Vehicle Layout
For simplicity’s sake, I’ll mostly reference my own experience and my current vehicle build. With the infinite mix of vehicles, lifestyles, purposes, people, and pets out there, I generally recommend finding YouTube creators whose setups match your goals. What I can speak to confidently is Subaru and minivan camping.
From a Subaru Outback to a Minivan
My girlfriend and I started this journey in my Subaru Outback. It worked, but space was extremely limited — a small battery, minimal storage, and nowhere inside the car to move around with only six feet from the front seats to the rear hatch.
Switching to a minivan was a complete game changer. With nearly ten feet of length behind the front seats, we suddenly had room for a larger bed and a couple of extra feet for our dog, Lula. If it were just me, a van provides more than enough space to bring provisions for two weeks or longer.
initial Interior Modifications
The first step was removing the rear seats, seatbelts, and center console to create a clear passthrough. I then built a raised platform roughly four inches high, using ¾-inch OSB supported by short 2x4 blocks along the center and edges. We traced the interior shape to cut the platform so it fit cleanly against the walls with almost no gaps.
Once the surface was in place, I covered it with industrial-grade carpet from Home Depot — cheap, durable, water- and stain-resistant. It installs easily with double-sided carpet tape and staples around the edge, giving the floor a seamless look.
Storage & Battery Placement
The Sienna has deep trunk storage — about 2 feet deep, 2 feet tall, and 4 feet wide. I chose this area for the battery. It’s hidden from view, protected from weather and spills, and perfectly positioned beneath the bed. Space around it allowed for ventilation and room for smaller storage bins and the Xbox.
In vans, the big items dictate where the small ones can go. You don’t get much wiggle room, and adding fixed surfaces like shelves or countertops locks you into a design choice forever. I avoided that. I prefer a wide-open space I can rearrange depending on what each trip requires. It can get tiring moving the water, fridge, and boxes around — but having the flexibility is worth it.
Having a dog also shaped the layout. Solo trips would open up more options: permanent fridge placement, fixed storage, and just needing fewer supplies overall.
Looking Ahead to Winter
I’d love to push some winter trips, but I can’t push too hard. A small heater would be invaluable, but solar isn’t realistic in deep winter, so shorter trips will make more sense. A negative-degree sleeping bag is also essential.
Future Plans
Overall, the core layout of the van will stay. It’d be great to add a rooftop extension for extra storage or the ability to stand up inside. I also enjoy that this is a cheaper vehicle — it gives me more freedom to experiment, modify, and have fun without worrying.
Eventually, I’d like to upgrade to a larger vehicle and do a more complete build. I could technically gut the Sienna further — removing interior panels would gain a few extra inches — but that’s a big time investment. We’ll see where it goes.