The ECamper: A Mini-Glamping Blue Boxcar for Alaskan Adventure.
4 guests
Sleeps 4
14 ft. long
2008 Honda Element Ecamper
Introducing the Honda Element "Ecamper"; conversion build number 733, performed in Spring, 2022 by the manufacturer Ursa Minor Vehicles in Portland, Oregon, enabling an economical mini-RV experience in a comfortable and highly maneuverable package.Extended multi-day pricing discount in effect, see Pricing header.Summer minimum rental booking period is 4 nights.My well-maintained 2008 Honda Element EX (2007-2011 are the favored year-models), is ready for the Alaska road system or just the local area, year-round. This Element is recent to Alaska from the east coast, making it one of the nicest ones I've seen on the streets around here.The ECamper unit is factory-wired with LED reading lights, a dome light and a 12V power outlet, all connected directly to the vehicle battery, eliminating the need for the ignition to be on. In other words, I opted for all the upgrades.Its set of warm season tires are new as of July, 2024.For winter operations, it's fitted with a set of Nokian Hakkapiilitta-10 studded snow and ice tires for the maximum in upper-latitude winter traction and secure footing; that’s in addition to the automatic all-wheel-drive.Be prepared to answer queries from curious onlookers. It may well be the first ECamper they've seen.What's included• bear defense spray; 2 units.
• laundered sleeping bags & towels, linens for up to 4 persons.
• 1 or 2 burner propane stove and gas, as desired.
• Cookset and cutlery kit.
• lithium-ion booster battery for engine starting if battery drained.
• 24 qt. high-performance cooler.
• "Eletent Basecamp" rear hatchway bugproof vent panel, plus matching side window vent screen panels.
• cushions for lower/main deck sleeping, as needed.RecommendationsI'm only allowed 500 characters here, though my knowledge of Alaska attractions from the ground is nothing special. Of course, your internet research of the road system will be very helpful. Back before Outdoorsy limited this space to 500 characters, I had a fairly extensive writeup here. I can forward it to you in the app's text feature.
Other things to noteTravel is prohibited on the following:McCarthy Road beyond Chitina.The seasonal Denali Highway-route 8, between Cantwell and the end-of-pavement west of Paxson.North of the Yukon River crossing on the Dalton Highway, route 11.More than about 5 miles on any other unpaved state/municipal-maintained public roads without prior approval.
• laundered sleeping bags & towels, linens for up to 4 persons.
• 1 or 2 burner propane stove and gas, as desired.
• Cookset and cutlery kit.
• lithium-ion booster battery for engine starting if battery drained.
• 24 qt. high-performance cooler.
• "Eletent Basecamp" rear hatchway bugproof vent panel, plus matching side window vent screen panels.
• cushions for lower/main deck sleeping, as needed.RecommendationsI'm only allowed 500 characters here, though my knowledge of Alaska attractions from the ground is nothing special. Of course, your internet research of the road system will be very helpful. Back before Outdoorsy limited this space to 500 characters, I had a fairly extensive writeup here. I can forward it to you in the app's text feature.
Other things to noteTravel is prohibited on the following:McCarthy Road beyond Chitina.The seasonal Denali Highway-route 8, between Cantwell and the end-of-pavement west of Paxson.North of the Yukon River crossing on the Dalton Highway, route 11.More than about 5 miles on any other unpaved state/municipal-maintained public roads without prior approval.
Introducing the Honda Element "Ecamper"; conversion build number 733, performed in Spring, 2022 by the manufacturer Ursa Minor Vehicles in Portland, Oregon, enabling an economical mini-RV experience in a comfortable and highly maneuverable package.Extended multi-day pricing discount in effect, see Pricing header.Summer minimum rental booking period is 4 nights.My well-maintained 2008 Honda Element EX (2007-2011 are the favored year-models), is ready for the Alaska road system or just the local area, year-round. This Element is recent to Alaska from the east coast, making it one of the nicest ones I've seen on the streets around here.The ECamper unit is factory-wired with LED reading lights, a dome light and a 12V power outlet, all connected directly to the vehicle battery, eliminating the need for the ignition to be on. In other words, I opted for all the upgrades.Its set of warm season tires are new as of July, 2024.For winter operations, it's fitted with a set of Nokian Hakkapiilitta-10 studded snow and ice tires for the maximum in upper-latitude winter traction and secure footing; that’s in addition to the automatic all-wheel-drive.Be prepared to answer queries from curious onlookers. It may well be the first ECamper they've seen.What's included• bear defense spray; 2 units.
• laundered sleeping bags & towels, linens for up to 4 persons.
• 1 or 2 burner propane stove and gas, as desired.
• Cookset and cutlery kit.
• lithium-ion booster battery for engine starting if battery drained.
• 24 qt. high-performance cooler.
• "Eletent Basecamp" rear hatchway bugproof vent panel, plus matching side window vent screen panels.
• cushions for lower/main deck sleeping, as needed.RecommendationsI'm only allowed 500 characters here, though my knowledge of Alaska attractions from the ground is nothing special. Of course, your internet research of the road system will be very helpful. Back before Outdoorsy limited this space to 500 characters, I had a fairly extensive writeup here. I can forward it to you in the app's text feature.
Other things to noteTravel is prohibited on the following:McCarthy Road beyond Chitina.The seasonal Denali Highway-route 8, between Cantwell and the end-of-pavement west of Paxson.North of the Yukon River crossing on the Dalton Highway, route 11.More than about 5 miles on any other unpaved state/municipal-maintained public roads without prior approval.
• laundered sleeping bags & towels, linens for up to 4 persons.
• 1 or 2 burner propane stove and gas, as desired.
• Cookset and cutlery kit.
• lithium-ion booster battery for engine starting if battery drained.
• 24 qt. high-performance cooler.
• "Eletent Basecamp" rear hatchway bugproof vent panel, plus matching side window vent screen panels.
• cushions for lower/main deck sleeping, as needed.RecommendationsI'm only allowed 500 characters here, though my knowledge of Alaska attractions from the ground is nothing special. Of course, your internet research of the road system will be very helpful. Back before Outdoorsy limited this space to 500 characters, I had a fairly extensive writeup here. I can forward it to you in the app's text feature.
Other things to noteTravel is prohibited on the following:McCarthy Road beyond Chitina.The seasonal Denali Highway-route 8, between Cantwell and the end-of-pavement west of Paxson.North of the Yukon River crossing on the Dalton Highway, route 11.More than about 5 miles on any other unpaved state/municipal-maintained public roads without prior approval.
Meet your host, Dean
Member since 2021
I'm a resident of Anchorage, Alaska making a living as a cargo airline pilot augmented by aerial landscape photography from a very small airplane as seen at . As with my own 76-year-old Luscombe 8E and the Boeing 737 freighters I operate for a living, maintenance is taken seriously and methodically on all of my vehicles. A maintenance-related accident or being stranded on the remote Alaska road system—or anywhere else—is a serious proposition, be it for safety or simply for the continuance of a long-planned vacation.
Usually answers in less than 24 hours
Features
2008 Honda Element Ecamper
- Sleeps 4
- 4 seatbelts
- Fuel type: Gas
- Fuel capacity: 16 gal
- Automatic transmission
- Gross weight: 3,600 lbs
- Sleeps 4
- 4 seatbelts
- Fuel type: Gas
- Fuel capacity: 16 gal
- Automatic transmission
- Gross weight: 3,600 lbs
Amenities
Rules and policies
- Not pet friendly
- No music festivals
- No tailgating
- No smoking
- Mileage: 250 free miles / day
Be careful and safe. Other people’s vacation plans can be wiped out by just a non/minor-injury accident.
24/7 roadside assistance
Learn more about Roadside AssistanceRoadside assistance on every rental, plus help planning your trip or operating the RV.
Learn more about Roadside AssistanceAdd-ons
Enhance your trip with these add-ons. Available at checkout.
Bicycle Carrier
Thule Easyfold XT2, 130 lbs. capacity for 1 or 2 e-bikes, allows for fenders.
CA$69.00
/each
Hitch Mount Cargo Trunk
New for 2025, a Yakima XO Gear Locker system, practically required when traveling with 4 occupants.
CA$172.50
/each
Roofop Cargo Rack Bars
Yakima Jetstream 60in on keylocked Skyline towers.
CA$55.20
/each
Bicycle Carrier
Thule Easyfold XT2, 130 lbs. capacity for 1 or 2 e-bikes, allows for fenders.
CA$69.00
/each
Hitch Mount Cargo Trunk
New for 2025, a Yakima XO Gear Locker system, practically required when traveling with 4 occupants.
CA$172.50
/each
Roofop Cargo Rack Bars
Yakima Jetstream 60in on keylocked Skyline towers.
CA$55.20
/each
Availability and rates
There’s a 3 night minimum stay
The ECamper: A Mini-Glamping Blue Boxcar for Alaskan Adventure.
Dates
Similar rentals available on your dates
Customer reviews
Reviews
(5)5
100 %
4
0 %
3
0 %
2
0 %
1
0 %
Communication
5Cleanliness
5Maintenance
4.9Value
5Listing Accuracy
5Guest photos
Joyce S.
August 20245
Dean was incredibly easy to work with. He provided everything we needed to make the trip a complete success. The roof top tent was surprisingly comfortable. The Element was just the right size, making the travel very nimble and economical. We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation and we would definitely seek out Dean for our next Alaskan adventure.
Scotty S.
July 20245
Amazing car - super fun for 3 of us. Drove all over Alaska over a week!!
1 Photo submitted by Scotty S.
Jane S.
July 20245
We are a couple staying in the E-Camper for 10 nights and we loved it!
Pros:
- E-Camper set up in 3 seconds (compared to 15 mins tent set up we used to do) and it’s really warm and cozy inside, shielding us from strong cold winds and rain at night
- The car is in perfect size, easy find parking spot at popular trailheads. I’ve seen many RVs having difficult time maneuvering for parking and thankful we chose this car.
- This may sound shallow but the car was born to be photographed with any Alaskan view.
Cons:
- the only thing I can think of is inside the E-Camper is a bit small for 2 ppl to move around freely but after a few nights we figured out a way to do things in there
Overall so impressed with this car. Dean was also a perfect communicator and kindly picked us up at the hotel and dropped us off at the airport.
Pros:
- E-Camper set up in 3 seconds (compared to 15 mins tent set up we used to do) and it’s really warm and cozy inside, shielding us from strong cold winds and rain at night
- The car is in perfect size, easy find parking spot at popular trailheads. I’ve seen many RVs having difficult time maneuvering for parking and thankful we chose this car.
- This may sound shallow but the car was born to be photographed with any Alaskan view.
Cons:
- the only thing I can think of is inside the E-Camper is a bit small for 2 ppl to move around freely but after a few nights we figured out a way to do things in there
Overall so impressed with this car. Dean was also a perfect communicator and kindly picked us up at the hotel and dropped us off at the airport.
1 Photo submitted by Jane S.
James M.
June 20245
It was great!
Silvia M.
June 20245
Wonderful and minimalist camping car! The host provided all essentials that we needed.
When ready to set camp, we would just get inside the car (and get the mosquitoes out), pop up the tent from inside and climb up to a cozy and properly light-blocked sleep.
When ready to set camp, we would just get inside the car (and get the mosquitoes out), pop up the tent from inside and climb up to a cozy and properly light-blocked sleep.
3 Photos submitted by Silvia Minhye K.
Simone P.
June 20245
Have a question?Get answers directly from the host
Q.I have full coverage for my personal vehicle. So, do I need to purchase Outdoorsy's insurance?
A.
The short answer is YES, and it is extra; and a significant percentage is deducted from my end as a service fee. My own full-coverage policy for this vehicle will not cover me (or anyone else) when rented, i.e., in commercial service. Outdoorsy's website and customer service go into depth on this subject. Their 24/7 telephone customer service has been responsive and helpful for me as an owner; I have no experience as a renter and can not address the subject of insurance authoritatively.
Q.What is an ECamper, according to the manufacturer?
A.
Here's Ursa Minor Vehicles' answer:
https://ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/ecc-camper-package.html
A search on YouTube will reveal numerous happy campers flaunting their ECampers. This was my search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ecamper+honda+element
Q.What are the dimensions of the ECamper sleeping area?
A.
85x50 inches (216x127 cm). The full-area mattress thickness is 2". Mattress thickness may be increased with a topper or underlayment, as yet to be determined. In my experience, however, the foam material selected by the manufacturer is of the correct firmness for its thickness, providing comfortable sleep support. The manufacturer's specifications here:
https://ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/element-camper/ecamper-specifications.html
Q.Can one actually get any sleep in the Ecamper without eyeshades during bright summer nights in Alaska?
A.
I believe the answer is yes. The synthetic canvas of the Ecamper's shell does a good job of blocking light. A greater consideration would be other people making noise at late and very early hours when parked at campgrounds, etc.
/-149.927,61.143,10,0/1260x450@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1Ijoib3V0ZG9vcnN5IiwiYSI6ImNqdndtZzBhbDRlZzE0M29qdXJ0aXRrOHMifQ.toN1mcopGp7Yn5DH_YZRzA&logo=false&attribution=false)
