Anyone used their car like a mini camper van?

[Neighbourmystery]

I was recently in a local forest (it's a tourist attraction not secluded) there is a car park area where people park their campervans and motor homes. There was a couple there who had the back seats of their car down, lots of foam pads and cushions/duvet. They were sitting looking at the view with their boot open.Thay had a flask and some cakes Essentially they had turned the back of their car into a bed/settee. I have often thought about getting a campervan but am put off by the faff of hooking it up etc as well as the cost and I am quite nervous about sleeping in it as a solo traveller. Does anyone on here do this? It strikes me as a great idea and a good halfway point. Then I could just get cheap hotel/b and b stays. Anyone here done similar and if yes, how did you make it all comfortable etc?

I imagine many people who are essentially homeless have yes

holiday makers? Not so common unless on bones of ass

And this was a car park? I very doubt allowed allowed

This is a big thing on social media - people making their cars into bedrooms. One of my DCs shows me endless videos of people transforming the back of their cars into hang-out spaces. You can also buy pop up tents which connect to the back of your car to create more space.

Have I considered doing it myself? No!

Look up Car Camping groups on Facebook. There are many of them with lots of members.

Not for me thanks

Sorry to be clear they were daytrippers definitely not sleeping in their car

Car camping is all over my insta. Its suddenly fashionable! Decathlon do special car camping mattresses and everything.

Yes in the car park of the forest. They weren't sleeping there.

Yes, my dh does this when he surfs. He’s got some sort of a special mattress. You absolutely need an eye mask though! I agree with you that it’s a good halfway point.

Ah ok . I'll check out the car camping thing. I definitely will not be sleeping in it. It was more just how to make it into a hang out space as a PP said. Interesting!

What about a roof tent there are plenty on the market.
There is also an older lady on YouTube who regulary sleeps in her car. Mean Queen/love my life
Another vlogger 'Carol living in the moment' has converted a berlingo into a basic camper van.
Just make sure you are stopping in safe areas.

So if they didn’t sleep there, how do you know they were car camping?

I saw a YouTube video of a guy who turned his Smart ForTwo into a micro camper and have been tempted to do the same to mine ever since. He had a small tent attached the to boot for a bit of extra space and had a sleeping and cooking area inside.

My son used to do this before he got his campervan. I don’t think it was particularly comfortable but when you’re in your early twenties I’m not sure you’re that bothered! He would drive to the coast to surf and then sleep in the car overnight.
I had to sleep in the car once when our tent collapsed in a storm in Cornwall. It was the most uncomfortable night of my life and I wouldn’t voluntarily do it again!

We car camp - I often go with one of the kids. It's fun..I'd only do it for a night or two.

I should say we did car camp. Our current car makes it difficult because of how the seats fol, we need to make a frame for it and haven't got round to it

Where would you park for the night? Where would you toilet? Would you cook?

My parents had a Mazda bongo when I was younger, the roof lifted up and turned into a little sleep space, they’re not that expensive in comparison either

I think my thought was more I could do the fun bits and then sleep overnight In a b and b
I definitely wouldn't be brave enough to sleep in my car. But I'm going to investigate making it more comfy to sit in and park up

Like other posters, I've seen this on SM with instructions on how to make the mattress and so on. My NDN's son does it but he's yung and fit, and has a back and hips that can cope with it! If I was a lot younger I'd give it a go - probably more comfortable than a small tent.

I, and many others, have micro campers. These are citeron berlingos or peugot partners that are converted. Either permanantely or with a bootjump which is a unit that lives in the boot and folds out. I got mine from here https://redcoteleisure.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopVRrMW7QiZB678P4TAaYU77TDslCIQNApCdq5rYROONhNX3P1e

Yep, I’m another one who uses their Berlingo as a microcamper. There are lots of us, and many solo women! I’ve also made some female pals who do the same, we sometimes meet up - it’s great. And even just for a day trip - there’s nothing better than heading to the beach and making yourself a nice cup of tea from the back of the car.

Yes! This is exactly the sort of thing I was thinking!

Yes, like the couple but was interested to see how people had made the back of their cars all comfy

In order to be allowed on a campsite as a campervan it would generally have to have some kind of kitchen installed.

If you make any permanent alterations to the car you need to tell your insurance.