Man and dog with surfboard next to truck
Man and dog with surfboard next to truck

Popular Mechanics: How to Turn Your Vehicle into a Camper in a Weekend

With a few upgrades, you'll be ready for a comfortable camping trip.

Five years ago this fall I unceremoniously drove across the country, running away from a mid-20s crisis. Using my 2003 Subaru Forester as an escape pod, I topped out at 90 mph on the salt flats outside Salt Lake, saddling the underpowered four-?cylinder
with everything I owned while redlining from California to my parents’ home in Minnesota.

The following weekend, in a state of drunken optimism, I converted my beloved hatchback to a tiny home on wheels. Surprisingly, my parents expressed little dismay. My dad even lent a hand, helping me pull out the rear seats and build plywood shelving. Five months later, when my Subaru bit the dust, I upgraded my vehicle to a Toyota Tacoma. My nomadic life chapter ended this August, some 195,000 miles and 1,000 gas station coffees later. Due to a plethora of factors (and, ahem, COVID-19), I was ready for more routine.

See the full article from Andy Cochrane on Popular Mechanic's website here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
News Website
Popular Mechanics

Since 1902, Popular Mechanics has been the authority on how your world works. We bring our audience the latest news on innovations and inventions across the automotive, DIY, science, technology, and outdoor spaces. We also serve our readers with the knowledge they need to get the most out of life, whether that's how to change a tire, how to build a farmhouse table, how to find your lost phone, or how to hike the Appalachian Trail. Popular Mechanics is about wonder, about being curious about the world around you, and it's about getting your hands dirty, too.

Written so you can understand it.

When it was founded, our magazine used the tagline "Written so you can understand it," and today, we still follow that ethos. Whether we're explaining the last technology news or demonstrating how to install a light switch, Popular Mechanics explains the world in an easy-to-understand, jargon-free way while also offering readers the depth of information they need to succeed.

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

It all starts with Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L, the best and most reliable filter-bladder combo and the core of my backpacking water storage and filtration system.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

Our top water filter for thru hiking, the Sawyer Squeeze, is 15% off.

Naomi Hudetz
Chief Operating Officer & Online Editor

Media Mentions

People with alpha-gal syndrome show allergic symptoms such as rash, nausea and vomiting after eating such meat.

Stephanie Soucheray
Reporter