4runner for 2-people stealth camping--storage space

Sorry about the long post

My wife and I, who live in Chicago metro area, recently completed a 3 month, 18000 (driving) mile trip across the US in a rented 2024 Corolla. We started by doing the length of Rt. 66 from Chi to Santa Monica. We'd planned it to be Rt. 66 and back by another route (5000 miles or so), but we fell in love with the US around NM and through California and MT and through UT, ID, etc. The Mountain States, I guess you would call it.

But once we fell in love with that corner of the earth, we ended up renewing the rental for two more months, because we wanted more. Thus our Rt. 66 tour spanned the country from coast to coast.

We ran into a quite a few situations where we REALLY wanted to continue, but we didn't have the ground clearance we needed. No way. I particularly remember taking Potash Rd. west from Moab, and not being able to go farther west into Canyonlands. God, that would have been something to do. It's an amazing place.

We also got stuck in the desert sand in AZ and snow in MT. Within a month. Both instances were due to driver error (mine) and vehicle incompatibility for the terrain. I know how to do snow (Chicago), so it was totally my bad there, but I didn't realize that sand acts a bit differently. I definitely pushed that Corolla sedan out in the Mountain States.

So I have been researching used SUVs (we are on a limited budget of, say, 11K max) and the 4runner has come out on top of every other SUV I've researched. I like the ground clearance, and like the roll-down rear window (a lot). I like the body-on-frame. I like Toyota a lot, for its longevity and reliability (we currently driving a 2000 Toyota Echo, with only 80K miles, but it's nickel-and-diming us to death).

My main question is: If I install a sleeping deck, and have the rear seats completely removed (or just one of them), are we still gonna be able to fit all of our gear in there somewhere, either under the rear of the sleeping deck, or under the space beneath the front (side doors) sleeping deck.

We had that Corolla's trunk literally packed, and we kept most of our day to day shit in the back seat. We have clothes, electronics, and ancillary stuff. We don't need a cooler or anything like that.

Sorry for such a long post. This is my first post to this forum, so I apologize if I've breached etiquette.

 

I think you can make it work. Worst case a roof rack or receiver hitch basket can hold more gear. When I am sleeping in the back I toss stuff into the front seats to make room in the back. Removing the rear seat bottoms is all I need and quick 15 minutes of work 4 bolts.

There are some pretty elaborate sleeping platforms with drawer system under for gear.

 

^Agree. The way most people do it is to have all your luggage/gear in the back when driving. Then when sleeping, you pile that stuff up in the front seats/footwells. (There will also still be room in the rear footwells too.) Bigger stuff like folding chairs etc. can go up top on the roof rack and/or under the car depending on the weather.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

I camp in my 4Runner quite a bit, but just me. It is possible for 2 people to sleep in the back if you are willing to pack light, move things around when sleeping and don't mind sleeping real close to each other. I would definitely reamend a roof top box or roof top cargo holder.

 

At that budget I'd also consider the Xterra but it's a little smaller I believe.

It'll probably be good to check out what you're looking at in person (or similar) and see.

Last time I slept two in an SUV, it was in my pre-4Runner days but cargo space wasn't too far off. (except less vertical space)

We ended up tossing everything in the front seats, 2nd row footwells and a straggler suitcase and a couple doohickeys were left outside. Albeit, we weren't minimalist with our packing, but we also did not have much in the way of camping gear. (no chairs, cooking gear, etc.)

 

A rooftop basket sounds about right. I built a simple leveling platform to sleep on, along with two Deep Sleep memory foam/air mattresses. The mattresses roll up pretty small for storage too. My wife and I have slept in the back a few times now with no problems, I’m 5’7” and she’s 5’8” so that’s kinda the sweet spot for height. I have photos and the plans for the sleeping platform if you want, although it’s designed for a 5th gen 4Runner, you could scale it down for your application.

 

I'm 5-8, my wife considerably shorter, so yeah, that's good to hear.

I was thinking of using a raised platform that I'd be able to put a bunch of gear under. Any idea of the approximate height of the wheel wells of, say, 4th gen? I'm concerned about how much headspace I would lose if I raised the platform to be level with the wheel well top, and how much space would be under the raised platform.

As you and a couple of others have commented, it's a great idea to keep some gear in back and throw it on the front seats.

Thanks, all.

 

Does anyone still use ground tents? They still seem like a good option. I’ve had numerous camping, hunting, fishing, backpacking trips and long road trips using a good tent and sometimes a light tarp. Definitely cheaper than roof top tent, stores easy but no one mentions ground tents anymore it seems.

 

We use ground tents all the time. Well, we used to, until one of us became disabled. Now we have to be selective about where we set up, because of mobility issues.

The tarp. That is a must!

Once in the WI North Woods I only had to move a tent to higher ground. I only needed to drag the (already-pitched) tent ten yards or so, but I was so miserable out there that I forgot to remove one of the stakes. BIG mistake! Almost ripped off the corner of that tent. No point in worrying about water seepage after that: I had basically let in the elements on that dumb move. Then, THEN I had to move the tarp to cover the tent. I just used rocks for that night. Conditions were not conducive to finding trees to tether it, but I was able to tuck the tarp beneath the torn corner to prevent water from seeping in. All the while my wife sat comfy and cozy in the car, watching me do this. Heh.

Fortunately, we've never had to actually pitch a tent in such extreme conditions. We'd probably sit in the vehicle and wait it out, because it would totally suck to do, and however fast you are in setting it up, it's gonna be wet inside.

We have camped dozens of times with a simple 2-person tent. It's a great way to go if you're gonna be staying in one location for a week or so. Not so great if you're on a whirlwind tour during which you'll be staying for 2 nights max. at a given location. But we we'll definitely do the ground tent thing the next time we are on a single-destination trip (as opposed to a tour).

But one thing we learned (and you mentioned), very early on in our travels, is that a $15-20 Walmart tarp is essential, unless you're camping in the desert. If you have that big ole ugly tarp over your tent, it doesn't really matter if the tent is a cheapie sieve: the tarp will take care of it, and if you're careful about where you place the tent, you won't have to worry about seepage from below in all but the most extreme conditions. With the proper tarp, the tent itself is disposable and easily/cheaply replaced for $40-50. Even if I had the most expensive damned tent I could find, I would still want the tarp with it. We always carry at least 2 20x20' tarps. One for the tent, the other for a canopy or sun screen. We've used the hell out of those tarps. To us, when using the tarp, a tent is just basically a shelter from skeeters and other bugs. And those f***ing chipmunks.

But, as I'm sure you know, you can also get so-called "pop-up" tents for a bit more, which would greatly facilitate setting up/taking down.

As far as rooftop tents, no way would I ever go for something like that. They look ridiculous, and ridiculously awkward, and certainly more difficult to use than a simple ground tent.

 

Actually what i was talking about was a silnylon tarp. It’s silicone impregnated nylon. My 10x10 homemade silnylon tarp weighs 3 oz and can fit in your pocket. I slept under it with a tyvek ground cover for lightweight backpacking. I’m 70 now, with artificial parts, so those days are gone, it’s hotels now days, lol. Most of my 4R adventures are on nearby trails, (northern MI) and i can sleep in my own bed. I was just curious about never hearing about ground tents lately.

Edit - This convo brings back memories, I remember sleeping under a picnic table covered with garbage bags held in place by rocks in a heavy rainstorm on a motorcycle trip in the 70’s, thank god for beer, lol.

 

Damn OP, you're a badass! Post some pics of your adventure.

Some thoughts in no particular order:

I totally get falling in love with the Western US. We actually moved from Ohio to California in 2016 because of a trip west that we had taken in 2015. We spent almost 6 years there having adventures before moving back to the Midwest for family.

11k is not going to get you a stellar 4R, and I bet used cars in general are going to spike up in value with tariffs coming on new car components. You are likely going to have to up your budget or select a different vehicle if you are locked in to 11k.

Finally, we've (my wife and I) spent well over 200 nights in the back of a 4Runner on trips ranging from just a weekend to 30 days. I no longer have a 4Runner but I have a substantially similar vehicle and use it in the same way: I pulled out the second row seat bottoms and folded the backs down, installed a small leveling platform, and leave all our gear in the back during the day and move it either to the front seats, the roof, or outside at night. After you do this a few times, the process becomes pretty seamless and you have a pretty good handle on what fits where and it takes all of 2 minutes to move things around in the morning and at night. After the first trip you will dial down the stuff you bring and you will come up with little tricks to store things and maximize space. Pro tip: only let your wife bring one personal duffel with clothes / shoes!!! You can absolutely pack for a month and still have room to sleep in there for two adults in this manner.

I can't find a "loaded" pic but this is the camping setup. Exped Megamat. I just leave it inflated and lay it on top of the loadout during the day:

 

I actually thought i wrote this one. I too live outside of Chicago and we literally just completed our three month expedition out west. We started in North Dakota and worked our way down to Arizona. Spent a lot of time in Utah hitting the trails, Moab etc. So gorgeous, but yes there are some trails there that say you must have 4wd and a high ground clearance to proceed. Where are you exactly in Illinois, I am in Homer Glen. Dont know if you ever seen the Youtube guy "The Car Care Nut" but he is 5 minutes from me. The wife and I do exactly what you do, blow up cushion in the back and thats our "hotel"