How to turn your Skoda Yeti into a camper for one and two night trips.

As a lockdown project I have turned my Yeti into a camper for short overnight trips. My Yeti is a 2016 version (and does not have the spare tyre). It requires simple DIY skills to create the "camper kit".
The main features of the kit are (i) a sleeping platform over the rear footwells, and (ii) a dark space inside for a comfortable night's sleep. The video shows both a simple and a cosy version of the kit. The cosy version is just a bit nicer, and has full curtains rather than more conspicuous silver window blinds. I've designed things so it is quick and simple to set up. It gives a comfortable night's sleep!
Show notes and instructions are here:
yeticamper138152933.wordpress...

[@neilkerfoot9446]

Just followed your instructions and am now all set for a night out camping in my Yeti .. Thanks so much for doing this in so much detail ... Excellent, worked like a treat

[@yorkbadger4224]

Glad the instructions work. Do post any improvements you can think of. Now covid restrictions are lifting its a good time for Yeti-camping!

[@giorgosfrantzeskakis5892]

Seriously, amazing ingenuity! Well done!

[@christophernewman5027]

Hmm, pretty damned good. Just bought a Yeti back in December and l've been thinking along these lines recently. Funny how KZbin is almost telepathic sometimes! I'll definitely try this out. Cheers and Happy New Year! 😊

[@dudeonart8492]

Great Vid - well done. I've been thinking of converting a Transit Connect into a camper but this is making me think again!

[@OliverWrightPhoto]

Genius! I was looking at swapping my Yeti out for this very reason but think I might keep it for another couple of years now!

[@Peasedotcom]

Bungee to the "Airbag" great idea!😂 Great video, thanks for the dimensions👍

[@yorkbadger4224]

I expect that the bungee shouldn't interfere with the operation of the airbag! Not that you'd be in need of the airbag whilst asleep in the back of a Yeti!

[@matthewjogden]

Thanks for the video. I’ve camped in mine a few times but you have taken it to the next level! Love that the bike fits too. 👌🏻

[@yorkbadger4224]

It works well with a bike. The one extra thing I'd do is protect the chain or else you'll get oil on your sleeping bag!

[@malinstrandberg2749]

Hello again! Just wanted to tell you that i have try your idea with turning the skoda yeti to a camper. Thank you sooo much for this perfect idea 🙏 it was really easy to fix it and i loved it. I Will go away soon again. Thank you 🙏👌🏾 in Sweden we have restarea that are like small camping area if you just stay for a night or two.

[@georgeduilomaloma2744]

An excellent demonstration and also very well presented in simple plain English. It would sleep two on either side as for me, I am six foot two so will bend my knees a tinge in order to shut the boot to save my toes. It will save accommodation costs to rough it out a bit but yeah, excellent for a camping vacation and put your luggage in the front seats even a little 3 legged gas BBQ will be ideal for your kitchen duties which I have plus the Yeti. Great appreciation and many thanks for the tip Sir, I will definitely convert my Yeti for camping duties for my future endeavours, an absolute reality I salute you thank you so very kindly.

[@tompalmer4161]

That's absolutely brilliant, thanks very much 😀

[@davesmeaton4137]

Brilliant work and some great ideas, I can't believe you managed to get a bike in with you, that is perfect for what I need to do 👍

[@yorkbadger4224]

Thanks for the comment. It works well with a bike - you just need to be careful not to get oil on your sleeping bag! So my advice is find a plastic bag to put over the chain. Best wishes.

[@VSS1]

Excellent. Ingenious!

[@donaldasayers]

The Austin Maxi had the sleeping platform built in, you just reclined all the seats and you had a double bed. Best shagging car a 17 year old could wish for.

[@timothybrockbank7474]

Great idea makes it a good festival vehicle

[@alexj611]

Great plans, I made the base today and am very pleased. Bear in mind if you have the center console without the arm rest you can cut alot shorter, from the hand brake backwards, it clears the center console on mine, also at that hight it lies completly flat and is strong enough without the L shape supports in the foot well. One last point if you trim 1 cm off the length it fits nicely sideways on the boot floor, so no need to use the hinges. Great plans to use as a base though, thankyou 👍🏻

[@yorkbadger4224]

That's great - glad you could modify and improve the designs to suit your Yeti. Happy camping!

[@debbiewellington2447]

Genius....love it!!

[@malinstrandberg2749]

Whao what a wonderfull idea to turn it into a vampyr when you need it👌🏾 Love that its not a permanent soloution 👌🏾🙏 i have had my yeti almost 2 years and i love it😚 my dad actually said to me to have it to sleep in in fishingtour 🐟 thank you for showing how easy it is 🙏 i will try it for sure 🙏👌🏾

[@yorkbadger4224]

Excellent - and good luck. Let us know how you get along.

[@malinstrandberg2749]

Yeah i think i will try it this summer 👌🏾 i will write and tell about my expirince 👌🏾 thanks again 🙏 i have shown it for some people and family and they thinks its a wonderful idea 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@nobski]

Fantastic video,

[@ffudon]

Amazing video

[@Rasher1974]

Window socks are great for leaving windows down a couple of inches for ventilation and are quickly removable.

[@yorkbadger4224]

Never knew such things existed! Would be very useful for summer camping where there is a danger of being under seige from midges or other bitey things.

[@badgerno194]

Brilliant…❤😎👍🏻….absolutely fantastic video Sir, I’ll be definitely turning my new owned ŠKODA YETI 4x4 into a 🛞🛞⛺️🛞🛞Thank You !!!

[@yorkbadger4224]

Thanks for the compliments. Best of luck in your conversion.

[@waynecrothers9441]

Good video, I have a yeti for 3 yrs now but this summer il be on tour, there's a guy selling a plywood bed base on ebay it's around £350! I could achieve a decent set up like yours including curtains, poles etc for about £50-£70, thanks man, keepin it simple 👍🏕️

[@yorkbadger4224]

Look forward to hearing how you get on - if you can get it down to £70 you've done very well. Best wishes.

[@romanyroz5609]

Brilliant thank you !

[@saketsoni6580]

Very nice 👌 👍

[@robmason6882]

Hello York Badger - you posted the template dimensions somewhere for the MDF template to cover the rear seat wells. Could you link me to that information?

[@neilthain4387]

Well presented and simple conversion - thank you! Found the dimentions from the website included above... Surely as this support base is just for the footwell, the question of the spare wheel is irrelevant? I have a 2012, and have never been into the spare wheel well yet!

[@yorkbadger4224]

Hi - hope it works for you. I think the problem with the Yeti version with the spare wheel is that the height of the platform at the back of the Yeti is higher - and that'll mean you probably have to modify my dimensions - and I suspect you'll have less "headroom" when you sleep in it. Let me know how it goes.

[@carlmcclean4377]

Great video. Thanks. I've just bought a Yeti and this is a great start for a sleeping set up. A big pro to this method compared to the more permanent versions where you deck up over the central armrest is that you don't lose any head height. However lacks a bit of storage space as a result. Quick question York Badger: The traverse cut - couldn't you just make your own straight cut as best as possible but then invert the uncut ends to ensure a clean line for the hinge? I'm having trouble finding any merchants near me that supply and cut! Thanks

[@yorkbadger4224]

Carl - glad you liked the video. On the traverse cut you could make your own cut - it just needs to be quite precise or in use it will put pressure on the hinge. I had mine cut in the local B&Q. On storage space there isn't much as you say, that's why its best for one or two nights - I think of it as the car equivalent of camping in a tent.

[@user-ck6kq8zl2i]

Im thinking if doing this myself to my yeti. I like having a spare though so I think I will remove the housing for the spare wheel and strap the wheel vertically to one side of the boot. Then I could use your technique to sleep in it. Cheers.

[@yorkbadger4224]

That should work well for one person. Good luck!

[@paivilydia]

Really good video, thanks! Do you know if the measurements are same in Roomster?

[@yorkbadger4224]

I don't know - but you may be able to modify the designs to fit. You'd want to check the maximum length when the seats are pushed forward gives enough space for the sleeping platform.

[@koshmaranek3]

looks good saves on a hotel or B&B

[@cathsanders1631]

Hello York Badger - thanks for posting this great video. It has given me some good ideas of how to set up my recently acquired Yeti as a micro-camper. Just a few questions: 1. Is there any reason that you have used marine ply (which is quite costly) for the sleeping platform rather than MDF or normal plywood? 2. I was also wondering what the thinking was behind having curtains to screen the front of the car rather than simply using the thermal blinds on the windscreen and front door windows? 3. Is there anything that you'd change or improve with the design now that you've had 9 months to test it? 4. Finally, have you tried sleeping in it during the winter, and if so, was the temperature inside the car comfortable enough? I am thinking of kipping in the carparks at Scottish ski centres . I am aiming at a minimalist design which can be stored without sacrificing space in the car (or house) when not in use. Although inspired by yours, it will need to differ as my Yeti has the raised boot floor with spare wheel. There should still be a similar amount of headroom to a small tent. Cheers!

[@yorkbadger4224]

1. I bought standard plywood from B&Q. I think MDF would flex more for the same thickness - whereas the ply is pretty stiff which is what is needed for the sleeping platform as it has your weight on it. 2. You could use the thermal blinds on the windscreen of course - there's then no need to make any curtain rails, and they are quicker to install. I just don't like the look of them, they are not entirely light-proof round the edge, and I think are a bit more conspicuous. I just don't like to make it too obvious I'm sleeping in the car. 3. In the "comfy version" - with the curtains - I could improve the way the three wooden curtain rails are joined together at the rear. They are joined by a sawn-off tent peg that joins them through drilled holes - and the arrangement could be more rigid. Some kind of clamp might be better - but I didn't want something that was going to make it all slower to put together. Another tip is figuring out how to lock yourself in the Yeti from the inside without you then triggering the alarm! 4. I've slept in it when it was just below freezing outside - but just the once so far. A good sleeping bag is essential of course. I can anticipate that if it was very could outside any condensation inside would freeze overnight which would be a real nuisance if you wanted to drive off straight away in the morning. 5. The whole kit takes up very little space when not in use - the biggest parts are the two folded sleeping platforms. depending how you use your Yeti the whole kit could just live in it. 6. I like to think of Yeti-camping like tent-camping but in a car. Its pretty similar really - you need to be organised in a small space. Happy camping - be interested to know how you get along with the "spare wheel" Yeti.

[@cathsanders1631]

@@yorkbadger4224 Thanks! This is all really useful. I can understand why curtains are preferable if you want to be inconspicuous. This will be less of an issue in the situations I'm likely to sleep in the Yeti, but I might look into them at a later stage (assuming my basic set-up works!). Regarding setting off the alarm when locked inside, how is this overcome? Or is working it out a necessary rite of passage for the novice Yeti micro-camper?!? I am ordering the various bits and pieces for my set-up this weekend anyway, and once I've got it all finished (and have tried out for real) I will probably post up about it on the Yeti Owners Club forum. I will message you on here to let you know though. Cheers, Cath

[@garyjonah22]

Unfortunately most standard plywood seems to be very poor quality these days. Marine ply is more expensive but more reliable. However, it can be made from very 'splintery' timber, and I recommend solid birch ply instead. It's not cheap, but its reliable and nicer with a smooth surface.

[@bubbleuk36]

Brilliant idea 👍 Regarding the sleeping platform, would the dimensions of cut be exactly the same whether placed on driver or passenger side ?

[@stephenclark7536]

Dimensions are in the notes - link is in full description. The dimensions are the same on driver and passenger sides. Enjoy!

[@neilneil3222]

Thanks for the demo - very comprehensive. How long is the sleeping space end to end and is there a way to extend it (apparently some versions of the Yeti have the option of a forward folding passenger seat)?

[@yorkbadger4224]

Neil - thanks for compliments. I'm 5 foot 10 and can sleep pretty much straight in the space. This is with the front seats as far forward as they will go. If you were taller than me - and didn't have a companion you could lie at a slight diagonal and still be comfortable. When I get chance I'll measure the space accurately,

[@neilneil3222]

@@yorkbadger4224 Thanks for letting me know and much appreciated. I'm 6'3" and would prefer to avoid sleeping diagonally (as I I'd want to use as much internal space as possible for storage of camping items). I read that some models allow the passenger seat to fold forward into a table (which should solve the problem) but that this was an optional extra?

[@yorkbadger4224]

@@neilneil3222 I've measured this morning and the length is 180cm or 5' 11".

[@neilneil3222]

@@yorkbadger4224 Thank you very much for checking and hopefully it's useful info for others. I guess I'll have to look at a Kodiaq then, as the front seat definitely folds forward. Shame, as I prefer the smaller car.

[@Byk37]

@@neilneil3222 probably you may buy some other front seat which one have that option to be fold and install it. maybe that could solve the problem?

[@helenh389]

Hi this look amazing! Can you direct me to the show notes and instructions/measurements etc - I can’t seem to find them. Many thanks!

[@yorkbadger4224]

Hi - if you click to open up the description then the link is at the end. But to save you doing that here it is yeticamper138152933.wordpress.com/

[@paulroberts6408]

Can't find any measurement for the plywood both sections, can you give me them on here please?

[@chrisbrown1057]

Can i list my yeti on airbnb?

[@MuddyDuck...]

Thanks for such a helpful video showing a simple but really clever way to convert a Yeti for overnighting 👍 I looked through the detailed show notes, but could not see any reference to approx max length of the sleeping platform ie. how tall a person could sleep in your Yeti ? Many thanks

[@yorkbadger4224]

Hi Muddy Duck. I'm 5'10" (178cm) and fit well. The usable sleeping area measures almost exactly 178cm. However the sill under the rear door has a recess in it that gives an extra 2-3 cm for your toes - so I think you'd still be able to sleep straight if you were no taller than 5'11". If you are taller than then I think its a question of curling up, or sleeping diagonally - and in that case I hope your partner is shorter! York Badger

[@MuddyDuck...]

@@yorkbadger4224 many thanks for the reply. Am interested in buying a Yeti for my brother, who unfortunately lost his job during lockdown. He likes to go hiking in remote areas, so your solution for overnighting looks ideal. He is just under 6ft, but a side sleeper - so that should still work for him. I am also thinking of adding a small Jackery, 5L water tank and single burner camping stove to cover his power, water and cooking needs. Any other basic gear you might suggest ? Many thanks.

[@paulroberts6408]

Can't find any measurements for the plywood both sections, can you give me them on here please.

[@j-bolo6637]

This is great!! We're looking into getting a yeti, and this has sold it to us! Very good detailed video! Thank you, do you have the measurements for all the wood cuts at all?

[@yorkbadger4224]

Hi - thanks for your comment. The detailed measurements are on the website that is linked to the video. Let me know if you have questions. The one measurement I'd advise you to check in your own vehicle (when you get it!) is the supporting piece for the bed-platform - as the height you'll need depends on how thick (or not) the carpet is in the rear footwells. Be interested in how you get on. You wouldn't want to sleep in the Yeti camper for a week - but for an overnight stay, or a weekend trip, it works fine.

[@j-bolo6637]

@@yorkbadger4224 thanks! I have a look. We're keen to get a yeti, even more so after watching your video, we often do day trips to different parts of the UK so would be much better having somewhere warm and easy to stay for one night, eases the driving! I liked the extendable curtain poll thats such an easy way to do it

[@hakanarik2221]

thanks for the great video. how long is the sleeping area. i am 190 metres tall. can i fit there?

[@yorkbadger4224]

The sleeping area for someone lying along the length of the Yeti is around 178-180cm. However if it is just you sleeping in the Yeti you could sleep diagonally. Hope that helps!

[@hakanarik2221]

@@yorkbadger4224 yes it is very helpful. Thanks a lot

[@howardmoore2724]

Why do you suggest MDF for the platform support?

[@yorkbadger4224]

The only reason I used MDF was because it was easy. The platform support may be unnecessary, but it gives a bit of extra support to the sleeping platform to stop it bending, or slipping out of position in the night!

[@juliasavill9768]

Is this video filmed in Marske Richmond . . Why use the driver side , as if travelling alone , no need to keep moving the seat .

[@user-ck6kq8zl2i]

It looks great but what happens when you need a wazz in the middle of the night?

[@yorkbadger4224]

Careful planning is required!

[@gunnerplaygames2305]

Find a bush 😂

[@garyt6822]

...you can buy special 'in car' wazz bottles on Ebay ...small, medium, large, and liar size

[@user-ck6kq8zl2i]

@@garyt6822 Liar size..🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@bazphoon1]

where did you get the blinds from?

[@yorkbadger4224]

They came from "Simplycampervans.com” and are described as a “Skoda Yeti 2009-2017 Thermal Window Blinds Set”. They cost me £129.

[@bazphoon1]

@@yorkbadger4224 thank you

[@saketsoni6580]

From India

[@SuperRayd1]

Such a great and informative video and really good idea would love to get the measurements for the bed platform?

[@Rasher1974]

Would it not be better with bed on passenger side thus leaving drivers side ready to drive in emergency.

[@yorkbadger4224]

I'm not normally in a place where I might have to fly off from my overnight stop like a bat out of hell - but if I was I'd follow your suggestion!

[@larsn7163]

Thanks for the super video ✨ Did you buy any of this on Amazon?

[@yorkbadger4224]

The pack of window shades came from amazon.

[@larsn7163]

@@yorkbadger4224 you remember the brand or what they were called?

[@yorkbadger4224]

If you look at the video description I've included a link that sets out where I got all the bits. The window blinds came from simply camper vans.com. I now recall I got the blinds directly from them. Good luck abd best wishes.

[@larsn7163]

@@yorkbadger4224 thank a lot. Appreciate it ✨✨✨✨✨

[@nathanhowells6719]

Anyone have a link to the dimensions of the plywood for the basic version please?

[@yorkbadger4224]

Nathan. Yep - if you look at the bottom of the notes above there is a link to a web page that gives all the dimensions. Let me know if you have further questions. Good luck - happy camping!

[@nathanhowells6719]

@@yorkbadger4224 Thank you. I couldn't see that on my phone. Appreciated.

[@roddyk05]

Unfortunately my yeti has a spare wheel and raised boot floor so I have a big step down. I suppose I could come up with something but will limit my headroom. The raised floor is great for the dog, not so much for kipping in ☹️

[@yorkbadger4224]

Sorry but my design doesn't really work if you have the Yeti with the spare tyre/higher floor in the rear. Still I'm glad you dog has a comfy place to sleep!

[@grahampilkington252]

What length in the back ?

[@yorkbadger4224]

Hi. I'm 5'10" (178cm) and fit well. The usable sleeping area measures almost exactly 178cm. However the sill under the rear door has a recess in it that gives an extra 2-3 cm for your toes. If you are taller, and on your own, you could sleep diagonally I guess.

[@malinstrandberg2749]

Ofcourse i didnt mean vampyr 😂😂😂 when i write camper i didnt see that my phone use vampyr insted 😂😂🙈🙈🙈 i was sooo carried away with this wonderful idea that i didnt look, sorry 🙈👌🏾

[@Senna-xi1gr]

I would just use old newspaper & a roll of cello tape if it was just for one night.

[@bikerstuff2]

Shame it was filmed in narrow vision

[@yorkbadger4224]

Rookie error on my part. Let me know if there's anything that isn't clear that I can explain.

[@user-cs1dt2xw4c]

Sod that , rather stay in premier inn .

[@stevejohnson5461]

Maybe you should stay at home and or by a camper van. Thanks for the the upload Vid, but I would feel like I would be sleeping in a curtain showroom. I feel as a Yeti owner I feel there are Yetta things we can do.

[@Chris-yc3mm]

Widescreen man 😂, 2/3 of my screen is just black 😢

[@user-io5tv1rv4v]

I'd rather have my spare tyre......and a tent !