How to get a decent sleep while on the road

[drivesafe]

I usually prefer to drive at night and this posses a problem on long trips in that by the time I want to take a break and get some sleep, it’s almost impossible to find a motel that has 24 hour service and even when I do find one, half the time they aren’t that appreciative at being woken up at 3 or 4 in the morning, and I can’t blame them.

Unlike a D3, the floor area of the L322 RR is not big enough for a bed set up, so I built a quick fit bed set up for my 03 RR ( see projects section ) but I only used it once and found it didn’t give me much room for anything else.

So I’m thinking of doing up a small camper trailer ( buying one if they are available ) into just a mobile bed with a few comforts like a fridge and any other ideas that anyone might suggest.

Two mates and myself looked into making something along these lines about 18 months ago. We looked at what was on the market and found nothing under about $8,000 and all were miniature fully fledged camper trailers. Not quite what I want and after a fair bit of research we came to the conclusion that there is not really a big potential market for a basic type camper trailer.

So now I’m after any ideas, and not just about a mini camper trailer, any ideas of getting a decent sleep while travelling.

BTW, the seats in the RR, like most vehicles, are OK for a power nap but not much chop for sleeping.

[rmp]

www.podtrailer.com

or a roofrack-mounted tent?

Or a small tent and a camper bed?

[Blknight.aus]

Swag and a tarp on the ground.

[Bigbear48]

Rum

[rovercare]

Swag and a tarp on the ground.


Hehe, I was just about to type, swag on the side of the road:D

[rovercare]

Rum

What a stupid suggestion:mad:









Scotch is so much better:D

[colrospeake]

Roadsafe.
I have just put a roof top camper on to the old family trailer.
Ebay
Roof top camper $800 delivered to Qld -- in the car port at home.
6 -8mm bolts and the cheese and kisses off for a great break. I am so happy with it we are going to alice springs with the same set up for 3 weeks. Takes 12 minutes to be on the road in the morning and that is with clean teeth.
Colrospeake

[keithy47]

What about something like a trailer with a PMG top (sort of A frame with lid)

[drivesafe]

Roadsafe.
I have just put a roof top camper on to the old family trailer.
Ebay
Roof top camper $800 delivered to Qld -- in the car port at home.
6 -8mm bolts and the cheese and kisses off for a great break. I am so happy with it we are going to alice springs with the same set up for 3 weeks. Takes 12 minutes to be on the road in the morning and that is with clean teeth.
Colrospeake

Got any pictures:question:

[drivesafe]

I have a large camper trailer but not fitted out. I originally bought it to be able to carry a large load as well as putting a sleeper in the top of it.

Things changed and I no longer need to cart the gear so the trailer is now somewhat over sized for what I want.

BTW, I considered a swag and road side tarp but a small camper trailer would be quicker to set up and put away when finished with.

BUT, still opened to any ideas, well most ideas. The Rum and Scotch are good ideas, just the wrong situation :twobeers:

[JohnR]

This one looked cool to me:

Outside the box: Sylvan Sports GO multi-mode trailer/camper (http://www.gizmag.com/sylvansports-go-multimode-trailer-camper/11032/)

Or have you thought of something that extended the rear load area with the back door open and some style of tent that attaches and seals from the elements??

Cheers,

[Outlaw]

suggest a smallish trailer with a rooftop on it as well... plus could always build a strutted lid on it for storage, fridge etc.

other option is the same trailer with a fibreglass canopy on it.. something like harrys trailer would work with a bed permanently in and storage underneath... could possibly also have say half a metre worth of the floor at the end hinged or lid so could access a fridge/cooker etc underneath without getting out.

lastly a trailer with say a Oztrail 6 camper (http://oztrail.com.au/canvas-product-range/camper-trailer-tents/CCT-06-B.php) on it would be still nice and quick to open and packup and have that bit extra room... we have a special contact for those :angel:

hmm other option could be an enclosed awning on the side of the rangy that you could easily setup a stretcher in.

Lastly how about one of those RV tent attachments for the back of the rangy so you leave the back open for extra room but still sealed from the elements.

[Sleepy]

Invite me:D :p

[drivesafe]

This one looked cool to me:

Outside the box: Sylvan Sports GO multi-mode trailer/camper (http://www.gizmag.com/sylvansports-go-multimode-trailer-camper/11032/)

Or have you thought of something that extended the rear load area with the back door open and some style of tent that attaches and seals from the elements??

Cheers,

Great trailer but also a great price, $8,000

Interesting idea about the extended load area!

[DEFENDERZOOK]

a simple box trailer with a rooftop tent as suggested.......

but you sit the tent on a simple frame above the trailer......
this leaves you all the room in the box trailer for all your gear......

you can set up a kitchen.....drawer storage system......water tank.....battery lighting........anything.......
all in the boxtrailer........even enclose it in to keep it all dustproof.......



this lightens the load on your cars suspension.......just hook it up......and you have all your camping gear packed within minutes......
everything except perishables can be left in it ready for that last minute trip.......

[isuzurover]

I have seen a land-rover with a suspended stretcher-style bed that folded up against one of the rear windows when not in use. When unfolded it extended from near the dash to the rear on the passenger side, and sat at the level of the body capping.

The square shape of the landie makes things easier, but should be possible.

[seriesly]

series 3 tub converted to trailer

with cut down safari roof bolted straight to the capping

swag in the middle

works for me

cheap too

[disco_mitch]

sounds like you want a teardrop camper, can pull up in a carpark and have a sleep woth no setting up, still has a kitchen if you want to knock up a feed saves the hassle ofsetting and packing up but still sleeps with comfort

Travelbug Teardrop Campers: Showcase (http://travelbugteardropcampers.com.au/images/showcase/showcase.html)

have a look at this site for ideas, there would be cheaper ones and second hand ones im sure, there was one on ausjeep that someone made and it was tops

[drivesafe]

Hi jeep_boy, nice caravan but it’s still up in the high $k mark

Some great ideas on their web site.

Thanks for that.

[George130]

There is always the option of driving till the bend turns your catnap into a sleep:twisted:.

When on my own in those situations I just nap in the cab and takes lots of caffine at the destination so I can enjoy the day.

My last trip on my own I borrowed a swag. Took 2 mins or less to get it out and set up and 2 mins to pack up in the morning.

[I Love My Landy!]

Hehe, I was just about to type, swag on the side of the road:D

This would be my suggestion, except i reckon you would want to set up your swag in a safe spot away from idiots that may want to hassle you or worse.

[drivesafe]

This would be my suggestion, except i reckon you would want to set up your swag in a safe spot away from idiots that may want to hassle you or worse.

Didn’t want to say that but this is my thoughts as well.

[Barra1]

I usually prefer to drive at night and this posses a problem on long trips in that by the time I want to take a break and get some sleep, it’s almost impossible to find a motel that has 24 hour service and even when I do find one, half the time they aren’t that appreciative at being woken up at 3 or 4 in the morning, and I can’t blame them.

Unlike a D3, the floor area of the L322 RR is not big enough for a bed set up, so I built a quick fit bed set up for my 03 RR ( see projects section ) but I only used it once and found it didn’t give me much room for anything else.

So I’m thinking of doing up a small camper trailer ( buying one if they are available ) into just a mobile bed with a few comforts like a fridge and any other ideas that anyone might suggest.

Two mates and myself looked into making something along these lines about 18 months ago. We looked at what was on the market and found nothing under about $8,000 and all were miniature fully fledged camper trailers. Not quite what I want and after a fair bit of research we came to the conclusion that there is not really a big potential market for a basic type camper trailer.

So now I’m after any ideas, and not just about a mini camper trailer, any ideas of getting a decent sleep while travelling.

BTW, the seats in the RR, like most vehicles, are OK for a power nap but not much chop for sleeping.

Not quite sure whether the highlighted comment meant you would probably be travelling with a couple of other blokes on a fishing trip or whatever. If so, Drivesafe most of the suggestions regarding a box trailer/roof top tent etc just ain't gonna work:(

For what it's worth I travel to the NT each year with a couple of mates on our annual Barra Trip. We swag it.

A few observations: If idiots are going to annoy you - they will do so whether you are in a swag or a camper. Me? I reckon I am better off in a swag - easy to get out of a Saul swag and I can see 'em coming.:(

Anyway, back to the sleeping problem.

Simplicity? Nothing is faster than a Saul swag.

Rain? Phone Bob Burrage of AOS - $350 gets you a tarp that even Eddie Maguire could set up in a 2 minutes.:D

In fact, Bob's swags are damned good also. Spend another $100 for a tarp that goes as a bit of an underlay - keeps the mud off your swag etc etc.

Do the lot for under a grand - and you don't have the hassle of a trailer.;)

[Jeff]

After years of sleeping in the drivers seat of my Defender and putting up with a sore neck the next day ( I have a cargo barrier so no stretchy outy), and trying to sleep on the ground, lately I have just stopped early and rang the night bell. The motel staff have not been grumpy and were quite helpful.

I think the swag might be good if the weather is ok and you are not next to a busy road, but a shower in the morning is often worth the extra expense when you have been a long way and have a long way to go.

Jeff

:rocket:

[drivesafe]

At this time, the trailer idea is still looking like the way to go.

The idea being, I can pull-up anywhere reasonable, pop the lid on the trailer and climb into bed.

After some sleep, climb out, lock down the trailer lid and off I go.

I don’t think I’m going to get anything quicker set up and put away than that.

This is the sort of trailer I’m looking for but not one thats already quipped out, cause I don’t want most of the bells and whistles that go with them.


EVO-POD, POCKET camper trailer, MINI motorcycle CAMPER, MICRO 4x4 popup camper, WICKED tiny little trike camper (http://www.evo-pod.com/)

[carjunkieanon]

A hammock.

Tied to your bullbar and a tree.

Try a hennesy hammok

r

[drivesafe]

A hammock.

Tied to your bullbar and a tree.

Try a hennesy hammok

r

I live in sunny Queensland, too much rain for a hammock :angel:

[p38arover]

Even at home, if I get 3 hours sleep a night, I'm doing well. I get just as much rest curled up in the back seat of the Rangie.

Looking at the prices quoted for a camper trailer, here in the USA one can buy second-hand full blown RV campers for less! I'm seriously looking at importing one to Aus.

[drivesafe]

Looking at the prices quoted for a camper trailer, here in the USA one can buy second-hand full blown RV campers for less!

With the gear I make for RVs, I seriously considered buying a motor home a couple of years back so I could use it for continuing development of new gear.

Problem was, unless I could afford a big mother, so I could take the RR with me, I just couldn’t get use to the idea of driving a truck when I had the RR.

I did like the idea but couldn’t really go off road in one unless I got an OKA and thats still not quite the same.

When you consider a basic motor home is now around $100k, 5 star motels are looking better all the time.

[Bundalene]

Agree whole heartedly with Barra1. Saul Swags are our choice and we have used one for very many years on very many trips.

These pics were taken on our last trip up to Arnhem Land (a couple of weeks ago)... The first shot is how we camp...

and the second one is how "the other half" manage somehow.....note the drinks fridge & clothes dryer within easy reach.....

Erich & Sheila

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7426/09holsmaydisc2042.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/my.php?image=09holsmaydisc2042.jpg)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://img188.imageshack.us/my.php?image=09holsmaydisc2002.jpg)

[pop058]

how on earth would they get the boat and trailer up there ??
Paul

[malleefowl]

I'm sure I saw a pic somewhere of a guy who had a hammock strung up inside his rangie.He said he was a big bloke and that it was quite comfortable.
Hung it diagonally somehow.

[Barra1]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://img188.imageshack.us/my.php?image=09holsmaydisc2002.jpg)[/QUOTE]

Good to hear someone else appreciates the simplicity and durability of a Saul swag.;)

But that rig above...... now THAT is flasher than Michael Jackson:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Damn fantastic actually.:D:D

[drivesafe]

Yep, that’ll do me just fine, now to work out how to pay for it?



http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7404/09holsmaydisc2002.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/my.php?image=09holsmaydisc2002.jpg)

[carjunkieanon]

This rig with a 90 on the back instead of the red thing they have.

[drivesafe]

This is more like it :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/06/623.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/06/624.jpg

Now back to reality, has anyone seen anything at any of the numerous caravan and camping shows that have been on over the last month.