Car Camping in the 5th Gen

[mteolus]

I will second this one. I spent a week at scout camp, and knew I would be busy with the scouts a bunch and a long distance from the showers. This was not long after SP came onto the overlanding scene. I bought an assortment box to use at camp as a backup, to help if I missed time to shower. I swear by these!! I used one each morning when I got up, and never actually made it to the showers all week. Saturday, my wife came right up to kiss me when I got home and only complained about my unshaven face! And I even asked her how I smelled--no complaints.
Now, I won't pass up a shower when I can get one. As I've aged I've become very hesitant to stray away from the comforts of life. But this product is one that has made it much easier for me to camp multiple days away from home. The only negative is that getting out of a warm sleeping bag and then using a cold Shower Pouch is very awakening in the morning!!

One more thing: I'm currently building a storage/leveling/sleeping platform much like what Antman has done, and others. I'll have pictures in the future when it's done, but basically it's the same thing as someone above did with the cardboard boxes but with space to store some stuff and carpeting to match the interior.

I've got a coupon. Give me a second.

Here ya go.

Shower Pouch
10% PUBLIC DISCOUNT
Discount Code: "LIFESTYLE"
Must be purchased through the Shower Pouch Website

 

[muckmonsta]

They are great. Thanks for the coupon!

 

[WiscoOverland]

I can say that the O2 cool fan in the earlier post is awesome. I used it out in the Badlands last summer and the batteries never died on me over a week.

 

[Hungryhawk]

camping in 5th gen

Thanks to everyone for sharing their ideas.
I have done a couple short trips and I am still adding items.
I attach homemade screens when parked. Have both sides for cross ventilation.
Having driver side rear seat up when camping is nice, I can roll out of cot and sit in rear seat for changing clothing or reading. Cot fits over passenger side folded up seat and give me a flat 74"x 25" bed. I package wrap a foam pad and a thin self-inflated mattress to the cot for insulation in below freezing temps and a decent cushion. Duffel bag under cot for clothing. Extra shoes/boots also fit under cot.

Hungryhawk, May 2020

 

[Mudhorn]

I have found nets that fit perfectly over the windows for airflow at night with no worries of bugs. Skeeter is what I have for the front and some Amazon brand for the rear (mentioned above). The rear ones are nice since they go over the door, so I use them as sun shades for the baby as well. Held up great at highway speeds.
Someone on here was selling a kit to roll the rear window up and down from a rear switch. It is nice to be able to lock/unlock the doors and move the rear window without crawling up front.
Raingler attic to throw things up and hang a light on. I did upgrade to the rago for storing recovery gear, but place the soft Raingler under the rago when camping for quick access at night.

 

[87pony]

6'1" --> I wouldn't say it's the most fabulous night of sleep I've ever had, but it works just fine. I wouldn't want to share the space with anyone for an extended period of nights, but it can be done......:girl:

6' here. its doable but I usually sleep diagonal. With another person is kinda miserable for me. Seat bottom out is an idea I havent tried tho

 

[Motory]

No input on camping inside the T4R as I've only slept in it for a few nights on a cot before buying an RTT, but for fire rings/accessories one of my favorite purchases to date has been my Fireside Popup pit. Retail is expensive, but they go on sale pretty frequently for ~$65ish.

Originally bought it because some of the places I go require campfires to be in metal containers off the ground, but it's been perfect for cooking as well and I use it every trip now.

 

[mteolus]

6' here. its doable but I usually sleep diagonal. With another person is kinda miserable for me. Seat bottom out is an idea I havent tried tho

Yes, you need to take out the seat or seats. I just stack up enough stuff in the rear seat space so it is level. They do make blow up spacers that I guess fit some SUVs, but since the 4Runner doesn't have a hump I am not sure if it would work.

Seat Spacer on Amazon Shown with the seats still in but probably will work with them out and the backrests folded down flat.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

My wife and I sleep inside the 4Runner when in high bear populations in lieu of the ground tent. I started out backpacking so our camp gear is just our former ultra-light setup.

Coming from a tiny arse backpacking tent, the 4Runner feels like a condo.

-Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy down bags
-Thermarest NeoAir Pads
-Nemo Fillow pillows
-Helinox Camp Chairs
-Kelty Low Loveseat when car camping
-Cheap plastic folding table someone left at my house
-MSR stove
-Snowpeak Cookware

 

[pDubs]

Cheap plastic folding table in the trunk area to make the hump up to seats more flat?

I’ve always thought about doing that. Every time I slept in the 4runner I blew up a cheap twin air mattress though and the hump couldn’t be felt.

 

[5Sport]

No input on camping inside the T4R as I've only slept in it for a few nights on a cot before buying an RTT, but for fire rings/accessories one of my favorite purchases to date has been my Fireside Popup pit. Retail is expensive, but they go on sale pretty frequently for ~$65ish.

Originally bought it because some of the places I go require campfires to be in metal containers off the ground, but it's been perfect for cooking as well and I use it every trip now.

Nice set up. I live in SoCal, where do they require campfires off the ground/ Is this new? It's almost impossible to find any areas that allow campfires these days. Thanks

 

[jppower]

I did it for a week and three days, from Minneapolis to Flagstaff and back.
I lucked out and the nights were cool enough to just use window netting.(can find it on amazon)
I used a foam mattress in the back to sleep on, cooler for small amounts of food. I did use hotels 4 of the nights mostly to use the shower.

things I wish I brought:
-gas cans to stay more remote
-maybe a grill but food can be planned were you don't need to cook
-folding chair, better to sit outside than in the runner
-some company lol

 

[jppower]

How tall are you guys?? 5'11 person can sleep comfy inside?

I'm 5'10", sleep at an angle or slight bend in the knees should be fine.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

I’m 5’11 and wouldn’t want to be any taller sleeping in it without some for of adjustment for more space like pulling the rear seat bottoms out.

With air pads, the hump isn’t perceived. We use misc clothing to level out feet out under the thermarest pads but even without it you’re fine.

With good down bags and air pads it’s quite comfortable.

 

[Motory]

Nice set up. I live in SoCal, where do they require campfires off the ground/ Is this new? It's almost impossible to find any areas that allow campfires these days. Thanks

I think I bought it for Anza Borrego. They might be the only one with this restriction, but I've used it in places all along the 395, Mojave, BLM land and Death Valley.

 

[teldel]

Nice set up. I live in SoCal, where do they require campfires off the ground/ Is this new? It's almost impossible to find any areas that allow campfires these days. Thanks

Nice firepit, is it durable? It seems to be lightweight, but will it last?

 

[erinelizabeth6]

Newbie Questions

As a follow-up to this post, I have a couple questions myself. I don't plan to go on crazy road trips (at least not yet) so I don't want to spend hundreds on gear, take out the back seats, or build a platform. I'm trying to keep it simple for 2-3 night excursions.

1. I live in Florida and don't want to be relegated to car camping in December only. Does anyone have a good portable AC unit they recommend? I would be staying at campsites, so if it is corded that would be fine.

2. I have been contemplating buying one of those Corduroy convertible bean bags for sleeping. Thoughts? I am kind of a wimp, lots of previous injuries, so I can't just do a pad or cot. I was wondering if the full or queen size would fit and fill in the spaces since it's a flexible bean bag?

3. How to keep bugs out! I would love to have a way to put the back window halfway down but with some sort of screen on it. Any good DIYs? Someone told me once you can buy something to insert into the window and then you can roll the window up until it is wedged in, but for the life of me I can't find one.

TIA!!!!

 

[erinelizabeth6]

Shades??

I have found nets that fit perfectly over the windows for airflow at night with no worries of bugs. Skeeter is what I have for the front and some Amazon brand for the rear (mentioned above). The rear ones are nice since they go over the door, so I use them as sun shades for the baby as well. Held up great at highway speeds.
Someone on here was selling a kit to roll the rear window up and down from a rear switch. It is nice to be able to lock/unlock the doors and move the rear window without crawling up front.
Raingler attic to throw things up and hang a light on. I did upgrade to the rago for storing recovery gear, but place the soft Raingler under the rago when camping for quick access at night.

Any chance you have the link for the rear net? I looked but couldn't find any other post from you on the thread mentioning it.

 

[Mudhorn]

Any chance you have the link for the rear net? I looked but couldn't find any other post from you on the thread mentioning it.

Amazon.com: Shade Sox Universal Car Side Window Baby Sun Shade (2pc) | Protects Baby and Kids from the Sun| Fits All (99%) Cars Most SUV's | Travel ebook included!: Automotive

This size fits perfectly. They roll up small enough I keep them in mesh organizer in the rear door pocket

 

[Mutant138]

Well did plenty of it stock. Removed the 60 split seat bottom. Cut up iso mats and taped them into layers to form a pad to take up the hump (ugly but functional and cushy). Rubbermaid storage container in the footwell to give me some extra room 6’5”. Pics are floating around somewhere on here.

I recently finished my 2nd row delete cargo platform. Will prob just be using my old iso mat with a little inflatable pad till find myself a mattress of my liking.

I have bug screen nets from amazon that slip over the door tops so you can roll the windows down.

As far as staying cool for the summer... I should prob get a portable fan. I’ll admit I’ve just toughed it out. Sleep with just some drawers on and a blanket by my side if needed. Knock a few cold snacks back before bed to help drop the give a **** factor.

Need to get the window and hatch release mod going, a battery powered fan, and some limo tint/curtains. Then I’ll really be luxurious.