SUV sleeping : folded front passenger seat

[Linda_Sue]

I was curious if anyone in an SUV is sleeping against the back of the front passenger seat. In my vehicle it flips forward but not flat.

I've always slept in the flat area of the second and third row seats (seats folded down).

I realize I could get a more usable space in the back "living area" if I'm sleeping further forward. I enjoy sleeping against a raised headspace, so that part of the equation doesn't bother me. Rather than leaving the bed (foam mattress) out, I would just have flip it into the back sleeping area when not in use. I would also need to put weight bearing items or lay some wood in the footwell of the second row to support the bed.

I like to leave the front passenger seat relatively clear anyway so that's not an issue.

I also like being hidden in the back behind the privacy curtain but I would have to make adjustments for that because I would be into the front row area.

Yes, I could try rearranging everything to experiment with this, but I'd rather avoid it at the moment. I was hoping to see if other people have tried this and whether it was a good idea or not, or what were the pros and cons.
Thanks!

 

[D'L]

I haven't tried this. But I can see that there might be some advantages, as you have listed. the disadvantage that comes to me first if you lay your front seat forward all the way is that you would have to move your mattress back and put the seat up in order to drive. No problem most of the time, but if you needed to get out of a place fast it would slow you down. I always arrange things in such a way that I can get into the driver seat and start the car as fast as possible because moving away is the best approach if there might be trouble. (or at least it seems so to me)

 

[Linda_Sue]

... No problem most of the time, but if you needed to get out of a place fast it would slow you down....

Thanks for the reply and the insights! Interesting - I thought it would make it easier for me to get into the driver seat since a portion of my body will already be in the front row (otherwise I have to climb between the two front seats normally, which is doable because at the moment I'm still limber enough). I kind of envisioned doing a roll-and-flip into the driver's seat LOL

I guess this is an aspect that I really will have to move things around in order to test it out.

Thanks again!
PS I just reread your reply, and I'm envisioning that I would not have to move the mattress in order to flip into the driver's seat in an emergency. Time will tell. I would have to flip it out of the way for everyday use, though.

 

[Annieclover]

Actually I’m looking for a car with a folding front passenger seat, I know the vw Tiguan and Touran has them but they are just too wide for my garage.

 

[bullfrog]

I have removed all the seating except for the driver’s seat and made a level platform raised off the floor which allowed me to use the passenger footwell space as well. It just depends on your priorities.

 

[Linda_Sue]

No problem most of the time, but if you needed to get out of a place fast it would slow you down. I always arrange things in such a way that I can get into the driver seat and start the car as fast as possible

I've been thinking more about what you observed, and although I would be able to get into the driver's seat alot faster, I forgot that all the front windows would be covered (since I would now be lying into the front seat area). That definitely becomes a hindrance.

In an emergency I'd mainly be concerned with removing the front cover...I would hope to be able to yank off the side window coverings as I go.

My main thoughts initially were regarding practicality and comfort, so I appreciate your bringing up the emergency routine. It will definitely need some testing.

 

[bullfrog]

Our 1963 Rambler station wagon had a rear bench seat and a split front bench seat both which folded to make a flat platform all the way from the tailgate to the dashboard. Maybe look at classic station wagons with bench seats!

 

[Linda_Sue]

TO CLARIFY: sorry, I wish I could have done this in the original post, but after some searching I see there's a time limit on being able to edit. What I wanted to clarify:

My front seats flip forward, but NOT flat, so my question is regarding the comfort and practicality of sleeping *against* the back of the front seat which is flipped forward at an angle....so, like leaning against it; or in other words, that the bed is like an adjustable hospital bed where the back and head area are raised.

I was curious to know if anyone had any experience sleeping like this, and what are their thoughts.

 

[bullfrog]

A few people sleep in recliner chairs in their vans. We have used the chair back style pillows on our bed but since we tend to sleep on our sides they didn’t work so well. I would tend to think that you would slide down the angled seat back unless you sleep on your back in a sitting position normally. Maybe use a slightly lower short ice chest with padding between the front and back seat to get a position similar to sitting in a recliner?

 

[BlueMarkOhio]

A few people sleep in recliner chairs in their vans. We have used the chair back style pillows on our bed but since we tend to sleep on our sides they didn’t work so well. I would tend to think that you would slide down the angled seat back unless you sleep on your back in a sitting position normally. Maybe use a slightly lower short ice chest with padding between the front and back seat to get a position similar to sitting in a recliner?

Last summer I just used a front seat of my Odyssey van. With the middle seat behind it removed, a front seat will recline all the way down - much comfier than a cot. I prefer a slight head elevation so a reclining bed worked really well. The seat bottom is at a slightly lower level than the bottom of the seat back (lumbar support), but that was a positive - gave a nice pocket for the butt or hip. Feet dangling off the end didn't bother me, but next time I might set a box in the wheel well and see how that feels.

 

[D'L]

I've been thinking more about what you observed, and although I would be able to get into the driver's seat alot faster, I forgot that all the front windows would be covered (since I would now be lying into the front seat area). That definitely becomes a hindrance.

In an emergency I'd mainly be concerned with removing the front cover...I would hope to be able to yank off the side window coverings as I go.

My main thoughts initially were regarding practicality and comfort, so I appreciate your bringing up the emergency routine. It will definitely need some testing.

Actually, what I do if sleeping in my vehicle is I do not cover the front windows at all. To do so slows down an exit far too much for me. Instead, I cover all the back ones (after all I have side mirrors and don't need them to drive) and string a curtain that blocks all view from the front seat windows or windshield to the back part of the vehicle. All I have to do is part the center of that curtain, jump in the front, and off I go. (Of course, I always make sure I am not blocked, and always back in so I never have to back out.

I have had to get out of situations and places in a hurry for various reasons, so I always take this into consideration.

 

[D'L]

I was curious to know if anyone had any experience sleeping like this, and what are their thoughts.

I think that is highly individual. I couldn't possibly do it. Wouldn't be able to sleep or to walk the next day! But many people do sleep at an angle, or in a recliner and it's the best sleep they can get. Best thing is for you to test it out for yourself.

 

[Malamute]

I cant sleep inclined like that, but also wanted to make the most of the rear space. I have a largish dog, and often a lot of junk. I made a rear platform that the dog and some of the junk rides on, more junk stored on the sides of it, and I can have stuff under it. To sleep I move the stuff thats normally under one side of the platform and then can stretch out, the dog still has her entire bed, and all the junk is still mostly in place. Whatever was in the way of my legs under the platform goes to the right side middle section or in the passenger front seat.

For security when traveling i made a front cover that bolts on, when I want to sleep (not an every day thing) I use my screw gun (battery drill) to remove the front panel (4 screws) and store it to the side. Im going to make a bracket so it will act as a shelf when im sleeping.

Ive considered removing the middle seat in my 4runner and decking it over all level, there would be some added storage space underneath. Im not a fan of raised sleeping platforms with drawers underneath as seems common, I dont want to lose head room and dressing space.

I have pics if anyone wants to see how it works.

 

[flynnsylvest]

I cant sleep inclined like that, but also wanted to make the most of the rear space. I have a largish dog, and often a lot of junk. I made a rear platform that the dog and some of the junk rides on, more junk stored on the sides of it, and I can have stuff under it. To sleep I move the stuff thats normally under one side of the platform and then can stretch out, the dog still has her entire bed, and all the junk is still mostly in place. Whatever was in the way of my legs under the platform goes to the right side middle section or in the passenger front seat.

For security when traveling i made a front cover that bolts on, when I want to sleep (not an every day thing) I use my screw gun (battery drill) to remove the front panel (4 screws) and store it to the side. Im going to make a bracket so it will act as a shelf when im sleeping.

Ive considered removing the middle seat in my 4runner and decking it over all level, there would be some added storage space underneath. Im not a fan of raised sleeping platforms with drawers underneath as seems common, I dont want to lose head room and dressing space.

I have pics if anyone wants to see how it works.

I'm interested in seeing your pictures. I also have a large dog and prefer not to have the raised platforms. Thanks!

 

[Malamute]

I'm interested in seeing your pictures. I also have a large dog and prefer not to have the raised platforms. Thanks!

Here are a few basic pictures, I have more posted online somewhere I can locate and link, or I can post some more here if youd like to see more detail. If you want to build a similar one I may have some pics that could help in that regard.

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/how-liveable-is-a-2012-rav4.40612/
Something that helped free up space inside was the rear cargo basket I modified to give better ground clearance and not drag on curbs and ditches. I made a basic wood cargo box for it that gives a lot of easily accessible storage space, doesnt catch wind, you dont have to climb up to get to it, and I can still tow a trailer with it in place. Not having the inside totally cluttered with gear helps with day to day use and sleeping in the vehicle.

 

[flynnsylvest]

Thank you for sending me this link to your pictures. I am wondering how you even out the surface under that raised platform so you can sleep comfortably?

 

[Malamute]

Theres a drop of about 1 1/2" from the front section to the rear. I lay an old school heavy quilted packing blanket at the junction to even it out, tapering off towards the rear, otherwise its pretty flat. My longer term plan is to remove the trim piece at that junction and the middle seats and make a level platform from plywood where the seats are. The platform would have hinged or removable access doors that would give me some storage underneath without losing head room inside. My life hasnt included much travel or recreation the past several years. Thats changing, I anticipate progressing on these things in the coming months.

 

[flynnsylvest]

thank you for sharing this info. I also have a large dog and have been looking for ways for her to be most comfortable, so I appreciate the new idea.

 

[Malamute]

Ive had similar platforms in 2 Suburbans besides the 4runner, its worked out very well for my use with large dogs over the past 20 years. The 4runner is the most refined version so far. I dont recall if I mentioned it in the previous post or link, but making a removable support for the front plywood piece on the dog platform to serve as a shelf when Im sleeping is part of the plan also. I use the board in that way but it could stand some improvement.

Often its not a matter of how much cubic feet of space one has as much as how efficiently you can utilize it. Piling stuff on the floor while the sides are nearly vacant, or raising the floor level hasnt struck me as using it as efficiently as keeping the middle as open or accessible as possible while using the edge space as storage, to include up the walls to a degree...which reminds me of the vaguely formed plan to make some small shelves or racks on at least one side of the dog bed/platform, giving the dog plenty of space but getting more stuff up off the floor. The side windows in the back end up being dead space to a large degree.