A DIY camping box is a removable wooden module that converts your car trunk into a sleeping platform with a dedicated gear box system. Build cost: $150–$300 (reference Dacia Dokker build: ~$194 / ~136 €). Build time: 10–12 hours (one weekend). No workshop, no woodworking experience. Fits SUVs, station wagons, hatchbacks, vans and pickup beds — with room for all your camping gear and storage boxes underneath.
| Plan | Price | Build time | Difficulty | Vehicles | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 8–12h | Beginner | Universal (SUV / wagon / hatchback) | Community |
| Standard | $9 | 6–10h | Beginner | Universal + larger cars | |
| Premium | $29 | 6–10h | Beginner | Custom — 30+ specific models | Priority |
Recommended: 15mm birch plywood (~9 kg/m²) — strong, lightweight, moisture-resistant. Avoid MDF and OSB (heavier, fragile at edges, absorb humidity). Poplar plywood is a cheaper alternative if budget is tight.
Building a DIY camping box requires only 7 basic tools (total cost $80–$150 if buying everything new). The build can be completed in a standard 15 m² garage or a flat driveway — no professional workshop, no router, no table saw.
Total $150–$300 in materials depending on car size. Plywood $60–$100, hardware (screws, hinges, brackets) $30–$50, mattress and upholstery $40–$80, finishing oil $20–$30. Our reference build (Dacia Dokker) lands at ~$194 / ~136 € using one 1525×1525 mm sheet of 15 mm birch plywood and 40×40 mm battens. Pre-made camping boxes cost $750–$3,000 — you save $600–$2,800.
SUVs (Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, Skoda Kodiaq), station wagons (VW Passat, Skoda Octavia, Volvo V60), hatchbacks, vans up to 2.5m, pickup trucks with canopy. Weight capacity 250 kg evenly distributed.
The Campboxy DIY camping box is modular: the same platform can be configured as a kitchenette module (with a slide-out tray for a single-burner stove, water canister and utensils), as an organizer system with adjustable dividers for cooking gear, clothes, tools and electronics, or as a wheeled gear box using optional heavy-duty casters (75–100 mm, 80 kg/wheel rated) so you can roll the box from garage to vehicle without lifting. All three configurations use the same 15 mm birch plywood structure and the same cut list — only the internal dividers and the slide-out hardware change.
A DIY camping box is a removable wooden module — typically built from 15 mm birch plywood — that converts your car trunk into a sleeping platform with a dedicated gear box system underneath. It fits SUVs, station wagons, hatchbacks and pickups, costs $150–$300 in materials, and weighs 25–40 kg depending on size.
Total material cost is $150–$300 depending on car size. Our reference build (Dacia Dokker) comes in at ~$194 (~136 €): one 1525×1525 mm sheet of 15 mm birch plywood, 40×40 mm battens, screws, brackets and finish — plus $15–$30 for tape, sandpaper and oil. A pre-made camping box costs $750–$3,000, so you save $600–$2,800.
A DIY camping box build takes a weekend for most beginners — about 10–12 hours spread over two days (planning 1.5h, prep 2h, cutting/frame 3–4h, platform/finish 2–3h, final assembly 1h). Experienced DIYers finish in 6–8 hours.
No. The build requires the ability to measure within 2 mm accuracy and perform straight cuts with a circular saw. Campboxy DIY plans are designed for complete beginners.
A basic toolkit only: tape measure, drill/driver, hand or circular saw, carpenter's square, 4 clamps, sandpaper. Total cost if buying everything new: $80–$150. No professional workshop required.
The Free plan uses a universal layout for SUVs, station wagons, hatchbacks, vans and pickup beds — enough space to organize all gear and camping gear for weekend trips. The Premium plan ($29) gives a configuration tuned to your specific vehicle (Skoda Octavia, VW Passat, Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Ford Ranger and more).
We recommend 15 mm birch plywood: strong, lightweight (~9 kg/m²), moisture-resistant. Birch plywood creates a superior hard-sided structure. Avoid MDF and OSB — they are heavier, fragile at edges, and absorb humidity.
Yes — every Campboxy plan is 100% removable and modular. The box installs in 5–10 minutes using anti-slip mats and straps. No drilling into the car body, no impact on resale value or insurance.
A platform built using 15 mm birch plywood and 40×40 mm battens supports 250 kg of evenly distributed load — enough for two adults sleeping plus all your camping gear and storage boxes underneath.
Plans don't cover vans taller than 2.5 m, pickup beds without a canopy, full electrical wiring (12V solar systems), or roof-mounted setups.
The Free plan includes the core structural design to demonstrate the modular assembly system. It stays free forever — our way of proving the system works before you pay for the Standard ($9) or Premium ($29) plans.
No — all Campboxy plans are one-time purchases. Pay once, download immediately, build at your own pace. No recurring fees.
Every paid Campboxy plan comes with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If the plan doesn't help you finish your build, we refund your payment — no questions asked.
Bartek Światowski — founder of Campboxy. DIY camping box plans tested by real builders, reviewed quarterly. Last updated: 2026-04-22.