Sleeping in a sedan - options?

[user 16548]

I am about to lose my housing and will be living in my sedan with 2 cats. Is it feasible to sleep with my legs in the trunk, or should I look for a solution to sleep in the back seat with the passenger seat forward? I should probably sell the sedan and buy a van, but I'm reluctant to as we are mid a long covid lockdown, plus the car was gifted to me from a relative who stopped driving, so it didn't cost me anything. It's a 2014 model and in perfect mechanical condition. I will be looking use a tent for hanging out, cat containment, storge, dressing, bathroom etc during the day in free campsites, but will need to sleep in the sedan. Any thoughts on my situation?

 

[bullfrog]

It all depends on your size and the amount of space in the car. Removing unused seats and using a piece of plywood for a flat sleeping surface is the usual solution. You may find you don't have enough room for your legs as some rear seats have braces and even those with ski pass throughs my not be large enough to roll over your legs with out hitting something. You just need to insure you do what you need to to get a good nights sleep.

 

[crofter]

Better leash train your cats or you will be looking for them. Some dwellers have cats, can adapt to mobile living.

Sleeping in the car will depend on how tall you are and how wide or long the vehicle is. I did remove the back seat in my pickup and built a simple bunk with storage underneath. The bunk was higher up than a seat would be, my dog loved the view from up there. And easy to roll into the drivers seat.

Cover the windiws with standard auto shades or reflectics for stealth.

Cooler could go between the front seats. There are really quite a few creature comforts in your vehicle. Don't knock it till you've tried it.
-crofter

 

[RoamerRV428]

Sorry you are losing your housing!!

Before you do anything too big and rash on the vehicle like tearing out seats and more......IF A VAN would be better, your vehicle has way more value now before you take out seats and 'maybe ruin' something while changing it around......so maybe you should think long and hard about what vehicle WILL make you the happiest????

just cause a relative gave it to you, which is super generous, I would believe that relative would like you to 'use that vehicle' any way best, if trading it in for best value now is key to getting a van you want.....you should go for it truly.

It does matter on your height etc on how you fit best in your vehicle tho.

and agree with above, leash train your cats now

wishing you the best on how you move forward!

 

[shadowmoss]

I can, and have, sleep in my 2014 MAZDA 3.  I put the back seat down, push the front passenger seat as far forward as it will go, and put a pillow in the gap of the back seat and back of the front seat, leaning the back of the passenger seat forward.  I am also 5'2", so YMMV.  I need more padding as the floor isn't level, it's bumpy.  Using the blue backpacking pads from Walmart help, as well as blankets and other padding.  Yes, the opening to the trunk is smaller.  I have to watch my legs when I turn over.

Can you do it?  Probably.  You will only know if you want to by sleeping in it for a few nights.

 

[maki2]

Long term living with 2 cats in a car? You should think about the needs of cats. You don't have much room for yourself and your belongings. They need a litter box and they need to exercise and play. Youwill be needing to constantly scoop the litter box and have an odorproof container for the waste. Perhaps you might consider looking into a foster home for them if this is a short term living situation. They need to stay safe and healthy. No matter what you do a change in their living quarters is stressful on cats.

 

[MGfromBC]

Hi,  I'm six feet tall and spent a lot of time exploring the world in a small, 2 door, Saturn S.  It even had a deep cycle battery in the box built under the pillow.  Many happy memories.

MG

 

[GypsyJan]

Clever! I'll bet you miss that gas mileage!

 

[MGfromBC]

Front wheel drive Kia Sportage uses 50% more gas. It has compensating rewards but yeah, the Saturn was great.

MG