Kei Truck Transformed Into A Compact, Four-Berth Tiny Home On Wheels

Daily Car

·

16/02/2026

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A company called Direct Cars turns the small Daihatsu Hijet kei truck into a camper named Dune Rover. The result is a box no longer than a city car but fitted with everything needed for short trips.

Main points

The Dune Rover is a micro camper built on the Daihatsu Hijet kei truck chassis.
Two double beds allow four people to sleep inside.
Equipment includes a sink, a 35-litre fridge, a microwave and an air conditioner.
Direct Cars also sells an urban oriented variant called the PLAT.
List price for the Dune Rover opens at about $38,100.

Outside and inside

The body receives a scratch resistant Raptor coating plus black trim. A rear door with electric steps gives entry. The roof is kept high so occupants can stand almost upright. Laminate panels besides LED strips create the same mood found in larger motorhomes.

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Beds for four

By lowering the table, the front dinette with two sofas turns into the first double bed. A second double mattress sits on a shelf above the cab. Four adults fit if they lie shoulder-to-shoulder - the truck itself still carries only two seat belted passengers - the other two must reach the site separately.

Compact facilities

The kitchen block holds a sink, a 35-litre fridge and a microwave. A roof mounted air-conditioner keeps the temperature steady. Storage drawers hide beneath the bed frame. USB sockets and ambient lighting line the walls. The interior has no toilet or shower, a trade off dictated by the short body.

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Electrical system

A 100Ah lithium ion battery feeds all appliances - buyers can choose a 200Ah pack. Up to two 100W solar panels charge the battery when the truck parks off grid. The drivetrain stays stock - a 660cc three cylinder petrol engine rated at 63 hp drives the rear wheels.

City version but also cost

The PLAT variant adopts a smooth composite roof, a side sliding door, an awning and a larger kitchen worktop. It starts at roughly $28,000. The Dune Rover, with its tougher coating and larger battery, begins at $38,100 as well as rises to $45,800 when every option is added.

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