Thread: How to get a decent sleep while on the road

Originally Posted by I Love My Landy!

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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.

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

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

A hammock.

Tied to your bullbar and a tree.

Try a hennesy hammok

r

Originally Posted by carjunkieanon

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

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.

Originally Posted by p38arover

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.