Converting a Toyota Matrix into a Camper Car/Van – Living in the Matrix
Converting a Toyota Matrix into a Camper Car/Van – Living in the Matrix
So can you convert a Toyota Matrix or similar compact hatchback into a camping vehicle? Yes.
Should you? Maybe. If you want to see this baby in action during our nearly coast to coast road-trip, you can find that series right here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfQ5x53Mm6Q_DIJ_XWrPYvh7fJTmoPVJr
#VanLife #LivingInTheMatrix
So this is kind of a build video? I guess…
When we were going nuts trapped in our 9-5, we needed to escape, and this beast (and beauty) of a vehicle was our vessel to greener pastures (and desert climates).
We managed to pack 4 seasons of sporting equipment, camping gear, clothes, food, and the most basic of necessities into this car – all while still leaving configurable space to sleep.
Was it comfortable? Yea, surprisingly.
Was it convenient? Definitely not.
Would we do it again? Heck yea.
TL;DR/Don’t like all the talking:
The ultimate camper van – 0:00
Getting the first items – 0:40
Unboxing and installing the Thule Aero Blade – 2:37
Cringy Rant – 8:06
Explaining the interior racking system – 9:27
Building the interior racking system – 11:54
Explaining window coverings – 15:02
Making window coverings – 15:54
Installing window coverings – 17:07
Putting winter tires on – 19:22
The final product / tour – 20:54
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My XRS is not only my sports muse, but my second bedroom! I used to go to parties and plan to just sleep in the back of my car..
Really impressive!
Great video. How do you handle venting, say you are laying there with your women and you fart. Other question is, where do you poop?
How do you deal with condensation? I have tried sleeping in mine with all 4 windows cracked and still manage to need to wipe down the interior of the windshield before driving the next day. I wish I had a sunroof, this would likely solve the issue.
Love this adventure series! I have an 06 matrix base model and was tryna think of ways to make it work for camping and am blown away on how you guys made this thing with basic skills and materials on budget. Not sure how cold it was when you went on this trip but I’m wondering if you need a heater and if there was condensation problems
Did roof racks effect your mpg?
I love my Matrix. The best thing about this build is that there’s only a SINGLE irremovable interior piece which is the "L" bracket on the drivers side. Unless you count the velcro strips!
do the front seats fold down flat too? Or is that just certain years
My buddy has a matrix and I’ve seem him do just about everything from autocross to camp in it. He once found a Thule Mountaineer Roof box in a dumpster and gave it to me. He delivered it to me in his matrix…and my mind was blown. The box is nearly 8ft long and it fit!
Hey! Awesome, few questions, can you link me to the crash pad you are using? Also the bins for storage that fit perfectly?? Thanks!
I just picked up a Matrix to "car camp" I down sized from a conversion van to a caravan to a Matrix😄👍 so you are not the Only Matrix camping.🍻🚗 I was going to do a volvo wagon But the 5 speed is Difficult to find. Matrix to the Rescue.🏁🚗🚗
Dope! I’m more and more convinced there’s nothing a Matrix CAN’T do/be.
Thanks so much! Looks like the right storage container can build up that head of the bed space. This is my car exactly, 2005 Matrix, 150k, no major problems. Very inexpensive to maintain. I do cross country trips in mine and eschew motels for campgrounds, saving money. Plus great mpg at 32 hiway. Toyota built a great car. I’m planning to keep mine running for as long as I can.
That’s cool. I been living in my ford transit connect for a couple years now. I been thinking bout getting one of these matrix’s though and just staying in that. It’s smaller and I think it’s big enough for just one person. I travel extensively doing paintings so I don’t need all that much storage.
Was something wrong with the alignment or wheel bearings it sounds super loud going down road
I love your build! What storage containers did you use for the foot wells?
Is your matrix AWD or Fwd? Mines Front wheel and I’m planning on doing my matrix just like this. Thanks for explaining the whole process!
Done a very similar trip every summer with a friend for racing in BC. My set up is also similar, a medium crash pad works amazingly to match the passenger seat folded down. One of the things that was game changing for my self sleeping in the car during the summer is to have a mosquito net that can either cover the whole trunk space when the hatchback is open or for more security a bug net that converts just the back window hatch. That way I can sleep in there on a hot night and never worry about overheating. Puck lighting stuck to the inside of the back hatch was another thing that changed how we use the car. When you open the trunk and turn on the lights The back of the car would become the kitchen area.
Not gonna lie, I got a 03 Pontiac Vibe (same as matrix) and I do like the inside roof rack you made. I may make one for my Vibe camper. I was interviewed on my Pontiac vibe while in Arizona. The guy hasn’t uploaded it yet but I look forward to it.
I have a 2004 Matrix. Best car I’ve ever had. I bought it new and it now has 192k miles. I’m interested in doing this for a road trip this summer.
First off, I’d like to say bravo!! Well done. Today is June 5, 2020. This weekend I’n taking my wife on a two night camping trip. It will be her first camping experience. I live in New York City. I’m currently sitting at my job in Manhattan.
I own a 2003 Matrix XR.
220,000 miles. I got her in 2015 after my 1992 Ford Taurus named “THE TANK”, with 480,000 miles blew a head gasket. I had to painfully watch her get destroyed at the local junkyard.
She was my baby. I didn’t think she could ever be replaced.
A friend of mine was getting rid of this Matrix with 136,000 miles, I needed a car, and was hesitant to pick up the Matrix. I’ve had it for a few years now, and I’ve done a lot of things with her. She’s an excellent car, and I love her. I think the engine is definitely losing a bit of power from when I first got her, Most of that is probably due to the fact that I let my son use it for a year while I was away on a Military tour. I know he beat on her!
Anyway, if the engine ever blows, I’m gonna have a rebuilt put in her. Getting back on topic, I’ve always wondered how to turn this car into a camping type of vehicle. So I’m sitting here like I said, and I decided to open YouTube, and typed in “Toyota matrix Camping”… And your video popped up. You and me are a bit of like when it comes to ingenuity. Very good with your ideas, outstanding job. Your girlfriend as well. I’m going to pick up those roof racks you bought. I’m not actually Going to take it that far with all of the road trip modifications, but definitely have some good ideas. I’ve actually put an air mattress back there once on a camping trip. It worked out perfectly. The car is just so versatile. Anyway great video. Thanks for sharing.
Christopher NYC
Hatchbacks are handy. I’ve yet to figure out how to create enough sleeping space in my 2000 Toyota Echo sedan whose back seats don’t fold down.
One approach might have been simpler. Rather than build a rod frame for curtains, run a steel wire around the interior and hang curtains from it. Full-length curtains also avoid the hassle of cutting individual ones for each window and provide some insulation on cold nights. You can make them dark on one side for privacy and light on the other to keep the car cooler when parked.
Cars can get stuffy at night. For that I have two suggestions.
1. Look online for mesh screens that fit over your door frame. Lower your window and you’ve got the equivalent of a screen door.
2. Look for a battery powered fan to create a bit of a breeze. One powered by two 18650 batteries will last the night and avoid the risk of running down your car battery.
Looking to do this to my 06 Matrix! Thanks for the video 👍🏼
Roof rack, leak and destroy, don’t ask me how but . . . .
I’ve also got a Matrix that I love. I’m planning on driving to Arkansas a lot for biking and climbing and intend to do something similar. What kind of storage bins do you have in the rear foot wells? They seem like the perfect size to extend the sleeping area.
Good ideas. Thank you. I have been road tripping in my ’09 Pontiac Vibe for ten . Just before the WuHan lockdown I drove from BC to Santa Barbara. I was able to sleep in the car with my dissembled road bike. The year before I drove from Vancouver to Halifax then on to Washington DC and L A. I am a lot safer eating good food and sleeping in a clean car. At the age of 76, I just repaired my air conditioning in preparation for the bucket list drive, The Dempster. The Vibe / Metrix is bullet proof. I can not think of an adventure vehicle I would rather have. Instead of curtains I use snug fitting cardboard. George
I typed in Matrix Camper and this came up, and funny enough I live right across that Home Depot in the townhomes. Super pumped to see someone do this, can’t wait to do mine!
Would you recommend the bouldering mats for a mattress? And which brand .. thanks
This is so cool! I’m trying to figure out what car to get next combing AWD, flat cargo area, with affordability. Your creativity is inspiring!
What’s a Tyota?
Hello, I liked your video, what a good adventure, I have a Toyota Matrix 2008, it is a good car, it does not fail me, it is very noble. Greetings from Mexico City
Background music is too loud
Very nice job! I have an idea for you, turn your hitch cargo rack into a collapsible bathroom stall. Search on youtube you will only find one video on it but would be cool. Great build!!
Nice video man, I’m in the market for a Toyota Matrix right now – hoping to do a similar build. Any idea which models have known mechanical issues or which years I should avoid? Again, nice video!
I’m wanting to do this to my 2006 toyota matrix xr! I’ve always wanted to go on a road trip :3 how much was it to do all this?
Thank you guys for recording, awesome job
I just purchased an 09 Pontiac Vibe, and have been wondering what the possibilities are if I needed to sleep in it for some reason…more of an emergency preparedness concern. In your case, you intend to do some car camping, and have gone to great extent to preserve the space in the car for sleeping by installing the roof rack and cargo carrier on the back, and much more with window coverings and so on. This all looks perfectly functional. But why? Why not just put up a tent, and store your gear inside the car? At least in a tent with cold weather you could fire up a propane heater to stay warm. Also less security concerns about having all your stuff hanging off the back of the car. Again, this all looks perfectly functional, but what’s the advantage of sleeping in the car?
Really cool looking! Btw…that passenger seat folds down forward. Makes a nice catch all or leg room if sleeping in the vehicle. 😊
Thank you for the inspiration!
Love this! I have the same car and I’m trying to transform her into a winter car camping machine. I keep my bike in the back when I’m summer camping, and tent it, but when it drops below 30 the car keeps me warm and toasty–trying to figure out how to do this without any carpentry skills! Thanks for posting this.
This is super cool! Thank you for sharing your journey and experience so we can do this ourselves if we’re so inclined. ☺️
What crash pad? what size?
Do you know what the measurments from the back of the seats to the back hatch is so I can know if I’ll fit being about 6 foot tall
Dope! I’m about to get my own matrix. I’m downsizing from a 97 4×4 Tahoe for gas reasons.
We downsized our $3200 mortgage for a $300 in a rural area. Lived outta our 03 matrix in WLA for 2 years during the week.The important thing is to keep the vehicle uncluttered and clean. No food or tooth brush on dash or front seats. All my bed sheets , blankets , bags and clothing black so if you have to open rear hatch it’s not noticeable. Used black towels for curtains and limo tint widows. No need for stove or fridge. (I bought groceries daily allowing room for a printer) . $29 a month for a gym to shower. By day I’d ride my motorcycle serving legal documents. Nights I’d stake out in the matrix. Rode motorcycle home Friday’s with all my laundry. Cops never bothered me. They didn’t suspect someone sleeping in a clean matrix. No need to get outta car just pull into nice area at 11pm drop passenger seat down move into rear area put passenger seat back up close the black curtain . Go to sleep and leave the area by 6:30am. (Keep water and a pee container, drain daily at public restrooms) They never knew I was there. Money saved on LA rent went to make extra house payments. Debt free now , Stuck it to the man!!!
Does this video come with a track list?
I really like your work on the windows. Nice! Is your girlfriend a nurse? Mine, too! I finished my own matrix build not too long ago.
I just got an 09 matrix. Definitely gonna give this a go. Whats the best way you found to insulate it? It gets awfully cold here.
How much did your gas mileage decrease? Just curious!
cool set up