Anyone used their car like a mini camper van?

[Neighbourmystery]

I was recently in a local forest (it's a tourist attraction not secluded) there is a car park area where people park their campervans and motor homes. There was a couple there who had the back seats of their car down, lots of foam pads and cushions/duvet. They were sitting looking at the view with their boot open.Thay had a flask and some cakes Essentially they had turned the back of their car into a bed/settee. I have often thought about getting a campervan but am put off by the faff of hooking it up etc as well as the cost and I am quite nervous about sleeping in it as a solo traveller. Does anyone on here do this? It strikes me as a great idea and a good halfway point. Then I could just get cheap hotel/b and b stays. Anyone here done similar and if yes, how did you make it all comfortable etc?

All I'm thinking is, "wouldn't it be much simpler to get out and sit on chairs"?

Yeah, you do that then. No one is forcing you to get bean bags etc

The boot jumps aren't permanent , a PP said they can come out. They'd be great for scenic road trips

Why are some people so determined to argue the toss with OP about this relatively innocuous matter?! 😂Dear God. If it doesn't appeal to you then don't do it!

Not my car, but I go tent camping and have often put a load of pillows and blankets it the back of my car, driven to a nice spot and sat in there with a coffee watching the sun come up. Takes a matter of minutes.

Ifyou aren't planning on sleeping in it, why don't you just get a decent folding chair and maybe even a little gas burner thing if you want hot drinks etc. you could pack a little pop up tent for shelter outside the car.

This is what mumsnet is like now. Also , on nearly every thread someone says "yeah this didn't happen" about really boring things that no one would be bothered to make up 🤣

Yep. And another one has just joined to spectacularly miss the point 😆 Sometimes it’s nice to do something just because you can.

This is exactly what I mean!

I just think the car seems less faff than a chair and a tent , but to each his own etc

Sometimes we go to campsites. I'm also aware of lots of laybys and carparks in Peak District, Scotland and the Lakes which you can legally park in overnight. We tend to be secluded so will do a wild wee - I'm an avid hiker and wild camper though so a wild wee doesn't bother me in the slightest. My bowels are very predictable so not an issue.

Yes we cook. Often go for a walk and cook on the walk. I have lots and lots of camping gear so use that to make pasta and sauce or if we're on a campsite or somewhere safe to make a fire, we'll do baked potatoes or pizza rolls and s'mores.

I car camp and also do the car relax in the back thing you’re wanting to do op. Do it! Got a car mattress that fit my car and I love it, I prefer it to camp chairs etc because I don’t have to unpack and pack it at location type thing.

We’ve got a Citroen Berlingo, fully converted into a micro camper, it sleeps two, has a cooker, fridge and toilet, and has bunting and fairy lights festooned around the inside. It’s the best thing we have ever bought. Picnics, camping, festivals, road trips across France etc

This sounds amazing!

Yes.

Or at least if we don't have a tent with us. If we have the tent, then they charge for that and the car is free. But then we aren't sleeping in the car!

Oh! I get it now.

Set your car up like a beach hut

Mmm!

I could easily be persuaded

A college of mine would do it, they’ve now bought small
van and converted it into a camper.

I’ve car-camped before, and loved it. I had a people carrier, and I’d take out the back seats, fill it with a couple of thermarests and duvets, scoop up some of our children, and head off to a campsite for an adventure.

I can’t do that as easily in my current people carrier. This one does have a table in the back though, so these days I drive somewhere with a nice view, and set up my office in it, with coffee and a picnic.

Yes, you can use the facilities. That's why you pay rather than just parking in a layby.

Google tells me that what I envisaged is tailgate glamping or day use car camping!

Whatever the right term I'm now busy looking at gearing up my 3 door mini as my own travelling beach hut

What a retirement gift for myself 😃

This sounds like a great idea

That's good to hear that they work well and are comfortable. Now I just need to find a suitable vehicle!

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We have one of these and we've had some fantastic holidays with it.

Highly recommend for those who like a bit of adventure 🤩