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The 15-Minute Minivan Camper: The TRUTH After 100 Nights

Justin Hikes

18,029 views

What is the TRUTH about the 15-minute minivan camper conversion after extended real-world use? In this full tour and long-term review, we break down what we love, what we don't, and what we've upgraded after spending over 100 nights sleeping and traveling in our 2023 Honda Odyssey minivan camper with two adults and a dog.

From sleep comfort and headroom trade-offs to gear storage, power setups, and everyday layout wins, here is our honest 100-night verdict on our 15-minute minivan camper conversion.

👉 Save $75 on Trunk-Mate: Click here https://trunk-mate.com/?ref=6 and use code JUSTINHIKES at checkout!

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➤ Gear I'm using in my MINIVAN CAMPER
TrunkMate Sleeping Platform: hhttps://trunk-mate.com/?ref=6 (Use Promo Code JUSTINHIKES for $75 off your order)
Memory Foam Camping Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/46Z7w4b
ICECO GO20 Dual Zone 12V Refrigerator: https://amzn.to/4wAI7et
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station: https://amzn.to/4yC2r07
Thule Motion 3 Rooftop Box: https://amzn.to/4fQ3bY8
Rechargeable 8-Inch Battery Operated Clip on Fan: https://amzn.to/408a25S
Breathable Mesh Window Covers: https://amzn.to/3yjixky
Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove: https://amzn.to/3RLvlKN
3.17 Gallon Water Container with Spigot: https://amzn.to/4bZC0I3
Collapsible Sink with 2.25 Gal / 8.5L Each, Foldable Dish Tub: https://amzn.to/3RvuopQ
Storage Bins with Lids: https://amzn.to/4bAkEBq
Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier: https://amzn.to/3skmWkP
Car Seat Organizer: https://amzn.to/3MB2XW7
Magnetic Car Sunroof Sun Shade Breathable Mesh: https://amzn.to/47296Co
Tailgate Mesh Net: https://amzn.to/45CxCsA
WeatherTech Side Window Deflectors (Honda Odyssey): https://amzn.to/3Tg5lYm
Tie Downs Straps: https://amzn.to/3uatjHN
Modular RV Leveling Kit: https://amzn.to/3OWtyxw

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel. Thank you!

Note on Gear: Some of the items I use are no longer manufactured. In those cases, I have linked to the closest equivalent or the updated version of that product.

Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/justin_hikes

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Find me on social media:
Instagram: Instagram: justin_hikes

0:00 Intro
0:18 Sleeping Setup
2:20 Refrigeration
2:53 Portable Power
4:17 Rooftop Storage
4:44 The Item That Is No Longer A MUST-HAVE
5:21 Under The Bed Storage
6:58 Climate Control
8:00 Cooking Gear
8:28 Our Favorite Things About Minivan Camping
8:57 Addressing A Frequent Comment

20 Comments

@Justin_Hikes Creator 2 months ago Pinned

Making this video was truly a labor of love. If you got any value from this video please consider LIKING, COMMENTING, or even SUBSCRIBING. Cheers and Happy Camping!

@notanomad9320 1 month ago

Nicely done. My wife and I did the minivan camping for a few years. One night in Nebraska the weather was so hot and humid even our fans didn't give us a good nights sleep, it was horrible laying in our own sweat. Now we have a Roadtrek that has AC but you have to be plugged in. We also have an indoor bathroom for us older people who need to get up in the middle of the night. We can pull into a campsite, plug in and everything we need is inside. Good luck.

@HWashington-w2o 3 weeks ago

You can always get a tent to attach to the backend of the van for standup room.

@jimfreeman7656 2 months ago

Showing the gymnastics convinced me a minivan build for two is a no go. Thank you some much!

@richarde3378 2 months ago

Nice camper setup! 👍

@tinabeane 2 months ago

Helpful information and tour, a home for everything is key. I'm full-time in my 4Runner, will check out your other content.

@SwiftyTravels 2 months ago

I’m really starting to think about if this is possible with my highlander- the minivan looks perfect! Great tips!!

@christinet5074 2 months ago (edited)

Loved the video. You give the positive and negatives, which is very valuable. It looks like you didn't have to remove the backseats, which is great. I was looking at the Sienna minivan but the backseats don't fold down. I tent camp right now and the two things I really want to upgrade to is sleeping in my car (not an option with my current Honda Civic) and a fridge! I'm so tired of constantly having to get ice which might or might not be available. I have never seen a video that shows the jackery without a solar setup. Glad to know it's possible to charge it with shore power. I will look to see if you posted a video about the jackery. Good job! Thank you

@senorrefresco4141 1 month ago

Good video. Thanks! I am going to steal some ideas. My wife and I want to camp more but we can’t afford a Sprinter van, so this could be a nice compromise.

@joanndavis4843 2 months ago (edited)

Even though privacy covers don't fill all the gaps, they still make a fine dark room come morning. That's why I add total privacy with my homemade curtains made out of blackout material. I ran a long elastic cord with hooks at both ends through the top hems and sewed all the curtains together. Starting from the back passenger window up to the driverside window, along the top of the dashboard to the opposite front passenger window, then back again to the top handle at the back passenger window. I even made a curtain for the hatchback too 👍!

@MohammedAlamidi-f3x 2 months ago

Great video! Thanks for sharing

@anamariamackitarian8019 1 month ago

I just loved it !

@domin8rdominant763 2 months ago

Thumbs up for y’all’s adventures!
Sadly I’m a family of 6 and when we go camping it’s three vehicles…..
Chevy Taho for clothing and sleeping gear with bathroom needs
GMC crew cab for tents and Barbecue grills yes plural and anything else to do with outside gear
Toyota four runner to go off to adventures of off roading or anything like that.
But I do wish my wife and I could just enjoy the sites like y’all do .

@anitasimmons3599 2 months ago

❤😊, Thank you, Justin. I'm 100% with you on the savings of purchasing your platform and the gear that works in that small space. My late husband wanted to be able to stand up. He was thankful for our second minivan build in 2020, because it allowed us to visit the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We did not have to pay an arm and a leg to camp in really crowed campgrounds and we could cook hot meals to eat in the National Park even though all the concessions were closed. We did a motel or hotel when my husband needed one, but we loved being able to boondock or camp almost anywhere. We purched a Classic Class B Van and had some wonderful trips in it before my husband passed away. I kept the Class B Van, but I take the minivan more often than the Classic Class B. The minivan is a palace for one and I love the stealth and fuel economy. I'm an older, vertically changed woman and I still wilderness backpack, so the minivan is really comfortable and is a dream to drive. The class B gives me a place to stay when I am waiting for my permits and building my home base. Then we will see if I keep him or sell. The Beast is a great guest house and is capable but he has a drinking problem and is no fun to drive in a cross wind. The bigger the RV and more systems the higher the maintance cost and fuel cost. Thank you again for this video and the links to the products you use.

@mrsvoyage 2 months ago

I have a minivan with a bed for 2

@Dorklepuss 2 months ago

The dog….😂😂😂

@mrsvoyage 2 months ago

I used plastic shelves

@phillip6863 2 months ago

Curious, what the longest trip and amount of days you and your wife have done in the van? Have you ever needed a break and just got a hotel for a night?

@marilyn2 2 months ago

Can the back hatch be opened from inside, to get out that way at night?

@enriquebiche4761 2 months ago

Love the setup. What do you do for shade, and where do you place your clean and dirty clothes? How do you keep dirt off the entrance?

I just got back from camping, and the inside of my van became very messy real quick. We used a tent this time around and a 10x10 canopy for shade. I will be camping inside my van next week. Hopefully, I can organize it better so that it doesn't get messy right away.