How I Converted My Subaru Crosstrek for Winter Car Camping

As a full time content creator I am on the road full time throughout the winter. Converting my Subaru Crosstrek for winter car camping made a lot of sense for my situation so I just wanted to share how I fit everything in such a small space!
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[@Kad3nSJ]

Great video-no loud stupid music and silly. Small talk. Very informative concise. Really like this. Good job.

[@karenmay2648]

I have a small SUV. Good to know how to stay warm. Stay warm and good luck. It is sewn.

[@wyeast.productions]

Absolutely, a good sleeping bag goes a really long ways as well. Appreciate the correction, I needed it XD.

[@kellkalm6109]

The clothing storage in bags are the best system I’ve seen yet!

[@wyeast.productions]

On the down low, that was my Mom's idea, when I first started spending winters on the road she was stoked to contribute ideas.

[@martinr8278]

Love that crosstrek! Amazing. 🥇💯❤️🏆 You chose wisely. Awesome terrain

[@58shortboard]

Well done, love the attention to detail. I’ve utilized a similar setup for hiking/ultra running and surf camping. And it is fairly stealth. Thanks for tips

[@runningrogue]

Awesome set up! Love the organization of gear and purpose built areas 😎

[@wyeast.productions]

Appreciate it man!

[@kitsunecamps]

great presentation and set up..thanks for sharing

[@Feed_Outdoor]

Thank you! I just bought a 2024 crosstrek sport. Going to be doing a lot of camping and looking forward to watching you this year!

[@wyeast.productions]

Hey appreciate that so much! Kinda, took a break from the channel wasn't sure if it was worth the time. But coming back with a regular series this winter, got on to see all these comments and it's been amazing to see the positive feedback! If people like what we're doing we'll keep trying to provide the information and content (will likely make some dumb stuff along the way as well as we figure out youtube)

[@lisadenmark7803]

Impressive! Thanks for sharing

[@G0SuBunnY]

As a few suggestions below this may help you if you have considered them already adding car a topper to the car can eliminate the need to store all the equipment on the back. Also adding a hauling toe hitch rack can make room for two much easier cost is like 150 dollars for the rack, and the topper comes in all shapes and sizes even leaves room for all of the ski gear. Since you'll be in winter climates, take advantage of any ashes or coals you might produce from campfires. these can be used when you need traction on ice (science). People have suggested a Sand battery for heat. Where you create a fire and leave the pot with sand in it with Brass going down, the sand will stay heated in the pot and give off heat for hours. Video: #26: Turn your Kelly Kettle into a Sand Battery HEATER ( +5 hour test ) Ironically, Fire tents are typically warmer and more comfortable then traditionally sleeping in your car. video called "92 Degrees In A Campfire Heated Tent" Hope this helps!

[@EvieVermont]

Great ideas. Efficient and simple.

[@joshkelsey2135]

great video, thanks man!

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

Nice, I have almost the identical setup in my pearl white 2023 Crosstrek base model with the same wheels as yours, probably the same year. I also have a similar interior, bed on the right, stuff on the left. But I use a cooler to support my feet and have a camp stove, pots and pans on the left, as I cook…. I also shoot pictures available to see on my channel here.🎉

[@johnreese3762]

Brilliant! Well presented! Thanks

[@wyeast.productions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kimberlychicago7608]

Nice presentation. Good luck with your adventures.

[@matthew9363]

Terrific presentation.

[@dleetrini]

Nice setup. My wife has a 2019 Crosstrek Sport and she loves it.

[@wyeast.productions]

Stellar cars, the perfect jack of all!

[@bigqueue]

Great setup! Thanks for all the tips. I was actually considering buying a Crosstrek and I guess I searched for crosstrek car camping and your video popped up. My thoughts are not to do cold weather activities, but instead go away for the cold season and travel to see other parts of the country. I like your setup, and I actually have a tri-fold bed that I'm going to use as well. I've used it several times and it's been awesome, I just haven't done it in a car.

[@serhatkocaerol]

super simple, super nice

[@LDR1100RS]

Nicely done.

[@wyeast.productions]

Thank You!!

[@TierIII]

Well done guys 👍🏻 you're really nice, gentle and cute, I hope all the best for you and your projects and travel with your precious Subi! #wearesubaru

[@cindynichols27]

I would really dearly love to know how you set up extra outlets for charging all your stuff. I couldn't follow what you said--something about an inverter, and I don't even know what that is. lol But more ways to charge my electronics in my Crosstrek would be sooo welcome!

[@wyeast.productions]

Super sorry for the delay in responses took a break from KZbin, yes an inverter off amazon plugged into your cigarette port in the central console can convert the dc power to AC giving you several full size AC outlets.

[@chriss2254]

There is a decent amount of space under the driver and passenger seat to store extra stuff in the crosstrek

[@evildevil364]

Hey I also have a white Crosstrek that I use for work camping! I also recently went from a roof rack to a Thule long box. It's great for storage requirements which leaves more room internally, but it also means that every time you need something, you need to go outside and face the elements to get it which is not fun if there's a storm and you're already in pajamas. You also need to worry about fuel economy. I have a 2.5L boxer, and the AWD system is great but isn't the best when it comes to saving gas. The more you rely on roof storage, the lower your efficiency gets AND you start bringing more gear which weighs down your car. Also if you like to do off-road stuff, having a high center of mass REALLY makes a difference when it comes to tackling obstacles or even just climbing hills. Sometimes simple is just better

[@wyeast.productions]

Totally agree! There's pros and cons to each system although I'll admit I'd definitely take the trade offs, for the the extra storage space if I had the spare cash for a box. During the summer we run rooftop tents and they definitely tank gas mileage but the convenience is often worth it.

[@Doc1855]

The CrossTrek is too small for my needs, but my Forester Touring is perfect for my needs. I’m sure that my wife’s Outback would be nicer for car camping only because of the extra space.

[@Subieadventures]

Digging the stock rims with a better tire . Vs new rims and tires

[@GraniteRoll]

Do you cover the inside front window too? I have an Outback and want to maintain temps inside. Enjoyed the videos!

[@mindypope1937]

This is great, thank you. I'm also in a crosstrek and traveling with photography equipment. What are you securing your gear in? Maybe it's always with you when you're not in the car for extended periods. I'm doing more nature/wildlife so I have some big lenses, several bodies, etc. I'm currently locking it in a pelican case which is also cable locked to an anchor in the vehicle itself. Maybe not the best solution but was using what I had. Just curious to learn what others do with expensive gear that is left in the car. Also, if you don't mind... I see you shared the dimensions/materials of your platform. Did you put the plywood up on the 2x4s and that's what's lifting? And the 4x4 are "stilts" to the floor of the backseat? Anything you'd be willing to share would be great. Cheers

[@atnv-jd4vb]

good BUT what about Loo??

[@wyeast.productions]

Write your name in cursive in the snowbank or spend every day at a different ski resort you end up figuring it out one way or the other. In my head that concern seemed very real at first but it was never an issue. The weirder one is the strange places you might end up brushing your teeth.

[@gabgt2]

have you consider removing all of the back seats and building a platform? i did it with mine and gained some space

[@davedavis3467]

Great video .. what you heat with at night ..do u run small heater

[@matthewturner639]

Yeah man sometimes it's good to be short like for camping in a Crosstrek. Just started getting mine set up for winter camping for long ski weekends. As I tested it out I was glad for once to not be over 6'. Thanks for the inspiration good luck launching your career even more. One question, what do you do to avoid or deal with an icy roof rack?

[@wyeast.productions]

Well it's not the most sophisticated solution but I tend to just slap it around a bunch to break the ice off. Recommend wearing padded gloves but other than that there's not much to do.

[@Doc1855]

They do make battery powered Hair Dryers and they can help de-ice your rack. Also you can use Silicone spray, cooking oil or Vaseline to lightly coat anything you don’t want to freeze. I use Silicone spray on a cloth to spread over our rubber door gaskets on our vehicles so they don’t ice up and it’s easier to open our vehicle (s) doors and rear lift gate. The Silicone spray will last for the winter and it helps to preserve the rubber gaskets and seals. If you don’t have Silicone spray, just use cooking oil such as “Pam” or Vaseline. But other debris can stick to the Vaseline. I hope this helps you out

[@Mikeguapojr]

Bro, I don’t know if it’s good for a long-term, but I’ve always used the luno bed in my crosscheck, and it always works out pretty good and I can carry a lot more things

[@wyeast.productions]

I've heard of these and seen a few very curious about them, big concerns for me would be temperature fluctuations effecting air mattresses and storage. Very curious what your experiences have been!

[@AnthonyVenturi]

Awesome set up, where did you get the mattress?

[@wyeast.productions]

Jeff Bezos drove it to my house

[@AdamDoesNotExist]

How do you handle moisture in the winter. It looks like most people just crack a window in the summer. But I’m not sure how to deal with drying boots and wet gear in the winter. Great video!

[@wyeast.productions]

Locating gear that needs to be dried in a storage location near heaters more than does the job. Boots in footwell, gloves on dash, heat car before bed to dry everything. Never really had an issue. Sleeping in the rain is harder but super heat car in morning again to dry everything on way to bc or resort.

[@lighthunter1418]

Great video! Is your bed platform loosely propped on longish 2by 4? Tell me a bit about that, i want to lose minimum space that way, makes me claustrophobic, thanks

[@wyeast.productions]

Yeah it's propped up by a 4x4 with a bult that runs thru the platform down into the top of the 4x4 keeping it stable but making it super easy to remove. I wanted to leave as much space in that foot well as possible for clothes

[@ethanwise04]

And do you have window insulation up front?

[@ethanwise04]

So you don’t have any heat at night besides the heat from your car?

[@anthonymeetsastranger]

Doing this with my Subaru outback at snowboarding resorts! How did you deal with condensation? For condensation did you crack your windows opened? I bought WeatherTech's insulation covers that covers all windows and even with side deflectors installed, concerned there wouldn't be enough ventilation with all of them cracked.

[@wyeast.productions]

It can be an issue super heat the car in the morning, maybe toss a mesh under the matress to encourage air flow and make sure anything that does get wet dries regularly. With attention it's not a problem, definitely crack windows and learn how to channel air flow.

[@anthonymeetsastranger]

Thank you!!

[@kevinbrowndc]

How many passengers have you had

[@207Woodsman]

What brand are those rain guards?

[@wyeast.productions]

Came with car admittedly worked it into the deal when I bought the car

[@wyattsmith3797]

What size mattress off Amazon? Single?

[@wyeast.productions]

Yep! I had to trim a little off the end to get second seat all the way back link should be in description!

[@994Xp]

Yeah I’m 6 ft, it’s a little too tight

[@jonathancappiello7554]

Nice set up! How’d you build the platform? How much did the wood cost?

[@wyeast.productions]

I used all reclaimed wood, left overs from construction sites basically. In total all I needed was a 10" length of 2x4, a 6' long sheet of plywood, and a ~2-3' 4x4. Wasn't super difficult to find all of them for free, if you were to purchase the plywood board could end up being quite expensive.

[@sugarnads]

Sewn. Correct.

[@wyeast.productions]

My brain turned off when I tried to figure that out on camera.

[@diaperdood1]

i just leave my crosstrek on all night with the heater. Lol

[@wyeast.productions]

I mean... it works...

[@Angelina1257j]

Stop ok

[@wyeast.productions]

Stopped?

[@Tyani-sz6cg]

Professional?

[@Shadow-7773]

lol lol, Subaru is making a mint selling shower stalls on wheels to KZbinrs and want to be RV people. lol lol who in their right mind wants to live in a shower stall?

[@VanGogh1999]

Very nice and interesting video. Please try to use another superlative other than "super"

[@wyeast.productions]

I will work on it! Admittedly, I do not spend much time talking to the camera and am still getting used to the feeling. Hoping to get better in the future and I appreciate the feedback!