Anyone else use their rig as simply a tent on wheels?

[4x4abc]

I have been doing expeditions and explorations for a very long time

Started out in a tent on the ground - could not sleep half the night because of my fear of bandidos, mountain lions etc etc etc

then I found out, that fear is something we create in our heads - so I gave it up
ever since I sleep on the ground - no tent, but a very cozy down comforter and a down pillow

I travel as light as possible
less stress on the vehicle
less stress on me
I can get to more places than anyone else

One of the expeditions I led through Russia in the early 90's had almost 100 vehicles. Pretty much all break downs were related to overloaded vehicles - almost all recoveries were needed on the vehicles with the built in apartments

so K.I.S.S.

and no, I am not in my 20's any longer - that was 40 years ago

 

[CSG]

Harald, I used to sleep outside too. I quit because I was tired of being rained on, snowed on, sandy, dusty, etc. If a guy's tough enough it's the easiest way to go. I guess I turned into a Shirley somewhere in my early 30's.

 

[4x4abc]

I'll be hiding inside something protective when it rains
I do not travel where it snows

 

[Oyaji_Jon]

then I found out, that fear is something we create in our heads - so I gave it up

This is profound. Thank you.

 

[4x4abc]

the most recent trip:
http://carlosnpainter.smugmug.com/Events/scout-trip/14675864_zH5TH#1092921851_4EW74

 

[matt s]

I think it works great, and in the end has many advantages. Bringing along the wife and kids is not one of them.

 

[ozarkroozer]

Hello Guys

I've always slept inside mine, stop for the night get out chair, open beer and relax.

Packed up for a four week trip. (I have a proper sprung mattress)

Nice setup, Is that an old table your using there to traverse that space. If so good simple Idea. One I haven't seen before.

 

[brentbba]

Yep - Here's a pic. I'm 5'11" and it's a perfect length for just me. Subsequent to this pic, I've put the fridge on Slee's slide drawer to better secure it.

 

[upcruiser]

I have found that sleeping in te vehicle has a lot of advantages for me. This is how I have had my 80 setup for some time. No setup, stealthy for times when you don't want to draw attention, can run heat or multimedia entertainment for when the weather isn't cooperating, and it allows you to use the roof rack to haul kayaks, canoes, and bikes in a way that an RTT setup doesn't allow.

Works great with one person, reasonable with two, and with three, a ground tent must be used.

Pickups provide for the ultimate in easy KISS setups. This is my Tundra's setup that I have spent many a night in comfortably. Super simple setup but works great.

 

[TreeTopFlyer]

I love my tent. Mainly for the piece and quiet. At deer camp this last weekend it was pretty noisy still after I went to bed. With the doors closed, all was right. One thing that makes sleeping in it great is the magnetic screens for the windows I use. Bugs out, breeze in.

 

[gfiero]

The Progression

I think you need to ask some different questions first, Like:
How many?
What Age?
Any Physical Porblems?

I started ouit with a 1st gen Isuzu Rodeo and built a platform and slept in it great, Then to a 99 Trooper, slept in it on a platform also. However old back injuries caught with me and I went back to a tent. Moved to a 07 Tacoma DC with a short bed and an RTT loved it. But now I am 60 and am really stiff when I get up so I broke down and bought a AT Flip Pac so that bed and bath are together, no ladders and lots of room and I can keep going out.

figure out what works for you, your budget, your needs and gives you a good nights sleep and then go for it......:wings:

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have been doing expeditions and explorations for a very long time

Started out in a tent on the ground - could not sleep half the night because of my fear of bandidos, mountain lions etc etc etc

then I found out, that fear is something we create in our heads - so I gave it up
ever since I sleep on the ground - no tent, but a very cozy down comforter and a down pillow

I travel as light as possible
less stress on the vehicle
less stress on me
I can get to more places than anyone else

One of the expeditions I led through Russia in the early 90's had almost 100 vehicles. Pretty much all break downs were related to overloaded vehicles - almost all recoveries were needed on the vehicles with the built in apartments

so K.I.S.S.

and no, I am not in my 20's any longer - that was 40 years ago

I'm with you, up until the blood sucking, flying insects show up. Then I want my little 2 man back packing tent, it has enough room for me and a day pack (It's nice to have a place out of the bugs to get changed, or take a sponge bath.). And since I do travel where there is snow it allows that, in comfort.

One thing I find makes any night in the outdoors better is a pillow. It is truly amazing how much better you sleep with a proper pillow, even in my advanced years I would trade a pillow for a mattress.

 

[4x4abc]

on my desert trips I do not use any kind of mattress any more
2 old sleeping bags as padding on the ground (over the day they keep the cold in the ice chests)
down comforter
as final layer a big rectangular sleeping bag (nights can get cold in the desert)
and of course a nice pillow

for my mountain camping I use an old Thermarest (valve broken - air escapes)
big rectangular sleeping bag (20F) - I like the space to move around
2nd rectangular sleeping bag as top layer (it can get very cold in the mountains)
use my sweater as pillow

I camp for a living about 100 days a year - so I have it pretty much dialed in to my needs
work

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Well, I'm not a Yota guy, but have used both my M416 w/RTT, and the back of my XJ, for trips of 14+ days.

If we're (as in our group-I'm usually solo in the rig) are making basecamp somewhere, like Moab, than the trailer and RTT is awsome.

But, on trips to Colorado, where we run the mountain passes and trails, and never stay in the same place 2 nights in a row, then the back of the XJ is where it's at!

I'm a disabled Vet, with back and hip problems. But with the rear seat removed, and a platform built about 8" above the cargo floor, it works great!

Add in a futon mattress, and a sleeping pad below it, a few pillows, and I'm good to go!

I also made some magnetic screens, for the buggy times, and have a Ryobi 18V fan, to create a breeze through the rig.

Both set ups have thier advantages, but I really liked using the simple set up in the back of the XJ.

I have a tarp over the mattress and quilts, in case the cooler sloshes water. But this is the bed and platform I used:

Note the yellow 'zip-tie' hanging from the gate: That's my internal release mechanism for the hatch. I can stick my foot or a toe in it, lift up, and 'pop' the lift gate is open!


And, leveling the 'sleeping area', is pretty easy Just grab a couple of rocks!

I also carry a small tent with, but not to sleep in. I'll set it up to store/keep dry extra gear, or to hold a campsite, should we be coming back to it.

 

[rusty_tlc]

on my desert trips I do not use any kind of mattress any more
2 old sleeping bags as padding on the ground (over the day they keep the cold in the ice chests)
down comforter
as final layer a big rectangular sleeping bag (nights can get cold in the desert)
and of course a nice pillow

for my mountain camping I use an old Thermarest (valve broken - air escapes)
big rectangular sleeping bag (20F) - I like the space to move around
2nd rectangular sleeping bag as top layer (it can get very cold in the mountains)
use my sweater as pillow

I camp for a living about 100 days a year - so I have it pretty much dialed in to my needs
work

I gave you a ride when you broke your Jeep steering on Rubicon last summer. I was in the 100 series LC and slightly more equipped that trip than is typical for me on the Rubicon. :sombrero:

I did the rolled up clothes in a stuff sack thing for many years, a pillow is far superior for me. As Kephart said "Every man has his own talisman the he needs to keep him happy in the wild." ( I para phrase) For me it is a pillow.

Given the choice I will always opt for a Big Agnese sleeping mat over nothing, not for the padding but for the insulation. It also packs a lot smaller than and lighter than extra sleeping bags.