Ok, I know this sounds a bit weird, but we don't own a caravan as we don't really go camping, but I would love to try camping for a long/short weekend and I have seen online that people do manage to camp in their SUVs. We have a Toyota RAV4 and could definitely fit some kind of a mattress inside the boot/back seats. But is do any caravan sites in the UK allow camping in a car/SUV? Would it be totally embarrassing and would we be asked to leave? Has anyone done this and could recommend anywhere to ho where we wouldn't be looked like as total weirdos? 👀 It's only me, my 13-year-old and our dog.
Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.
Camping
XelaM · 26/01/2023 20:39
Thank you so much! I didn't know it was an acceptable thing to do at camp sites. Can anyone recommend a good camp site for total camping beginners who have no clue. We're in London, but willing to go anywhere within the UK.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
XelaM · 26/01/2023 23:05
Isn't a car more comfortable to sleep in than a tent (we wouldn't be buying a big tent as we don't yet know if we'd ever use it again). We're just trying to dabble into camping without buying loads of gear and then never using it again. Is there an alternative to using camp sites? I thought wild camping was only allowed in Scotland? I could be completely wrong and don't entirely know the meaning of "wild camping" 😀
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 09:13
I think a proper double mattress in a car is going to be far more comfortable than a tent.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
DogInATent · 27/01/2023 13:43
Maybe. If you've got a big enough flat area to put it on - i.e. an old Volvo estate or a van. It's rare for even an SUV to have a large enough fold-flat area for a double mattress. And your still going to be rejected by a lot of sites. If I was staying on sites I'd rather sleep in a sleeping bag on a SIM in a tent than in the car. Condensation is worse in a car, and there's no difference in terms of warmth/insulation between the two.
If I was avoiding sites and Stealth Camping I'd go with a SIM and a sleeping bag in the car, with insulated, lightproof panels for the windows (radiator reflector roll, cut to shape and fitted with rubber suckers).
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 09:13
I think a proper double mattress in a car is going to be far more comfortable than a tent.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 13:45
There is a company that does proper beds for the back of a Range Rover, so you lie fully flat, and the space there is more than long enough and wide enough.
As I mentioned above, I fancy doing this if I go to a festival, especially if there’s a risk of it turning into a quagmire or being baking hot.
DogInATent · 27/01/2023 13:43
Maybe. If you've got a big enough flat area to put it on - i.e. an old Volvo estate or a van. It's rare for even an SUV to have a large enough fold-flat area for a double mattress. And your still going to be rejected by a lot of sites. If I was staying on sites I'd rather sleep in a sleeping bag on a SIM in a tent than in the car. Condensation is worse in a car, and there's no difference in terms of warmth/insulation between the two.
If I was avoiding sites and Stealth Camping I'd go with a SIM and a sleeping bag in the car, with insulated, lightproof panels for the windows (radiator reflector roll, cut to shape and fitted with rubber suckers).
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 09:13
I think a proper double mattress in a car is going to be far more comfortable than a tent.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
DogInATent · 27/01/2023 14:06
The OP doesn't want to spend money (and doesn't have a Range Rover). The Range Rover bed is a custom-shaped inflatable mattress. And still leaves the problem of, if you're sleeping on the loadbed where's the luggage gone? (your clothes, food, camping stove, kettle, etc.).
Here's the RAV4 option - lunolife.com/products/luno-air-mattress-for-rav4
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 13:45
There is a company that does proper beds for the back of a Range Rover, so you lie fully flat, and the space there is more than long enough and wide enough.
As I mentioned above, I fancy doing this if I go to a festival, especially if there’s a risk of it turning into a quagmire or being baking hot.
DogInATent · 27/01/2023 13:43
Maybe. If you've got a big enough flat area to put it on - i.e. an old Volvo estate or a van. It's rare for even an SUV to have a large enough fold-flat area for a double mattress. And your still going to be rejected by a lot of sites. If I was staying on sites I'd rather sleep in a sleeping bag on a SIM in a tent than in the car. Condensation is worse in a car, and there's no difference in terms of warmth/insulation between the two.
If I was avoiding sites and Stealth Camping I'd go with a SIM and a sleeping bag in the car, with insulated, lightproof panels for the windows (radiator reflector roll, cut to shape and fitted with rubber suckers).
ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 09:13
I think a proper double mattress in a car is going to be far more comfortable than a tent.
DogInATent · 26/01/2023 22:56
Sites don't like people sleeping in unconverted vehicles. And tbh if you're using sites why not take a tent?
It looks like there are some roof-top tents available for the RAV4, these are very popular with the 4x4 crowd. Some of the fold-out tents that I've seen emerge from the roof box of a Landrover have been seriously impressive.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.