Winter Camping from a Vehicle

This is how I used to roll,

For a bed I started out by making a platform using the little indentations in the bed to support 2x6s with 3/4″ plywood on top. I thought having the space underneath to stow splitboards and plastic totes would be great, but it was way too close to the ceiling, about 18″. All the wood now sits in my yard warping. I wound up just sleeping in the bed diagonal, with all the totes inside on the back seat. Me n my wife wound up sleeping in the bed for years, but it had it’s drawbacks; wind, rain, cold.

This is how I roll now,

My wife had to talk me into it, but its great. I can stand up in it, which is saying a lot, as I’m 6’4″. It’s waterproof, windproof, and there’s room to build out a galley kitchen this winter. It’s fairly heavy, about 750 lbs empty, so I had to re-spring the back end. But highway mileage isn’t bad, 17mpg if I’m not trying to hurry.

I have every intention to be splitboarding out of it this winter. Got it in August, spent a very rainy summer week in it in Colorado. Still lots of things to figure out. Heating, condensation, storage rocket box, etc…

@TEX wrote:

Now Im getting tires, camper shell, rack ect.
Im trying to figure out the bed situation. My previous rig had a full size mattress. Nice for sleeping but only left 2 feet to get dressed in. Thinking about only using half the bed this season with a twin matress. That will allow for my legs to hang down which should be much easier to get dressed in.
Will have a rooftop thule box on it to so when its time to go from Town to trail I can carry four with gear in complete comfort.

If I did it all over again (my advice to you) I would have gone with a fiberglass shell like this,

Or maybe even this,

The extra head room would have been worth the extra $. I would build the sleeping platform on one side of the bed. Get the shell with the rack rails for a Thule box for snowy/icy/wet snowboards.

I think cots are crazy, IMO. You gotta have the insulation below your sleeping bag. Sleeping bag alone won’t cut it.

Is it too soon to talk about a Eastside Sierra get together?

^Those Delica vans. Have been curious about those. How is it? We can’t get em in the states. Separate rant: can’t get Toyota diesels either.

@ricorides wrote:

I think cots are crazy, IMO. You gotta have the insulation below your sleeping bag. Sleeping bag alone won’t cut it.

Oh sleeping pads for sure. I use at least two. The cot I have is pretty uncomfortable by itself. With pads, no worries. Combined with a zero degree down bag and a couple heavy wool blankets it’s good to go. I’m a cold sleeper, just pile on the blankets.

@powslash wrote:

^Those Delica vans. Have been curious about those. How is it? We can’t get em in the states. Separate rant: can’t get Toyota diesels either.

On one hand, they come will all the joys of owning an 18 year old minivan, but there are plenty in southwest BC so parts are pretty easy to come by, and there are a couple shops that specialize in JDM vehicles.

On the other hand, its super badass and totally unstoppable. I’ve thrown a few “undriveable” roads at it and it didn’t even break a sweat. Plus it’s diesel and looks utterly ridiculous. What’s not to love?

If I did it all over again (my advice to you) I would have gone with a fiberglass shell like this,

Or maybe even this,

The extra head room would have been worth the extra $. I would build the sleeping platform on one side of the bed. Get the shell with the rack rails for a Thule box for snowy/icy/wet snowboards.

Yeah, Rico….this is my Sierra Motel round 2 . I had a 2003 1500 Sierra with a shell for ten years. Just replacing the best trailhead rig I had. In the old shell I also used the slats and stuck a full size mattress in the back. Had my boards and everything else underneath. Really comfortable with a full size mattress but as you said a little close to the top.
I will be building an aluminum tubed rack for one side. I will put a twin mattress on the top of the rack and will have storage below. I want all of mine to be removable because during the week I need my truck. I will be removing the shell for days or weeks at a time.

I am getting Thule racks for this shell and will be using a rooftop box for splits. That way I can easily fit four splitters with gear for the ride to that other trailhead.

What’s the bed length on a Colorado? Buying my latest truck was funny. First thing I would do is lay down in the bed and make sure I could stretch out
Bad ass looking truck

Hey dudes nice topic.
+1 on the pictures strain, makes great RV-porn. Awesome starry night shot and that van is bulletproof.

+1 to Jackschranz’s evolutionary decision to sleep in the car. I started down that path 15 years ago when put an air mattress and a camp stove in the back of my SUV.

I bought a used Lance truck camper a few years ago, and I’ve been modifying it and experimenting different ways of living to be safer and more comfortable in the cold and snow. I got a lot of ideas from doing Internet searches for winter boondocking.

My top winter additions and comfort items so far: 55W solar panel, MPPT charge controller, 75ah AGM battery, 12V outlet, small inverter, vaporizer(420), down comforter, led bulbs, insulated window covers, floor rugs, buddy heater, baby wipes, Starbucks instant coffee, RV antifreeze for toilet water pump mod, plastic storage bins that you can stand on, 2 inch memory foam mattress, hard liquor and canned beer.

This is how I’ve been rolling for the last few seasons.

Pic is from a small town south of Crested Butte CO.

wassup sdmarkus, we parked next to each other at Silverton, good to hear you still rolling in the TC

+1 “Yeah for the mobile splitting lifestyle it doesn’t get any better or easier than sleeping in your rig.”

@Crispy Pata wrote:

wassup sdmarkus, we parked next to each other at Silverton, good to hear you still rolling in the TC

Yeah Dude, figured that was your rig! Maybe we’ll see you again in Silverton this year :rock:

Impressive list of mods my friend…

Vehicles 25 years of age or older may be imported into the USA, so this ’89 Delica should be eligible:
http://portland.craigslist.org/nco/ctd/4740516990.html

^^Damn dude, that set up is tits! The pictures you sent to my flip-phone didn’t do it justice

Just ordered my custom 4wheelcamper, should be ready in 4-6 weeks! Definitely went overboard on the options but it will be titty balls for sure :clap:

This Stealth Van would seems like the ideal choice with 4WD:

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Not my van but would like to build something similar.

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