Regardless of what you plan, whether car camping or driving to a trailhead before you start hiking, no car type perfectly suits this more than an SUV( sport utility vehicle).
SUVs offer an added payload, ground clearance, and towing capacity to tow ample cargo and people like pickups and trucks. SUVs, like cars, provide an enclosed space to ensure their items don’t fly away.
SUVs proved an excellent way to hang outside and begin camping without necessarily throwing up a tent.
The SUV campers are easily convertible and are whatever you desire for your camping, a sleeping platform with storage underneath, a mattress thrown in the back, and a rooftop, SUV tent, or an SUV camper conversion kit.
Here is a list of SUVs you can convert to a campervan for your next camping trip. But before that, lets answer the basic question many of us may have.
Can an SUV be converted to a campervan?
Yes, an SUV can be converted to a campervan. To convert it, you will need a camper conversion kit, and your SUV will be a campervan disregarding the need for a tent. The SUV conversion idea makes your SUV a sophisticated place to spend time in when heading to the wild complete with a kitchen and a bed.
Best SUV’s to turn into camper
Lets look at the most popular and suitable SUV’s that can be used or converted as a camper.
1. Jeep Gladiator
This midsize pickup truck offers the capability of a Wrangler alongside an added pickup versatility which can haul up to 7650 pounds. The SUV comes with greater flexibility as far as camping is concerned. The doors and roof are easily removable to grant you the best camping experience at night.
If you are an offroader, this SUV is ideal for you as its long wheelbase limits its break-over angle compared to the Wrangler, even if some terrains can be a challenge to the gladiator.
The gladiator is one of the best off-road capable SUVs in the market today. While this vehicle is more of a wrangler, what this Car shares with the wrangler is its off-road capability and not the physical make.
It features two powertrain options, including a torque-heavy turbo diesel. Both motors on this SUV come with a six-speed manual transmission alongside an eight-speed automatic.
It also offers a superb off-road capability thanks to its beefy all-terrain tires and solid axles. If you are a camper who prefers driving miles to the wild for your campsite, this Jeep gladiator is the ideal choice.
2. Subaru Outback
Subaru automakers are one of the best car makers out here for giving what customers desire in an SUV.
This automaker upgraded the OUtback, granting it a rugged Wilderness trim that gives it an excellent adventurer-ready interior and increased ground clearance. The Subaru Outback comes with dual capacitated four-cylinder engines, four-wheel drive, and a standard CVT.
The outback’s all-wheel drive enables this SUV to get through rugged trail roads.
While not a hulking sport utility vehicle, the vehicle gives ample cargo space, and the interior can comfortably accommodate five people for extended-distance rides.
Moreover, this Car has an extensive list of safety gear to keep you safe throughout your camping. Most outdoor enthusiasts love this SUV because of its spacious interiors and good gas mileage.
The Car also features an AWD although they have a lowered roof that can become cramped in headroom, it can still be converted to a camper.
3. Honda ridgeline
This is the smoothest riding SUV best for impromptu and planned camping. The Honda Ridgeline SUV features a truck bed that extends from about sixty-four to eighty-three inches with a tailgate long enough to be a makeshift bed.
The Car can accommodate a twin mattress or even squeeze in a full-size bed with its fifty inches across. If you don’t wish to use the dual action tailgate as a pillow, you can leave it to swing out to the left to allow for easier bed access.
The SUV also features a lever floor locker that can work as a camper’s cooler. The Honda Ridgeline comes with a truck bed audio system on the RTL-E trim to sweeten your camping trip.
This SUV got you covered with a roof-mounted bike carrier, or the bed extender gives extra room to store your toys. You can find good aftermarket tents to extend over the bed if you need a tent.
Although not a hardcore pickup, the Honda ridgeline is more of a camper than you can think of. The Car can offer an SUV-like and comfy interior, thanks to its unibody construction, making it a great RVing SUV. The Honda comes with a 3.5 liter V6 that gives it 262-pound feet and 280 horsepower.
This ridgeline features a bed big enough to accommodate all your camping gears and can as well accommodate a roof rack to haul lengthier and larger items such as bikes and kayaks, thanks to its accessory bed.
The ridgeline allows you to party as you camp with its in-bed power outlet and in-bed speakers.
4. The Rivian RIT
The RIvian RIT is an all-electric SUV featuring a superb range, adventure-ready accessories, and astonishing power to gear up your campsite and keep you comfy. It has 835 horsepower from its quad electric engines and two unios battery options.
The Rivian has a mile range of 314 and a standard battery of 180-kWh. The Car also features a standard all-wheel drive alongside unique drive modes for different terrains like dirt, sand, and snow.
If you find that the right-sized electric truck is not ideal, you can enjoy a camp stove accessory of the RIT that can accommodate a stove and other gears into the SUV under the bed gear tunnel.
Moreover, the Car’s over three hundred mile range implies that a camper can use this SUV through the beaten rail and back.
5. Ford F-150
This is the best-selling SUV in America and one of the best cars to consider for camping. The Car comes with a plethora of powertrain options like innovative hybrids that can pair well with a built-in generator.
Ford F-150’s system generates enough power to run a campsite. In addition to that, the SUV gives excellent infotainment and great tech alongside the SYNC 4 system.
The Ford also has body protection and an upgraded suspension to withstand hardcore offroad driving.
The aftermarket support makes this vehicle one of the best camping SUVs. The Car’s body is made of military-grade aluminum that grants it the ruggedness to withstand all terrains. Powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine, the vehicle generates about 510v lb of torque and 450 horsepower.
This SUV also has an automatic transmission, power efficiency, and three overdrive gears. The Car features a towing capacity of about 13 200 LBS alongside a myriad of driver assist capabilities such as the trailer sway control.
The cabin is spacious enough to accommodate five people and has a bed length of 5.5 feet and 8-foot options.
6. Ford Expedition
It is no surprise that a full-size SUV can be converted into a camping vehicle.
This Ford expedition gives ample sweating for a family and is agile, just like any large pickup. The Expedition is equipped with a dual turbo six-cylinder engine, but the Car produces a horsepower of between 380 to 4440 based on the trim.
The new models have excellent off-road capabilities and upgraded ground clearance while maintaining plush family-friendly interiors.
What makes this SUV stand out from other vehicle models is its capability, and the Ford Expedition gives up to 6000 pounds of hauling in some configurations. This horsepower is enough to carry a significant number of camping trailers even though sometimes the trailers can exceed 8000 pounds.
7. Toyota 4 runner
Like the other Toyota brands, the Toyota 4runner is a trusty offroader with excellent camping capabilities; the SUV is comfy and capable of handling camping on the trails. The SUV features a 4.8 liter V6 with 278-pound feet of torque and 270 horsepower.
The SUV comes fixed to a 5-speed auto transmission with two drive options four-wheel or rear-wheel drive.
The 4Runner comes in rugged TRD variants featuring lifted suspensions and skid plates but still can do well in wild landscapes. Moreover, the SUV has ample interior space to accommodate you, your family, and all-year camping gears.
To sleep in this SUV, throw a sleeping bag and air mattress to the back while leaving the seats down. This SUV camper is ideal for both adventures and off-road boondocking
8. Honda element
Be it impromptu camping trips or full-time living; the honda element is one of the best SUVs to convert to a campervan for your camping trip. This boxy crossover was manufactured by Honda and used from 2003 to 2011.
The SUV is unique as it features an easily cleanable interior and comes with rear side doors that open outward hence granting easy access to the Car’s inside.
This Honda Element SUV is designed to maximize small spaces; it features storage, a back hatch, and a small bed. Create your campervan kitchen in the hatch in this down, and you are good to go.
9. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is another amazing SUV that can be converted to a campervan and grant an exhilarating camping experience. This SUV is a four-door hatchback featuring easily foldable seats. S
o this means that you don’t have to permanently change the seats or remove them if you want to use this vehicle as a campervan. You only need to fold them, and you are good to go.
The Car is super versatile, with about 6.7 inches of ground clearance. Moreover, this SUV gives a six-speed stick rather than the CVT in other vehicles.
10. Honda CR-V
This is yet another honda model and SUV in the quick camper crew. This Sv is among the best SUVs offering the best outdoor experience. The Honda CR-V features an easy conversion to an SUV since its seats are easily removable.
Moreover, to provide ample space, few other tools can be removed from this honda, and its interior space modified to fit various designs.
Powered by one hundred and ninety horsepower, this SUV has a wide range of standard safety conveniences and features to make the camping experience a success. This SUV’s leather-trimmed interior space can comfortably accommodate five people.
Moreover, the Honda CR-V provides back legroom, a feature not offered by any other SUV, including the big rigs. Furthermore, the CR-V has about 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which a camper can still extend by folding the second-row seats.
Apart from the real-time AWD featuring an intelligent control system, this SUV also contains driver assist features such as a suite of honda safety technologies and hill start assist features.
11. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a 4-by-four capability to conquer even the harshest weather conditions and rugged terrains.
This SUV does well in the significant performance areas like water folding, articulation, ground clearance, and maneuverability.
Powered by a 3.2-liter V6 engine, the Car produces up to 295 lb of torque and 270 horsepower granting it the best hauling capacity of up to 4,500 lbs.
Uniquely, this SUV comes with emergency alerts and weather radar to give an instant snapshot of prevailing conditions to keep safe while camping. With this you can plan your camping well in advance.
Conclusion
Being outdoors away from people can be a healthy thing for the mind and our bodies. However, you need a vehicle for the adventure to allow you to enjoy your outdoor time to the fullest.
While getting a camper can be hectic and expensive, you can convert the Car within your reach to serve this purpose. Although there are plenty of SUV options to convert to a campervan, choosing the right one can be a hassle since you must select a mix of excellent off-road capability, good interior space, and comfy accommodations.
For a hassle-free search, the above list offers the best SUVs you can convert to campervans.
