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Old 09-28-2017, 05:47 PM #1
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Anyone have a camping/sleeping setup inside of the 4Runner?

I just bought my TRD Pro and want to get into camping but don't want to do a roof top tent setup or a normal on the ground tent setup. Wondering if anyone has a mattress setup on the inside of the car or one of those tents that hangs out the back?
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:17 PM #2
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I just set up my sleeping pads for normal camping. I've only done it once but I think i'd rather sleep in a normal tent.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:24 PM #3
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As much as I would like to camp in the truck, I just don't think I could live with the smells that come with it. Opted to go with a full length roof rack for transporting the stinky stuff to/from and a Kirkham Springbar Traveler tent for everything in between.

I didn't do a rooftop since we often leave midway through our trips for supplies etc. Didnt want to tear down just to do simple tasks.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:24 PM #4
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I run a setup like this in my 4R. Any typical camping mat will be enough padding. I built a platform for the cargo area that levels things out perfectly. I'm not sure how flat the sliding cargo tray is, but with the uneven rear floor without something to level things out, you'll need a seriously thick mat to cancel out hump.

I also have rain guards and screen mesh things I place over the rear passenger windows for bug free ventilation. I can't say for the insulation factor as I haven't camped out in the real cold, but it will be better than a tent no matter what.

Also for what it's worth I'm only about 5'8" and I fit about perfect sleeping straight next to a cooler and some other gear. Any taller and you'll have to sleep at something of an angle.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:26 PM #5
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one of those single person self inflating pads works great over that seat/trunk space gap. I say single because then you can still keep much of your gear inside next to you. I'm looking into the ARB awnings with the zip-on rooms to throw my sleeping bag in from now on. My ground tent is on its last leg and I don't want an actual RTT.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:31 PM #6
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I bought one of these for the back: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENUILB8/

It does everything I want to and it's really comfortable. I don't wake up with sore hips, back, or anything like that. Plus during the day it can be used as a little couch.

Will fit behind the seats on the floor folded up so you have space for the backs seats (nobody will be able to sit there), but can put your bags and what not there to leave the back for other larger items.

It will fit in the back, but it'll take up most of the space.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:36 PM #7
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As mentioned there's pros and cons to everything. There's lots written online regarding sleeping platforms for vehicles. In-vehicle sleeping wouldn't work for me cause I like to bring too much stuff with me and, like others said, the smell and moisture buildup issue.

Another option you may want to consider is a nice cot, I use one for short trips when I don't feel like setting up a roof top tent, they're super easy and quite comfortable. Pair it with a roll out awning and you've got a legitimately nice camp setup. I've sat on a lot of cots and the Camp Time brand roll-a-cots are my favorite, sturdy and don't make any noise when your getting comfortable on them.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:44 PM #8
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I switched to sleeping in the back from hammock camping. I really like it.

Here's some things that I've found to be important:

1. The rear seat bottom can be removed in 5 minutes. This allows my air mattress to fit perfectly (thermarest mondo king). If I s not removed, you lose about 10" or so, which isn't the end of the world. Much more comfortable with it out
2. Ventilation is a must. I bought mesh screens from Amazon that go over the door windows like socks. Crack 2 windows, ventilation issue is gone
3. A battery operated fan on the dash makes for a much better sleep
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Old 09-28-2017, 09:03 PM #9
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We sleep in the back. You can look at various trips via the link in my signature. Longest one was 21 days of which 18 nights we spent in the back of the truck.

There are no issues with odor or moisture - crack the rear window and the spoiler keeps rain and such out while still giving good ventilation. You can get cheap screens for the rear door windows if you are in a warm, buggy area.

The only "issue" is storage of stuff while you are sleeping in the back. We basically move everything in the front seats, have other stuff in 8 gal Action Packers in the footwells (see below), and leave our cooler (Grizzly bear resistant cooler) outside. If we have a ton of stuff, anything left over goes under the truck (if it's raining or in an area that gets dew in the mornings) or gets tossed in the roof basket overnight. During the day everything goes back in the cargo area.

I have a non 3rd row SR5. I assume the TRD Pro is also non 3rd row with no sliding cargo tray? If so, the trick is to remove the 2nd row seat bottoms (4 14 mm bolts, easy), fold the 2nd row seat backs all the way forward, remove that fascia panel that covers the "hump" (2 10 mm bolts), and then install some sort of riser in the cargo area to elevate it up 2.5" to make it in line with the folded 2nd row seat backs. This gives you the entire area for sleeping and makes it totally flat. Removing the seats and fascia and sliding in the riser panel takes 10 minutes and they reinstall just as fast.

My solution to the cargo area riser was to build a "pallet" out of 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood set on top of strips of 2X2" wood (which is actually 1 1/2", so this gives you a 2.5" height). Other people try and pad the area with stuff, which I think isn't as useful.

If you need more length you can move the front seats forward and place 8 gallon Rubbermaid Action Packers in the footwells, this gives you about 12 more inches for about 6.5' of length.

We then have a "full" size air mattress and bedding that we use to sleep on. The thoughtfully placed AC invertor makes inflating the air mattress every night easy. In really cold weather we use the air mattress, bedding, and sleeping bags. In really really really cold weather we use all that and run the truck as needed overnight to use the heater.

After doing it this way for a while there is no other way we'd want to do it. Setup and break down is super easy, takes like 5 minutes; we are totally self contained so we can camp anywhere including renegade camping at businesses and so forth; we are well protected in the truck with ready access to heat; and most importantly we are really comfortable.

On solo trips I use the pallet and 1 Rubbermaid Action packer and I use 2 Thermarest pads stacked on top of each other. I leave everything in the back, on one side of the cargo area, and I sleep on the other.

Since this photo was taken I have added 6 Harbor Freight D rings to the corners and center of the pallet to secure cargo. I also figured out that flat stuff can be stored under it so in those slots I have an axe, machete, and folded up tow strap. Lastly, I painted a mock up of the US ion the pallet and I note on there every trip we take so it's kind of a cool memento.

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Old 09-28-2017, 11:01 PM #10
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I built something today

I hate sleeping crappy when camping, and the hump in the back of my T4R has screwed with me for way too long. Recently I had two down pillows, two flannel blankets folded up to level out the hump, a down comforter, a therm-a-rest pad, and my clothes bag as padding, I still felt the hump. Things shift around in the night, ya know? Oh, and I'm a bit over 6', so have to sleep diagonal.

And I was storing most of my gear in long, plastic tubs in the back, but they aren't holding up because of the weight of other gear on top of their lids.

So I finally built a platform today, to get rid of the hump, and provide a solid surface over my cheap tubs. Most of my explorations are day-trips, so I wanted something I could put in and out as necessary for overnighters. I'm viewing this as a prototype, and hope to improve on it by using lighter materials, putting in hinged access to the sub storage area, etc. Mine is a very simple, cheap build, but maybe one day I can put in some of the cool features I see on this board.

I used 2x8's and plywood ($65), carpet pad ($25), carpet ($19), 12 elbow brackets ($15). Screwed the wood together, used a staple gun for the carpeting. Really strong, but also heavy.

My tie downs also suck and I need a better system. Here's a pic. Sorry about the seat covers. They came out different then I pictured, but I paid way too much to not use them.
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Anyone have a camping/sleeping setup inside of the 4Runner?-4runner_platform-jpg  Anyone have a camping/sleeping setup inside of the 4Runner?-dogscat_helping-jpg 
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Old 09-28-2017, 11:18 PM #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bodie the Dog View Post
I hate sleeping crappy when camping, and the hump in the back of my T4R has screwed with me for way too long. Recently I had two down pillows, two flannel blankets folded up to level out the hump, a down comforter, a therm-a-rest pad, and my clothes bag as padding, I still felt the hump. Things shift around in the night, ya know? Oh, and I'm a bit over 6', so have to sleep diagonal.

And I was storing most of my gear in long, plastic tubs in the back, but they aren't holding up because of the weight of other gear on top of their lids.

So I finally built a platform today, to get rid of the hump, and provide a solid surface over my cheap tubs. Most of my explorations are day-trips, so I wanted something I could put in and out as necessary for overnighters. I'm viewing this as a prototype, and hope to improve on it by using lighter materials, putting in hinged access to the sub storage area, etc. Mine is a very simple, cheap build, but maybe one day I can put in some of the cool features I see on this board.

I used 2x8's and plywood ($65), carpet pad ($25), carpet ($19), 12 elbow brackets ($15). Screwed the wood together, used a staple gun for the carpeting. Really strong, but also heavy.

My tie downs also suck and I need a better system. Here's a pic. Sorry about the seat covers. They came out different then I pictured, but I paid way too much to not use them.
I've got the third row and sleep in the back regularly. Kind of hack but my camp table folds down and fits perfectly in the back to level it out. I move the front seats forward and stick some plastic containers on the floor of the back seat and throw a blanket or down jacket on top of them to gain a bit more room. Then I use my regular car camping sleeping pads, the 3.5 inch ones from Rei. I crack the rear hatch window. Getting a good level spot is key.

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Old 09-28-2017, 11:53 PM #12
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Sleeping in the 4Runner

Every time we go camping I take the back seats completely out - seat back and seat bottoms. Takes me an hour, max. I carefully place all the parts in a tough plastic bag so they don't get lost. I put all of my heavy gear down in the forward foot well. Water bottles, come-along winch, air compressor and recovery gear.

If it's just me I might sleep inside the truck. I'm 6'-1" and I never have any trouble stretching out. At night I move the heavy stuff around to clear one side of the car. I put a few soft bags down in the foot well and enough soft stuff in the rise where the seat bottoms go to level everything out. I have a foam pad and a self inflating Thermarest pad. More blankets below me if needed. I use a down bag if it's cool. I open a couple of windows an inch and sleep tight.

If we both go I pitch a tent.

I've slept on just a ground tarp with enough tarp to wrap over me if it gets windy or it rains. I never seem to be bothered by the coyotes, desert rats or scorpions that run around the desert at night.

Here in So Cal it doesn't get that cold so I can camp in a good tent or the car with the windows open a bit. In the desert it gets too windy for a RTT. I use a good 3 or 4-season tent and tie it down 8 to 10 ways against the wind.
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Old 09-29-2017, 12:09 AM #13
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Grizzly Bear Proof

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Originally Posted by MeefZah View Post
We sleep in the back. ... and leave our cooler (Grizzly bear resistant cooler) outside. ...
"Grizzly Bear resistant cooler"? Is that an oxymoron?
Is that like fire resistant charcoal or a theft proof car alarm?
Just kidding...
The only thing that works for bears is a steel bear box like the ones in the Sierra campgrounds. I like to leave a few of those bear proof backpacking cans with rocks in them just to piss the bears off. I takes them a long time to get those open...
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Old 09-29-2017, 12:09 AM #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooler2442 View Post
I just bought my TRD Pro and want to get into camping but don't want to do a roof top tent setup or a normal on the ground tent setup. Wondering if anyone has a mattress setup on the inside of the car or one of those tents that hangs out the back?
Built this about 4 months ago and absolutely love it. The drawer sits permanently in my 4R now. It also has a detachable extension to have a full platform to sleep on as well. Works perfect!

Here is a full write-up on the build if you are interested and a good amount of photos to see the work along the way:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...th-gen%5D.html


Ended up putting the paddle latches on it to open up after the build and those worked a ton better to keep the drawers shut while driving. Super snug!



These had the old handles on them when I first had them, but just for reference when its opened. And opens almost fully. Only has about 4-5 inches left when its fully extended.



Sleeping extension attached:
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Old 09-29-2017, 12:19 AM #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giantkeeper View Post
As much as I would like to camp in the truck, I just don't think I could live with the smells that come with it. Opted to go with a full length roof rack for transporting the stinky stuff to/from and a Kirkham Springbar Traveler tent for everything in between.

I didn't do a rooftop since we often leave midway through our trips for supplies etc. Didnt want to tear down just to do simple tasks.
Same exact feelings. I have a Springbar Campsite 3 for the family and it is perfect for us. Easy to set up and comfortable.
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