Once upon a time, I attempted a van-life buildout of a used Sprinter van with my ex-girlfriend. We weren’t particularly useful (or highly motivated to learn), so it didn’t work out well for us, and we eventually gave up creating the kind of attractive, functional interiors that are now all over Instagram.
This was 10 years ago, when there were very few options to help people like us set up a car-camping living space without knowing how to install cabinets.
So, it’s a welcome sight to see a modular option for converting a vehicle into a functioning overlander. That’s the idea behind Tune Outdoors’ latest lineup of truck interiors. The Denver-based brand has already received positive GearJunkie reviews for its lightweight, pop-top truck camper.
Now it’s introducing the Tune Interior System, a series of lightweight, customizable interiors that transform your camper into a ready-to-go overlanding vehicle.
“With our new interior systems, we’re giving Tune customers custom configurations to make their space exactly the way they want it, without compromising the lightweight performance and durability that define our products,” Sean Keppler, Tune co-founder and president, said in a news release.
Tune Interior System: Description
Overlanding, for those unfamiliar with the term, is basically backpacking with a vehicle. Rather than finding a car camping site and setting up shop for several days, overlanders prefer to visit a new site every day – a feat made much easier if the essentials for your survival are conveniently arranged within the vehicle.
For the busy non-carpenter type, a range of ready-made interior furnishings is often worth the money.
This is the benefit of something like a tuned interior system. Constructed from materials that balance durability and weight, these benches, counters, and cabinets allow campers to create a setup that best suits their needs.
To be clear, these new offerings are designed specifically for the tuned M1 and M1L platforms. All designs are made of Richlite. This composite material is made from resin and recycled paper, making it lightweight, durable, and sustainable. According to Tune Outdoors, it’s also rot- and rust-resistant. Powder-coated aluminum MOLLE panels increase the durability of the gear.
“Internal components can be easily positioned, adjusted or expanded, enabling customers to customize solutions for sleeping, gear storage, cooking and remote work,” the brand said. “They are also completely removable, which adds additional flexibility for truck owners.”
Available Options
Tune’s new interior systems are available in three configurations, each designed for a different camping style. All three systems are available in either natural wood color or slate grey.
- Option 1: For starters, there’s the full-length Counter + Bench, which weighs 107 pounds and costs $5,050. This is the most feature-rich option with lots of storage. It is available with or without sink/water system.
- Option 2: There’s also the Club + Bench, which weighs slightly less at 89 pounds and costs $4,300. Like the first option, this one comes with an optional sink, but with a little more flexibility and space in the truck bed.
- Option 3: The most basic of the options, the double or single bench design weighs only 35 pounds. This makes it much easier to get in and out of the truck bed (a big advantage) and takes up much less overhead space. And at $1,800, it’s pretty cheap too.
An important note: These interiors were set up at Tune Outdoors’ headquarters in Denver. However, the Tune Outdoors website offers a online tools To configure how these designs will work with your vehicle.
It tells you if the make and model of your truck is compatible with these interiors, and how each interior will fit inside – before you even drive to Denver.
Learn more at tune in outdoors Website.
