Yes, the camping box can be individually adapted to various vehicle models. Thanks to the modular system, it can be flexibly integrated into different boot sizes.
Station Wagon / SUV Camping Box for Car Trunk - Build It Yourself - Building Instructions
We are building a trunk camping box for the car estate / SUV ourselves! The plan was to bring some order into our car estate trunk for our vanlife when camping with a roof tent. Everything in our Dacia Logan should also be easy to organize before the trip, so that you can start a new adventure without much preparation. Thus, the idea for an Estate / SUV Trunk Camping Box was born. As a standard, we simply found nothing; most camping boxes were offered for larger models like vans. So, with this ALUSTECK® Trunk Camping Box Estate / SUV Building Instructions , we realized a rear kitchen with storage space for our car self-conversion, which can also be easily installed and removed again and again. The great thing about it is also that the construction is largely assembled like an individual custom-sized kit using the plug-in system solution.
- Up to 30%
discount - Professional
quality - Modular system
lightweight aluminium - Cutting
to size - Personal
contact - Affordable &
secure shipping
Material for building the custom-made car camping box with ALUSTECK®
ALUSTECK® Products for the Vanlife Combi Camping Box
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Outlet 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €2.95*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile without web 25 x 25mm square tube without web From €8.94*
Variants off €8.16*
From €8.16*
Connector 25×25 T-piece 25 x 25 mm connector square tube T-piece €3.45*
Variants off €2.98*
From €2.98*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 1 double web 15 mm 25 x 25 mm square tube 1 double web 15 mm From €12.20*
Variants off €10.42*
From €10.42*
Connector 25×25 T-connector 1 branch for 25x25x1.5mm square tubes T-connector 1 outlet €3.64*
Variants off €3.17*
From €3.17*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 15 mm versus 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 15 mm opposite From €15.84*
Variants off €13.23*
From €13.23*
Connector 25×25 Cross 1 Outlet 25 x 25 mm Connector Square Tube Cross 1 outlet €4.28*
Variants off €3.87*
From €3.87*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle €6.27*
Variants off €2.57*
From €2.57*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Way 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €8.13*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Connector 25×25 T-connector 1 branch for 25x25x1.5mm square tubes T-connector 1 outlet €9.56*
Variants off €3.17*
From €3.17*
Online cutting service:
Profiles cut to size! 955mm
Profiles cut to size! 955mm
1. Building Instructions Station Wagon / SUV Camping Box for Trunk - Planning
What we generally wanted: Gas stove / secure storage / easy organization! So, when planning the conversion of our Dacia Logan, we took the dimensions of standard Euroboxes and built a pull-out box to match. This way, we always store the necessary items for our excursions and trips in the Euroboxes and can easily carry them into the car and unload them again for every journey. With the trunk camping box pulled out for our station wagon, we can prepare our one-pot dishes on a gas stove, protected under the raised tailgate, at a good working height after a long day of hiking.
Here we show you step-by-step how you can easily build a station wagon / SUV trunk camping box for your car yourself from ALUSTECK®, some wood, and manageable accessories like drawer slides, and thus easily realize a minimalist camper conversion for your everyday car.
Dimensions of the Vanlife Trunk Box (individually customizable)
For the construction of the camping box frame, we use the 25x25mm aluminum plug-in system and the 20x20mm system for the drawer pull-out!
Closed final dimensions:
- Width: 499 mm
- Height: 470 mm
- Depth: 910 mm
Dimensions with extended drawer:
- Width: 499 mm
- Height: 470 mm
- Depth: approx. 1,800 mm
Below, all dimensions are once again listed in detail for better understanding for planning and assembly.
When building our trunk camping module, it's relatively irrelevant which vehicle you use as a base, because this box should actually fit into almost any trunk of passenger car station wagons or SUVs. And if you need different dimensions for your station wagon / SUV trunk camping box DIY project, then you can easily adapt the dimensions from our camper box blueprint to your individual measurements. The camping box for passenger car station wagons and / or SUVs is designed so that your vehicle remains fully suitable for everyday use. Because you can easily install and remove it! Thanks to the lightweight construction using aluminum square tubes and special square tube connectors, the box is easy to carry, install, and remove. You essentially have a car that remains suitable for everyday use as a passenger car and can be very quickly converted into a mini-camper for your road trip or excursion into nature when needed.
Of course, you can also buy comparable camping boxes ready-made, but these are often priced far above what we had to spend on this DIY camper build. The do-it-yourself option is also an exciting project for everyone who enjoys building things themselves!
2. Sketch as an assembly plan for assembly
The sketch for the assembly makes the assembly of the ALUSTECK® construction for the car estate or SUV camping box for the boot very clear. However, it is important to ensure that the connectors are either glued in or later fixed with screws. This ensures sufficient stability. Especially when loading and unloading the module, stronger tensile forces act, so that the simply plugged-in connecting elements might not withstand the weight and there is a risk that individual components of the construction could come loose.
First, the lower and upper frames of the rear kitchen rack are assembled. Afterwards, the intermediate struts are placed on the lower part. The panels are then slid into the double webs. Now, simply place the upper frame on top like a lid and firmly tap it into place with a rubber mallet. In the final step, the connectors and aluminum profiles are fixed using self-tapping screws.
Step 1: ALUSTECK® Material / Box Body Assembly
| Pos. | Part No. | Description | Dimensions | Finish | Pcs. |
| 1 | R-DST-9-SI | Aluminum profile 25x25mm / 1 double web 15mm | 860mm | Cut pattern (B) / both ends 90°, double web 45° | 4 |
| 2 | R-DST-9-SI | Aluminum profile 25x25mm / 1 double web 15mm | 420mm | Cut pattern (B) / both ends 90°, double web 45° | 4 |
| 3 | R-V25-SI | Aluminum profile 25x25mm / without web | 449mm | Cut pattern (A) / both ends 90° | 3 |
| 4 | 3D3V25-X1.5MK-RAL7035 | Right angle 25x25mm / 1 outlet | –– | grey | 8 |
| 5 | R-ST-A-SI | Aluminum profile 25x25mm / 1 web 20mm flush | 449mm | Cut pattern:(A) / both ends 90° | 1 |
| 6 | F253 | Aluminum flat bar 25x3mm | 468mm | Cut pattern:(A) / both ends 90° | 8 |
For the assembly of the box body (figure rear right), first the lower and upper frames of the outer frame are assembled. After that, the vertical aluminum tubes are placed onto the lower frame element and firmly tapped in with a plastic hammer. Then the side panels are inserted into the square tubes with double web. Now you place the upper frame element like a lid from above onto the vertical struts and also drive these in firmly with a plastic hammer until everything sits flush. In the last step, the connectors and square tubes are firmly connected with self-tapping screws, and the eight aluminum flat bars, for attaching the drawer slides, are fastened at even intervals on the inside with self-tapping screws.
Wood-based panels or similar material from the hardware store
| Thickness | Description | Dimensions | Pcs. |
| 8mm | Cladding panels box body outer left / right | Length 858mm / Width 418mm | 2 |
Step 2: ALUSTECK® Material / Drawer Slide Assembly
| Pos. | Part No. | Description | Dimensions | Version | Pcs. |
| 7 | R-V20-SI | Aluminum profile 20x20mm / without web | 220mm | Cut (A) / both ends 90° | 2 |
| 8 | R-V20-2DST-SI | Aluminum profile 20x20mm / 2 double webs 10mm inner angle | 365mm | Cut (C) / both ends 90°, 2 double webs 45° | 1 |
| 9 | R-V20-DST-SI | Aluminum profile 20x20mm / 1 double web 10mm flush | 860mm | Cut (B) / both ends 90°, double web 45° | 4 |
| 10 | R-V20-DST-SI | Aluminum profile 20x20mm / 1 double web 10mm flush | 220mm | Cut (B) / both ends 90°, double web 45° | 2 |
| 11 | R-V20-DST-SI | Aluminum profile 20x20mm / 1 double web 10mm flush | 365mm | Cut (B) / both ends 90°, double web 45° | 2 |
| 12 | 2D2V20MK-GF-7035 | Right angle 20x20mm | –– | grey | 2 |
| 13 | 2D2V20MK-GF-7035 | Right angle 20x20mm / 1 branch | –– | grey | 6 |
We also use this assembly instruction for the assembly of the drawer pull-out (figure front left). Here too, the lower and upper frames of the pull-out module are assembled first. However, before the frame is closed with the last profile, care must be taken to ensure that the shelves are inserted. Then, place the vertical tubes onto the lower frame element again and firmly tap them in with a plastic hammer. Next, the last panel for the drawer front cladding is inserted. Now, place the remaining upper frame element like a lid from above onto the vertical struts and also drive these in firmly with a plastic hammer until everything sits flush. In the last step, the connectors and square tubes are also firmly connected to each other with self-tapping screws.
Wood-based panels or similar material from the hardware store
| Thickness | Description | Dimensions | Pcs. |
| 10mm | Shelves panels drawer pull-out top / bottom | Length 858mm / Width 363mm | 2 |
| 10mm | Cladding panels drawer pull-out front | Length 363mm / Width 218mm | 1 |
Step 3: Assembly Telescopic Slides
| Pos. | Description | Dimensions | Qty. |
| 1 | Heavy-duty slide 1755719 | Installation length 900mm | 2 |
Subsequently, the telescopic slides are mounted on the drawer module and in the next step, attached to the inner sides of the box body. For this, we again use self-tapping screws for fastening. Unfortunately, we do not have an illustration for this. But with a little manual understanding, it will hopefully quickly become clear to everyone how the assembly must be carried out.
Done: Presentation from the frame to the finished camping box
The body frame
The camper box's body frame is made of aluminium and therefore very light yet still robust and stable. The camper module is also an individual, made-to-measure solution.
The box with panel cladding
The estate car camping box is fixed to the floor of the boot. Screws that can be easily undone again are ideal and prevent tipping when the drawer is pulled out.
A camping box like a ready-bought one
The perfect alternative to buying a ready-made camping box. A rear kitchen for the estate boot or the SUV. Fully fitted out with a runner and accessories such as a gas cooker.
Links for external accessory material
Telescopic slide with lock:https://www.teleskopschienen24.de/Schwerlastauszug-1705819-900mm-mit-Verriegelung ↗
Gas stove:https://amzn.to/3OxGLKT ↗
Camping chairs:https://amzn.to/3OEwOeN ↗
Compressor cool box:https://amzn.to/3QClxxr ↗
The result of our self-built box for the trunk
The camping box deliberately did not get a lid. This way, you can quickly access items from above without pulling out the box. To keep things tidy, the camping box fits exactly under the trunk cover of our station wagon and can still be used.
We reinforced the bottom plate of the box and attached two screw-in nuts from below. This way, the box is optimally secured against slipping. Assembly and disassembly are also done in a few simple steps. Securing is particularly important when pulling out the drawer, as the box could otherwise tip forward. Alternatively, you can certainly use the standard lashing points to secure the box. Here you have to take a close look at your own vehicle and find a solution.
In our case, we left a small storage space on one side so that the ladder for the roof tent fits in there and doesn't get in the way anywhere. Even our very small camping chairs still fit in here. On the other side, there is enough space for a cool box and other luggage. Even with a camping box, the so-called order naturally disappears again in everyday life. In principle, however, everything has its place, which is at least good to know ;)!
FAQ: ALUSTECK® estate / SUV camping box
Yes, the camping box is designed for easy self-assembly. Thanks to the ALUSTECK® plug-in system, you don't need any special tools or prior craft experience.
The camping box is made of light, stable aluminium profiles and high-quality panel materials. This keeps the weight low and makes the construction particularly durable.
The camping box can be used as storage space or as a kitchen solution with a stove and water canister. The function of the camping box can be individually adapted to your needs.
Yes, the aluminium profiles are rust-free and resistant to moisture. The panel materials used are also moisture-resistant and suitable for outdoor use.
Yes, thanks to the flexible construction, the camping box can be adapted to different vehicle sizes – including smaller estate cars or vans.
Yes, ALUSTECK® offers a construction plan as a PDF file to download; using this plan, the camping box can be individually adapted to all needs.
Further building instructions on camper conversion
Disclaimer:
All projects and information are for inspiration only. We do not provide any legally binding information regarding construction and implementation. All constructions you undertake with ALUSTECK® are your responsibility. Please check your construction yourself for stability and correctness.
For the information mentioned above, ALUSTECK® assumes no liability or warranty for the correctness of the construction, for statics and the usual wear and tear of the goods, as well as defects or damages of any kind arising from incorrect application or negligent handling or operation or extraordinary use.
