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4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  • 4 Post By Surfy
  • 2 Post By Bermuda Rover

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  #1  
Old 28 Apr 2014
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Sleeping-plattforms - how to sleep inside

Overall there are more people out there, who use a tent, rooftent, trailer and so on. But some of us plan to sleep too inside of the car. This need a careful planning about, how to use the limited space.

Here i try to do an kind of compilation of sleeping plattform samples. Many links to websites and comunities who did their own collection of sleeping plattforms.

Here you will find many ideas, how others solve their plans to sleep inside with 1-3 Persons.



That is very helpful to find some inspiration if you plan on your own buildup.

Article in english:
4x4tripping: Sleeping inside of the car, Overlanding with comfort

In german language:
4x4tripping: Schlafen im Geländewagen, der Innenausbau

I hope you enjoy

Surfy
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  #2  
Old 28 Apr 2014
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Great stuff, thanks for posting!
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  #3  
Old 25 May 2014
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It's the way to go

I been sleeping indoors for a while now and wouldn't go back to a roof tent.
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  #4  
Old 26 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdriver View Post
I been sleeping indoors for a while now and wouldn't go back to a roof tent.
I think climate is the major factor for me , although there are plenty of other considerations JMHO
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  #5  
Old 26 May 2014
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We primarily use a tent or a hotel but have the option to sleep inside the LR Defender when necessary. Last night was one of those occasions.

We had driven to Khar Nuur (Khovd aimag, Mongolia), planning to camp there but didn't like the area so pushed on to the town of Dorgon. Considering the time and the strong chilly wind that was blowing, it was simpler to eat a meal in the town and then drive to a lake-side spot and sleep in the back of the Defender. Warm and comfortable - and a much quicker departure the next morning.

I have two custom-made 6-inch thick mattresses in the back on a wooden platform. We can leave them in situ for sleeping inside or can easily pull them out and put them in the tent for camping.

I can tell you that those mattresses are more comfortable than any of the hotel beds we've slept on in Russia or Mongolia!
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  #6  
Old 3 Sep 2020
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Have a look at https://discoverthedreaming.blogspot...le-set-up.html which gives some insight into how we did this. You might find the blog interesting as well - 9 months around Australia. We also set up a Land Cruiser for our previous trip - 10 months in Africa, and some photos are at https://unochoenafrica.blogspot.com/2018/ .
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  #7  
Old 4 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alanymarce View Post
Have a look at https://discoverthedreaming.blogspot...le-set-up.html which gives some insight into how we did this. You might find the blog interesting as well - 9 months around Australia. We also set up a Land Cruiser for our previous trip - 10 months in Africa, and some photos are at https://unochoenafrica.blogspot.com/2018/ .
Why do you not use windows soxx for your australia buildup?

I did import them at 2011 directly from australia - still working great!



https://www.4x4tripping.com/2020/02/...schutz-am.html

Definetively the most important gear for us who are sleeping inside - in my eyes!

Nice buildup so far. Your car seems to deliver more height than my toyota landcruiser!

Surfy
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  #8  
Old 4 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Surfy View Post
Why do you not use windows soxx for your australia buildup?

I did import them at 2011 directly from australia - still working great!



https://www.4x4tripping.com/2020/02/...schutz-am.html

Definetively the most important gear for us who are sleeping inside - in my eyes!

Nice buildup so far. Your car seems to deliver more height than my toyota landcruiser!

Surfy
The ones we have have an internal flap with velcro so that you can adjust the ventilation - if it's cold and/or windy then we open them to only a narrow gap, if hot, then fully. This adjusts the airflow and manages temperature. We can open one fully and the other not at all or only a small gap. The opening is an insect-proof mesh. They're also robust and the design reduces water entry if it's raining. We do have the mesh socks for the forward windows, however the rear ones are the ones we use to adjust ventilation during the night.

The space inside the Montero is adequate, our Land Cruiser in Africa was about the same, however as you can see the refrigerator was taller so interfered with part of the bed (not a problem though).
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  #9  
Old 5 Sep 2020
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Same functionality do I get with Windows Soxx with levelling the glas.

The soxx are mountable even with installed wind visors, so I can left the Glas opened 1/3 during mid rain, and 1/4 on heavy rain.

It fits fine mesh/net inside and outside of the rear doors don’t let mosquitos inside or even the small mini flies or anything else than air.

With mosquito net on the small opened roof window, there is a nice airflow even for the african jungle.

Never had to fight fogged windows inside. While sleeping with 2 persons...

The soxx don’t use much space and are very lightweight. You can’t see through, strong tinting effect...

Surfy
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  #10  
Old 3 Nov 2020
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I had a simple box design for the Toyota Prado and spent a year in it going around Australia. It works well in Hot conditions and was comfortable for two on top with a 30mmm mat.

Plenty of room underneath and with a small fold-down table you can cook while standing at the rear door. I will see if I can find some pictures to post.

A few tips make the platform low enough to sit on in bad weather (rather than having to just lie on it), also leave enough space to climb into it and somewhere to put your dirty shoes so on when you are kicking them off. Gaps around the side are good for this.
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  #11  
Old 3 Nov 2020
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This is the type of solution I'm looking towards. As a solo traveller I'm thinking a flat section, possibly lower than those pictured, behind the passenger seat(will be able to remove the rear seat), even if that means it's pushed forward the significant majority of the time.

If I carry a ground tent it covers options for sleeping in the car where the weather or general sketchiness of the area means you wouldn't want to set up a camp.
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