Panic is setting in !

[moondancer5]

Help........ 
I have just come in the  house from being out in the carport trying to plan out my house in my  Isuzu Rodeo.  I made a cardboard template of a 36 inch wide by 59 inch long bed, and placed it in the back. I thought that I had planned this all out in my mind,  but boy oh boy was  I wrong. The bed takes over 3/4 of the width of the back. I had planned on putting the bed on about a 7 inch high platform for storage underneath, but found out that if I did I would not be able to sit up on it. There is no way I can replace my vehicle, so my Rodeo has to be it. I guess that I am going back to watching as many videos as I can again. I have decided on a rooftop cargo carrier for some stuff.  I have been told that is going to kill my gas mileage., which isn't too great to begin with. I just cannot figure out how to squeeze what I need into the Rodeo. Maybe I will have to learn to sleep sitting up.  Nothing  I had planned fits.  I want to and have to do this.  I have seen on videos what happens when you do not have what you need.  Does anyone have any ideas ?  I am at a loss.

 

[rvwandering]

Here is one video for you to rewatch -

 And her blog -  https://nomadfornature.wordpress.com/category/my-nomadic-life/faqs-how-tos/

 It will be a challenge but with some ingenuity it is possible!

 

[moondancer5]

My back door opens sideways to the left and the top half of the door (glass) opens up. I am thinking that if I installed a tow thingy to attach the hitch carrier I would have to crawl over it to get access to the Rodeo.  I think that is how it would work.  Would I be able to open the back door ?  Not sure how these things work.  I live in a small city where most the the people are retires and none seems to have a clue.  Plus they all think I am nuts because I am talking about the posibility of living in my car.  They all say, just go into senior housing. Ugh !

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Don't know how much money you have, but, was it me, I'd be looking at the trailers that are pulled behind motorcycles.  Small and light, they can be pulled behind a small car, too.

http://motorcycle-rack.com/CycleTrailer.htm

If money is tight, there are Youtube videos showing homemade ones built on cheap Horror Fright trailers.

 

[Suanne]

A few ideas for you to consider for your bed.

I see that your back seats are the 60% and 40% wide; that is, one is wider than the other. If you put the 60% down, you could probably fit the same size mattress that I use in my Prius. It's 3.5" high x 25" wide x 72" long self-inflating pad with foam inside. It's made to make camping comfortable on rough hard surfaces. I find mine more comfortable than the memory foam mattress in my house. There's all kinds of brands, but I use this one from REI (https://www.rei.com/product/870757/rei-camp-bed-35-self-inflating-sleeping-pad).

By using a narrower mattress, you'll free up more storage space. And, by using a thinner mattress, you'll free up more head room. You might even be able to build a short bed platform for storage underneath and still be able to sit up in bed.

I find that if I think like a backpacker, it makes it easier to make decisions about what to pack and what to leave behind. If backpackers can live on only what they can carry, I feel like I should certainly be able to live well on what I can fit into a car. No doubt, you need to be a minimalist for sure.

I hope you find this information useful in your preparations.

Suanne

 

[JeriLynn]

Help........ 
I have just come in the  house from being out in the carport trying to plan out my house in my  Isuzu Rodeo.  I made a cardboard template of a 36 inch wide by 59 inch long bed, and placed it in the back. I thought that I had planned this all out in my mind,  but boy oh boy was  I wrong. The bed takes over 3/4 of the width of the back. I had planned on putting the bed on about a 7 inch high platform for storage underneath, but found out that if I did I would not be able to sit up on it. There is no way I can replace my vehicle, so my Rodeo has to be it. I guess that I am going back to watching as many videos as I can again. I have decided on a rooftop cargo carrier for some stuff.  I have been told that is going to kill my gas mileage., which isn't too great to begin with. I just cannot figure out how to squeeze what I need into the Rodeo. Maybe I will have to learn to sleep sitting up.  Nothing  I had planned fits.  I want to and have to do this.  I have seen on videos what happens when you do not have what you need.  Does anyone have any ideas ?  I am at a loss.

I am having a similar issue with my Ford Windstar.  The back measures 48x80. There are two of us so a bed for both would take up most of the rear space. I am looking for a bigger van, but if I do not find one, I have come upon an idea that may work. I found a 27 inch wide x 72 inch cot with high reviews on AMZ. So I am thinking put the cot on one side, with our 2 trifold mattresses on top. There is 17 inches of space under cot for storage on two sides with cot leg in the middle. My soyfoam trifold was $300 bucks on sale but well worth it for comfort. So one mattress will fit on floor and one of us will be on cot. Then later on the cot can be used outdoors also and both mattresses can be kept on top of the cot. After thinking about many different ideas for a wooden bed frame, I have decided the back is just too small. Also, there was a video on Youtube with a woman who rigged up a hammock and said it was super comfortable. And one more idea I had if the cot is uncomfortable is to swap up the passenger chair for one that has a bigger recline. Like a zero gravity chair.  Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[moondancer5]

Thank you for your response.  I looked into the idea of a cot which I thought would work great.  However, the cot is too long. I have 43 inches wide by 60 inches long. The passenger seat is up as far as it will go and does not fold down.  If I sit on the floor in the back,my head almost touches the ceiling, so  I have given up on the idea of storage underneath.  I thought about building a bed but my head would hit the ceiling and it would just be too big. I am currently thinking about just putting a mattress or pad on the floor and sleeping like that.  But have no solution yet for where to put the things that I need.   A roof top carrier causes drag which will make my 15 mpg even worse. I  do not have a trailer hitch or hitch carrier which adds weight and leave things outside. I don't know at this point, but I have not given up yet. Two of you,wow.  But nice. You sound as if you are on track for solving your challenges, that is great. I know that there is a way that we can do this.  I think that more ideas that we get and the more videos  that we watch can only be helpful. I keep watching the videos over and over for some clue that I  have missed. Thank you for sharing your similar issues and solutions. Good luck to you and let me know how it turns out.

 

[JeriLynn]

So let me suggest a few other possibilities. There are reclining chairs made for RVS that are wall hugging chairs. They are small but quite expensive.  But you may able to find one at a used RV parts store.

 http://www.glastop.com/rv-furniture-detail.asp?id=626

Also, I love the trifold mattresses.  You could have two of them on the floor with the sides pressed up the side of the car. As I said I bought a 6 inch soy foam which is super comfortable after I bought a thin one from Amazon. It is extremely well made but even though it says 4 inches, the foam sinks to the floor. I think 2 of them would work however.  It is 75 inches long but very pliable. Or if you are a sewer you could make your own.

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWXAEFG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lastly, I think someone else mentioned a luggage carrier for back.  My two concerns about keeping stuff on the back of the vehicle are theft and visibility of the license plate.  But they make carriers with a slot for the plate.

https://www.amazon.com/Rightline-Ge...qid=1469549525&sr=1-42&keywords=cargo+carrier

Lastly, have you considered taking out the passenger seat or they do make fully reclining seats that you may be able to find cheap at a pick and pull junk yard.

Jeri

 

[DannyB1954]

I looked at bean bag chairs at Walmart today. If you put two next to each other they may make a bed. They would also go over uneven surfaces. The bean bag chairs themselves may be too thick to make storage practical, but maybe you could use the same idea and make thinner ones. Possibly pillow cases stuffed with some tipe of styrofoam pellets then sewn up. they could be stacked up during the day. There is a bean bag chair that comes apart to make a mattress. https://cordaroys.com/

Inflatable beds and mattresses are another option. This one is kinda like a hammock http://www.ebay.com/itm/Inflatable-...r-Boat-Lounger-Hangout-Lazy-Bed-/302008324804

Here is a twin bed with it's own built in pump http://www.ebay.com/itm/Twin-Air-Ma...344651a08198ab4e9f4540&pid=100506&rk=1&rkt=1&

This one is interesting, I might give it a try. and inflatable chair that folds out to a mattress http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intex-Infla...544230?hash=item35d870e5e6:g:c1sAAOSwXSJXO37R

 

[mockturtle]

I don't think a rooftop cargo pod would affect your gas mileage significantly, if at all. When I carried my kayak atop my Honda CR-V it made no difference whatsoever.

 

[JeriLynn]

I looked at bean bag chairs at Walmart today. If you put two next to each other they may make a bed. They would also go over uneven surfaces. The bean bag chairs themselves may be too thick to make storage practical, but maybe you could use the same idea and make thinner ones. Possibly pillow cases stuffed with some tipe of styrofoam pellets then sewn up. they could be stacked up during the day. There is a bean bag chair that comes apart to make a mattress. https://cordaroys.com/

Inflatable beds and mattresses are another option. This one is kinda like a hammock http://www.ebay.com/itm/Inflatable-...r-Boat-Lounger-Hangout-Lazy-Bed-/302008324804

Here is a twin bed with it's own built in pump http://www.ebay.com/itm/Twin-Air-Ma...344651a08198ab4e9f4540&pid=100506&rk=1&rkt=1&

This one is interesting, I might give it a try. and inflatable chair that folds out to a mattress http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intex-Infla...544230?hash=item35d870e5e6:g:c1sAAOSwXSJXO37R

Really good suggestions Danny. I checked the Intex first and with 20 percent one star ratings, probably not worth it even though it is cheap. I think the CordaRoys looks the best.

 

[moondancer5]

I looked at bean bag chairs at Walmart today. If you put two next to each other they may make a bed. They would also go over uneven surfaces. The bean bag chairs themselves may be too thick to make storage practical, but maybe you could use the same idea and make thinner ones. Possibly pillow cases stuffed with some tipe of styrofoam pellets then sewn up. they could be stacked up during the day. There is a bean bag chair that comes apart to make a mattress. https://cordaroys.com/

Inflatable beds and mattresses are another option. This one is kinda like a hammock http://www.ebay.com/itm/Inflatable-...r-Boat-Lounger-Hangout-Lazy-Bed-/302008324804

Here is a twin bed with it's own built in pump http://www.ebay.com/itm/Twin-Air-Ma...344651a08198ab4e9f4540&pid=100506&rk=1&rkt=1&

This one is interesting, I might give it a try. and inflatable chair that folds out to a mattress http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intex-Infla...544230?hash=item35d870e5e6:g:c1sAAOSwXSJXO37R

Wow.......great idea. I think that a couple of bean bag chairs could solve my problem.  And as you mentioned it would level out my uneven surfaces.  And as you mentioned, could be stacked during the day.  I think that I am going to try that.  It is much too hot in Central Florida right now but I am trying to get some basic things together for a weekend test run when it cools off. And then you say a rooftop carrier will not make much of a difference in mileage, I breathed a sigh of relief. I would not be able to use my back door or feel that things carried on a carrier behind the car
would be safe there. I think that you have helped me a whole bunch. I never would have thought of bean bag chairs ,but I think it is perfect because I only have 36 inches of headroom at the highest point.  And I do feel that things would be much safer on the rooftop.  Again, thank you so very much. I am feeling much better, I was beginning to feel as though it was hopeless.  Again a million thanks, now I can see how much room that I will have left and begin to think about what and how I can fit things there.

 

[DannyB1954]

Really good suggestions Danny. I checked the Intex first and with 20 percent one star ratings, probably not worth it even though it is cheap. I think the CordaRoys looks the best.

I rechecked the intex item. There were 41 reviews. 33 were 5 star, 6 were 3 or 4 star, the one person with a 2 star said the wrong item was delivered, and the one person with one star said it leaked.

 

[JeriLynn]

I rechecked the intex item. There were 41 reviews. 33 were 5 star, 6 were 3 or 4 star, the one person with a 2 star said the wrong item was delivered, and the one person with one star said it leaked.

I had checked Amazon and the Intex had 162 one stars so 19 percent. I was surprised because Intex is big and has so many plastic products.

 

[moblet]

A futon mattress would be another possibility. Not only can they be rolled up when not in use, they need to be!

Also there are self-inflating mattresses, which provide great comfort for their thin profile and have their peculiar advantages and disadvantages.

Something that may or may not matter in your choice of mattress is its heat insulating qualities. Regular air mattresses don't provide much heat insulation so would be better suited to a hot climate, while bean bags, futons and the like would retain a lot of warmth.

 

[Vacilador]

Carpet padding remnants are cheap (sometimes free for the asking) and provide some cushion and thermal support. Discovered that when doing a lot of camping with the Boy Scouts. Thermarests and the like, even rollmat like the USMC uses (got some fond memories of sleeping in puddles in Okinawa. . .) can get pricey for the kids and families just getting started. It won't last as long as the stuff designed for backpacking but the price is right.

Hope the project goes well for you!

 

[Mizmozy]

Hi Moondancer.  After years of lurking on this site, I finally joined just so I could suggest another option for you.  Amazon has kid's air beds that are smaller than regular air beds.  I don't know how to do links yet, but the name of one of the air beds is "Intex Cozy Kidz Inflatable Airbed."  I have one in my tiny camper.  The inflated size is about 30"x60". I'm 5 feet so it works for me and for $12 it makes a comfortable bed. Good luck with your search.

 

[moondancer5]

Thank you so very much for your suggestion. It is another thing that I will check out.  And I know that you will not regret joining, everyone here is great.  I did not realize that between the head room only being 36 inches and the width at the rear wheel well only being 38 inches I did not realize this would be such a challenge.  I had watched the video of  the lady in the 3 story mansion a bunch of times and thought. yeah, I can do that. But upon measuring  I find I cannot do a basement,  I do not have the headroom.  If I tried that I would have the bed up against the window glass . And I would definitely not be able to sit up. And I also do not have the width or length that she has.  Also, my front passenger seat does not fold down. I have gotten some great suggestsions from the great people here in the forum so far, including yours, so I have a place to start. I feel at this point I need to solve the bed problem first, so that is where I am starting.  I will let you know how things workout. Again, I do appreciate everyones input.

 

[TrainChaser]

First, you don't need to sit on the bed.  Elevate it behind the driver's seat so you have enough room to sleep comfortably (think submarine: http://www.carolhipperson.com/sitebuilder/images/ch_10_bunks_on_submarine-600x396.jpg), and then use the space underneath for storage.

Narrowing the bed to 30" will give you more room to move around.

If you can't afford the wall-hugging recliner that JeriLynn suggested, could you get a swivel at a junk yard, OR re-mount your existing passenger seat so it faces backwards? Or find something in between?

If you're going to be van camping full-time (which it sounds), that small rig is going to get smaller as you go.  Imagine having to get into it at the first sign of mosquitoes, or on a hot night.  So consider a cheap pop-up screen tent for a handy second room.  WalMart carries a 10'x10'x7' tall screen tent for less than $70.  It has two zip-up doors.  They say it only takes one person about 60 seconds to put up.  It gets 4 out of 5 stars from 182 reviews, which is darned good for WalMart.  http://www.walmart.com/ip/34136717?...75035&wl11=online&wl12=34136717&wl13=&veh=sem

You could have ready a precut and pre-grommeted piece of heavy-duty (6-mil) clear plastic to stretch over the top to deal with a couple of days of warm rain (that little 'hat' on the top won't be enough).  Get some #4 (1/2" dia hole) grommets, a #4 grommet setter kit (less than $10 at Home Depot).  Fold the edges 2 or 3 times (simple machine sewing stitch would be better, or use clear waterproof tape, ~$6) and insert the grommets along the edges.  Keep some 1/8" nylon cord handy for installation of the tarp.  Make the tarp clear to let light in.

DO NOT get the squeeze-type pliers-like setters for large grommets!

Here is a 2-minute tutorial on how to set the grommets.  Not rocket science! 

Grommet size chart (https://goldstartool.com/grommet-size-chart.html) if you want a different size -- don't go too small.

What about one of those aerodynamic roof pod-things?  I've seen them cheap, used.  Do they lock?  You can't walk away from the vehicle leaving stuff you need in a soft container -- it will disappear before you're out of sight.  And if you're a senior, you won't be lifting it up and down every time you stop.  NO.

* p.s. on Walmart: when you see something online that you want from them, they want you to pay shipping. YOU DON'T HAVE TO -- have them ship it to your local WM and you can pick it up there for free. If there's no way to do that online, take the info to WM and have their service counter order it for you.

 

[Driver]

You might want to try the solution I've settled on with my four door Jeep - I removed the back seats, installed pieces to extend the rear floor flat all the way forward over the back seat foot wells, cut an Ikea memory foam mattress to fit the space and have a rear "deck" that acts as primary storage.  To sleep in it you simply slide and tilt the front seats forward, fill the space behind them (my custom mattress has flip down pieces) and sleep with your feet to the rear under the shelf.  This leaves room to sit up, change and hang out while providing a lot of storage space accessible from both the inside and the rear door/hatch.  It sleeps two adults super comfortably!  It's easy to remove the setup so I have it out right now as I'm using the Jeep to move a bunch of stuff.  I've got a small storage box (Pelican shotgun case) mounted on the roof rack now but will likely be removing it to put the maximum solar panels up there.  Any questions I'd be glad to answer.

Cheers,

Chris