Sleeping in vehicle

[Iambjm]

I have spent many a night in the back of my Ford Escape, but I am only 5'7" so I can just stretch out all the way. I have used twin sized air mattresses but they always leak air. I did buy one of those SUV tents but never could get it work right so now I just use it as a tent. I have a moon roof so I bought some light weight screen and made a screen to place over the open moon roof. I had a roll of strip magnet the I use to hold it down. A bit cramped but cozy.

[Kettle]

I sleep in the front of my 97 chev, it's a normal cab too, I bought some netting for screen porch's and taped it over the window of my passenger side, leave it there all season, get some weird looks but it works well.

Kettle

[Scott M]

This is how I turkey hunt each year. Drive to the edge of the woods about 3/4 of a mile away from where I hunt, then walk in each morning and evening. I did see in a BPS catalog that they sell air matresses that fit around the wheel wells. I was intrigued till I saw the price tag.

I enjoy camping in the back of the truck, so long as it isn't too hot or raining too much. Give me a sleeping pad and bag and I'm fine. But, ask me again when I'm in my 40's...a motel will be sounding pretty good!

[Stick in Mud]

I've slept in my Ford Focus by opening up the trunk compartment and sleeping with my feet in the trunk and my head in the backseat. It works pretty well if I'm alone....and to avoid bugs, I just tape a screen over the window i leave open. For as much as I camp, I save a montly payment each year just by sleeping in my little Love Bug.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

As much as I love tenting, I'm going to try this out this year on a few solo trips. I have a bad back, so the less setup I have to do the better. My Thermarest pad fits great in my Pathfinder so I'm good to go

[Redlantern]

Bought a used mini van a couple weeks ago. Got me a shaggin' wagon. Now that the weather is warming up, I'm going to have to mess around with the screens. What do you guys use for them? Just cloth mesh and duct tape?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Yeah, I need to do the screen thing too. Looking for a place to buy magnets.

[SpecialK]

Walmart, menards, home depot etc should have the roll magnets that were mentioned earlier.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Where can I get mosquito netting?

[SpecialK]

I know you can get rolls of screen at all the stores mentioned above.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Looking for mosquito fabric actually. Don't want rigid screen.

[Jim Almquist]

Do a search for "roll of mosquito net" and you will find what you need at Amazon. 36" X 72" is $10.85 for a roll and is made of fiberglass.

[Down Deep]

I slept in my vehicle many times, but it's a pickup with topper and screens. I throw in an twin pillow top mattress, pop in some earplugs and sleep like a baby. This idea might be diverting from the original question a bit, but I was on a camping trip one time and there were two guys using tent hammocks. The hammocks were fully screened, had zip down sides and each had a 3 inch mattress in a pocket at the bottom. The whole unit rolled up into a bag about the size of a 4 man tent. They said that by using hammocks they can camp anywhere and don't have to off load any gear to make a spot to sleep.

[itchmesir]

Hammock camping is by far one of the best ways to camp imho.. a properly set up camping hammock will run you at least $200

[BoxMN]

Where can I get mosquito netting?

I used to do research at Metro Mosquito Control. What we used for making our "traps" and other research trap stuff was bridal veil material from a fabric store. Very cheap compared to anyplace else and they have tons of it Works great, and you can get different sizes and styles (weights).

Get some funny looks from the clerks coming in in camo, but they laugh and help you out great.

I tried sleeping in my Malibu once, and it almost worked but not comfy enough with the bump where the trunk starts. Im my Chev ext-cab pickup sleeping in back is awesome, especially with a full size air mattress that fits between the wheel wells. I found it works to have head slightly elevated. Having a battery operated fan also helps a ton. I have screen in topper window so that works great too.

[Comit 2]

Do you mean, like, In a van down by the river?

[Grum]

Acetone nail polish remover takes the duct tape residue off easily and its cheap. Works great for getting the tree sap and bugs off too. and won't hurt your paint, but I still wipe the area off with a wet towel.

Carpet pad is another cheap way to get around buying an expensive air mattress and won't deflate in the night. Easy to cut to fit. works great in the tent and I even put it in my portable ice shelter, much warmer, quieter and hooks don't get stuck in it like carpet.

[graybeard2]

Thanks, some good info here. I have a tent I occasionally use, but I go to fish, and I'm gonna set up to sleep in the back of my Ford Ranger with a topper. I've got a cushion plus a pad and sleeping bag so I should be okay. Most of our county parks have good shower and restroom facilities, so for a night or two it should be much easier than setting up the tent. And much cheaper than renting a motel room as long as it's just me. I figure with a lantern, camp stove,cooler and folding chair that's about all I need.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

It has been to hot for me to try it this summer, however I plan to do it in the fall. Fall is the very best season to camp!

[Moose-Hunter]

It has been to hot for me to try it this summer, however I plan to do it in the fall. Fall is the very best season to camp!

For the most part... I agree. However, you gotta take the days when they're there. Life's too short NOT to get out there and just do it. Like right now.

Even this summer... Sure the temps were high during the day... Plan ahead. Adapt and overcome. Park in the shade. Put up "blinds" in the windows. Park to receive the most benefit from the breezes.

It just depends on you.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I finally did a solo camping trip sleeping in my SUV. I bought some Skeeter-Beater screens for it and they worked well. The weather was cold at night, but I was warm and comfy. I have a REI self inflating pad, which is a great pad. I cracked a couple windows open to eliminate any condensation build up.

I spent one night at Father Hennepin and another at Kathio state Parks. Had a great time! Looking forward to doing more trips this way. Perfect for park hopping with zero setup! As much as love my tent, this was a very easy way to get out of town quickly with minimum packing too.