HHR

[velojym]

It might be a while before I can break loose, for various (mostly private) reasons. My Suburban promises to be the best long-term "escape pod" tug, but I do have more immediate concerns and limitations.
My daily driver for the last 6 years or so is an 06 Chevy HHR, which has been very reliable and pretty economical as well.
I'm going to try to get loose for some longer solo weekend trips if I can, but while I'm not full-timing, fuel mileage will be a concern for some of the longer trips, such as visiting my family in NM or attending next year's RTR.

With that in mind, and with Bob the Burban standing by for future long-term use, I'd like to outfit Herman (the HHR) for some solo tripping. With the least amount of modification to the car itself (cuz, need to sell it by the time I cast off in Bob, so no hackjobbery), I think I can make a serviceable little micro-RV.
There's *almost* enough room for my 6'4" frame to lay down with the back seats folded flat, but I could fold down the front passenger seat to open more of that up, though it'll be slightly inclined, as that seat doesn't fold level with the back. That's fine, I use a lot of pillows to incline my head anyway. A piece of padding, cut to shape, would line the floor in back, and extend to the front on the right seat, just cut out where the driver's seat is. (pic attached). Seat can be raised for a passenger easily, too.
I'd use a camping mattress, self inflating, to provide a sleeping surface to the right, along with my Marmot sleeping bag and an extra blanket. To the left, I figure I'd line up some plastic drawers on the floor, and top them with some plastic bins, to store food, clothes, and other supplies. None of this would be heavy stuff, other than a water jug maybe, and maybe a few cans of food.  Of course, I'd secure these so they don't slide around.
I should be able to enter/exit the right rear door, teardrop style, so the fact that I can't open the rear hatch from inside shouldn't be an issue.

I have a class 1 hitch I installed years ago, for a bike rack, and I figure on finding a lightweight cargo basket for that, to hold a tent, camp chair, and my Montague folding bike. It would also make for a fine place to put a couple gallons of gas if I'm gonna be in remote areas for long.

Following the weather, there won't be much need for heavy-duty climate control, and the little ecotec engine sips fuel if at any time I have an "emergency" need for heating or cooling. I wouldn't idle it on a regular basis, just because I wanna be efficient, but it's good to know it'll do it if needed. In the areas where I tend to enjoy "being", the air tends to be on the more arid side anyway, so a low power evaporative cooler and a solar panel go a long way... so would my "instant" canopy, which will cover most of my car... and it's white. Might skip the normal tent and just go for that, maybe bring some side panels I can hang to turn it into a tent when I want it.

Anyway... nearly all this will be useful in the Suburban eventually, and getting back into a smaller space would re-acclimate me to it (been a little while since I was an OTR trucker, living in tiny sleepers that made my HHR look big inside).
Again, I'm just getting words on screen, as it seems to help my thought process.

 

[JohnnyM]

Go for it, Velojym.

The HHR is a great car, and your photo shows just one of the reasons why.

I had a fairly thin custom futon made for mine a few years ago which worked pretty well. The only problem I had was moving stuff out of the way at bedtime and then actually getting in and out of bed, due to the limited headroom. I eventually ditched the futon and just slept sitting up in the driver's seat with the seat reclined. YMMV, but this worked well for me and I didn't have to move a bunch of stuff around when I wanted to go to sleep. After a few nights I became quite comfortable with the setup and loved that all I had to do to get up was grab the wheel, flip up the seat back, and step out of the car.

Easy livin', that's my style

Johnny

 

[Wanderer]

That's pretty cool. I always thought the HHR was a good option for some dwellers. I remember my Mother's old 1986 Ford Escort Wagon. God that thing was almost bulletproof. It had a head gasket problem we ignored till the engine caught fire (3 years AFTER we were told it had the problem) That was the only Ford product I ever really loved.

 

[velojym]

Ok.

My daughter and I just got back a few days ago from NM. I drove Herman, mostly to save gas, but also to try the HHR on "for size" on a longer trip. It did occur to me that the farthest I've taken this little trucklet is a couple hours away, so never really got any long seat-time over the 7 years I've owned it.

While, as pictured before, I could create a tolerable sleeping space in there, driving over more than a couple hours becomes intolerable for a guy of my dimensions... especially height. If I'd gotten a model without all the gee-gaws and bells-n-whistles, it'd be relatively cavernous, but the sunroof and power leather seats (heated) take away so much headroom that I'm extremely limited in how much I can shift around while on a drive. This was never an issue on my commute, or on those short trips, but I can't see myself using this car for anything more than a jaunt to Chattanooga or the like.
I'm selling it. Herman's been a fine car, economical and very reliable, but I need something that I can take on a long haul, at short notice... comfortably.

I'll see what I can get for the HHR, maybe pick up a midsize scooter for local zipping around, and keep working on the Burb to get it up to snuff for travel.

 

[DannyB1954]

I would build a platform for the bed so that there would be storage below the bed. Here is one I helped build for a Dodge Caravan. left click on it for a larger picture

 

[DannyB1954]

Here is a different view, ( I was too slow to add it to the last post). The table you see swivels so it can be used in various positions. Left click on the pic for larger view.

                    

 

[velojym]

Pretty nice. Unfortunately, in the HHR that wouldn't even provide enough room to roll over.

Minivan does seem to be a decent sweet spot for space and cost of operation. Most of them get close to what my HHR gets in mpg, but with far better interior space for moving about. Herman has been surprisingly good at hauling some loads, but getting around inside is another story.

 

[DannyB1954]

The bed frame only has to be as wide as the mattress, and it evens out the floor, You could build a panel that is hinged at the front so that it extends over the front seat. The platform can be as simple as milk crates with a thin piece of plywood over them. Because there is support every 12" the plywood can be thin and light.

 

[Mini_HHR2]

Hi I’m going to try Car camping in my hhr but I’m short so that will be easier. I’ve done 8 hour plus drives fully loaded and it’s ok for me. Mileage is just as good in a mini van but there’s a lot more space. I have the hhr and it’s paid for so no upgrade right now. I am worried about running the battery down with the hatch or doors open for hours (yes I know not to leave the key in the ignition.).

 

[DannyB1954]

Many dome lights have a three position switch on the light itself. In one position it turns the light off when a door is open.The other option is to intercept the wire going to the door and putting a switch in series.

 

[velojym]

I just typed out a huge mind-vomit post, but what it boiled down to was, gonna take another trip to NM, and this time I'll be going solo. Thought I'd give the HHR a second chance, without having to worry about sleeping 2 people. Last time was pretty un-comfy.... maybe didn't have to be, if I'd worked it right, but my future plans involve mostly solo anyway.
I have a foam camp mat that fits on the right, over the folded passenger front seat. The rear seats fold flat. I found a panel to cover the gap, but it won't bear much weight, so I'll probably stuff a duffel or suitcase in that footwell to support it. If I did it longer term, I'd probably just make a little support out of wood. With plenty of room on the left for my clothes and other supplies, I should be good for most outings. The idea is to use this as an 'escape pod', maybe operating from a modest RV trailer at a location like Coyote Howls most of the time, and using this (and a tent when the wind ain't too bad) for trips to RTR and the like.

It's just an idea I'm testing, while I still have the little car. It's been super reliable, and is decent on gas. Long term, I may just stick with the Suburban anyway, but this is a fun little challenge just to see if I can do it.

I would probably need to move my Yaesu to another spot, though. I think it won't be a problem for one trip.