5 Things I Learned Building My First Car Camping Platform

The first time I decided to build a car camping platform, I thought it would be easy. A few sheets of plywood, some 2x4’s, some hinges, maybe a drawer or two - how hard could it be?
Turns out… pretty hard.

What started as a weekend project quickly turned into months of testing, adjusting, and rethinking. I started needing tools I didn’t have the space and money for. And every time I took a trip I had a million more ideas on how to make it better. But every mistake taught me something that shaped how I design today -and eventually led to what became The Basecamp System.
Here are five of the biggest lessons I learned along the way.

1. Heavy Isn’t Strong - It’s Just Heavy

My first platform was solid, but it weighed as much as I did. Lifting and reinstalling it felt like a gym workout every time I wanted to camp (and don’t get me started on storing it in an apartment). I learned that strength doesn’t have to mean bulk - smart design, material choice, and load distribution matter more than thickness or weight.

Now, every cut I make has a purpose, and every pound counts. Lightweight doesn’t mean fragile - it means intentional.

2. Simplicity Wins Every Time

I wanted my first setup to do everything - drawers, hinges, secret compartments, maybe even a slide-out kitchen. But the more complex it got, the less functional it became. If i designed it specifically for snowboarding, it no longer worked for camping in the dunes.

What I eventually learned (after several redesigns) is that simplicity is the real luxury. A system that sets up fast, packs flat, and does its job without fuss will always beat a complicated one. Good design should make life easier, not add steps.

3. Precision Is Everything

In architecture, an eighth of an inch matters. In car camping, it matters even more. My first cuts were slightly off, and that tiny gap turned into hours of frustration when nothing lined up.

I started treating my build like a piece of furniture, not a DIY project. Measuring twice, cutting once, and designing for real-world tolerances became second nature. That mindset eventually led me to CNC fabrication - because precision isn’t optional when everything has to fit perfectly in the back of a car.

4. Function Comes First - But Good Design Follows

There’s a point in every build where you have to choose: make it look perfect, or make it work perfectly. I used to think those were opposites. They’re not. When something is well-designed, it looks good because it works well.

Every edge, cutout, and joint on the Basecamp System exists for a reason - whether it’s weight reduction, airflow, or usability. When form and function meet, that’s when design feels effortless.

5. Build What You’ll Actually Use

My first platform had features I thought I’d love - until I realized I never used half of them. The drawers were too deep, the setup too specific. I learned to build for how I live, not how I wish I lived.

Now I design around real habits: cooking in the back, quick access to gear, space for sleep and movement. The best setup isn’t the one with the most features - it’s the one that fits your life.

Final Thoughts

That first platform wasn’t perfect, but it was the beginning of something that mattered. Every mistake taught me to design better, think smaller, and build smarter.

The Basecamp System was born from that process - proof that good design doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to work beautifully, every time you hit the road.