9 Cool Ways to Turn Your Chevy Suburban into a Camper

Have you seen a Suburban camper out on the road or at a cool boondocking spot? Were you intrigued? We’re here to provide you with even more inspiration and help you come up with a plan to make a Chevrolet Suburban your new home on wheels.

The Suburban is an affordable vehicle to buy second-hand and makes for an excellent platform on which to build your adventure camper. It’s easy to find for sale all over the U.S., as it has been a very popular model for many years. 

We hope these ideas inspire you!

1) Kat and Craig’s adventure mobile

Kat and Craig converted a 2002 Chevy Suburban Z71 and gave life to Hooper, their 4×4 adventure van. They have been touring Colorado and the American National Parks aboard him. 

The couple wanted a camper van they could live out of full-time, so they fitted a refrigerator and a solar system to generate power. They also built a bed, shelves, and a sliding lockbox. Kat and Craig can store all their climbing gear and more under the bed, thanks to the bed’s fold-out sections. 

Everything is built out of plywood, which is functional, yet looks really nice and cozy. On the roof, the couple store their bikes on the roof rack, which comes as standard on a Z71 version.

2) No Build Chevy Suburban Camper

Suburban Camping bought a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban LT and kept the vehicle exactly as it came out of the factory. He simply removed the rear seats and folded over the middle seats. He then placed a foam single mattress on the resulting flat area and stored all his gear in plastic boxes, which he placed beside the bed. On the roof, he added a cargo carrier in which he stores extra equipment. 

Finally, at the back, he mounted a hitch cargo carrier. He can fit two plastic bins on it with a small solar panel on top while he travels. He also uses it as a floating kitchen when he camps, which is super handy.

3) Ursus – a mini apartment on wheels 

For a more luxurious and modern rig, check out Ursus. This more recent Suburban has been fitted by married couple Anne and Marin to look like a mini apartment. The back features laminate flooring throughout. On top of it, there is a bed, storage cabinets, a sink, and a fridge. 

On the side of the bed, there are small fold-out cupboards, which offer more space. At the back, a slide-out drawer reveals a kitchen you can utilize off the back, under the tailgate. On the side of the truck, there is an awning, under which you can sit and relax on camping chairs. Finally, at the back, there is a bike rack for stowing bicycles or extra gear. Check out Ursus on Instagram.

4) Joe’s Stealty Suburban Camper

When his landlord announced he was selling the house he was renting, Joe was given just 60 days to find a new home. Faced with limited options and wanting to take control of his living situation, he began searching for a vehicle that could double as his home. He chose a Suburban camper, and built it into a beautiful tiny home where he lives when he’s not working at a restaurant in Colorado.

Joe’s rig has a cooking area, built-in shelving, a heating system and a comfortable bed. His modifications focused on maximizing space, comfort, and stealth capabilities.

You can see more pictures of Joe’s Suburban camper here.

5) Noel’s Off Road Suburban Camper

Noel converted his 2007 Chevrolet Suburban LS into an off-road camper DIY. Noel went all out and added leveling kits to the front and rear of the vehicle, as well as a winch and a cargo carrier. 

On the roof, there is a roof rack in which he keeps some gear and a water tank, which also acts as a solar shower. Next to it, he fitted a DIY side-awning and solar panels. At the back, Noel installed a hitch cargo carrier to help him carry more equipment. Inside, he built a bed and some shelves to go to the side of it. The conversion took him 8 months to complete but the SUV can now take him anywhere.

6) Kim’s No Build Suburban

Tristan of SUV RVing met Kim in Idaho. She converted her 2000 Chevy Suburban into a camper van without fixing anything in place or using any tools. This rig is quite interesting.

At the back, there’s a swing-away cargo box. Inside, she set up a single bed by laying a trifold mattress on top of slide-out storage bins. At the entrance, she placed a cooler, which is easily accessible from the outside.

At the back of the car, she added some extra boxes in which to store her cooking and camping gear, as well as a water tank. Hidden away, Kim keeps a foldable toilet, which she can line with a trash bag when she needs to use it. This is a super clever piece of kit.

7) Jerome’s Non-Permanent Suburban Camper

Jerome and his friend Zack did a quick, no-build camper conversion on his Suburban to go on a fun road trip. They just wanted to enjoy a long vacation, so they made the whole furniture removable. Nothing is screwed; all furniture floats.

In the back, they installed a platform on which to sleep and under which to store their equipment. Next to the bed, they added some shelves. Behind the front seats, the guys placed some plastic drawers to provide extra stowage room.

This is also where they keep their water tank. This rig is super simple but looks very smart.

9) EverVenture’s 1999 GMC Suburban

For some inspiration from a professional company, check out this rig. The layout of the interior is similar to those of the other DIY campers we’ve looked at. They fitted side cupboards on both sides of the bed, rather than just on one. However, at the back, the team fitted a very long slide-out drawer with an extension, which creates a big outdoor kitchen. 

On the other barn door, they installed a flip-up table on which to chop vegetables and fruit. This set-up is incredible and super practical. With some good DIY skills and some patience, you can achieve the same design.

10. Van Lab’s SUV Camper for the Suburban

This SUV kit by VanLab fits into a Chevrolet Suburban and is a fully removable, one-size-fits-most setup that can transform your vehicle into either a car camping setup or a tailgating kitchen. It’s crafted from durable 9-ply Baltic Birch plywood, so it’s lightweight but built to last.

The kit features two heavy-duty sliding drawers that double as an integrated kitchen. You can store a stove, sink setup, cooking gear, and even a 30L cooler inside. Two fold-out tables give you plenty of space to prep meals, and there’s even a pull-out drink holder for a little extra campsite luxury. If you add the optional bed platform and cushions, you’ll have a 75” x 51” sleeping space that folds away neatly when not in use.

At just 104 lbs with the bed option, this Vanlab kit is easy to install and remove, making your Suburban into a true multi-purpose vehicle.

11. VanPackers SUV Kit for Chevy Suburban

If you’re looking for another kit option for your Suburban, the VanPackers SUV kit fits in just about EVERY SUV.

The VanPackers Sleep’IN Conversion Kit is an affordable, removable system designed specifically for SUVs, crossovers, and hatchbacks. It’s perfect for weekend getaways, road trips, and spontaneous camping adventures. The entire kit is pre-assembled and tool-free, so you can install or remove it quickly, keeping your Suburban fully functional for everyday driving.

Made from sturdy ⅝” multi-ply birch with a UV-protected finish, the kit is built to last while still looking sleek. Its modular kitchen setup includes two storage boxes, a double drawer that can hold up to 99 lbs (with a brake system to keep it steady), and a retractable sink that cleverly maximizes counter space. It even includes a base for an outdoor table, giving you extra room to prep meals outside under the stars.

One of the best features? It’s designed to maintain a clear rear view while driving and leave plenty of trunk space when stored. Whether you’re cooking, organizing gear, or simply sleeping comfortably in your Suburban, this VanPackers Sleep’IN Conversion Kit keeps everything practical, compact, and secure — letting you focus on the adventure, not the logistics.

You Don’t HAVE to Convert Your Suburban to Go Camping!

If you don’t want to fully and permanently convert your Suburban, you can still camp out of it on occasional road trips and holidays.

Follow these easy steps:

• Buy a foam or air mattress which fits in the back of the SUV
• Use sleeping bags and camping pillows as bedding
• Invest in a roof box or buy plastic tins to organize your gear in the back
• Carry a roll-out table (We use this REI roll top table) on which to cook and eat
• Buy collapsible camping chairs
• Pack a portable stove and cooking gear in a box
• Carry water tubs and a collapsible sink to do the washing up
• Buy a solar shower (we use the Sea to Summit) you can hang on a tree
• Invest in a Porta Potti or other portable toilet if you plan to go to busy boondocking spots.

Camping out of your Suburban is as simple as throwing your favorite gear in the back and setting off. 

If you need to carry lots of equipment, you can always take a tent or a trailer with you. Some models come with a kitchen and rooftop tent. For longer trips, you could add an awning to create an outdoor living room that’s protected from the elements.

Ready to Camp in Your Suburban?

A Chevrolet Suburban camper conversion makes for a rad adventure vehicle you can boondock in anywhere. It’s also an affordable and easy-to-maintain car, on which you can do many miles. 

What’s not to love? Just like all small campers, it has space limitations, but at this price-point, you can’t expect a luxury van.

Looking for other SUVs suitable for a camper conversion? Check out this article. And if you’re thinking of adding a rooftop tent to a Suburban, have a look at these options.