This was such a fun project and honestly SO easy. If this is something that piques your interest, go for it!

girl, i’ve been watching you for YEARS and have evolved from obsessed to minimalism obsessed just like you, and now you’re converting your Subaru at the same time i’m dirt-bagging in my Subaru!! so blessed to have such quality content from you, thank you!!

Tip: for even more storage room (to allow you to bring along extra cooking equipment like a camping cooker) build it as a single and use a single mattress. If you’re bringing a dog and would rather they had their own bed, this works too!

I've camped in the back of my forester for the last few years and love it! You've made me consider building it out. Especially when you're camping in hot locations, a mesh for a window is a must.

PRO TIP... buy the plastic storage containers *first* so you can measure how tall to make the platform so they fit underneath. I built a smaller platform for my SH Forester but I like yours better. Great video! 👍

I'm doing this in my Tahoe (I'm 6'6"). Great video. I hadn't thought of using plastic bins (instead of building drawers) and mesh for the sunroof. One piece of advice - when you go camping, bring along some short sections of 2x6 so you can level the car if your spot is not flat enough. Just put them where you need them and drive up onto them. Thanks! Oh and if anybody else is wondering if they can use a futon mattress instead of a foam mattress like I used in the past - foam mattresses are much, much more comfortable.

Have a similar setup for my 2014 Toyota Highlander. Two differences: I removed middle seats and tied bed frame into seat tracks for safety reasons - accidents don’t like flat pieces of plywood flying around in your suv. Downside: tying into seat track with bolts/metal flange limits ability to fold up during day. Second, I used a piano hinge similarly to access spare tire well located in rear of Highlander. I didn’t want to have to unload bed and frame on rainy night (when else do u get a flat?) to get to spare. Also, in Highlander there is extra storage space in spare tire compartment for tools, etc. so piano hinge worked well there. Lastly, I screened a side window to get cross-ventilation with sunroof screening. Used magnets sewn into mesh nylon screening to affix to exterior of car after I’ve stopped for night.

Seriously, i love this video! The way you demonstrated every step so clear and how easy it is to follow, ugh, THANK YOU! I’ve been debating whether to purchase a camper or convert my suv into a small camper and you just helped me decide. I’m so motivated to build mine now! 💚

My wife and I have been talking about how to do this in our forester for a few months - love this idea and the execution looks awesome!

There is always something so exciting, so empowering about doing something like this. Why is it so exciting to break out of the everyday conventions of housing? Thanks for making this.

This is a great looking build! I love tat you added the measurements to your build in the video, so that it could be helpful to other Subaru Forester owners. This is actually inspiring me to do this in my 2017 Subaru Forester XT Touring with a little tweaks to the design, so I may put it away after I'm done sleeping for the night. Extra teardown at the campsite, but I'm ok with that to get the extra comfort and usability of the space. Wonderful build! Love to see more, Forester buddy!

Legitimately one of the best videos I’ve watched this year! I am so excited at the possibilities this could lead to. Well done. 👏🏻💕👍🏻

Thank you! Your step-by-step walkthrough was excellent. Greatly appreciated how you offered your thoughts driving your design.

Your video inspired me to finally do this to my SUV. I just got done and it is amazing! Modified your design because I took my back seats out to give more storage space, so instead of spines running along the back seats, I made a table with 4 legs and frame for support. It is super sturdy and fits my car perfectly. Excited to take it out on the road and try it out, thanks Allison!

I'm slightly obsessed with this! Such a good idea! Can't wait to see the rest of you series on this to see what you do.

This is my first time to see an SUV turned into a cool camping car. This is what you call research. By getting a lot of ideas and come up with a better ideas. I gotta watch more of your van videos and I hope to see more of your van vlogs. ❤️❤️❤️

This is so great! I wish I had a car but whenever I do, this is a great idea to let me travel easily on the weekend!

I am impressed with your build as well as you are, and I must try it. I drove my Sister's SUV to Florida, and if the weather here in the Sunshine State was cooler, I would have taken her SUV camping with this same build as yours. I have all the items needed in my garage. The only change would be to place the bed behind the passenger seat and into the center, avoiding having to move the driver's seat forward. I sleep in one spot, so I don't need a wide bed space. Doing this will allow me additional space and storage for other things. Not to mention quick access to the driver's seat if necessary 😧. My Sis may not get her vehicle back...lol. I will be borrowing it again. Thanks for such great info. Safe travels. Namaste.

I can’t wait to see the add-ons you’ve got planned for this camper. Great job!

just bought a 98 tahoe project for this purpose more or less. Great start! i think that having the setup like this will leave lots of room for improvement as you see fit. There is a huge community dedicated to fully outfiting the vehicle THEN going on the trip, but this type of build will let you decide what you need when it comes to mind, and still have space to execute it.

Thanks Allison! I helped my niece Kate build one today. I encouraged her to send you pics of the finished product!

such an affordable and temporary way to try vanlife without committing too much to it. cant wait to see you outfit it it all!

This is the best and easiest platform I've seen so far and the only one my DIY skills would allow me to attempt. Thank you!

WOW! This is so cool, a great alternative to spending so much money for a sprinter or camper van!

That platform was well thought out, especially the hinge piece. And the storage is impressive too!

Yessss. My husband & I have been thinking about turning our Honda Element into a camper for some road trips, and I love how easy you made it seem! Can't wait to see the other videos you have planned :)

Great job! I have a 2002 and would love to see this with drawer rails that allow two long 40" pull outs from the back (peg board bottom drawers can minimize weight). So you have these drawers to pull out in order to maximize the space under the bed. Even on a road trip, it's a pain to just stuff it in where it fits in, and then go back and try to find what you need. This way you stuff the drawers and then just pull out, pick what you need and push back. You don't have to slide containers in and out to get stuff stored at the back, etc. I love that the sun roof becomes an amazing sky light - I'd be scared a nosey raccoon or cat would drop down on me at night! 🦝 😆 😸

I’ve watched this video several times and I’m super excited. I want to attempt something similar in my suv.

We have been searching for a van for camping and all along we had it right in our very own driveway...we have a 2018 Subaru forrester (and it even has a sunroof for nighttime stargazing and ventilation!)and never thought of a conversion until seeing your video. Thank you for the very specific directions!

What a great video. I'm a longtime subscriber and I've always appreciated your positivity and general perspective on so much. Appreciating that you're still radiating those same ideals! Looking forward to the next video of your SUV "remodel""!

I’m so excited to see where this takes you and I can’t wait for your upcoming adventures (and videos!) Please also do a camper tour video once you’ve finished setting up all the accessories you’ve mentioned!! I’m sure I’m not the only one excited to see it hehe

I love this so much gal! I just bought a 2012 Forester and will definitely be following this guide.

You’re going to be my inspiration for a 2015 Subaru forester, thank you for the easy to follow plan!

Yay! Can’t wait to see more of this. So excited for that content!!!

This is such a good idea! I've been camping in my rav 4 plenty of times but it's never really comfortable or organized haha, this is a game-changer.

I have watched your video for several years, subscriber from Macau. I am always surprised by you. Your videos topic always sync my interest(beauty, minimalist/declutter, life style, DIY camper). Can’t wait to see you do more DIY projects!!

I’m so excited to see how your channel has shifted to what you love doing! Thank you for taking us with you. Safe travels!

It turned out so well! Super excited for more SUV travel vids!!

So glad you made this video. Showed it to my hunney and roommate and said "let's do this today." I have an impreza and the measurements are only a couple inches different from the forester! Got everything to make it and hoping to finish tomorrow and head out for a trip this weekend!

And the Winner is Allison, Wow you are Smart, I watch all the other suv camper builds but yours was perfect for my SUV. I was trying to find a Mattress and Fold out Mattress I would never thought of 🙂 and I love the Nice touch adhesive carpet squares. The Piano hinges Giving that extra room with the seats moved forward should be enough room as I am 6ft 4 Tall. and the legs that's holding up the Fold down part with the 4 smaller squares keeping them in place was a Great idea.

What a fun video! I love how creative and unique your videos are.

It actually looks really comfortable. I’ve been wanting to do this to my Jeep. You totally inspired me to actually look into it 😄.

Great vid, love seeing women building their own stuff!!! Badass!

This is the exact setup I have to do. I knew this 9 months ago. To see it done. Priceless.

I'm so happy and excited for you! My current situation doesn't allow me to do this but your video has inspired me so much I will definitely want to experience this in the future! Love all your videos, looking forward to your adventures! Love from New Zealand xx

I’ve wanted to do this for SO LONG. been working this whole time so I haven’t thought about it right now but nowwwe I wannaaaaaa

I love this idea! Can't wait to see you take it on an adventure!

I love this. My husband is not adventurous, and his business has him busy most of the summer. I had mentioned this to him, and he is all for it. I can visit him out in the field. He is 6'2"

Love this!!! So many adventures awaiting now!

Good job young lady... You do a good job of explaining what your viewers are seeing. I would suggest that when you use your circular saw that, for safety's sake, you always adjust the blade so that it hangs below the bottom of the lumber as "minimally as possible". The less blade exposed, the less damage you can do to car parts or hand or leg or foot parts with the blade... i.e. a 1/8 inch deep cut will heal much faster than a 2.5 inch deep cut. Also... very good suggestion to find similar projects. Better to "modify" the wheel than to "re-invent" the wheel... especially for novice builders. Keep up the good work.

Omg girl!!! This is absolutely amazing!!! I cant wait to see where you go in this thing!!!! 😍😍😍

Awesome job!! I’m stoked to see your related future videos. Well, all your videos, but definitely these related ones! 😊

I am just about to buy a forester and was hoping to do this! Perfect timing, thanks for the video🙂

This is amazing! Cant wait to see your adventures with this

Thanks so much for this. Quite apart from the fact that this was a useful project to observe, it is a pleasure to see a video that is shot so well, and to the constituent pieces of the build explained so clearly and articulately.

Yay! Finally something I can do and ideas I can TOTALLY USE!

Wow, this is so cool! At first I clicked on this video because I love your channel and just wanted to watch to support you BUT I got so invested in the process. I don’t even have an SUV but I’m so excited to see you deck it out and take it on trips!

Hi Allison Serious congratulations. The thought you pit into the build video was so much better than most you may want to write a guide. Like you I’ve been looking for a good car/van/teardrop travel solution. I’ve also settled on the Forester but that it for now. Hope to move from east coast to Colorado this summer to be closer to family, COVID permitting. At any rate, the real minimalism of your rig is compelling and obviously the build out and equipment will be a small fraction of other options. I also enjoyed the first trip and add one so looking forward to what’s next.

I’ve got an 09 and I can’t wait to try this!!

It's tempting to do this with my 2017 Outback. It would be nice to get away once in a while...by myself! I can't wait to see where you go with this set up. You might just inspire me to try something like this myself!

I love all of your videos soo much Allison! You have the best videos and your travel videos are my favorite! 💛💛

I watched several of your videos and I wanted to say, thank you! These videos are informational, great quality, and inspirational; I subscribed. I recently bought an SUV and I travel for work and I am excited to plan for SUV life/camping. I wish you all the best concerning your endeavors and adventures.

That is really cool and looks super easy. I’m excited to try it on my 2017 cx-5. Thanks for the vid!!

So excited for videos in this setup!!

my abroad gap year plans had to be cancelled due to corona, now i’m thinking of remodeling my forester like this to drive around europe - thank you so much for this amazing video, now i’m really exited again!

My heart is about to burst. I've been dreaming about camping in my SUV. I've even made a list of what I'll need. I'll watch many more of your videos to see if I need to add more necessities to my list. Do you ever get frightened sitting by the fire alone at night? I'm ashamed to say I think I would be. Thank you very much for your inspiring videos. You have given me courage. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

My mouth is open with these awesome ideas 💡. I love it. My camping trips are going to be epic

Allison this setup is awesome! Well done. Can't wait for your next vid. Best wishes from the UK.

I am in awe. You are such a crafty person, I wish I were as crafty as you are

amazing video, cool and unique concept, well filmed and edited, and a good leanth I was not bored at any point in the video.

I already have a Sienna with a Coleman cot set up that I intend to go on a 1 week road trip in April but I love her video and watched the thing.

You could easily run a inexpensive ratchet strap under the fold down rear seats and attach it to the underside of your sleeping platform with a couple eyebolts for the security during a wreck that others mentioned. It would have the added benefit of holding your platform flat for you without the additional weight laying on top of it.

I made this today and modified the measurements! You rock!

I am amazed with your creative workout for camping needs.

Great job Allison. You are going to have so much fun. Makes me wish a had an SUV. That's my next vehicle but not for awhile yet

For the hinge piece drill 2 in both legs and board and use drop pins. them little pieces won’t last. And you can take the pins out and fold it for when you drive.

Great DIY project. You did great on it. Thanks for sharing...😃👍👌👊🚙🏕

You are marvellous, Allison. Step-by-step process reminds of the days in kindergarten, cut&paste, haha. Thanks.

OMG!!! I was looking into turning my SUV to this! Then I saw this video. We have the exact 2018 Subaru Forester Touring!!! I saw on your other vlog that you have RTT. I would love to buy one, but you are right, they are pretty pricey!! So, if you are looking into handing this SUV set-up to someone ( I know you did spend so much work and effort on it), I would love to buy it from you! I am just a handyman, but I love camping!!! Enjoy watching your videos!!! ❤️❤️❤️

I have a Nissan Xterra and want to do a platform bed build. I love how do-able your design is!

Nice build😀 Looks comfy,nice forethought on the slope and hinge!

This has seriously inspired me!! I’ve also looked up so many camper options. This is a great idea!

Haha this is amazing, absolutely love it, can't wait to see the end result 👍

I have a 2010 Honda Element I bought because of the fact it fits a larger mattress (Queen size) in the back and seats fold flat to create a platform (when I car camp with another adult). I purchased a trifold cot size 6 inch memory foam mattress (milliard brand) that could do double duty (it was also considerable cheaper). When I travel solo or with my medium sized dogs, it is the perfect size for half of my seats folded down or if I am just taking a nap I can fold down my back seat on one side and place my cooler under the place front seat would fold down and use 2 of the three panels to create a mini bed for napping in. I love the memory foam mattress so much I built a long term platform in my home to use it on as a guest bed, and it is perfect for camping trips when using for tent camping. An XL twin fitted sheet fits it well. I returned the first of November from a car trip across the mid and eastern states sleeping in my Honda with the exception of 2 days the car was in the shop for damages to my radiator when a bird flew into it. But with solar lights I can charge in my front window (they fold flat found them at a box store) Reflective on one side blacked on out on other side window covers for my back side windows and rear window (made those myself out of thick posterboard and lightweight reflective insulation found at a hardware store and some black duc tape (to join the reflective material and postboard) and a light blacking curtain (courtesy of my adult daughter) and clothes collapsible hanging pole that fits on my car ceiling handholds in front, makes my own little cave to crawl into any time and catch 40 winks before hitting the road again for long distance trips, also works great for doing driving with a co-driver who can rest while the other drives. My last road solo trip was 2,776 miles start to finish and had the most amazing time being able to park and sleep when I needed to and drive when traffic was at low point to get through major cities quickly without having to sit in traffic. Thanks for sharing gave me some ideas to build a back platform for extra storage since my rear seats are super easy to remove.

So cool!! Can’t wait to see more!

You are amazing! So smart and creative! Love your project!

Beautifully designed bed. I have already designed 2 sets for my TOYOTA RAV4, 1996. I am not happy with the storage space. The main modification I did is that I split piece 2 and piece three in half. This way I could make one bed or go for a double, if me and my wide go out together. It also helps if one of us is tired and wants to rest during the drive. I have used piano hinge for linking piece 1 to piece 2 also. This way the piece 3 folds downward. This way u cannot have a sloped sitting set up, but it makes ur setup more fixed.

such an amazing project!!

I have the same mattress in my Toyota Sienna Van. So comfortable. I Love camping out in the woods in my Van. I have built MANY bedrisers, and you did a fantastic job:)

Awesome video!!! Can’t wait for the other videos! 😃

Brilliant Alison!! Thanks for sharing... Been looking for 6 months for camper type vans to convert but the prices are so high now. I had a thought this morning that an SUV would be an alternative. So I found your great video. I have a Mazda6 saloon at present which although have put a mattress in it, an SUV is something I need to purchase ASAP. Looking forward to seeing your off grid electrics video

Very cool! Measure the windows and make or buy some simple curtains. Use velcro strips so you can remove them while you're driving. :)

I love how you designed this for yourself, to take independent trips without hubby = ) I hope you're having wonderful adventures and freedom in your new digs.

Awesome! Can't wait to see where you take it.

This is amazing!!! Great job!

So awesome, nice work!!! Looking forward to the upgrades

she does such a wonderful job describing everything.

Good job & design. I did exact same yeas ago for my Toyota PU. Now I also have a 2018 Subi Forester, so will duplicate your plans.!! Add drawers under platform. And add solar on roof! (See Ford mini-van conversion). When COVID subsides we should have a Subi boon-dogging meet-up!

This is such a cool idea! Please vlog your first trip in the suv!

Omg I love this!! My fiancé did a short two day trip and just slept in the back of my car on a mattress topper. Definitely not super comfortable. I’ll have to see if I can make one of these!