Sleeping comfortably in a 2017 4Runner

[MeefZah]

For people removing the rear seat bottoms- do you use a 14MM socket wrench? Are people using wing nuts? What's the easiest way to remove the seats?

Yes, a 14mm socket with a short extension on a ratchet, Unbolt them and pull the bottoms up and out. Takes a few minutes.

 

[jswilliams]

I'm thinking about sleeping on the roof rack, but not with a rooftop tent, just one of those covered cots. Bad idea?

 

[Horsethief]

(My first post!) I use a cot as well. I almost bought the Somnia but ended up with a Helinox cot one (high model) instead. I saw it in this thread from backcountrymedic and thought that the Helinox cot was a better choice for me since it's lighter and I could potentially carry it backbacking with me. Pics below.

The legs don't all touch the ground on the incline, but it has been sturdy enough for me (I weigh 155lbs). There is a slight incline, but not too bad. I may still try to make some wood blocks to level it out.

There is enough space underneath to store a bunch of stuff while it's set up. It also gets your sleeping platform to overlap the wheel wells a bit which is a more efficient use of space.

I can put more pics and info in a build thread if there is interest.

I like that! I wanted to do something like that to sleep in my Volva wagon, but I think the lack of headroom would make me feel a bit claustrophobic. That's one of the reasons I want to get back into an SUV (4Runner?).

I'd probably do something to level it off, since I'm OCD like that, but I really like that this frees up the space underneath for gear. When I camp it's because I'm on a mountainbiking trip, and there's a ton of gear that goes along with that.

 

[boyguan]

So beautiful, it's making me sleepy.

:thumb:

What size is this air bed. I have a twin and it’s too small when we sleep two people

 

[MeefZah]

What size is this air bed. I have a twin and it’s too small when we sleep two people

Umm... you are quoting zzdocxx but he was quoting me in the quote that you quoted so I think you were probably wanting to quote me but quoted the wrong quote?

It is a "full" size.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

I really wanted a platform but due to my size and weight and the fact that that I've had some pretty gnarly injuries from 2 motorcycle wrecks it is pretty tough getting in and out with a raised platform. BTW I'm 6ft and 250lbs but this one works great and cost less than $100!!!

https://youtu.be/2GA9m0i-B1Q

 

[Munson]

I just returned from a 8 day trip to Utah and Colorado and had the presence of mind (maybe?) to take a few shots of my setup in various stages of utility.

As it is loaded for a camping trip, purpose built pallet on the bottom, cooler, large Rubbermaid Action Packer with cooking gear, personal duffel and wife's duffel containing clothes and sundry behind that, 2 - 8 gal Rubbermaid Action packers behind that (not visible) containing tools, recovery gear, and dry / canned food. 2 sleeping bags, sheet, air mattress, and blanket are rolled into a tight bundle behind the cooler (top barely visible). Bungee net on the ceiling stows our clothes when we are sleeping.

In use for sleeping in the back. Rear seat bottoms are removed. Rear seat backs are folded forward. Front seats are slid forward. Rubbermaid 8 gallon APs are in the rear passenger footwells. Bedroll with air mattress / sheet / bags is in place and inflated. Personal duffels are on the front seats. Cooler and cook box are outside (cooler is bear resistant and I've never had a problem with animals; and cook box contains no food and the stove and pots are put away clean so there is no residue to attract animals).

Everything out but the pallet and the 8 gal APs.

I'd like to talk more about that shotgun. 1) How is it mounted up there and 2) what model is it? Ive got an M4 and Mossberg 590 Id like to be able to transport like that.

Also, I am looking to do a similar platform in the back of my truck to allow my dog crates to be level. When the crates are not in I am worried about there being a gap between the platform and the seats back as they are laying flat that my dogs could step in. Anyone with the plywood platform have a gap between?

Thanks

 

[MeefZah]

I'd like to talk more about that shotgun. 1) How is it mounted up there and 2) what model is it? Ive got an M4 and Mossberg 590 Id like to be able to transport like that.

Also, I am looking to do a similar platform in the back of my truck to allow my dog crates to be level. When the crates are not in I am worried about there being a gap between the platform and the seats back as they are laying flat that my dogs could step in. Anyone with the plywood platform have a gap between?

Thanks

The rack is a Big Sky SBR 1, you can google it (I'm on my phone and links r hard!). Rock solid. I mounted it to the existing bolt holes where the coat hooks go, so there is no drilling required (though you do need to slightly bore out the holes in the shotgun rack. The rack as it is set up is not a locking model but you can easily build something using aluminum scrap and a clevis pin to make it locking. I just use a purpose cut cable and padlock.

The shotgun is an 870 clone, the NEF Pardner. Got it for $100 so i don't care if it gets beat up, etc.

The gap on the plywood could likely be bridged... with more plywood!

Here it is with my M4 although the rack isn't size adjusted correctly, i just stuck it in there.

 

[Munson]

The rack is a Big Sky SBR 1, you can google it (I'm on my phone and links r hard!). Rock solid. I mounted it to the existing bolt holes where the coat hooks go, so there is no drilling required (though you do need to slightly bore out the holes in the shotgun rack. The rack as it is set up is not a locking model but you can easily build something using aluminum scrap and a clevis pin to make it locking. I just use a purpose cut cable and padlock.

The shotgun is an 870 clone, the NEF Pardner. Got it for $100 so i don't care if it gets best up, etc.

The gap on the plywood could likely be bridged... with more plywood!

Here it is with my M4 although the rack isn't size adjusted correctly, i just stuck it in there.

Awesome, thanks for the quick response! I shall begin the Google quest now...

M

 

[Khjphoto]

I thought I had the perfect system. And I do. Sleeping. Storage and if required - easy to remove. Check it out at
http://wwwSeeYouDownTheRoad.ORG

 

[Brost]

Almost need some sort of bet to go over a couple windows for some air flow. I use to sleep in the back of my crewmax. It was either to hot in the summer and had to start it a couple times in the winter.

Vehicle be full of all sorts of bugs in no time sitting in the Bush with the windows Dow .

 

[MeefZah]

Almost need some sort of bet to go over a couple windows for some air flow. I use to sleep in the back of my crewmax. It was either to hot in the summer and had to start it a couple times in the winter.

Vehicle be full of all sorts of bugs in no time sitting in the Bush with the windows Dow .

https://theskeeterbeater.com/

There's like 100 versions of these, we have home made ones.

 

[Brost]

https://theskeeterbeater.com/

There's like 100 versions of these, we have home made ones.

Perfect! Thanks never see these but what a simple idea!

 

[MeefZah]

Just did this, works great, will make sleeping back there about 1000x better...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ar-window-up-down-hatch-pop-ignition-off.html

Mounted my switches on the hatch itself:

 

[WallyT4R]

Just did this, works great, will make sleeping back there about 1000x better...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ar-window-up-down-hatch-pop-ignition-off.html

Mounted my switches on the hatch itself:

I haven't had a chance to order the "ultimate camping" mod yet but this mod is coming for me. Wanted to say thanks Meefzah as I copied your platform in the back and it's a great solution. I'm using it with the Camptime cot I just received. I bought a "blemished" one and I can't see any blemishes at all. The cot is great. I chose this cot so I wouldn't have to remove the seats. This way I can convert the 4 back to passenger mode very quickly. I'm also in the process of figuring out screens and curtains. When I get it all setup I will post pics. This is going to be a great single person road trip solution...my 4RunnerRV:artist:

 

[e60ral]

I'm thinking about sleeping on the roof rack, but not with a rooftop tent, just one of those covered cots. Bad idea?

i know i've seen people make platforms for both cot tents and regular tents, so it has been done, but why do you want to do this?

i use a cot tent and some of the big advantages are how easy it is to get in and out of, and how easy it is to move the tent if you need to.

what advantage are you getting from being on top of the vehicle?

 

[WallyT4R]

i know i've seen people make platforms for both cot tents and regular tents, so it has been done, but why do you want to do this?

i use a cot tent and some of the big advantages are how easy it is to get in and out of, and how easy it is to move the tent if you need to.

what advantage are you getting from being on top of the vehicle?

I can think of a few...

1. You are that much farther away from the worms...I hate worms
2. It's harder for bugs to fly that high.
3. It's so much fun to pee from heights.
4. It's better for the giraffes while feeding them breakfast in the morning. They don't have to bend their necks which could cause them pain as they age.
5. It's just cool being higher then other campers, i.e., king of the hill syndrome.

I'm sure there are more but this was off the top of my head. Dang I think I just talked myself into doing this also! :yo:

 

[MeefZah]

From a cross country trip I did in March, hauling a dirt bike. Since it was just me, I used 2 Thermarest pads stacked on top of each other on top of the plywood leveling base, and left all my gear in the back next to the bedding. I left the bedding set up all the time. Worked brilliantly.

 

[zzdocxx]

i know i've seen people make platforms for both cot tents and regular tents, so it has been done, but why do you want to do this?

i use a cot tent and some of the big advantages are how easy it is to get in and out of, and how easy it is to move the tent if you need to.

what advantage are you getting from being on top of the vehicle?

I can think of a few...

1. You are that much farther away from the worms...I hate worms
2. It's harder for bugs to fly that high.
3. It's so much fun to pee from heights.
4. It's better for the giraffes while feeding them breakfast in the morning. They don't have to bend their necks which could cause them pain as they age.
5. It's just cool being higher then other campers, i.e., king of the hill syndrome.

I'm sure there are more but this was off the top of my head. Dang I think I just talked myself into doing this also! :yo:

Thanks Wally, this post highlights several important points which I had not considered previously.

:llama:

 

[pDubs]

I think if you are sleeping on your roof, with just a cot, you are going to look like an idiot. Honestly..