Sleep in the car

[ATM]

Hello

I am currently shopping for a new car and was discussing this with friends - as you do. We got onto the subject of estate cars because I occasionally go camping and like the idea of the extra room for bikes and tents etc. Then we got to thinking about the possibility of sleeping in the car instead of using a tent. So ideally a flat surface of about 6 foot or more in length and wide enough for a sleeping bag. Shirley some estate cars are big enough nowadays.

Has anyone done this or tried it?

Thanks...

[markmullen]

You can sleep quite comfortably in most non-sports cars now, with the seats fully reclined I've slept in all sorts and I'm 6'3"

At Rally GB last year me and my mate spent the night in his Espace demonstrator (the tent got blown to bits on the top of the Brecon Beacons on night 1), him and his mrs slept in the rearmost seats with the middle row folded, I slept in the front passenger seat.

[Mr Will]

In quite a few cars if you take the headrests off and move the front seat all the way forwards then it will 'join up' with the rear seat when fully reclined to make a passable bed.

[Wigeon Incognito]

I ran out of money in Europe when I was in my MX-5 so had to sleep in it for a few nights, it was horrible! I guess that doesn't count though.

I've slept in the back of a C5 estate, that was okay.

Tip of the day: whatever the weather, make sure you crack the a window open a touch.

[R360]

I used to own a 406 Estate and that had a pretty impressive loading space one the rear seats were folded flat

[mat205125]

If it's for a one off sleep, then kipping in the seat is fine.

It will get cold though, as the heat escapes quickly through the glass.

Obviously you must be careful regarding being in a public place / location, and having had a few beers too.

If there is the space to put up a tent and a blow up matress, then I'd take that option every time .... actually I'd probably stop being so tight, and book a hotel

[mulletmark]

Old Volvo 240 estates, they're huge with the seats down (74 inches).



I don't think modern estates will even come close to that.

[markmullen]

I've been running a Dodge Ram 1500 quad cam pickup for the past couple of days (5.7 hemi on LPG), a family of four could sleep comfortably in the bed of that.

[crofty1984]

ATM said:

Hello

I am currently shopping for a new car and was discussing this with friends - as you do. We got onto the subject of estate cars because I occasionally go camping and like the idea of the extra room for bikes and tents etc. Then we got to thinking about the possibility of sleeping in the car instead of using a tent. So ideally a flat surface of about 6 foot or more in length and wide enough for a sleeping bag. Shirley some estate cars are big enough nowadays.

Has anyone done this or tried it?

Thanks...

Yep. At a couple of race weekends I've slept in "hotel Volkswagen" A 1996 Golf TD. Oh, and I've slept at the london gateway in a bubble shape nissan micra. I'll put a picture up when I get home.

[Chim Chim]

My Dad (years ago) had a CX Safari which I seem to recall he transported a double bed mattress in.

[hairykrishna]

A mate and I slept in my 500 SEL one night when we couldn't find a campsite. More comfy than some hotel rooms.

[Vesuvius 996]

Chim Chim said:

My Dad (years ago) had a CX Safari which I seem to recall he transported a double bed mattress in.

Is your Dad Rod Rammage?

[bramley]

I can recommend that no-one attempts to sleep in a Mk1 MX-5...

If you do sleep in the car make sure you're not over the legal limit to drive or you might find yourself in a spot of bother.

[crofty1984]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Chim Chim said:

My Dad (years ago) had a CX Safari which I seem to recall he transported a double bed mattress in.

Is your Dad Rod Rammage?

Yes. Chim chim is his actual name. Rod named him after his favourite gimp. He was looking into chimchim's eyes the moment his mucky love custard exploded forth. Then they held hands as the tossed her out the back of a moving van Citroen.

Edited by crofty1984 on Monday 29th September 13:53

[BigBazza]

I can get a double airbed in the back of my Discovery and with the roof mounted DVD and drinks holders its quite the little palace when we visit our friends in North Wales.

The kids sleep in the cottage and we romance it up if the car!

[ZZR]

markmullen said:

I've been running a Dodge Ram 1500 quad cam pickup for the past couple of days (5.7 hemi on LPG), a family of four could sleep comfortably in the bed of that.

Funny you say that I have that exact plan for mine, I've got a full height hard top and am looking at making a fold out platform to lock into the bed liner slots to make a fully flat 5' x 6'4" bed.

[patmahe]

Myself and 3 other 6 footers slept in one of these one night after a chilly peppers concert, it was a 3 door too so toilet breaks were interesting. I dont recommend it though.

[Caruso]

The BMW 5 series Touring (E34) has a completely flat floor with the rear seats down and is at least 6ft long. With the double sunroof open, you can even indulge in a spot of star gazing as you lie in 'bed'.

[Munter]

Remember to insulate yourself from the body of the car. So if your on the seats you'll be fine. But sleeping in a large boot/back of a van can leave you a bit cold.

[Fetchez la vache]

patmahe said:

Myself and 3 other 6 footers slept in one of these one night after a chilly peppers concert, it was a 3 door too so toilet breaks were interesting. I dont recommend it though.

Oddly enough I moved houses with a 205, and I wouldn't recommend driving one with a double-bed on the roofrack either.


I believe that you can get roof tents for discoveries... there was a thread on here a few weeks back about doing a trek in iceland, and because of the heat you couldn't sleep in a tent on the ground, so these things had tents on the roof. Might be an idea worth persuing...