[Motodisiac]

Since our family is pretty much set at 4 and I primarily use the car to haul my two kids and bicycles, I decided to ditch 3rd row seats and build flat floor with hidden storage compartment.

I'm extremely pleased with the outcome. The storage is roomy enough to swallow a couple of tool boxes, helmets and various spares. As a bonus, I'm less concerned about theft because it's not visible to casual eye.

The luggage compartment is big enough to accept my 29er with front wheel off, wife's 26er with wheels on, my son's 20er and a stroller. No bike rack is necessary and everything is secure inside.

 

[UN-Limited]

Impressive work sir! Your false floor is similar to what I'm wanting to buy someday (if someone ever makes the darn thing). I just want a removable 60/40 lid that can be placed behind the 3rd row so I can store stuff under the lid and still have rigid support for additional items on top (like you have shown).

 

[Al52025]

This is pretty sick. Good job

 

[urbancamper]

Do you have any photos of the build? Did you have to put a layer of plywood over the entire back? I want to do something just like this.

What did you use for the top layer? Did you pull out the old/stock carpet, or just lay everything on top? If on top, any issues with mildew underneath it?

 

[artfd]

In 2012 I converted my 4 seater Hyundai Elantra simply by removed the rear seats and covering the exposed floor recesses with strategically placed pieces of 1/2 inch plywood. Instead of carpeting I used the interlocking 2'by2' squares of foam padding sold by Sam's Club, etc. These are comfortable to kneel on, dirt and water resistant, can be easily cleaned by removing them & hosing them off. In some of the plywood sections, I installed hatches to ease access to the spaces underneath. One nice feature of the Elantra is the space for the spare tire is large enough to hold a full size spare. The Elantra came with a cheap tire repair kit, and not even a donut type spare. For 116,000 miles I've been driving a customized 2 seat mini-station wagon. I'm 6' tall, and I've found I can lie flat on my back, on an air mattress, behind the front passenger seat (if it is pushed as far forward as possible). That space would be too tight for two adults laying side by side, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[artfd]

On YouTube, there is a producer "Eric Enjoys Earth" who has published a long series of detailed videos on customizing a Toyota Sienna so that 2 adults can comfortably live out of it. Only features lacking are central heating, a toilet and internal shower.

 

[urbancamper]

Since our family is pretty much set at 4 and I primarily use the car to haul my two kids and bicycles, I decided to ditch 3rd row seats and build flat floor with hidden storage compartment.

This is incredible. I keep looking at it trying to figure out how you did it. Did you lay plywood across the entire floor, or just the third row and trunk area? Did you put it on top of your OEM carpet or did you pull the carpet out? I know you added an underlayer to your Elantra, but did you have to add any wood underneath the plywood sheet on your Carnival. And lastly, if you live in hte Chicago area, can I hire you to do the same with mine?

I use my van mostly for surfing, climbing and biking. I had a loft in my last van and I am doing the same, but wiht modifications for the Carnival.

 

[urbancamper]

I am concerned about leaving hte stock carpet in. I read a few stories about mildew and mold growing under floors.