Camping in a 1965 VW Bug travel trailer conversion

By Cheri Sicard
Walking into Henry’s Upholstery in La Habra, CA, feels a bit like walking into an old-school buffet. Everywhere a visitor looks, there are classic or soon-to-be classic cars in different stages of transformation.

In the middle of all that sits something that stops people in their tracks: a 1965 Volkswagen Bug that has been turned into a tiny camper, complete with bedroom, kitchen, and personality to spare. In the video at the end of this post, we get a tour of the VW Bug travel trailer conversion from the team at Glorious Life on Wheels.

The host can barely contain the excitement when greeting Sergio and his dog Homer, because this little Bug camper might be the most charming build in the whole place.

Sergio is the owner of Henry’s Upholstery. He has been in business with Henry’s for about 22 years, with this location open for roughly 7 years. The shop stays busy with work coming in mostly from referrals and a bit of Instagram. Homer, his small dog, is more than just a shop mascot. Homer is a regular camping buddy and fits perfectly inside the tiny Bug camper.

How a 1965 VW Bug became a tiny travel trailer

The base of this build is a 1965 Volkswagen Bug. Sergio did not just bolt on a few parts. He cut, stretched, and reshaped the car to make it work as a camper.

Key steps included:

1. Chopping and narrowing the body to get the right proportions
2. Stretching sections so it had usable interior length
3. Installing two front fenders on the front to create the distinctive dome shape

He is still finishing the front window area, but the lines of the car already flow smoothly. On the outside, there is a custom storage box that holds tie-downs, cleaning supplies, and other gear, plus a custom-built awning that attaches when parked.

Right now, Sergio tows the camper with a small van. He is also building a bus to match the little Bug, so the tow vehicle and camper will share the same look. That future combo will be worth a tour of its own.

Inside the camper, the bedroom area shows exactly why an upholstery expert built this. The mattress is completely custom. The space narrows, curves, and then widens again, so no store-bought mattress would fit. Sergio built and upholstered the mattress himself to match the interior shape.

Under the bed, there is hidden storage that holds the awning, umbrella, flooring pieces, and a blue flamingo that matches the paint. On top, a custom comforter is sewn to follow the mattress shape so it stays in place and ties into the blue flamingo theme.

Under everything is a hardwood floor that Sergio made for the camper. He camps in it about once or twice a month and can stretch his legs out fully, with room at the side for blankets and space for Homer to curl up.

Along one side, there is a neat little control area. A master switch turns on different sets of lights, including small lamps and a compact TV. The TV is about 10 inches and runs on DC power, which makes it perfect for a tiny off-grid setup.

There is also a fan for airflow and shelves that hold towels and toiletries. The wall lamps are one of the clever touches. They started as full lampshades, but Sergio cut them in half and recessed them into the wall so they do not stick out. At night, they work like soft nightlights and give the space a warm feel.

Around back, the Bug camper hides a full little kitchen. Sergio built in a sink with real running water. It is connected to a pump and a 5-gallon water tank, so it works like a tiny RV galley.

The cooking setup includes:

• A butane stove
• A toaster oven
• A combination coffee maker and toaster-style unit

Inside the rear compartment, there is an RV battery, the water tank, propane, and all the hookups that make the kitchen function. There is no solar yet, but Sergio plans to add a portable solar suitcase that will sit beside the camper, rather than panels on the body. Even the small lamps back here match the build’s style.

One of the standout features still in progress is the custom window. Sergio has built a polished frame, and the glass itself will be tinted turquoise to match the Bug’s color theme. The window will hinge upward to vent, so it will add both airflow and style.

On top, there is a roof rack. He bought it originally, then had to modify it because this Bug is far from stock. The rack fits the reshaped roof and gives extra room for lightweight gear. The camper also has a custom awning, made by Sergio, that attaches when parked to create a shaded outdoor space. The plan is to show that setup on a future visit.

This little camper is rolling proof of what Henry’s Upholstery can do. Sergio built the mattress, the comforter, and even customized a cooler to match. He found the cooler, scuffed it up, sent it with the car to get painted, then added logos and moldings so it looks like it came as part of the camper.

This 1965 Volkswagen Bug is more than a cute trailer. It is a fully usable tiny home on wheels, with a real bedroom, working kitchen, storage, and thoughtful details everywhere. Sergio actually camps in it regularly, and Homer clearly enjoys every trip.

Beyond this Bug, Sergio is also working on other classic car interiors and some tiny pint-sized cars made just for Homer.

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