In an effort to combine my love for the outdoors with my knack for DIY projects, I have decided to convert my Kia C’eed Sportswagon into a cosy camper. This project aims to transform my everyday vehicle into a versatile space for short getaways, offering both comfort and practicality.
As a relatively tall chap, the idea of converting my car into a camper for short getaways presents an intriguing challenge. Standing at 6’5” (195.5cm), I need to creatively maximise the space within my current car, a Kia C’eed Sportswagon. With the rear seats down, the interior length measures 1.7m. However, by removing the front passenger seat, I will extend the cargo space to a comfortable 2.45m.
Surprisingly, this task seems relatively straightforward. The most complicated part will be finding a suitable place to store the removed seat. Fortunately, my mid-spec car, while equipped with features like sat-nav and cruise control, does not have heated or electrical seats, making the seat removal a simple bolt-in and bolt-out affair. The seats are held in by simple M8 bolts, so a wrench and ratchet set is all that is needed to remove them.
A crucial aspect of this project is its reversibility. I want to ensure that after each camping adventure, I can easily return the car to its normal state. With this goal in mind, I will plan each modification carefully to avoid any permanent changes. For example, the seats will be stored safely and can be reinstalled without any hassle.
Additionally, removing the passenger seat will not only provide more sleeping space but also make it logical to remove the rear seat bases. This extra step will create valuable storage space for clothes, food, and other essentials, further enhancing the practicality of the camper conversion.
For sleeping arrangements, the challenge will be to fit a mattress within the available space. My solution is to use a foam mattress, cutting it from the standard 80cm width down to 60cm, the width between the passenger side door and the centre console. I am looking to purchase a simple foam mattress second-hand from either Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace to keep the costs as low as possible. To modify it, a simple jigsaw or circular saw will be all that is needed to chop it down to the required width.
To support the modified mattress and provide additional storage, I plan to construct a wooden frame. This frame, made from cheap wood from a DIY retailer such as Wickes or B&Q, will utilise the voids left by the removed seats, ensuring a level floor from the mid-front of the car to the boot. The estimated length of wood needed is only 5m.
One additional consideration is privacy. Although the rear windows are tinted, someone could still look in and see me sleeping or getting changed. To address this, I plan to add a curtain or blind setup for the windows. My approach is to put black fabric over a piece of cardboard cut to the size of the window. These can then be stuck to the windows using suction cups.
Stay tuned as I embark on this exciting project, from the initial steps to its completion. This journey promises to be an adventure in innovation, comfort, and the joy of spontaneous getaways. I will share updates and insights as the project progresses, so keep posted for more details!