Camping in the 4Runner?

R

RaysMD

New member
Kinda off topic, but have you guys ever taken your 4Runner camping? Instead of pitching a tent, one could just use an small inflatable bed in the 4Runner.

I'm planning a trip up to Maine / New Hampshire and wondered if this was feasible for a 2 day trip. Of course the only problems will be finding a suitable place to park the 4Runner and secondly a place to take a shower.
 
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Always in the truck

I have been camping and sleeping in the back for 5 years now. I have a small self inflating mattress, some comforters and sheets. Lay it all out. Roll it up to the front. Pack the rest of the gear.
Take out the gear/cooler, unroll and your set.
Much easier and faster than a tent. This is great especially when you know you'll be getting to the camp area after dark.

The 05 has these great spots in the cargo area. Big enough for toothbrush, paste, a small flashlight, tissue, compass, extra batteries.
( guess I camp a bit, huh)

As for a shower, well it's only two days. Baby wipes. Any more than that, there are 5 gallon shower bags. Throw it in the sun and you have warm water for evening cleaning up.
 
RaysMD said:
Kinda off topic, but have you guys ever taken your 4Runner camping? Instead of pitching a tent, one could just use an small inflatable bed in the 4Runner.

I'm planning a trip up to Maine / New Hampshire and wondered if this was feasible for a 2 day trip. Of course the only problems will be finding a suitable place to park the 4Runner and secondly a place to take a shower.
Click to expand...

I don't know how tall you are, but I cannot fit in my 4R laying down. In order to do so, I need to remove the 2/3 seat cushion. I can then move the shotgun seat forward, and drop some gear in the hole that creates so my feet don't hang off the end. When I do that, it works out ok, but with the seat cushion in place, I cannot lay down in the back. I guess the other question is, what do you do with all your gear if you pretty much fill the back up? I guess you could leave some of it outside, or consider roof-top storage.
 
I camp in mine too when it is cool enough....A lot easier than setting up a tent for short trips! I admit it is snug on length (I am around 5' 10") but it works.
I use a roll up mat and sleeping bag if it is cold. I sleep on the 60 side of the 60/40 split and I can still keep needed gear inside with me. Set up a small folding table outside and keep other gear (ice chest, etc.) outside.
 
I just prop one of the back doors open a bit. At the Pepsi 400 (super hot) I spent 2 nights in the back. The 2nd night I opened the tail gate then I used a piece of strap to hold to hold it down. that let me control how "open" I wanted it. I do wish there was a way to control the window from the back with out the key in. Make sure you push the front seats up all the way to gain as much room as possible. I think the idea of somthing on the floor to make it softer is a great idea.
 
I use two backpacking cots and it works great with lots of room. Pull the front seats forward as far as you can, tilt the backs forward and fold the rear seats. The height of the cot will give you more length as your head will be above the rear seat cushion that is folded forward. It will also give you more width as you will be above the wheelwells. It will be flatter than the cargo area floor and more comfortable. You have room underneath the cots to store some cargo. I then store large cargo on the roof rack with a tarp over it. Two large/tall people can sleep very comfortable this way. The cot legs must be high enough to clear the rear seat hump and wheelwells but not too high as your face will be in the roof.

In the rear 12v plug I plug in a 12v electric blanket (Cabelas) for the cold and a 12v fan for hot nights. Even have a 12v coffeemaker.

Not quite like a travel trailer but works great for a quick camp or in locations you could never pull a trailer to. Do it all the time to get in a few hours sleep on a long road trip.

I too am looking for a window screen as condensation is a problem and cracking the window will let in the Alaska State Bird (skeeter). Anybody know where to get a screen?
 
I threw a mattress from a futon/couch thing in the back with the seats folded flat. Slept in it for 3 nights on May long weekend and it's actually worked pretty good. Much warmer and less bugs than a tent.

Except after one particularily hard night of drinking, I fired up engine to run the heat for awhile and fell asleep for about a 1/2 hour hahaha.....needless to say, it was warm when I woke up :arrow:

This was very comfy for myself, and me+girl (I'm 6'2"), but might have been a little cozy for 2 dudes.....
 
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Colemanfu said:
I just prop one of the back doors open a bit. At the Pepsi 400 (super hot) I spent 2 nights in the back. The 2nd night I opened the tail gate then I used a piece of strap to hold to hold it down. that let me control how "open" I wanted it. I do wish there was a way to control the window from the back with out the key in. Make sure you push the front seats up all the way to gain as much room as possible. I think the idea of somthing on the floor to make it softer is a great idea.
Click to expand...

SWEET, someone else took their 4Runner to the 400!!!



This is before setting up camp, had a 10'x10' tent and a couple camping tents, but boy was it hot & muggy. Glad I brought a battery operated fan, sucked for everyone else I went with.

BTW, thats a lifesize cardboard cutout of JJ in the front passenger seat, which following the race was soaked in torch fuel and set ablaze :D
 
i dont know if they have home depots or walmarts in alaska, but i have seen screens there, in florida it is too hot to camp outside unless it is from december-march, and then im usually in a trailer/tent anyways. ive slept my fair share in the runner, being 6'3" its not easy, esp. in a 3rd gen, i usually hop in the passenger side and drop the seat all the way back and that way i can control all the windows still incase it gets too cold. too many bugs, hear strange noises in the dark and scary woods!
 
*Pull Head rest from either seat.
*Slide seat all the way forward.
*Seat back will drop down to line up with rear seat.
*Inflatable mattress will make it more comfortable
 
UF4runner - wish I knew how to post pix. I would share one with the platform on top of my rig. Not may new SUV with an 8 foot stand on the top. I also put a 4 x4 bar up top to sit on. The box with in the box theory. Lets us see all the way to turn 1. Only thing we cant see is start finish and the pits - but that't what the TV is for. We camp in turn 3 in the yellow reserved section just off the road near the trun 3 restrooms. Across the street is general admission. Total animalville. I get the impression they will section that off next. I only live 10 miles from the speedway so most the time I go home (parttimer) or like I said just pass out in the back of the rig. Had the spot for a few years now. Back in the day we would stage for 2 days just to get up on the fence!
 
ak4r said:
I use two backpacking cots and it works great with lots of room. Pull the front seats forward as far as you can, tilt the backs forward and fold the rear seats. The height of the cot will give you more length as your head will be above the rear seat cushion that is folded forward. It will also give you more width as you will be above the wheelwells. It will be flatter than the cargo area floor and more comfortable. You have room underneath the cots to store some cargo. I then store large cargo on the roof rack with a tarp over it. Two large/tall people can sleep very comfortable this way. The cot legs must be high enough to clear the rear seat hump and wheelwells but not too high as your face will be in the roof.

In the rear 12v plug I plug in a 12v electric blanket (Cabelas) for the cold and a 12v fan for hot nights. Even have a 12v coffeemaker.

Not quite like a travel trailer but works great for a quick camp or in locations you could never pull a trailer to. Do it all the time to get in a few hours sleep on a long road trip.

I too am looking for a window screen as condensation is a problem and cracking the window will let in the Alaska State Bird (skeeter). Anybody know where to get a screen?
Click to expand...

Tell me more about these backpacking cots? What kind and where did you get them? I like this idea but have not really found what I am looking for.
As far a screen, you might be able to just buy a roll of the black nylon screen and then use some of the strip magnets to attach it around the windows. I have not tried this but I read about it somewhere.
 
Colemanfu,
Ah, so you were over by "Club 3", that was a wild place. I was
towards Turn 4 tunnel where it was quiet, other than us. I have
a feeling next year im going to get one of those 10ft UHAUL
trailers and build a platform around that. People next to us had a
platform on a pickup with a stripper pole and flashing red light in
the middle, view wasnt bad from there. For the race I discovered
the perfect spot for watching the race where there is noone else
around. Could see Turn 1 all the way around to Turn 4, great
view especially at night.....






..and for images I use http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php
upload the file from your comp and it gives you the necessary
code to link it from a forum
 
ak4r said:


In the rear 12v plug I plug in a 12v electric blanket (Cabelas) for the cold and a 12v fan for hot nights. Even have a 12v coffeemaker.
Click to expand...

I thought the 12V outlet only works when the key is in the on position? How did you get it to have power at the outlet?
 
SUV Tent

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.
 
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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.
 
Yea I'm short

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
 
12 volt

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.
 
Re: 12 volt

ak4r said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 :)
 
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