My husband wants to go camping but l hate tents. l told him if we could sleep in the suburban (3 row seating that folds down) then we could go.Have you ever done this? What tips do you have for making this camping trip work? We are planning on folding down the 3rd row and sleeping in the back like a big bed. Would that work?

Sounds like it would work to me as long as it is just the two of you. l would actually probably rather go camping that way too if l had a vehicle like that. It would be more quiet and safe that is for sure.

That totally works. It should be plenty big enough and you can put down a comforter or other bedding as a base to make it more comfortable.
The times l have done this we went as far as to fashion some curtains that could be hung from the dry-cleaning hooks.
My only complaint was that it can get kind of stuffy inside and you might fog up the windows. No big deal, and its bug free so try it!

Yes. You do not have to worry about rain, & fewer worries about bugs & other pests. (But maybe ur husband just wants the ''experience'' of being in a tent with you.a.. :) )

Remember that the cab of the car will get as cold as the ambient air (so as cold as a tent) so u should sleep with as much warm material as u would in a tent. This means that u should still use the sleeping bags, or use extra blankets. Crack a window so that the car does not get stuffy. If you're worried about mosquitos, tape a bit of screen over the opening.

You can also take an air mattress to sleep on in the back. While u wo not have much headroom, it is more comforatble than sleeping on the carpet.

Before l launch into yes this can easily work…and how, l was just wondering what about tents u don’t like? One of the main advantages of a tent is that u can open the flaps & have an adjustable screen to let as much or as little air as u want into the tent without having to worry about bugs coming in. l personally insist on a tent l can stand up in as well, so our tent is what is called a cabin tent…kind of squarish, tall, and, well…..looks like a cabin in shape. Obviously it is a little larger & bulkier to pack but if u r car camping this shouldn’t matter… mine is just as easy if not easier to put up than the smaller ones, & l am quite comfortable by being able to move any way l want in my tent.

If u don’t like sleeping on the floor…there r so many different types of camping air beds that there should be one that u find easy to use & comfortable. AeroBed makes a self-inflating, elevated air mattress that comes on a metal folding frame…which is just a tad bit bigger than those folding chairs that come in their own bags. It also comes in its own bag…although if u don’t camp often u may just want to see if u can borrow one to test out on ur trip. They do make one that is also specifically for the camper….a little tougher than the home version, but if u r only going out once or twice the home version will be fine.

Now, back to ur actual question….you can definitely sleep in the Suburban. After folding all ur seats down & throwing ur gear up front, u can put down just regular bedding or just sleeping bags…or stick an inflatable camping air bed or mattress in there & sleep in that. For regular campers TruckBedz makes an air mattress that is a perfect match to various models of cars or trucks, including the Suburban.

My husband & l slept in the back of our mini-pickup truck (with topper) like that when we were going on a canoe trip & just spending one night at the site, launching early in the morning & did not want to deal with taking down the tent in the morning. It was quite cozy & we only had to deal with the air mattress.

So to sum it all up, some of the upsides of sleeping in the Suburban would be u don’t have to sleep in the tent & u don’t have to deal with putting it up & taking it down…however, some down sides that l can think of offhand..you lose privacy unless u cover all the windows; u will have to crack the windows for air to get in for comfort which might let insects in, & finally, u will have to go to the restrooms to change.

l hope this helps u make a decision either way…and that u really have a great time with ur husband.

It works great. I've got a cap on the back of my pickup truck & my wife & l have slept in there a couple of times. It works best for short trips. We usually use a tent but if we're only camping for one night it is great.

Couple of notes:
-Room to sleep takes up most of ur cargo room, so u either need to pack light or be prepared to leave ur gear outside or transfer to the front seats at night.
-Just like a tent, be sure u have a level place to park. You'd be amazed at how much even the slightest slope feels once ur trying to sleep with ur feet above ur head.

Yah it will work. But l can tell you now that you will be really aggravated because of the really small space. But other than the small, space you should be fine and dont let little things get on your nerves while your there because that tends to happen when your out of your normal surroundings..

Yep.it will work fine... take some extra padding to sleep on, just because the floor has carpeting.it is still pretty hard on the back.. We camp this way sometimes if we are only there for a night.. normal on a short hunting trip

l think it would definitely work.
They have tents that go over cars too, you might want to look and see if there is one for your type of car.
l also suggest bringing an air mattress or something thick, that fits, to put between you and the seats because they are sometimes uneven and have bumps.
Its just so you will be comfortable.
Also, check with the campground, some do not allow sleeping in cars.

l have camped in my truck many times. Its not always the most comfortable option. But is does work.

As for tent camping? l am not saying that l will never do it again but as l get older tent camping loses its appeal. 9 times out of 10 its either to cold or to hot to sleep or some other nuisance. And trust me, l am hard core. l spend at least a full month out of the year hunting & fishing & camping.

Have u considered a camper or travel trailer? l bought a small one that l use now. Its a good mix of comfort & the feeling of being outdoors. You can barrow or rent one to try out.

Good luck to ya.

Miketyson26

my only suggestion would be a practice run in the driveway with an air matress or whatever you will use.