Show us your car camping set up!
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- 9patrickmurphy
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Show us your car camping set up!
Another thread going on right now has a good bit of talk about what cars are good to sleep in at the trailhead, so I thought it'd be fun for everyone to show off their in-car sleeping setups, maybe share some tips and tricks.
Here's mine: Surely (pronounced Shirley) was a 2004 4Runner (which I just traded in for a Forester as it was getting up in years and had plenty of rust from being on the East Coast for so long). This was a fantastic setup to live out of for a few months, then served as a great weekend warrior tool for two people. I took the back seats out entirely to store more stuff underneath the platform (not that hard to do, provides lots of extra room, highly recommend). A tabletop also slid out from the platform that could be used to setup a Coleman stove underneath the tailgate. Hoping to do a similar buildout for my new Forester, albeit much smaller, of course.
I wanna see what everyone else has done. Vans, Trucks, custom roof top tents, all of it!
Here's mine: Surely (pronounced Shirley) was a 2004 4Runner (which I just traded in for a Forester as it was getting up in years and had plenty of rust from being on the East Coast for so long). This was a fantastic setup to live out of for a few months, then served as a great weekend warrior tool for two people. I took the back seats out entirely to store more stuff underneath the platform (not that hard to do, provides lots of extra room, highly recommend). A tabletop also slid out from the platform that could be used to setup a Coleman stove underneath the tailgate. Hoping to do a similar buildout for my new Forester, albeit much smaller, of course.
I wanna see what everyone else has done. Vans, Trucks, custom roof top tents, all of it!
Last edited by 9patrickmurphy on Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Justin9
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
Trailhead or near trailhead car camping usually looks like this for me. Shasta a few years back with da boyz.
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
My biggest complaint about the 4Runner for car camping is the lack of a latch to open the tailgate from inside and a switch to roll down the window. I got around that by reprogramming my key to open all windows at same time. Carista app is pretty cool for programming mods. I know you can reprogram some older versions and trims to open only the rear window.
Those who travel to mountain-tops are half in love with themselves and half in love with oblivion
- 9patrickmurphy
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
I was able to remove the plastic panel on the inside of the tailgate and tie a strand of paracord to the latch mechanism, then run it up through the tailgate to come out on the inside of the window. This let me open the tailgate from the inside, which is nice when you're waking up on a rest day and want some sunlight and fresh air.ker0uac wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:11 pm My biggest complaint about the 4Runner for car camping is the lack of a latch to open the tailgate from inside and a switch to roll down the window. I got around that by reprogramming my key to open all windows at same time. Carista app is pretty cool for programming mods. I know you can reprogram some older versions and trims to open only the rear window.
Last edited by 9patrickmurphy on Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- greenonion
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
Brilliant. Might have to try that. BTW - Can't see your initial photo of your setup, and would like to. Maybe just me??9patrickmurphy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:37 pmI was able to remove the plastic panel on the inside of the tailgate and tie a strand of paracord to the latche mechanism, then run it up through the tailgate to come out on the inside of the window. This let me open the tailgate from the inside, which is nice when you're waking up on a rest day and want some sunlight and fresh air.ker0uac wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:11 pm My biggest complaint about the 4Runner for car camping is the lack of a latch to open the tailgate from inside and a switch to roll down the window. I got around that by reprogramming my key to open all windows at same time. Carista app is pretty cool for programming mods. I know you can reprogram some older versions and trims to open only the rear window.
- HikerGuy
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
The Santa Fe Inn - my most used trailhead vehicle with an average of 18 nights per year.
Cinnamon Pass - pushing the limits of the Hyundai.
For the tough stuff, "Baby", my 1996 Ford Ranger, still gets it done. Just a few trips a year, Baby is semi-retired.
Cinnamon Pass - pushing the limits of the Hyundai.
For the tough stuff, "Baby", my 1996 Ford Ranger, still gets it done. Just a few trips a year, Baby is semi-retired.
Re: Show us your car camping set up!
I put a platform in the back of my Tacoma
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- 434stonemill
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
This is the setup I built out for my Xterra. I wanted something that I could put in and out without much trouble...didn't want it to be permanent or semi-permanent. I also wanted a sink...it really makes cleaning up after cooking/eating so much easier.
I typically don't sleep in my truck that often, will usually set up a tent, but wanted option to be able to sleep in it, if there isn't a good spot to set up a tent or not worth the time. I can put a full length sleeping pad and bag in the back of the truck with my feet going underneath the sink. The wastewater container is to the one side. I have a hand pump faucet that draws from my water container.
Also, I wanted to be able to have most of my camping essentials in one place (dishes/mugs/utensils/matches/dry foods/jet boil/bug spray/etc) so that I on a whim I can grab it, put it in the truck, and go without much thought. This works well on those really hot summer weekends where I don't have plans and just want to get someplace a bit cooler, so drive up to Peak to Peak Hwy and find a place to camp for a few nights.
The setup has a pull out table top for Coleman stove and other cooking/prep needs. Overall it has served me well in its first summer/fall of use.
I typically don't sleep in my truck that often, will usually set up a tent, but wanted option to be able to sleep in it, if there isn't a good spot to set up a tent or not worth the time. I can put a full length sleeping pad and bag in the back of the truck with my feet going underneath the sink. The wastewater container is to the one side. I have a hand pump faucet that draws from my water container.
Also, I wanted to be able to have most of my camping essentials in one place (dishes/mugs/utensils/matches/dry foods/jet boil/bug spray/etc) so that I on a whim I can grab it, put it in the truck, and go without much thought. This works well on those really hot summer weekends where I don't have plans and just want to get someplace a bit cooler, so drive up to Peak to Peak Hwy and find a place to camp for a few nights.
The setup has a pull out table top for Coleman stove and other cooking/prep needs. Overall it has served me well in its first summer/fall of use.
- greenonion
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
That’s sweet. I love this thread434stonemill wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:53 pm This is the setup I built out for my Xterra. I wanted something that I could put in and out without much trouble...didn't want it to be permanent or semi-permanent. I also wanted a sink...it really makes cleaning up after cooking/eating so much easier.
I typically don't sleep in my truck that often, will usually set up a tent, but wanted option to be able to sleep in it, if there isn't a good spot to set up a tent or not worth the time. I can put a full length sleeping pad and bag in the back of the truck with my feet going underneath the sink. The wastewater container is to the one side. I have a hand pump faucet that draws from my water container.
Also, I wanted to be able to have most of my camping essentials in one place (dishes/mugs/utensils/matches/dry foods/jet boil/bug spray/etc) so that I on a whim I can grab it, put it in the truck, and go without much thought. This works well on those really hot summer weekends where I don't have plans and just want to get someplace a bit cooler, so drive up to Peak to Peak Hwy and find a place to camp for a few nights.
The setup has a pull out table top for Coleman stove and other cooking/prep needs. Overall it has served me well in its first summer/fall of use.
Setup #3.jpg
Setup #1.jpg
Setup #2.jpg
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
My spring project is to build a removable platform to add storage and slide out table under the bed. Any recommendations for a good mattress? Current set up is fairly uncomfortable.
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- WVMountaineer
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
I've had a lot of really great nights in my Tepui Roof Top Tent.
Pull into the trailhead, level the truck if needed with some homemade leveling blocks, unzip and flip open the tent.
Setup takes about 10 minutes but the best part is that it has a built in foam mattress inside. I have the Ruggedized 3 person so it's very spacious when I go solo and still roomy when my wife and dog join.
It also makes it a nice place to spread out your gear and pack for the upcoming hike and make sure you have everything neatly packed.
I've spent some very cold nights down to single digits in it and it's also survived a 40+ mph wind blizzard at the radio towers of Princeton.
I've installed an ATV pulley on the roof of my garage so I can easily take the tent off and store it when not needed.
Worth every penny in my opinion.
Pull into the trailhead, level the truck if needed with some homemade leveling blocks, unzip and flip open the tent.
Setup takes about 10 minutes but the best part is that it has a built in foam mattress inside. I have the Ruggedized 3 person so it's very spacious when I go solo and still roomy when my wife and dog join.
It also makes it a nice place to spread out your gear and pack for the upcoming hike and make sure you have everything neatly packed.
I've spent some very cold nights down to single digits in it and it's also survived a 40+ mph wind blizzard at the radio towers of Princeton.
I've installed an ATV pulley on the roof of my garage so I can easily take the tent off and store it when not needed.
Worth every penny in my opinion.
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"There are two ways to measure life; the number of days you simply exist or the number of days you spend truly living your human experience." 14ers.com user goingup
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Re: Show us your car camping set up!
Agreed. Keep 'em coming!greenonion wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:26 pmThat’s sweet. I love this thread434stonemill wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:53 pm This is the setup I built out for my Xterra. I wanted something that I could put in and out without much trouble...didn't want it to be permanent or semi-permanent. I also wanted a sink...it really makes cleaning up after cooking/eating so much easier.
I typically don't sleep in my truck that often, will usually set up a tent, but wanted option to be able to sleep in it, if there isn't a good spot to set up a tent or not worth the time. I can put a full length sleeping pad and bag in the back of the truck with my feet going underneath the sink. The wastewater container is to the one side. I have a hand pump faucet that draws from my water container.
Also, I wanted to be able to have most of my camping essentials in one place (dishes/mugs/utensils/matches/dry foods/jet boil/bug spray/etc) so that I on a whim I can grab it, put it in the truck, and go without much thought. This works well on those really hot summer weekends where I don't have plans and just want to get someplace a bit cooler, so drive up to Peak to Peak Hwy and find a place to camp for a few nights.
The setup has a pull out table top for Coleman stove and other cooking/prep needs. Overall it has served me well in its first summer/fall of use.
Setup #3.jpg
Setup #1.jpg
Setup #2.jpg