What do you think?
Rate this book
How To Live In A Small Car: A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Converting And Dwelling In Your Vehicle
This information-packed ten-step guide for the solo do-it-yourselfer shows you how to transform the small car you already own into a comfortable shelter. You will learn exactly what you need to build this home-away-from-home, and it will take you two days or less… and, it’s easily reversed when this mini-RV needs to convert back into your daily driver. Filled with photos and tips on how to thrive on the road on a budget, this book illustrates in a no-nonsense, logical manner how to inexpensively get your vehicle outfitted to serve as a home right away.
- GenresTravel
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2016
68 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 9, 2021
Easy and quick read!
I have adult ADHD and I find long books hard to read all the way through to the end. This book is certainly a short read and is packed with useful tips and product links. It is a worthwhile discussion on car camping, though it seems geared more for the solo camper without a pet. Two tips offered which are not often found in guides such as these: clean every car surface because you'll be up & close to them, and maintain your car to avoid mechanical breakdowns. Practical advice such as maintaining your vehicle, usually left out of most guides, is dangerous especially because in an emergency, you'll want your car to start and have durability and reliability to traverse inclement weather. Get this book! I don't plan to camp in my car, but I do plan to stay in the parking garage at work if a snowstorm strands me. A heavy-duty extension cord would power a light, heater, fan, and power strip; most parking garages have power outlets! Just be careful not to overload the circuit. Happy trails!
I have adult ADHD and I find long books hard to read all the way through to the end. This book is certainly a short read and is packed with useful tips and product links. It is a worthwhile discussion on car camping, though it seems geared more for the solo camper without a pet. Two tips offered which are not often found in guides such as these: clean every car surface because you'll be up & close to them, and maintain your car to avoid mechanical breakdowns. Practical advice such as maintaining your vehicle, usually left out of most guides, is dangerous especially because in an emergency, you'll want your car to start and have durability and reliability to traverse inclement weather. Get this book! I don't plan to camp in my car, but I do plan to stay in the parking garage at work if a snowstorm strands me. A heavy-duty extension cord would power a light, heater, fan, and power strip; most parking garages have power outlets! Just be careful not to overload the circuit. Happy trails!
August 1, 2019
I found this little book to be straight-forward, practical, realistic and written with humor and intelligence. It covered all the bases succinctly. Since I am currently souping up our Toyota Sienna van for a lengthy trip, some of his tips I had already figured out, but learned several things I had no idea about. I especially appreciated his advice about "sleuth" camping. I first read it straight through, and then again while taking notes. A short read with very usable material.
September 26, 2020
Very informative.
Loved your very informative book! The way things are going now in our country there might be a lot more of us living in our cars..I have a Chevy impala but don't k now if the seats lay down. If things don't improve I will be living in my car.thanks for your book and stay safe..above all!!!
Christine Boule. I live in Punta Gorda Florida Boulechsd@embarqmail. Com
Loved your very informative book! The way things are going now in our country there might be a lot more of us living in our cars..I have a Chevy impala but don't k now if the seats lay down. If things don't improve I will be living in my car.thanks for your book and stay safe..above all!!!
Christine Boule. I live in Punta Gorda Florida Boulechsd@embarqmail. Com
September 22, 2023
Very basic but thorough for
a beginner who maybe has no prior knowledge or research of car/van living and needs something quick and simple. Some of the products links are outdated, old, or out of stock. Good general ideas and a couple new ones I could benefit from myself. I'm way further in my van life education for this however. If I purchased this book I may have rated it differently but it was included/borrowed from my kindle unlimited membership.
a beginner who maybe has no prior knowledge or research of car/van living and needs something quick and simple. Some of the products links are outdated, old, or out of stock. Good general ideas and a couple new ones I could benefit from myself. I'm way further in my van life education for this however. If I purchased this book I may have rated it differently but it was included/borrowed from my kindle unlimited membership.
November 26, 2020
Gives some good tips although if you are already in the vanlife/car camping community, you probably already know most of this. I liked the specific toilet recommendation which they say is perfect for the car, but I am pretty sure that it does not fit in my SUV (2019 Rav4 Hybrid) when I did the original measurement. :(
December 24, 2021
Great information
I liked that there was no fluff in this book. It was complete with straightforward information. I learned things I did not know in this book. Information that may be useful soon. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking to try out living off the grid or having more freedom with less baggage.
I liked that there was no fluff in this book. It was complete with straightforward information. I learned things I did not know in this book. Information that may be useful soon. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking to try out living off the grid or having more freedom with less baggage.
February 25, 2025
Ok, but limited.
Mostly gave just one option for handling each camping need. Would have been most valuable to have choices. Instead of a gear snake, use rope, or a shower rod. Instead of a coffee pot, use a regular pan to heat water and make one pan dinners. Raise bed height to add under bed storage...
Mostly gave just one option for handling each camping need. Would have been most valuable to have choices. Instead of a gear snake, use rope, or a shower rod. Instead of a coffee pot, use a regular pan to heat water and make one pan dinners. Raise bed height to add under bed storage...
June 7, 2017
Really interesting! Good ideas. Quick solutions
Gave some interesting solutions to an idea I had years ago on how to travel inexpensively and creatively. Read it and try something it suggests.
Gave some interesting solutions to an idea I had years ago on how to travel inexpensively and creatively. Read it and try something it suggests.
March 24, 2018
Addresses an overlooked problem.
Clear instructions and practical advice for those who by choice or circumstances need to live in a small car. This author rose to the challenge. I hope he continues to write.
Clear instructions and practical advice for those who by choice or circumstances need to live in a small car. This author rose to the challenge. I hope he continues to write.
April 17, 2018
Great ideas
Car camping is a good way to travel. The author mentions several ideas on how to have all necessities of a mini rv. Enjoyed reading the book. He also tells where to find needed equipment.
Car camping is a good way to travel. The author mentions several ideas on how to have all necessities of a mini rv. Enjoyed reading the book. He also tells where to find needed equipment.
October 4, 2018
Great
I have never thought of converting a car into a dwelling. But this book is interesting and practical. Well written and is upto the point. Very useful and moreover an out of the box idea.
I have never thought of converting a car into a dwelling. But this book is interesting and practical. Well written and is upto the point. Very useful and moreover an out of the box idea.
November 23, 2018
Helpful!
Ordered this ebook because I have a small car and need to survive, as a new stationary nomad, in the cold winter which comes soon! Found answers on what to do about that! I recommend this book.
Ordered this ebook because I have a small car and need to survive, as a new stationary nomad, in the cold winter which comes soon! Found answers on what to do about that! I recommend this book.
April 16, 2019
Excellent information and resources ...
Thanks Chris for a quick-read, information and resource packed book.
Enjoyed and took notes on everything and every resource you shared.
Will be van dwelling - however, everything you shared applied. Many, many thanks !!
Thanks Chris for a quick-read, information and resource packed book.
Enjoyed and took notes on everything and every resource you shared.
Will be van dwelling - however, everything you shared applied. Many, many thanks !!
May 8, 2019
Straightforward
This short book compiles the basic information to live in your car and lays it all out in one place in a simple, clear manner. From the foundation this book lays, it would be simple to determine custom additions or workarounds for specific situations. Thank you!
This short book compiles the basic information to live in your car and lays it all out in one place in a simple, clear manner. From the foundation this book lays, it would be simple to determine custom additions or workarounds for specific situations. Thank you!
March 9, 2020
Solid read
The advice in this book is sound, and very concise. I was able to read it in one sitting.
I would recommend getting a cheap carbon monoxide detector as well. Book doesn't mention that.
The advice in this book is sound, and very concise. I was able to read it in one sitting.
I would recommend getting a cheap carbon monoxide detector as well. Book doesn't mention that.
Read
July 10, 2020Great car book
Wonderful ideas including the porta potty😊. I would never have thought that could work in a small car.
Great to preface by cleaning & checking on some light maintenance ideas.
It is a quick read but thorough.😁
Wonderful ideas including the porta potty😊. I would never have thought that could work in a small car.
Great to preface by cleaning & checking on some light maintenance ideas.
It is a quick read but thorough.😁
July 8, 2021
Pretty good. I’d like to see a second edition though
This was a quick and decent essay hitting the high high points of car living. I found myself wanting more. But this is a good exposure to the first ideas of car camping. It is beyond adequate in that.
This was a quick and decent essay hitting the high high points of car living. I found myself wanting more. But this is a good exposure to the first ideas of car camping. It is beyond adequate in that.
January 29, 2023
Not for me
This book is very thorough and concise in spelling out what is needed to live in a small car. Knowing myself, this book made me realize small car living is not for me. I appreciate the size & cost of the book to help me understand that.
This book is very thorough and concise in spelling out what is needed to live in a small car. Knowing myself, this book made me realize small car living is not for me. I appreciate the size & cost of the book to help me understand that.
March 14, 2018
Very informative
I so glad I came across this book. Much info that I needed and more . can't wait to start.
I so glad I came across this book. Much info that I needed and more . can't wait to start.
October 8, 2019
Lots of basic starting ideas. Info on items needed.
Enough info and step by step way to get you started. Links to the items needed. Worth the time to read.
Enough info and step by step way to get you started. Links to the items needed. Worth the time to read.
April 5, 2020
Good solid pointerd.
Easy to read. Good advice. Good images with texts. I'm looking forward to car dwelling. This book helps a lot.
Easy to read. Good advice. Good images with texts. I'm looking forward to car dwelling. This book helps a lot.
March 9, 2021
For the minimalist traveler. This is a great book for someone that is thinking about living on the road or taking an extended trip but doesn’t want to purchase an RV or van.
May 5, 2021
Nice! Focused and organized.
This was clear and focused, getting from start to ready to go in impressively short order.
The items recommended are a big help.
This was clear and focused, getting from start to ready to go in impressively short order.
The items recommended are a big help.
May 14, 2021
Perfect Book
This is the most direct, simplest, and useful book on I car camping I have ever read. Goldmine of information.
This is the most direct, simplest, and useful book on I car camping I have ever read. Goldmine of information.
January 8, 2022
Good resource.
Informative and straight forward. Great links for very specific use items. Will use links when ready to setup the buggy.
Informative and straight forward. Great links for very specific use items. Will use links when ready to setup the buggy.
January 27, 2022
Short but sweet!
I would have liked some measurements for the car hitch and the specific small cars you can use it with. But otherwise I found it interesting and useful!
I would have liked some measurements for the car hitch and the specific small cars you can use it with. But otherwise I found it interesting and useful!
October 27, 2023
Helpful for Car Camping
Great links to useful resources, like how do you stay warm, cool and safe. Short
and easy to read adapting small vehicle for sleeping, camping or living.
Great links to useful resources, like how do you stay warm, cool and safe. Short
and easy to read adapting small vehicle for sleeping, camping or living.
March 19, 2017
Seems to be well-thought out.
I have not utilized the ideas in this book, but it does seem plausible for someone who wants to give this kind of living a try. I recommend the book.
I have not utilized the ideas in this book, but it does seem plausible for someone who wants to give this kind of living a try. I recommend the book.
November 17, 2020
Decent info for car camping and long road trips
This book came free as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription and the title grabbed me.
This book had pretty decent info for car camping and long road trips. The book was pretty short though.
The book did have some product info that was new to me, had some good tips on creating a bed, and some great info for people who are new to car camping and long term traveling.
This book came free as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription and the title grabbed me.
This book had pretty decent info for car camping and long road trips. The book was pretty short though.
The book did have some product info that was new to me, had some good tips on creating a bed, and some great info for people who are new to car camping and long term traveling.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews