the $1000 35sq ft micro camper

[Gold5one]

It's built inside a old but good, Honda Element- the rugged little 4cyl SUV that failed in the marketplace has found a new life as a micro camper. This fad started around 2014 as near as I could determine. I said $1000, but I'll bet many of us could build it out inside for under $500, using material in our workshop. We can all visualize what 35sq ft of living space is.
FYI- used Elements in good driving condition start around $3000, with 150K+ miles- over 200K miles can sometimes be found for $2000.
What do you think? Best suitable for guys and gals under 5'10" - Questions? I have more to post, if there is interest-

[pete c]

Nice job.

I have considered doing something similar to my 2003 Honda Odyssey. Minivans, IMO, are a better platform. Considerably more space. Similar mpg, cost.

[Gold5one]

Nice job.

I have considered doing something similar to my 2003 Honda Odyssey. Minivans, IMO, are a better platform. Considerably more space. Similar mpg, cost.

Some things to consider,
the AWD Elements have a sunroof glass that opens for ventilation- very handy
The Element is much easier to use as a stealth camper, which appeals to many who are rest stop/walmart campers
Element has a rubber floor= better for a camper than carpeting
Element rear seats are easy to remove and can also be folded flat against the sides- when the camper bed and cabinets are removed- to haul stuff, mountain bikes, etc.
2.4L Honda engine goes 300,000 miles by following Honda's maint schedule- uses a timing chain, not a belt.
The Element is about one foot shorter than a Toyota Corolla, for those of us who don't like to park and drive the larger minivans anymore (like me)
Element was mostly sold in AWD, this coupled with it's short turning radius, lets campers travel onto the back roads= more adventure.

[Gold5one]

Complilation of Element camper builds--

[pete c]

All valid points. Some minivans have a sunroof.

AWD could be an advantage to some. It also explains why the considerably larger Odyssey gets as good or better mileage. I will point out that my Odyssey's traction control is absolutely amazing. It is a beast in the snow. With the right tires I suspect it would go most places an element would go.

I'm not sure how the Element is more stealthy than a MV. Would it be the minivan is more of a greenhouse?

As for seat stowage, the middle seats easily pull out and the rear disappears in the floor.

The Honda V-6 is absolutely bulletproof, but it does like it's timing belt maintenance from time to time. Earlier 5 speed trannies were know to be a possible problem. The consensus seems to be either you got a POS and it dies in 50K miles or you have a good one and it lives forever. I appear to have the latter at 170K miles.

In the end it comes down to personal needs. If you are going to go off road, I'd argue there are better choices than the Element, although the element is certainly a bit more capable than the minivan. If good mileage and space is your thing, go with the MV.

[Gold5one]

For those who are interested- here is the price trends for used Elements- I have found the SE has the lower prices- snowbelt higher and the west coast is about $2000 higher than in the SE- FWD are priced lower than AWD, especially so, where their is snow-- expect to find FWD Elements for $4000 and up, AWD, $5000 and up- those cars over 10 years old and higher mileage usually have to be cash purchases- that is why we have seen the resale prices go down faster, starting in 2014.
click to enlarge image

[Gold5one]

Starting in 2007, the Element came with a 5 speed automatic. It's really no better than the 4 speed= only one mpg higher.
For some reason, the 5 speed transmission is programmed in the Element to use 4th gear as mostly just a stepping stone to 5th OD- a super OD. So when using the cruise control, there is no ability to go up any hills and not see a downshift, unlike the 4 speed, that can stay in cruise on the 3% grades. Owner reviews report that this constant downshifting gets very annoying on road trips. There is no way to lock out 5th OD and use 4th gear (same as old 4 speed) instead. The 4cyl was a compromise used by automakers to help meet EPA fleet mpg averages back then- today we have powerful V6s that get super mpg.
From my research, the best years for the used Element are the 2005 and 2006- 4 speed automatics. The 2006 models have steering wheel radio control buttons as an option, which is important to many people. a 5 speed manual was an option too. It is geared even lower than the automatics-

[pete c]

What are your thoughts on first gen CRVs?

I have always liked them. I think the element may be a little taller inside, which is an advantage.


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[Florida Native]

I am doing something similar with my Sienna (which is available in AWD, though mine is FWD).

It's a work in progress and I won't be able to get into it hard core until next summer. Here's my build thread: https://www.siennachat.com/threads/sien ... mper.61949

I've picked up so many ideas from this site that are running through my head!

-Mike

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[friz]

My wife's daily driver is a Sienna. We have a full sized air mattress that fits nicely in the back with the middle row removed or tilted forward and the 3rd row stowed. The kids use this when camping sometimes. Me and the Mrs prefer the TD.

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[Gold5one]

The main thing for me is to get back to seeing the country- Today, I purchased a 2005 Element for $2600- one owner and good interior- no ripped up front driver seat, which is all too common. I was surprised how sharp it does U turns- it's better than our Corolla in that regard. I can get out my tape measure and begin sketching up my camper design.

[me&z]

... I can get out my tape measure and begin sketching up my camper design.

You'll find a lot of you tube and blogs where people have make bed frames from 2x lumber. You don't need any where near that much weight. We've built 2 "campers" using (mostly) 3/8 OSB. The first was simple because the 2005 Montana has seats that are designed to come out. We can switch from seats to bed (or back) in about 15 minutes. That includes making the bed. It is possible for 1 person to do but easier with 2. Unfortunately the Montana has >225K miles and we can't take it more than 100 miles from home. So we removed the seats from a 2014 Traverse and built a new camper.

Both use the same Ikea queen mattress cut to fit between the wheel wells. And both are strictly "bed in the back". No galley, no facilities. But they work for how we travel. Both are tab and slot construction: no hardware. And the platforms easily handle 450 lbs of humans + dog. There is a surprising amount of storage underneath even with it only 6-8" tall.

[Gold5one]

Some campers have figured out how to install a small sink and hand water pump in their micro campers- I had a sink in my Weekender XL.

[pete c]

I am considering trying my 2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDI for overnight camping. If you take the rear seat bottoms out (less than a minute, both sides) the seat back folds completely flat. If you push the front seats fully forward, this makes for about a 7 foot long bed. Would be nice if it was a little wider/taller, but it is doable. I am certain it would be fine for a single person,

I have considered turning my utility trailer into a bike storage tear drop. I suspect that if it's done right and kept as light as possible, It theoretically could improve high speed highway mileage on flat ground. I have been averaging anywhere from 42-46 mpg.

[Gold5one]

Now that will be some seriously cheap VW road camping! I considered looking for a Prius V and using it for a stealth camper, but the prices were 3X more than my Honda Element. The hardest part of building my Weekender-XL camper was building the outside walls and roof- I have eliminated that step by building a micro-camper.
Mark