These car camper conversion kits will change your life

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If you want to live the van life but don’t want to invest in a large Sprinter van camper or Ford Transit, you might want to consider a car camper.

There are so many cars that can be turned into campers! If you want to go extra budget, you can sleep two people in a Toyota Prius or start living in a car. It’s small, but it works in a pinch. Trust me – we lived in a Prius for four months!

For more space, you might want to consider an SUV camper, minivan or small cargo van.

Car campers are a great choice as they are more affordable, get better gas mileage, and fit in parking spaces. They are also better for stealth camping compared to larger, high-top vans.

Sound like something you’d like to try? Contravans, based in Denver, wants to help.

This small company is in the car camper business, offering camper van conversion kits for mid-sized cars, minivans and small cargo vans.

This is an awesome way to start sleeping in your car rather than pitch a tent when camping. Plus, installing one of these conversion kits means you’re ready for boondocking.

Check out the three main types of car camper conversion kids you can get at Contravans. Don’t have one of these rigs? They’re happy to work with you on a custom camper kit for your car.

The car camper conversion kit

Price: Starting at $995

Vehicle Types: SUVs

Weight: 100 pounds

The Contravans car camper kit was initially built to fit into a Toyota 4-runner but fits into all types of SUVs. With this campervan conversion kit, you can turn a Honda, Jeep, Subaru or Land Rover into a simple camper. The system can be removed easily if you’re only using the camper for weekend trips. Please be aware that right now, the car camper conversion kit is only storage an a kitchen. Future models will include a fold-out bed, so stay tuned!

Here’s what you get with the SUV camper kit, which is a robust storage and slide-out unit:

• Single or Dual-Burner Camping Stove
• 2.5-Gallon Water Tanks
• Cooler or Small Plug-in Refrigerator
• Cookware

Learn more about the Contravans Car Camper Kit.

Minivan Camper Kit

Price: Starting at $3,995

Vehicle Types: Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odessey, Kia Sedona and more!

Weight: 200 pounds

Minivans, with their roomy interiors, are becoming popular for camper van conversions. Not only are they more affordable and get better gas mileage than their bigger counterparts, they are also super stealth.

The minivan camper conversion kits from Contravans are built from baltic birch. Just pop your back hatch and you’ll have storage and a kitchen. The middle part of your minivan is turned into a convertible sitting area and a bed.

Here’s what you’ll get from a minivan conversion kit:

• Sink with a Tap & Drain
• 3 Gallon Water/Waste Tanks
• Single Burner Gas Stove
• Storage for Your Cooler, Cookware
• Foldaway Table
• Secondary Bench
• Double Bed
• Ample Storage
• Blackout Window Blinds Available

Learn more about Contravans minivan conversion kit.

Cargo Van Camper Conversion Kit

Price: Starting at $8,995

Vehicle Types: Mercedes Metris, Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City, Nissan NV200

Weight: 400 pounds

This small cargo van conversion kit has everything you need for off-grid adventures. This camper interior kit features innovative slide-out drawers for a sleek outdoor kitchen. These drawers store all your water, cutlery, pots & pans, dishware and more.

Plus, you’ll have a cozy bed inside your compact cargo van for resting and relaxing.

Here’s more of what you’ll get with the cargo van camper conversion kit:

• Single-Burner Butane Stove
• 5-Gallon Water Tank
• 24-Can Cooler
• Custom laser etched rear drawer panels available
• Maxxair Vent Fan with Remote & Rain Sensor
• Fixed Full-size Memory Foam Mattress
• 7 Cubic Foot Storage Drawer with Adjustable Dividers
• Storage Cupboard
• Dimmable LED Lighting System
• USB Charging Stations
• 400W Inverter to Charge Electronics
• Auxiliary House Battery & Charging System

Learn more about Contravans Cargo Van Conversion Kit.

Why more people are doing small camper van conversions

Business is booming for Contravans, which is getting more requests to install these campervan conversion kits every day. Since these kits are mostly built-out already, it only takes a number of days to install the kit into your SUV, minivan or compact cargo van.

General Manager Kurt Bradler says there are a number of reasons small camper vans are appealing.

“What we are seeing in this market is the desire for a multi-purpose vehicle,” he said. “It’s your daily driver but also your weekend camper or your two-week road trip vehicle to national parks. A lot of people come to us because they don’t want a big van like a Mercedes Sprinter.”

Small camper vans aren’t for everyone, though. You can’t stand up, and there isn’t much space to move around.

But, they’re popular for drivability, mobility, gas mileage and the stealth factor. If you’re sleeping in a minivan camper, it’s not as noticable as a larger RV.

“We didn’t expect to be so popular so quickly,” said Kurt, “It’s been overwhelming in a positive way. We get a lot of inquiries about the minivan market. The Toyota Sienna is really popular as its the only all-wheel drive minivan out there. There’s also a growing interest in the Mercedes Metris.”

Conclusion

A small campervan is a great way to start your van life journey. You might want to consider a minivan camper or a small cargo van, especially if you don’t need to stand up.

Small campers get better gas mileage, are more affordable and easier to drive than larger, high-top campervans.

Plus, going with a company like Contravans means you’ll get major help with your campervan build.

Head to Contravans to learn more about their campers.

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Kristin Hanes

Kristin Hanes is a journalist and writer who lives on a sailboat and in a Chevy Astro van in San Francisco. She worked in radio news for 15 years before a massive layoff in 2016. Kristin has written articles about alternative living published in Good Housekeeping, Business Insider, Marie Claire, SF Gate and The Bold Italic, among others.