Can you camp in a car?

[EggTheFirst]

A couple of events this summer involve one night sleep overs/camping. I have no desire to sleep in a tent but wondered if it was possible to sleep comfortably in a car? One adult, large 4x4, is there an off the shelf fix?

I've done the odd night in a car after arriving at a campsite stupidly late and being faced with grim weather for tent pitching. I wouldn't do it for fun. It's pretty damp from the condensation. You'd want to make sure the seats fully flatten too or don't have gaps when flattened.

Just do it! Nobody will batter an eyelid.

I've slept in my car on several occasions (golf), mostly on service station car parks around Europe. So WC and breakfast nx door!
Never had any issues. Only thing I say is that I won't want to do it in winter, cars & tents can get very cold.

My seats in my volvo SUV go totally flat in the back so would be fine with a camping mat. Need something over the windows though. Are there going to be toilet and showering facilities on site? Can't really see how being in the car will be any better than a tent, in fact worse because once the seats are down and you have filled it with mattresses and bedding you'll be all squished up.

Yes, anything over 3.5t requires various different licenses

You can buy things like this, presumably there’s something similar for most makes of car.

https://www.simplecampervans.com/shop/conversion-modules/fiat-qubo-camper-van-conversion-module/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAk9itBhASEiwA1my_69lrgClBG7Ms5BdNeA0LCWn4ZNIGEtCcNYhDfPhNn_lgR5DpQWSNnBoCiMAQAvD_BwE

Or ask around, see if you can share a lorry with a friend for the day? I think there’s a gap in the UK market for trailers with living space, they are common in other parts of the world.

We did this last year with an air bed and sleeping bags, just put the seats as far forward as they would, however I think it depends on your car and how flat the seats will go. Be aware though that many car parks don't allow overnight camping in the car, always best to check maybe.

I slept in my Mini last year, it was fine for a night.

I agree - lying flat on a thick comfy camping mat in a tent will be far more comfy than sleeping in a car. You can get small tents that pitch really quickly and easily.

You'll be fine. DH camped in his estate car all the time.

We have an old 510, Ifor Williams do make a trailer with living (the Eventer I think) but it costs about as much as a lorry!

I think you need to put the seats down and see what it looks like.

Is a tentbox out of the question?

Have a look at this thread. I'm still debating it, but there is some good advice.
Camping in an SUV www.mumsnet.com/Talk/camping/4729115-camping-in-an-suv

@EggTheFirst
You can drive up to and including 7.5 as long as you have C1 category on your licence and it's not for commercial use.

Have you tried making a bed in your car yet?

I have a 4x4 and the rear seat folds flat and so does the passenger seat giving a space over 8 feet long where I could put a camping mattress.

If I was so inclined.

If you passed your test before 1997 yes, alas I did not so limited to 3.5 tonne on my license.

I saw two tall girls sleeping in a Renault Clio at Badminton. They left the boot open and their feet stuck out. They were just happy to be there 😀

I'd want a tarp or something covering any windows that aren't blocked by a hedge or similar. I couldn't sleep with anyone able to see in.

Could you sleep in the horse box? With a mattress?

Where will you keep all your tack if you sleep in the car? Do you have a massive lockable roof box? Is it a 3DE? I’m imagining jump saddle, dressage saddle not to mention all the other stealable stuff plus your own gear - if you’re folding all the seats flat to sleep in the car, where can you store things safely?

God that’s a good point, do I sleep in the trailer? 🤣

I may have to suck it up and buy a tent!

There are some great pop-up or airbeam car tents that fit around your open boot, some very reasonably priced. You can then either recline seats or fold then down for sleeping depending on your car. Some cars even have specific contoured air mattresses for turning the car into a double bed

You can get mattresses on Amazon for a landrover to go across the back seats

OP you could try posting the same question in the tack room https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_tack_room there must be loads of people who have gone to events with trailers who can help!

I’ve done it at a festival when the weather was awful and I wanted to get away early the next morning, friend slept across the back seat and I reclined the passenger seat, although I can sleep anywhere, I’m not sure everyone could do it.