Living Out of Your 4Runner...

[moshie]

I was on YouTube and started down a rabbit hole of living out of your car...has anybody ever lived out of their 4Runner? Not just camping or "overlanding" but really living out of it! I'm super interested.

What was it like? What was your setup? Where did you park? Tell me everything

 

[JoshuaZ]

Not with my runner, but when I was in college and living with my cousin(2016-2018) and had an 04 CRV. My cousin lived 2 towns over, and even though I was staying with them rent free, kinda got tired of paying the little gas money that I was paying at the time(min wage sucked). I had a bunch of blankets I kept rolled up in the back, and would fold up my back seats and layout the blankets. I bummed out a lot and would live out my car/others apartments for weeks at a time, with my longest period being 6 weeks using my friends shower and laundry.

 

[JoshuaZ]

I also had a hammock that I would use on the campuses nature trail from time to time

 

[moshie]

Not with my runner, but when I was in college and living with my cousin(2016-2018) and had an 04 CRV. My cousin lived 2 towns over, and even though I was staying with them rent free, kinda got tired of paying the little gas money that I was paying at the time(min wage sucked). I had a bunch of blankets I kept rolled up in the back, and would fold up my back seats and layout the blankets. I bummed out a lot and would live out my car/others apartments for weeks at a time, with my longest period being 6 weeks using my friends shower and laundry.

I also had a hammock that I would use on the campuses nature trail from time to time

I don't blame you. I probably would get tired of paying gas money as well. Was it fun though? I enjoy something new and a challenge but this is something I never think I could do.

 

[JoshuaZ]

I don't blame you. I probably would get tired of paying gas money as well. Was it fun though? I enjoy something new and a challenge but this is something I never think I could do.

It definitely was as a college student haha. And even though I only graduated back in May, dont think I would want to do it with work, but I definitely wanna do it again at some point(maybe use my vacation days for a week of driving and living in the 4runner?)

 

[RandyDaytona]

It’s really more akin to camping, but I stay in my 4Runner for about 3 weeks each year. I drive from MN to VT and ME to see my brothers, other family, and some friends. Because they aren’t all in one area, I have to be a bit mobile.

Also, I’m not a huge fan of hotels and the “traveling populace,” so if I can avoid both, so much the better.

National and state forests end up being my lodging. You have to plan a bit and know what’s going to be open at the time of year in question. Each day I hit a truck stop, where you can rent a (usually) clean private bathroom with shower (behind a secure, locking door) for about $10.

It’s fun to do, but it does get old. If you were to live in a vehicle full-time, I think you’d need periods under a roof to break it up.

A better option might be to have a very inexpensive house that you can come back to, so you always have a home base. Located in a low cost of living area with low taxes, small, etc. Go out on the road for a month or more, then come back for a while.

This is assuming you either don’t need to work - like if you’re retired - or can work on the road. Also assuming you’re single and without kids, obviously.

 

[4RunAffairs]

I would also like to know of anyone here who’s living out of their ‘runna! There are some older threads here on the subject, but like you I haven’t found anyone on YouTube living 100% full-time out of a 4Runner- not counting a family on YouTube who are living out of a 5th gen with an off-road trailer/tent setup. Their channel is “lifestyle overland” if you want to check it out.

I made a camper setup for $0 for weekend trips that has served me well but is very basic...and heavy. I’m actually finishing my rebuild of it right now. I decided to add a drawer under the bed to house my camp stove and other cooking/living essentials. I’ve also found that having a large roof cargo box is a great way to keep the tiny living space a little less cluttered.

At some point I’ll rebuild the serape storage unit to house a slide out cooler fridge and if possible, relocate the grill under it as well. Add a sink, some water tanks under the bed and ba-boom!

Also I still have the rear seats in, I’m 6’3” and fit with the passenger seat slid forward a couple notches.

 

[4RunAffairs]

Finished the laborious rebuild of the pallet bed w/ drawer. I basically took the old pallet apart completely and replaced the two 2x4s with 2x6s in order to increase the inside height so I could fit a drawer big enough to house my little camp stove. I’m going to pick up some carpet and reupholster it at some point as well. If anyone is interested in making one of these platforms out of a pallet it’s supper easy. Just measure where it’s going to go, measure all the little cut outs you’ll need for the wheel well and along each edge, apply to top /bottom of pallet and cut with a jig saw. Throw a mattress on it and you’re campin’. I spent $0 on the setup and used it for a year. I just spent 3.50 on some hinges for my drawer so that’s how much money I have invested in it so far. If you have scrap wood and screws or nails, you can make you’re own in a day or two and have a cheap entry into camping out of your rig.

 

[jstreezy]

I would also like to know of anyone here who’s living out of their ‘runna! There are some older threads here on the subject, but like you I haven’t found anyone on YouTube living 100% full-time out of a 4Runner- not counting a family on YouTube who are living out of a 5th gen with an off-road trailer/tent setup. Their channel is “lifestyle overland” if you want to check it out.

I made a camper setup for $0 for weekend trips that has served me well but is very basic...and heavy. I’m actually finishing my rebuild of it right now. I decided to add a drawer under the bed to house my camp stove and other cooking/living essentials. I’ve also found that having a large roof cargo box is a great way to keep the tiny living space a little less cluttered.

At some point I’ll rebuild the serape storage unit to house a slide out cooler fridge and if possible, relocate the grill under it as well. Add a sink, some water tanks under the bed and ba-boom!

Also I still have the rear seats in, I’m 6’3” and fit with the passenger seat slid forward a couple notches.

sick setup!!!!