10-15-2013, 02:01 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Making my 3rd gen suitable for winter living?
I'm just wondering. I've taken out one of the back seats before and thrown an air mattress back there, but are there other things I could do?
The plan is to basically live out of it for 2-3 weeks this winter while doing as much snowboarding as possible, a 2 friends of mine doing this same thing but they've got a big converted econ-van.
Is it as easy as getting a warm sleeping bag or am I missing something?
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10-15-2013, 02:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SW UT
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Location: SW UT
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I would get a VERY warm sleeping bag since vehicles don't hold heat at all. It may also get humid in the truck from just you in it sleeping. I would also get a solar panel trickle charger for the battery. Realize without a continuous heating setup (like propane) you will wake up and it will be like 10 degrees in the truck.
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10-15-2013, 02:32 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Washington
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Real Name: Matthew
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Real Name: Matthew
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I have a 4 inch foam topper for like a standard size bed. I lay the seats down and lay it out. Makes for a comfortable sleep really. I've always wondered about pulling the interior panels off and actually insulating them and crating some sort of insulator to cover the windows.
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"Ruby" 1997 4Runner 3.4L, 4x4, 5-speed, 244,xxx miles, Factory e-locker, Toytec Ultimate Lift, 4xInnovations Front bumper, 285x75x16 Goodyear Duratracs, many mods to come
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10-15-2013, 02:34 AM
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#4
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Utah
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I've done this for a few days at a time, for the same reason. These rigs don't seem to be all that well insulated on the roof, and the windows bleed heat. That said, the hardest part seemed to be to keep the moisture levels down. Between my wet gear and normal water vapor from breathing, I once had a layer of ice on the inside of the windows. Admittedly, this was a day at Mammoth where the high for the day 0*, but still. Not sure what I'd do differently - maybe some plastic that could hang over the back windows? And definitely leave one window in the front cracked open. If you can figure out how to get your gear dry before it goes into your rig, that would be a Good Thing.
May your days be filled with powder.
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10-15-2013, 02:58 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
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I'd say pitch in with friends. And get the cheapest room. And keep warm. Nothing is worst than being cold and sleepy.
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10-15-2013, 03:18 AM
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#6
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As has been mentioned already, the biggest issue I found sleeping in the back of the 4Runner in cooler temperatures, is the condensation created inside by your breathing. Keeping all the windows cracked a bit, helps.
I've only slept in the back of my 4Runner, when a hotel or motel room wasn't an option. For instance, there are no hotels in the old mining town of Tomboy, Co.
Waking up in the back of the 4Runner on Imogene Pass, is better than even the finest hotels I've stayed in.
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10-15-2013, 03:59 AM
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#7
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SoCal
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As mentioned before, sleeping in a car is WAY cold. I found it warmer to pitch a small tent and sleep outside than inside a vehicle...with proper winter sleeping bag and tent of course.
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-OME 881/890 with Tundra Bilstein Struts/Bilstein 5100 rear, 16" 5-Stars with 265/75R16 Duratracs, Savage Sliders and Skids, B&M 70268 Trans Cooler, Amsoil Fluids
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10-15-2013, 05:50 AM
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#8
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Not ideal man for the reasons stated above. Get yourself a 2 person 4 season dome tent, nice bag and sleeping pad. Just check out REI. They will have everything you need. Won't cost you that much either.
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01 SR5 Sport / dumped running boards / SCS F-5 wheels in Matte Jet Black / 265-70-16 Nitto Terra Grapplers / Bilstein HDs on all 4 corners / racked with Yakima roof rack to carry 4 bikes up top
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10-15-2013, 06:09 AM
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#9
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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I sleep in my 4runner all the time at th. Its no different than tent camping except its dryer. Crack the window, nice pad, and bag appropriate for conditions.
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10-15-2013, 10:49 AM
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#10
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4 inch memory foam mattress topper, sleeping bag, and a electric blanket. Warm, toasty, and comfortable. And no tent to break down in the morning.
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10-15-2013, 11:10 AM
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#11
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To absorb some of that moisture you could use a basket of dri-z-air or damprid.
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10-15-2013, 11:38 AM
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#12
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I have been thinking about this option as well, since I'm having no luck finding a ski-condo to go in on for the season here in CO. I had an idea that would be relatively simple and should work pretty well... if anything, keeping it from getting too warm may be the challenge. Basically, I want to build a sleeping platform using radiant heating flooring...
I was thinking of getting one of these portable, propane showers and route the heated water through PEX tubing into the truck. Then route the tubing through the flooring/platform; warmboard is one company that makes these types of panels. Bam. Heat where you need it most.
As someone else also mentioned, I think it'd be really helpful to add insulation to the roof and maybe even make some panels to fit in the windows because there is a lot of heat lost there. I'd also recommend cracking a window to keep moisture down and circulate fresh air in.
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10-15-2013, 12:19 PM
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#13
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Here's one solution...
El Cheapo 4Runner build
I've used an electric blanket before as well...just used an inverter and plugged into the outlet in the back.
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10-15-2013, 12:49 PM
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#14
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I spend a climbing trip where the night temps would drop into the teens. If you have a good 0 degree (or even minus) bag, you'll be fine. Not much different than a tent, unless you have a bomber four season one.
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10-15-2013, 02:18 PM
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#15
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Join Date: Jul 2013
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Subscribed. I want to know what you do! I may end up doing something similar. I am always up in Park City come snow season but I can't afford that hotel stuff. 4runner tent for the win
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