INSANE Converted HONDA Element Fully Kitted Overland Camper For Family Car Camping - Sleeps 4

In today’s video, we feature Drew and his Honda element that he converted into a camper for his family of 4+ their dog.
#camping
#carcamping
#vanlife
Check out Drew’s page.
/ overland_element
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[@susans8539]

Love this rig! Very nicely equipped. This guy thought thoroughly about every space to use in and out. Very nice!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

We agree!

[@StephenAldaco]

Like this comment to bring the Honda Element back 🎉

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Oh yes 🙌

[@atlantapreneur]

Don't do that. Let's keep the prices low. Lol. Elements are a sleeper in today's car prices.

[@RoguePlanetStudio]

It’s like a reliable jeep renegade.

[@macbook802]

​@atlantapreneur elements are cool, but way way over priced. And definitely not suitable for a 4 person family with a dog.

[@HilkanaCastro]

I wouldn’t mind Honda releasing a new one so those few under 100K stop being seek for 20K 🤣 and then get one of those

[@OMGgirls_WORLD]

He's the reason I finally got back into Elements and got a 2nd one a couple days ago. Mine needs all the aftermarket parts so it will be a slow build. Awesome rig. Loved every bit of it.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Awesome

[@roninvirtues8012]

The more I see these dang Elements, the more I want one. I have enough vehicles apparently, my wife said haha

[@powdertrax9742]

You won’t regret it, I bought one new in ‘05 and regrettably sold to a friend two years ago, to purchase a new Passport. Ever since selling it and dealing with what seems to be endless recalls on the Passport, I’ve been looking for a low mileage, one owner, clean title 4WD EX or EX-P. I’m an avid snowboarder and mtn biker so I’ve always owned 4WD/AWD trucks or SUV’s. Some of my other vehicles have been a Tundra, Sequoia, Pathfinder, and Subaru and without a doubt the Element was my favorite. The amount of storage, simplicity and Honda quality are some of the things that made it my favorite. I can’t tell you how many times we would go out with friends and I’d volunteer to drive, only to hear people laugh and say “in that ?”, and within 2 minutes I’d hear comments from the backseat like “this thing is cool, I can’t believe the room, how much are these, etc”. I actually talked three of my friends into buying one. My only complaints were it needed more horsepower (200 would be nice), better fuel economy and maybe 2” more ground clearance. Other then that my favorite vehicle, and the reason I’m still looking for one, the problem is so do others.

[@o_oo_o1812]

@@powdertrax9742 don't encourage him, his wife is probably right

[@pullthepinoutdoors2014]

I wanna see the video with the entire family and the german sheppard camping in it with clown music in the background.

[@charliejg]

Regardless of the type, this is one very cool and tricked out camping vehicle! Thanks for the tour Drew.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

You bet!

[@mygrrrlz]

I have Rob Deezy's overland roof rack, front and rear tie downs and aftermarket fog light brackets on my 2005 EX AWD (Rally red!), the looks and quality of his products can't be beat. Just installed an HRG molle panel on the driver side rear door. Thanks for the tour of your rig and inspiration for future mods.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Your build sounds pretty rad

[@4defy772]

Thumbs Up if you Love Elements

[@butterflybeatles]

Woah! That's a beauty -- especially the colour.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

It really is!

[@pnw_element9822]

Dude that’s so sweet.kept it really light without the sleeping platform my E is so heavy it sucks

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I’m glad you think it’s sweet

[@boyhowdy666]

I drove a 2003 Element for 17 years. Miss it so much, and really enjoy watching projects like this.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you for the support

[@buscampers]

This is awesome. I've never seen an element like this. Great color.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@TerryW5379]

Pretty nice rig and it looks great. I like that you can get your kids in there, sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for showing it!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

You bet

[@genxscott4650]

OK, not gonna lie but I've always thought these things to be dreadful to look at. However, seeing this makes me want one and kit it ALL out! Nice rig! Well done, Sir! 👏👏👏

[@cunawarit]

People underappreciate vehicles like this for overlanding, not every trail or area needs hardcore off-roading. This is a great vehicle to tour the country and explore.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Agreed 👍

[@Adzeoda]

I love your rig and how organized and symmetrical it is.

[@iamgeoffandthisismystory]

Wow! Nicely kitted and very neatly done!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@capitolmediasystems7451]

I have an 08 Element EX. Other than a similar roof rack with luggage basket, I haven't really done any modifications. I have driven it all over the country from coast to coast, towed trailers all up and down the East Coast, slept in it many times on road trips, and I LOVE it. Drew did an amazing job on this customization. Absolutely bad ass.

[@jss27560]

Bought an Element 2006 and slowly fixing it up. Right now it’s mostly mechanical work but eventually, I will start modding it for overloading. I always like seeing what others have done. There’s an element meetup called Elements on the Dragon 2nd weekend of May but only if you like winding twisting roads in the mountains.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Sounds like an awesome plan

[@melperez2092]

Awesome Drew. I have a 2005. I am inspired. It's my fishing vehicle with fishing rods on the ceiling

[@geraldmerkel7145]

Yo Patrick, Sweet rig. It has everything. Sleeps 4 and a dog Great vid! Thanks again!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

You bet!

[@limodrivermike]

why not add high pipes and spinners in addition? get some pink underbody and wheel well light to round it out.

[@limodrivermike]

@@TCEInterviews oh, so this is not a pimp my ride channel?? i think it would look awesome anyway ;)

[@alexs.5675]

The dual awnings and dual racks lol

[@TCEInterviews]

@@alexs.5675dual racks? The platform rack is literally just a base for you to add things on top of. I don’t see the issue. I also don’t see the issue with having 2 awnings?

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Next time

[@limodrivermike]

@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures can't wait :)

[@cowelk]

So, cool! I have a Wrangler 4 door. I am looking at ways for it to be a camper for my wife and me instead of using a tent. No dog so that's a bonus for us. I like your setup. Many of the things you have would work on a Wrangler. I believe they are about the same size on the interior. Thanks for posting.

[@Mcfigg]

I had the same element in grey manual gave to my oldest daughter for her 1st vehicle…..miss it 😔 loved it

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Very cool!

[@littleacorn98]

I have a 2004 Element 250000 miles. Keep it SIMPLE Many cross-country coat to coast

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Right on

[@TCEInterviews]

Yeah but were you staying in hotels?🤔

[@littleacorn98]

@@TCEInterviews no I'm poor

[@littleacorn98]

@@TCEInterviews I hiked the AT in 2005 in 5 months 3 days I sleep on the DIRT

[@o_oo_o1812]

yeah the beauty of the element is it's simplicity

[@sdnlawrence5640]

I heard the gas mileage is why they stopped making them. It lowered fleet mileage for Honda. I'd still like to have one , hard to find. This is a teal beaut.

[@TCEInterviews]

lol no. It missed its target audience of young outdoorsy people because it was too expensive.

[@pdmullgirl]

Hey Patrick! I love this! I even like the color. Has everything you need to be comfortable. It’s beefy looking too and since I’m a Jeep Wrangler owner that’s beefed up I dig that. Enjoyed this one! ❤️💜💚

[@istj777]

very nice...excellent set up. Great organization. Looks exceptional and so professional.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you very much!

[@MrOffshore]

I completely understand choosing the Element…why do what everyone else is doing when you can put your time, energy, and money into something unique and uber-cool. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the 10” wide wheels with the 235/75R15 tires. The recommended rim width is 6-8.5”c you’re really pulling those sidewalls out, the tires will wear badly and I just didn’t like the look. But aside from that, the rig is AWESOME!!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you for the suggestion

[@TCEInterviews]

I’m planning to go with a larger tire. These have worn perfectly fine. Almost 40k miles on $250 set of tires.

[@MogsAndDogs]

Nice job! I love unique builds.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yeah, they are a lot of fun

[@makb5354]

It looks absolutely awesome. I love, love , love it. My friend owns Element and recently started toying with idea of purchasing new car. After seeing what you did with yours, I'll tell her 'Hell no" and let her see your Element.

[@bdwillis8284]

That thing is so cool, great job

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks 🙏

[@jcqrdw]

Great rig!, it shows you have a lot of love for this Honda Element.

[@monkeyrun]

Honda Element is such a special car.

[@richardschneider4775]

Nice work simple practical uses. Elements are abundant on the used car market

[@tom.allez2134]

That’s honestly a bad ass rig. Heck yeah 👍🏻

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Oh yeah 👍

[@LouSassoleS]

That is a badass build

[@turboash78]

Elements rule. But you need at least 50% more crap attached to the outside of it.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Coming soon

[@donnguyen2421]

Love the set up! Excellent organize! Wish you the best!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you! You too!

[@Hard_7_Iron]

Nice rig! Very creative use of the Element.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you very much!

[@Element_lifestyle]

Beautiful Honda Element Build

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

We agree!

[@MontanaKat1912]

I love my 04 element "Ellie" I inherited Ellie from my dad. I have a friend told me to get rid of it as she doesn't like it and wanted me to get a volks wagon beetle (like her daughter). I'm like, "I'll never get rid of my Element. Nothing wrong with it and low milage!" Someday, hope to turn it into a camper.

[@ceciliabryane5894]

Well done on the upgrades!

[@danielmiller6983]

Man that’s great looking build

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Love it

[@joshuamoody2941]

I have a 2001 awd escape with a history of owning jeeps and I also felt rarely do you need "jeep" level capabilities when offroading. I think these early year awd elements, crv, rav4, escapes and even some early 2000's awd Hyundai/kias have a lot of untapped potential, especially in the face of considering a Subaru.

[@melrichardson2392]

Great job brother beautiful element wow love it,well thought out thanks for showing.

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

Omg this is fabulous

[@edwardvillate2112]

Packing a LOT , in such a SMALL RIG 😊 , well DISTRIBUTED 😂 , LOSTS 👍 of TRUTH !!! 😮 went in to DESIGN !!! CONGRATULATIONS 👏 🎉 ...MASSIVE THANKS 😊.....

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Well said!

[@WaterblueEzekiel]

Incredible

[@elliothagen9874]

Nice Honda. Good video & job

[@barryslart2929]

I love the snorkel. Would love to see it fording a river where the snorkel would be needed. Silliness. I like my Land Cruiser and my Outback XT.

[@theseb1979]

Snorkels are not just for fording rivers. They are great for dirt tracks and help to minimise the dust going into the engine.

[@JackEtheMan]

WHY 10 inch wheels w/ 235 tires they do not need to be that stretched

[@Campervanwongdeso-rr2ny]

Camping car yang sangat bagus..

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you very much

[@narong1204]

I didn’t realize how nice the element was

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yeah

[@loonhaunt]

Wow. Wife and kids. But wait. There's more. Dogs.

[@jaystewart9947]

Wow! Impressive

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yeah 👍

[@carolesmith6849]

Yes please. Bring back the Element please as I'm in a wheelchair and I need the "suicide" door setup to store my wheelchair behind the front seat so I can be independent! Please I would love this?💯💯💯😍♥️♥️🌟

[@BuckyBoba]

You can buy a used one, already rigged. No, seriously.

[@RobbyDee85]

YOU SHOULD TRY TO ADD ROOF TENT. MORE ROOM FOR THE KIDS AND THEY CAN SLEEP UP THERE...

[@khairulnizam4111]

cool setup !!

[@fabioalmeida9281]

This thing is fucking bad ass dude great job!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you

[@WeekendWanderersOverland]

DREW!!!!! Ya famous buddy!!!

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Yeah

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

แต่งได้สวยงามมาก👍👍

[@lucashunnisett3066]

Ok I’m sorry but I can’t stop laughing at back wheels being that much smaller than the front ones 😂😂🤣🤣 it’s just an illusion though hahaa

[@JonniesJourney]

That's awesome. ❤

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Glad you think so!

[@crxk20r59]

In the video the rear seats weren’t installed. When you travel with your family, do you just take out the seats & leave them outside?

[@bisket2003]

Killer Buildout!

[@scrapdaddysgarage5027]

That’s Awesome! I love my Element and so does my son, so he stole it from me 😂

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Oh wow 🤩

[@leonardcroft1467]

Hi Patrick Very Nice Build …

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Hey, thanks

[@lowrangeoverland9013]

Outstanding 💯🏆

[@NinthElement]

#HondaElementsUnite Loved this tour, he did an awesome job. Cheers!

[@tehpanda64]

Normally I love box shaped vehicles... I don't really love the element tho. Nice build either way.

[@DebbyRafri]

Really nice rig, i have a similar one

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Very cool

[@user-zm1ho5ko6s]

I love our element, but in no way would I ever considered it an overland vehicle! I would, however, love to drop the body on a chassis that is worthy of being one!

[@JohnAfferty]

That is a super sweet vehicle.But I don't know about reliability with all that.Weight and those suspension modes and larger tires

[@RobbyDee85]

DRIVER BE LIKE....ALL STOCK WITH TURBO ON B-SERIES ENGINE ( LOL )

[@ryanellis7520]

Does anyone know what those bungee brackets are on the passenger dash? Those would be amazing for extra small storage! Thanks y’all.

[@SilverbackSurmacz]

Awesome set up. What type of mattress did you buy? Didn't need to cut to size?

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

Ahhh it swivels! Omg

[@SewCool-Ideas]

Wonder the mileage per gallon the car is doing with all the extra weight? Looks so awesomely made!

[@uniquekreation]

Too bad I've seen this Element go up on sale multiple times on MP with no buyers. Nice ride and setup, but too much mods for it to be sellable I guess.

[@jammy93981]

Very nice!

[@moflexmusicinc.6060]

Well done 👍

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you 👍

[@dylannewby3926]

I wish I could get one here in australia

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

I’m sure they’re old enough. You could export them now.

[@rkn3045]

They're good for modest off roading, just don't hammer on them. That one looks babied. They really need a sixth gear for the highway.

[@qouavang3646]

I wonder how the transmission and motor handle all that weight?? I had an element and man it struggled getting up ro speed on the highway

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Doing great

[@tt4569]

Very cool

[@jclc4201]

Very solid build man. U just made me a sub. Nice vid. Can you feature a Nissan Juke next time. Pls. Ty

[@cnc75adventures49]

So funny such a terrible platform to start with I don’t hate them but it’s not a overland vehicle at best a city person weekend excaper 👍👍

[@TCEInterviews]

A ton of people use these for camping rigs. Just because you don’t them doesn’t make your opinion valid.

[@WeWereJustWandering]

I like what he did. How about the extra load on the motor? Did he mod the engine any?

[@TCEInterviews]

Supercharger on the list. Right now it’s fine either way.

[@minimalistmaximus6476]

Maybe you have heard of this thing called a 'ground tent'.

[@ragtie6177]

That thing is Bitchin! Great job.

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Oh yes 🙌

[@user-fh6yb6bp1l]

🙏गज़ब ❤भाई 🎉👺

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@clarenpurser2749]

Do you just roll out the fridge and pad inside when you get on site? You said you had kids and dogs so I would assume you need the rear seats

[@TCEInterviews]

Yeah there’s a bit of setup time but it’s quick and easy. If I’m with the fam I’ll bring a cooler instead of the fridge.

[@janicericciuti9035]

Nice

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Soulriderpowder]

Wow! Did you have to put on barbecue set on top of you guys while u sleep

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Sure

[@deanmay338]

Gosh, what a fun video to watch!

[@fairplayer916]

I've been wanting an all-wheel drive element for a while. But the f****** are going up in price

[@jennifergraham9679]

He gave out a lot of info on what he did to this car.

[@skeeterbug589]

Where do the car seats for the toddlers go with the back seats out?

[@TCEInterviews]

Just on the roof lol

[@skeeterbug589]

@@TCEInterviews 🤣

[@discofurious3615]

Trans axle

[@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures]

Ya

[@classicscustomsandhotrodso600]

Not sure of the use of a snorkel on a petrol or as you call it, gas powered car. Just for looks I guess. We never had the Element. Never a market with the popularity of utes, panel vans and our love of 4x4. I can see a use for these. Closest we have is the RAV 4 by Toyota but that is smaller. Then we have shitbox French and German vans with little resale value. These would be good for a bit of solo Aussie travel but not sure how it would go in Aussie conditions. Not forgetting the 2 most popular cars sold here are the Hilux 4x4 and the Ford Ranger 4x4.

[@TCEInterviews]

Snorkels are mostly for dust. Keeps fresh air coming in above the dust line. Doubles as protection from water but there’s much more required before you go swimming.

[@classicscustomsandhotrodso600]

@@TCEInterviews Regular filter on petrol engines works fine here and we have more dust than anyone I reckon. A petrol engine would have stopped in water long before it reaches the top of the snorkel. We only use them on a diesel