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Camping In Your AV (without A Tent)

pdxkevin

pdxkevin

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Put a fullsized air mattress in the back. Threw my sleeping bag on top and slept in the bed (with the midgate down) last weekend.

I learned a couple things:
  • It is very comfortable
  • Put something between you air matress and the midgate (or it squeeks every time you move) The rear seat boot works great for this
  • You can see the stars out the back window as you fall asleep
  • The 20 min radio play works perfectly. You can listen as you fall asleep and not have to worry about your battery
  • Unlatch the rear window and let it rest on the springloaded stopper. You get fresh air without having to worry about rain getting in while you sleep
  • remember seeing the star earlier. well, in the am people can see in just as easily ( curtains would be nice) Wasn't a big deal for me out in the woods but be prepared if you try this at a truckstop
 
EXCELLENT idea!!!

Will be using this info next time I need a quick campground.
 
pdxkevin said:
remember seeing the star earlier. well, in the am people can see in just as easily ( curtains would be nice) Wasn't a big deal for me out in the woods but be prepared if you try this at a truckstop
Click to expand...

oh, boy. I bet you just gave some body out there an idea! Next in accessories and Mods: 'I need some nice cafe style curtains in AV cladding grey'
 
I tried this on labor day weekend, I didn't think about opening the rear window though. It got a bit stuffy all closed up. It was storming the night I tried this. Stayed dry though. We tried to use velcro to hang curtains but there isn't enough material for it to stick to. Then we hung a bar from the clothes hangers and one in the frame of the rear window and draped a sheet over that, didn't work too bad but there has to be a better solution.
One hit of advice though. I though we parked so that we were level but in the morning I had one heak of a head rush casue we were sleeping with our feet slightly elevated.
 
pdxkevin, this is exactly what I am going to do on the OH/PA/WV GTG in October. :)

I am hoping this will convince the wife that we should buy the Av tent even though we already have a large regular tent. :-X
 
I am 6' tall and fit just fine with the mattress pulled up within a foot of the seats. ?This allowed for about 18" at the tailgate. ?That space held the cooler, food box, box with fresh clothes and a small duffle to hold the dirty clothes.

Oh, you can turn the upper tie-down hooks up and they make great key and watch holders during the night.
 
My wife sent me to scout out a vacation area that is about 4 hrs away from the house. While there (beach) I decided to try this out about 3 months ago. It worked great. Plus I saved about $90 for a hotel. Needless to say, that was money I put toward modding. ;D
 
Great info! :D
I just got mine on Saturday and I was wondering how "camping friendly" it would be...thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope to add mine this Fall! (y)
 
I just got back from a 2500 mile trip, and my wife and I camped a few nights...very similar to what was said above. It's quick and easy:

1. Pull into site, keep AV slightly up hill if possible to avoid blood pooling in your head overnight :9:

2. Take cooler, suitcase(s) from back of AV and put up front.

3. Drop midgate, slide up the self-inflating camping mats (or air mattress, etc) to near the back of front seats. Lay out (in our case) sleeping bags, sheet, pillows (yeah, you can be a wimp and camp with your favorite pillow! :-[ )

4. Go brush your teeth! :2:

5. Stretch a bungee across the coat hangar/hand grip just behind both front seats.

6. Hang the towels you just got wet in step 5 over the bungee. This gives privacy from those who may peek in the front door windows. The side/back windows are tinted, and afford privacy as long as it is lighter outside than in the truck.

7. Get in, unlatch the rear window and let it rest against the catch. Get comfy.

8. Hang watch, keys etc on the hard cover lever just in front of you.

9. I'll leave the rest to you... :eek:

The whole process takes less than 5 minutes, all the camping food/stove/canned goods easily fit down near the tailgate handy for breakfast in the morning.

WARNING....!!!!

DO NOT lock yourself in with your key fob, and then later unlock manually and open the door. Not unless you want to set off your alarm! In the middle of the night! And you can't find your keys! While others are (were) sleeping! Not that I would be so stupid :rolleyes: of course, but I just figured SOMEBODY ELSE might be a schmuck and try it...yeah, thats it...somebody ELSE might embarrass themselves in front of 50 sleeping campers...Man, I'm glad I'M not that dumb! :cool:

In the morning, reverse the process and drive away a truely HAPPY CAMPER
;D ;D ;D
 
Put vent visors on and you can leave the rear window in place or go ahead and open it up and crack the other windows for some cross ventilation.
 
I've been there done that witht the Av during a crosscountry trip...NY to CA and back....used rest stops all the way...rated my mpg on the 8.1 liter to.
 
GoldBowTie,

I've been thing about doing that very thing on the GTG. It sounds like with homecomming at OU the motels will be tight. If there are no camp sites available one could pull into a rest area on the way back. I also have a regular tent but I thought the AV camper sounded interesting.

Mac
 
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