Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: the Skoda Roomster is not the most appealing car to look at. Next to its main competition, like the Citroen Berlingo, it looks less like an adventure rig and more like a quirky delivery van. However, if you are looking to build a Skoda Roomster micro-camper, you should absolutely not let its looks deceive us.
Underneath that quirky exterior lies a vehicle that is incredibly cheap on the used market, boasts amazing headroom, and comes packed with some crazy features that are perfect for the micro-camping community. If you do not want to pay the massive “van tax” that comes with traditional small vans, the Roomster deserves a serious look.
koda Roomster Solo vs. Duo Micro-Camping Space
To be honest, the Roomster is perfect for both solo or duo camping, depending entirely on your needs and setup choices.
Obviously, solo campers will benefit from the luxury of space. You can enjoy having the bed in a fixed position, saving time and energy from having to convert it each time you want to sleep—which can be a massive pain after a long day of hiking.
But those travelling with company will still benefit from the extra space it offers. You aren’t completely crammed in, and you have enough breathing room to actually enjoy the trip together rather than stepping on each other’s toes.
The “Secret Weapon” Features
This brings us to the actual design of the car. The Roomster has a stepped roofline, meaning you can actually sit up fully on your bed without your head hitting the ceiling. In most stealth car conversions, you’re forced to crawl around on your hands and knees, but the vertical space here is a total game-changer. And not to mention, if you’re lucky enough to budget for—or find a cheap deal on—a higher-spec model like the SE Plus, this features a panoramic glass roof which is absolutely perfect for stargazing when you’re parked up for the night.
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Over-Engineered Seating: Transforming the Skoda Roomster Micro-Camper
Then there are the seats. These are completely over-engineered—not your standard car seats by a long shot! Skoda was obviously thinking about sheer versatility when making these, and it has absolutely paid off for us lucky campers.
You can not only fold the chairs flat, but you can also slide them forward to tweak your legroom. Best of all? You can completely remove the chairs and leave them at home if you need the extra space. Taking the chairs out completely will instantly transform your Roomster into a mini-van with a completely flat base, ready for a mattress or a custom gear layout.
How to Set Up Your Skoda Roomster Micro-Camper
When we look at how you would set this up as your micro-camper, we have a couple of roads to go down depending on your preference and skill level.
1. The “No-Frills” No-Build Micro-Camper Setup (The No-Build Setup)
This is a standard, cheap setup to test the waters of the car and get a feeling for what works for you before committing to anything major. However, this could also easily be your permanent option if it fits your lifestyle. If you are using this car as your daily driver when you are not off on your travels, this is the perfect, straight-to-the-point layout. You simply remove the rear seats, drop in a self-inflating camping mat, pack a few plastic storage crates, and hit the road. If you’re wondering what basics you need to pack for this kind of setup, check out my guide on the 5 essential items to turn your daily driver into a micro-camper for under £100.
2. Off-the-Shelf Boot Pods (The Luxury Route)
The next option is off-the-shelf boot pods. These are prefabricated plywood kits sold by specialized UK conversion companies like Simple Campervans or Vanguard Conversions. These are great, but they are definitely an investment and come with a higher price tag. What you lose in your wallet, you gain in convenience; these pods slide right into the boot space and fold out into a double bed in minutes, making your micro-camper feel a lot more like a luxury camper than our basic no-build option.
3. The Solo DIY Plywood Platform (My Personal Favourite)
Let me just start by advising you that I am a keen DIYer. I love to build something myself, look at my work when it’s finished, and be proud of it. If you share that mindset, this is exactly the option for you.
Building your own simple 12mm birch plywood platform on structural legs will not only save you a massive amount of money compared to buying a prefabricated kit, but it is also incredibly easy to do with limited tools and skills needed. In fact, if you don’t own a saw, most local DIY stores and timber yards will actually cut your timber to size for you if you ask nicely!
In my opinion, this isn’t just the best option because of the budget price tag; it’s because of the sheer freedom. You make the decisions on how to best build the storage and space to fit your exact gear and camping needs. By elevating the bed slightly on legs, you create a perfect “garage” underneath to slide your cooking equipment and bags out of sight.
The Skoda Roomster Micro-Camper Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you want to avoid paying the extortionate van tax on a traditional van, setting up a Skoda Roomster micro-camper is an absolute game-changer for budget travel.
- Budget: 5/5
- Stealth Factor: 5/5
- Space: 4/5
The only reason space drops a point is due to a physical limitation: the 6ft rule.
If you are 6ft or taller, you are going to struggle to sleep perfectly straight in this car. Even with the front seats pushed and tilted all the way forward, the floor space cuts short, meaning taller campers will be forced to sleep diagonally to stretch out.
However, if you don’t fall into that height limitation, the extra headroom and modular layout make this car a total hidden gem. It’s practical, ultra-affordable, and ready for adventure without the van price tag.