1st time sleeping in the LX (1 Viewer)

[RavenTai]

Raven, that's the exact setup i use except i put the lower gate down as well. Works awesome in the summer. In the winter i just use my NorthFace dome tent fly in place of the mosquito netting.

With the tail gate down does the netting still keep the rain out? If so I need to get a bigger net. Would be nice to not have to go sleep diagonally corner to corner and have the ability to sleep two (you never know it could happen )

Went camping this past weekend. I have a nice little setup that allows for a great night sleep. It is called the Explorer 2 tent - fits right onthe back end.

I just put the gear up top and on the ground and valuables in the front seats. Threw some air pads down and there is plenty of room for my wife and I to sleep. I may take out the 3rd row next time as it is kind of narrow.

I just cracked the rear sliding windows and had no issues with bugs or fogging.

The website is http://www.tentsontrucks.com/explorer.html

Derek

That is pretty neat looking, not to expensive either does it fit well? Keep mosquitoes and rain out?

 

[concretejungle]

No, the netting doesn't keep the rain out. If they are calling for rain i'll go ahead and throw the fly on the end instead of the netting. But if it's nice out the net makes a nice cover for the end of the truck. Fits like a glove, and sleeps quit nice.

 

[MoJ]

Glued some magnetic stripping to fiberglass screen to cover the sunroof and rear sliders. Works great and folds up so it doesn't take much storage space.

 

[Harridig]

RavenTai -

We rolled into the site around 9:00pm - it set up in about 10 minutes
even with a mini-mag light and the camp host checking to see what was
going on.

The so-called tent - fits quite well and is very easy to set up, it
uses bungee cords to hold into place, which fit nicely under the
tailgate and over the top of the tail which connect to the wheel
wells. It is not too bad of a climb either - I guess it does really
depend on your lift though.

The only problem I can see with this setup could be with rain. After
dousing the 80 with a simulated rain storm, not like Seattle rain but
like a Texas rain storm (I lived in Texas for 2 years - so know how
they are), there was some leaking from the sides dripping from the
top. The top portion of the tent is held in place by the bungee cords
and so there is no real seal keeping water out. The water would drain
via the molding area and down the sides and would drip inside.

I guess if you have your nose pointed down-hill in an event of a rain
storm you should be okay but I really wouldn't want to be out in
anything too serious.

As for mosquitoes, I just had to make sure to keep the door closed as
George's LED's do attract them like none other!

As for now, this is our camping setup and works real well. The tent
is very compact as well.

Let me kow if you want more pictures or information on this setup -

Derek

 

[hoser]

Have you thought about "seam sealing" it? Or is it leaking through the fabric?

 

[Harridig]

Hoser-

Are you talking about seam sealing via the tent fabric to the top of the 80 where the water comes under the tent?

I guess some duct tape would work in a real bad storm if we needed it. If that happened, I would just close up the rear end and clean up in the morning!

Derek

 

[hoser]

I just re-read your post and understand what you are talking about now. Nevermind the seam sealer suggestion.

On your recommendation, I think I'll be buying one of these tents.

 

[OZCAL]

I've done the driver's seat napping thing and IMO, it SUCKS!

Doug I find that if you remove the headrest, your neck gets a little more of a relaxed position (as your head hangs back) and it is actually almost comfortable. I also move in to the passenger seat.

David

 

[raiders]

http://www.mycolorado.org/4runner_camping.html

 

[elum]

Went camping this past weekend. I have a nice little setup that allows for a great night sleep. It is called the Explorer 2 tent - fits right onthe back end.

I just put the gear up top and on the ground and valuables in the front seats. Threw some air pads down and there is plenty of room for my wife and I to sleep. I may take out the 3rd row next time as it is kind of narrow.

I just cracked the rear sliding windows and had no issues with bugs or fogging.

The website is http://www.tentsontrucks.com/explorer.html

Derek

Great link and info.. thanks!!!

 

[Timoss]

There are these things called Window Sox, which are basically a pouch made of screen that slides over your entire window and frame, so you can open and close your window with it on. It's an OZ product and really reasonable--under $25 if I recall. Only available for rear doors. A guy has started distributing them in the U.S.:

Tel: 832-615-3002
Email: sales@windowsox.net

Tim
88 fj62 TLCA

 

[aedgington]

The Explorer 2 looks pretty nifty. Are there not cabin lights that stay on w/ the lift & tail gates open?

 

[RavenTai]

yes there are lights but you can flip the latch in the lift gate to tuen them off, a screwdriver or knife will do, just dont forget to release the latch before closing the lift gate (big bang)

 

[aedgington]

i went out in the garage after i posted that, i also have lights in the rear passenger doors. i need to see if they're time delayed.

 

[RavenTai]

they are not time delayed, they will go off with the back latch.

 

[Boston Mangler]

sleeping in the 80 is very nice, i did it for the first time this weekend in pismo, via a sleeping platform i made. i am 6'3" and 265lbs and it worked great!

here is the little write up

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/budgetstorage.htm

i am eventually going to build a super nice one with sliding drawers and such once i get the spare tire carrier done.

anyone want this thing for $100?

 

[CruisinGA]

I normally sleep with the tailgate down and hatch up. (I'm 6'2")

Slept through a few rainstorms this way, didn't get very wet at all.

I agree, it sure beats the hell out of a tent.