What's the best car to convert for sleeping?
Published March 28, 2024
Roadtripping is much more than just traveling. It's an adventure full of discovery, freedom and simplicity. By optimizing your car, you can turn every getaway into a memorable experience.
Here's a guide to help you choose the best car models to fit out, while highlighting the benefits of roadtripping and minimalism on the road.
Fitting out a city car
Outfitting a station wagon, SUV, MPV or minivan
Fitting out a van
The "inexpensive" car conversion option: convert your city car with a simple mattress
On a tight budget? No problem! Fitting out a small city car can be the perfect solution. With ultra-low purchase, insurance and fuel costs, these cars offer minimalist but sufficient comfort for economical escapades.
Make sure the passenger compartment is at least 1.75 meters long for minimum comfort.
In this case, a simple mattress will do.
Fitting out a city car
Outfitting a station wagon, SUV, MPV or minivan
Fitting out a van
Station wagons, minivans and minivans: the smart choice for a first roadtrip experience
If you're looking for a little more comfort, station wagons and minivans are an excellent option. They offer more space and are easily converted for longer, more comfortable escapades.
The advantage of these two types of car is thatthey can be fitted with a retrofit kit which will considerably enhance the roadtrip experience.
Station wagons and minivans: family cars par excellence, spacious for roadtripping
Station wagons, SUVs and minivans are perfect for roadtrips, thanks to their length, often in excess of 1.90 meters. You can install minimalist layout kitsfor comfortable sleeping and practical storage. Ideal for a few days' getaway.
The Tchao Tchao bunk kit is (obviously) perfect for this 😉! It includes:
- 2 pieces of extendable furniture in poplar plywood from French sustainably managed forests. (varnished on both sides and complies with the "toys for children" standard).
With 108 liters of storage space
- 1 fold-out shelf
This kit fits in the trunk and deploys in seconds in "night" mode. It includes :
- 1 bed 190 x 120cm wide
- 6cm thick removable and machine-washable foams
The best station wagons, MPVs and SUVs for conversion are :
Dacia Jogger
Renault Grand Scenic
Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo V70
The Micro Camper: our favorite 💚. The converted van experience at low prices
The Micro Camper is clearly the most underrated vehicle model for roadtripping! It's perfect for road trips, thanks to its large storage volume and high interior height. Its dimensions allow for a much more advanced layout kit, including a table and bench seat inside the vehicle!
Such is the case with the "Micro Camper Kit", which clearly transforms these cars into converted minivans! The smart, economical solution for touring when you don't have 70,000 euros to spend on a new vehicle! 😉
The advantage is that it can be installed and uninstalled in just 5 minutes, so that it can be used only when you're away, and the rest of the time you can keep your car for its original everyday function!
The Micro Camper Kit is :
- Furniture in poplar plywood grown in the Pays de la Loire region (varnished on 2 sides - "children's toys" standard)
- 1 table for 2
- Drawers with ball bearing slides (45kg load capacity)
- Extendable fold-out shelf
- 8cm thick foams - High Resilience 35kg/m3
- Stain-resistant, removable and machine-washable covers. Thick, soft, high-quality fabric ( 530g /m²)
- Protective covers for safe transport and storage of foams.
The best minivans for conversion are :
1. Fiat Doblo
2. Peugeot Rifter
3. Opel Combo
4. Citroën Berlingo
5. Renault Kangoo
Fitting out a city car
Outfitting a station wagon, SUV, MPV or minivan
Fitting out a van
Vans: the ultimate option for dream roadtrips
When we think of roadtrips, we often think of converted vans. These spacious vehicles are perfect for creating a real living space on wheels. With conversion kits, you can turn your van into a camper van in just a few minutes, and still be able to use it for daily transportation!
Vans such as the Peugeot Expert, Renault Trafic and Citroën Jumpy offer ample space for a comfortable bed (140x190 cm), a bench seat, a table and plenty of storage. They're ideal for extended adventures.
Guess what? Tchao Tchao has created the ideal kit for the job: the Van Kit. The Van Kit is all the advantages of a converted vehicle without the disadvantages!
✅ The layout installs and uninstalls in 5 minutes
✅ 140 x 190 cm bed
✅ 660 liters of storage space
✅ Compatible with over 140 vehicle models
✅ Local, responsible production!
The best van models for conversion are :
1. Peugeot Expert
2. Renault Trafic
3. Citroën Jumpy
4. Fiat Talento
5. Ford Transit Custom
In conclusion, you don't need to break your PEL to try out roadtrips 😉 ! These days, it's much better to opt for modular systems that avoid the need to buy an extra vehicle just to go on weekends and vacations. That's why conversion kits are the ideal solution. Extremely practical, they offer the comfort and minimalist equipment you need to reconnect with nature and set off in total freedom!
Join the
community
Tchao Tchao®
Join the Tchao Tchao tribe to discover exclusive travel destinations tested by our team, advice and tips on sustainable and responsible equipment from our specialists.
Welcome gift!