We do all sorts of camping with our 4Runner.

My wife and I are avid campers and backpackers. While we have tent camped for over twenty-five years, we did break down last year and bought a "Chalet" folding A-frame camper as well. My 4Runner has no problem with it, even with a 550# tongue weight.

Sometimes just the wife and I want to get away for one night or short weekend and we take the Runner. We are both short: me at 5'7" and her at 5'3", so the back of the Runner works fine for us. I move the front seats as far forward as possible and tumble down the second row seats. We use our backpacking Thermarest self-inflating pads and sleeping bags on top (either lightweight summer or warmer mummy bags depending on the season).

The biggest challenge is ventilation. I bought an Explorer 2 SUV tent from Sportz (approx. $90) that goes over the tailgate when raised in an upright position. It does not give the greatest seal against the vehicle body, but it does provide decent ventilation. The rear door angles down slightly so it can be kept open in inclement weather. (The only other solution would be to make custom frames and screens and attach them over the windows. Some type of small awning would also be necessary so the windows could be kept open during rainstorms.)

We bring our backpacking items when "Runner camping" (stove, lights, small table, etc.). We also have a retracting canopy that we can attach to the rear or side of the Runner via the roof rack. This small 8' x 5' canopy gives us shade and we can fit two chairs and our small Jammit table underneath.

A small cooler on the front seat works for our food. I do have plans on installing a second battery (deep cycle) for extended power and using a 12V cooler.

Our only fear is storing food inside the vehicle with us there. We do mostly primitive camping and bears can be a problem. When tent camping, we are careful to cook away from the campsite and not keep any food, toothpaste, or even deodorant in the tent with us.

I also make sure to leave room for a short-barreled 12 gauge pump and my .44 MAG revolver.

I have also camped in the back of mine. The funny thing was that I set up my tent and ended up only using it for storage (I was with about 30-35 people, so I did not want my stuff sitting out where it would get mixed up with everyone elses...). Just pop the rear seat cushion on one side and lower the same seatback. Fit me perfect and I am 6'1. For ventilation, I just lowered my rear window about 3". Didn't bother rigging up a screen, but in some areas it would be advised.

I didnt' think about height, I'm only 5'5
And I live in So Cal. So I just leave the windows open and the hatch up, Unless it's cold.

I don't have to worry about bugs much, no humidity, and when it's cold i just crack the window so it doesn't get wet inside. No bears either. Scorpions but they can't climb up the tires to get me. I hope!!! :eek2:

As far as gear goes, guess I pack light. I have a 5 gallon bucket I keep loose stuff in, and a plastic box for food and cooking. Put up my camp table and the cooler. Done

I got a Power Station from Costco which hooks up to the rear 12 volt plug. It recharges when the key is on and provides 12 volt power (with the key off), ac power (400watt inverter I think), light, air pump and cables for an emergency jump from it's battery. Slick deal and my wife can blow dry her hair while camping. The electric blanket is real nice and the fan is great on warm nights. Just need to figure out a way to vent the car with a seal tight screen for bugs and still be able to roll the window up or down for temp...and not have to get up to the key to adjust the windows up or down.

Thanks for the info. I looked it up (Costco online), it is the Xantrex Xpower Powerpack 400 Plus. It looks good with 320 watts continuous but I won't mention the blow dryer part to my wife

I really like the idea of the cot. What brand are you using? I think that would really be the ideal setup because I could clear the seat cushion and the wheel wells.

When I go camping, it's usually for the purpose of landscape photography. In the local desert, I can literally park and camp at the location for the sunrise shoot, so it would be great if I don't have to mess of breaking down a tent when heading to the next location.

The PS2000 powerpack/inverter I got from Costco last year is 400w continuous/800w surge. It powers the 12 volt stuff I have (blanket, fan, coffeemaker) but 110 ac use consumes power fast.

Gromulus, what are your plans with installing a second battery? I like your retracting canopy idea that attaches to the roof rack. Where did you get it?

The cots I use in the back are being used in hunting camp and won't be flown back to Anchorage till the end of Oct. I don't remember the brand but they came from REI. I'll let you know sooner if I find the receipt but I bet REI can fix you up.

heh...yep, I posted a mention of it about 6 months ago or so...you prolly read my post a while back or read the post I got the idea from. can't remember where it came up, tho.

I took some nylon screen material that I bought a roll of (make sure it's nylon, don't want to scratch your paint with sharp metal pointy edges where you cut the screen). Then, got some rolls of adhesive magnets at hobby lobby. the adhesive doesn't hold well, but will suffice while assembling it. I then used an awl and poked holes through the magnet ever few inches and uses some small, waxed cord (bigger than thread, closer to something like baseball thread) and sewed the magnets to the screen. I made one for the sunroof and one for the back window (sunroof was MUUUCH easier).

the weekend I used it, it was very VERY windy and so it's been tested in 45+ mph winds and worked like a champ. The other nice thing is that you can still close the windows w/o taking it off, so if it gets too cold or starts to rain, you can always close 'em without getting out of the vehicle.

The retractable canopy is a Sport Shade, available from several on-line sources:

http://accessory-center.com/prod.plx...th+Blue+Banner

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Tai...ble_awning.htm

The retractable shade is a thinner material and probably not as durable as most PE or polyester canopies. I have only used it a few times and it seems fine for shade and light rain. Not sure how it would hold up to a moderate storm. The advantages are relative portability (although long) and fast set-up/take-down.

The dual battery project will probably wait until next spring. I was hoping another 4th gen owner would beat me to the punch! BajaTaco has a good set-up in his Tacoma and I may follow his lead with the Xantrex Pathmaker or look into the Hellroaring unit.

That power supply doesn't seem to be available at Costco anymore. The best they have is the 320W continuous/600w surge Xantrex 400 plus. I'm not a member at Costco (closet store is in the next state) so I looked it up on Amazon, they have the Xantrex for $85. I ordered one, no shipping or tax. Now I understand about the hairdryer

A hairdryer usually consumes 1200 watts, so I don't see how you can run it with a 400 watt inverter.

No heat and low fan I think but the dog and I run when that thing comes on. I do use it to speed up the charcoals. Anyway the digital watt usage shows about 200 watts at this setting.

Great suggestion, AK4R! I imagine that having a cot would place my bod up closer to the truck's headliner, but that would be better than what I recently experienced.

I just came back from Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon where I used my 95 4Runner as my sleeper. I folded down the rear seats and pushed the passenger seat forward (although that doesn't matter too much since the rear seat only folds forward so far). I had my ice chest, camping supplies blankets, etc. I kept the tailgate closed due to the intermittent summer storms.

I'm 6'1" and if I had another, say, 3 inches, I would not have needed to bend my legs. Most of the time I sleep in the fetal position, but I never realized how much I liked stretching until I slept in my 4Runner. I need to sleep at an angle with my legs propped over my supplies.

For any under, say, 5' 11", I imagine there wouldn't be a problem. But, had I even given thought to the cot, I would have brought mine.

Ventilation, it does get hot. Having a battery operated fan would have been nice. I cracked my windows open a bit, but of course, there were bug and desert rain issues. I pretty much woke up every few hours to run the a/c. Netting is a good idea and I agree, I wish there were a way to access the rear window via the back with having to reach out to the front and turn on the ignition.

Nonetheless, it's possible and it's great. Just plan enough room to place your body in the back.

This is a follow up to some really old posts regarding camping in the back of 4Runners. The secret to ventilation without skeeters is to purchase sun screens for both rear windows. You can find them on Amazon-pull down over the entire door frame and you close the door with the nylon screen on both sides of the window. You can open the window inside this screen sandwich and they also provide a little privacy. Nice cross ventilation. I will look for a link and add it to another post.

I see them on Amazon and EBay. Here is an EBay link: 2Pcs Window Sun Shade Mesh Cover Baby UV Protector Shield Curtain for Car SUV | eBay

Cheap and work fantastic for camping out of your 4Runner.