Boxy the Mini-Overland Camper

54 reviews
Camper vanWalnut Creek, CA
2 guests
Sleeps 2
15 ft. long
Pet friendly
Offers delivery

All-Wheel-Drive, Sleeps two in a full bed which sets up in 2 or 3 minutes. Stove, refrigerator, & gear space for two sporting people and a dog or two.Dogs Love the bed, they've never had such a comfortable seat with a view. The rear windows tilt open offering sniffing port.Deep cycle battery supplies power in camp; run lights, charge phones, play the stereo, and power the cooler/fridge, without the engine.The powered cooler can be a freezer + small refrigerator or just a refrigerator, you select the temperature. Powered so you don't need to fuss with ice. It has battery protection logic so it's not going to kill the battery, even if the battery were smaller than it is.Classic Coleman double-burner gas stove. This can be used in place or lifted out to put on a park bench.2-inch hitch, so bring your own bike/cargo/dirt bike rack or rent one of mine.Figure 22-25mpg on regular unleaded.Note: Early May 2021 I took it on a 7 day ~1800 mile test drive through CA, NV, UT, & AZ. I cooked my meals on the stove using food I mostly packed at the outset, drove and camped on plenty of dirt trails, and never wanted a hotel. The trip was Epic, the spots I randomly found and the places I woke up to after arriving at night are still etched in my memory. I was used to my Sprinter van, so I didn't think it would be as easy, comfortable, and "sufficient" as I found it. I stayed out over twice as long as I intended and really didn't want to come home. What's includedPowered cooler/refrigerator, Coleman gas stove with a fuel bottle or two. Clean mattress protector. The Honda Element is a great platform for a mini-overlander. The center opening doors, truck style fold down gate (serves as a seat), and low height make for easy accessibility in camp. Okay, it's not a mean-looking as a lifted Jeep; but in terms of actual real world trail driving, I've only been stopped by two things, deep snow and fallen trees. Bed deck of Baltic Birch bolted to the frame for safety. The under-bed structure is minimal and made from metal, not wood, so there's lots of room for gear. Rear hatch internal release. Pull-out kitchen drawer gear organizer and cooking deck. Deep cycle battery and battery state monitor. Disabled "door ajar chime" to prevent in-camp neurosis. RecommendationsEaster Sierras, Bishop area, Hwy 395. This is just SUCH a neat trip esp for this vehicle.
Yosemite
Mammoth Mountain
Valley of Fire and Lake Mead
Zion National Park
Utah Bureau of Land Management Land
Lots of places around the California Coast
Oregon has a lot to offer
Other things to noteLight off-road trails and road snow is fine, just take it easy. No rock crawling. No trails that suggest "high ground clearance vehicles" or have significant obstacles. No abusive driving that's likely to break something, damage trails, or get you stuck. That said, if you drive really slow over anything rough, it's pretty easy and fun. Slow means "crawling", often less than 1mph or so, over any rock gardens or ruts, and generally slow enough to not hear any unpleasant noises. Be mindful of ground clearance! This isn't a Jeep/Rover. More details if you need it on pickup. Generally, the only things that have stopped me on a trail have been deep snow and fallen trees.Pickup times 10am-6pm, Drop-off times 10am-6pm unless otherwise agreed. Some times I'm in SF. Can always park your car at my private semi-rural driveway in Walnut Creek.
The air conditioning is for use while driving, not for idling while camping or parked for long periods.
Positively no tobacco smoking or chemical air fresheners in or around the vehicle. If a smell of smoke or chemical air fresheners lingers a $500 cleaning fee shall be charged.
Basic mechanical care is expected; use gears to slow down steep grades, don't drive it like you rented it/stole it, watch and respond to the gauges/warning lights, etc.
The vehicle may have GPS logging, real-time position reporting, and speed monitoring.

Features

2003 Honda Element
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 seatbelts
  • Fuel type: Gas
  • Fuel capacity: 15.9 gal
  • Automatic transmission
  • Propane capacity: 1 gal

Amenities

  • Audio Inputs
  • Radio
  • Stove
  • Refrigerator
  • Heater
  • Air Conditioner
  • Bike Rack
  • Backup Camera

Meet your host, Zachary

Member since 2017

Just me and a couple of vans I built to explore what's possible as far as features, ergonomics, and pleasing finishes.

Usually answers in less than 24 hours


Rules and policies

  • Pet friendly
  • Music festival friendly
  • Tailgating friendly
  • No smoking
  • Mileage: 135 free miles / day
Sprinters take diesel fuel only! Diesel comes from a green handle.
24/7 roadside assistance
Learn more about Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance on every rental, plus help planning your trip or operating the RV.

Learn more about Roadside Assistance

Add-ons

Enhance your trip with these add-ons. Available at checkout.

2 bike rack, swing out
swings out allowing easy access to the kitchen amenities
$33.80
/each
2 camping chairs
fold out, comfy chairs
$16.90
/each
BRC Desert Fee
covers cleaning and mechanical degredation associated with the BRC enviornment
$1,519.31
/each

Availability and rates

MTWTFSS
MTWTFSS

There’s a 8 night minimum stay

Fees
  • Security deposit: $1,521.00 (refundable)
  • Prep fee: $251.81. exterior cleaning, fresh mattress pad, restocking, minor interior cleaning
Boxy the Mini-Overland Camper

Dates




Reviews

(5)
4.9
99 %

Communication

4.9

Guest photos

Kelsie G.

August 20215

Ella the Element drove great, got good gas mileage and was surprisingly comfortable for a 5 day road trip/camping adventure. According to my Fitbit, I got a better couple of night's sleep than I've gotten in months. Zach was very communicative and helpful throughout.

1 Photo submitted by Kelsie G.

Charlie E.

June 20215

The Element was awesome. Dogs loved it. They've never been so comfortable riding in a car before. The sleeping aspect was super comfortable and it drove like a dream. We didn't really make use of the kitchen fully, the bikes and our bike rack were in the way and we attended a group camp where our friends had a plenty of kitchen set-up for everyone too. All in all it is really a sweet package and we loved it!!!

Charlie E.

June 20215

Caroline D.

April 20215


Have a question?Get answers directly from the host

Q.What flexibility is available for picking up and dropping off the RV?
A.
I have two locations, San Francisco (Oak and Laguna) and Walnut Creek on Castle Rock Rd. Let me know what works best for you, we can probably work something out. You can definitely leave a vehicle in WC, super safe private property. Normal pickup hours 10am+ to 7pm. Normal drop-off hours, before 7 pm but I've done later by arrangement.

Location

Walnut Creek, California

Exact location provided after booking


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