The prodigal child has returned

First of all, "Thank You" for the free plans for the Element camper. When Covid hit I was working at REI and they suddenly closed their doors. I had an Element already and wanted to make it camping worthy. After a long search for ideas I found your KZfaq video. You can guess the rest... but that's not all. After numerous camping trips to the Smokey Mts , a month long trip to the 4 Corners area and adding a few of my own tweeks to your design (12v fridge, solar, 3 1/2 gallon water, awning) , I narrowly avoided a head-on collision. I survived, but my 2010 Element did not. No prob. I found a 2011 and swopped my AMY designed camper gear over and within a few months I was back on the road. A week in Florida, another 4 weeks in 4Corners and Wyoming/Montana and just got back from a 6 week trip clear to the Pacific Ocean (I live on the North Carolina). I never would have been able to afford this without my Element (my home on wheels) and your design (the best). Pictures available.

How the heck has it been four years! I used your plans to create a bed for the back of my family's 2008 Town and Country minivan when I was home during Covid... I can't believe that I was working on it over two years ago now. Not only has my family since gotten rid of the minivan, but they also sold the house where I was living- crazy how time flies. Anyways, thanks so much for these plans and the update!

That insect screen frame is a thing of beauty. Esthetics is a lot of extra effort but is a joy forever.

I really like the use of snaps that you used for the curtain ends. I don't think I've seen anyone use those before. It creates some new ideas for me. Nice to see you again!😊

Man Honda needs to bring back that car. Most practical vehicle ever made. I didn't get a chance to snag my dream 5mt awd before used prices got stupid, bums me out still lol. I do have an 08 Civic that I drove from Alaska to Ohio and all around the country thats never let me down though. I actually removed the rear seats and built a platform from the trunk forward for my dog but it can be slept on in a pinch! I camped in it on the AK to OH trip when I moved. It's a tight fit and definitely not ideal, but more ideal than a $120 hotel room. Anyway, cool rig! Thoughtful design.

I didn't know your ceiling window cover until yet... my god this is genius!

aw man that dog is so cute.

I love your attention to detail. Please keep the videos coming. Thanks.

Another Amy video!!!! Yay!!!! 😃

We missed you 😭😭😭😭.

awesome Element and Set Up .

What I really like about your videos is the the focus on all the cool stuff you are doing. Good focus on keeping it simple. With a lot of youtube videos the theme is basically: "Look at me. I'm great." I recently picked up an Element and definitely will be copying a bunch of these ideas. The bed is great.

Great info! Thanks for sharing your journey!

Really cool to see a follow-up. The suction-cup solar panel is a neat little touch. I like it! Thanks for keeping us posted :D

Welcome back even if it is for a short time !

Doggo seat belt is such a good idea. :D

the doggos seat belt setup is..... brilliant and never seen that before!

lol that compliant mechanism on the ipad holder :D

It was great to see all the places you snuck in compliant mechanisms. Hey, thanks for the update.

I love seeing the updates. I also enjoyed maki and your partners feet making an appearance haha

Hi Amy I have benefitted greatly from your generous posting of plans for the slat bed from a couple of years ago! I used only the bed plans, as I needed to fit my MTB down the driver's side. Also I completely removed the passenger seat and extended the bed forward to fit the full height of a twin size 6" thick memory foam mattress. VERY comfortable! The remaining room up front on the passenger side was used to make a cooler platform/cup holder. I did a 6 week MTB trip this past spring 2/3 of the way across the country and back, from Boston area down to Asheville NC area, across to Bentonville AR, to Boulder CO, then back across a more northerly route back to Mass. A phenomenal, and only the firstof hopefully many MTB trips in "pickle", our 08 element. Thanks so much again for the sharing of your great designs! I plotted the contoured pieces out 1:1 on a letter size printer, taped them all together and cut the plywood out on a band saw. Perfect fit! Will try and get some pics to you as well. Thanks!! Dave C

Great to hear from you again. Glad you are still creating and building. Love the drawer addition. And the dog is lovely..husky/corgi X maybe?

I've been waiting for a couple of years for an update, can't wait to see what the next changes are

Ayo glad your still around thanks for inspiring my KZfaq channel with your element adventures haha.

I love your set up and the way you introduce all your changes and updates - so cool. Especially like the addition of the drawer and power chargers to the shelf. That’s really practical.

love the snaps on the curtains!

Welcome back 😀

KZfaq recommended your first video to me a few years ago. I have a friend who wants one of these and I remembered your video and shared it on my channel. Keep up the great work. You being an engineer really shows.

Best DIY Micro Campervsn video on KZfaq. I love your dog BTW!

Wonderful! It's great to see how things change as you use them. The drawer in the shelf is a great addition, and one I'll have to try out when/if I remake mine out of something a little nicer than leftover ikea bookshelf parts!

Cool thanks gif sharing, the moon roof I pad holder gave me some ideas, love it!

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

How cool are you! Love the laser cut stuff!

I love your mechanical designs, they’re minimalist, appealing and just well … clever (especially the drawer latch :-)

I stumbled across this video after watching the honda element "i pinch" commercial. Great work! Subscribed!

Thank you for the update!

I feel like you'd make a badass astronaut or camp counselor.

Awesome upgrades Amy! Kaizen for sure...

Awesome thanks for the update video!

I used these plans for mine

Honda Element campers are a special breed. Small small gang.

Nice. Well done. I like the simplicity of making everything, the drawer lock looks good, if if works why not, it doesn't have to be fancy or complicated, if you don't like the look, glue something on top of it.

It’s funny the way the dog’s “seat belt” looks more like a slingshot.

awesome. good ideas.

Awesome car I have an 05 super reliable and lots of space

I love the simple setup. I've been stumped between the transit connect and the element. I'm definitely leaning towards the element now.

I have a box full of snaps I had no idea what to do with. Now I know.

Nice!!

I wish I could afford a cnc or laser cutter. I'd be making all kinds of shstuff

you removed the seats right? the element seems like the perfect stealth car, thank you for your creativity!!!!

Nice to see some low tech common sense solutions from a genius mind. I gasped when she called probably the coolest homemade shelf lock "ugly'!

i swear i was just thinking about her old video.

Loving your build!!!🥰 Every detail makes so much thoughtful sense. Love the dog harness clip too; genius. Was just reading how nuch safer it is to have a harness clipped in and near center of vehicle, instead of dog floating freely in moving vehicle. I've been seriously considering a 2011 Element for many months if I find a rust-free, well-maintained one under say maybe 150,000 miles. I hear they can go 20 years and 300,000 miles. Did you remove the backseats or are they folded to the side? If you removed them, do they go in and out easy?

Never have thought to put a solar panel inside on my sun roof awesome! What size and brand is that one? Looks perfect

❤❤❤🎉

Just discovering & subscribed. Re your storage pockets. Did you design & have patterns? What’s the material used? What anchors your elastic curtain rods? I’m full of questions because I’m excited to find your channel. Shopping now for that slingshot harness anchor for between the seats & the solar panel.

Your definitely a wonderful woman ❤🎉

Hi Amy, I'm going to be building this for my element soon! noticed the link for the video showing how to print the template for the bed isn't working. also the step file. Can you help me out? Thanks for this!

Your really cute

The link to your plans for the bed does NOT work.

You are beautiful 😊

How tall are you?

What's Amy up to, these days? Too busy with 'real life' tondo videos, hopefully in a good way!