Camping in a Subaru Crosstrek: Creative Setup Ideas for a Small SUV

Don’t let the compact size fool you. The Subaru Crosstrek can absolutely be turned into a cozy camping vessel. In fact, for solo travelers (or a very snug couple), a Crosstrek offers just enough room to sleep inside and enjoy the convenience of car camping. The key is to get creative with how you make a flat sleeping space in this smaller SUV, because the Crosstrek has a few quirks that larger vehicles don’t.

Embrace the Cozy Space: The Crosstrek is essentially a lifted hatchback, which means it’s smaller inside than an Outback or Forester. On the plus side, it’s easier to drive and gets great gas mileage on those long road trips to the desert or mountains. The AWD will still tackle rough forest roads, and its nimble size means you can squeeze into stealthy spots or tight campsites. The interior, however, is tight. With the rear seats folded, you get a sleeping area that’s comfortable for one person, or two people who don’t mind close quarters. If you’re tall (approaching six feet or more), you’ll likely need to sleep diagonally or put your front seats forward to maximize length.

The Infamous “Hump”  and How to Fix It: Crosstrek owners will tell you about the big hump or slope between the folded back seats and the cargo area. The floor isn’t perfectly flat – there’s a step-up that can hit right where your hips or lower back lie, which is not exactly conducive to a good night’s sleep (andrealikesbirds.com). One couple shared how they tried piling blankets and even a mattress pad, but that hump was still a pain (literally). The simple, game-changing solution turned out to be foam puzzle exercise mats.  those cheap interlocking squares you can buy in a sporting goods store or online. By cutting and fitting a layer or two of those foam tiles into the cargo area, you can effectively level out the Crosstrek’s floor. It took them about an hour of trimming to fit around the wheel wells, but once done, the entire back was flat and cushioned. Total cost? Under $40. They even added a couple extra pieces over the folded seat area, supported by gear in the footwells, to extend the bed length and it completely solved the “hump problem”. So, if you’re not keen on building a wooden platform, try the foam mat hack. It’s lightweight, removable, and you can still fold the pieces up and stow them when you need to put the seats back up.

No-Build Sleeping Platform Hacks: Aside from foam mats, there are other ways to create a flat bed in the Crosstrek without full carpentry:

• Air Mattress Made for SUVs: There are inflatable mattresses on the market shaped for car backseats/SUV cargo areas. Look for one that specifically mentions compatibility with small SUVs or the Crosstrek. These often have sections that even out the footwell area.

• DIY Platform Lite: If you want a little more support, you can lay a sheet of plywood over the cargo area and onto boxes or storage totes that sit in the footwells. This effectively creates a platform and you can pad it with a camping mattress on top. Keep it in two pieces (for example, one for the cargo area and one bridging to the front seat backs) for easier handling and to remove when not camping.

• Use Your Gear as the Frame: Stack sturdy gear (like coolers, bins, or plastic storage drawers) in that backseat footwell gap to support the head or foot of your sleeping area. Then lay something solid on top. You’re basically using your luggage as part of the bed structure. Two birds, one stone!

Packing Smart for a Small SUV: In a Crosstrek, organization is everything. You won’t have much extra room, so bring only what you really need. Soft bags are easier to squeeze into nooks than hard-sided suitcases. Utilize the front seats for storage at night – for example, toss your duffel bags or backpacks in the driver’s and passenger’s seat when it’s time to sleep. This frees up maximum space in back. Also consider roof storage: a modest roof cargo box or basket can hold lightweight but bulky items (like sleeping mats, folding chairs, etc.), which is a lifesaver for freeing up interior space. Just remember, adding stuff on the roof can create more wind noise and a slight hit to MPG, but it can be worth it for the space trade-off.

For cooking gear, a nifty trick is to use a plastic storage bin as your “kitchen box.” It can contain your stove, propane canisters, pots, and non-perishable food. When it’s time to cook, pull the bin out onto a picnic table or the ground. When you’re done, it slides right back into the car. In a Crosstrek, you could store this bin on one side of the cargo area and your bedding on the other.

Comfort Considerations: Since you’ll be in a smaller volume of space, temperature control and ventilation are key. Crack open the windows or the sunroof if you have one, and use those stick-on rain deflectors so rain can’t drip in. Invest in some mesh window screens (or DIY them with mesh and magnets) to keep bugs out while you get airflow. Condensation can build up in a tightly closed car, so ventilation is important. Additionally, because you’re sleeping pretty close to the ceiling, you might feel heat or cold more quickly – have an appropriate sleeping bag or blankets for the night’s temperature. And for privacy, cut reflective sun shades or even cardboard to fit your windows; the Crosstrek is small enough that one lantern or the glow of your phone can illuminate the whole interior, so blocking windows helps you stay stealth and also sleep past sunrise.

Conversion Kits for the Crosstrek: Believe it or not, there are even prefab kits for a vehicle as small as the Crosstrek. Compass Camper, for example, offers a Crosstrek camper conversion kit that includes a custom-fitted platform and mattress. It’s designed to make the most of the Crosstrek’s compact space, giving you a perfectly flat bed and some under-platform storage compartments. This kind of kit is great if you want a polished solution – it basically turns your Crosstrek into a tiny camper with a professional finish. Plus, it’s all removable, so you can still use your back seats when you need them by taking the kit out.  At about 6" tall, its a good balance between not eating into your headroom that much, and providing under-platform storage. Plus, the total bed length is about 6 feet!

Small SUV, Big Adventures: Camping in a Crosstrek is an exercise in minimalism and creativity, but many people find it incredibly fun and liberating. You can go from work on a Friday to sleeping at a trailhead by Friday night, with just a few quick modifications to your car. Remember to pack light, stay organized, and adapt to the space. When you’re cozied up in the back of your Crosstrek with a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning, listening to the birds, you’ll realize that you didn’t need a huge RV or van after all – your little Subaru is all the home you need on wheels. Happy camping!