Toyota HiAce

A modified camper based on the Toyota HiAce Super Long by Nuts RV has been shown. The vehicle features Fabless air suspension and Ohlins shock absorbers, which significantly lower the body. It runs 19×10.5J front and 19×11.5J rear wheels with a minus 3 offset and 30 mm rear spacers. Braking is upgraded with a 415 Cobra kit and yellow calipers. The interior includes a Nardi steering wheel, Recaro seats and an Alpine audio system.

Japanese company OMC Camper has unveiled the Galaxy camper van based on the Toyota Hiace commercial van. The premiere took place at a camper show in Nagoya. The interior features a bunk bed, a table and seats that convert into a third sleeping place. Power is supplied by a 200 Ah lithium-ion battery and an additional 105 Ah battery, and equipment includes a microwave, a 40-litre fridge and air conditioning. A separate toilet area at the rear can be used as a storage room. The Galaxy will be priced at 7 million 350 thousand yen on the Japanese market.

A family of four travelled around the Kansai region in a Toyota HiAce camper van over three days, spending two nights sleeping in the vehicle. The first night was at the Nishinomiya-Nashio service area car park on the Chugoku Expressway, the second at the Senri-Chuo Park car park. The itinerary included KidZania Koshien, the Expo Oyu hot spring and the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda, where the children made their own noodle cup combinations. The author says the camper van's mobility made the trip possible.

Kazu Creation has released a partition curtain kit under the Atrash brand for sleeping in cars. ABS mounts fit into the gap in the trim at the top of the B-pillar without drilling. The manufacturer says fitting the mounts takes about 5 minutes. The kit covers the Toyota HiAce 200 Series from 2004, Nissan Caravan E26 from 2012, Toyota Noah/Voxy 80 and 90 Series, Nissan Serena C26/C27, Toyota Alphard 30 Series and Suzuki Every DA17. The curtain uses 99% light-blocking fabric to screen the cabin from outside view.

The owner of a Retreat Anniversary camper van based on a narrow-body, standard-roof Toyota HiAce has drawn up an interior refit plan with the help of AI. The aim is to keep the wooden finish and solve two problems: no walk-through from the cab to the living area, and a passage and bed blocked by a portable toilet and gear. The plan includes a walk-through aisle, a new kitchen unit 34 cm high, 90 cm wide and 40 cm deep with a built-in sink and microwave, and upgraded electrics: power from a portable station, a solar panel and a fan. The AI-generated images needed repeated corrections, and the owner spent about a week refining the layout.

A family of four made their first overnight trip in a Toyota HiAce from Hyogo to Yokohama to attend Hanshin Tigers versus DeNA BayStars baseball games in 2016. Departing on 1 April around 20:00, they reached the Surugawan Numazu service area in Shizuoka at 3:30 and slept there, although the car park was nearly full. After Hanshin won both games on 2 and 3 April, the family returned to Hyogo, covering about 600 km and arriving home at 1:30. The account describes a personal experience rather than a vehicle test.

Headspace Campers has built an all-wheel-drive motorhome on a long-wheelbase Hiace H300, with 300 mm of ground clearance, diff locks and 35-inch tyres.

Japanese brand RecVee has presented the Country Club motorhome based on the Toyota Hiace. A waterproof area with a shower and portable toilet sits behind the rear door.

A Indonesian publication listed nine models popular in the local market as bases for camper van conversions. The list includes the Daihatsu Gran Max, Suzuki Carry, Toyota Hiace, Isuzu Traga, Nissan Evalia, Mitsubishi L300, Hyundai H-1, KIA Travello and Pregio, and the DFSK Gelora. Spacious cabins, durable engines and parts availability are named as the main selection criteria. The Gran Max and Carry are recommended for limited budgets, while the Hiace and H-1 suit larger families. The DFSK Gelora E is offered as an electric option.

Australian firm Free Roam Fitouts has built a Toyota Hiace camper van with a 4x4 conversion, a pop-up roof with a solar panel and a cleverly arranged interior.

NACS Nagoya has released the Santa Rosa Catalina conversion kit for the Toyota HiAce 200 Series, retaining five-seat van registration. The rear cabin features a walnut bed kit with two height settings that converts into a bed, a dinette with table and benches, or a cargo area for surfboards, snowboards and motorcycles. Storage space under the bed measures 550 mm in height, and the mattress covers use antique-style Duke leather. Standard equipment includes an SD-card navigation system, a reversing camera and an ETC unit.

The owner of a Retreat Anniversary camper van based on a Toyota HiAce, registered in Japan's category 8, had it inspected at an official Toyota dealership in Shizuoka Prefecture. He found that most chain car-accessory shops and petrol-station inspection services do not accept category 8 vehicles. The dealership required the interior to be completely emptied of belongings. Aftermarket eBi-eye side cameras and a 12V ONE COOL 21 air conditioner costing 491,260 yen did not prevent the vehicle from passing.

The author plans to buy a camper van in 2029 and will first rent a Toyota HiAce-based camper van for three nights and four days in early November. While preparing, he focused on night-time cold, heating and sleeping bags, but did not compare the bed length with his own height. Reports of back pain and cramped sleeping from other campers prompted the check. Before renting, he intends to ask the hire company where the sleeping area is, its length and width, and whether wall or storage protrusions affect the head and foot space.

Japanese converter FEEL has introduced the Glorious Ver.4 Simple Camping camper van based on the standard-width Toyota HiAce. It is registered as a camper, so it needs an inspection only every two years.

A Japanese blogger who has never used a camper van plans to rent a converted Toyota HiAce for four days and three nights in early November. The trip is intended to test whether the model he has chosen suits him before a planned purchase in 2029, for which he aims to save more than 5 million yen. The rental will be his first experience of sleeping in a vehicle. The itinerary includes gyoza, a hot spring and watching a race; the blogger also reviewed rules on overnight parking at roadside stations (michi-no-eki) and noted that the vehicle's height of about 2.1 m rules out most multi-storey car parks.

Toy Factory will present the Japan debut of the LAIKA KOSMO SUPREMO 60 at Nagoya Camping Car Fair 2026 on 7 and 8 November. Each of its three body colours will be sold as a single unit.

At the Osaka Camping Car Fair 2026 on 24 and 25 October, Rekvby will display seven vehicles, including the Solan, Country Club and MR Caranta built on the Toyota HiAce.

Administrative specialist Suzuki described the conversion of a 2019 Toyota HiAce TRH214 from category 3 to category 8 (camper registration). The owner installed a shower in the cabin to rinse off salt after water sports. According to the specialist, registration was completed without difficulty because the interior equipment met the required standards and a preliminary check had been carried out thoroughly. Compliance is determined by the cabin fittings rather than exterior appearance, and checks are recommended before equipment is installed.

On October 16, Gordon Miller announced the start of final orders for the GMLVAN C-01 from its original car label Gordon Miller Motors. Prices are 5,269,000 yen for the 2WD (FF) model and 5,599,000 yen for the 4WD model. The GMLVAN C-01 is based on the Nissan NV200 Vanette, which is smaller than the Toyota HiAce, and features a flexible interior with natural wood trim; body colors include Olive Drab and Coyote. Sales of the new vehicle will end with this final order due to the discontinuation of the base NV200 Vanette by the end of fiscal 2026. Gordon Miller currently has 16 vehicles secured and is negotiating additional units, but the number and timing remain undecided.

Two years ago, the owner of a Toyota HiAce Retreat Anniversary camper van installed a Stage 21 One Cool 21 12V air conditioner. The installation cost approximately 490,000 yen and took one week, with a loaner vehicle provided. The unit can run from both the battery and a direct external power connection. The owner states the device is compact and does not obstruct the interior. Overnight battery operation with a 200Ah capacity is only sufficient if no other appliances (lights, refrigerator) are used. The air conditioner is used for both camping and daily driving. No failures have occurred over two years of use.