I never understand the logic behind these 'conversions' of small cars to 'campers', where would you use this when most layby's in UK don't allow overnight stops?

 

3am knock on the window from police patrol anyone?

 

No thanks, too small, too cramped, too claustrophobic, how do you shut the tailgate, how do you get out in a hurry - and where do you store all of your kit (potentially wet clothes, wet boots, food, kettle, chairs, knick knacks etc) overnight when you are taking up so much space lying in the back? 

 

In my opinion there is too much compromise, too much potential to damage the expensive interior with random bits of wood and this takes no account of the fact that being an average 6'2" and 15 stone my companion would need to be the size of Kylie Minogue. For me, carrying a day tent such as a Coleman Octagon which packs up fairly small and light at about 20kg is a much cleaner solution.

 

It's 4m x 4m, 2m high and takes 15 mins to pitch single handed and can be bought for less than the cost of a replacement torn seat over/door trim/headlining, it sleeps 3 comfortably, gives you space to relax and leaves you better prepared for the next day.

 

But as they say, opinions are like bum holes, everyone has one

 

 

 

 

There are occasions - on motorsport events that radio cars need to be in position at very early hours. It is easier to recline the passenger seat, remove all three rear seats, get into position, and all is well. Woke up once in mid Wales covered in snow - lovely and warm under the snow blanket.

As you say - everyone has one.

I like that one because it has a very simple & basic sleeping platform that will not take up any space stored in the garage, all the other plans my own included are overengineered for occasional use.

 

Its been on my "to do" list for ages, I picked up the mattress material some while back, I am going to make the simple version first and see how sleeping in the car works out before making something more suited to touring with storage included.

..wheres the toilet and shower??

its the adjacent  tree!!  :-()

Another interesting take on a Yeti camper @gumdrop and thanks for posting.

 

I've attempted to overnight in an early Berlingo, a Roomster and a Yeti and I share @b1ackb1rd's views about the limitations and practicalities of sleeping on boards + mat in the back of a car.   Incidentally my tent of choice is a Quechua three-man pop-up, which pitches in five minutes and probably takes up less space in the car than a bag of window blinds.

 

If I have no choice other than to overnight in my Yeti, then I lie on the fully reclined passenger seat with two sleeping bags - one to sleep in and one to roll up as a pillow. I find this arrangement more comfortable and convenient than attempting to kip in the back.

 

But as others have said, each to their own 

 

Its where my Octavias have been perfect for me, a double camping airbed fitted in perfectly.

 

I view this thread and the excellent simple sleeping platform as being for occasional kipping in the car use rather than turning your Yeti into a camper, to sleep overnight say breaking a journey does not need all the accoutrements that need to be found space for in the other conversions yet remain accessible. I am hoping that for slightly longer stays a Decathlon base tent will give the latter.

 

I am not impressed with most of the Youtube videos showing slide out this that and the others, too reminiscent of the fake George Clarke TV programs, they look good on a screen but are not practical.

My favourite "camper" was a 2CV I saw at the 3 counties show ground.

Fitted with a boot extension, the rear seat removed along with the front passenger seat.

It really was (in relative terms) quite spacious and nicely laid out.

The most basic I ever had was when our  (very old) tent gave up the ghost in a thunderstorm,

I tied the airbeds over the open back doors of the mini van and we slept in the back.

I had to explain to the site owner what had happened but he still asked us to leave.

I left him the destroyed tent as a memento

 

12 hours ago, Yety said:

There are occasions - on motorsport events that radio cars need to be in position at very early hours. It is easier to recline the passenger seat, remove all three rear seats, get into position, and all is well. Woke up once in mid Wales covered in snow - lovely and warm under the snow blanket.

As you say - everyone has one.

Been there, and got the bobble hat!

On 07/07/2021 at 09:41, b1ackb1rd said:

 

 

 ..... my companion would need to be the size of Kylie Minogue.  

 

 

 

 

 

I would suffer the cramped conditions if it was Kylie but I suspect she would politely decline.