Making a hatchback habitable

[Bdog1]

For the rear side glass, if you paint the inside with black spray paint, the outside will just look like limo tint.

 

[SoulRaven]

My window tinting hasn't arrived yet, but I've made a lot of improvements since the last shoot and I'm excited that the weather has finally cooperated enough to dry everything out and share what I've done in the meantime.

Current setup in "sleep" mode:

Is that a welcome sight or what? Headphones, mic, and wires all store easily on the seatbelt for music and Skype calls. Also there is a carry sack that holds my sleep eye mask and earplugs when they aren't in my pocket. The space below is a catch-all for a small water bottle and whatever other loose items I need close to me at night that would normally go on a nightstand.

This handy anchor point and a few bungee cords conveniently store my sleeping bag when not in use:

The string in the center wraps around my sleeping pad and the board, loosely securing them together so that I don't fall out of bed anymore. The whole kit and kaboodle was sliding into my nook area otherwise.

I've found it easiest to partially deflate the pad and fold both ends inwards for storage. This leaves a nice flat space on either side.

Peeling back the layers supporting the head of my bed...

These bins obviously block the fridge door from opening. I store only lightweight items in the big one so it's easily moved out of the way when needed. This then also allows through access to the passenger side door if desired.

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Then we get cooking mode:

I've only heated up food in the car I think four times so far. Condensation is a bear right now no matter what I do, and a hot meal in the belly when rain is pouring down outside feels like a particularly scrumptious cheating of fate. On my list to get is some sort of camp-type "tablecloth" to lay over the immediate area to keep everything clean of the inevitable crumbs and spills and increase the surface area I can work with. Also investigating off-grid possibilities.

I've increased my storage space by hanging up a few items and getting a bit creative, since again I cannot modify the car itself.

A loop sewn to this hanging toiletry case means I've got plenty of storage right next to me when sitting in my nook. It's also easily removed for discretion.

The car only has one grab bar - total. There had to be a way to hang something from it. My EDC backpack, which generally stores all the junk I have to keep within arm's reach, didn't have a good spot yet and I wanted to put it there. The solution? A double-pointed knitting needle I bent in half, one of several I'd picked up for pennies at a thrift store for use as hair sticks. With a little strategy applied it holds the backpack very securely, I've been surprised. I find everything I need easily accessible and it can be taken down or put back up at a moment's notice.

So there we have it so far! Still pretty scrappy but it's evolving improved functionality by the day, and often times feels pretty comfy now.

P.S. Except for the moisture. Let's find out how much DampRid helps...

 

[akrvbob]

Wow!!!!! I have to say it again..... WOWWW!!!!

You are doing an amazing job! Bravo!
Bob

 

[Bela's Mom]

I agree......WOW! It looks great! I'm glad that you are getting comfortable in your nest!

 

[Simran]

Nice job on the car; really nice. Especially because you've not done any permanent mods.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I was a little disappointed with damprid. sure it clearly absorbs moisture but it took a long time to fill up and i still felt dampness on clothes stored right near it. I think it might work better when there are large onslaughts of wetness tho, once i had a big spill and it filled up pretty fast (i didnt know till much later my cup had spilled).
nice build, good ideas

 

[Queen]

Great job on the conversion!

 

[akrvbob]

An easy way to add hanging places is with an expanding shower rod. Going across the car should be easy and maybe even front to rear if you find a long enough one. Put it along the sides and hang things from it. Probably not real heavy though.
Bob

 

[Vic.]

Looks great! I'm gonna borrow some of these ideas.