Car camping exploded in popularity over the last decade and with this new demand (inevitably) comes supply. Waves of companies are capitalizing on the market with rooftop tents and custom built drawer systems.
Both options are pretty cool and certainly help you accomplish your goal of having a comfortable car camping experience - but - they require a hefty investment in more ways than your wallet:
- Weight: Rooftop tents and custom drawer systems are not lightweight. Getting them on/off/in/out of your vehicle usually requires extra muscle & eat up extra MPGs when on the road.
- Center of Gravity: Loading up the roof of your vehicle with a RTT throws off your vehicles weight displacement, making it more likely to tip on tight trails or windy roads
- Storage: Once you remove that RTT/wooden buildout for the season you’ll need a place to store it… Even the most organized garages are tight on space (and that’s if you own a garage)
Shift to lightweight/modular systems
When I first moved to Colorado from Hawaii 3 years ago I was living in a tiny apartment and didn't have a garage to store either of these system or tools to build them.
My partner and I shared a 1998 4Runner that needed to be a daily-driver during the week and easily convert into our car camping rig on the weekends. I couldn't believe a system didn't exist to accomplish this.
This inspired me to embark on a mission: create a car camping platform that’s lightweight, compact, modular - and doesn't break the bank.
After 2 years of prototyping and personal testing, I released the Hele Box: 3-in-1 vehicle sleeping platform, storage system, and camping table!
The whole system weighs 25lbs and retails at a fraction of the cost when compared to custom wood build outs and RTTs.
- Every leg is independently adjustable with a dual-locking system to ensure a sturdy sleep and enable fitment in most SUVs/Trucks. See our confirmed fitment list here.
- The carrying case doubles as compartmentalized storage and slides underneath the sleeping platform.
- You can set the platform higher for storage or lower for headroom.
- Assembles in under 5 mins
- Compacts into a sleek case that takes up a sliver of space in your garage, apt, or gear closet.
After just 3 ½ months from our launch date, we sold out.
Fueled with awesome customer reviews and helpful feedback from users, we began prepping for our 2nd production run + the release of 2 new products.
1 - The Duo designed for 2 people
2 - Stubbies for those who are looking for even more headroom
We built the Hele Box for the car camping community that wants a compact system designed to dish out a great night’s sleep, optimal storage capabilities, and epic adventures.
If that sounds like you, we’re stoked you made it to our website.
Please reach out with any questions or just to share the stoke: stoked@heleoutdoors.com
Aloha!
Murray (founder)
2 comments
We bought these for our 2924 Honda Odyssey. And they are the most comfortable beds to sleep on for camping. Plus when it’s cold using Our Weather Tech window covers we are comfy and warm. Plus I feel safer. It’s nice how the legs are adjustable because of the uneven floor in the van with all back seats stored or removed. Love this product!
Hello!
I was wondering – how tall is the single Hele with the pad and stubbies attached? I have a standard Corolla, and with the seatbacks taken out, I have about 18 inches of clearance in the transition from trunk to cabin. I am trying to figure out if a Hele bed would be a viable option. Alternatively, would I have to use legs at all? Thank you!