RAV4 Camper

My cousin is looking to adventure around for a bit, and asked me if this camper was buildable, or if it would be better to just buy it: Compass Camper web site

The $1299 base price + $500 shipping felt high for what is essentially two drawers and a bed frame. Looking further into it, we saw a few design concerns as well: 1) The effective ceiling height over the bed looks very low. 2) Itā€™s designed to fit over the folded-down back seats, but the back seats arenā€™t usable with it installedā€”which wastes space in what is already a compact vehicle. 3) Thereā€™s no way to access the drawers while in the bed with doors closed: Compass Camper installed in a RAV4

I had the idea to use a flat platform with footlocker-type doors to access the empty seat wells for storage. He had the idea to put doors on the sides to access the 2nd-row seat well storage areas while in bed: Apple Notes sketch of platform with gear access doors

I took measurements with the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats removed, with the front seats in their normal driving position, as well as with the front seats pushed all the way forward for extra space: Notepad sketch of RAV4 measurements

I made a parts list: Notepad sketch and parts list

And a CAD mockup: FreeCAD sketch of camping platform

We made the cuts and attached hinges: Cut plywood with hinges attached

We did a test fit in the RAV4ā€”Perfect: Plywood platform fitting perfectly in the cargo area of a RAV4

We used slotted angle to connect the seat anchor points to the platform rails. This picture also shows how much storage is under the 2nd-row seat wells (quite a bit): Slotted angle going from floor to platform rails

He started carpeting the top of the platform: Platform mostly covered with low pile carpet

We did a test to see how much the back ā€œfootlockerā€ holds (also quite a bit): Back of platform opened up, with various construction parts stored in the space

We tested fit with the headboard folded back. The front seats can be pushed all the way back and recline a good amount for driving: Platform with plywood headboard folded

We tested fit with the headboard unfolded forward and the front seats pushed all the way forward. The platform can fit a twin-sized mattressā€”center console notwithstanding. Along with the two front seats, the platform makes for a cozy two-person adventure vehicle that fits in a tight city parking space: Platform with plywood headboard unfolded

He finished carpeting the headboard, and the RAV4 Camper is ready for adventures. Weā€™re happy with how it came out. Weā€™re both 6-foot-something, and can sit upright on the platform without touching the ceiling, and we can lie down without having to curl up: Carpeted camping platform, fitted and installed in the back of a RAV4

Done