Video:
Tire
Falken Wildpeak AT Trail
245x75x17
Wheel
Voxx Lumi
17x8 35mm Offsets
AUTOCLOVER Dark Smoke Side Window Visor 6 Piece
www.amazon.com/dp/B07YSTD1GV?...
RHINO Rack Roof Bars
www.rhinorack.com/en-us/roof
Plano 36" Riffle Box
www.amazon.com/Plano-All-Weat...
Toyota Factory Trailer hitch
Toyota.com
Ready Lift
www.readylift.com/2-0-sst-lif...
FloorMats
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09NPZ...
Liners
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09CTG...
Shelf
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B3DG...
Magsafe Mount
www.amazon.com/OQTIQ-Magnetic...
Phone Mount/Charger
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08HNB...
Body Wipes
www.amazon.com/Body-Wipe-Hust...
Retractable Sunshade
www.amazon.com/Dash-Designs-U...
Tray
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B099ZM...
Dividers
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08Z7M...
Stick on Flooring
www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Decor...
Molle Bags
www.amazon.com/TRIWONDER-Pouc...
Portable Jump Starter - Brand Discountinued but here's a basic search:
www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+c...
RavPower Portable Chrger- Discontinued, but here's a search:
www.amazon.com/s?k=ravpower&c...
Tactical Baby Wipe
tacticalbabygear.com/products...
Trifold Bed
www.amazon.com/BedStory-Mattr...
Rear Lights
m.aliexpress.us/item/32568032...

[@allispossible8447]

Thanks for the tour Smithey! I love that you're so NEAT & ORGANIZED. Most of these YTers shows so much junk in cramped spaces that I could barely get through 2 minutes of the video. I'm also a couple weeks away from purchasing the RAV 4 since I've been living out of my Mini Countryman temporarily. I travel for work so I'm looking forward to life in my vehicle full-time. Thanks again!

[@kevinpinck8499]

Now I see your other video that explains the platform. Very nice 👍🏼.

[@esmokah]

Make a little cutout in your sun shade for your rear view mirror. Use small cuts so that the mirror can help hold the shade against the windshield

[@marshallohio5512]

Smooth build !!! Too Funny,,, I too had my stove stolen while out West... 😢 Oh, plus my chair and camp rug .. Others had stuff stolen too .. Now my outside stuff get put away , and portable motion lights around my Rav4..

[@smitheys]

Haha, it’s always the things you least expect! I like the motion sensing light ideal! Thanks for the idea and thanks for watching!!!

[@Polytecamerican]

Love the bed setup! Gonna make one

[@maureenmackey4879]

Nice Smithey! Been out of the loop for a while. Glad to see your still going strong. Looks amazing I’ve been following you since your F150. Glad to see you’re doing fantastic.

[@smitheys]

Hey!! Yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen your name pop up! Nice to see you, hope everything is going well. Thanks, it’s practical and cheap just like I like it.

[@maureenmackey4879]

Glad to hear it Smithey

[@jakec9736]

Nice build! Simple and functional.

[@lisamallard]

such an awesome set up, so neat and organized

[@smitheys]

Thank you so much!!

[@drummerdem50]

great setup Smithey ..

[@joparks2509]

Nice build and clean build.

[@emilymorataya5369]

Great setup!

[@denisebryant4685]

Nice to hear from someone in NC. I just traded in my RAV4 for the 4RUNNER to begin preparing for living in my SUV. I work remotely so I’m hoping to travel. My main concern getting started is the bed. But I don’t need a lot of room to sleep. I’m only 5’ tall. Any suggestions I really do not want to remove any of the seats.

[@CBW0314]

Sweet video and rig

[@susanmay3914]

Very cool setup!

[@TheFatbutterpancake]

great build

[@wildeescape]

Nice Rav setup! Wish I had seen this before I made my recent platform but they are similar. Great job and I also like the rear lights on the hatchback....do they work when it's closed too?

[@user-fs6uv6hm5t]

Interesting, your way younger than I am, but loved the ideas as I have a Jeep Cherokee Latitude which is small, so thank you for some ideas.

[@smitheys]

Glad I could give you some ideas for your Cherokee! I almost bought one myself but I’m just too tall. Good luck!

[@aninjapat24]

Stop by sometime. About to bounce to Hawaii, Taylor is going to be gone very soon, and abril as well. Take care of your self

[@smitheys]

Hawaii!!!?!! Lucky!!! Hopefully y’all are doing well!

[@ohizkimmie]

Ade the hatch lights wired in? That would be nice to add to my rig!

[@user-xk5ud3be6f]

14:58 ❤

[@l4rry5y]

Hi Smithey! I like your build and might just copy it. One question - how do you attach the Plano boxes to the Rhino cross bars?

[@smitheys]

Hey, I’m guessing Larry? I appreciate that and for the Plano boxes I used some lag bolts, I think it was 2 1/2 lag bolts. The bolts slide and lock into the channel on the rhino bars and I just drilled 4 holes in the Plano boxes in each corner. Hope this helps!

[@l4rry5y]

@@smitheys Yes and thanks!

[@o0oitzJimmy]

@@smitheysi like the way you did that! I have the OEM roof rack that came with the Rav4 might give it a try or just toss a roof basket on it.

[@o0oitzJimmy]

@@smitheysmore pics or a vid about doing it?

[@susie9893]

​@@smitheysonce I got over the "hunter" 😱 cringe factor I really liked the idea of the Plano boxes. Doesn't scream car camper like the Thule boxes do now. As a chic, I'd be quite happy if most ppl thought I was packing guns up there (kinda like yelling "keep off") AND when you have that setup it's easier to stealth a solar panel between them. Is that your goal?

[@pierregilbert7405]

Well done I have the rav 4. 4 2014 I really like the idea of discretion The front curtain is great Is it on Amazon? Same for the rear lights Great! How did you make the boxes instead of the rear seats? He has no height Good job

[@smitheys]

So sorry for the late response! I just saw this. Yeah, the curtain is on Amazon. The link is in the description, but I would advise you to check dashdesign.com to get your size first. You can purchase from that website or on Amazon after you put your vehicle in and get the correct size for your windshield. They make them at 15inches all the way to 30 something inches. As for how I made the boxes, I made a separate video to help someone else out with ideas. And yeah, I like it as low as possible! I’ve seen videos of people making them really high and they look like they’re in a coffin… ha. Hope this helped and thanks for watching!!!

[@smitheys]

Oh and here’s the separate video on how I made this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHyZdJRtl62VgpI

[@tiffanymccray3909]

Dope

[@karlbe8414]

I am thinking half the bed width and make it higher. Then you could sit on it like a bench and have your feet down low. Also, I would want to cram a bike in there on the non bed side. Higher bed would also increase your out of view storage space (s). Is your Rav4 a hybrid? What mpg are you getting?

[@smitheys]

That could work! I thought about doing half, but I’m a bigger guy (6’2 210lbs). As for the height, that would be tricky because of the frame in the middle of the space. I rested the back board directly on the frame of the car. You could go 3/4” less but you’ll be laying on the frame. It can be done though! Thanks for watching

[@EricaMCross]

Can you share how you made the platform? For example, did you glue the sides on? I am working on creating a platform bed with storage for my Chrysler Voyager.❤

[@smitheys]

Hey, yeah the whole build was wood and screws and it’s still holding up fantastic! The only other thing I used was 2 “L” brackets that I screwed into the metal beam to keep it in place. So 4 sheet metal screws into the car and everything else was assembled to the wood. I wanted to keep the damage to the car very minimal. Here’s another video on how I made the platform: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHyZdJRtl62VgpI Hope this helps!

[@EricaMCross]

@@smitheys Thank you, so much. I will watch it and take notes.

[@gleblipin]

Well thought setup. How did you removed the back seats?

[@smitheys]

Appreciate that! How i removed the seats is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmGtgYB8qbd4b9k

[@asimgeekhan]

Question about your tire/wheel and lift...did you have to get a spare to fit the lift or will the stock spare tire still fit?

[@smitheys]

The donut that my car comes with works with the lift and tire combination. I actually got a flat tire 4 days after buying the tires, so I got to see if it worked immediately. Haha. I ran over a piece of someone’s broken turn signal plastic in a parking lot. It was still sticking out of the tire is how I know. Haha.

[@RoldanRR00]

Awesome minimalist build. No need for solar or portable power when traveling?

[@smitheys]

Thanks! Yeah, simple and effective is how I like it. I contemplated solar and portable power when I started because everyone said I would need it, but I didn’t actually need it… I also couldn’t afford it(still can’t, ha). The only power things I use are my phone and my iPad that I’ve had for years and i charge them while I’m driving. I also have a small cell phone charging brick for when I’m recording a video and my phone wants to die that I bought for $15 years ago. The brick charges my phone 3-5 times and my iPad once to like 80%. I tried to be efficient and only buy what I need and I cook with propane. Thanks for watching!

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Hey Smithey... curious how those Plano boxes have been holding up since you installed them... have they faded, are they still kinda waterproof? Do they still open and close as good as they did when they were new? I like the idea of using those for storage and was just curious. Thanks!

[@smitheys]

What’s going on Chris! Yeah, the Plano boxes are holding up great. Very minimal fading, they just collect dead bugs like nobodies business! Haha. They are still waterproof and I’ve had them since 2018ish, so I’d say they are a solid choice.

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

@@smitheys - Thank you!!! 👍🏻

[@kevinpinck8499]

The back seats are removed, correct? I like that you can still sit straight and have storage underneath. I’m trying to figure out how you created the storage doors with hinges. Are there box bases where the seats were?

[@smitheys]

The back seats were removed, correct. I still have some of the footage of me making the base, I may put it in a video but it’s not the whole process because I got in the zone and just kept working not worrying about the camera. Let me know if you want to see the majority of it and I’ll put something together.

[@anniebeach330]

I would be very interested in seeing a video of the base!@@smitheys

[@smitheys]

Hey Kevin, here’s how I made the base: Building the $150 RAV4 Mini Camper kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHyZdJRtl62VgpI

[@kevinpinck8499]

Thanks

[@CBW0314]

Do the adhesives for the front windshield sun visor ever overheat and peel off?

[@smitheys]

Not that I've experienced. I've put these the last 10 cars I've owned with no issues.

[@medicangeleyes]

What size is the trifold mattress?

[@carmensjourney2837]

Do you have a video that shows how you added the Plano cases to the rhino bars?

[@smitheys]

I actually don’t have a video of that, unfortunately. It’s very simple though. The rhino bars have channels in them for accessory mounting. I just went to Lowe’s and got some 1 1/4” carriage bolts/washers/locking nuts, trim the weather stripping back, slid the bolts in, put the weather stripping back in, and then drilled some holes in the box with washers and nuts, done. I hope that makes sense and helped.

[@VitorCoelho6]

Love this setup. Again, is another video that makes me question why Toyota decide to put the trunk without a spare tire and opening like a sedan instead of keeping the Rav4 gen1,2,3 setup.

[@smitheys]

Thanks a lot!! And The things Toyota does is a complete mystery these days.

[@susie9893]

I prefer the hatch. Gives you a mini roof if doing some cooking out there or something

[@Polytecamerican]

How’d you do it?

[@susie9893]

Lots of interesting ideas here, good stealth mode. But yeah, I could tell it was lifted as soon as you zoomed in on the tires right at the start (and I'm a chic). FYI you should talk to KZbin boy, cos with the amount of comments you have I'm sure you have plenty of likes but I'm seeing zero on my end (added 1 but not sure it'll show either)

[@almostkinda]

What was the button you talked about being able to open It from the inside

[@smitheys]

I completely forgot about the button! Thanks for reminding me. I’m going to add a button/switch to the rear hatch so I can open the back while I’m inside the car. I’ve been crawling out the side doors. Thank you again!

[@GayleB61]

What did you do with your rear seats?

[@smitheys]

I took out the seats and have them stored at a family members house.

[@johncros2281]

Where did you bought magnetic holder ?

[@smitheys]

Everything I mentioned I listed in the description, but here’s the link for Amazon: www.amazon.com/OQTIQ-Magnetic-Flexible-Compatible-Cellphones/dp/B0BLGQXX8V

[@eugenegeorge1857]

Where did you get the windshield shade?

[@smitheys]

Hey! Yeah I ultimately got the sunshade from Amazon but I went to dash designs to get the correct size for my vehicle then depending on who was cheaper, I bought from them. I’ve bought from Amazon and dash designs for about 10 different vehicles and the product always holds up. Unless you throw them open, then probably won’t last. Links in the description for everything in the video, Hope this helps!

[@junior2all]

1:42 ummm did you mean 245/65/17r thought I can saw 65 on your sidewall. Might want to add that correction as someone might buy the wrong size. I only say this as I have the same tire and wheel size on my R4prime.

[@smitheys]

Wow, yeah you’re right. Too bad I can’t change it but thanks for the catch. I had some BFG tires for about a week that were 245/75/17. They dropped my gas mileage about 5mpg, so I traded them for these. Not a bad tire. But again, thanks for the catch.

[@patrickroy9153]

How does the plano case mount on the roof rack ?

[@smitheys]

Yeah, well not professionally. I drilled 4 holes in the Plano cases, one in each corner, and put carriage bolts in the rhino rack cross bars and bolted the box to it.

[@yugimuto9763]

What year and trim? XLE premium?

[@smitheys]

Hahahaha, I can’t afford that.. it’s a 2019 LE. Anything premium in its name is WAY outside my budget.

[@yugimuto9763]

@@smitheys beautiful interior!

[@johny3133]

How many times cops wake u up asking to leave and it’s not a camping area?

[@smitheys]

The funny thing is I have never been woken up/asked to move by any cops. I am always respectful of where I stay and I move often. The only time I was asked to move was from a security officer at Walmart. I wasn’t even going to stay there, I just went to a Wendy’s in the parking lot of Walmart then pulled over to eat and he asked me to leave. It was only 630pm. lol. He said I was there too long. Too much authority, I guess? Haha

[@johny3133]

@@smitheys lol Security officer was weirdo

[@onlyjesussaves840]

Nothing more important than changing the color of your pee when you go to empty it in a rest room. ;)

[@smitheys]

Hahahaha, I don’t know if that is sarcasm or a joke, but I’m actually gonna do that. Less of a walk of shame/grossness? Thanks! (I also don’t know if grossness is a word. It fit.)

[@davidapacjr1989]

Really nice pee jar😂 I usually use an old Gatorade bottle😂😂

[@smitheys]

Yes! Pee talk!! What flavor Gatorade? Hahaha, totally kiddding… don’t answer. lol.

[@1-Man]

facemasks lol i doubt it ha ha ha