Subaru Outback Camper Build for Solo Photography Road Trips
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- čas přidán 26. 05. 2023
- Full list of current gear I use for travel and outdoor photography: brianwlackey.com/gear
Tour my tiny Subaru Outback camper for solo road trips. I've spent upwards of 100 nights in this SUV/station wagon so far and it's pretty much as dialed in as I can get it without extensive carpentry skills. It's a great alternative to a more expensive (and inefficient) van, at least for short trips. I wouldn't want to live out of it full-time, but it works for a few days or weeks at a time, especially if the weather's nice.
Hope this was helpful or at least interesting for you guys. Drop me a comment below or shoot me an email if you have any questions.
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- Website: brianwlackey.com
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GEAR MENTIONED
🛏️ Mattress Topper: amzn.to/3CifhVH
😴 Sleeping Bag: tinyurl.com/3ev89hj3
🧴 Oil Containers: tinyurl.com/3dfat3a5
🔥 Compact Camp Stove: amzn.to/41VxseT
🔥 Backpacking Stove: amzn.to/3ANEK8A
🥘 Backpacking Cook Pot: tinyurl.com/4yvbvzh7
🍳 Cast Iron Pan: amzn.to/3MZWjJm
💦 3.5 Gallon Water Brick: amzn.to/30y8fZM
🚰 Electric Water Faucet/Pump: tinyurl.com/29cfwam9
🧊 Insulated Water Bottle: amzn.to/3WEblb1
🍎 Car Fridge: amzn.to/2ODwFhR
🪭 Clip-On Fan: amzn.to/3WF9anm
🛞 Tire Compressor: amzn.to/3IJknxG
🐫 2L Water Bladder: amzn.to/3MXpxZt
⚡️ Folding Electric Kettle: amzn.to/3byWIjq
💉Aeropress Go: amzn.to/429JmkK
⚙️ Coffee Grinder: amzn.to/3MEXM6p
☕️ Coffee Mug: tinyurl.com/2p97hc7f
⚖️ Coffee Scale: amzn.to/45AxTgJ
👝 Coffee Kit Bag: amzn.to/3OLQGzM
🥣 Salad Bowl: tinyurl.com/ynh98tnv
🍜 Snow Peak Camp Bowl: amzn.to/3WCpPbf
🍛 Snow Peak Camp Plate: amzn.to/42bDrLG
🍴 Snow Peak Utensils: amzn.to/431MPTz
🔪 Chef's Knife: amzn.to/3ILBJtQ
🗡️ Folding Knife: amzn.to/3BXKJYP
🪓 Hatchet: tinyurl.com/bde5xa53
🥾 Hiking Boots: tinyurl.com/56rxedau
🗝 Portable Car Safe: amzn.to/30wn6UI
⬛️ Packing Cube: tinyurl.com/yzwhw6ev
🛄 Toiletries Bag: tinyurl.com/ysp4yzam
💡 USB Lights: amzn.to/3ILSogJ
🎚️ USB Switch: amzn.to/3MZDWEr
🔋 Jackery 1000 Battery: amzn.to/3erNZ4s
☀️ Folding Solar Panel: amzn.to/30uY5sX
🦟 Mosquito Nets: amzn.to/3BWgwto
👜 Tote Bag: amzn.to/3N2P9nW
📦 Roof Box: amzn.to/3ci8r55
🚴🏻♀️ Bike Rack: amzn.to/43pk2YO
🌧 Car Awning: amzn.to/3C2TiRv
🪑 Best Camping Chair: amzn.to/3v6mFi1
🍽️ Folding Table: amzn.to/43wKH5Y
👢 Rubber Boots: tinyurl.com/3tbd7vkf
🪩 Reflectix: amzn.to/3WEwzoZ
▮ Traction Boards: amzn.to/45wsjfx
☔️ Window Rain Guards: tinyurl.com/3yr4hj29
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The above are affiliate links, which means I'll get a small commission if you order anything. No extra cost to you though, and I appreciate the support.
I love the idea with the plastic bin with smaller bins inside...for those of us who don't have the tools and know-how to build out a sliding drawer.
This is by far the most dialed and practical setup I’ve seen so far, and I’ve been binging these dude. Really love it. I want to try a month in my wrx hatch in Colorado winter and this will be my archetype 👌
Glad you like it!
Several ways to make coffee! I am listening!
Just got back from a trip to eastern Montana in my Subaru Crosstrek. I am 6-2 also but travel comfortably in this car. Nothing like being on location. Funny you mentioned brakes, found out that I should have did mine before I left. Nice set up and boy those Subaru cars run like a champ.
I built my 17 outback 3.6 for a full time living. Mostly lol. Gutted from the back seats on. Except head liner. Covered with blankets except for sides and built a base all the way across. It's about 71 inches long and 40? 42 wide something I'm not sure. But it's basically a full sized bed. Plenty of space for me at 6-2. And my 2 small dogs and 1 cat. Also plenty of storage space under the platform. I have a 3 inch foam layer on top of the wood. I sleep great but it's cold when it's 20 out at night and I'm not idling the car lol. Throw blankets up and around the car, than keep layered and huddle with your animals 💜 besides having some mechanical issues, this outback has been great trail riding and living in
Great thorough set up. I’m loving my SBO wilderness. I’m happy I’m tiny, I have lots more room. Great video 😊
I need the whole back to sleep. I move around when I sleep. Nice setup
This is a really great video. I just purchased my first subaru this week for this reason. I cannot wait, this is a great setup and I love when people say their height, it gives us perspective. Also, I loved the slight humor throughout the video...craftsmanship on the bed wasn't going to win any awards....and no camper is complete with out the fairy lights LOL!
Nice Outback build out. I have a Forester and plan on doing a similar build. Thanks so much for taking the time to list all the equipment you used.
Great Video Brian! I have an almost-identical set up in a 2020 Outback. For extra space, I use a Clam Quick set shelter in fine weather, and a Kelty Backroads shelter on the car for bad weather. It makes a huge difference, especially during bug season. Cheers from Nova Scotia Canada.
Love your set up! The Outback is an ideal car for this kind of thing, AWD, good gas mileage and you are stealthy as all get out. I'm wondering if there is a name for this kind of thing as "van life" isn't the most accurate description and "car camping" is also a little off the mark. I'm adopting the term from hiking and calling it going "ultra light", have a similar set up in my Suzuki SX4. I occasionally get envious when I see the ultra cushy mercedes land yacht sprinters cruise by but I just have to remind my self I have 0$ car payment and get 30MPG lol!
Great set up Brian! A very simple design! Looking forward to getting my Subaru soon❤
Simple but brilliant.
Aquaquest tarp with green elephant poles , cover back and side.
Love the setup!
This is great. Thank you.
Nice setup, Brian. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback named George that I setup for camping/traveling. My bed platform is just plywood that lays on the seat backs to provide a level surface. I had built a platform with storage for Chevy Equinox and attempted to use it in the Outback, but found that I needed more headroom, etc... so I had to make some sacrifices. There are videos of the setup and original build on my channel if you're interested. I've got a 4 inch mattress and a decent sleeping bag that make for comfortable sleeping. I've got a basic kitchen and water setup and have a smaller Jackery for power. Looking at upgrading to the 1000 soon. Hope to add an awning and roof box eventually as well. Overall, it works well for my needs. I've camped in it several times and just returned from a week in Holland, Michigan where I photographed the Tulip Time Festival. Thanks for sharing and safe travels!
czcams.com/video/7SwUYwagtbs/video.html
Thanks for sharing ...
Nice, I have a similar but more bare bones setup up on my crosstrek, smaller external battery, ice cooler, even simpler platform, but it works well for my needs. I also do some photography and art, for sale on my CZcams page, cheers.
Hi what are the measurements for the bed platform?
Hi there! Question for U! Does the water dispenser only fit on a ‘Waterbrick container’?? Or can it fit on other water containers? Thankz so much !
Thanks for all the tips! Could you plug a single burner induction stovetop into the Jackery, leaving a small camping gas stove for a backup? (Getting ready to make my set up.)
Maybe! But you'd need to run the numbers and it would depend on the size of the Jackery battery. You'll need to look at the max wattage. My gut says it would draw a lot of power too, so it might not be worth it.
Nice set up, Brian! I was wondering then you use gas for cooking, can you cook inside the car?
definitely don't ever use the gas stove inside the car. Way too risky for that. I'll use the electric kettle plugged into the battery or cook outside (or on the tailgate but with the doors open).
I'm hoping that Aptera will be able to serve a similar role starting next year ...
woah, that looks wild!
I like the build, looks great. I'm looking to do a build like this for my 2016 Outback, how do you find the headroom with the raised bed? I'm trying to decide if to have a raised bed or not. I need the storage but was thinking of taking out the double back seat instead. Oh BTW yes they are called wellies here I the UK ;)
Give it some welly :-)
Awesome video! Do you use curtains for the windows or any kind of insulation?
The reflectix window covers are fairly insulating, but I only use them if it's really cold or I need privacy (camped in a walmart parking lot or something)
Great video! What's the mattress you use? I don't see it in the description.
Thanks, it's the mattress topper listed in the description
What is the blue water container you are using? I can’t find it on your gear list.
Yeah! I've switched to a nicer one from Dometic, but that is a jug from Waterbrick and I'd still recommend it.
Nice set up! what size is your roof box?
I THINK I got the Thule Force in size Large, but not positive
How do you deal with condensation and have you come across any mold? I spent a couple rainy nights in a rental while exploring Olympic NP. Each morning, I had to use 4-5 sheets of paper towel to wipe down the windows before I could drive off. It occurred to me that with repeated exposure over years, a car could develop mildew or mold problems.
Cracking even just those back two windows with the rain covers makes an enormous difference. Haven’t found any mold so far. Fingers crossed…
I camp in aSkoda yeti
Been doing so for about 10 years for a month at a time Also have the lipsweather guards on the two back windows. No problem with condensation except on front windscreen
Wipe with a towel or chamois Then turn on heat for windscreen.
No problems with mould at all my car carpets get wetter in winter with dogs and my wet boots. Never had any mould.
Mosquito netting will not work in Scotland to keep out midges The holes are too big
You need midge netting