Honda Odyssey no build camper van

How to turn your Honda odyssey minivan into a weekend camper.

[@b.l.wilson9724]

I’m from Maryland but live in Central Arkansas. I have made that 17 hour drive with my dog several times when I had my Honda Odyssey. We always slept in the van at rest stops… I loved it. I have a small SUV now and I can’t wait to get another minivan, preferably a Honda Odyssey but at this point I just want a minivan

[@anitasimmons3599]

Beautiful, KISS minivan camper. I love the simplicity. I'm retired now so when I get the chance I go to the parks during the week. I seldom put the second row back into my minivan because I have been using them in the house. The one in the corner of the living room has become my favorite chair for reading and relaxing... I have a 2017 Toyota Sienna. Thank you for the tour of your rig. Safe travels.

[@pammerola3801]

I love your simple set up functional and cozy

[@TomDiffenderfer]

thank you

[@hmfem3656]

Great set-up. What a good trick for the A/C vent !!!

[@dorismiranda1875]

Nice! Very smart, slick and straight to the point, I really love it! Thanks for sharing 🤠🫶🏼

[@TomDiffenderfer]

you're welcome

[@mada310]

Good shit Tom. Thanks for sharing

[@BonnieMartin-s7s]

Nice enjoy your traveld

[@TomDiffenderfer]

I understand. Enjoy.

[@lisamarie1280]

I'd like to see the process of taking out and putting back in the 2nd row seats. I'm on the verge of buying a minivan for extended camping trips, still researching which brand to go with. Ease of putting it back to its original configuration is important to me. Thanks. (Nice simple setup)

[@TomDiffenderfer]

If you go to a walk-through video of a newer Honda Odyssey, they will show you how to remove second row seats. There is just one latch on each seat. They are a little heavy to lift in and out but doable.

[@juliarushing1920]

nice job and great AC solution!

[@TomDiffenderfer]

The serene life AC unit is for a 20x20 ft room. keeps my van nice and cool. It is loud, but I don't mind the white noise. And it was only around $250.

[@johnsiu7217]

Nice and minimal. I’m planning on going the same with my 2014 odyssey. What is the name of your mattress, it’s really nice.

[@TomDiffenderfer]

Elegear self-inflating sleeping pad. This mat is very comfortable and durable. It's like sleeping on my bed at home.

[@TomDiffenderfer]

Elegear self-inflating sleeping pad

[@deedeeotero4475]

Great ideas here. I'm only wondering what kind of campgrounds you go to that you have electricity? The Thousand trails membership is something I'm considering, but they don't allow van campers, only RV's or trailers and they have to be self contained (you have to have a toilet). What campgrounds allow vans/minivans that provide electricity?

[@angelabraggs7614]

What size your rug

[@angelabraggs7614]

You took out your 2nd road seat pennant

[@TomDiffenderfer]

The 2nd row seat isn't that hard to put in and out. I do have to slide out the wood flooring each time I put those seats back in.

[@sarasmile184]

Nice set up! I'm trying to decide which minivan to buy for solo camping. I wonder if only Odyssey has seats that go into the floor? Who makes the AC please and can the ducts be moved while driving if theres a passenger? Looks like a power station would work well for campsites without power. Ty

[@TomDiffenderfer]

The serene life AC unit is for a 20x20 ft room. keeps my van nice and cool. It is loud, but I don't mind the white noise. And it was only around $250.

[@wendyorides8337]

How do you get the extension cord into the van for the ac and microwave?

[@GodwinWoo]

And where do you plug in the cord?

[@TomDiffenderfer]

I lower the passenger side window about 4 inches so I can place the air conditioner vent there. I run the extension cord through that gap and then seal the remaining 4-inch gap with the rubbery seal that I show in the video. I'll post a picture tomorrow so you can see how it all fits. I fastened a power strip on the wood flooring behind the passenger seat for the air-conditioner microwave, lamp, etc. one extension cord through the sealed passenger window running to the camp site power box.

[@GodwinWoo]

@@TomDiffenderfer so that limits your power sources. Need a power box.

[@TomDiffenderfer]

@@GodwinWoo My power is not limited as far as I know. All the state and federal campgrounds I go to in the south have individual sites with electric, water, a fire ring, and a picnic table. My extension cord plugs directly into the electric box they provide at the site, and I can run all my electric devices in the van off that one extension cord. I can do the same thing in my driveway at home by plugging the cord into an electric socket in the garage.

[@GodwinWoo]

@@TomDiffenderfer i think for me id go for a small as possible ac box and a better solution for exhaust tubes. Cuz it's not guaranteed that I will be in a location with a power box. Otherwise it'd be alot of space taken up.

[@brendagrantham4460]

Do you have a power station of some kind or do the hook ups at the campground support an air conditioner? I never knew that it was support so much.

[@TomDiffenderfer]

No, I just plug it into a regular outlet at the campsite or in my garage and it works fine.

[@ginabrandt6168]

I can't watch anymore. A microwave? A coffee pot? An a/c?

[@Morningdovecamp]

Nice job👍. You got it covered 👍🚙🏔️enjoy!