Heading up to the pines, so it'll be chilly. Maybe some dusting of snow. I've never gotten around to building a sleeping platform so I threw in a twin sized air mattress. I'm hoping that with my 20 degree bag, gore-tex bivy sack (adds 10 degrees) and wearing thermals and a stocking cap I will be plenty warm. And a blanket on top of the air bed to rest the sleeping bag on. Wish me luck!
Sleeping in the T4R for the 1st time tonight
- Thread starter Rancho5
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leftyguns21
New member
you'll be fine! I slept in mine all over the country and in all sorts of weather conditions. I am only 5'9" so it wasn't too cramped for me and a dog.
I've got a propane heater which I've used on snow camps, and I've thought about lighting that up and and cracking all the windows a couple of inches but I think I'll be alright. I blew up the mattress and crawled in the other day and I don't see how you guys fit two people in there. I even removed the back seat bottoms.
2ndhandyotaman
Member
I haven't camped out of my 'runner yet but I did many times in my old WJ Grand Cherokee. My opinion is that by keeping your head warm, the rest of your body will stay warm. You'll be fine, you already have carpet under neath of you, you'll be off of the ground and much more secure inside of the vehicle in case bad weather or wild life pays you a visit, plus you could always start the truck and turn on the heater !
phattyduck
Elite Member
I ran into this even in the desert. Got around 20-25 overnight and still had some condensation issues with a window cracked. The main issue was my toes were touching the tailgate - 6'2" doesn't fit, even at and angle...
This is the secret! Warm up the truck for a few minutes before bed. So awesome to get in a warm (ish) sleeping bag.
-Charlie
JZiggy
Senior Member
It's tricky for tall guys to sleep in the back of a 3rd gen but it can be done. I slept in mine with my head at the tailgate and feet resting on a pillow on the center console. That was the best way to get enough legroom. It was comfy though! The fitted air mattress helps.
I built a telescoping platform on top of my ARB drawers, and at 6'1", I can sleep diagonally just fine without moving the front seats. It would be a bit tight, though, for partner shenanigans unless she was short. A partner does, however, help with winter heat generation. If you are tall, you could make a longer platform that extends to a full 72 inches with the front seats rolled forward and/or tilted.
One trick I often use winter camping is to heat up water on the camp stove and pour it into a nalgene water bottle or two that goes into the sleeping bag. That gets me toasty down into the sub-zero range.
One trick I often use winter camping is to heat up water on the camp stove and pour it into a nalgene water bottle or two that goes into the sleeping bag. That gets me toasty down into the sub-zero range.
lockedlex
Member
It's tricky for tall guys to sleep in the back of a 3rd gen but it can be done. I slept in mine with my head at the tailgate and feet resting on a pillow on the center console. That was the best way to get enough legroom. It was comfy though! The fitted air mattress helps.
Hi JZiggy, can I get a link to that inflatable mattress? Thanks!
Lindenwood
New member
I am always amazed at how comfortable a vehicle is--being off the ground is huge. My wife and I sleep in one of our 4Runners when we go out, with our 3 dogs. We have done as cold as about 48 degrees overnight, and still just used a couple blankets. We even kept the hatch open the entire time, so the dogs could regularly get out and do their patrols (we were with a group who was in tents), and never got cold.
JZiggy
Senior Member
I bought it about 10 years ago for my old 1st gen. I found that it fits the 3rd gen as well.
It looks like the company is still around but their product is listed as out of stock:
Truck-bedz Weekender VCSB T1
Jeremiah James
Junior Member
The 4runner is the almost perfect size.
I just did a trip up the CA coast and slept in the back with an air mattress.
A little tip-
When its time to inflate the air mattress, just put a little bit of air to unfold the mattress then fold in roughly 3 to 4 inches when putting down the rear seats.
The folded seats will "pinch" the mattress and wont let those 3 or 4 inches inflate.
Now its the perfect size to close the hatch.
Good luck, have fun and bring some black tape to cover the security light on the dash
I just did a trip up the CA coast and slept in the back with an air mattress.
A little tip-
When its time to inflate the air mattress, just put a little bit of air to unfold the mattress then fold in roughly 3 to 4 inches when putting down the rear seats.
The folded seats will "pinch" the mattress and wont let those 3 or 4 inches inflate.
Now its the perfect size to close the hatch.
Good luck, have fun and bring some black tape to cover the security light on the dash
lockedlex
Member
Thanks JZiggy!
Freakaccident
New member
Seems like a backpacking sleeping pad would work fine too. I do a lot of backpacking and have no issues. Seems like an air mattress would be a pain unless you have back issues and really need it.
