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#341 ·
The best mod for sleeping in the car is some velcro stapled to window screen mating a strip of velcro that surrounds the top and sides of the rear window door frames.

We have to breathe( without bugs).
 
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#342 ·
3. In order for the best sleep arrangement my design involves sliding the driver and passenger side seats all the way forward, which makes a quick getaway impossible should the unfortunate need arise. There is just an inherent creepiness to sleeping in your vehicle in a lot of cases I think, and I was wondering if anyone else thought of these things![/QUOTE]


I thought about this when designing my simple sleeping system. I wanted something that was modular and would pack away easy and compact (like nothing was there). I know my design is very simple, but it works!

If I'm by myself (for ski trips), I just deploy my sleeping system on the passenger side. I have both back seats laying flat, since I have to place my snowboard somewhere. I have my driver seat slid all the way back for easy access to drive away.

Below is not my actual system, but I took inspiration from it.

You can see how you can deploy it on one side, and then if needed, you can deploy on both sides for two people.

Image



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#343 ·
Sleeping in Back - Platform Project

Wow! Great minds think alike. I just started to build a platform for my 07 Forester, yesterday. My support frame though will be 2x6 that I have trimned down to 5". There will be under platform storage and the whole thing will have carpet.
I'll post pics of the process.
 
#344 ·
Platform for sleeping in back '07 Forester

Okay, here are some pics of the process I followed to build a platform for sleeping on, or hauling musical instruments and camping gear. There is a removable panel in the back half that is a 5" deep storage area. All of the heavy lumber is 2x6 that has been cut down to 5" actual. The reason for this is; there is a 5" height difference between the floor at the back of the car and the tops of the folded down seats. The platform itself is 9/16" plywood. The two hinges have been slightly modified so the pins slide in and out easily. This enables quick removal of the rear half of platform. The carpet is fairly cheap at 68 cents/sq.ft. at home despot. There is a pic of the carpet glue I used. You will also notice a notch I added to accommodate the armrest when it is lifted up.
 

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#346 ·
wcski said:
best sleep arrangement my design involves sliding the driver and passenger side seats all the way forward, which makes a quick getaway impossible
Click to expand...
THe only "quick getaway position" is sitting in the driver seat.

If you're camping/sleeping in back, you certainly can have defensive/ offensive tools in your arsenal to defend/repel an attack. Running/driving away is not the first choice, I would make, in that case.
 
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#348 ·
JonDeeZee said:
I agree, that kick starter is much higher than it needs to be. @wolfie had the original brilliant design that many have made further innovations on. I have come up with a super simple design that worked pretty darn good.

First of all, Subooneru headrest design works awesome. 1 piece of plywood should be around 22x20 and the other about 22x28 (cut out a piece for the center console).

Now, instead of building these intricate trunk area platforms (much respect for those you have done this!), I can vouch that you can simply use two 2x4's that are cut 18 inches in length. First, get rid of the big foam piece that covers your spare tire, you can fit so much more with that thing gone. Use the stock floor board and prop these two pieces of wood in the grooves where they fit.
View attachment 401969

This is the easy and super simple way to level out the trunk area into a flat surface.
View attachment 401977

Hope this helps the people wanting to camp in their car without being an expert wood cutter :p. I drove up to Mammoth Lakes this weekend and camped in my car for 2 days of snowboarding. A last minute hotel room would have ran me $200 a night. I'm very thankful to the guys that contributed to this thread and gave me the idea.
Click to expand...

@JonDeeZee couldn't take a picture of this without the floorboard in could you? I'm struggling to figure out what the 2x4's should rest on at the tailgate end for my 2017.
 
#349 ·
Ha! That didn't come to mind at the time. They 2x4's would rest on top of hard plastic pieces on the edge of the spare tire area. I'll try to get you pictures.


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#350 ·
Image


Here you go. They rest on the hard plastic that sticks out a little.

I've upgraded my minimalist setup a bit. The platform is much sturdier, supports an oversized spare tire. I never updated the thread with photos of my new setup but I'm camping out in Yosemite this weekend and I'll try to take some pics.


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#351 ·
Interesting. The back of mine looks a little different, I think I'll have to get a bit more creative (though going to stick with the same general idea). Cheers!
 
#352 ·
Took a stab at a platform

Used some simple methods with 1 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood and two 2x4s for my 2016 base model. I thought about adding a foam mattress but the air mattresses work just fine for me. There is a little lip between two sections but its just park of the give from the seats and lays perfectly flat once some weight is on it. I also use the center arm rest as par of the supports for the head area. Took it to Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a couple nights and dialed in everything. Thanks for all the inspiration from this thread, totally helpful.
 

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#354 ·
@ZAsku I like what you did what the extension section whether it's a table or extra leg room. I'm thinking of doing something similar but turning the two slots underneath the platform into drawers for storage


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#355 ·
@jag09 It's a table and I use a trekking pole for the leg. I found it super useful as a small kitchen and desk space, especially when it started to rain a little. I was going to do the storage thing too for those slots but realized during my planning that I valued head room over storage. The space provided by the rear seat footwells was enough for me and a partner as well as utilizing the drivers seat for backpacks and the passenger seat for a 45 quart Rtic cooler. I do use the big slot to the right for a first aid kit and sandal/shoe storage with collapsible trekking poles fitting in the very small slots on the far ends.

I'm not very handy or experienced with tools but this thread helped a ton and really boosted my confidence. I borrowed a circular saw, drill, and tape measurer and finished in about four hours. Had some difficulty with the final piece and how I would attach the support legs but it eventually worked out and was a perfect project/ trip to tackle after a long time away from home.

Enjoy and get after it!
 
#356 ·
Absolutely!
I'm 6'1 and me and my wife both fit laying flat just fine.

With the seats down, there's an annoying little bump, but we throw our futon in the back and that fixes that problem.
You also have to make sure your head doesn't sag where the second row leg space is, so I put down a couple 5 gallon buckets, and I'll sleep perfectly fine.
 
#358 ·
#359 ·
@kkowalski Have you tried that air mattress yet? Did it work well for you?
@JonDeeZee What specifically about it didn't work? Did it not fit?

I was literally just about to buy that exact air mattress until I stumbled upon this post, and now I'm hesitant.

According to the dimensions of the air mattress, I think it should be able to fit in a '17.

Any input either of you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks You!
 
#360 ·
DrDreads said:
@kkowalski Have you tried that air mattress yet? Did it work well for you?
@JonDeeZee What specifically about it didn't work? Did it not fit?

I was literally just about to buy that exact air mattress until I stumbled upon this post, and now I'm hesitant.

According to the dimensions of the air mattress, I think it should be able to fit in a '17.

Any input either of you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks You!
Click to expand...


It had a slow air leak. Our heads sunk down because there was a 21 inch gap between the rear leg area and the back of the front seats. My girlfriend complained that everytime I move she wakes up because pushes the whole air mattress around. At over $150 it wasn't worth it. I returned it. I should have listened to the amazon reviews. Hope that helps.

In this long thread, I think this is the first time an air mattress is mentioned. I can vouch, although better than nothing, the other sleeping solutions work better. IMO.


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