200 Series Rear Cargo Length

[CameraWagonMk2]

Hello all,
I'm shopping for a replacement for my 4th gen 4Runner and a 2008-2011 200 series Land Cruiser is at the top of my list. I spend 10-15 days a year car camping in the back of my 4Runner (likely twice that this fall), where I can fit a full size cot. What I'm wondering is how much length is there in the back with the 2nd and 3rd row seats folded?

I think I'd pull the 3rd row immediately. But the way the 2nd row folds has me concerned in terms of sleeping room. How tall is the 2nd row seat when folded from the floor? (when it's resting up against the back of the front seat.) In the 4Runner (with non adjustable rear seats) the cushion splits from the back so the floor is flat when everything is folded.

I'd really love to have that 5.7 V8, and lot more refinement and tech in a vehicle that can do double duty as a daily driver/overland rig.

Thanks for any help.

 

[linuxgod]

The rear seats fold up kind of crappy - they don't lock in place when folded all the way back, so they'll tall on your head (or feet) if you're sleeping back there unless you secure them somehow. I haven't measured but I suspect unless you're 5'2 it'l be an awfully tight squeeze like that.

The preferred way to fit a queen air mattress in the back is to get a set of ARB drawers for the trunk. Then fold the back seat down but dont flip it up. The drawers are the height of the back seat when folded down and makes for a platform

 

[bloc]

Second row tumbles forward with built in straps to hold them up, so you have a more or less flat floor from the tailgate to the tumbled second row when in that position. The one exception is an approximately one inch gradual step between the wheel well bumps. It is higher toward the rear. I just put a thick sleeping pad along the floor and the bump hasn’t bothered me yet.

As far as length, it is less than six feet with the second row tumbled. I remove the second row for big trips where I’ll be sleeping inside the rig to get enough room to lie flat. With the second row out it’s probably 6’7” or so. Lots of room.

I considered doing drawers and a mattress on top but found headroom quite valuable when I actually want to sit up where I end up sleeping. That was my second biggest complaint with my old 4Runner.. not enough headroom in back.

 

[CharlieS]

With middle seats flipped up and tailgate closed, you have about 170 cm of length. The seats are about 72 cm high when folded up.

 

[Markuson]

IMHO.
The best solution for sleeping in back **if you wanna keep the second row seats in?**

-ARB drawers or similar-dimension Dobindon’s, home-made etc.

They mate almost perfectly with the folded height/surface created by the second row (or either side only if you prefer) folded DOWN...*But NOT UP against the front row.**

This creates more than 80 inches of sleep length, which is more than tall enough for my 6’3” 250lb self...in combination with an Exped or similar 3-4’ tall mattress. A 30” wide Exped fits literally perfectly (or even the slightly longer others available) even with either side of the second row up.

See below, as the armrest in the middle can make either side 30+ inches wide...which is perfect.

If you need to sleep 2 ppl...either the wide Exped...or two narrower singles fit with both 2nd row sides folded down.

I did this through most of Baja trip and other solo trips.

 

[TeCKis300]

I do a lot of camping. To places where I can't bring my RV, I car camp. Ground tent camping is my 3rd choice, but sometimes that's the only choice at campgrounds where the car has to be parked off-site.

My preference when car camping is to use a hatch tent. It sets up quick and easy. Makes for a huge flat space in the cargo area with the tailgate down to extend the space. It also provides ventilation and shade. (Napier Sportz Cove, 61500)

Whatever you do, also look into window screens. It's like a sock made of stretchy screen material, that fits over the door frame. Allowing one to roll down the windows with a screen/privacy screen in place. More ventilation to reduce potential for condensation.

 

[CameraWagonMk2]

Wow. These are great replies. Lots of good info to consider. Thanks.

 

[Markuson]

I also use window screens.

In Baja tho. It was sooo windy and loud a couple nights...I was glad to not have an open hatch because it was sooo loud outside. Still blew a battery-powers fan out cracked 2nd row windows screens to avoid massive condensation from breathing all night...but was like a little noise caccoon where the ability to close the back was perfect. Also true when sleeping in the noisy campfire zone of the Cruise Moab campground last year.

In the heat? I do like that hatch tent idea though.
Options are good. Conditions change.

Last example... in the dead of winter, I simply could not stay awake, and had to sleep in the freezing cold. Ended up running the engine for several hours in my cozy, enclosed setup. Was (maybe literally) a life saver. Also...it’s amazing how little fuel it actually takes to idle for long periods with the heater on. Teas a huge relief for my heavy eyelids in the middle of nowhere at about 10 degrees F.

 

[CameraWagonMk2]

I'll definitely have to consider those screens. I'm doing a cross country drive to upstate NY in August. Certainly the possibility heat and humidity. Usually I'm headed into the Sierra or down to the Southwest. Mid 20's are about as cold as I've dealt with in the back of the 4Runner. But my down bag kept me nice and toasty. The nice thing about the 4Runner is it "breaths" with all the windows up. Certainly not that air tight, so no condensation issues.

 

[bloc]

I have to drive 14hrs to get to the good stuff and routinely sleep in the truck at rest stops or random exits off the highway. Not being able to stretch out with the hatch closed would be a big drawback, personally.

I’ll look into the tent idea though.. for some situations it would be great

 

[Markuson]

I have to drive 14hrs to get to the good stuff and routinely sleep in the truck at rest stops or random exits off the highway. Not being able to stretch out with the hatch closed would be a big drawback, personally.

I’ll look into the tent idea though.. for some situations it would be great

^^This^^

Try snoozing at a rest stop with 18-wheeler brakes releasing every few random minutes and you’ll be pining for a closed hatch. -Speaking from experience, and appreciation of the “cocoon” of a closed hatch.

 

[CharlieS]

You can also buy screen material and magnets at the hardware store and use the magnets to hold the screen over the windows. Low budget, but functional for camping.

 

[ArnieC]

When I sleep in the back I go kitty-corner and it works just fine for me. 6'2", 240. Considering a set of the ARB drawers for when I want to go with the Mrs. Just spent some $$$ on a fridge so it might be a minute or two till I can get the drawers.