I love to travel and discover everything the world has to offer. Honestly.
But I love to travel efficiently and without stressing myself out. Returning from a getaway even more tired than when I left is definitely not for me. So I'm always open to trying new alternatives for better travel, whether it's glamping, hammock tents, or discovering unusual accommodations.
Working at Roadloft, I now have the opportunity to discover an ingenious product made in Quebec. But I must admit, as a 25-year-old fresh out of school, I was a little disappointed. I don't have a minivan, and getting one isn't in my plans at all. Well, a new product is now available to meet my needs and those of several generations!
Indeed, we now have a camping kit for SUVs. This is fortunate, as SUVs have proven to be the most popular type of vehicle among Canadians, according to a CIRANO study (2021).
I had the chance to test it during a beautiful weekend in July, with a Honda CRV. My colleagues and I embarked on an adventure to the Shawinigan Tribal Fest. We stayed there for two nights, as we were exhibiting during the day.
So, I'm sharing my experience and what I learned.
First, here are the advantages offered by the product.
Advantages
Rapide
Just like our minivan conversion kit, this new SUV product integrates into our customers' everyday vehicles in minutes. It assembles and packs away quickly between trips. It took me 10 minutes, and it was my first time. That's much faster than setting up a tent (which you have to pitch once you arrive at your destination, when all you want to do is relax after long hours on the road). Plus, the kit weighs only 28 kg!
Comfort
The mattress sold by Roadloft might not look like much, but I guarantee you I'm seriously considering replacing my current mattress with this one… It's exceptionally high quality with its combination of high-density foam and memory foam. It's honestly a super comfortable bed with perfectly acceptable dimensions. At 6 feet long and 4 feet wide, there's more than enough space to turn over as you please during the night.
Easy access to the front seats
This saves space and allows easy access to our luggage.
Under-bed storage
During my trip, I was able to store everything I needed under the bed: my sleeping bag, extra blankets, my yoga mat, a chair, and my camera. There was still plenty of space left.
Kitchen
The kitchen is well-equipped and has everything you need. You can cook on a camping stove, wash dishes, and chop your own fruits and vegetables. This allowed us to share some excellent meals!
Darkness
Since SUVs have smaller windows than minivans, this has the advantage of maximizing sleep time. Sleeping with my head towards the seats, I woke up slowly with the daylight.
Good air circulation
I'm someone who really needs fresh air to sleep (the cooler, the better). So I have to admit I was afraid of suffocating while sleeping, given the rather warm temperature outside. Yet, just a tiny half-inch crack in the front windows allowed me to sleep soundly.
Sunroof
It's not an option available to everyone, but the vehicle I took on the road had a sunroof. Needless to say, I was treated to a magnificent view before falling asleep: a beautiful sky full of stars!
A feeling of freedom
I felt so good behind the wheel of my little home on wheels. I felt that no matter what happened, I would be safe and have a place to sleep.
Nothing in life is perfect, so I'll share one small drawback of the kit with you.
Inconvenience
Limited Space
The only drawback I noticed during my experience was the limited space in the vehicle. Obviously, the headroom isn't high enough to allow us to sit up on the bed. This makes it more difficult to move around. You do have to contort yourself a bit to change clothes in privacy with the doors closed. On the other hand, I was very comfortable watching Netflix and didn't feel claustrophobic at all.
It's worth noting that the height of the kit is adjustable to fit easily into your vehicle and accommodate the refrigerator you need. This allows for different configurations. It should be noted that the vehicle with the most headroom is the Toyota RAV4.
Now, here's a little tip I'd give you when traveling with the RoadLoft SUV conversion kit: test what works best for you in different situations. For example, to get into your vehicle, do you have a power liftgate that allows you to be inside and press a button to close the trunk, or do you have to enter through the passenger door? These are just a few simple tests that will help you establish a routine based on your needs. Also, if you're the type who doesn't do much during the day and prefers to relax around your vehicle, plan your trips for sunny days to avoid having to stay inside all day. It can get repetitive.
In short, this is a fantastic alternative for SUV owners. Your RoadLoft removable conversion kit is always ready to use. Everything is designed to simplify your life and provide maximum comfort. Say goodbye to routine! An impromptu picnic, drinks at sunset, or a weekend getaway in nature will now be part of your everyday life.
Of course, comfort remains at its maximum in a minivan conversion kit if you're going away for an extended period (you can see the differences in our article). However, my short trip allowed me to relax and enjoy all the comfort I needed.
My next getaway? An autumn trip to Maine to catch some waves.