Camping Inside 04runner

c44me said:
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.


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

Would you please tell me where you can park and sleep over night for free at Whistler? And where you can take shower for $5?

Thanks
 
ginkang said:
Would you please tell me where you can park and sleep over night for free at Whistler? And where you can take shower for $5?

Lot 4 at Whistler Village has a designated overnight parking area for the Singing Pass trailhead. It's actually posted that overnight parking there is permitted, on the side of the lot near the road/sidewalk. The $5 showers are now $6, and they are at the municipal gym and sports center a little north on Route 99, up near Green Lake. The hot tub felt great last weekend!
 
I've slept in the back of my 4R , well not exactly slept :D

I would like to find a nice pad or carpet for in the back.

Not a problem with the DD cargo in the back , I actually used it once recently and it worked out well , still think its a waste but since its flat and locked in closed position , its no biggie.
 
4Runner Camping

As I have posted in previous threads, my wife and I frequently camp in my 4Runner for a long weekend or so.

While we camp extensively with our Chalet A-frame and with tents when the whole fmaily goes, sometimes she and I like to get away without much fuss or advance planning.

We are both shorter in stature so the length is ok. A bit tight width-wise between the wheel wells but we manage. I put two closed cell Ridge Rest pads down followed by our Therm-a-Rest comfort model self-inflating pads and then sleeping bags. Doesn't get much better than that! I have window screens that go on the front windows as well as a rear door tent for added bug-free ventilation. A 6' x 10" tarp off the taligate competes the set-up and gives us shelter in inclement weather.

This set-up works for us all 4 seasons. In winter I have a propane Colenman Golf Cat heater that fits in the console cup holder. We put this on for 30 minutes or so before we go to bed and then again in the morning before we climb out of our bags. Of course we use excellent low temp. mummy bags in the winter.

The wife and I agree that 4Runner camping is great and relaxing!
 
c44me said:
Lot 4 at Whistler Village has a designated overnight parking area for the Singing Pass trailhead. It's actually posted that overnight parking there is permitted, on the side of the lot near the road/sidewalk. The $5 showers are now $6, and they are at the municipal gym and sports center a little north on Route 99, up near Green Lake. The hot tub felt great last weekend!

Thank you for your info. I have been there so many times but never seen the Lot 4 sign:) I did not know about the over night parking there! Thank you.
I knew about the Sports center there. It's pretty well maintained. A good place to go swimming.
 
Good place to sleep for sure... a couple pics from the inside here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22820

I used a twin inflatable matress, just fits tight between the wheel wells. Then I gently shut the rear door and it snugs everything up. Comfort is great. I am 6" so I cannot fully stretch out. I put the 2 front seats far forward, so let the back seats "push" as far as they can go when folded.

Temps were a bit nippy, it gets pretty humid as well (no real ventilation). For me personally, it is critical to be level or worst case to have your head slightly higher. Take note of where you park.

I stepped in from the rear doors, slipped off my shoes and left them right in that spot where the seats fold and enjoyed the comfort.


J
 
I slept in the 4runner last month. I slept by myself and I am not all that tall. It was quite comfortable. I laid the larger side of the seat down and kept the other side up. I put all my bags on one side and slept on the other. I put down a thick sleeping bag and it was comfortable. I slept 2 nights back to back and it was ok. I dont know about 2 people, but by myself it didnt get stuffy.

I know 2 summers ago there was myself and 2 other buddies, sleeping in the front 2 seats and one lying down in the back seat. We all woke up sore and we woke up like 5 times throughout the night because it was stuffy, so we would open the windows, and then the mosquitoes would come in.....and over and over. But by myself, it was comfortable and I would do it again....
 
4x4v8 said:
...I laid the larger side of the seat down and kept the other side up.

I love that setup with the seat kept clear of storage. It makes entering and exiting the truck while dealing with footwear a breeze. Takes away some storage space but it's well worth it for the easy entering and exiting.
 
JB. said:
I love that setup with the seat kept clear of storage. It makes entering and exiting the truck while dealing with footwear a breeze. Takes away some storage space but it's well worth it for the easy entering and exiting.

Yea, you get in and out its very easy. And keeping the other seat up allows you to put bags in the back cargo and put other small things on the seat beside your head. Its a good setup when sleeping alone.
 
You don't need to take out the DD system or back seat to sleep in the truck, right? I'm heading out tomorrow on a camping trip, and was planning on just folding the seats down, locking the DD system in down position and sleeping in it as-is...

Is that going to work?
 
Yeah, it will work fine with the DD cargo system down flat. If anything, it keeps the floor level with the seat backs.
 
That's what I was thinking as well, but then readong some of the other posts had me questioning that....

Either way, I guess I'll know for sure after this weekend.
 
IMO, there's no point to remove the DD system unless the extra inch or two in height is neccessary for tall cargo. With the DD system removed there's the gap and the second row seatback and cargo floor is no longer flat.
 
Anyone ever sleep in the back of a first gen? I might try that next summer with my wife.
As far a mosquitos goes, get a bit of mosquito net, put it over the open window/ sunroof and use some strips of flexible magnets to hold it in place. Doesn't look the greatest but it works. Done that with an open sunroof at the drive in in the car numerous times.
 
I'm planning a road (snowboarding) trip out to Lake Tahoe in California with about 6-7 other stops along the way there and back. I'll be coming from Western New York (Buffalo area) and I plan on spending multiple nights in my 4Runner while inbetween destinations to save on some money! I'll keep ya'll updated on how it goes. I'll have my laptop and wireless net with me. The trip is so far planned for mid-February if all works out with getting the time off work, etc.
 
Makes Sense

Uneek said:
IMO, there's no point to remove the DD system unless the extra inch or two in height is neccessary for tall cargo. With the DD system removed there's the gap and the second row seatback and cargo floor is no longer flat.

Glad I am not the only one who questions the removal of the shelf (useless or useful as it may be).
 
DonnyB said:
I'm planning a road (snowboarding) trip out to Lake Tahoe in California with about 6-7 other stops along the way there and back. I'll be coming from Western New York (Buffalo area) and I plan on spending multiple nights in my 4Runner while inbetween destinations to save on some money! I'll keep ya'll updated on how it goes. I'll have my laptop and wireless net with me. The trip is so far planned for mid-February if all works out with getting the time off work, etc.

If youre sleeping during the winter you might want to take some sort of heater. Its going to get cold at night. Good luck and hope to hear how it goes....
 
4x4v8 said:
If youre sleeping during the winter you might want to take some sort of heater. Its going to get cold at night. Good luck and hope to hear how it goes....

Yeah, I have a 12v heated blanket and a cold-weather sleeping bag that should work fine. I've camped in tents in the winter plenty of times, so it should be a similar experience. I also liked the idea of hitting the remote start to heat the vehicle up a bit if need be.
 
we just got back from a camping trip by sleeping in the runner. the temperature was about 40's at night. we used "Aireshade" on the back windows and closed all other windows and didn't feel too cold. we didn't have to remove the double decker either. we bought a foam from walmart which makes the sleep a lot more comfortable. i'll post some pictures later.
 
Proper Equipment

All you need is a GOOD cold-weather sleeping bag, although a self-inflating pad is an nice addition.

We use a Coleman Golfcat catalytic heater during our winter 4Runner camping trips. We turn it on for 30 minutes or so before we get into our bags and again intn emorning for a bit before we get up and dressed.

We own several different sleeping bags (actually over a dozen for our family of five), ranging anywhere from
-20 deg F to to +30/40 deg F. Some are more compact down bags for backpacking and others are more of a bulky hunting bag type for car camping excursions. The right tool for the job at hand.
 

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