My Prius Camper Conversion - Running water, Fridge, Instant Pot, Toilet

Converted my 08' Prius into a camper and lived out of it exclusively for a month this summer, traveling from Connecticut to Glacier National Park in Montana and various points along the way. Best month of my life.

Here are the feature highlights:

• Custom built upholstered plywood bed platform with fold-out extension. With the seat fully forward, I could stretch out fully (I'm 6' tall). I removed the back seats to add the platform, and this also gave me a lot of storage underneath for shoes, a camping chair, and many other essentials. I added an access panel to the floor for interior access.
  
  
• Custom butcher block counter top with cabinet storage underneath.
  
  
• Sink with running water - 2.5 gallon fresh water and 2.5 gallon gray water tanks and a 12v faucet w/ submersible pump. The sink is removable for washing outdoors. I washed my hair in the sink every morning (easily accessible from inside the car or standing outside the side door) and used the water for cooking, etc. I could go 2 days before needing a refill. Easy to dump the grey water tank in a restroom or porta-potty)
  
  
• Camping toilet with urine diverter - I used a standard 5 gallon bucket and added a camping toilet seat cover. I have experience living with a urine-diverting composting toilet and it works pretty well, so I figured out a way to divert the urine to a separate 1 gallon container by attaching a funnel and carried some organic cover material with me for dealing with #2. I actually didn't end up having to use the toilet at all on my trip (except for the 1 gallon urine bottle, which I used frequently), but it was nice peace of mind. Believe it or not, it is possible to use in its spot behind the driver's seat with the window covers and curtains all up and the driver's seat pushed all the way forward.
  
  
• 12v Iceco fridge/freezer. I build a small platform for this behind the passenger seat, which also provided me with some extra storage underneath. It ran the entire month like a champ.
  
  
• 12v Iceco lithium battery stored inside the center console. Enough to power my fridge through the night as well as my interior lighting as needed. It charged during the day while driving.
  
  
• Small USB/battery powered fan to keep me cool at night.
  
  
• Window tint job on all windows except for the windshield (35% sides, 20% rear).
  
  
• Custom window covers - 1/4" craft foam board covered in faux suede fabric. I made them for all of the rear doors, but didn't need any for the front doors because I had a curtain separating the back and front. I purchased a folding sun shade for the front windshield to keep the car cool.
  
  
• Exterior rain guards so I could keep my windows rolled down a bit at night even in the rain.
  
  
• 1,200 watt inverter (hooked up to 12v starter battery and stored in the rear under-floor compartment. This is also where I kept my clothes. I modified this compartment so that it could be opened from the inside as well as the outside.
  
  
• Instant Pot for all cooking needs.
  
  
• Folding silicone electric water kettle for making coffee and ramen, etc.
  
  
• Cell signal booster
  
  
• Rooftop carrier (I stored my inflatable paddle board and accessories in here, as well as my dirty laundry)
  
  
• Habitent hatchback tent - I only used this once or twice since I was afraid of bears at night, but it was a nice way to briefly expand my "living space".
  
  
• Rooftop awning - Never actually used this, but it looked cool

 

Thanks guys! I just realized this should probably be "Living Life in a Prius" forum. If a mod sees this, could you please move it? Thanks.

 

Yup, pics were taken with iPhone 13 mini, wide angle lens. (If that's what you're asking?)

This was a major advantage considering the gas prices this summer!

Absolutely, but it would be a lot to list everything at once. I'm happy to answer any questions, though!

Also I want to shout out Mountain Springs Adventures on YouTube who inspired me to do this. I was originally going to buy a small tear drop trailer and then have to buy a new car to haul it, which I wasn't too excited about. I googled "Prius camper" on a whim (half joking) and immediately I knew what I had to do. I borrowed his basic layout and added the sink, cabinetry, and toilet and tried to make it as "posh" and homey as possible

 

It was a bit north of $300 for the ceramic tints (the nicest/most expensive option).

 

Well, I finally sprang for the Prius Offroad lift with all new struts

 

A couple more angles of the Prius Off-road lift kit.