Sleeping in Truck vs. Tent?

AppleTech · 04-26-08, 01:38 AM

Whenever I see people camping out here in the desert, I see them set up a tent and sleep out in the cold and wind all night and I think to myself... why not just crash in the 80?

If you put the seats up, there is room for two people side by side in sleeping bags... is there a reason why people don't camp IN their trucks?

Granted, I have only gone camping once, but I'm getting back into it and think i could save money by sleeping in the truck... what is the reason to want to sleep in a tent?

-Phil

lx450landcruiser · 04-26-08, 01:51 AM

i dont know about you but with my seats up (unless your a midget) theres not enough room to sleep in the back. if you remove the middle row completely theres enough room for people under 6 feet. or if you have a platform but not with the seats up
'

D'Animal · 04-26-08, 07:38 AM

Condensation in the morning can be a pain to deal with.

charleston · 04-26-08, 04:07 PM

My 80 sleeps two very comfortably! I have built a rear drawer system that is the same height as the mid seats when folded down. I then blow up the queen air mattress and slide it in and it fits perfectly. Get some screens and either tape them or use magnets to secure them to the sliders and your set. There are pictures of it here http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ml#post3118475

mkfour · 04-26-08, 05:28 PM

I sleep in the back all the time on shorter trips of 1-2 nights. Any longer than that then I set up a base camp style tent with a cot and other stuff. If the middle and rear rows are removed, a couple can fit in there as long as they aren't obese or are under 5'9" or so. The length is about 6 feet, but you need a little wiggle room. I open the window a little bit when I sleep in the back. No condensation problems so far.

photogod · 04-26-08, 10:34 PM

I'm 6'-2" and have plenty of room. Move the front seats up a couple inches and you have plenty of room. I have a full length storage system with no second row seats.

Skillet · 04-26-08, 10:56 PM

Moving all of my crap-o-la in and out of my rig and leaving it on the ground would not be cool. Not to mention, it could get ripped off.

Plus, my Engel resides on one side of my drawer system.

RTT, baby.

High Desert · 04-26-08, 11:13 PM

I'm with Skillet and D'animal..
Condensation, even in the desert makes a mess outta the windows and even the sleeping bag. If it happens to rain or snow and you crack a window..more h20 in the rig.

And I already load and unload to many times..with a modern quick pitch tent I just sleep in the lee of the rig and leave all my stuff locked up...save your coins and go RTT..sleep ON the rig not IN it..

mabrodis · 04-27-08, 10:24 AM

Sleeping in the vehicle is great I think. Only issue is having to move a bunch of stuff either outside or cram the front seats to the ceiling...I've never had an issue with condensation, just left a few windows open maybe an inch, also just leave the sunroof open a bit, which works fine around here...since it never rains..

One of my buddies only sleeps in his 4runner when we go camping (not backpacking obviously)...everyone else was out in tents getting pounded by rain and hail...he was in the 4runner watching Simpsons episodes on his laptop...it was awesome!

sprocket3 · 04-27-08, 01:12 PM

I have done it close to 10 times and had no trouble. Even the wife and i did it a few times in the 80. I'm 6'3" and can make it work with no middle or 3rd row seats. I need to move the front seat all the way forward though.

Crack some windows and tape screens over them if there are bug problems in your area. The only problem is moving the stuff around to make room in my opinion.

I'm finishing up a rear storage system that will allow everything to be underneath and i'll sleep on top so i don't have to pile it all up on one side or leave it out at night. I think it's great if you are on the move and not going to spend a long time in one place. A few times i just pulled off on a dirt road and got in back for the night, then get up and go in the morning.

webelk6 · 04-28-08, 09:54 AM

Me my two boys and myself in the middle fit just fine in my former fj62

619TOY · 04-28-08, 07:21 PM

I sleep in my rig almost exclusively. I have two very good tents but they are usually more work than they're worth. As far as unloading everything - I unload everything anyway, no wasted effort there. I will say that merely folding the center seats forward isn't a viable option though - either take out all of rear seats or build a platform as metioned earlier. I'm 6'2" and sleep in complete comfort in the rig. I'm not worried about somebody stealing anything either - I have a couple of light sleeping companions

Brentbba · 04-29-08, 10:23 AM

I sleep in the truck if it's just one night. Two nights - I'll pitch a tent. I built a drawer extension to Jeff Kaufman's excellent drawer system ( not near his quality work), but functional. It gives me a sleeping area 76" long (rear of drivers seat to hatch glass) and about 3' wide. Just perfect for my 5'11".

Much better on cold and especially windy nights than a tent. Just ask Cruiserdrew's son about windy nights in a tent vs in a truck!

Bluto · 04-29-08, 03:44 PM

I sleep in the truck and dont see myself ever sleeping in a tent outside.
Primary reason are the elements - rain, wind, snow, bears, mtn lions, and etc.
Second - I snore VERY loud. Totally uncool when other people are around me.

If I ever get a fridge, I should still have room for my medium build 5'6" frame.

rusty_tlc · 04-29-08, 05:04 PM

Sleeping in your rig is okay in the desert.
In more humid climates you will get a lot of condensation inside unless you keep the rig well vented. This can be a problem in cars when it is raining. You could rig a tarp over the rig which would allow the windows to be open and also give you some privacy.

Fedyschyn · 04-30-08, 12:00 AM

If you want to go camping, sleep in a tent. A proper tent for the season and situation paired with the right sleeping bag and pad will be perfectly comfortable. I can understand sleeping in the truck if It was just to catch some sleep on a trip or if I was in a time crunch. I have camped 30+ nights in the past 5 years and spent only one night in a vehicle.

Bogo · 04-30-08, 01:14 AM

For me sleeping in the truck means speed and protection. I want to be able to get up before dawn, and travel to the where I'll catch the sunrise. Likewise at the end of the day I'll photograph the sunset, then go to my camping spot. Using tents that means setup and tear down are at night. Lately I've been camping in grizzly territory often and have had a few to many bears interrupt things because of previous campers bad habits. As is I've been looking at converting my 4x4 Hilux into a micro RV for 1-2 people. Right now I sleep on the bench seat in the cab or in then bed under the cap. It's a bit cramped, but it works.

The Dude · 04-30-08, 06:51 PM

We sleep in our truck on our drawer/bed system. On humid nights we open the sunroof or crack a window. Never noticed it to be much of an issue, we love it. Bedding stays deployed and it is super quick to find a spot to park and hop in the back.

We also carry a tent for extended stays in one area or from a base camp.

AdventureBuddies · 05-01-08, 07:57 PM

depends on how much stuff you carry and if you mind hauling it all in and out every night and if the places you camp are secure enough to leave stuff out overnight. RTT solves your woes.

Trollhole · 05-02-08, 06:50 AM

PO gave me this when I bought the 80. Great idea and works very well. I take the rear and middle seats out. There is a simple little platform goes behind the front seats. I use a full air mattress which fits perfectly.

I like it because you have the whole tailgate to put stuff on. It's also has 4 windows with screens and a big large one over the rear. Very solid.

rusty_tlc · 05-02-08, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdventureBuddies

....RTT solves your woes.

Unless your not crazy about climbing a ladder to get in and out of bed.

pint · 05-02-08, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty_tlc

Unless your not crazy about climbing a ladder to get in and out of bed.

That's my concern. What happens when you have to pee at 3AM?

C6H12O6 · 05-02-08, 04:20 PM

You're a dude, right? Just pee off the top. Don't hit the Cruiser.

Niner · 05-02-08, 04:44 PM

Its called torque in the morning

FirstToy · 05-02-08, 05:29 PM

i like sleeping in the truck. never had any condensation problems
you can't really sleep very well w/ the 2nd row seats. maybe 1 person sleeping diagnolly. if you take them out, you have plenty of room for stuff and stretching out.

the only problem is if you carry a lot of stuff, you have to take it out. maybe not a big deal or maybe impossible.

rusty_tlc · 05-02-08, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pint

That's my concern. What happens when you have to pee at 3AM?

Nalgene bottle if your a dude. I travel with

, not so easy for her.

04-26-08, 01:38 AM	#1
AppleTech IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 317	Sleeping in Truck vs. Tent? Whenever I see people camping out here in the desert, I see them set up a tent and sleep out in the cold and wind all night and I think to myself... why not just crash in the 80? If you put the seats up, there is room for two people side by side in sleeping bags... is there a reason why people don't camp IN their trucks? Granted, I have only gone camping once, but I'm getting back into it and think i could save money by sleeping in the truck... what is the reason to want to sleep in a tent? -Phil __________________ 1996 FZJ80 - OEM Locked, BFG M/T KM 285/70-17 on OEM FJC Wheels, IPOR Skid Plate, CDL switch/Pin-7 Mod, Scangauge II, Cobra 18WX STII/Firestik II 3'

04-26-08, 01:51 AM	#2
lx450landcruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bellingham wa/prescott az Posts: 2,305	i dont know about you but with my seats up (unless your a midget) theres not enough room to sleep in the back. if you remove the middle row completely theres enough room for people under 6 feet. or if you have a platform but not with the seats up ' __________________ 1996 LX450 ARB, dual batteries, remote starter, 760 watt sub woofer, in dash CB, Custom switch pannel, cut and turn mod, magnaflow, custom rear bumper, rock lights, 2.5 lift, snorkle. clear side lights, CSC alum spacers, 33s, and more to come.

04-26-08, 07:38 AM	#3
D'Animal Beagles Rule! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central California TLCA# 17104 Posts: 8,829	Condensation in the morning can be a pain to deal with. __________________ Cruiser Dan at American Toyota Phone is 1-800-432-6668 ext. 8 (I am not cruiser Dan) My Tow Rig = http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-cor...g-tow-rig.html

04-26-08, 04:07 PM	#4
charleston IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: James Island SC Posts: 222	My 80 sleeps two very comfortably! I have built a rear drawer system that is the same height as the mid seats when folded down. I then blow up the queen air mattress and slide it in and it fits perfectly. Get some screens and either tape them or use magnets to secure them to the sliders and your set. There are pictures of it here http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ml#post3118475 __________________ 95 FZJ80 locked, storaged, lifted, arb'd, 285/75r16 bfg at, 111k miles 93 FZJ80 unlucked 186k, sold.. http://www.dustinryan.com

04-26-08, 10:34 PM	#6
photogod I'm really very humble Join Date: May 2004 Location: MN Posts: 1,262	I'm 6'-2" and have plenty of room. Move the front seats up a couple inches and you have plenty of room. I have a full length storage system with no second row seats. __________________ 94 FZJ80, factory locked with mods worth more than the truck.

04-26-08, 05:28 PM	#5
mkfour IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 296	I sleep in the back all the time on shorter trips of 1-2 nights. Any longer than that then I set up a base camp style tent with a cot and other stuff. If the middle and rear rows are removed, a couple can fit in there as long as they aren't obese or are under 5'9" or so. The length is about 6 feet, but you need a little wiggle room. I open the window a little bit when I sleep in the back. No condensation problems so far.

04-26-08, 10:56 PM	#7
Skillet brings the pain Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,255	Moving all of my crap-o-la in and out of my rig and leaving it on the ground would not be cool. Not to mention, it could get ripped off. Plus, my Engel resides on one side of my drawer system. RTT, baby. __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

04-26-08, 11:13 PM	#8
High Desert IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 1,016	I'm with Skillet and D'animal.. Condensation, even in the desert makes a mess outta the windows and even the sleeping bag. If it happens to rain or snow and you crack a window..more h20 in the rig. And I already load and unload to many times..with a modern quick pitch tent I just sleep in the lee of the rig and leave all my stuff locked up...save your coins and go RTT..sleep ON the rig not IN it.. __________________ 1984 FJ60, 102k miles, OME med/heavy, BFG/MT 33X9.50 on Stock Wheels, ARB Bullbar W/Warn 8274, Tuffy Console.

04-27-08, 10:24 AM	#9
mabrodis Ih8mud stalker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 1,033	Sleeping in the vehicle is great I think. Only issue is having to move a bunch of stuff either outside or cram the front seats to the ceiling...I've never had an issue with condensation, just left a few windows open maybe an inch, also just leave the sunroof open a bit, which works fine around here...since it never rains.. One of my buddies only sleeps in his 4runner when we go camping (not backpacking obviously)...everyone else was out in tents getting pounded by rain and hail...he was in the 4runner watching Simpsons episodes on his laptop...it was awesome! __________________ "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." -William Arthur Ward '96 4runner, 3.4L, 5sp, E-locker... '85 Mini, 2nd owner...add-ons: 31" MTRs, oil & dirt stains... '00 Echo, 1.5L of FURY!

04-27-08, 01:12 PM	#10
sprocket3 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 281	I have done it close to 10 times and had no trouble. Even the wife and i did it a few times in the 80. I'm 6'3" and can make it work with no middle or 3rd row seats. I need to move the front seat all the way forward though. Crack some windows and tape screens over them if there are bug problems in your area. The only problem is moving the stuff around to make room in my opinion. I'm finishing up a rear storage system that will allow everything to be underneath and i'll sleep on top so i don't have to pile it all up on one side or leave it out at night. I think it's great if you are on the move and not going to spend a long time in one place. A few times i just pulled off on a dirt road and got in back for the night, then get up and go in the morning. __________________ -2000 UZJ100 -1997 LX450

04-28-08, 09:54 AM	#11
webelk6 Brewers in '08! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: God's Country Posts: 660	Me my two boys and myself in the middle fit just fine in my former fj62 Attached Images __________________ 04/75 fj40 slowly under resto...... build thread http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/99015-04-75-frame-off.html '94 FZJ80 (DJ81) with 14k gold emblems(wifes) '06 Tundra/Work Truck Model Iforce V-8 ( paint/estimating rig)

04-28-08, 07:21 PM	#12
619TOY IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 997	I sleep in my rig almost exclusively. I have two very good tents but they are usually more work than they're worth. As far as unloading everything - I unload everything anyway, no wasted effort there. I will say that merely folding the center seats forward isn't a viable option though - either take out all of rear seats or build a platform as metioned earlier. I'm 6'2" and sleep in complete comfort in the rig. I'm not worried about somebody stealing anything either - I have a couple of light sleeping companions __________________ Steve '97 LX 450 with Slee 6", 35" Toyo's, Slee front, 4X4 Labs rear, Hanna sliders, 5.29's, front and rear chromoly axles and the two Dober's: Zeus and Zoey

04-29-08, 10:23 AM	#13
Brentbba On the Golf Course! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA TLCA# 13420 Posts: 4,839	I sleep in the truck if it's just one night. Two nights - I'll pitch a tent. I built a drawer extension to Jeff Kaufman's excellent drawer system ( not near his quality work), but functional. It gives me a sleeping area 76" long (rear of drivers seat to hatch glass) and about 3' wide. Just perfect for my 5'11". Much better on cold and especially windy nights than a tent. Just ask Cruiserdrew's son about windy nights in a tent vs in a truck! __________________ Brent '94 White LC; Kaymar Rear Bumper w/tire carrier; Hanna Sliders; ARB winch ready Front Bumper; Slee Transfer Case Skid Plate; Revo 285's, OME 850/863 Heavy 2" lift, INTI Rack; Warn M12000 Winch, Snorkel; Sputnik! TLCA Member #13420

04-29-08, 03:44 PM	#14
Bluto IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CAKI6KZFNLACo.---->N. LA Co. CA Posts: 793	I sleep in the truck and dont see myself ever sleeping in a tent outside. Primary reason are the elements - rain, wind, snow, bears, mtn lions, and etc. Second - I snore VERY loud. Totally uncool when other people are around me. If I ever get a fridge, I should still have room for my medium build 5'6" frame. __________________ Alan 95 FZJ80

04-30-08, 12:00 AM	#16
Fedyschyn IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: JMU/Chesapeake, VA Posts: 60	If you want to go camping, sleep in a tent. A proper tent for the season and situation paired with the right sleeping bag and pad will be perfectly comfortable. I can understand sleeping in the truck if It was just to catch some sleep on a trip or if I was in a time crunch. I have camped 30+ nights in the past 5 years and spent only one night in a vehicle.

05-02-08, 04:20 PM	#23
C6H12O6 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Beaverton, Oregon TLCA# 16307 Posts: 772	You're a dude, right? Just pee off the top. Don't hit the Cruiser. __________________ If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly. Steve the Fly Fishing Science Teacher 1995 FZJ80 ~ Lockers, winchless ARB, 2.5" OME, bent-up, rattling, leaky Borla exhaust, MetalTech Sliders, multiple oil leaks, 285 Revos. http://web.mac.com/stevenlent/cruiser/cruiser.html

05-02-08, 04:44 PM	#24
Niner I lurk there for I am! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Readfield, WI TLCA# 13372 Posts: 859 Blog Entries: 1	Its called torque in the morning __________________ Chris Hannis, TLCA #13372 2008 FJ Cruiser, Bud Built 5, Warn Bull Bar, 9.5TI, OME Heavies all around. 1971 FJ 40, 400 SBC, th400, Dana 20 Tcase, F/R Dana 44's, Front 4 link, rear spring over 1993 4 Runner (the Girlfriends) Stock for sale. A bunch of stuff thats for sale

04-30-08, 01:14 AM	#17
Bogo IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Village Posts: 160	For me sleeping in the truck means speed and protection. I want to be able to get up before dawn, and travel to the where I'll catch the sunrise. Likewise at the end of the day I'll photograph the sunset, then go to my camping spot. Using tents that means setup and tear down are at night. Lately I've been camping in grizzly territory often and have had a few to many bears interrupt things because of previous campers bad habits. As is I've been looking at converting my 4x4 Hilux into a micro RV for 1-2 people. Right now I sleep on the bench seat in the cab or in then bed under the cap. It's a bit cramped, but it works. __________________ Chaos. it's a fact of life.

04-30-08, 06:51 PM	#18
The Dude IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK TLCA# 8113 Posts: 873	We sleep in our truck on our drawer/bed system. On humid nights we open the sunroof or crack a window. Never noticed it to be much of an issue, we love it. Bedding stays deployed and it is super quick to find a spot to park and hop in the back. We also carry a tent for extended stays in one area or from a base camp. __________________ Brad T 88 HJ61 "Marmaduke " 12H-T, A440, extreme valve body, PI, cable lockers, PTO winch, SOA, 2" body lift, FF, ARP studs, Longfields, 5.29s, 38x14.5R16 Toyo MTs... 78 BJ 40/42/60

05-01-08, 07:57 PM	#19
AdventureBuddies IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 168	depends on how much stuff you carry and if you mind hauling it all in and out every night and if the places you camp are secure enough to leave stuff out overnight. RTT solves your woes. __________________ 97 CE: BFG AT 315s, OME heavies, 3x locked pin7, 4.56, ARB front, M12000, Kaymar rear, snorkle, Husky, seat covers, sub tank, Maggiolina Grand Tour RTT. "It's a shame that at this moment all of the people who best know how to govern the world are busy drinking beer."

05-02-08, 06:50 AM	#20
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 7,782	PO gave me this when I bought the 80. Great idea and works very well. I take the rear and middle seats out. There is a simple little platform goes behind the front seats. I use a full air mattress which fits perfectly. I like it because you have the whole tailgate to put stuff on. It's also has 4 windows with screens and a big large one over the rear. Very solid. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way.

05-02-08, 05:29 PM	#25
FirstToy tlcwagons.org Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,293	i like sleeping in the truck. never had any condensation problems you can't really sleep very well w/ the 2nd row seats. maybe 1 person sleeping diagnolly. if you take them out, you have plenty of room for stuff and stretching out. the only problem is if you carry a lot of stuff, you have to take it out. maybe not a big deal or maybe impossible. __________________ TLCA#14645 BRC#41798 I love cachapas! my wip I drink your milkshake!