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CarCamper Invention Converts Any Car Into A Campervan | Game-changing Gear

Want to experience #vanlife but think you can’t afford it? Think again – startup brand CarCamper will convert any car into a mini campervan.

Take a glance at Instagram and you’re sure to be bombarded with polished photos glamorising the delights of van life: the open road, stunning landscapes, luxury Scandi-style interiors, a freshly brewed coffee at sunrise with your incredibly attractive partner and stupidly cute canine companion. It looks utterly idyllic. But there’s a catch. A very expensive catch. Campervan prices have sky-rocketed since lockdown and not everyone can lay down £20k+ on a road worthy vehicle. Yet now there’s an answer to this conundrum. Fresh off a successful launch on KickStarter, startup brand CarCamper has invented a universal bed module that lets you convert any car into a home-on-wheels. Time for a road trip anyone?

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“Our intention is to make the current camping and caravanning trend accessible to people with smaller vehicles and budgets”, says founder Moses Kramer, an enthusiastic mechanical engineer and passionate surfer from Germany, who came up with concept during a road trip through Europe. “In my search for Europe’s best waves, I travelled along the Atlantic coast to the Canary Islands in an old Vauxhall Astra. In order to be able to surf as location-independent as possible, I looked for a used campervan. Since there were no affordable options, I decided to convert my Opel Astra into a mini camper. That’s when I created the first prototypes of the camping modules. Looking back over 12,000 miles, the concept has proven itself 100%.”

CarCamper develops universal camping modules which enable everyday cars of all sizes to be converted into mini campervans, without any permanent changes. The brand’s main product is the bed module, a universal camping bed. It features feet with an adjustable length and height, enabling the bed to be installed over the folded rear seat bench of almost any car. The bed frame is made out of lightweight aluminium profiles and can be loaded with up to 200 kg. A slatted frame sits on top of the bed frame and allows the user to sleep in their car with “the same comfort of an actual bed”.

Assembly takes only 10 minutes and can be carried by anyone, as it only requires an allen key and a few screws. If the bed is not in use, it can be disassembled in minutes and stored in a carry bag. There are two versions of the bed, a single (width 60cm) and a double bed version (width 100-120cm).

The bed module is currently available on KickStarter and the project has already reached its funding goal, with 58 pledgers contributing €14,804 to help bring the project to life. The solo bed module is currently available for €249 and the double for €299. A tool on the CarCamper website allows you to check how the bed module will fit in your car.

CarCamper is also hoping to launch additional products in the future. “In addition to a place to sleep, what is needed most when on a camping trip is a suitable cooking area and storage space”, explains Moses. “We want to offer customers the opportunity to convert their everyday car in a way that meets their individual needs. Therefore, we’re developing a modular system which will consist of bed modules, kitchen modules and storage modules. By using an average car, the user does not need to purchase a bigger car, they will save money on accommodation and be free to explore their destination as they wish.”