Looking for simple solutions for sleeping in the back of my 4Runner

Looking to do a little car camping this year. Trying to keep it simple it's just kind of going to be on the fly but need some solutions as far as leveling the back out and being able to stuff my 6-ft frame in there.


Anybody got good ideas

 

Many threads. Summary of the cheapest way:

Build 2.5" tall "pallet'"

Procure air mattress

Remove slanted hatch / seat fascia cover, remove 2nd row seat bottoms, fold seat backs forward

Move 1st row seats fully forward, use boxes or gear in footwells to fill in gap

 

There are several ways! I tried a small rear deck level with the folded down seats at first but had too much stuff crowded in there so I took out the back seats and built a slightly taller deck (4”). It was not as efficient with space usage with the small (useless) drawers and limited room where the seats used to be. I ended up with this. Removing back seats isn’t for everyone, but I wish I had done this first. I got my toolbox and kitchen off the roof and put a 34 liter water tank where the seats were. Lots of headroom and storage both, with a padded flat stable sleeping surface.

 

That's solid trying to do it without removing the rear seats may have to sleep on an angle. Wonder if I could come up with some heavy foam or something so I didn't have to put the pallet in there

 

Trust me and everyone who has tried to sleep in the back without a spacer for the floor of the cargo area: you feel that hump in the middle and you will slide down it and puddle at the base of the hatch whereupon you will require an entire bottle of ibuprofen the next morning. You don't have to build a pallet but you need something with some substance to support you in the hatch.

I'm a proponent of the pallet (AFAIK I was the first, this one dates to 2015), and it really is cheap and doesn't take up storage space. I leave it in there all the time. It kind of doubles as a cheap sliding tray provided you don't slide it out more than halfway! You can also add D rings and a rubber mat on top which are super useful in keeping daily gear in place.

I get that opinions vary though.

 

Agreed

 

I will definitely replicate your pallet approach for 60% of the rear. I want to secure my mountain bike in the back in the upright position behind the driver's seat. I will remove both lower seats and might remove the entire 40% seat for my road / bike trip. For one person, plenty of room in the rear to sleep and still stow the necessities. I'm not overlanding! Bike, Bunk, Burgers & Beer!

 

Being 6' tall, you'll be much happier with the rear seat bottoms removed. Otherwise, it's about 68" from the hatch to the folded seat bottoms. The good thing is that the seat bottoms can be removed in just a few minutes.

I think a simple platform to level the cargo area to the folded seat backs will be the easiest solution. You might also need something to fill in the rear footwell area to be level with the seat backs.

 

I used a Walmart lifetime table which folds in half to level the hump pretty well. I throw on a memory foam mattress from Amazon and always sleep good

 

Seriously???
Pic's?

 

That sounds too easy! Pictures please!

I just checked out the table - $46. This would be a great, cheap dual purpose solution!

 

Is it the 4ft or 6 ft folding table

I think it's going to be close to 3/4 of an inch or more too high in the other direction.

And where did you see it that cheap

 

The only downside I see to a table is you can't really set up camp cooking and sleeping arrangements at the same time. Generally I leave our table up overnight because we use it for dinner prep and washing dishes at night, and breakfast prep and washing dishes in the AM. Might be a little inconvenient to use as a table at night, then put everything away to use it as a spacer, then back out again in the morning to use as a table, then back in again before you load everything up on top of it...

 

Online Walmart 48". I am assuming the 48". We need to confirm with Pavo! If this actually works, one would have a functional table if need be and the vinyl table top would be softer than a sheet of plywood. Or most importantly keep me from cutting my fingers off crafting a simple platform. I am very intrigued with this option!

 

Ha! I don't even like to cook at home let alone in the field. The possible table solution will be more of a platform than a table for me.

 

I threw in a sleeping bag and slept on an angle. That's all.

 

Where are you located? I already have a leveling platform thag I upholstered two years ago. I since swapped my TRD OR for a Limited with third row, so I can’t use it. If you’re close, I’ll part with it for a 6 pack.

 

Unfortunately central Pennsylvania

 

Otherwise that would have been perfect..

 

I use a piece of Dow 2” blue foam insulation. Rigid like a homemade pallet but only weighs a few ounces.
Super durable,won’t crumble crack or chip off like regular styrofoam.
Found a broken 4x8 sheet(only need a lil more than half) at our supply yard from work that they couldn’t sell,freebie.
Make a paper template for the entire cargo area, then cut with a jigsaw or even a hacksaw blade.
Good luck
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dow-Common...ced-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3365272

 

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/camping/products/luno-4runner-air-mattress-2-0

Designed for the back

 

I bought some home gym floor mats at work one day (https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...ick-16fgeufg24sqftflreac/16fgeufg24sqftflreac), it's more than enough to cover half of the back since it is only me so far. I stacked them three high by the hatch, two high in the middle, and then one layer over the folded down seats. Easy peasy. Feels like sleeping on the ground with a decent pad. I am planning on something more permanent though.

If I have a picture of it set up, I'll upload it for you.

 

I think that mats is the best way to sleep in the car. You may use a sleeping bag to feel more comfortable. And don't forget to turn off the engine! Do you want to take a cooler with you (as I understand, you are going to camping)? It's important to think about it where are you going to put it

 

I also didn't want to delete the seats and at 5'7 I can lay flat with them in place. The leveling platform was designed to leave in full time and overcomes the hump. I use a sleeping pad from nemo with a sleeping bag or blanket depending on weather and its super comfortable. Add some black out shades and you got a low key, simple car camper.
https://www.nemoequipment.com/products/switchback
https://snapshades.com.au/toyota-4r...port-car-window-sun-shades-n280-2009-present/

 

The pallet theme is really the way to go if you want simple. I made mine two sided, so I can used the spaces between the studs for storage of thin items (machetes, axes, tommy guns).

During summer, I remove the seat bottom on the passenger side for extra head room and storage in the footwell.

 

Ya I figured out the trick because normally I dispersed camp in the middle of nowhere where I use my table but one time I didn't need it. I figured then to buy an extra table that way I have a back up table in case I need it, the table is definitely one of my most useful camping tools so you can't have too many

 

I'll check my table size when I get home but basically the folding table I bought at the camping section of walmart

 

This place get's you 15% off first order. About 40 bucks off makes it 239.00. Shit now I want 1, and not even camping anytime soon.
https://gear.com/products/air-mattr...AwkyZU6wQsP-j6mftcwGhC9q-PmPtopxoC5KIQAvD_BwE

 

At 5’6” this was the cheapest and most effective solution for me to have a sleeping platform plus have room to store the mtb inside. I just throw a 3” memory foam pad on top and it’s money

edit: sorry OP just realized it wasn’t you who mentioned wanting to also store the bike inside

 

Why did I think I would be a smartass and invert my body so my legs could go upward would be good? Two Advil just for trying the stupid stunt.......




Anyway, legnth-wise I am good to leave the seats in, just need to find a platform solution that can stay inside as I also leave my tables setup under the awning overnight.