Camping is one of those things that always seems like a good idea at the time but is often regretted in hindsight. It’s always either too cold or too hot, the tent always takes hours to put up properly and there’s rarely enough space.
But if you’re a 4×4 owner and you fancy a night out in the great outdoors the great news is you don’t have to go camping. At least not traditionally. In fact, it’s probably a lot more comfortable to sleep in your 4×4 than you’d have thought, particularly if you take the following options into account.
Backseat beds
If your vehicle is blessed with a wealth of room in the back then you might be able to fold the back seats down and fit in a backseat bed. Not only are you protected from the wind and rain but you might be able to fit a comfortable air mattress in there. If it’s really hot outside you could also crank up the air conditioning and get a cool night’s sleep!
Roof tents
Roof tents are exactly what you think they are and they are, in a word, spectacular. Fancy turning your 4×4 into your very own travelling hotel room? Not only is it possible but you might be able to create a habitat for the whole family if you opt for something expensive such as the ARB Simpson 3 Roof Truck Tent.
Awning rooms
This miracle of modern design is quite literally a room that extends out of and affixes onto the side of your 4×4. Designed to withstand the rigours of various terrains and environments, an awning room such as the ARB Deluxe Awning Room offers the perfect middle ground between sleeping in your car and camping.
Just go camping
At the end of the day, some people adore camping and don’t like the idea of sleeping in their car. For those people, there are thankfully dozens of options for those who want to remain comfortable in a variety of environments. The ARB Swag Tent, for example, is not only waterproof but has a very comfortable foam mattress built into it. Not only that, but if you’re putting it up on a flat surface you don’t even need to use any tent pegs or poles! Truly living the dream!
The benefits of sleeping in your 4×4
- 4×4 camping is always safer, as the vehicle provides much more adequate protection than you’d find with a mesh tent. This is particularly handy if you’re considering camping in areas with wildlife.
- Condensation is rarely a problem as you can just crack a window or run the engine.
- You’ve got direct access to power.
- It’s waterproof and windproof. Yes we know there are waterproof tents but windy nights will never bother you again.
- The quiet is something you might hate if you’re one of those people that love the great outdoors and the sound of nature. But if you want to get a decent night’s sleep, having full insulation from the noise and chaos of nature can be very comforting.
- Sleeping in your car is surely a rite of passage these days, right?
Image: Soloviova Liudmyla / Shutterstock.com
