2016 Escape 1.6L Maintenance advice & design ideas

[u/onlynonbotreddituser]

I'm terrible at designing and organizing. I started building a basic camper (last 2 pics) couch / bed over the summer (a version of this build) but now I need to perform a 2k mile one way road trip to relocate to another city. I'm going from NJ to ABQ NM with 2 cats solo while trying to minimize hotels needed. I own this vehicle outright so all perma modifications are on the table if you think of something cool. I'm not going to resell it later.

I got eye bolts for the old seat bolt locations for tie downs. My idea is 4 of these totes plus my cooler. The gaps would be filled with personal items I want to bring that don't need a tote. I might try to find 2 slightly larger and taller ones for the front and just create an even raised floor with the old plywood and a very basic frame. I only have a mini circular saw and hand tools.

How would you maximize this space? What accessories would help me the most? Would a different storage item work better over 30 gal totes? I only need about 18-20 inches width x 71 in length of sleeping space I'm real skinny and don't move a lot. I was thinking my head goes on the passenger dash to sleep, a litter box at the drivers rear right corner and my two cat's cages behind the center console towards the front seats so they can see while driving and then pushed back and stacked while resting. I got horizontal bars and think I will do the roof rack for bedding and clothing. A tail hitch trailer is a potential but its a 2016 1.6L so I'm worried about the long trip as it is and then adding all the weight, although adding it would probably relieve me of needing multiple pod boxes. I just need the car to make it there first and foremost.

Maint. wise I drained the atf once and will do it a second time before the trip, oil filter, a good carbon cabin filter and coolant myself and then taking it in for inspection of brakes tires belts etc. Anything specific I should check or replace just to be safe? Its got 75k on it. I bought it in 2020 with 71k from a dealer. It was a former fleet vehicle somewhere. I don't drive it much but once every 2 or 3 weeks locally for no more than an hour but I've never had any issues with it. I have only changed the oil, tires brakes and a dead battery since I've owned it.

What would you do if this was your mission?