Good spot for sleeping in the runner in Houston

[tonybaloney]

me and the wife are traveling to GMNP in three weeks. we will be sleeping in our runner. before we do that, we want to try it out. does anyone have any good place in mind? we are afraid we might get kicked out by staying at a park (Memorial park) overnight. i also feel silly sleeping in an RV park. Thanks!

 

[alaskaman]

Motel 6 dude. or try Federal Parks that allow camping.

 

[Pincushion]

What is GMNP?

edit: Nevermind. I googled it. Guadalupe Mountain National Park.

How about camping at an offroad park?

 

[Specialized]

me and the wife are traveling to GMNP in three weeks. we will be sleeping in our runner. before we do that, we want to try it out. does anyone have any good place in mind? we are afraid we might get kicked out by staying at a park (Memorial park) overnight. i also feel silly sleeping in an RV park. Thanks!

select a state park that has tent sites...the sites may be away from the RVs. I've slept in my truck, I wanna try it again but I have to have MORE padding.

http://www.texasoutside.com/camp_lake_maps/easttexas.htm

Have fun!

 

[TechWrench]

Try a truck stop. Also, most WallMarts allow overnight RV visits in their parking lots.

 

[tonybaloney]

thanks a lot guys. maybe i'll try a walmart

 

[racedirt1]

Yeah Wal-Marts allow campers to stay overnight, not only do they allow you to stay it is well know in the r.v. community that their parking lot lights have electrical outlets that you can plug into. Wow, I can't believe I just had something good to say about Wal-Mart.

 

[riverwolf]

If this is just to practice sleeping in the vehicle...why wouldn't your home parking situation be suitable?

 

[keylay31]

I've spent the night in a walmart parking lot. Wasn't too bad.

ditto on what riverwolf said though.

Also, why can't you just both lay in it and see if you fit?

 

[tonybaloney]

i know we'll definitely fit. we just wanted to see how we feel like the next morning. we are in a townhouse so there isn't really a driveway for us to park the car and the garage is too hot. we'll probably end up sleeping in one of our parents' driveway to test it out. it's still too hot in houston right now.

 

[outgolfn]

I'd suggest spending $59 at a hotel/motel. Your back will thank you for it in the morning! Trust me!

 

[Gromulus]

Therm-a-Rest Pads

My wife and I sleep in the back of my 4Runner many times while camping during the year - even in winter. Regardless of climate, one staple piece of equipment is a Therm-a-Rest self inflating pad. We own several types, depending on whether we are backpacking or car camping. These are more comfortable than any air mattress while providing more insulation (more important when sleeping on the ground), and increased durability. They self-inflate within minutes.

Two 20" x 72" mattresses will fit perfectly in the back of the 4th gen Runner with the rear seats folded down. We even have a couple of closed cell Ridge-Rest pads underneath. Aside from the snug quarters, we sleep very well for "forty-niners"!

We use these:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=39202096

If you can spend a few more $, these thicker top-of-the-line ones are even better:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=39201919

Take a tip from experienced backpackers and get a couple of these self-inflating pads.

More info:

http://www.thermarest.com/

 

[4by4th]

Huntsville State Park or a jeep road in the Sam Houston National Forest around the northern half of Lake Conroe. Even if you can't do it until you return from your planned trip...

 

[tonybaloney]

me and the wife finally did it! since it's cold enough in houston, we just did it in our garage. check her blog out for more details.

http://www.sockparade.com/2007/10/21/sleep-in-your-toyota-4-runner/

 

[Gromulus]

Cold Weather

Nice write-up. Glad to see you got some sceens that still provide ventilation. So many people camp in closed vehicles and tents (wrongly thinking it will help keep them warmer) and wonder why they wake up wet (from condensation). Ventilation is very important, even during the winter season. I use Screenz which are probably very similar to Airshades, although they are not as opaque.. Do you have a link to the Airshades?

Do not discount the importance of good cold-weather sleeping bags if you will experience anything below freezing (and $200 isn't on the expensive side - compared to $600 down bags). Of course you live in Houston so this may not be much of a concern.

Also, Therma-Rest pads - particularly the thicker comfort models -are very comfortable, durable, low-profile, and provide some insulation - especially when compared to cheap air mattresses. They also roll-up when not in use, taking up little room.

Make yourself a tarp to extend from your back roof rack. All you need is a tarp, two (extendable) poles, guy wires, stakes, and some bungee cords. A good place to put a couple of chairs and small table when it rains.

My wife and I are going out this coming weekend or next for some 4Runner camping. We will continue to do this even during the winter months as long as the Runner can get us there!

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[tonybaloney]

thanks for the inputs! we checked the weather and it'll only go down to the high 40's so i don't think we need the therma-rest pads this time around.

also, i can't seem to find a link to the Airshades. we got it from wal-mart.

can you show me a picture of the tarp installed on the runner? or do you have a link explaining how to make one?

thanks again!

 

[Gromulus]

Tarp

thanks for the inputs! we checked the weather and it'll only go down to the high 40's so i don't think we need the therma-rest pads this time around.

also, i can't seem to find a link to the Airshades. we got it from wal-mart.

can you show me a picture of the tarp installed on the runner? or do you have a link explaining how to make one?

thanks again!

Interesting. I have never seen these at our area Wal-Marts. I use Screenz (also a "pillow-case" type) over the two back windows as well as a roll-up screen I cut for the rear hatch window. I just applied thin strips of the "grabby" Velcro all around the rear window (hardly noticeable) and attach the screen material. I also thought of making one for the sunroof with a magnetic attachment but these seem to provide enough ventilation.

You can buy roll-up tarps/shades of all sorts but most are cheaply built and expensive. The Kelty Carport models are especially nice but more expensive and complicated than I want:

http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=8&cat=63&id=152

I made my own. I will send you a picture if I can find one. Basically I just bought:

1) One 6' x 10" (or similar size) heavy duty (silver for heat reflection) tarp at Lowes/HD

2) Two 7' extendable poles from Campmor
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...6&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

3) Guy ropes and slides (Campmor or Wal-Mart):
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=12190&memberId=12500226

4) A few heavy-duty tent stakes

5) Two tarp bungee cords or locks to attach to roof rack

In the summer we also use an Explorer hatch tent along with the tarp. This provides increased ventilation as well as a more "open" feeling along with easier egress. It does NOT provide any increase in floor/usable space:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=11998&memberId=12500226

Actually I also extend the ends of the wider tarp out from the sides with additional guy lines and stakes to provide more effective water run-off when it rains.

Don't discount the Therma-Rest pads. Besides insulation, they are very comfortabe and portable. Last month I took a buddy and his son on their first primitive tent camping trip and he said that the Therma-Rest pads provided him with a better night's sleep than he gets on his home bed mattress! He is going to buy one for home use. I have several models of varying size and thickness depending on whether I am "car camping" or backpacking. These are one of the best camping/backpacking innovations ever.

We love to lie in the truck and look up at the stars through the sunroof at night!

 

[4by4th]

me and the wife finally did it! since it's cold enough in houston, we just did it in our garage. check her blog out for more details.

http://www.sockparade.com/2007/10/21/sleep-in-your-toyota-4-runner/

You still really need to do a trip "camping" before making a long journey depending on it. When I first got my Nissan P/U I modified a tent that I already had to set up in the bed of the truck. Didn't take long to figure out that sleeping in that tent on the back of the truck took away all of my storage space for the gear that was in the back of the truck.

In other words, sleeping in the back of the 4Runner on a camping trip will force you to unload everything you've had in the rear and back seats during your trip and find a place for it. You might end up needing a tent for your gear.

 

[HiVel-JR]

If you get the chance to sleep in your car try south Houston, the locals will never notice you... hehehehe. No dont sleep in south Houston, you might get mugged... no advice here just wanted to poke at south Houston...

 

[tonybaloney]

we are leaving in an hour to GMNP. we are so excited! the runner will finally see some dirt!