Sleeping in vehicle

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Anybody use their vehicle to sleep in while camping? As much as I love my tent I would like to just sleep in the back of my Pathfinder once in a while, but would want the windows down for ventilation. However, there is the bug issue to deal with so I was thinking about screens for the windows. Can you buy them, or do you make your own?

[goblueM]

yep sleep in the vehicle all the time. usually in the back of a pickup with a topper in it, the windows are screened

I hate paying for camping, sleeping in the vehicle is great.

i wouldn't worry about ventilation for air, so much as temperature control. i'm sure you could fashion some screens, or buy one -

i know there are ones out there with magnets (google "Skeeter Beater")

[Comit 2]

Maybe you can hang a mosquito net over one side of your vehicle so you can open the windows on that side. You could use some rod holder magnets to hold it in place.

[pushbutton]

The tent is for day use and the truck/suv is for sleeping; no waking up with a wet floor, and a great place to ride out a storm. I just use a recycled piece of screen cut to size and fold over and iron on a couple of layers of duck tape all around the edge; then of course use duck tape to fasten it to the window opening

[Stringerless!]

My next tent will be a small pickup .

[Getanet]

You can buys rolls of screen material for pretty cheap at the place where you Save Big Money. I think they're around $5. I did that once to sleep in my old Explorer up at Itasca State Park, where the mosquitoes were terrible. However, don't do like I did and use duct tape on the outside of your vehicle to hold it in place, it's nearly impossible to get the residue off.

[Jim Almquist]

I think that I have slept in the back of my old Suburban more then I have a tent

I bought some screen that was a very soft material like a tent and just used magnets to hold it in place. If you know of a old frig they have nice long strips that work pretty good. Use a couple of real strong magnets for the corners and the strips for in between.

[so haaad]

I sleep in the back of the Jeep most of the time when fishing over in Wisconsin or on other trips. I rarely pack the tent anymore. I found a shorter twin air mattress that fits pretty well. I also have a battery-powered fan to keep the air circulating and cooler.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

What about moisture inside the vehicle? Its it an issue? I know my tent can get really wet inside in damp weather.

[fishergurl]

They have those pick-up tents! I have thought about buying one of them, but they are pretty spendy. I actually enjoy sleeping in a tent, but moisture from the ground does suck!

[reinhard1]

placing a tarp under the tent will help with the moisture. i have slept in my truck plenty of times. one time for a whole week while lake hopping in the arrowhead. didn't want to put a tent up every other day. had a blow up air mattress and sleeping bags and everything was fine. one time during bow hunting up north for a weekend in october, it got down to 10 above one night and didn't want to get out of the truck in the morning. coffe pot and water froze. good times though. good luck.

[Sonicrunch]

The wife and I just started doing this and we love it. The main benefit is how quiet it is.

[LightningBG]

The wife and I just started doing this and we love it. The main benefit is how quiet it is.

Unless it rains. I've been in the back of the truck in the rain and it was "ting-ting-ting-ting" all night long. At that point I had had enough cocktails to drown a horse, so it didn't bother me. (no keys in the vehicle or anywhere near it).

Just make sure the back is long enough to stretch all the way out and that it goes completely flat with the seats down. I slept in one that was slightly angled for a portion of the back and it wasn't very comfy.

[Outdoor Authority]

When I head out west or am away from home fishing I sleep in the extended cab of my truck, removed the rear seat, and in the box. In the box I have have an old screen tent I drape over four poles inserted in the corner pocket of my truck. Can use sticks also, forgot the poles and had to do it. I also took two metal poles and made a cot that goes from tail gate to to front of box. A little welding and I have permanent pockets to set the cots in. If it rains I throw a tarp over the set up and use speaker magnets to attach it to the truck.

[Dr Thunder]

I have had full sized conversion vans for as long as I can remember. Handy for many things-especially camping. Pop out the captains chairs and there is plenty of room. A nice couch that folds down, big enough for 2 people.

We have often thought of a camper, but I already pull my boat and do not want to pull 2 units. We like keeping it simple too. Pull into a camp spot, toss the coleman stove on one end of the table, the water jug on the other, and place the coolers and totes outside. Then pop up the canopy. 10 minutes and we are camping. Same for moving.

It keeps us warm and dry. But also keeps us outside unlike a camper when it is cool or raining. You won't sit in a van too long for weather. No heater, TV, etc. So we get out the rain gear and go hiking, or sit under the canopy.

Full sized vans are cheap now with the gas prices. Not something you would use as a daily driver. So I have a $1,300 camper van. I also have a couple of storage shelves that go in and out easily.

[Redlantern]

For camping I usually bring a tent but when I'm crashing before a race, I use the back of my truck. Hotel rates are too steep for this tightwad. I have a topper with screens, also. I also bring a coffee can with a lid for taking care of business if I am a bit overhydrated. Not everyone wants to see some guy taking a leak somewhere in public.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Yep, plastic folgers can with lid works great

[so haaad]

But when I'm crashing before a race, I use the back of my truck. Hotel rates are too steep for this tightwad.

My wife allows me to run more races when I go cheap and crash in the back of the Jeep. And I enjoy the reaction of other runners when I pop the door, crawl out of my sleeping bag and start brushing my teeth in the parking lot!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I was thinking it could get dang hot in the SUV with the sun coming in the morning. Will need to cover as many windows as possible.

[shortfatguy]

You will have plenty of time to sleep in a vehicle when youre livin in a van down by the river!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

You will have plenty of time to sleep in a vehicle when youre livin in a van down by the river!

Sounds pretty good to me

[Sonicrunch]

You will have plenty of time to sleep in a vehicle when youre livin in a van down by the river!

lol, awesome Farley reference.

[shortfatguy]

He was one of the best!

[lispeej]

I sometimes use a small futon mattress in the back of my landcruiser with my 2nd and 3rd row seats folded up. It is very comfortable. You know you will stay dry and have a good nights rest.

[HookEmHard84]

I found an awesome twin size foam mattress on c-list. I put in the back of my explorer, and it is supreme! I take naps in there over my lunch break, as well as use it for a place to sleep while hunting. I would definately agree that the best part is how quiet it stays in there. I rarely crack the windows, and I havent croaked so far, so I dont think you really need to do that for ventilation.