back of the car for accommodation

I'd go for the comfort of the thick foam mattress anytime, or you could get the self inflating mattress and get a roll of the eggshell foam underlay to make it as comfy as the foam mattress would be and adds to the insulating. It rolls up too, altho it is still a bit bulky,.. but you have to get a good nights sleep.
Also, if you haven't got any...a couple of window socks are great for when you have to sleep in the car, you can have the windows down an inch or so to give ventilation, and you dont get the mozzies in during the night. plus the dark colours give a bit more privacy.

What color hair do you have?

I've always been worried about sleeping in the back of cars - for the cars' sake.

A mate of mine used to do it all the time, and after a few months had so many electrical problems associated with the condensation of their breath on instruments, ECU's, and anything else electrical inside the cabin. He's wake up in the morning to a nice little rain shower inside the car - dripping off everything. Admittedly, he was doing this during the winter months and didn't have the windows down. During summer he just got bitten to death. A window sock (one of the new ones used to keep sun out of the kids' eyes) might do the trick to keep the ventilation up.

I think if you have to unpack everything to sleep you would be better off getting a two person tent. That way all you have to do is unpack the tent and leave the rest in the car.

We have two air mattresses, and would get two self inflating mattress to put on top.

Look for a quick an easy tent to set up.

Or even look at a roof top tent if it is just the two of you.

I allways find that you never get a good nights sleep in a car, especially with two people.

Hi,

I sleep in the back of the Prado using an air mattress and have been very comfortable. The back seats were removed and an Outback drawer system put in with an extension to the front seats (under which, there is a 60L water tank, generator and air compressor.). The only problem with this design, is you have to remove gear in order to set the bed up. I’ve now reduced this to two plastic crates which makes un-packing a breeze.
Under most circumstances, I run a tarp off the back of the car. After many years of travel, I’ve never had a problem with bugs (apart from the damn mossy which gave me an unpleasant bout of Ross River fever last year).
My only gripe is the lack of head room. But this can only be expected if a drawer system is installed.
This is quite a pleasant way to camp and beats the crappers out of sleeping on the ground.
Finally, if you do leave gear outside during the night, make sure it is contained in strong plastic containers with a lid that is difficult to remove. Dingoes for example are very creative (particularly where food is concerned). We had one bugger who dragged one to the top of a sand dune before giving up.

Regards

Kim

Slept in my old Nissan G60 many times. Had a special bed made up without having to put any gear outside. Takes a bit of thinking out. Use window sox to let good air in and bad air out....lol

If I come across a Subaru with two tired stooped gels in it, I'll know that you didn't get the right advice :))

I built a two piece false floor in my L/C to get up above the wheel arches. Fitted two thick foam mattresses side by side and curtains on stretchy straps for privacy. Used one of those pop out toilet rooms from Camping World to store the gear in over night. Worked fine except we got sick of packing and unpacking every day. After spending 4 weeks in the NT 2 years ago moving nearly every day we ended up buying the camper in Townsville on the way home.

I have a dual cab Rodeo with a fibreglass canopy. I've made a carpeted plywood platform 300mm above the tray under which most of the gear fits. I can just roll the mattresses out on the platform top. In order to get sufficient length I have a frame which I can set up which sits on the lowered tailgate. All the components can pack away under the platform. The platform support is made of 25 x 25 x 3 aluminium queblok. I could have designed a spaceship with the amount of time it took me to work it all out, but thats all part of the fun.

Paul

reckon the 2 of you would nearly put up a 2 person dome quicker than unpack the vehicle. trick is to have a decent size bag so you dont have to roll the tent up t a ridiculous size to get it to fit back. otherwise a false floor as mentioned will get you above the wheel arches a nd leave storage space (weight is an issue here) Another option is swags the ones with hoops either end are great or a double ( Bulky option) - good luck it is great to hear of a chick getting out amongst it and passing it on to the younger generation. BTW come across a young lady at Buley roche back of her Suberu

Hi Vicki,

I'm guessing that one of the reasons you and your daughter sleep in the car rather than a tent is security? Many years ago I had a Suburu sportwagon "4WD" that I also slept in occasionally, similar size I would imagine to your Outback. Back then I had an idea to put a false floor in the back extending right though to the front seats, the height to be level with the top of the wheel arches. This would have actually made the bed platform a bit wider although it would have put me closer to the roof which didn't bother me but might bother some as the Subs aren't high to start with. To retain easy access to the gear under the false floor I planned to hinge it about 2/3 along its length and attach a gas strut on either side so that the floor could be raised fully at the back of the wagon giving easy access to just about everything under the floor. As for the mattress and bedding on top, I figured a couple of elastic straps stretched across the made up bed when not in use would keep it in place when the floor was raised. Obviously things like a car fridge or esky wouldn't fit under the floor but I figured they could ride on the bed when travelling and could be quickly and easily lifted out of the vehicle at bed time and left overnight either outside or on the front passenger seat. Anyway, that was my plan although I never actually got around to it. Sounds like a bit of mucking around but if you know someone handy (maybe even yourself) they could rig up this setup fairly easily and cheaply. Hope this helps.

:o) Melissa

Vicki,

The simple way is to gat a swag. They are now available from $100 for a simple one. Have alook around they come in different sizes from thing single to king size double. Roll it out when you want it or leave it rolled out in the back materess and all. Nothing beats a good foam matteress, bugger those blow up things. I have tried a few, including self inflators they are all a bloody nusance, especally if you have two on board. you rise and fall every time the other farts. (another good reason for the window socks.

Pack your stuff in soft bags and chuck on the front seat.

Also if you have a swag you can roll it up when not used and when the opportunity arises to stay with a friend take it inside. A convential materess is two big and two heavy. Go the Swag.

Vicki,

The simple way is to get a swag. They are now available from $100 for a simple one. Have alook around they come in different sizes from thin single to king size double. Roll it out when you want it or leave it rolled out in the back matress and all. Nothing beats a good foam matteress, bugger those blow up things. I have tried a few, including self inflators they are all a bloody nusance, especally if you have two on board. you rise and fall every time the other farts.
(another good reason for the window socks).

Pack your stuff in soft bags and chuck on the front seat.

Also if you have a swag you can roll it up when not used and when the opportunity arises to stay with a friend take it inside. A convential matress is two big and two heavy. Go the Swag.