Road trip tent camping anyone?
That's how I camp these days: we have an old futon, it's a 'full' size (and beats an air mattress) that we roll up in the back of the SUV. When we get where we're going, our 'stuff' goes out under the rig or into the front seats. We fold the rears down and unroll the futon. Two considerations with camping in a vehicle: condensation, and light control.
I clip moving blankets to the roof racks to cover the windscreen and the side windows - but we leave the rear side windows and back hatch uncovered, and use that silver bubble-wrap looking insulation inside. That way we can peek out the windows if needed. The moving blankets give some measure of sound deadening and just a little bit of insulation.
We leave the front side windows rolled down about an inch to help with airflow to prevent condensation and ensure some fresh air throughout the night.
It doesn't 'feel' as much like camping, but we both agree that it's the only way to camp now. No need for fancy rooftop rigs or trailers. We're going places to be there, not to be in a towable living room. All our crap (cooking, cleaning, clothes) goes in totes that stack in real nice. We've got a few fold-out tables and a pop-up shade tent and a pile of tarps and ropes. Once camp is setup, the SUV is mostly empty other than a laundry sack and bedding. This year we aim to add a 12v powered cooler for food and beverages. For around $400 you can find ones with a real compressor in them, so they don't suck too much juice and you don't need to worry about water logging food as ice melts (and they can keep frozen items frozen better too).
If I were to camp from the dart, I'd be looking at one of those raised platform tents (anything to get off the ground):
That's how I camp these days: we have an old futon, it's a 'full' size (and beats an air mattress) that we roll up in the back of the SUV. When we get where we're going, our 'stuff' goes out under the rig or into the front seats. We fold the rears down and unroll the futon. Two considerations with camping in a vehicle: condensation, and light control.
I clip moving blankets to the roof racks to cover the windscreen and the side windows - but we leave the rear side windows and back hatch uncovered, and use that silver bubble-wrap looking insulation inside. That way we can peek out the windows if needed. The moving blankets give some measure of sound deadening and just a little bit of insulation.
We leave the front side windows rolled down about an inch to help with airflow to prevent condensation and ensure some fresh air throughout the night.
It doesn't 'feel' as much like camping, but we both agree that it's the only way to camp now. No need for fancy rooftop rigs or trailers. We're going places to be there, not to be in a towable living room. All our crap (cooking, cleaning, clothes) goes in totes that stack in real nice. We've got a few fold-out tables and a pop-up shade tent and a pile of tarps and ropes. Once camp is setup, the SUV is mostly empty other than a laundry sack and bedding. This year we aim to add a 12v powered cooler for food and beverages. For around $400 you can find ones with a real compressor in them, so they don't suck too much juice and you don't need to worry about water logging food as ice melts (and they can keep frozen items frozen better too).
If I were to camp from the dart, I'd be looking at one of those raised platform tents (anything to get off the ground):