A member of the GM-Volt.com forum has recently come up with a 6-step process that will transform any first-gen Chevrolet Volt into a “Volt-ebago,” an EREV car camper.
That’s right, the Chevrolet plug-in can be a great fuel-efficient alternative to gas-guzzling RVs, or hauling a camper with a loaded pickup truck. It can be a much better shelter than a backpacking tent, though we imagine it’d be just as comfortable, or uncomfortable. Really the biggest benefit would be use of HVAC.
The Volt’s long enough to fit people who are shorter than 6’4″, we know this thanks to Saltsman, the forum member who created the how-to thread. Believe it or not, he wasn’t the first to wonder whether or not he could actually sleep in his Volt, but he was probably the first person to find out during a test drive. After pulling and folding the front seats forward, he measured out a 76″ x 40″ area of sleeping space.
Here are the 6 steps to building your very own Volt-ebago:
- Push the front seat(s) all the way forward. Tilt the seat(s) all the way forward.
- Remove the rear seat bottom and fill the void.
- Lay the rear seat down
- Extend the platform
- Lay down a camping mat – or two
- Power up and snooze in comfort
Fairly simple and easy, and if you’re wanting privacy you can opt to go “full stealth mode.” To do this, Saltsman cut out window inserts using the “silver bubble insualtion” (like Reflectix) you find at home improvement stores, and covered one side with black cloth. The result is a brighter and better insulated cabin, with what appears to be limousine window tint to outsiders.
Everything needed for the Volt-ebago loaded with camping mats and custom window covers costs about $30-$50, which isn’t bad for a make-shift camper. We’re sure GM’s engineers didn’t have this in mind when designing the car, but we could see this coming in useful during road trips where a hotel isn’t an option, whether it be due to funds or being out in the middle of nowhere. That said, we aren’t sure if we would use it as a first resort. What’s your take on this creative solution? Speak to us in the comment section below.
Comments
Great Article! Since housing and motels are very expensive one needs to know if their car can be a decent enough place to sleep.
What does “extend the platform” mean?
My experience is that Volt turns itself off after 4 hours or so. So if you rely on the standby heating you need to wake up in the middle of the night and turn the vehicle on again. Hint: you can also sleep quite well without removing the button of the rear seat.