Guy from South Carolina built the world’s smallest camper after buying tiny 4×4 van from Japan
- Check out this teeny tiny camper
- The vehicle began life as 4WD Subaru van
- It’s now a compact and cozy off-grid campervan
Published on Mar 08, 2025 at 1:38 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Mar 06, 2025 at 2:43 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A car enthusiast from South Carolina built the world’s smallest camper to fit his tiny 4×4 Subaru that he found on Facebook Marketplace.
The pint-sized motorhome is built around a Japanese-imported Subaru 4WD van.
Despite how it looks on the outside, the tiny van is deceptively roomy inside.
It went through a full transformation and is now a cozy and compact mobile home.
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The camper began life as a Subaru 4WD van
There are some wonderful super-small custom-built campervans out there, like this 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter T1N that makes use of every inch of space thanks to its clever layout; or this old bread truck that’s now a dinky home-from-home.
But even compared to those campers, this tiny 4×4 campervan is in a league of its own.
The campervan began life as a 1999 Subaru, imported from Japan, which was snapped up from Facebook Marketplace by Chay from the President Chay YouTube channel.
Keen to create the ‘world’s smallest camper’, Chay and his brother completely gutted the van.
They then fitted a wooden floor, which was more tricky than it first seemed due to the fact the engine was located in the rear.
The pair created an insulated frame to go around the engine, and covered the new floor with black carpet.
The walls were created using wood and were painted white, which helped make the interior feel a little bit lighter and brighter.
The teeny campervan is perfect for off-grid living
Although it may look tiny, it actually offers a decent amount of space inside, and this was further maximized by Chay and his brother.
The pair created a custom-built couch that can be easily turned into a bed, as well as a well-stocked kitchenette complete with microwave, sink and fridge.
The duo made use of every inch of space inside and designed a tiled area towards the back of the van, which could be used for a shower.
The finished vehicle is a full off-grid living space thanks to a total overhaul of its electrical system, which included two batteries and 200W solar panels, as well as its very own water tank.
Despite its size Chay said he was stoked with the way it turned out and couldn’t wait to use it.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
