Seen a fair few threads on this (sometimes touchy!) subject, but not found the solutions I'm after so I thought I'd start a discussion on it.

 

Camping in the Octy Estate!  I love the idea that for a really simple camp with just me and the missus we can just rock up in the estate with the back seats already down, there is enough room for the two of us to sleep in there.  But I'd also like to up the ante a bit and add some comforts like blinds, an awning, perhaps in future a leisure battery or other mods and accessories.  My plan so far:

 

I'm cutting down a double memory foam mattress topper as a bed.  Under this will be z-lite thermal mats for added comfort.

 

DIY thermal blinds will be made of old sleeping bags and foil.

 

I have the raised floor so plenty of storage and nice flat base for the bed.

 

Issues:

First and foremost, an awning.  I want to be able to roll out of bed and out into a dry, outdoor area (no groundsheet needed just a canvas roof and walls).  My outdoor kitchen, chairs and stuff like that will be living here when Im camped up.  Most ready made options are set up for going over the boot lid.  That would mean installing a switch for the boot light as there isn't one currently, nor am I keen on the idea of the tarp being stretched over the auto boot lid, potential for damaging the interior.

 

That leads me to think that the rear side door might be a better option.  I could simply clamp a tarp onto the roof rails and use poles to prop up the other end.  I would have to have it set up with a higher pole towards the rear so it diverts any rain towards the car and towards the front door, so it doesn't enter the awning area.  Might there be a more elegant solution?  Additionally I need to consider that I may well end up with horizontal bars and a roof box attached at some point (one of my reasons for buying an estate was so I didn't have to bother, but for longer camps or holidays with the kids we will need more stuff)

 

What about drive away awning setups?  Anyone know of any ready made, or any ideas for a tarp setup?

 

Next up, fitting the thermal black out blinds.  The windscreen is a piece of cake, just held in place with the sun visors.  However the side windows and rear window are more complicated.  I'm not really sure where to start.  I want a solution that ideally leaves no trace - when I'm not camping, the car is a smart looking thing, and I don't want to spoil that, so no permanent fixtures is important.  

 

I know from previous experience of car camping (in a hatchback!  That wasn't fun!) that windows need to be open a crack or you wake up to a very, very damp interior, due to sweat, breath and the dew point.  My current plan is to fit wind deflectors so I can have the windows open a crack without rain getting in, bu then I worry about getting cold!  Any other ventilation suggestions?

 

Finally, what am I forgetting / missing out?  Tips, tricks, suggestions and experiences all welcome.

 

TIA, PFA, BBQ.

IMG_8855.HEIC

There doesn't seem to be an edit button so here is the pic in jpg so it actually displays....

I'd buy a tent. 

Ideas here, and there are other Roomster or Yeti in the projects section that are used as campers. Just a different shape / opening from the Octavia.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/471124-skoda-campster

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/368177-the-roomster-motorhome

 

Haven’t a clue about the rest of your concerns, but re the boot light does it not go off after 2-3 mins same as my previous Yeti and current Kodiaq.

Buy one of these and reverse in enough to leave the boot open. Transport it on roof racks...

 

 

Reminds of this too:

 

Edited 28 September, 20196 yr by pist0nbr0ke

Having camped with every size of accomodation from a bivvy bag in the open on bikepacking adventures to an Outwell Montana 6 family tent on bigger group excursions, experience tells me it is way easier, cheaper, quicker, lighter and more comfortable to use a 2 or 3 man tent with a sewn in ground sheet and a tarp as a universal shelter. Whatever solution you pick, everything will still get damp overnight unless the atmosphere is bone dry in the middle of a summer heat wave.

 

You can't really leave no trace of wear and tear on the car if you modify it for sleeping in even with removable add-ons. Its hard enough with separate camping gear nowhere near the car, plus it's just more stuff to buy, store and faff with.

 

At least with a tent, you can leave it pitched and zip down the shops without whipping the bed from under the missus. The right one new or used will give you so much more space to use. And if you want to move quickly between overnight spots, just bin-bag the tent and fling it in the boot along with the rest of the gear.

Save the money on modding the car and get a really decent sleeping bag and mat combo with a down quilt to go with it, I have had a better nights sleep doing this than I have staying in posh hotels!

45 minutes ago, Kenny R said:

Haven’t a clue about the rest of your concerns, but re the boot light does it not go off after 2-3 mins same as my previous Yeti and current Kodiaq.

Not left it open long enough to check, I will have a go if the rain stops later, thanks

45 minutes ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

Buy one of these and reverse in enough to leave the boot open. Transport it on roof racks...

 

 

Reminds of this too:

 

Lol, yeah, that could work as a kind of drive-away awning, but I imagine expensive and bulky and an arse to put up.  Quick and easy is the name of the game with car camping

3 minutes ago, BigEjit said:

Having camped with every size of accomodation from a bivvy bag in the open on bikepacking adventures to an Outwell Montana 6 family tent on bigger group excursions, experience tells me it is way easier, cheaper, quicker, lighter and more comfortable to use a 2 or 3 man tent with a sewn in ground sheet and a tarp as a universal shelter. Whatever solution you pick, everything will still get damp overnight unless the atmosphere is bone dry in the middle of a summer heat wave.

 

You can't really leave no trace of wear and tear on the car if you modify it for sleeping in even with removable add-ons. Its hard enough with separate camping gear nowhere near the car, plus it's just more stuff to buy, store and faff with.

 

At least with a tent, you can leave it pitched and zip down the shops without whipping the bed from under the missus. The right one new or used will give you so much more space to use. And if you want to move quickly between overnight spots, just bin-bag the tent and fling it in the boot along with the rest of the gear.

Save the money on modding the car and get a really decent sleeping bag and mat combo with a down quilt to go with it, I have had a better nights sleep doing this than I have staying in posh hotels!

I'm a keen camper with decent kit, but I like the idea of rock up and sleep in the back, I have some friends that do it in an Octy II and love it.

 

Surely there must be a way to deal with the condensation issue?

Not a chance of stopping condensation happening and retaining living space warmth as your own body plus that of whoever else is present will be the source of the moisture. Condensate will increase with added confined humidity and greater temperature differential between inside and outside spaces. It will also form on hidden areas such as the underside of the roof skin and door skins but at a lesser amount.

I have lived for periods of time in converted vans and in cold weather and condensation from a few days can be dealt with where you are airing stuff during the day, 

getting out in the sun.

As to when the weather stays around freezing and over extended times it can be miserable dealing with ice / frost & wet bedding and sleeping surfaces.

A big capacity leisure battery, and split relay charging is a great help for running stuff from, as are solar panels capable of charging stuff even if only charging banks.

 

I have been setting up stuff for being able to charge electric bikes when off grid but know that for where i might be and the weather that the solar panels will likely be useless.

 

I am a long way off from using a Electric Camper Van.

Edited 28 September, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

I have the double boot floor on my estate and you can find all sorts under there - amongst other things I have a small tent, a stove and sleeping bags. ( You'll find life-jackets and paddles for the Kayak too!)

 

I'd defo go for a tent over an awning - cheaper, much less hassle and it's guaranteed sealed tight, but if it's defo an awning you're after Khyam offer a selection.

 

Can't vouch for their awnings but I did buy one of their quick-erect pole shelters for our club and they're brilliant. A 3m x 3m tent which you can stand up in can be erected / taken down and packed away in minutes. 

Edited 28 September, 20196 yr by Golfmk56

I'm intrigued his this'll turn out and wish you all the best in finding a solution that'll suit you.

I used to work with a guy who went all round Europe for a couple of months with his Mrs sleeping in a fiat Punto.  The thing was worth nothing and he was scrapping it after so he did mod it with a timber bed, screwed on curtain tracks and everything.  He was staying in a different place every night and sometimes just staying at the side of the road though.

 

 

Personally though, I'd just buy a decent tent, if you want ease just get an airbeam.

Unless you're prepared to rough it, you'll likely end up with such a complicated setup that it still takes ages to get sorted, you'll be hugely limited on weather conditions etc.

 

But then, I don't travel light when I go camping.

This is our setup, we managed that with our Mazda 6 hatch, with our son in the car and just a roof box.  We used to be able to get it all in the car until my son was born and the stuff we took increased, the car capacity decreased.

 

Perhaps a rooftop tent (not the cheapest of options granted) but lots and lots to chose from and once removed no trace of anything on your car the rest of the time. Some of the variations I have seen have side and or rear awnings to give more space. 

As far as condensation goes, bespoke campers have built in ventilators. 

Edited 28 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

Sleeping inside a car is never a comfortable experience, the car is going to end up with steamy windows and a lot of condensation. I might just about fit myself into the back of my Octavia Estate at an angle, but it would be tight! Tents are actually much more comfortable than you might imagine with the inside liner stopping condensation from building up and dripping onto you. By all means sleep in your car if that is what you want to do, certainly possible if you were stuck without any alternative accommodation.

I sleep better in a tent than I do at home.  But that's probably also linked to the amount of fresh air I'm getting.

Plus I gave up on thick airbeds and now have a double campbed with a 50mm self inflating mattress on top.  Supportive, soft and storage under!

 

 

If I were to try the car tent thing though I'd be getting a big tarp, lashing it to the driver's side roof bars, taking it over the roof of the car and putting poles up at about 7ft off over the passenger side, to eliminate the risk of it getting the exit side wet.

 

I would be nervous if it though, I've seen many of these tarp pole setups collapse in mild winds, which is fine unless it's near your car.

Edited 29 September, 20196 yr by Alex-W

Thanks for the feedback folks. 

 

To clarify - I am a keen camper.  I have lots of good kit and love my tent.  The idea for car camping is quick setup absolutely anywhere, so we can do longer journeys (the wife doesn't drive) without having to set aside long periods for pitch up and pack down - just climb into the back, and have a little shelter set up for cooking / sitting outside.

 

Alex-W your suggestion about the tarp is exactly how I was envisaging it.  I will of course be careful of my paintwork!

For ventilation and comfort, how about buy a Tesla or any other EV and sleep inside with climate control turned on?

 

During the heatwave, when inside of the house was close to 35c, I had been enjoying the air conditioned cabin of my EV, with my son sound asleep in the baby car seat.

No connection to them, but can recommend this pop up tents. Unlike some others, they are double skinned so you get less condensation. Up and down in a couple of minutes

 

https://www.slumit.co.uk/

 

I still like the idea of what you are doing. But for £150 or less, you can get a really nice tent which sounds so much easier.

 

Nick

2 hours ago, RobGy said:

The idea for car camping is quick setup absolutely anywhere, so we can do longer journeys (the wife doesn't drive) without having to set aside long periods for pitch up and pack down

 

Bet that tarp takes longer just to tie to the roofrail than the 22 secs it takes to erect the khyam shelter 

 

Enjoy...   Khyam

 

Edited 30 September, 20196 yr by Guest

TBH if you're reasonably experienced and you buy the right tent, even a traditional tent  can be very quick.

 

I used to use (and still have) a Vango Tigris 400.  It's literally a case of laying it out, peg the corners, put in 3 poles, pull it up and put the rest of the pegs in.

I have pitched it, single handed, start to finish in about 20 minutes.   I'm betting a newer, smaller (but well designed) tent will be even quicker.  

 

My present tent, with steel poles, far bigger and far more weight takes over twice that and far longer still once I've set up all the larder, cooker, bed etc etc and I CBA to go anywhere with that for less than 3 nights.  I used to have a dome tent.. that was worse and less useful with it.

 

I get the desire for speed and being convenient for multiple stops, however I can't help thinking that in anything but perfect weather living out the car will be a nightmare.  You'll be using the same space to live and store things and totally dependent on being outside, potentially in the rain (or at least rain soaked grass) to try and pack everything back into your bed essentially.

 

 

 

Edited 30 September, 20196 yr by Alex-W

I have a Vango Tunnel Tent with a vestibule and side door, not an Airbeam that i can reverse my Alhambra into and have the rear hatch left up, and the side sliding doors are handy.

Just need to remember no interior light are on in the car.

Only tried it out and have not actually used it overnight.  I will use it this winter and reverse my Shogun into it.

I have a storage case with slide out top and drawer, and work surface. 

They come from Direct4x4.  Sometimes on offer, but still £399.

The roll out top comes out as far as the drawer does.  They are heavy though and can be bolted into Pickups, and stacked etc.

http://direct4x4.co.uk

 

I do not have roof rails on mine, 

but i have seen an Alhambra with a Roll Out Awning roof fixed to the roof rails, the kind used on vans and the couple had zip on sides if they wanted a tent rather than just a canopy.

I asked about it and they had the sides modified at a Marquee place to have them the right length.

Edited 30 September, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

http://direct4x4.co.uk

 

Edited 30 September, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

On 28/09/2019 at 19:44, Gmac983 said:

Perhaps a rooftop tent (not the cheapest of options granted) but lots and lots to chose from and once removed no trace of anything on your car the rest of the time. Some of the variations I have seen have side and or rear awnings to give more space. 

As far as condensation goes, bespoke campers have built in ventilators. 

 

Not the cheapest? I've just googled it, and Skycamp want $3,899 for their base model! 😮

Rooftop tents for around £1000 on Amazon. 

The above pictured expedition awnings are all shown on much taller vehicles than an octy, wouldn't they be a bit low for headroom on a lower vehicle. They look a reasonable idea though.