Camping Inside 04runner

[Hawk]

I am planning a camping trip and I am wondering if any of you sleep in the back of your 4runner. I have a 2004 Limited with the split cargo shelf. Is there enough length for a 6 footer? Any ideas for padding? High density foam? Inflatible air bed?

Oh yeah... how about those suv tents that attach to the back end of the truck and around the open door? Do those work? What is the best brand? Where to buy?

Thank you in advance for any tips.

Hawk

 

[c44me]

We sleep in our 4Runner quite a bit, for one or two nights at a time. In fact, the 4Runner's "campability" is one reason we bought it - it's wide enough, long enough, and flat enough back there - but just barely. I'm 6', 220 lb, my wife is 5' 3", 110 lb. I never sleep stretched out, mostly in a fetal position, so length is not an issue although width is. We use our backpacking Ultralight Thermarest pads, they are fine for thickness and softness, but the joint between rear seatback and cargo area can be a problem. You need to find a sleeping position where that lump doesn't irritate you. When we were shopping for the vehicle, we carried our Thermarest pads into the dealerships to make sure the backs of the vehicle were big enough. We also usually crack the windows a bit to ventilate our breath, but frequently around here it rains, so we keep the windows shut. Either way, plan on waking up with a lot of condensation on the interior, and on cleaning the inside of the windshield before you drive at night again. Don't forget a Thermos full of Starbucks for the morning and a wide-mouth quart pee bottle for the night!

We particularly like sleeping in "Chateau Toyota" at Whistler, where the lift tickets and food are cheap but the hotels aren't. We spent two nights in it at Whistler last New Year's - when we started the engine after coffee the thermometer was reading +6 Fahrenheit- the vehicle doesn't provide much insulation by the time morning rolls around. So a good down sleeping bag is essential in the winter. We can tell you where it's legal to park overnight at Whistler, and where to get a hot tub, towel and shower for $5 if you are interested.

We also sleep in the back before backcountry skiing in the North Cascades and at Mt Rainier, as well as on kayak trips in the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island areas. Frankly, I'd rather live in the back of an SUV and just ski and paddle my life away, but the day job gets in the way.

Don't know about that split shelf, we don't have it. And we also don't have the third row seat option.

 

[Hitman]

Wow, I don't think I could ever sleep in the back of my 4Runner when the temps are in the single digits.

I remember last year during a ski trip to Whiteface mountain, I left my ski boots in the back of my truck overnight. It was so cold that my feet felt like they were in blocks of ice instead of nice, warm ski boots. I was miserable for the first couple of hours of skiing because my feet were so damn cold.

I definitely would not be happy camping out in my truck in cold temps like that....

 

[Good Times]

I've used my 4runner to camp in many times over the last two years and I love every second of it.

I have a tent that attaches to the rear and it works well.

http://www.tentsontrucks.com/explorer.html

It fits good enough that it works. The rear opens too much so you'll need to use the compression straps that comes with it and strap it down. I'm impressed how well it works. (sorry I don't have photos of the tent on my 4runner but I'm sure the link gives some idea). installation takes 5 minutes doing it alone and 1-2 min if you do it with someone.

I have a twin size air mattress inside that fits perfectly between the tires as well as lengthwise too. I like to sleep in luxury so thus the air mattress but of course it's not required. the foam or the slim pads will work fine.

Something to note though. Weather does play a significant role so if you plan to sleep in cold weather, it might be nice to sleep with the gate closed. I've camped out in Moab this past year (04) and it got pretty chilly but with a nice 0 degree sleeping bag I was nice and toasty

If you're tall then I recommend removing the rear seat cushion (2 bolts - 12 or 14mm I think). Do remember that by sleeping in the cabin, you'll have to move stuff around so either pack light or move it to the front. What I've done is setup a regular tent outside to place all my gear in the tent while I sleep in the truck (go figure huh).

 

[ScottAW]

You local to the Albany area then?

Wow, I don't think I could ever sleep in the back of my 4Runner when the temps are in the single digits.

I remember last year during a ski trip to Whiteface mountain, I left my ski boots in the back of my truck overnight. It was so cold that my feet felt like they were in blocks of ice instead of nice, warm ski boots. I was miserable for the first couple of hours of skiing because my feet were so damn cold.

I definitely would not be happy camping out in my truck in cold temps like that....

 

[Hitman]

You local to the Albany area then?

Not exactly local... I'm from Rockland county. I don't mind driving all the way up to Whiteface for some good skiing though...

 

[Bluto]

Does anyone sell screens you can place in the 4Runner's windows?

I've seen truckers use them. You open the window and put the screens into the top of a door, and you roll the window into them.


Anyone have window vent visors installed?

 

[Bluto]

Anyone have window vent visors installed?

Just found some, installs inside the window channel, no tape...


http://www.weathertech.com/

 

[benhar]

When I was researching 4Runners to buy mine, one feature I noticed was how the front seats fold back flush with the rear when the headrests are removed. I tried it out of curiousity, and the contours aren't good for sleeping. Has anyone actually used this? I'm 6'1, so maybe it works better for shorter people...

 

[Luxury]

When I was researching 4Runners to buy mine, one feature I noticed was how the front seats fold back flush with the rear when the headrests are removed. I tried it out of curiousity, and the contours aren't good for sleeping. Has anyone actually used this? I'm 6'1, so maybe it works better for shorter people...

Wow! Great discussion guys. I tried the same as benhar but haven't slept like that yet. I bet a couple of key positioned pillows might make the contours better. Looks like from your avatar that you have a Sport, so that is cool that it works for both the manual Sport seats and the power Limited seats.

I have been pondering this very idea, so I'm glad you started the thread Hawk, thx. Here are the links that I have been saving in my mod thread:

Discusses sleeping on the DD cargo system

For a 3rd gen, but it is a really good link

There is also a JDM pad that is made specifically for our 4th gens, but I don't have the link handy at the moment. However, that custom fit will probably cost you.

 

[Swaro]

Hawk...C44me is right on with the comments. I'm 5-10 and have to bend the legs slightly. If you are 5-8 or less, you will be able to keep your legs straight. I have the cargo shelf...no problems...the Thermarests handle that. It gets extremely wet on the windows when 2 are sleeping in there. Much prefer a tent, but we had continuous pouring rain and did not want to even try to set up a tent. Those add on tents seem like a dumb idea to me. Get a free standing tent-they take 10 min or less to set up, and you can still run to a store for supplies w/ the 'Runner.

 

[skategoat]

Hitman, there's a big difference between Whistler and Whiteface.

Whistler is a tropical paradise compared to Whiteface. Last time I was at Whiteface, my kids were throwing cups of water in the air to watch it freeze before it hit the ground.

 

[ak4r]

4Runner Camping

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?

 

[Cleric]

I am 6' and I have slept very comfortably in my Runner. I used my tent to hold my stuff.

 

[benhar]

Wow! Great discussion guys. I tried the same as benhar but haven't slept like that yet. I bet a couple of key positioned pillows might make the contours better. Looks like from your avatar that you have a Sport, so that is cool that it works for both the manual Sport seats and the power Limited seats.

Darn you people with your power seats!

Seriously though, it's a shame Toyota didn't offer power seats as an option in the Sport. I would have liked to get them, but I really liked that hood scoop and silver trim.

 

[Luxury]

Darn you people with your power seats!

Seriously though, it's a shame Toyota didn't offer power seats as an option in the Sport. I would have liked to get them, but I really liked that hood scoop and silver trim.

I've got the silver trim and the hood scoop too. Well the scoop is in the garage, but I'll have it on the 4runner soon. On the down side, it takes a while for the power seat to lower.

 

[benhar]

I've got the silver trim and the hood scoop too. Well the scoop is in the garage, but I'll have it on the 4runner soon. On the down side, it takes a while for the power seat to lower.

Nice, best of both worlds!

 

[BC_Runner]

What a great discussion ... Thanks.

I've thought a lot about this and tried it last Halloween (knew I was gonna drink way too much and thought ahead to sleep in the truck in my buddy's driveway, too many other people planning to spend the night on the couches...):cheers:

Anyway, I'm 6'2" and the being stuck in the fetal position was not good so I was thinking the next time to remove the rear seat, good to see that it works well.

For warmth, when I did inevitably wake up during the night, I hit the remote start, had the heat cranked, and went back to sleep. It's set to 15 min run time, so that did the trick.

I have a feeling I will be using my tent as gear storage much more for my upcoming camping trips.

 

[4Runna]

i'm one of those carputer dorks and plan on taking out that waste of an option dd cargo rack... i am building a custom box that takes about 6 inches or so from the back to store amps and such in for an invisible, clean install...

i had always thought about usin the 4runner for a tent, because real tents suck.

i think i will just build an expansion for the custom box that extends to the front over the folded rear seats, and put a foam pad on the box... room for a 6'2" me and 5'7" wife!

 

[Guju4Runner]

Ive slept in 4runner a few times.. not the softest of beds but throw a sleeping bag down.play some music.. its paradise..