The Honda Element, while no match for the FJ when the driving gets rough, works well for sleeping. It's seats fold up against the sides, giving a nearly flat floor that is 6' long with the front seats all the way forward. Removing the rear seats completely gives more space at shoulder level.
BajaTaco said:
2. Deck built above wheel wells to maximize lateral space and provide continuous flat surface. This would make better use of space anyway, for storage bins and cubbies below the deck.
At floor level the Element is 42"; about 10" up, it is closer to 48". I made a platform from wood boards (1x10s, 1x3), slotted angle steel, and plywood(2 2x4 pieces of 1/2 ply), that has enough storage depth for 8 gal Rubber maid boxes. It is only 4' long, so for sleeping I need to either lower front seat backs, or add a 2' extension at the front or back (tailgate) end.
3. Front seats would need to be tilted forward, and slid forward on their tracks.
In the Element I can either tilt the front seats forward, or tilt them back to form a (roughly) flat surface with my platform. Without the platform, the front seats can fold flat and form a continuous surface with the rear seats (which also fold flat). This could also be done with the Toyota RAV4, at least the 1st and 2nd generation.
4. Possibly, a hinged or sliding deck extension would be required for the space created where the front seats flip/slide forward while in camping mode.
The Element has a clam shell tailgate, so the lower section nicely extends the cargo floor by a 1 1/2'. In most weather you'd want some sort of tailgate enclosure. The 'midsize camper top tent' intended for compact pickups works on the Element, though it could use some tailoring (the Element's tailgate is taller than the typical pickup campertop). There are 'suv tents' that have a sleeve to slip around an open tailgate. However some of those don't work well with a tailgate mounted spare tire.
The one downside that I could see to this though, is that there would be no place to mount a standard type 12V fridge and still have a sleeping area. There would also be limited space left inside the cabin to throw gear and packs/boxes whatever if it was raining outside. This would require some thought to keep stuff dry outside of the vehicle in inclement weather (most likely a tarp or large bins).
I have more space in my Element with the front seats folded flat, than with them folded forward. Still I have to pack gear carefully to have enough space when camping. I make full use of the front seat foot wells, and the dash. I also stack items on the front seats. My cooking gear is in 8 gal rubber maid boxes, which can go inside, or left outside if 'coons and bears are not a worry. I also have odds and ends in a larger Brutt Rubbermaid box that is sufficiently water tight to be left outside.
I have also experimented with a variety of traps and awnings, and keep gear dry under them. In some settings, though, theft by humans could be a worry. Storing gear in the roofrack, or a roof top box is also an option.
Element campers also talk about ways of getting out. You can't open the tailgate from the inside - though it isn't hard to add access to the latch mechanism. It is possible to open the open a front door from the rear seat area, but it can be awkward.
paulj
