Camping - sleeping in tent or in rig?
- Thread starter Clunky
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I sleep inside my truck. I have never had a good nights sleep in a tent. On the ground sucks, on an air mattress is cold sleeping pads are pretty good. A cargo drawer built or bought that is the same height as the second row seats when folded over provides a great sleeping platform. Tent cots are pretty slick, but don't fit two well and can be a bit bulky to stow. Murf can probably give you the 411 as he has more hours in his tent cot than anyone I know. I would think if it was fairly cold out the airspace under the cot might make things pretty chilly. When my wife is with me we sleep in a hotel
SOAZtim
Hobo
Size is perfect for an 80. Nice and tight so no bugs get in. Just got back from using them this past weekend.
Also, after I reorganized my rear drawer setup we now have it where nothing sits on top of the bed. It's nice to pull into camp and just crawl into the back if it's late. It also makes it safer so there isn't a clothing bag barreling down on me as I tilt the truck down a steep ledge.
I started with sleeping in the truck on a blowup twin mattress which fits with the 2nd and 3rd rows out, then I went to my Hennessey Deep Jungle hammock, then I went to my REI Half Dome 2 tent on TOP of my truck using a folding plywood deck that lives on my roof rack. This was born of necessity when we kept going on runs without trees for the hammocks. Now that my kids join me on most every trip we use a combination of all 3 options with 2x hammocks, the inside and the tent on top, I can sleep 5-6 and nobody is on the ground. I'm building a platform for the rear the same height as the 2nd row which is very slick. For proof of concept work, I propped up the 2nd row with a long 2x4 on edge to level the seat out which ends up being about 12" tall. We experimented with this method using my subwoofer (14") and a tool box (12") and a 1/2" sheet of plywood 2'x6' hinged for storage. I have a wire shelf attic rack between the 3rd row handle mounts for gear. If i do go by myself, I love the REI roof tent best, then inside using LCP window socks second, then the hammock third if there are trees.
Got any pictures of the REI tent setup on the roof? I have researched that idea and would like to see your setup. Thanks
murf
Lifer
One benefit of sleeping inside the truck would be avoiding the wind that seems to kick up frequently when camping outdoors. In direct wind, any tent will flap all night and can be disturbing to the needed beauty sleep 
So its all about stategic placement: I have found in windy conditions, Ill move my LC sideways to the wind as a windbreak and move my cot near the rear tire/downwind side of my LandCrusier, this reduces the direct wind on the cot greatly.
So its all about stategic placement: I have found in windy conditions, Ill move my LC sideways to the wind as a windbreak and move my cot near the rear tire/downwind side of my LandCrusier, this reduces the direct wind on the cot greatly.
One benefit of sleeping inside the truck would be avoiding the wind that seems to kick up frequently when camping outdoors. In direct wind, any tent will flap all night and can be disturbing to the needed beauty sleep
This.
As someone who has slept in a tent at elevation in 35mph winds, I do prefer the inside of the truck if it's windy.
I need to do a write up and get some pics uploaded. With the death of the Mud App, my multimedia postings have gone by the wayside.
Silicone earplugs are the best addition to any sleeping choice.
OK, I've posted my REI RTT solution for those interested. REI Roof Top Tent (RTT) on Prinsu Designs Rack
I've been camping since I was a baby, and have slept in a wide variety of vehicles and tents.
Tents or a tarp are useful for backpacking if there are any weather issues looming.
Vehicles and trailers are useful when you camp where there is a possibility of contact with dangerous critters like snakes, scorpions, bears
On long trips with a basecamp I set up the tent to store the stuff from the cruiser while I'm driving around. I also use the tent when it is too unbearably hot inside the vehicle to sleep (so what if its dangerous!).
In the last year I have camped in a tent, in the FJ40, in the Tacoma, and in my 97 Nissan Sentra. All three vehicles have custom sleeping platforms and are just as comfortable as my bed at home. The tent can be as comfortable if I lay down a plywood base and then three layers of foam (imagine Princess
& the pea). Air mattresses are cold in the winter and always seem to leak after a while.
A good cheap start is one or two layers of exercise mats (can't leak!) and several heavy blankets. Sleeping bags are convenient, but you really need to try a lot of them before you find what you like - don't delay camping due to lack of equipment! I use regular size pillows unless I'm backpacking, and then I just use rolled up clothes.
My wife says that I can fall asleep anywhere, so take all this with a grain of salt
.
Tents or a tarp are useful for backpacking if there are any weather issues looming.
Vehicles and trailers are useful when you camp where there is a possibility of contact with dangerous critters like snakes, scorpions, bears
On long trips with a basecamp I set up the tent to store the stuff from the cruiser while I'm driving around. I also use the tent when it is too unbearably hot inside the vehicle to sleep (so what if its dangerous!
).In the last year I have camped in a tent, in the FJ40, in the Tacoma, and in my 97 Nissan Sentra. All three vehicles have custom sleeping platforms and are just as comfortable as my bed at home. The tent can be as comfortable if I lay down a plywood base and then three layers of foam (imagine Princess
& the pea). Air mattresses are cold in the winter and always seem to leak after a while.A good cheap start is one or two layers of exercise mats (can't leak!) and several heavy blankets. Sleeping bags are convenient, but you really need to try a lot of them before you find what you like - don't delay camping due to lack of equipment! I use regular size pillows unless I'm backpacking, and then I just use rolled up clothes.
My wife says that I can fall asleep anywhere, so take all this with a grain of salt
.
hj 60
JT1W0HJ6000960839
When alone I remove the rear bench and sleep on foam, when tired and driving long distance I sometimes sleep while my brother drives.
Sometimes he sleeps next to me when we are just to tired to set up camp or bad weather (mostly 5 hour a night sleep for a few weeks) or in a pop up tent.
I have never tried a rooftop tent and don't see the need/fun of it at all.
I moved most stuff to boxes because I consider sleeping inside very safe considering weather, animals and drunk drivers that might drive over a tent or something humanly stupid.
the kids can sleep in the boat and we have a big tent that is very nice for longer periods:
Anyway if you sleep inside building a drawer platform or something is nice because if a lot of stuff in on the bed there is no space to sleep.
happy camping, waking up in the cruiser is never dull!
Sometimes he sleeps next to me when we are just to tired to set up camp or bad weather (mostly 5 hour a night sleep for a few weeks) or in a pop up tent.
I have never tried a rooftop tent and don't see the need/fun of it at all.
I moved most stuff to boxes because I consider sleeping inside very safe considering weather, animals and drunk drivers that might drive over a tent or something humanly stupid.
the kids can sleep in the boat and we have a big tent that is very nice for longer periods:
Anyway if you sleep inside building a drawer platform or something is nice because if a lot of stuff in on the bed there is no space to sleep.
happy camping, waking up in the cruiser is never dull!
Lots of interesting stuff here. Last major camping trip was in the tent on the ground in windy 25 degrees at night Death Valley... I'm done with that. We're going to explore Colorado in a few weeks and I'm renting a SoCal Teardrop Krawler from Off The Grid Rentals (Sierra Expeditions):
murf
Lifer
there must be a story behind that one! I would vote that as my last option. 
murf
Lifer
Lots of interesting stuff here. Last major camping trip was in the tent on the ground in windy 25 degrees at night Death Valley... I'm done with that. We're going to explore Colorado in a few weeks and I'm renting a SoCal Teardrop Krawler from Off The Grid Rentals (Sierra Expeditions):
very nice. please post up a report on it when you return.
Yes I plan to. This is kind of a "would I want to own this?" deal. Been looking at these for a while. Plus my wife thinks they're cute.
- Thread starter
- #37
The rentals are kind of expensive, but what a great way to "try before you buy"!
Cheaper than a motel room. And they have ARB fridges, too!
- Thread starter
- #39
I guess they really aren't all that expensive. I considered renting one of these for HIH, but I was going to have to do it for 5 or 6 nights. Once I added up the rental, I started thinking those funds would take me a long way towards installing a drawer system and sleeping platform instead.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Brad had one of the coolest drag in setups.
In hot or cold weather, I like a small easy to erect small frame in the perfect spot.
In hot or cold weather, I like a small easy to erect small frame in the perfect spot.
