Anyone rely on the struts to keep the hatch open all night ever? I know we have plenty of windows for air circulation at night, but I just sold my condo and will be living out of the 4runner for awhile and I'm 6'2" and the back hatch is the most comfortable option to climb in and out of regularly.
Camping overnight with tailgate open
- Thread starter gaber6
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Yeah that works, too. It's a sorta softer lumpy shape depending how you end up sleeping. I'm just more worried about a strut slamming shut on my foot in the middle of the night.
You could always cobble together a support that keeps the door propped open, even in the event of a strut failure(s).
And it sounds like you're doing it for an extended amount of time, so it might worth looking in something like the below (not my pic)...
lbro23
New member
I'm 6'5" and sleep out of the back of my 5th gen every weekend! My OEM struts have never failed or faltered even when left open all night. Logically, the internal pressure is much higher in the struts when they're fully compressed (trunk closed).
So if they fail or start leaking it'll happen when the trunk is shut and you'll notice the lack of assist when you go to open the trunk. And if it makes you feel any better, its very unlikely that both struts fail catastrophically at the same time, so worst case scenario you get a mild foot crushing.
So if they fail or start leaking it'll happen when the trunk is shut and you'll notice the lack of assist when you go to open the trunk. And if it makes you feel any better, its very unlikely that both struts fail catastrophically at the same time, so worst case scenario you get a mild foot crushing.
I've seen a couple guys use lift support clamps
Maybe that would be a good, cheap, quick solution for ya. Just need one, clamp it on the strut, and no worries of the latch closing on you.
Maybe that would be a good, cheap, quick solution for ya. Just need one, clamp it on the strut, and no worries of the latch closing on you.
Boort
Member
It's cramped before 6'2".
I read about this on one of these threads a while back and wanted to try it out. So on my last trip after driving all day I tried this setup rather than blowing up my air mattress and using my sleeping platform. Big NOPE on this for me.
No where to put legs, lumps in all the wrong places. Found it could make a good lounger by sitting in the back seat and putting legs across the back of the front seat. IE: for evac'ing someone with a busted leg. But after driving highways and trails for 8 hours the last thing I want to do is sleep sitting up.
Back to my sleeping platform for me! It's flat and other than the lack of headroom comfortable.
With the sleeping platform designed right you can get nearly 7' of sleeping room in a 4th Gen. I have just over 6' with my drivers seat still in driving position. (all the way down and back). You'll need to slide the seat fwd and fold it all the way fwd, then build your platform to go over the folded up 2nd row seat bottoms. In my setup (based on the Adv Index plans) The drawers take up the rear and I have 2 platforms that go from supports on the front of the drawer box, and over the rear seats. If you stick with the Adv. Index plans the box will be a bit lower offering more headroom but a slight incline from the front of the box to top edge of the seat bottoms and back of front seat. (mine is taller and so more flat.)
Boort
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Yea, the lumpiness factor is huge after 20 minutes no matter how tired you are. The platform idea might be good. Or a camping cot with leg extenders in the right spots? Hell, I might end up with a roof tent or just pull a tiny trailer with all the supplies/bicycle/paddleboard.
lbro23
New member
+1 for the platform, best thing I've done to my 4r.
I have the double rear seat removed and built drawers for the trunk and a platform insert for where the seats used to be. Gives you a nice big storage cubby under the platform, and enough space to stretch all the way out without having to worry about leaving the tailgate open. The downside is limiting the passenger capacity to 3...
Also two pieces of gutter guard trimmed and shut in the rear windows will keep the bugs and rain out, and ventilate the car plenty while you sleep.
I have the double rear seat removed and built drawers for the trunk and a platform insert for where the seats used to be. Gives you a nice big storage cubby under the platform, and enough space to stretch all the way out without having to worry about leaving the tailgate open. The downside is limiting the passenger capacity to 3...
Also two pieces of gutter guard trimmed and shut in the rear windows will keep the bugs and rain out, and ventilate the car plenty while you sleep.
Boort
Member
The sleeping platform is great when I'm out by myself, It's less convenient if out with my SO, and unusable with 3-4.
I have access to use a popup A-frame trailer that I use if I'm not going out alone. The trailer is great for sleeping up to 4, brings along it's own kitchen, fridge, and heater. I love it for extending the camping season and for extended trips. It's not fun for rough roads and more than I like to haul when going fast and light.
Boort
