The caRV is a car camper using a Saturn ION and a small travel trailer that at the time of this post is still under construction though has already wandered the countryside a bit on what I call the “Better World Tour“.

The caRV was deeply inspired and influenced by two amazing inventions: The Swiss Room box and the Tear Drop Trailer. While surfing around the internet looking for ideas on how to travel and live comfortably in a Saturn ION I stumbled on both of these items. I had seen the Tear Drop trailer concept before but had ruled it out as an option for my current travel plans due to the costs of purchasing a complete “Tear Drop” and even of buying the plans and fabricating one from scratch. But then I stumbled on the Swiss Room Box…

Swiss Room Box

The problem was again the cost not to mention it wasn’t really available in the United States and mostly it doesn’t fit in a passenger car. However seeing the hot running water, shower, and functional kitchen I knew my plan was doable.

Continuing my research I was reintroduced to the Tear Drop Trailer concept.

With the Swiss Room box concept in mind suddenly the Tear Drop trailer held new ideas. Namely that maybe I didn’t need to try to put everything inside the car.

Thus the caRV was born. I would convert the inside of my Saturn ION to act as the living area from inside the caRV. Adding a tow hitch and a cargo rack to the back of my car I could then build a kitchen/bathroom in a box that would act as hybrid of the Swiss Room Box and the rear end of a Tear Drop trailer.

Unfortunately a multitude of problems arose with my original concept. The cargo rack box/kitchen idea proved unrealistic mainly due to weight issues. While researching options and alternatives I discovered a small enough utility trailer to tow without looking like a camper or an actual gypsy caravan that met my original design criteria and didn’t break the bank. The caRV was born.

In the meantime get caught up on the design and construction of the caRV and check out some of my adventures in it.