Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
jenseneverest wrote:
The disco can be very comfortable!!
SWMBO and I spent 4 nights in it, as the tin tent was full with other family.
Im 6.3" and fit no problem, never liked air beds so used a 3inch roll up memory foam mattress.
You do need ventilation / blackout blinds as suggested by others. It was late summer last year so not particularly cold, but we had electric blankets if it got freezing.....
Agreed re plenty of space. The earlier comment about needing to be a short is wrong - I'm 5ft 10ins so whilst I'm not the tallest I'm by no means short, and there's plenty of room to spare. I won't need a double bed, but this does look a lot more inviting than a tent...
Click image to enlarge
I reckon I could put a single mattress on top of a panel of ply, with storage crates underneath. That leaves one side clear for either more storage, or I can put up the rear-most seat and have somewhere to stretch out and read a book before rolling into bed.2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Down&Dirty wrote:
Something like this
Click image to enlarge
2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
Carl and Petra wrote:
Why the need to sleep in the car?
Keep the kit in the car and sleep in a tent with the right gear. Unless you are a serious short these cars are not comfortable and you will take up a lot of space using it as a camper.
Really got to to disagree!
Why the need to sleep in a tent?
Keep the kit in the tent and sleep in the car with the right gear. Unless you are a seriously tall these cars are most comfortable and will take up a lot less space using it as a camper.
I only talk from my experience & usage, with the love of the D4 as such a proven and versatile vehicle....... always on the road less travelled 🚧
6th Nov 2023 8:07 pm
Carl and Petra
Member Since: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Hautes Pyrenees
Posts: 219
Well, at the end of it a decision will be made.
If you are short enough that it is comfortable then that is good. The OP gave his reasons for sleeping in the car and i do agree that for his needs it is a good idea.
Having done so i would rather use a tent for warmth every time, plus i prefer packing the car for trips and having stuff in there for ease and to hand.
What is nice is that the option is there if you choose it.
Choices and options. It is handy to get others ideas to help us see a route we may not have considered.
6th Nov 2023 8:16 pm
MintyHit
Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 234
I do not understand all these mad replies about sleeping the a tent, I have never been cold sleeping in the back of my disco and I've slept in it right down to -10 in Switzerland. In fact I do this more or less every year on the way out skiing.
The only thing I would say it use a proper down duvet and also a nice (non-air) mattress. I use a dense double futon that folds up. I got it from the futon company and it fits perfectly. I also use stick on thermal blinds for the windows.
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Edit - One more tip, I'm 6ft and find it comfortable if I nudge the front seats forward a bit and reverse the headrests on the passenger seats. That way when you fold them down you get additional support under your head. I'll post a picture and show that I mean.
6th Nov 2023 9:04 pm
Rescue01
Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 2515
Get on to YT and check out Kasper Hoglund..He has spent a few years living in his D4 up in the Artic Circle during winter.I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the FBH.Its not the height of the fall but the sudden stop at the bottom that hurts!!
7th Nov 2023 12:08 am
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Huge thanks to the most recent two comments - giving me the confidence to know its doable and worth the effort. Thinking about it more overnight, the main uses will be:
Getting away for a random night here and there, after work likely, so often in the dark
Getting up early for sunrise hikes, paddleboarding and cycling when at the destination
Sleeping outside of campsites sometimes - perhaps frowned upon by purists (and the law!) but being able to pull up and get a few hours kip here and there would be helpful on long journeys
Also doing this whilst having the bike and/or canoe etc available on the car.
Reckon I'll give it a go. Kasper on YouTube is a great link, thanks, what fun he has2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
?si=BXhvU1NwnwYEdIut2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2813
I'm 6' and have slept in the back of my D3 and D4 on several occasions and been very comfy.
On all occasions I used a full size inflatable mattress.
OK it does need squashing in just an inch or so when shutting the tailgate, but it fits.
I haven't however done it in anything other than warm weather.
I really enjoy camping, and sleeping in a tent, but I think if it was below zero I'd choose the car every time.
Unless of course I had an all seasons tent with stove or some other form of heating.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
7th Nov 2023 8:42 am
MintyHit
Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 234
Perfect for sleeping in the car in the freezing cold or also when it's scotchio. We had them on when working at the Glastonbury build in 30+degree sun and it was still cool enough to sleep in the car in the mornings.
7th Nov 2023 9:21 am
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Great links, thank you.2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
I've made a school-project-like sketch as below. I reckon it meets all my needs, which are:
[ ] Single bed
[ ] Permanent access to 6th seat as somewhere to lounge in inclement weather, gives room to stretch legs out and work from a laptop on a slidable table
[ ] Access to unfold at least one middle row seat, so that I can carry my two kids in the back
[ ] Clean and waste water sink drawer
[ ] Fridge/cooler box, just a small one to hold a few cans of drink and a sandwich
[ ] Hanging clothes space, enough for a jacket and few shirts
[ ] Laptop and camera storage space
[ ] Desk/platform for work laptop
[ ] Thetford loo WC
[ ] Bike rack on roof
[ ] Roof box for storage of stuff
[ ] Camping stove/grill for sunnier weather
[ ] Inverter for charging
[ ] Storage for cutlery and crockery
[ ] Storage for toiletries
[ ] Wet space for hanging coat, boots, inclement weather etc
This setup provides what I need, most importantly I can have four seats up easily when out with the kids and wife. The rearmost seat can easily fold down when I need access to the crate storage under the bed, and that can be done comfortably from within the car in the rain.
I'd love comments if you think I've missed anything out...
Click image to enlarge
2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 24 Sep 2023
Location: Highlands
Posts: 398
DIY Ace, interesting sketch of a possible layout, there!
I've not slept in mine yet, but having laid the back flat and stretched out in it, I think I would want the bed to be wider and longer than you are showing. I felt I would need the two-thirds split available for sleeping comfortably and I am not a broad individual (much nearer bean-pole than sumo wrestler!). I would also definitely want the full available bed length, so I don't think there would be space for storage at the head of the bed.Previously:
2010 FL2 TD4e GS
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW - still got this, non-runner on SORN.
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel
8th Nov 2023 10:59 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73080
My sleeping arrangement in the D3. The more insulation below the better, and 2 decent sleeping bags.
Click image to enlarge
And it all fitted in the middle and back. Just.
Click image to enlarge
Before I came to my senses and booked into hotels!
8th Nov 2023 11:20 am
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Worms wrote:
DIY Ace, interesting sketch of a possible layout, there!
I've not slept in mine yet, but having laid the back flat and stretched out in it, I think I would want the bed to be wider and longer than you are showing. I felt I would need the two-thirds split available for sleeping comfortably and I am not a broad individual (much nearer bean-pole than sumo wrestler!). I would also definitely want the full available bed length, so I don't think there would be space for storage at the head of the bed.
Thanks, I did wonder about the length. I'm 5ft 10in and can lie comfortably in the back length-wise, and the idea behind the narrowing width is merely that ill need less legroom than shoulder room, so can get away with a slightly narrower bed much like many 2-person doubles in caravans and motorhomes. I could switch the ends and make the head end wider, so long as I could hinge it up somehow to get access to the pull-out WC. Not sure how I'd feel about me head being above it all night though... 2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
is wrong - I'm 5ft 10ins so whilst I'm not the tallest I'm by no means short, and there's plenty of room to spare. I won't need a double bed, but this does look a lot more inviting than a tent...
