Camping in a Range Rover Sport

[Ken_Code]

That’s in, not with one.

After an utterly miserable school camping trip last year I’ve zero interest in sleeping in a tent this year, but my little boy would still like to go, so I’m wondering what the best way is to sleep in the back of the car.

The boot looks to be wide enough for a narrow double bed, so hopefully an air mattress will fit, but are there any accessories to make it a bit more pleasant?

Well be away for two nights, and will take a couple of chairs, a picnic table and a gazebo to use in the day.

[heebeegeetee]

The tent on the roof job?

They seem to be popular amongst the Landroving fraternity. Perhaps with careful packing you could keep the back of the car clear to leap inside should the weather turn really bad.

[Ken_Code]

I was more thinking of sleeping in the boot on a mattress. I imagine it’s much more pleasant than being in a tent.

If that’s a non-starter I’ll hire a camper van. I’m not sleeping in a tent again.

[camel_landy]

It'll be worth trying it for size first.

But... Assuming there's enough floorspace, a cheap Ikea mattress, cut to size, should fit nicely. If you want some storage too, you could probably use a sheet of ply to create a storage area underneath and if you get the height right, you could line it up with the top of the folded rear seat, so you can get a bit more length on the mattress.

M

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Depends how tall you are. My son, regularly sleeps in his Corsa when climbing.

A Sport, with the back seats folded flat isn't the longest of spaces. But a double inflatable mattress and a duvet should see you OK. As long as you aren't six foot tall of course.

[Sixpackpert]

Lack of any height would make getting changed etc a right pain.

Hire a camper.

[Ken_Code]

Sixpackpert said:

Lack of any height would make getting changed etc a right pain.

Hire a camper.

It’s just for one night, so really just to sleep in.

[Sixpackpert]

Ken_Code said:

It’s just for one night, so really just to sleep in.

Oh, you said two nights in your OP.

[Doofus]

Sleeping in a car is bloody freezing, because of the air beneath you.

[Ken_Code]

Sixpackpert said:

Oh, you said two nights in your OP.

Well, we’ll see how the first one goes. The site has proper showers, so we can get changed there if needs be.

[JQ]

What was the problem with sleeping in a tent?

Having slept in both cars and tents, a tent which you can stand up in is far more comfortable than a car. As said cars are cold and suffer condensation.

However, that is on the assumption that you have decent kit when in a tent. A cheap blow-up mattress will be uncomfortable and cold, as will a cheap sleeping bag.

[Ken_Code]

JQ said:

What was the problem with sleeping in a tent?

Having slept in both cars and tents, a tent which you can stand up in is far more comfortable than a car. As said cars are cold and suffer condensation.

However, that is on the assumption that you have decent kit when in a tent. A cheap blow-up mattress will be uncomfortable and cold, as will a cheap sleeping bag.

Having to buy a tent, sweltering through the day, freezing through the night, and then having to find a bin to put the tent in afterwards.

It was just miserable.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Is this any use:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIPHID-Multifunctional-In...

A couple on the pitch next to us in Italy two weeks ago camped in their Tesla, they had an inflation mattress that fitted.

[Ken_Code]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Is this any use:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIPHID-Multifunctional-In...

A couple on the pitch next to us in Italy two weeks ago camped in their Tesla, they had an inflation mattress that fitted.

That looks just the job, thanks.

This is maybe the one time I regret getting rid of my Tesla.

[JQ]

Ken_Code said:

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Is this any use:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIPHID-Multifunctional-In...

A couple on the pitch next to us in Italy two weeks ago camped in their Tesla, they had an inflation mattress that fitted.

That looks just the job, thanks.

This is maybe the one time I regret getting rid of my Tesla.

That's very much in the cheap blow-up mattress that will be uncomfortable camp.

You won't solve your issue by moving a st mattress and st sleeping bag from tent to car. The only meaningful difference is that you'll wake up damper in the car.

If you want to sleep well (whether in car or tent), then you need a mattress such as this, which contains foam and is far more comfortable than an air bed. They do them in singles which may fit in the RRS - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/us-self-inflating-ca...

and a bag such as this, which will keep you warm - https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15979418/oex-somnus-6...

Alternatively, continue with your crap sleeping bags and take a load of duvets and pillows from home.

[Ken_Code]

Thanks.

I wasn’t planning on using a sleeping bag, I’d planned to take the swan—filled duvet and Egyptian cotton sheets.

[JQ]

Ken_Code said:

Thanks.

I wasn’t planning on using a sleeping bag, I’d planned to take the swan—filled duvet and Egyptian cotton sheets.

An Eiderdown duvet would be better (they're waterproof and warmer) - https://www.brinkhaus.co.uk/brinkhaus-the-eider-ei...

But the key is to take a duvet to sleep on top of if not using a bag. It's as important to have warm stuff underneath you, as it is above.

[snotrag]

Ken_Code said:

are there any accessories to make it a bit more pleasant?

Yes. A Tent.

If youve not enjoyed/been miserable when camping then you had the wrong kit or were badly prepared. Sleeping in cars is awful. Sleeping in tents is much, much better.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

OP for a night or two, you'll be fine. Just crack a window to deal with the condensation.

It's not like you're moving in permanently!

[LankyFreak]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

OP for a night or two, you'll be fine. Just crack a window to deal with the condensation.

It's not like you're moving in permanently!

This.

You're overthinking it! Just lie down and close your eyes. You'll feel crap the next day, but that's camping!