Drive around Central Oregon a while and you’re sure to see plenty of vehicles with “mods,” or modifications, aimed at adding space for people, pets and property. From kitted-out camper vans to full rooftop tents, awnings and cargo boxes, locals like to add a little extra to their rides.
Storage options
Storage and comfort are top priorities for car owners prepping for a getaway in the woods or road tripping with lots of passengers, or even just regular driving at night, say local experts.
Matt Massingale, owner of Cascade Rack in Bend, said that “whether you’re camping out of a Subaru or traveling with the family for Thanksgiving,” comfort is key. Along those lines, he said installing a cargo box on a car’s roof or attaching one using a hitch mount is straightforward for most vehicles and provides ample storage. That means bags and sundries aren’t being crammed under peoples’ legs or smooshing them in their seats during a long car ride.
“A lot of cargo boxes are bigger than the backs of most hatchbacks, so you get a lot of storage room that way,” said Massingale. There are also bike and kayak racks that can be installed to maximize weekend fun.
Cargo bags, baskets and platforms are also handy and provide varying levels of storage. Another important facet to consider is comfort while camping. Roof tents are a popular modification and can be installed on many vehicles. Massingale said small-car owners shouldn’t be discouraged, thinking their car is too small for cool modifications like rooftop tents.
Matt Massingale, owner of Cascade Rack in Bend
Day-to-day cars are a great platform for traveling and camping. It’s pretty easy nowadays with the array of products out there.”
Types of vehicles
“Most vehicles we end up working on are smaller, more economical vehicles,” he said. “Most of the bigger trucks we do, we’re outfitting for construction and work use. But day-to-day cars are a great platform for traveling and camping. It’s pretty easy nowadays with the array of products out there.”
A handy and “support local” offering he pointed to is a Luno mattress, which Massingale said is “easy to toss in” a car for a weekend trip to the woods. Luno, a Bend-based company, has an array of car-camping gear, including a variety of vehicle mattresses, storage solutions and window screens.
New or upgraded lighting
Massingale said that new or upgraded lighting is another modification that aids in safety and comfort. Upgraded fog lights are a popular modification as is the installation of additional off-road lights.
“We do a lot of lighting modifications, like adding better fog lights,” Massingale said. “As the days get shorter, people start thinking about light.”
Gabriel Christian, owner of Import Performance Auto Repair in Bend, said fall is a great time to check all exterior lights to ensure they’re working properly and show no signs of damage. Scratched headlights or dim bulbs can make it hard to see at night, but fixing damage and installing LED lights definitely helps, he said.
“One thing I’ve had a lot of people overlook is fogging of car lights. The lenses can get fogged and then people complain that they can’t see very good at night,” said Christian, explaining there’s a special tool his shop uses to sand and recoat plastic lights so they’re like new. “People are usually really happy with that because they feel like they can see at night a lot better.”
This article appears in High Desert Horsepower, Fall 2026.
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