I just threw a bunch of blankets into the back of my CX-5 and my dog and I drove cross country. Took showers at truck stops and ate from the same truck stops. Even slept at the truck stops for free.

Could you make a video on how you insyalled the push button on the b pillar please?

Dang! Amazing tip about the hatch not opening from inside and removing the door key for a dying fob. Thanks!

On my cx5, for the rear hatch, we attached a pull cord through a hole in the metal near the bottom of the door. I think we anchored it inside the door with a large washer. I can pull it closed from the inside. Down side is that you have to tape that loop up when you close from the outside or else it dangles in the way. No manual solution for opening it from the inside, so I roll out the side door, much to the terror of anyone parked next to me at the rest area.

Just want to tell you how impressed I am with your setup. Your creativity is most impressive. Safe travels!

I have a CX-5 and really want to camp in it! Great mods

This is awesome! Finally a CX-5 conversion. My daughter is looking into it and you have a great set up that we could use as a guide. Thank you!

I've been looking into ideas for my cx9 for a while now and this is the first setup that I have seriously thought is a great idea! There are 3 people in my little family unit so I think something like this is great. I might put a one person RTT on the roof though but the storage boxes under the bed platform are a brilliant idea.

G'day. Thanks for taking the time to share this setup. Practical setup. Inspiring to see. 😀👍

Very cool! I have a cx5 too! I want to tow as well with a kayak on top hahaha. You should look for a water proof option to keep your bed dry from humidity or debris. Maybe a duvet, waterproof bedding, or custom fitted material.

Nice set up. I had a similar platform system (although we use an air mattress over it) on my CX and loved having the storage but that extra 7" of height kept leading me to banging my head on the liner almost every time I woke up. I bought a hitch mount basket to make up thr lost storage, but we haven't been on a trip long enough to need it yet. I also use a Napier Sportscove on the back.

Great job on all of the customization.

Hell yeah brother. I got some wildpeak falcon A/T 3’s on my cx-5 and it drives very smooth still on pavement

Very creative build! Hey I used to race motocross and during the race I locked my van and carried no keys or wallet while racing...when I came back in I would just pick up a stick and push one screw on the right rear tail ight with popped the locks open! I simply used a micro switch beind the tail light housing and created one dummy captive spring loaded long screw that looked like one that held the tail ight lense on but in reality the lens was drilled out to entirely clear the screw even if lens were being removed.....It was so slick!....I was thinking you could do something similar on cx5! hide an exterior unlock switch somewhere clever...maybe even on roof area? Or grill or fenderwell etc I enjoyed and used the heck out of that feature for many years....it was also nice I did not need the fob to pop the door if the keys were in the house or accidently locked keys in etc

I bought a new CX-30 and put a set of Toyo Open Country A/T III on it. Great all around tires and do good off roading.

Good that you brought the coffee setup. I didn’t see that Gaggia Classic in there though…

Great conversion, Tks for sharing 👍

So much good ideas in there. 😱

Nice mate. My wife's awd cx5 maxx sport will be beach ready soon here is Qld Aus. Recovery points and gear, maxtrax, shovel, 12v air compressor and my nephew to help if required lol The car is only 3 years old and new road tyres ( I wore out the tyres that came brand new yikes), Michelin Primacy 4 but will get bfgoodrich all terrain soon... when I can find a $$ tree.

I trew a foam matress in the back of my car and that was it. But i'm clearly going to steal some of your ideas here cause this is genius !

That’s an awesome set up it’s refreshing to see different vehicles out there with mods instead of Subie’s and Toyota’s. I’ve seen Volvos with off roading builds

The 7" bed extension is a great idea. I would remove the rear seats and increase the storage capacity and reduce weight. You have the best set up I've seen yet

Awesome video, man

great job! I have a cx-5 im converting. I took the rear seats out. but mine is grand touring fully loaded. So there's sensors and heater wires installed in the seats. it took me 2 hours to get the seats out. cannot remove the passenger because of air bag sensors and center console is attached to the front shifter. so thats a no go. till I figure that out. I have roof racks and carriage up top. have a bike tow rack on the rear. im an electrician and trades man so i get the momentary button idea. that should be fairly easy to wire or interrupt circut . haha but thanks for that! saved me a head ache. great to see your set up. I will upload mine when ready. Removing the rear tire for water storage is a great idea too! no reason cant stick it on the roof. haha Ill ome back to post ya a link to mine whens its ready :)

I'm 5'8. I use a ikea crib mattress with sofa cover for sheet. Instead of wood extension i but my clothing duffel behind the seat to be about level then a pillow to make up the difference from the short crib mattress. Super easy for me to get out from back seat. I love my cx5 but i wish there was more has room so i can sit up when bed is out Front seat is my kitchen.. water behind my passenger seat. I carry a tent to change in. . Or stretch out if camping. It also helps to store things so i have more room in the car. I use a single plastic drawer storage with essentials and night lights. It doubles as a night stand so i can find things easily... I think I'll consider the tarp thing. I need to figure out configuration cuz I'm taller than the roof line. Id like a roof rack then i could have the tarp a few inches higher and have storage!

Great video Dakota. I loved camping in my CX-5 and want to upgrade it now. Can you share a link to which Rhino Rack you used? Did having it and the rack installed make noise driving?

Nice setting. Btw. You can deaktivate the autolook over the bord computer.

Nice. Missus just placed an order for CX 5. Hopefully it would be a more appropriate car taking 3 young kids for day camping compared to my Civic FC, which the boot is not spacious enough for 2 tents, cooler and all other necessities.

Could you post links for some of the different gear you highlighted in this video? Specifically interested in the clips that you used to secure the tarp and the poles you used to stake the tarp

Do you have a tutorial of how you install the button for the truck?

Hi. I was wondering about your wheel and tire size. Are those the standard 225/65 17 tire size or did you go with a bigger sidewall. Did you take those 10 spokes to a pro paintshop, or did you paint them yourself. Your wheel fitment and color choice looks PERFECT and really makes your rig somehow look both classy and rugged.

Hi, can I ask how you fitted the tailgate release button internally please?

looks great! I have a mazda cx-5 as well and wonder if you can lie flat in it?i am short, only 5'8". I used to own a jeep grand cherokee and it is not a problem to sleep in but not sure about the cx-5

What are the dimensions of the bed/platform? This looks awesome!

Nice setup! looking at doing something like this with my CX9, curious why didnt you remove the seats, wouldn't you get way more storage space? I want to remove 2nd and 3rd row, and storage trunk (not sure how possible is is).

This is incredible!! btw do you have the diesel or petrol version?

Hey Dakota, by chance you still have your drawings with the dimensions with ur build?

There is lots of food for thought here, thanks! A note though - the table is only as strong as the strength of the fixings and the plyboard holding them - i.e. the eyelets screwed into your box, not the legs. Also, if you get a flat tyre, presumably you're going to have to take your boxes out and then all their contents piece by piece, because there's no bottoms??

Can you show me how you did the button on the inside to open the back hatch?

Great build! Could you please tell me the dimensions of the bed?

Cool Job! Do you think you’ll incorporate a small solar system in your build? I’m thinking of something similar for my CX5. We love to travel but hotels will kill the budget.

So awesome

Question regarding momentary hatch release button. There are three wires on the hatch release. Button only has two wires? How did you splice in your switch? Great build! I am doing my 2012 CX5 now! Thank you. Happy trails.

Awesome build! I am started to plan out a conversion for my 2013 Cx-5. For some reason I couldn’t tell, did you remove the back seats from the car or did you simply build on top of the folded seats??

Really dig this video, Dakota! Not to mention the hotel coffee vid which is hilarious. Can you tell us your source for those bitchin’ folding shelf brackets?

I sleep in the back of my Mazda but need info on how to make the area where I sleep to be flat. I don't want to build something too elaborate!

Nice build! Where did you get the black emblem kit for the car?

Fellow Cx5 owner here. Awesome set up! What’s the purpose of the rails if you can install racks without them?

Hey where did you find those Hinge brackets

How does the velcro hold up in the heat? I tried velcro for my window shades and it was always melting off...

Hey man, Wondering if you have a blueprint or list of products somewhere??? I’d like to model off of this. Thank you for your inspiration!!!!

Is this CX5 a AWD or 2WD version?

Anyone done a rooftop tent with their cx-9? Need to reinforce first?

Are those 16" wheels?

I know this is a old video but by chance do you have measurement for the tool boxes?

I notice you have the weathertech floor mats. Are they worth it?

How did you hook up the button to the back door?

Can you elaborate a bit on your boot button? And my boot won’t lock if the key is within range. Did you have this issue?

How would someone who is 5 foot 11 fair with camping in a cx5?

I thought the front passenger seat could fold flat for sleeping on

How tall are you in centimeters please? I am 173 cm should be fine for sleeping in it. How is it with two persons in there ?

Is it a good car

great job on the conversion! i've been waiting for a cx5 conversion please hold the camera steady or use a tripod during your videos. No need to pan the camera every time a feature is pointed out. It is super hard to watch this video. Gave me a migraine and made me sick to my stomach by 4 minutes